Contemplating a SOG Pressure mounted blade knife?
Wish to know extra about it before you purchase?
Try our evaluate under.
Product Evaluate – SOG Pressure Fastened Blade Knife
A knife is likely one of the extra essential items of apparatus you’ll be able to have with you in a survival state of affairs.
As such, a superb, survival-appropriate, fixed-blade knife is your best option for inclusion in a survival package or BOB (Bug Out Bag) or equal, and/or to be strapped on when an emergency is probably going.
On this article, we are going to take into account one other contender for “Greatest Survival Knife”.
As talked about in earlier articles, there are two courses of mounted blade knives that may be applicable for survival eventualities, the “bush” (medium) knife and the “subject” (giant) knife. This knife belongs to the bush class.
Why did I take into account this knife?
SOG is certainly one of my favourite knife manufacturers, though to this point I’ve been extra interested by their preventing knives.
They had been began in 1986 by designer Spencer Frazer, with the preliminary purpose of reproducing the fight knife carried by the MAC-V (Navy Help Command – Viet Nam) SOG groups in the course of the Viet Nam Struggle.
SOG was formally “Research and Statement Group”; typical authorities misdirection. Sounds innocent, proper? Why would they’ve required a particular fight knife?
Allow us to simply say that they had been quite extra lively than the title implies; extra typically they had been often called the “Particular Operations Group”.
In any case, Spenser’s firm succeeded of their preliminary purpose, and shortly branched out into a variety of high-tech knives and different helpful objects. Though the fight heritage continues to be extremely seen in lots of their fashions, they do supply some fashions which appear to fulfill our survival knife standards.
The primary one I discovered a deal on was the Pressure, their largest knife which may nonetheless be thought-about a bush knife.
Preliminary impressions
It’s marketed as a “Clip Level”, however actually is drop level. I’ve seen some that are partially serrated, however the website doesn’t record that as a present choice. It does have a false edge, however it’s so slight that it may be thought-about a plus quite than a minus. It’s hole floor, which may imply improved sharpness, but in addition might result in a bit much less sturdiness.
For a knife with a 6″ blade, 1/4″ thick, that is astonishingly nimble. As with my different SOG knives, it’s properly put collectively, engaging and good to carry.
The blade coating is clean and slick, so should have no affect on slicing, though it isn’t obligatory for rust safety. That is most likely a results of their navy heritage, intending that no gentle is mirrored from the blade to “provide you with away”.
There may be one quirk that isn’t optimum for my part: the jimping is surprisingly positioned. There’s a slight thumb ramp molded into the grip, with solely slight ribbing for slip resistance.
For those who attempt to put your finger a bit additional ahead, the top of the thumb ramp digs into your thumb. You possibly can put your thumb previous the ramp on the jimping, which is definitely fairly helpful for some duties however can’t be thought-about both a saber or a Filipino grip, being midway between them.
I would favor both to do with out the thumb ramp and prolong the jimping a half inch rearward or to have far more traction on the thumb ramp and the jimping to be prolonged ahead an inch.
A part of the rationale this knife is so nimble is the light-weight deal with materials, the marginally narrower blade, and doubtless the diminished blade mass as a result of hole grind.
The grip has good checkering on the edges, however pretty ineffectual ridges on the highest and backside. The underside of the grip is mildly scalloped with finger notches.
All in all, pretty slip-resistant with the hand dry, moist, or with vegetable oil. The grip is snug and secures in all customary grips, besides the saber, which is snug in case you preserve your thumb on the thumb ramp, however not as safe as I would really like.
- The sides of the backbone are pretty sharp; with the graceful coating, it’s hopeful they are going to be helpful.
- The blade coating is aesthetically pleasing and doesn’t replicate gentle.
- The lanyard gap is properly sized, and the sides appear to have solely a really slight rounding, so test your lanyard for put on now and again. If it seems to be an issue, the sides are within the grip materials, so might be able to be chamfered a bit extra.
- The top of the tang is uncovered and pointed, so it ought to serve in non-lethal fight, and act as a glass breaker.
- Stability is true behind the guard, which is perfect for a lot of makes use of, with the doubtless exception of chopping. After all, the hole floor blade may additionally have an effect on its chopping potential.
