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New 2016 SOG Specialty Knives

March 20, 2016 / Glenn / 1 Comment

We’re closing out the unofficial SOG Week with a look at the knives they’re releasing in their 30th year. It’s a pretty exciting slate of folders from SOG this year, so let’s dive right in.

The SOG Quake is a knife that made plenty of people pretty excited when people got to see an early look at the beginning of the year. The Quake is a tactical folder with a dual-tone VG-10 steel blade. The 3.5-inch blade engages using SAT 2 opening mechanism with something pretty cool. Instead of a thumb stud, a cross guard folds in when the knife is closed and helps engage the knife when opening.

Quake XL

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The knife also comes in a larger Quake XL iteration. With a blade length of 4.5 inches, it’s one of the largest models released by SOG. It has much of the same features as its smaller brother, including aluminum handles, a deep carry pocket clip, and stainless steel liner.

Targa – Satin

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Continuing SOG’s foray with better quality folders is the Targa. This model has a satin 3.5-inch VG-10 blade with an interesting modified tanto shape. It uses SOG’s Arc-Lock. Its stainless steel handle has a minimalist framework that helps reduce the overall weight, making this a great EDC.

Targa – Black Tini

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The Targa also comes in a version that uses a black TiNi finish on the blade and handle. All the other specs are the same.

Sideswipe

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Next up is the Sideswipe. This folder has contoured anodized aluminum handles with textured GRN inserts to offer a stronger grip. Its 3.4-inch blade is made from bead-blasted 7Cr15 stainless steel.

SOG Flash II Knife Review

March 15, 2016 / Glenn / 5 Comments

The knife community has its stable of opinions, but if I always listen to what they have to say, then there’s a good chance I would have already missed out on a number of great knives.

Today’s review is on the SOG Flash II, a slick budget folder that could have easily passed me by had I not started formulating my own carry knife criteria. This knife isn’t just tacti-cool, it’s tacitly practical.

For a long time, I had openly resisted the SOG Flash II, mostly because of how the knife looked on paper. But we have to get away from this style of thinking. Paper opinions or even YouTube reviews can’t compare to how things really apply to your daily life.

sog-flash-ii-2 Many in the knife world claim the Flash II to be lame, cheap, or something only a novice would carry, but I’ve been trying to challenge those opinions head on. Despite some of the opinions about this knife, I believe the SOG Flash II is the perfect knife for getting shit done.

My preference for carry knives swings back and forth from bushcraft style blades at one side to tactical knives at the other. Needless to say, the pendulum is currently swinging toward the tactical side of things. I wanted to add a level of contrast to my daily routine by trading in my Ontario RAT 1 for something a little more aggressive and badass.

That’s where the Flash II comes in.

The Flash II packs quite the versatile punch. It has an overall blade length of 3.5 inches, half of which comes equipped with very stout and useful serrations. Its FRN frameless handle makes the Flash II’s weight almost immeasurable. The assisted-opening mechanism makes one-handed or gloved-operation a breeze.

SOG Trident – Badass Knife of the Week

March 14, 2016 / Glenn / 0 Comments

This year marks the 30th anniversary of SOG Specialty Knives. The founder of the company, a designer named Spencer Frazer, established the company to reproduce the original SOG Bowie knife created by a highly classified US special ops unit in Vietnam.

Since the early days of the company, SOG Specialty Knives has expanded to create a full line of innovative tools for all types of people. To honor the 30th anniversary, we’re celebrating an unofficial SOG Week here at Knife Depot. That’s why this week’s Badass Knife of the Week is one of their best-selling knives: the SOG Trident.

With amazing grit, performance, and craftsmanship, the Trident is one of the most badass knives you will ever hold. Period.

SOG Specialty Knives Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary

March 13, 2016 / Glenn / 1 Comment

SOG Logos

This year marks the 30th anniversary of SOG Specialty Knives. For three decades, SOG has created some of the most innovative knives on the market. Considering the sheer amount of competition and knives that have come out since 1986, that’s saying something.

Let’s take a deeper look at the brand and what they have in store for their 30th anniversary.

The History of SOG

The origins of SOG date back to the Vietnam War when members of a highly classified U.S. special ops unit carried a unique combat knife on covert missions. At one point, the U.S. Government denied the existence of the group, which was known as the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG).

Here’s more about the group from an article by Leroy Thompson published in 1986.

