Customer Reviews

SOG Specialty Knives & Tools VL-02 Vulcan Mini Knife, Satin

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Length:: 9:15 Mins

Here is a video review I made of my mini-Vulcan. Overall its a great knife with just a few areas for improvement.

Just got this knife as a replacement for my old SOG Flash II. I have to say I am very impressed. It was expensive, but the quality is amazing. I only buy a new EDC knife every few years so it was worth it for me.

It does not have the assisted opening like the Flash series, nor does it have a safety lock, but that was fine by me. Blade is solid, razor sharp but not razor thin. Arc lock seems very solid. I think this knife will be in my pocket for a while.

Very fast delivery, Amazon was great.

For several months I've been on a search for the perfect EDC. I won't bore you with the washouts--they're in a drawer somewhere. But it may be useful to know the also-rans, both of which I have great respect for. The Benchmade 755 and the Spyderco Manix 2. Whether by coincidence or subconscious plan, all three knives use different high-end knife steels: VG-10 for the SOG Mini Vulcan, Carpenter's CTS-XHP for the Spyderco, and M390 for the Benchmade 755. I won't get into the Great Steels Hairball for two reasons: First that I frankly don't know enough to compare them precisely and second that for all practical purposes they're identical. All three knives came to me super-sharp, each spent a good month's worth of pocket time during which they were used for the things pocket knives have been used for over the last umpteen hundred years and definitely not babied, and every steel did the job. The differences were in the knives themselves: size, blade length and thickness, practicality of the clips, and ease of use. First, the 755. My first 755 came to me with insufficient blade stop to keep the edge from carving a groove in the underside of the back strap. Called Benchmade and to their credit they sent me a replacement even before they received my return. Everyone calls the 755 a tank. That's what it is. It's probably unbreakable in anything but moronic circumstances. The blade release is sometimes scratchy, sometimes not, but I never had a moment's concern about lockup. Can you say bank vault? My problem with the 755 is organic to the design. The blade is just too thick to slice easily and the tip never seemed quite right for tip work. But it feels great in the hand, immediately comfortable for me (and I have relatively small hands) and ergonomics was never even a consideration, let alone an issue. Almost a great knife. The second is the Spyderco Manix 2 and this one is tougher to fault. In fact, I really can't fault it at all. It is the easiest of the three to open quickly. It has 0 play at lockup. And in my opinion the Spydie hole is simply a better concept than any blade-mounted thumb stud system I've ever tried (remember all those knives squirreled away in that drawer?). And setting aside the steel factor, the Manix 2 is probably as close as I'll ever get to the perfect blade. 3 1/4" is better than 2 7/8". Every time. Whether it's slicing tomatoes, opening bags of topsoil, or cutting through excess wrapping on packages, the Manix 2 is the best-slicing blade I've ever used. The handle, although a bit flatter than I prefer, fills my hand well and at no time have I ever felt in danger of not having complete control. Is the tip too fragile? Not for me and I think anyone who does any serious prying with a pocket knife simply doesn't get it. Find a screw driver or a Wonder Bar, Dude. Were it not for the fact that the depth of the Manix closed, from blade spine to handle back strap, is just a tad too much to allow me to get my hand into a jeans pocket comfortably, the Manix would be a 10. It's a beautifully designed knife, conceived and executed without compromises. Now the SOG Mini Vulcan. It's only mini because there's a larger Vulcan, otherwise in my opinion it's the perfect size for an EDC. With the SOG I don't have the pocket problem I have with the Spyderco. One of the Vulcan's strengths is that it gives you three ways to open it and all work. Thumb stud, flipper (which does require a small wrist flick), and the Arc-Lock. I use the flipper because it's the most fool-proof. On my example SOG installed the thumb stud backwards for a right hander. The stud is too close to the handle material for the smooth side of the stud to allow easy opening, even for my small hands. Reversing it so the notched end falls under my thumb makes all the difference. The blade comes out fast and locks up reassuringly. I will say that the SOG took longer to break in than either of the other two, (the Spyderco required none at all), calling for repeated adjustment, lubrication and a great deal of cycling. Initially worrisome, but I've had it slightly more than a month and now it's butter-smooth. A key point is that although in total length the SOG and Benchmade are equal, the design of the SOG gives substantially more cutting edge and in practice it matters. Another attaboy for SOG's design: the belly in the blade, slight though it is, makes a huge difference in effecting cutting leverage and despite it's saber grind (being hollow ground helps) it slices almost--not quite, but almost--as well as the Manix2. In point of fact, the SOG Mini Vulcan does most things as well as the Spydie, a few things better, and it fits my hand and pocket perfectly. I'm not a collector (used to be years ago), I'm a user and in practical, consistent, trouble-free use, I've never had a better EDC than the Mini Vulcan. Hope all this stuff helps if you're weighing these knives up as EDCs.

