Episteme
01-22-2007, 05:36 PM
My fiance got me a SOG Trident Folder for Christmas, and I just thought i'd share some thoughts on this model. The model I received has the Tiger-Striped powder coating on the Aus-8 partially serrated 3.65 inch clip-point blade. The blade's profile is nearly identical to the SOG Seal Pup's, and almost the same in edge-length as well. The factory edge is razor-sharp, almost on par with Spyderco.
The weight of the knife is surprisingly low, comparable with my Endura 3. Scales are FRN/Zytel with excellent placement of knurling on the parts of the handle that need it. Now, for the SOG Assisted Opening: The blade has duel thumbstuds that, when pressed with enough pressure, allow for the user to open the blade about 1/4 of the way until the assisted opening mechanism takes over and pops the blade out and locked. The lock on this knife is similar to an axis lock, although the placement of the lock release might allow for accidental disengaging if the thumb placement isn't relegated to the top of the knife's handle, or up near the blade's pivot. No problem though.
Lastly, the handle features a portion cut-out near the back of the knife that allows for the cutting of para-cord without having to open the knife.
The only aspect of this knife that can be a slight bother is that the blade has some lateral blade play when opened and locked. I have read numerous times that this lateral blade play is needed and intended by SOG so the Assisted Opening mechanism operates properly, and that the lateral play does not effect the robustness of the knife.
All said, this is a winner of a knife. It will join my two FRN SE First Generation Delicas for EDC.
-Mike
The weight of the knife is surprisingly low, comparable with my Endura 3. Scales are FRN/Zytel with excellent placement of knurling on the parts of the handle that need it. Now, for the SOG Assisted Opening: The blade has duel thumbstuds that, when pressed with enough pressure, allow for the user to open the blade about 1/4 of the way until the assisted opening mechanism takes over and pops the blade out and locked. The lock on this knife is similar to an axis lock, although the placement of the lock release might allow for accidental disengaging if the thumb placement isn't relegated to the top of the knife's handle, or up near the blade's pivot. No problem though.
Lastly, the handle features a portion cut-out near the back of the knife that allows for the cutting of para-cord without having to open the knife.
The only aspect of this knife that can be a slight bother is that the blade has some lateral blade play when opened and locked. I have read numerous times that this lateral blade play is needed and intended by SOG so the Assisted Opening mechanism operates properly, and that the lateral play does not effect the robustness of the knife.
All said, this is a winner of a knife. It will join my two FRN SE First Generation Delicas for EDC.
-Mike