Customer Reviews

SOG Specialty Knives & Tools BBA-99 Blink

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an ultra handy knife from a great company. I removed the pocket clip, and it floats completely unnoticed in my front pocket. The steel is plenty hard, so it keeps a good edge. The S.A.T. mechanism(just a coil spring that flips the blade open with a flick of your thumb) helps make it the most convienient pocket knife I have EVER carried. always ready, always sharp, easy to clean(pocket lint and what not). I'll never touch another box cutter again.

I needed a small knife to carry at work, but I have large hands and small knives can be difficult to open with one hand. What I wanted was something small that I could easily and quickly open with one hand.

A friend had a small CRKT knife that worked very well. It had an "assisted opening" system, and I really liked it. So I started looking for something similar for myself. I liked that the SOG Blink was very flat, and saw numerous good reviews on it (here and elsewhere), so I ordered one.

For those who don't know, an "assisted opening knife" is a legal switchblade. They have a spring that snaps the blade out, but instead of having a switch or button to activate the spring, they have a normal blade thumb stud. There are actually 2 spring forces, one that holds the blade closed, and another that swings it out after you manually start to open the blade (you just have to push it out far enough to overcome the closing force, usually about 20% open, then the opening spring swings it the rest of the way out).

The SOG Blink has a very powerful spring in its assisted opening system, and while that makes for a very fun and satisfying snap when opening, it also makes the knife more difficult to open. The powerful opening spring means it also has a strong counter force. The amount of force required to push the blade out to the point where "SAT" (SOG Assisted Technology) takes over is excessive, which pretty much defeats the purpose of "assisted" opening. The knife would actually be easier to open if it didn't have springs at all. I know this for certain, because I have an older small SOG knife without "SAT" and it is, in fact, easier to open than the Blink.

So, if you are looking for a knife that is fun the play with, this one is worth consideration. It really is fun. The blade speed and "snap" are impressive! But if you really want something that is easier to open, this is not your knife. Another issue you may run into in a work environment is that the high blade speed and very audible snap of the Blink could be perceived as "threatening" by co-workers. I know it sounds silly, but you can get into trouble for stuff like that.

It's too bad, because the size and shape are exactly what I was looking for. It is large enough to hold in my big hands comfortably, but it is also very thin and disappears in my pocket. For the record, I am keeping the Blink. It has become my non-work EDC knife, because it is fun, and over-all is a great little knife. For work, however, I'm still looking for the "perfect" knife.

Though I've been carrying my SOG Blink for quite a few years now, I didn't realize what a great knife it was until I lost mine last weekend. (Yes, that's why I visited this website--to order another one.) It is everthing a pocketknife should be: light, flat, sturdy, one-hand lightening-fast opening, and warranted for life. I've grown so accustomed to using it that I feel naked when it's not in my pocket. It's so slim that it functions as a money clip as well, for those of us who prefer not to carry a bulky wallet.
I've used, abused, and sharpened my SOG thousands of times. A little touching up with a waterstone every now and then is all it takes to keep the edge like a razor. What a great, no-nonsense tool, that is quite at home in my pocket whether it's at the opera, the workshop, or in the field. I simply can't overstate the value and utility of this pint-sized companion!

All I have to say is wow. I own 2 SOG knives already and this one just makes me love them that much more. Great quality. Everything I could want in a smaller knife. Great price and 1 day shipping worked out great! Im addicted I want more SOG knives.

I had bought this knife as a replacement for a Gentleman SOG I'd owned for nearly ten years which I'd recently lost in a Taxi in Bangkok.

Unlike a previous reviewer, I did not find the spring to be too strong. It takes some practice, but once you get the hang of opening the knife with your thumb opening is very easy and instant.

In short, this is a great personal pocket knife at a reasonable price. I expect this knife to be my daily companion for the next ten years as well.

For half a year I have been carrying a SOG with the same clip and method of deploy as the Blink. My SOG is quick to open and super sharp. I just stood with my arms hanging at my side, SOG knife clipped all the way down in my front pocket, and timed how long it took to pull the knife out and open it, ready to use. Two casual draws, 2 seconds each time. Buck is a good knife, I'm not knocking it, but this 'tool nut' either doesn't know what he's talking about in regards SOG or he has an agenda.

I bought my Blink at a sporting goods store that was clearing out inventory from their display cases, so I got a great price for it. I originally bought it for a woodcarving knife, but the blade is too wide for that. It sat in my knife collection for a few months without much use, but I've recently been carrying it a lot more. I don't like carrying a large knife at work, but this one is the perfect size. It's large enough to handle just about any cutting task, and it's small enough that people look at it as more of a tool than a weapon. When I got it, the edge was pretty lackluster because it was a display knife, but after maybe twenty minutes on my Arkansas tri-hone, it took a razor edge. I strop it occasionally, and it stays sharp enough to shave hairs off my arm. The pocket clip is excellent and very secure. I really like the assisted-opening mechanism, especially compared to my Kershaw Leek. The Leek uses a torsion bar to open the blade, whereas the Blink uses a spring that's coiled around the pivot point. I've had to replace the torsion bar on my Kershaw about every two months, but the Blink's spring is still going strong. I fidget with my knives, so it's nice to be able to snap them open and closed repeatedly without having to worry about wearing out the parts. The wide pivot screw is useful when you're reassembling the knife after cleaning, so you aren't hunting for your pivot screw. It also provides a bit of extra friction against the handle, helping to prevent the screw from loosening after repeated openings. There's a blade safety on the spine of the knife behind the lock, but I never use it. This knife takes a nice push to open, so a safety is kind of pointless. Also, if I ever need to use it for self-defense, the last thing I want to have to do it fiddle with a knife safety. When you first get this knife, you might have some trouble opening it one-handed. There's definitely a technique to it. Since this knife has no flipper that you can push, you have to use the thumb stud. This knife is excellent for EDC, especially when you're around people who may be knife-shy. It takes a sharp edge and holds it. The assisted opening is very easy once you get the hang of it, and the pocket clip is secure and doesn't expose much of the knife above the pocket. The gray-green and metallic silver colors of the knife blend in with most clothing and don't draw attention to the fact that you're carrying a knife. If you're looking for a tactical or self-defense knife, this one might not be for you. If you're looking for a good EDC knife, the Blink is a solid choice. It's definitely worth the money.

I have more knives that any one person could ever want, need, and/or use. Why I don't know. The wife says it's boarder line OCD. Well maybe? With that said - "this is the one that makes it into my pocket every day". Super quality - holds a razor sharp edge, compact and super comfortable! Need I say more?

I had a SOG Twitch I and lost it. Since I didn't remember the model number, I bought this as a replacement. The knife is larger, but the blade isn't really size appropriate for the handle. In the end, I returned it for a Twitch I.

Anyway, there are lots of small folding knives out there, and I'm happy with my other SOG knife. This one just didn't do it for me. Others may feel differently though, and that's OK!

Matt

I love the styling of this knife! It is a great shape and size and weight! But...i didn't like how tough it was to get the blade open. It's assisted opening, but the thumb opening is uncomfortable and tough to get used to. In the long run, it's a super cool knife with a few small flaws.