- The sheath, just like the knife, seems to be principally superior with just a few quirks; it must be not less than sufficient for many makes use of. Retention appears to be sufficient.
- Primarily based on historical past, specs, and appearances, I’ve excessive hopes for this knife.
The Metal
AUS-8 is a generally used mid-range chrome steel that takes an excellent edge and has fairly good corrosion resistance. It’s a Japanese product roughly equal to an American-made 440B. Normally, it’s more durable and simpler to sharpen than another chrome steel. Some folks discover it loses its edge shortly; others say it holds an edge in addition to any stainless blade; maybe it will depend on the tempering course of. Like most stainless steels, it may be a bit brittle.
The knife takes an honest edge, though not as simply as a superb carbon metal. A number of strokes of my Smith’s Pocket Pal obtained it virtually razor sharp (reduce just a few hairs) and simply sliced paper and a tomato. After fifty slices by way of cardboard, it didn’t endure any vital potential to slice tomatoes and paper.
To summarize, it seems that the metal has excessive rust resistance, pretty excessive energy, good edge functionality, average ease of sharpening, some resistance to chipping and average or higher edge holding functionality.
Analysis
Basic duties
- Reducing twine. That is typically obligatory throughout development of shelter, fishing, stitching and making snares and traps, in addition to different instances. As essentially the most generally accessible to survivalists, I attempted fish line and paracord, in addition to 3/8″ Manila and three/4″ Sisal, simply because fish line and paracord would appear to be trivial for any knife value having. Reducing the fish line was no drawback, as was reducing paracord underneath rigidity. Reducing the paracord whereas it was laying on a flat floor was a bit tougher than I am used to. The knife additionally had extra bother than different knives with the Manila. As for Sisal, it did the job with a number of effort; not the worst knife I’ve tried it with, however close to to it.
- Making notches in branches. This may very well be required for shelter development and making snares or traps, in addition to different instances. This did quite properly at this. It appeared to chop with the grain properly, and though not a terrific chopper, it was capable of make the perpendicular cease reduce adequately.
- Trimming/Sharpening/smoothing branches. This is able to be for shelter development, in addition to making arrows, spears, stakes, strolling sticks and even bows. The knife did a fairly good job in any respect of those.
- Pounding in stakes. This may very well be required for making shelters, snares and traps. This knife shouldn’t be set as much as carry out this perform.
Firemaking
- Use with a magnesium bar or ferrocerium rod is okay utilizing the sting of the backbone; it shaves and sparks properly, nevertheless it does mark up the blade coating.
- A technique of creating tinder is to make use of the backbone to scrape the liner from bark; this knife has a backbone sharp sufficient to do a good job. As for making a “feather stick”, this does a the perfect job of this of all of the knives I’ve tried up to now.
- Drilling a gap (for a fireplace drill) was fairly straightforward; the tip doesn’t look like at excessive danger of breaking throughout cheap use. Be careful for “unreasonable” use, as stainless is extra brittle than carbon metal.
- Batoning for entry to tinder or making kindling from logs labored fairly properly. The hole grind made it simpler than regular to start out, and didn’t appear excessively weak. There have been marks within the blade coating after this take a look at, however they may principally be scrubbed off.
Meals Gathering/Preparation
- Use as a throwing knife. A phrase to the smart, do not. For those who throw your knife, it’s possible you’ll not get it again, or it may be broken, significantly whether it is manufactured from chrome steel which is a bit brittle. I didn’t attempt throwing this, as the associated fee was too excessive to dare risking chipping or breaking it.
- Use as a spear. Turning your knife right into a spear provides you further attain, however throwing a spear manufactured from a stainless-steel knife is extra inclined to wreck than is appropriate. Apart from, the grip can’t be eliminated, so this may must be lashed “to” the shaft, that means will probably be properly off heart and never throw properly anyway.
- This chops veggies fairly properly and the blade form must be fairly good for skinning and butchering, though presumably a bit lengthy for final comfort. With the hole floor blade, it must be sufficient for filleting regardless of the blade thickness.
- Digging for grubs and bait. It’s exhausting to think about something which may uninteresting or harm a knife faster than digging with it, and stainless is vulnerable to chipping if it hits a rock, so I do not suggest utilizing this knife for digging.
