This is an absolutely amazing knife.
Back when the movie "First Blood" came out, all kinds of "survival knives" and Bowie knives appeared on the market, and almost all of them were garbage. I especially hated the ones with hollow handles full of "survival supplies", as they were necessarily not full-tang. This would be the opposite of those, what the makers and sellers of those garbage blades wanted people to think they were getting.
I hunt in coastal East Texas, down in the bottoms of a wildly meandering bayou, and I don't leave the camp ground of the lease without this blade on my belt. This knife comes with an edge so very, very sharp that I would put it against the most expensive kitchen knife of any chef that I have worked for or with. Furthermore, it holds that edge very, very well. The blade is thick and heavy, but with a shape and sharpness that make it ideal for cutting the legs off of a gutted and skinned deer or hog. The butt of the handle is stout enough for emergency hammering, though I prefer to use the proper tool for that kind of job. The knife is very, very well balanced despite its impressive heft, and the shape, thickness, and sharpness of the blade make it a comforting and comfortable weapon of absolute last resort against a charging wild hog, or, may the Gods help me, a panther. (hog charges are uncommon, but I have a friend who got charged recently, and was without sidearm or blade, and didn't have time to cycle the action of his rifle for another shot because the wounded hog was so close, and so he had to jump to the side of the charging hog and swing the butt of his rifle down on the hog's head to save himself... so, I recommend a sidearm to back up the main hunting weapon, and a big knife to back up the sidearm) I have also used this knife to cut through greenbriers, to cut ropes and paracords for binding gear to my ATV (I believe in knot-tying skills, and generally eschew bungee cords and ratcheting tie-downs), and for cutting open 40-lb. bags of feed corn.
If you just need a basic pocket knife or skinning knife, I would recommend the Sogzilla for a folding knife, and the SOG Seal Pup Elite with a straight (NON-SERRATED) edge. I carry those with me, too. Smaller blades are more generally practical, especially for most skinning, gutting, and butchering. However, a longer blade, when used by properly drawing the blade across and through the item to be cut, will last longer between honings and sharpenings. Furthermore, this knife is SO well-balanced that, in capable hands, it can be used for gutting, skinning, and butchering from beginning to end.
I have spent a lot of time alone out in those bayou bottoms, and I like having a large-ish and nearly unbreakable blade that is very sharp and very well-balanced. If you spend much time outdoors in really rough conditions, this is a really good tool to have. In fact, if I were to have only one blade with me when hunting, hiking, or exploring this would be it. For fishing, I also carry a fillet knife.
| Brand | SOG |
|---|---|
| Model Name | 7990677 |
| Special Feature | Manual |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Included Components | Sheath |
| Handle Material | Metal |
| Color | Multi |
| Blade Material | Metal |
| Style | Traditional |
| Blade Length | 7.5 Inches |
| Power Source | AC/DC |
| Product Care Instructions | Hand Wash Only |
| Hand Orientation | Ambidextrous |
| Item Weight | 1.1 Pounds |
| Blade Shape | ERROR:#N/A |
| Blade Edge | fine |
| Item Length | 12.8 Inches |
| Manufacturer | SOG Specialty Knives & Tools |
| Part Number | 7990677 |
| Item Weight | 1.1 pounds |
| Item model number | SB1T-L |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | One Size |
| Material | Other |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Special Features | Manual |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | All SOG products are guaranteed against defects in workmanship and materials for the life of the original purchaser. This guarantee is voided (as determined by SOG) by misuse, abuse, improper maintenance, or alterations of the product and does not cover any normal wear that might occur. All guarantee claims should be sent directly to SOG Specialty Knives, Inc. |
