The Range Reviews: SOG Twitch I

© 2009 Albert A Rasch The range reviews, SOG, Twitch I

The SOG Twitch I
Photo Courtesy of SOG Specialty Knives

Though I don’t usually bring it up, I have a more than passing interest in self defense and offense. Being prepared for any eventuality is ingrained in me, and I rarely get dressed without a basic set of tools on me.

When stepping out of the house, my primary defensive arm is the SOG Twitch I. (Model number TWI-7.) When SOG decided to upgrade the classic lockback pocket knife, they did it with engineering, technology, and style. From the lightweight construction to the high tech cryogenic treatment on the blade, the Twitch I oozes sexy, covert, special ops –

for the average, every day, 9 to 5 guy.

Sharp accessories.

The handles are hard-anodized aluminum in a very discreet graphite color. The hard anodization is exactly that: hard. After a year of constant use the aluminum shows no sign of scratches, scuffs, or scrapes.

Lightweight and subtle, two things I'm not.

The Twitch weighs 2 ounces exactly; it’s very light. That means that it won’t wrinkle your slack’s pocket nor drag it down. The pocket clip which can also be used as a money clip, is unobtrusive and finished in a matte silver finish.

It sports a two inch long, stainless steel, cryogenically treated, drop point blade. The SOG Cryogenic Treatment process brings the blade down in temperature to less than 300°F and then reverses the process and lets it return to room temperature in a controlled fashion. This freezing and warming, stress relieves the stainless steel on an atomic level. The process increases overall strength, toughness and in addition, increases edge retention. In other words, your knife stays sharper longer with significantly less micro-fracturing and edge-chipping. The Twitch is razor sharp out of the box, and if touched up regularly, stays that way.

The drop point is an excellent choice for defensive knives. It is an effective stabbing profile, but is also very good on the slashing attack.

The split lockback: Pass Through Lockbar

When SOG updated the lockback, they did it with panache. The Twitch features a pass-through lockbar (patent pending). This allows the kicker tab to stick out. One push with the forefinger, and the blade deploys to fully open in a flash. The SOG Assisted Technology is responsible for the lightning fast blade action. Two springs coiled inside the assist assembly propel the blade to fully open once the user has initiated the opening.

SAT Springs in the Assist
Photo Courtesy of SOG Specialty Knives

There is a safety that allows the blade to be locked in both the open and closed position. Mine has a little piece from a bamboo toothpick jammed in it. I don't want there to be a failure to deploy if I ever need it. I'm not concerned with the blade closing on my fingers either. The lock is very secure and sturdy, and for my intended purposes, it should only be in use for moments.

All in all, I find the SOG Twitch I a solid buy. Perfect for discreet wear, it has sufficient style that it would not raise an eyebrow if someone saw it on your office desk. The blade is short enough to pass in most concealed weapons districts. (Check your laws very carefully!)


The price is very affordable; most street prices range from $32.00 to $39.00.

SOG
SOG Twitch I
MSRP: $60.00

The Range Reviews: SOG S62 PowerLock with V-Cutter

Best Muti-Tool on the Market!
© 2009-2011 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
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“At SOG, we create style through craftsmanship. Our purpose is to combine advanced technology, imaginative designs and high-quality construction to create products of the highest caliber-products that enhance your life”

The SOG Philosophy

Multi-tools have become ubiquitous. Just about everyone makes one, with quality varying from atrocious to sublime. SOG Specialty Knives makes one of best multi-tools.

To quote SOG Specialty Knives, they are “totally committed to creating the world's finest specialized knives and tools.” Having used their S62 PowerLock with V-Cutter for well over a year, I have no doubt as to the commitment of its founder and chief designer, Spencer Frazer, and his talented crew, to produce cutting edge tools for today’s military personnel and civilian outdoorsmen.

Picture courtesy of SOG Specialty Knives

The S62's specifications and components are impressive:

• Double tooth saw
• ½ serrated blade
• Three sided file
• Large screwdriver
• Philips screwdriver
• ¼” socket driver
• Awl
• Can opener/Small screwdriver
• Bottle opener/Medium screwdriver
• Wire crimper
• Wire cutter
• V-Cutter

Picture courtesy of SOG Specialty Knives

From left to right: Drive unit, blade
can opener-small screwdriver,
bottle opener-medium screwdriver.