Separate from “conventional,” unconventional operations of the 5th Special Forces Group were the clandestine operations of Military Assistance Command Vietnam/Studies and Observations Group (MACV/SOG). The Studies and Observation Group (SOG) was a cover name to disguise SOG’s real function, and the name “Special Operations Group,” as it was sometimes called, described its real mission more accurately. Activated in January of 1964, SOG was a joint services unit composed of members from all four branches of the armed forces, including Navy SEALs, Marine Recons, Air Force Special Operations pilots of the 90th Special Operations Wing, but predominantly Army Special Forces.

MACV/SOG’s missions included: cross border operations into Cambodia, Laos and North Vietnam to carry out intelligence gathering or raiding missions on the enemy’s ‘home ground’; gathering intelligence about POWs and carrying out rescue missions when possible; rescuing downed aircrews in enemy territory (“Bright Light” missions); training, inserting, and controlling agents in North Vietnam to gather intelligence or form resistance groups; carrying out ‘black’ Psy Ops such as operating fake broadcasting stations inside North Vietnam; kidnapping or assassinating key enemy personnel; retrieving sensitive document so equipment lost in enemy territory or in enemy hands; and inserting rigged mortar rounds or other booby-trapped ordnance in enemy arms caches (OPERATION ELDEST SON).

Needless to say, this group of heroes was no joke.

Win a Benchmade 275BKSN Adamas Folder

March 8, 2016 / Glenn / 7 Comments

If you take a look at the reviews for the Benchmade 275BKSN Adamas Folder, you’ll notice everyone agrees on one thing: this knife is a beast.

Designed by Shane Sibert, the Benchmade 275BKSN Adamas is a heavy-duty folder that’s touted as a battle-tested knife strong enough for pretty much anything you throw at it. The 3.82-inch blade is made from D2 tool steel, and the G-10 handle scales are a no-nonsense tan. It includes Benchmade’s beloved AXIS locking mechanism.

CRKT Graphite – Badass Knife of the Week

March 7, 2016 / Glenn / 0 Comments

Glenn Klecker is behind some of the most unique and innovative knives coming out today. He doesn’t make the same old knives you see each year; Klecker strives for something new, something exciting. That’s exactly what you get in the latest Badass Knife of the Week.

The CRKT Graphite is a Klecker design that melds functionality with innovation. Its 3.06-inch blade is made from 8Cr13MoV stainless steel, which is a capable steel perfect for EDC knives, and has a versatile hollow grind.

BucknBear Damascus Hunting Knife Review

March 6, 2016 / Glenn / 28 Comments

Getting a good knife doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. While many custom knives go for several hundred dollars—or more depending on whom you’re commissioning the knife from—it’s more than possible to get a handmade knife without selling a kidney.

But are these handmade knives for those on a budget worth it? We aim to find out by taking a look at one.

BucknBear makes a variety of handcrafted knives that are surprisingly affordable for featuring flourishes like quality materials and Damascus steel. In this review, we take a look at the BucknBear Damascus Hunting Knife to see whether it’s worth your time. Because it is a custom knife, this model is no longer available for purchase, but there are similar models like the BucknBear Damascus Cali Hunter.

About BucknBear

If you haven’t heard of BucknBear, you’re probably not alone. The relatively new brand was founded in 2011 and is based out of Pennsylvania.

BucknBear is a manufacturer of fixed blades and folding knives made from a variety of quality materials, like D2 steel, 1095 and 15N20 high carbon Damascus steel, and exotic woods.

You’ll often find the brand spelled as Buck N Bear, but a representative insisted the official name is BucknBear, so that’s how I’ll be writing it throughout the review.

The products from BucknBear are touted as handmade items by skilled artisans and craftsmen. While not explicitly said anywhere, it’s likely these knives are from Pakistan, which is a common place to find relatively inexpensive Damascus knives.

Most knife enthusiasts will tell you that Pakistan has a reputation as a mixed bag for its knives in terms of quality. BucknBear explained to me that they have quality control experts who maintain a high standard throughout the entire process of production.

Knives Save Lives: Spyderco on a Capsized Boat

March 2, 2016 / Glenn / 0 Comments

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Nature is a beast.

From the highest mountains to the lowest canyons, nature is constantly trying to kill you. But, if there’s one thing that strikes the most fear in me, it’s the ocean.