Truely the nicest, best made, highest quality knife I've owned, and the price for a hand made in Seki Japan blade, and crafted handle is extremely good! This is my 2nd SOG knife, the other is a Pentagon 2, and I've had many knives in my life, and career as a cop!

I was worried about the "Mini" part and considering the VL-01 but after receiving this I'm really happy with the size. I wouldn't want a normal daily pocket knife to be any larger than this. It's really not Mini to me, and unless you expect to be fighting off Bear with this knife, I'd recomend this over the VL-01.

The one hand open and close technology is Way Cool and so smooth, and easy.

This is my first SOG knife and I am happy with the purchase. The construction is very solid, but it is not too heavy in my pocket. The clip allows me to carry it way down in my pocket and the only thing you see is clip itself. I have carried it in my front and rear pocket without a problem. It is easy to open with the thumbscrews using either hand and the Arc Lock works perfectly every time. It closes with a simple push of the Arc Lock button and a quick flick of the wrist. The VG-10 blade is very sharp and I like the overall shape. I recommend this knife for Every Day Carry.

When you consider shipping charges, Amazon had the best price overall.

I really like this knife. The arc lock is great and the blade is very sharp. I did not expect for a knife with a 3" blade to be so large. Opening and closing is smooth and there is no blade play.

The ergos on this knife are great. It fits firmly in my have and I can really put some power behind it. The VG-10 blade seems to hold a fantastic edge and the arc-lock is top-notch quality. My only complaint about the knife is the blade rusts if not cleaned after use and oiled on occasion (makes sense though due to the high carbon content of the steel).

GOOD KNIFE.

ps:I paid $73 and was well worth it. Tanto might be nice (I am a forester and stab into tree alot so the extra assurance would be nice, but it seems sharpening would be difficult then.

This blade came razor sharp out of the box. And it still is for me, holds a great edge, this is my first experience with VG-10 steel and i am impressed. The blade on the Mini Vulcan is a thing of beauty. A three inch blade, complete with a spear point, impressive thickness, and a nice recurve, has a very attractive satin finish on the high quality blade. I love this knife, and I carry it everyday. The locking mechanism is very solid, their arc lock system is no doubt a quality build. Opens very fast with a kick on the back, and also has thumb nubs on both sides. The clip is a littl tacky, maybe a little big, but it also lets the knife ride low. Its is a pretty solid clip none the less, and can be switched to either side. This knife is very easy on the eyes, for me its almost the perfect design, it is very nice to hold. True piece of art. I have experienced no blade play. Has grown to become my favorite edc knife, maybe favorite knife period. I suggest this with every fiber of my being. Great job SOG. BUY IT!

This is a well made knife that does not cost a fortune. The blade is sharp and seems to hold an edge for light cutting tasks. {It probably does fine with heavy duty cutting but that's not what I need it for in my line of work.} The opening mechanism is OK; I can't say it flies open at the slightest touch but maybe as it is used more and lubricated it will open easier. The lock is efficient and secure and unlocking it is easy to manage. I have enjoyed carrying and using this knife!