submitted by Adam Molina

SOG knives have become a staple in the everyday carry community. The company has consistently improved its technologies every year, introducing safer, more practical, and cooler knives. There are plenty of new models to choose from, and the combination of sleek design and improvements in its XR locking technology makes these a no-brainer for anyone looking to add a knife to their EDC. In this guide, we’ll review some of the best options available and dig deeper into what makes a great SOG knife.

(Editor’s note: This post has been updated as of February 2023.)

Our Top Picks

The Best Overall SOG Knife: One-Zero XR [Buy]

The Best SOG Knife on a Budget: Tellus ATK [Buy]

The Best SOG Multi-tool: Flash MT [Buy]

The Best SOG Assisted knife: Flash AT  [Buy]

The Most Compact SOG Knife: Rapid Edge [Buy]

The Competition

Pillar: There are plenty of other well-regarded options in the EDC community. The SOG Pillar is a massive 5-inch fixed blade that stands out from the pack due to its full tang construction. It is made of S35VN steel and has a clip-point blade shape with a straight edge for serious cutting tasks. It also has a Micarta handle with well-placed notches for a better grip. Jimping along the spine also helps with handling, and it comes with a tough kydex sheath that keeps it readily available whenever needed.Kiku XR LTE: The Kiku XR LTE is a solid option for anyone looking for a discreet knife that’s easy to carry anywhere. This knife has a 3-inch tanto-shaped blade with corrosion resistance, making it easier to maintain long-term. It also features SOG’s XR locking mechanism, designed to help keep the blade secure when not in use but easy to snap into place when needed. It also features carbon fiber liners which help make the knife lighter than other options at just 4.1 ounces.SEAL Pup: Anyone looking for a functional fixed blade without breaking the bank shouldn’t overlook the SEAL Pup. This 4.75-inch full-tang hunting knife is about as tactical as possible, with an all-black design, a serrated section on the blade, and a hard-molded MOLLE-compatible nylon sheath. Despite its large footprint, this knife only weighs 5.4 ounces. Whether you’re looking for a knife to add to your emergency pack or an everyday reliable fixed blade, the SEAL Pup fills a specific role well.Twitch II: The tactical look might not be ideal for every kind of person. The Twitch II might be for you if you want something more discreet and easy to carry. This quality folding knife has an anodized aluminum handle and flicks open smoothly to reveal a 2.65-inch stainless steel blade. It has a reversible low-carry clip (that doubles as a money clip if you want) and a drop-point blade that makes it ideal whether you’re opening packages in the office or cutting some fishing line on the weekend.Aegis: Investing in a quality knife is never a bad idea, but if you’re not there yet, the Aegis folding knife is where functionality meets an affordable price. The 3.3-inch spear point blade is 8Cr13MoV, while the handle is solid stainless steel, making it quite heavy at 5.3 ounces. That said, those same materials make it super tough as well. It also features a frame-lock mechanism for keeping the blade in place and an all-black pocket clip which is a nice touch. So if you know you will be putting your blade through a beating, picking up one (or two) of these might be a wise choice.Trident AT-XR: While some people only want a knife to open packages or cut apples, others need a knife that they can depend on at the scene of an emergency. For first responders, the Trident AT Blackout offers quality features that not all knives have. The most obvious of which is the glass breaker built into the handle. Then there’s the line cutter which can be used to slice through paracords or seatbelts without needing even to deploy the blade. Lastly, there’s a spine-mounted thumb-activated safety for ensuring the blade is only deployed when needed. The knife features a 3.7-inch clip-point blade made of Cryo D2 steel, so you can handle anything.Traction: SOG has such a wide offering that there are solid offerings at every price point. One of which is the Traction, which is a 3.5-inch folder that features a satin-polished steel blade. It only weighs about 2 ounces, and the textured glass-reinforced nylon handle ensures a nice grip while cutting. The blade has dual thumb studs for quick deployment with one hand, and the lockback mechanism ensures it’ll stay locked while you’re using it. The price, size, and overall build of this knife make it a great option for EDC.

Complete Overview and Qualities of SOG Knives

Knife Types

Assisted: This refers to a folding knife with an internal mechanism to help the blade open fully. Once you start the process and flick open the knife using thumb studs or a flipper tab, the internal mechanism takes over to finish the process and lock the blade into place.Automatic: An automatic knife is any knife that can deploy the blade by itself at the push of a button. Typically, they come in two options: side-opening knives or out-the-front.Fixed Blade: A fixed blade is a knife that does not fold into smaller sizes. They’re typically (but not always) larger and must be carried in some kind of sheath when unused. This kind of knife allows more heavy-duty cutting as no smaller pieces can break under pressure.Folding Knife: A folding knife is any knife that has a pivot point where the blade can fold down. It typically folds into the handle for safety. While not ideal for tougher cutting jobs, these are great for everyday use as you can fit a decently sized blade in a small footprint that you can stash in your pocket.

Blade Steel

Depending on what you think you will use your knife for, it’s a good idea to know the different blade steels. They come in three different types: Standard, Select, and Premium.

