SOG Bi-Polar 3

[eight433]

Well I made an impulse purchase last night. Not sure how many of you are familiar with www.woot.com, but I love the site. Lots of crap on there, but couple times a month they usually have a pretty good deal on something or other. Anyways, last night, they had a SOG BP3 in limeted supply for about 45 dollars including shipping. Not sure if that was a deal or not, so I did a quick google to find out that the MSRP is about $100 more than that! Realistically they seem to go for around 85 plus shipping, so I still feel confident that I got a deal. What I was really wondering here, is if anybody has any experience with this particular knife OR SOG knives in general. I have quite a few knives, however most of them are rather cheap knives that I accumulated in my younger days. I am trying to build my usable collection with quality knives now.
So, as obligated, here is a picture of it. I will likely do a quick review of it when it arrives and I can get my filthy little hands on it



I normally do not like serrated blades, preferring the more traditional blades. I'm thinking I will like this, being that the entire blade is serrated yet you still have a traditional blade at hand. BOTH blades are assisted opening. Seems to come with the pouch too, which has been reported to normally cost an additional 9 dollars. Please, knife gurus, tell me I won't be disappointed!

 

[hso]

Y'know, there were plenty of 2+ bladed "classic" pocket knives produced since great grandpa's days. This looks like an updated version of the concept. Great deal too.

 

[bikerdoc]

I am trying to build my usable collection with quality knives now.

Most commendable. Hang around here long enough and you will gain a real education in knives, how to sharpen, and steel quality.

Please, knife gurus, tell me I won't be disappointed!

Looks like a handy user that may fit your needs.

The steel according to thier web site is Aus8. IMO only, and some of the real heavey hitters may weigh in latter, Aus 8 is an ok steel, slightly better than 440c my bottom acceptable steel for a blade.
For steel education I suggest you study the Spyderco and A. G Russel web site.

With admitted predijuce, I like 1095 carbon, or s30v stainless. YMMV

All in all, I think you did good. You got a good knive at a reasonable price. Now go use it!

Welcome to our addiction and I am looking forward to your review.

 

[eight433]

this deal will likely only last another 5 minutes tops, but www.woot.com has another SOG multi tool right now for 40 bucks!

Edit: its over... Now they are back to TV's.

 

[Gord]

eight433, did you happen to catch this deal because of the link I posted for the Shun knife set? I was hoping someone might have gotten some use out of that thread...

That actually looks like a really cool concept - serrations kind of get in the way most of the time, but every now and then you really wish you had 'em - and with two blades that gives you the best of both worlds with none of the drawbacks!

 

[eight433]

No, actually I am a religious Woot!er haha. I buy quite a bit of stuff off there.

Those Shun knives are sweet, but a bit out of my price range

 

[Phydeaux642]

All they had when I was there last night was some electronic snowman.:banghead:

 

[Gord]

They actually have another Shun knife up right now. Might be worth keeping an eye on the site (www.woot.com, again, for those of you who missed it in the OP) for a while as they seem to have a lot of knife deals going on in this Woot-Off...

 

[eight433]

I got it today! Yay!


and even a video!


sorry they are all from my camera phone.

First impressions- Seemed as though the handles were cheap plastic, which surprised me as the knife feels rather hefty in your hands. Upon closer inspection it is actually very nicely black anodized aluminum. I've owned assisted opening knives in the past (namely a CRKT Ichi) but was not super impressed by the Ichi. Soon as it got dirty, it would not flick completely to lock position. Worse yet, while in the pocket, it would flick partially open! OUCH! This knife seems to have a bit stronger of a detent. Also, the opening spring on the Ichi is a rod spring. The SOG appears to have a coiled spring inside the handle, much stronger motion than the CRKT. We'll see how it acts after a couple days of carry in a dirty pocket.
It has little locks on the back of the knife. They will lock the blade from both being unintentionally deployed or folded. I normally do not abuse my knives harshly enough that I would ever need to lock them open, so that feature will likely go unused.
It also came with a belt hook pouch. Seems very nice, as far as belt pouches go. Not my style normally however. Quality seems to be there at least.
Quite sharp, out of the box. Very nice hollow ground edge. Serrated edge is quite sturdy with a thick back edge. The traditional blade is much thinner in appearance. It is actually the same thickness as the serrated blade but is ground back at an angle on the traditional blade.
The SOG also has a rather sharp conical skull cracker on the end of it that sticks out probably about .100" I'll whack a couple of things with it and see if it holds it's edge

Problems with the knife? None for me so far. A bit larger than I traditionally carry (smaller the better, IMO) ALTHOUGH, this knife is NOT for south paws. It is most certainly designed for rightys. Attempting to open the knife any other way than flicking it open seems clumsy and even a little dangerous. Flicking it open with your right hand thumb seems second nature however.

 

[TimboKhan]

With admitted predijuce, I like 1095 carbon, or s30v stainless

I am still a noob when it comes to steels, but the more I learn the more I like S30V, and I will soon have three knives made thusly. With that being said, I don't know that I have ever met a good steel from 440 on up that I really hated.