Top to bottom: Double tooth saw, awl, large screwdriver,
Philips head screwdriver, can opener-small screwdriver, and file.

Standard leather sheath

Closed it measures 4.6 inches and open it is 7 inches. It weighs 9.6 ounces, which while not heavy, gives it sufficient heft. It is made of polished stainless steel and comes with a leather sheath. A nylon sheath is also available, and can be purchased separately.

The first impression is that of a very sturdy and solid tool. The polish is very good and the imprints and logos are deep and well done. Upon opening, the needle nose pliers are robust without being too bulky. It is obvious that they are meant to be used.

Picture courtesy of SOG Specialty Knives

The gearing system, called Compound Leverage (TM) generates twice the gripping and cutting force than other multi-tools. As a test I went and clipped a couple of pennies, a dime, some hardened wire, plain wire, and a coat hanger. Except for some copper streaking, the cutters show no sign of any wear.

Very little pressure disengages the locks.

The components are held in the open position by the PowerLock spring. To close them you depress the lever and fold them back.

The blade is serrated along half of its length. These serrations worked well against cardboard, nylon strapping, along with polypropylene, manila, and cotton rope. The blade itself is chisel ground. While some may not like that edge, it does make it easier to sharpen. The steel is easy enough to sharpen if you don’t wait until it is stone dull, and the blade is very serviceable.

Double tooth saw blade made short work of 1X1 oak!

The double tooth saw was exceptional in its cutting ability. It cut through a 1X1 piece of oak and then two pieces of pine lumber. Again the saw felt as sharp as when the first cut was made.

¼ inch drive unit works well; carry the adapter
and any bits you need for your guns when you travel!

A neat feature is the ¼ inch drive. Any ¼ inch socket will fit on the drive, and with the adapter you can use all those hex screwdrivers, allen wrenches, torx bits and anything else with a ¼ inch hex shank. You can also use an extension to give you a little more reach or clearance.

The V-Cutter is designed to cut through webbing or cord. Unable to find any webbing that I could safely cut, it made short work of ¼ inch braided cordage. I'm thinking you could even use it to gut game animals if need be.

All of the minor tools performed as expected; that is to say the screwdrivers tightened and loosened screws, and the bottle and can opener opened their respective containers. The awl is diamond shaped and as sharp as a razor. It punched through some very heavy harness leather with ease. It is best to back whatever you are punching through with a piece of softwood for safety.

All you need to disassemble and service the S62 is a ¼ inch wrench.

Something that really set the tool apart is that you can completely disassemble it, rearrange the components, or replace components with completely different ones. (As long as they are the same thickness.) All that is required is a ¼ inch wrench.

Care is nothing out of the ordinary. Keep it clean, oil the hinges lightly, occasionally strip it down to its components and clean it thoroughly. It should give you a lifetime of service.

Overall I rate the SOG S62 PowerLock a rock-solid buy, well worth the price. It is the best multi-tool currently on the market, the guarantee is unbeatable, and their commitment to be the best instills great confidence. A SOG S62 PowerLock on your hip will resolve 95% of your problems; the other 5% probably require a specialist and a big fat bank account.

And remember SOG is made in America!

SOG
SOG PowerLock S62
MSRP: $110.00


Best Regards,
Albert “Afghanus” Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles
Albert Rasch In Afghanistan

Though he spends most of his time writing and keeping the world safe for democracy, Albert was actually a student of biology. Really. But after a stint as a lab tech performing repetitious and mind-numbing processes that a trained capuchin monkey could do better, he never returned to the field. Rather he became a bartender. As he once said, "Hell, I was feeding mice all sorts of concoctions. At the club I did the same thing; except I got paid a lot better, and the rats where bigger." He has followed the science of QDM for many years, and fancies himself an aficionado. If you have any questions, or just want to get more information, reach him via TheRaschOutdoorChronicles(at)MSN(dot)com.


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