Standard: Standard steel consists of a few different kinds that SOG uses. They include stainless steel, 3Cr13, 5Cr13MoV, and 5Cr15MoV. These are usually entry-level knives and provide great value considering they resist rust well. They tend to be softer than other metals, requiring more maintenance over time. So make sure you know how to use a knife sharpener.Select: Next up is Select, which are higher quality steels that can hold an edge. They’re also great for regular everyday use, requiring less maintenance. They include AUS-8, D2, 7Cr17MoV, 8Cr13MoV, and 9Cr18MoV. Knives with this kind of blade type are typically more expensive as well.Premium: Lastly, there is the Premium metal type, which has the highest price but the highest chromium content, which helps maintain an edge for longer. It also has better rust resistance, so they require less maintenance than other blade types. These metals include CPM S35VN, CTS XHP, and VG-10.

Handle Material

While the blade is important, it’s the handle you’ll interact most with. There are many different types of handle materials, and they all have their pros and cons.

G-10: One of the more common handle materials is G-10. It’s durable fiberglass that’s highly compressed and then put under extreme heat, which makes it tough enough to handle almost anything. SOG mainly offers G-10 in black but can also come in other colors.Glass-Reinforced Nylon: Glass-Reinforced Nylon (GRN) is lightweight and impact-resistant nylon used in plenty of handles. It’s harder than plastic and can also handle temperature fluctuations better.Metal: Then there are metal handles such as aluminum. Aluminum can be anodized for special colors as well or even anodized for increased scratch resistance. A metal handle will typically make the knife’s overall weight slightly heavier, but depending on what you want, it might be worth it for the increased durability.Linen Micarta: Another type of handle material is Linen Micarta which is made by soaking linen in a special resin and pressing them with intense pressure. This gives the handle a soft feel in the hand while maintaining toughness and lightweight. Plus, it will patina nicely as you use it.Carbon Fiber: Carbon fiber is probably best known for combining strength and being lightweight. It’s made by taking thin layers of carbon strands and putting them under extreme pressure to make a tough material.Wood: While most handles are made from special resins or metals, some knives are in classic wood or leather. Not only do these give you a more traditional look, but it is also very durable. They can also be slightly heavier, so if your priority is the weight, that’s worth keeping in mind.Micarta: Linen Micarta is only one type of Micarta. You can also get a Canvas Micarta made using the same process, but with canvas instead of linen.

Blade Shape

Not all blades are the same. The more you compare knives, the more you might notice that they come in all shapes and sizes. They all cut well enough, but different blade shapes are specialized for different tasks.

Tanto: The tanto blade has two straight edges meeting at the point. Starting at the spine, the blade goes straight through to the tip resulting in a sharp point. These knives are great for puncturing as they tend to have stronger tips.Straight Back: The straight-back blade has a slightly curved tip that meets the flat spine. This makes the blade easy to handle and gives you a strong knife ideal for chopping.Clip Point: The clip point blade shape is probably the most common and can be found on many EDC knives. The blade has a slight concave going from the spine to the tip and is the shape used on many fixed blades.Sheepsfoot: The sheepsfoot blade is more specialized than some other options. Starting at the knife’s spine, the tip slopes downward until it meets the straight edge on the bottom. These knives lend themselves to rescue knives because there is no sharp point at the end.Drop Point: A drop point blade is one of the most common shapes for an EDC knife. Compared to the knife’s spine, the tip is convex-shaped and slightly lowered, making it a little thicker than other blade shapes. It’s great for controlled cuts, and many hunting knives use this shape for that reason.Spearpoint: A spearpoint blade is when the two sides of the blade are more or less identical, with the tip at the center. They’re also known as daggers.

Edge Type

The next thing worth knowing is the knife’s edge. All knives can cut, but depending on the type of cutting you’re going to be doing, having the proper edge could make your job a lot easier.

Straight: The straight edge is the standard for knives, ideal for clean, easy cuts. They’re also easy to manufacture and much simpler to sharpen once it starts getting dull.Partially Serrated: A partially serrated blade gives you the best of both worlds. Half of the knife is a straight edge for quick, controlled cuts, while the other is serrated for tougher slicing jobs. These knives are great multi-purpose tools that can cover various cutting tasks.Fully Serrated: Fully serrated blades are less common but still useful. You’ll find them most helpful when cutting through thicker materials like ropes, sticks, or cardboard. It has a fully serrated blade that looks like a small saw more than a knife. They’re not ideal for most everyday cutting tasks, but super useful for many outdoor situations. These knife types are also more difficult to sharpen yourself.

Finishing

Many knives will also have a special finish, which makes them look great and serves an important purpose.

