SOG Vulcan or ....

K

Kroz

Joined
May 28, 2012
Messages
11
Hi folks,

New to the forum here and was wondering if anyone would mind giving me their advice. I recently purchased a SOG Vulcan Tanto and I have to say I really liked this knife but I lost it last week when I was taking a hike in the forest and slide down a very steep slope. Guess the clip got caught on a branch and tore the knife off.
Anyhow, I was wondering if I should replace it with another SOG Vulcan or if someone could suggest something else in the same price range. I only say this because I have been reading allot about how the SOG folders have gone down in quality. I love the ZT's and also really like the look of the Emerson Roadhouse but I think these will all be out of my price range.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
 
Did you like the Vulcan? If you were happy with the quality don't worry about what others have said. If you like that style lock and want quality look into the Bencmade AXIS folders, some of the nicer examples are priced right around what you paid for the SOG. From what i've read, the SOG Arc lock models are well made and do not have the problems the lesser priced (trident, Flash etc) models have regarding lockup and blade wiggle. I actually really like the look of that SOG sanmai tanto, how did it cut?
 
While the Vulcan series is probably a bit too pricey for what they are, I have to come to their defense. The Mini Vulcan Tanto was the second or third knife I bought, and even though my tastes have evolved, I still do not regret it. It's absolutely flawless when it comes to fit and finish: it's definitely the smoothest knife I own, it's hard to explain the complete lack of friction between the blade tang and the washers. The modified tanto shape is actually really great for edc because you get a really acute point combined with a sweeping belly. Yes, you'll hear about recurves being hard to sharpen, but it really isn't as big a deal as it seems (an added bonus is that mine was ground perfectly on both sides).

While the cost to material quality might not be there, the knife really is more than the sum of its parts. You won't find many people defending SOG here, and truthfully I wouldn't go near their lower end stuff, but the Vulcan series really is fantastic.
 
crom said:
Did you like the Vulcan? If you were happy with the quality don't worry about what others have said. If you like that style lock and want quality look into the Bencmade AXIS folders, some of the nicer examples are priced right around what you paid for the SOG. From what i've read, the SOG Arc lock models are well made and do not have the problems the lesser priced (trident, Flash etc) models have regarding lockup and blade wiggle. I actually really like the look of that SOG sanmai tanto, how did it cut?
Click to expand...

It did cut really well and seemed to be very solid. Had 0 blad play and was smooth as butter...just wasn't sure if it would stay that way since I had only had it for 2 weeks before losing it.
 
Misanthropia said:
While the Vulcan series is probably a bit too pricey for what they are, I have to come to their defense. The Mini Vulcan Tanto was the second or third knife I bought, and even though my tastes have evolved, I still do not regret it. It's absolutely flawless when it comes to fit and finish: it's definitely the smoothest knife I own, it's hard to explain the complete lack of friction between the blade tang and the washers. The modified tanto shape is actually really great for edc because you get a really acute point combined with a sweeping belly. Yes, you'll hear about recurves being hard to sharpen, but it really isn't as big a deal as it seems (an added bonus is that mine was ground perfectly on both sides).

While the cost to material quality might not be there, the knife really is more than the sum of its parts. You won't find many people defending SOG here, and truthfully I wouldn't go near their lower end stuff, but the Vulcan series really is fantastic.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply...so so far it looks like the Vulcan is a good buy....again.
 
Yeah +1 for the vulcan. I know sog's quality has gone down, but the vulcan that iv owned iv had for 2 or 3 years and while it doesnt get a lot of pocket time now it sure did when I first got it.

Cant go wrong getting it, I wouldnt go with the tanto though..but thats just personal taste.
 
Another question from you guys is what is a good reputable online retailer to buy this knife?
 
The only thing I can complain about with my Vulcan is the handle feel. Zytel in a $100+ knife? Really SOG, no G10?

Something else to consider is the ZT 0350, but those have gone up in price recently (real bummer), to around $130 instead of the ~$95 they were a few months ago. You might be able to snag a Benchmade or the obligatory Spyderco Paramilitary 2 for right around $100.

Kroz said:
Another question from you guys is what is a good reputable online retailer to buy this knife?
Click to expand...
Knifecenter, BladeHQ, GPknives, New Graham, Knivesplus (big selection of SOGs) to name a few.
 
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Nothing wrong with getting another Vulcan. These upper level knives from SOG have great quality and vg-10 is great steel. May want to look into the Spec Elite for a bit longer blade.
 
Thanks for the info guys...I just bought another Vulcan! Now I just hope it doesn't get hung up in customs.
 
you can get a nice Benchmade or Spydie for what that Volcan cost, and you'll get a better quaility knife. May I suggest a Paramillitary 2.
 
I think all the Vulcan lacks is a better handle material than Zytel, but otherwise i'm interested in how it's a lesser quality knife? I'm honestly asking because I've had my eye on this model for some time. Both models of the Vulcan have a 4mm think VG10 blade with the axis type lock. Read nothing but good things about them, so ericvar101, what's the deal? Was yours a bad example or something?
 
I think the vulcan is a decent knife but it's not a good value IMO. For the same price you can get something better. A knife i think is comparable in quality (or better even) is the kershaw speed bump and those can be found for $75.
 
I'm playing devil's advocate here but i'd rather have vg10 and the axis type lock over stud lock and sandvik steel any day. and i'd pay a little more to get it as well.
 
I have both of the SOG Vulcans, the San Mai Tanto and the VG-10 recurve, and have found them both to be well worth the money. The quality is as good as any other top tier maker and they are solid knives that never fail to perform. Enjoy your Vulcan, once again.
 
crom said:
I'm playing devil's advocate here but i'd rather have vg10 and the axis type lock over stud lock and sandvik steel any day. and i'd pay a little more to get it as well.
Click to expand...

I don't think vg-10 is any better than sandvik 14c28n, at least based on my personal experiences. They're both excellent steels that can take and hold a razor edge. I think a lot of people judge vg-10 from their experiences with spyderco (delicas, enduras and whatnot) but spyderco makes excellent blades with very effective cutting geometry's and/or they have their heat treat down to a science. The vg-10 i've experienced from other companies doesn't stand out from sandvik. Now, that's a mixture of conjecture and opinion but maybe others will agree?
 
Since you already like the knife, I'd get another one. I am not a fan of the tanto blade design on the Vulcan, but to each his own. I actually prefer the Mini-Vulcan as it fits in the pocket and carries a little easier. I have both Vulcans and pretty much bought them within a month after they came out. I believe the Mini Vulcan was obtained at the SOG booth at the Blade show when it first came out. Few had them yet.
 
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