Chopping
- Sticks or fronds. For shelter and different development, splints and firewood. The hole floor, stainless blade was a sturdiness concern, however chopping didn’t trigger any seen harm.
- It was not an excellent chopper; taking many strokes to get by way of a half inch department. It doesn’t have the burden over the reducing level wanted to cut properly. Nevertheless, it was passable for a bush knife.
Protection
- The blade size is nice however a bit brief to be distinctive at protection, and its nimbleness and cross part is definitely fairly good. Sadly, the built-in half guard gives primarily no safety to your hand out of your opponent, and truthful safety out of your hand slipping onto the blade. That is truly nearer to a preventing knife than many bush knives.
- The types which might most profit from this knife could be these using the sideways grip and the reverse grip together with your thumb over the pommel. Kinds utilizing the hammer or saber grips might be much less efficient, because the hand might presumably slip onto the blade utilizing these grips when stabbing. The top of the tang has a “skull-cracker” level which is a plus. Just about the one grip which can permit efficient use of this function is the “hammer” grip.
Sheath
- The sheath model is a fairly good instance of the nylon/polyester sort. In contrast to many, the nylon is stiffened. The grip strap is closed with Velcro, which is simple to make use of, however not essentially the most safe. The belt loop is sewn in and may be very stiff, however you will have to string it onto your belt. On the again is a full size Molle connection strap, and there are two eyelets alongside the highest edge for extra lashing prospects. The blade guard seems to be sturdy sufficient and properly contained. It seems to be not fitted, however does have a little bit of a friction match. This implies there’s little or no rattle, however it’s attainable that some put on to the coating might happen. It does slot in backwards with a bit extra friction, that means a left hand carry is feasible, however most likely not optimum. There’s a small pouch on the entrance, with a flap, however the flap sticks up an inch excessive of the pouch; with its Velcro fastener, it will possibly most likely be adjusted to safe most contents. There’s a pair of eyelets on the backside for a size of thong or paracord to tie across the leg if sheath flop is an issue.
Equipment
It seems no equipment can be found.
Worth and Availability
The record value of the Pressure at this time limit is $180.00. You possibly can typically discover it on eBay for $95 and up.
It’s listed as being in inventory on the firm, and there are few folks promoting it on eBay, as Purchase It Now. Alternatively, Amazon has it for an affordable value, though tax could also be added.
Conclusions
I like this knife loads, nevertheless it does not likely stand out as distinctive for both of the 2 conditions I am . Though it might serve pretty properly as one’s solely knife, I see it as a bit gentle responsibility to be optimum. And it’s a bit massive to be essentially the most helpful second knife in a two knife set.
It’s higher for fight than different bush knives I’ve tried, so a case the place I would select it might be as a part of a set, the place my subject knife was inappropriate for fight and the surroundings known as for stainless.
A greater guard and/or higher slip resistance on the highest and backside of the grip might enhance it is suitability for fight. I used to be not thrilled with the situation of the jimping, however after utilizing the knife, I discovered the place fairly helpful.
The coating doesn’t serve any actual survival goal besides unobtrusiveness, but appears to be simply marked up. The marks principally wipe off with scrubbing, and any remaining marks will not be actually obtrusive.
The hole grind is useful for slicing duties and reduces the “clumsiness” of the thick blade, however restricts the knife’s talents to carry out excessive stress (probably damaging) duties.
All in all, it’s a helpful instance of a stainless-steel knife, however for my part, it doesn’t match or exceed the perfect carbon metal knives I’ve tried up to now. Thus far, it appears carbon metal is a more sensible choice besides close to salt water.
Keep tuned for future opinions of chrome steel knives making use of for survival knife positions (and extra carbon metal knives as properly).
Wish to know extra? Try these associated articles:
INFOGRAPHIC: The Full Information to Knife Blades
Survival Knife Evaluate: Benchmade 140 Nimravus Fastened Blade Knife
Greatest Survival Knives: Ka-Bar BK&T Becker BK-2 (BK-22) “Companion” Fastened Blade Knife
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Editor’s Notice: This put up was initially revealed on September 18, 2015, and has been up to date for high quality and relevancy.