Satin Finish: Most everyday carry blades will come in a satin finish, as it’s fairly standard. You can tell if the blade has a satin finish because there will be slight buffing lines on the blade that highlight the overall lines of the knife. This kind of finish also reduces glare.Bead Blasted: Bead blasting is when you shoot tiny glass or steel beads to give the metal a uniform finish.Stonewashed: A stonewashed blade is when you tumble the blade with a rough, abrasive material (like pebbles and small stones). Doing this gives the knife a distinctive look and can help hide scratches and fingerprints on your knife, meaning less maintenance time for you besides sharpening.Stonewashed with Machine Grind: Similar to the above, but finished with a machine (usually with an abrasive belt) to have better control over the final finish, blade shape, and edge geometry.Cerakote: Cerakote finishes were originally intended for firearms, so they fit certain EDC knives perfectly. It’s a thin film of ceramic coating applied to the knife, protecting it from major wear and tear. In terms of overall longevity and durability, it’s hard to beat a Cerakote coating.Titanium Nitride: Titanium Nitride (TiNi) is mostly applied to steel blades as it increases durability and lasts longer over time. It’s extremely scratch-resistant, and SOG offers it in a few colors, including black, carbon, gold, and graphite. So next time you see a gold-colored knife coated in TiNi, know it’s more than just for show.Hardcased Black: This finish gives the blade a discreet look while protecting it from minor scratches and general wear and tear.

Blade Size

Adding a quality knife to your EDC can be tricky. Not only because there is a lot to know about which knife is best for your use cases but also because many places have unclear, constantly changing laws that make it hard to know what is legal. It’s worth checking your local laws first to see what is allowed.

1-3 Inches: Ideal for everyday carry as many places have laws that allow you to carry a sub-3″ knife. You’ll see plenty of knives in this size range for this reason. One thing worth remembering is that fixed blades and folding knives aren’t treated the same in many places, so again, check your local laws before adding one to your carry.3-4 Inches: Blades 3-4 inches long are often the sweet spot for EDC. They’re small enough that you can carry them without too much of a hassle, but they’re long enough to be a practical tool in most situations. Knives of this size are a nice compromise for anyone looking for a blade small enough for everyday cutting tasks but large enough to be useful outdoors if necessary.4-5 Inches: Knives reaching 4-5 inches tend towards outdoor use. While many people EDC larger knives like this, most places have stricter laws once you reach this size. The larger size is ideal for people with tougher cutting jobs daily.5+ Inches: Once you reach 5+ inches, you’re squarely in the heavy-duty territory as far as EDC knives go. Most places will have restrictions against knives of this size, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their uses. These are the way to go if you’re hunting or looking for a survival knife for your pack. The larger size gives you plenty of control when tackling harder slicing tasks.

Knife Technology

SOG is known for its locking technologies. It offers a wide range of locking mechanisms, each with benefits depending on what you’re looking for in an EDC blade.

AT-XR Lock: One of SOG’s best mechanisms, allowing quick, one-handed blade deployment. It builds upon the XR lock they already had and added assisted technology to make it even easier for you (hence the AT-XR). It uses high-tension springs that force the blade open once you start the process.AU-XR Lock: An AU-XR knife that has an automatic XR lock. These knives use SOG’s classic XR locking mechanism but are automatic, so the blade deploys quickly and locks into places just by sliding a switch.Button Lock: A button lock is a kind of automatic knife that deploys the blade at the press of a button. Pressing the button forces a spring to push the blade out quickly before it locks into place.Dynamic Locking System: SOG offers a Dynamic Locking System on some of their more professional automatic knives. It’s a system designed for fast-opening, one-handed use and is mainly used for switchblades. They lock firmly into place and emphasize no rattling.Frame Lock: Many knives rely on frame lock mechanisms with a piece of the handle snaps into place when the blade is deployed. Closing the knife means you have to push the metal back into the handle, which releases the blade.Liner Lock: Much like a frame lock, a liner lock mechanism locks the blade using a thin piece of metal that “lines” the inside of the handle. Tension keeps the knife closed, but when deployed, the spring bar pushes the piece of metal out, locking the blade into place. The difference is that where a frame lock is part of the handle, the liner lock is another piece of metal inside the handle.Lockback: This type of lock is characterized by an exposed section on the handle which lets you push down on the blade’s spine when it’s fully opened, disengaging the lock so you can stash the knife away.Slip Joint: Slipjoint locks don’t have a lock, but they’re still considered a great option for EDC knives. These typically require two hands to operate but can be done with one if you’re careful. It uses a spring bar so that when you apply enough pressure to the back of the blade and overcome the spring, the blade snaps into place. These are commonly found on Swiss Army Knives and other classic folding knives.XR: The XR lock is the tried-and-true offering from SOG. The XR lock is their take on the crossbar lock system that improves safety for users by having a transverse bar slide into place and lock the blade when open or closed. It’s meant to give users the same confidence in cutting as a fixed blade as it’s tested to withstand up to 2000 pounds of force.

FAQ

Is SOG a quality knife?

SOG knives are high-quality, tried-and-true knives that are great for EDC or professional use cases.

What does the acronym SOG stand for?

SOG was named as an homage to a US special operations unit, MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group).

What are the sizes of SOG knives?

SOG knives come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from 1″ blades to 5+ inches.