Customer Reviews

SOG Specialty Knives & Tools SGFSA-98 Flash II - 1/2 Serrated Aluminum Handle

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There are things about this knife I don't like, but then I find myself carrying it more often than any other knife I own.

Here's what I like:
1. Assisted opening. I own several, and I don't think I'd buy a regular opening knife again.

2. The clip is superior. It's strong (one reviewer commented about lateral pressure damaging it...why on earth would you do that?). Best of all, only the clip shows in your pocket, not part of the top of the knife as with almost all others.

3. It's incredibly sharp. I can shave hair off my arm with it with no problem.

4. It's incredibly light weight for the size (I have the Zytel handle)

5. It's very resonably priced.

And...what I don't like

1. The steel is not as good as I'd like. It's "good" quality steel, but not great. Plus it's a straight flat grind, which is asthetically boring.

2. The blade thickness is not what I expected. I haven't tried anything extreme with it, so it's not been an issue.

3. Yes, the safety will very occasionally latch in your pocket. However, you have to be insane to get into a knife fight...nobody wins. Using a knife for defense is nuts. When I was a deputy, I saw real-world results...dear God! Get a concealed gun permit if you're worried about self defense.

So...I give it 4 stars. I have a Kershaw Blur that I like better except for the clip, which leaves about 1/2" of the handle exposed. I don't know why they would design it that way. When I carry it, I just carry it in my pocket without clipping.

If you want a quality, inexpensive utility knife, this is it.

I have used and collected a number of knives over the years. I have to admit I am Totally Brutal to my knives and I find out quick if a knife is well made or not.
In my honest opinion My SOG knives especially my Flash II knife is a great knife to have!
These knives are well made and well designed with a great life time guarantee, Not too many knife companies give you a lifetime gaurantee and shapening too! No other knife company besides Cold Steel will give you more Bang For The Buck !
I've Never Ever had a problem with any of my SOG knives and I'm sure you will find the same true too.

I bought this knife as a Christmas gift for an older friend who loves hunting and fishing. He was extremely pleased with it, and its fast opening action was a hit around the tree (albeit one that made the moms a bit nervous). The knife is well constructed, very light, but sturdy. The blade is made of good quality steel that keeps a finish well. The feature most people are most interested in is of course the "assisted opening" technology.

It works VERY well. There is a thumb nub as is common on folding knives of this sort, but the difference is that if you put a small bit of pressure on this thumb nub, the blade quickly springs open and locks in place. It is a smooth, pleasing action that never gets old. Over the course of Christmas day, where this knife was used for all manner of package openings, the blade was flung open tens of times, and it never got loose, slow, or sticky.

SOG has a hit with this knife, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good, convenient utility knife that also comes with some wow factor.

I owned my SOG Flash II for approximately 5 years. During that time the knife operated and performed flawlessly. I routinely abused it but had no problems with it at all. The blade stayed sharp for a long time and easily sharpened up with only light work on a wetstone.

Sadly I recently lost it and decided to replace it with a ColdSteel 29MT. Boy was that a mistake. The patented S.A.T. system makes this knife so effortless to use and you really appreciate it after it's gone. The Coldsteel required two hands to open and close where the SOG is so well designed you can easily open and close the knive with one hand.

I will be replacing my lost SOG with another as soon as possible.

PROS: The aluminum handle is very sturdy and feels good in your hand. The blade opening mechanism works and enables you to open the knife quickly with either your left or right hand. A safety switch can lock the blade in place to prevent accidental opening. The bayonet clip rides low in your pocket so that no part of the knife is visible. The clip can also be removed and moved to the opposite side for use with your other hand.

CONS: The knife is a little on the heavy side and it is also fairly thick. The clip is also very tight, when clipped to your pants it takes some effort to pull out. The length of the clip is also very short. If you have short fingers it takes a moment to properly index your thumb on the thumbstud when you draw the knife. A longer clip could help in properly positioning your thumb on the stud when you draw the knife. Finally the deployed blade can be moved slightly back and forth at the handle. That is, the width of the blade is not completely snug with the handle. I have other knives from Spyderco and Benchmade and they do not have this problem.

