EDC Knives: My SOG/CRKT

[74novaman]

So as a preface, I know these 2 knives are NOT at a similar price point. I'm not trying to compare them apples to apples, but just wanted to write up my thoughts on both knives for those looking for a new EDC knife.

Both of those would fall under the "tactical folder" description. Basically, I like having a big, sharp knife to carry when I choose to carry a 5 shot .357 as a back up option. I also usually carry it with my 1911s as well, but with the revolver a back up blade is a MUST imho.

The Knives:

SOG Visionary 2 (~80 dollars)


CRKT M21-04G (~35 dollars)


SOG stats vs CRKT stats (more desirable number is bold, be that less weight, longer blade, etc)

SOG Visionary 2
Blade Length- 3.75"
Blade Width- .12"
Weight- 4.3 oz
Steel- VG-10
HRC- 59-60
Handle- GRN, steel liners both sides
FInish- Black Powder Coat
Locking Mechanism- ArcLock

CRKT M21-04G
Blade Length- 3.875"
Blade Width- .14"
Weight- 5.9 oz
Steel- 8Cr14MoV
HRC- 58-59
Handle- G10, steel liners both sides
Finish- Titanium Nitride
Locking Mechanism- Liner lock with CRKT auto-lawks system

So now that the boring stuff is out of the way: I like both knives a lot.

The SOG is slightly smaller, both blade and handle wise, than the CRKT. Both are fairly large knives though, and the size of both isn't an issue for me. Though the SOG is lighter, an ounce really isn't enough for me to tell..even holding one in each hand its hard to notice a difference in weight.

The VG-10 in the SOG is VERY nice steel. Made in Japan, well regarded among knife nuts for being quality steel. The 8Cr14MoV is supposed to be comparable to AUS-8, so its certainly not BAD steel, but is made in China. From my reading, the CRKT may lose its edge quicker than the SOG has. I haven't had it very long, so I can't really say one way or the other.

When trying to cut things with both knives (cardboard, paper, whatever I can poke a hole in and not get in trouble for ) they both performed very well. I may eventually notice a difference between the two with edge retention and sharpness, but they both perform adequately for my purposes.

The only big difference to me so far is the locking mechanism. the SOG knife uses their brands arc loc, which works very well, and is very solid. The CRKT autolawks (their spelling, not mine) seems very stable, but I'm always at least a little leery of liner locks.

The SOG has been my EDC knife for a year. its been a great knife. I've so far carried the CRKT for 2 days. I like it so far, but will need a little more time to decide how much I like it.

In closing...if I had to choose a knife to carry every day, I'd go with the CRKT. Cheaper in case something happens to it, and its a heck of a good knife for the money.

If I just got to own one of the two, I'd go with my SOG. Its been reliable, stayed sharp, and hasn't failed me yet.

Just my .02 on a couple of the many knife choices out there! Now I'll finish with some pics of both next to my Rock Island GI 1911. I figure, everyone knows how big a 5 inch 1911 is, so it should be a good standard to show off the size of these guys.

Thanks for reading.

[The Annoyed Man]

I'm not familiar with the SOG knife, but I have a CRKT M21-14DSFG which looks like it is basically the same thing as yours, in a different color and with serrations added. I like mine a lot.

[Warhammer]

I second TAM's opinion. My EDC is a M21-14SF. I've had it for about 3 years now and it's a great knife.

[74novaman]

I really like the CRKT so far. For the amount I paid for it, its a LOT of knife.

My SOG is a little smoother, has a better finish/better steel...but I'd expect that considering how much I paid for it over the CRKT.

[frreed]

I've got a CRKT Ryan Model 7 that is my EDC knife and it is worth every one of the $35 I paid for it and a whole lot more. It rode in my pocket every day on deployment and still does the same on the mean streets of Dallas. It sharpens well and holds its edge.

I am a minister and people get big eyed when the ask if I have a pocket knife and I pull this beast out of my pocket.

[chuckybrown]

Take a minute and look at the CRKT Ignitor T with Outburst. I got one a couple of years ago, and lost it.... (It'll turn up somewhere in the dirt at my ranch) so I promptly replaced it with a new one. It's my EDC, and a great knife. What makes it great is the "outburst" that assists with opening. Almost, but not quite, a switchblade....

http://www.crkt.com/IgnitorT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But, to each their own.....

Peace.

[The Annoyed Man]

I've got a CRKT Ryan Model 7 that is my EDC knife and it is worth every one of the $35 I paid for it and a whole lot more. It rode in my pocket every day on deployment and still does the same on the mean streets of Dallas. It sharpens well and holds its edge.

I am a minister and people get big eyed when the ask if I have a pocket knife and I pull this beast out of my pocket.

At church last week, a friend of mine was having trouble opening a package, and I produced my CRKT, opened it (slowly and carefully), and offered it to her handle-first to cut the package seal with. Her eye's popped out of her head and she said with alarm in her voice, "put that thing away before somebody sees it!" I asked what she thought was wrong, and she said, "isn't that thing illegal because of its size?" I assured her it was completely legal, but she didn't accept that as being true at first. It took some convincing and explanation of allowable blade length under the law.

I didn't mention my pistol to her.