SOG Seal Team Knife Review

Intro:

In the world of tactical knives, one name stands out as a testament to exceptional craftsmanship, durability, and unwavering performance – the SOG Seal Team Knife. Renowned for its rich history rooted in the Vietnam War and its association with the elite MACV-SOG special ops unit, this iconic blade has become synonymous with reliability in the harshest of environments. Today, we delve into the depths of this remarkable tool to provide an in-depth review of its features, design, and real-world performance. Join us as we explore the legacy of the SOG Seal Team Knife and uncover why it remains a trusted companion for military professionals, outdoor enthusiasts, and adventurers seeking an edge in their pursuits.

SOG Knife Story:

The story of SOG’s inception began in Vietnam. Members of a highly classified US special ops unit carried a unique combat knife into the jungle on covert missions.

This special unit was known as MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group). The US Government once wholeheartedly denied its existence. So it wasn’t until long after the end of the war that the SOG story could even be told.

Years later, in 1986, that special knife inspired a young designer named Spencer Frazer to find SOG Specialty Knives. His mission is to reproduce the original SOG Bowie knife and pay tribute to the special ops unit that created it.

What began as a single commemorative model soon became a full line of innovative tools, field-proven by US Special Forces and even honored as the Navy SEAL knife of choice.

Today, SOG knives are carried with confidence into the most demanding situations. So whether you’re protecting others, leading an epic hunting expedition, tackling one of life’s everyday challenges, or facing your most extreme conditions yet, lead the way with SOG.

SOG Mission:

SOG’s mission is to create the most distinctive gear. Gear that is made especially for adventurous people who like to “live on the edge.” Also, their vision is to design and create gear of the highest quality, distinction, and value. This gear delivers what consumers need and, to do so always defines the leading edge of technology.

SOG Seal Team Knife Features:

Consequently, with that mission in mind, SOG has created the Seal Team fixed blade knife. This knife is a part of their “tactical” line of fixed-blade knives. This knife features an overall length of 12 3/8 inches with a partially black, powder coated, partially serrated, clip point blade that is 7” inches in length and is made from AUS-8 hardened to 57-58 Rockwell (which is fairly hard for a working knife made from this steel).

It also features a Glass Reinforced Nylon handle. This handle features molded quillions, a checkered surface, finger grooves, a lanyard hole, and an exposed “glass breaker” tang.

Thus, I think this knife would serve quite well as an outdoor survival knife.

First, I like the choice of a clip-point blade. This is the most versatile tip shape, and the 7” length gives the knife enough heft to perform light chopping jobs.

In addition, the choice to use AUS-8 for the blade steel is a wise choice for a tactical fixed blade knife because it is stainless steel (13 to 14.5% Chromium) and, hardened 57 to 58 Rockwell, it is quite hard for a working knife. This steel has a Carbon content of 0.70% to 0.75% making it only a moderately high carbon steel. This prevents it from being too hard. Yet, it also contains 0.10% to 0.26% Vanadium (produces a fine grain structure in the steel which enables the edge to be sharpened to a very keen edge) as well as 0.10% to 0.30% Molybdenum (bonds with the Chromium during forging to form hard, double carbide, to improve the abrasion and corrosion resistance of the steel).

Strongly Built Knife:

Consequently, we expect it to hold an edge rather well and be highly corrosion-resistant. In addition, we like the molded quillions, the checkered surface, and the finger grooves on the Glass Reinforced Nylon (GRN) handle. They provide the user with a positive grip and are also impervious to absorbing moisture. They are key in limiting chipping, cracking, or splitting. However, while a partially serrated edge might be useful in a tactical knife, it is not useful in an outdoor survival knife. Thus, we would prefer it to have a non-serrated edge instead.

Like all SOG knives, the Seal Team is a well-designed and strongly built knife. It incorporates an excellent choice of materials for the intended purpose. We can say with authority that it makes an outstanding choice for an outdoor or tactical fighting knife.

Maintenance:

The maintenance requirements for the SOG Seal Team Knife are relatively straightforward. This makes cleaning, sharpening, and maintaining its overall condition easy. To ensure its longevity, cleaning the knife after each use is recommended. Particularly if it has been exposed to moisture or dirt. Cleaning can be done by using mild soap and warm water, followed by thorough drying to prevent corrosion. Sharpening the blade is a breeze thanks to the AUS-8 steel’s fine grain structure, allowing for a keen edge.

Whether using a sharpening stone, honing rod, or another preferred sharpening method, the SOG Seal Team Knife can be easily restored to its optimal cutting performance. Regular lubrication of the pivot points with a quality lubricant also helps maintain smooth opening and closing. These simple maintenance practices ensure that the SOG Seal Team Knife remains in prime condition. It will be ready for any tactical or outdoor adventure that lies ahead.

Conclusion:

The SOG Seal Team knife is a testament to the US special ops units’ rich history and unwavering commitment. With its exceptional design and top-quality materials, this knife excels in tactical and outdoor survival situations. The choice of a clip point blade, AUS-8 steel, and a Glass Reinforced Nylon handle with molded quillions contribute to its exceptional performance and durability. The partially serrated edge may not be ideal for an outdoor survival knife. But the overall craftsmanship and attention to detail make the SOG Seal Team knife a reliable companion. Whether you are a member of the military, an avid outdoors enthusiast, or simply someone who values quality gear, the SOG Seal Team knife is a worthy choice. The Sog Seal embodies the spirit of exploration and preparedness.