This is a good overall utility knife but the issues I've mentioned prevent it from being an excellent knife. It would be nice if SOG offered a longer clip and if they fix the problem with the blade "wiggle".

I bought the Flash II from Amazon.com more than six months ago and enjoyed the folder very much. I use it as a mundane utility knife, but I can just sit there with a smile on my face and open the knife again and again.

The sharpness was good out of the box. I torture the blade by opening envelops and cardboard boxes. The knife stayed sharp fairly long before needing a resharpening. (side note: all serrated knives will take longer between sharpening than straight edge just because serration gives more cutting surface)

I like the Flash II over the Pentagon elite because F-II has a handle shape that helps prevent my hand from slipping onto the blade. I only gave four stars because the zytel handle does not feel solid. the handle does not have a metal inside. the whole handle is synthetic so may flex.

SOG makes F-II very good.

I only gave this knife 4 stars because i think the quality, especially the handle, could be better. The flash system is super smooth and quick...although i'm a little apprehensive about keeping it inside my beltline, I did survive a camping trip with the knife clipped inside my pocket. Another area that the knife is lacking is the clip. It's just too tight, so unclipping and using the knife as a defensive weapon may take longer than anticipated. But all in all, it's a good, practical, and best of all, reasonably price knife.

I own my Flash II for half a year now. It's holding up well. Does need sharpening after opening a few letters and boxes. The edge dulls fast against twiggs, branches, and cardboard. But the serrated half of the edge does cut real well against them. I especially like the handle shape: it prevents my hands from sliding onto the blade. The clip works real well on my belt

** Nine month report ** I've carried my F/II daily for three more months now. I feel the Flash I (shorter blade) would be a better choice for office chores. I just ordered one right now. My reasons are: 1) the shorter blade intimidates officemates less. 2) my small hands manipulate smaller knive better -- sort of like handling a peeling knife versus a steak knife around fruits and envelops. And 3) it's strange having pocket link fall on my steaks when I used my Flash as an utensil (new owner's enthusiasm--a faux pas).

The F/II is still a good choice because 1) it rides and hides well on my belt, the size's not an issue there. 2) A longer blade will cut ropes faster, I planned to use the blade against seatbelts in an emergency, but I'm thankful I've had no occasion to use it. And 3) the opening is still a real pleasure after a year.

This knife (the F/II--I expect the F/I to ride even better) is discreet. The whole knife rides inside the waistband comfortably. The clip disappears between my belt and the waist band of my pants. It does leave an imprint on my skin after sitting in traffic for a while and have the gut pressed hard against the belt and the knife. But I'll repeat my comment about not bothering the squeamish. Be aware that always, Most people will admire how sleek and fun your Flash is, but some people are just not comfortable with cutting tools unless the tools look like crayons. So be a gentleman and be discreet. Hence my suggestion for the smaller version. $5 less too.

A word of advice to anyone who considers a folding knife for defensive use: pocket size folders fall in the category of, "better than nothing" so small is no sin. Instead, focus on the office and garden use -- that's how I've been using my daily carry. So small is better if it fits your hands well.

On the other hand, I'm keeping my F/II for the defensive* use against stray dogs and other animals around southern parts of LA. Often times such animals back off from armed gentlemen who radiate the message, "I'm friendly, but won't be the second you bother me." Plus, the situation gets worse real fast if someone displays a knife and looks unsure about using it. That person faces all the legal and street-wise consequences without real protection. An angry dog won't take that person seriously.

* Note: Just be sure you practice the slash and retreat against cardboards and manequins if you don't pay for professional training. A defensive tool is useless without training, because we all react the way we train.

I love my Flash11. I'm on my third. Why? Because at least once a year it will work its way out of my pocket and be lost. Ce la vie. Life is littered with lost lovers and lost knives. While I do prefer carrying a knife on the the clip to wearing a scabbard, it is folly to expect it to work 100% of the time. If you don't want to lose this wonderful blade, buy a scabbard. Oh, yeah, it's really fun to flick open and shut, too!

Hands down the best knife I have ever owned. The assissted blade is great when you only have one hand to operate the knife. Lightweight and a strong blade.
I will only buy SOG knives now for my everyday carry knife.