SOG Vulcan folder

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KenHash

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Sep 11, 2014
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I am looking at the SOG Vulcan folders VL01 and VL03. The SOG website shows both to be simply VG10.
Yet some sellers state that they are a VG10 laminate, I guess like the Fallknieven blades.
Still I found an post that seemed to suggest that the Tanto VL3 was a San Mai laminate but the
the clip point VL01 was not. Can anyone set me straight on this?
 
The Tanto is San Mai with VG10 core and 420J2 laminate. The clip point is 100% VG10. This is true for the Mini versions as well.
 
I have the tanto Mini (state law for size) you can see the laminate or San mai. This is one of, if not the most prized items I own. People will bash the zytel handles just because they aren't g10 or micarta but I have a high end g10 handheld blade and the zytel is much more "gripy" it all depends on the manufacturer finish sog made these scales aggressive and zytel will outlast g10 or micarta. I got this blade because it is built to last a life time. Full steel liners zytel handle thick blade ect. The arc lock is strong and awesome for deployment just hold it down small amount of wrist flick it's deployed as fast as my friend with a true switch blade then of course release the arc lock and its sturdy no blade wiggle. To put it back just hold the lock down flick your wrist and the weight of the beefy blade dose the work. That method takes just a little practice. There are thumb studs with grooves for your thumb and a flipper. Just fare warning this is not spring assist so the flipper also will take a small wrist flick. I was glad it wasn't spring assist just incase that is ever outlawed (dumber laws are out there and there are people in government wanting to do this unfortunately). All opening methods are ambidextrous. Mine came face shaving sharp. The blade has a bit of a "belly" that makes it a wicked slicer. The only challenge and is not a big deal with the right sharpening system is the blade shape takes special care when sharpening. It feels awesome no matter how its held normal hammer reverse. I can only speak for the tanto I don't own the other. I got the tanto because it's the strongest blade tip and this is carried purely for defence I also carry a knife for utility. I know this was a long response but I really love this blade and I would highly recommend it. Don't be discouraged because this isn't made in the USA vg10 is only made in seki Japan its actually illegal in their government to sell vg10 as bar stock only finished blades can leave the county of this steel type. The pocket clip isn't beefy and got caught (it got "clipped into" a mattress that had a hole in it and I got up quick) and got bent and broke when I was bending it back from waaaayyyyy out of shape but the best thing is sog has a no questions asked clip lifetime replacement policy which I used and they sent me a new clip and screw at no cost to me not even shipping. I didn't buy directly from them and I didn't give them a receipt or anything no problem. If you have any questions or concerns I would be happy to answer them. Sorry for any gramer or spelling errors I'm not the best at texting. Hope this helped (the blade is San mai because the inside vg10 is great at holding an edge but is harder and the out side is softer and more corrosion resistant.)
 
Thank you very much for a very extensive review Paul. I already have a Spec Elite II with the
axis lock which I flip in and out so I don't expect any problems getting used to the Vulcan's operation. And I am not discouraged that this knife is not made in the USA. My USA made Kershaws are owned by KAI, a Japanese blade company that bought Kershaw way back in 1977 using Swedish steel. And the original MACV SOG knives, from which SOG Knives took its name and image, were made in Japan, albeit discreetly for obvious purposes. (I only have a mental problem with one manufacturing country for both quality and political reasons. LOL) My Vulcan Tanto should arrive before the weekend so I may have some observations soon.
 
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If you look at the top with the blade closed your thumb fits perfect over that raised part on top for less then lethal hammer strike where the pocket clip is. Forgot that part. Also the flipper will stop the blade from cutting your index finger on the very off chance the lock malfunctioned. I'm excited for you I know you will love it ;!)
 
Ha! My Vulcan arrived. This is a knife that looks "scarier" and "wilder" in photos than in real life.
The weight, mass, design and "fit" in my hand has me floored. Until now I thought that
only a Ken Onion design would feel perfect in my hand. I was wrong. The Vulcan feels so good in my hand that I don't want to out it down. LOL
Size wise it fits my Raine No.9 sheath perfectly. The Vulcan is not as big as I had thought and can easily be an EDC with the pocket clip. The blade is a real piece of work with the lamination line straight and clean on both sides. When I get done admiring it I'll carry it a bit and see how if fares.
 

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Congrats. The Vulcan is a terrific design, and the cutting performance is excellent. My mini (tanto) is of my favorite knives to carry. I think you'll enjoy it.
 
Yeah I tend to mess with it while I'm driving (very low traffic dirt roads). Using the method I described you can also open it if your thumb and or index finger where out of commission one handed. A knife being ambidextrous like that is a big deal too, if you don't believe me check what hand you cut your stake with ;!)
 
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