SOG Seal XR

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mmyron1

Joined
Jan 14, 2007
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What are the thoughts on the SOG Seal XR folder?

The only folders to truly fail on me were both SOG Tridents so I swore off SOG to ever produce a folder I would trust again. But this one looks promising.
 
It's a great knife, and nothing like the SOG I remember from ~5 years ago (the last time I bought a SOG knife). Never imagined I'd be buying SOG again, but I'm glad I rolled the dice. Quality, fit and finish, action, materials -- it's all on point for the price and intended purpose.

I like it so much I'm eyeing the Pentagon XR. The way they've got the XR lock dialed in now is awesome -- every bit as fluid as BM (and Hogue), but with a crisp detent that prevents the blade from being easily snapped open just using inertia.

pdTd0jJ.jpg
 
I don't own any SOG knives, but I like the Seal XR's design and materials, for the most part (as I recall from a review here on BladeForums, the liners (?) and/or backspace are not stainless).

Were I in the market for another knife that says overkill+1 in a foldable package, it would be on the short list. As it is, I went with a 4-Max Scout, but I definitely like the SOG's clip-point blade.
 
It looks great, and I'm considering getting one ome of these days, but I've been on a spyderco buying kick (stretch 2, kapara, cf/s90v native chief, endela, and delica) and I've got a Benchmade Adamas on the way too.

Plus, I want to try before I buy. Hard to trust SOG after witnessing their previously craptastic knives.
 
Weiss said:
(as I recall from a review here on BladeForums, the liners (?) and/or backspace are not stainless)
Click to expand...
If we're thinking of the same review (linked below), I submit that there's a difference between "not stainless" and "will rust if you submerge it in a pond for an hour and then don't dry it off." I'd expect many/most of my knives with stainless steel liners to show some rust after going swimming with them, which is why I don't go swimming with them. ;)

To the best of my knowledge, the liners are stainless steel. They're described as such on product pages I trust (GP Knives, for example).

SOG SEAL XR review

From the moment I saw the SOG SEAL XR in the SHOT show video I was interested. I have always liked a stout knife and have had many of them, from tons of different manufacturers. This one is big and not for the faint of heart but those who like overbuilt knives will love this knife. Blade...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
Say, that’s the review I had in mind. Rust has been a bugaboo of mine since I was a kiddo, so that always catches my attention. Still, I think it’s a great knife.
 
I borrowed one for a few days while my friend borrowed my BM Rift. I liked it for the two days I had it. They did a good job on their version of the Axis the lock it seems.

I like big knives. This is a big knife. Would I buy it? No.

1. Not sure the value is there for me. Granted, a totally subjective statement. YMMV.
2. I would expect G10 or micarta at that price. I don't mind GRN or FRN at all but at a certain price, I expect the next level which is G10 or micarta.
3. Pocket clip stinks imo. Yes, someone probably makes an after market one but now you are in over $200 on the knife. That is a meh for me.

As others have mentioned, SOG seems to be doing better on what they are producing.
 
I bought one and noticed right away, I can flip it open and locked up tight, pull back the lock and it closes. The entire process takes about two seconds. Jimping is pretty sharp on the flipper, sometimes it hurts my finger, sometimes not, depending on my finger condition. (Been working with metal roofing and atm my fingers are sore) The thing has jimping everywhere you could possibly put it and the sharpest is definitely on the flipper tab. It's well made and solid. I still like it and for use with gloves it's about the best, IMO.
 
mmyron1 said:
What are the thoughts on the SOG Seal XR folder?

The only folders to truly fail on me were both SOG Tridents so I swore off SOG to ever produce a folder I would trust again. But this one looks promising.
Click to expand...

The SOG Trident folders, along with other models that used Sog's assist system at the time were complete garbage in terms of blade play OOTB. But their
Seki made series using the ARC Lock were absolutely fantastic knives. But they were highly priced and didn't do as well as they should have.
The Seal XR using a newer Axis type lock and good steel my signal a turnaround in SOG's strategy.
 
i had one and it was very well made and solid with good flipper action, it was just a bit too big and heavy for me to edc so i sold it, but ive considered possibly getting another one. if you like big robust knives with flippers, this one is for you
 
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