The ocean is a vast wasteland of the unknown. The sea is mercurial. One moment, the surface is still as glass and the next, a 50-foot rogue wave appears out of nowhere, hellbent on destroying you. That doesn’t even mention the creatures, landscape, and mystery that stretch 30,000 feet beneath you.

The high seas should never be underestimated, but one of the nightmare scenarios of any ocean navigator is the incident of a boat capsizing. That’s the situation Rob Sanford found himself in one fateful day.

Steel Will Gekko 1505 Folder – Badass Knife of the Week

February 29, 2016 / Glenn / 1 Comment

Never heard of Steel Will? Then you’ve been missing out on some of the best knives from the last few years. If you’re late to the party, our latest Badass Knife of the Week perfectly represents everything Steel Will has to offer: premium materials, quality craftsmanship, and thoughtful designs.

The Steel Will Gekko 1505 is a premium folder that’s quickly become a best-seller at Steel Will, despite being brand new. As part of the Gekko Series, which includes a mix of outdoor fixed blades and folders, the knife is handsome without sacrificing functionality or quality.

The Gekko 1505 features a 3.94-inch blade that’s made from D2 tool steel, which is exceptionally hard with some resistance to corrosion.

15 Cool Knives with Unique Opening Mechanisms

February 24, 2016 / Glenn / 57 Comments

One of the things I appreciate most about the knife community is the relentless drive for innovation and originality. Sure, I enjoy diving into the subtle tweaks on the latest flippers, but it’s the truly revolutionary designs that leave me in awe.

For a tool that’s been around for millions of years, the knife continues to evolve in exciting and unexpected ways. These bold designs might be hit-or-miss—and many don’t stick around—but they’re proof that no matter how long something’s been around, there’s always room for fresh thinking and creative breakthroughs.

Here are 15 knives with the most interesting deployment mechanisms.

Current Buying Options

This roundup includes historical and discontinued designs. If you want an unusual opening mechanism you can buy today, start with the CRKT Snap Lock from this list or the newer Provoke EDC. The Provoke EDC is an additional option, separate from the original 15 examples.

Prices and availability checked September 17, 2026. Product pages show current buying options.
Model	Opening design	Price checked
CRKT Snap Lock 5102N	Cam-operated side-opening blade; stainless steel handle	$57.99
CRKT Provoke EDC 4050	Kinematic mechanism; drop-point D2 blade and blue aluminum handle	$184.99

The Snap Lock suits readers interested in the side-opening design described below. The Provoke EDC offers Joe Caswell’s linked Kinematic mechanism with a drop-point blade, rather than the curved blade of the original Provoke karambit. CRKT explains the design’s development here.

For a broader comparison of size, weight, steel, and locks, see our everyday-carry pocket knife guide.

1. Kershaw ET

Let’s kick things off with a knife that almost always comes up when you talk about unique opening mechanisms: the Kershaw ET. Short for External Toggle, the ET was the brainchild of the inventive duo Grant and Gavin Hawk. This father-and-son team is known for their outside-the-box creations, including the TOAD, Boker Griploc, and several others.

The Kershaw ET features a toggle mechanism that lets you open and close the blade in a few different ways. While you can operate it like a traditional folder (using your thumb and dropping the handle while holding the blade) the toggle mechanism is easily the most fun. A lever near the butt of the handle lets you control the action. The ET is now a historical example of the Hawks’ toggle design.

Here’s a gif of how it opens with the toggle from this review:

2. CRKT Rollock

Next, we have another discontinued knife: the CRKT Rollock. What makes this one stand out is its unique opening mechanism. To deploy the blade, you press down on some jimping near the back of the spine while it’s closed. This action causes the blade to pop up, allowing you to slide it fully open.

This production model from CRKT was based on the original Rolox design by Blackie Collins. Collins is frequently credited as the pioneer of the assisted-opening knife, although Ken Onion may have developed the SpeedSafe mechanism around the same time.

The animation below shows the Rollock opening sequence:

3. Paragon Knives by Asheville Steel Warlock

The Warlock from Paragon Knives by Asheville Steel (yeah, it’s a bit of a mouthful) doesn’t fit neatly into the automatic or assisted opening categories—it carves out a space of its own. When closed, the blade is completely hidden from view. So how do you bring this thing to life?

The Cutting Edge