SOG Knives Flash II Knife

I originally go the Flash I for my brother. I checked it out when I got it and it was really small and hard to operate even with my small hands. He agreed and wanted to try the Flash II knife. It is about twice as big and much easier to use. I do have 1 complaint though. The knob to assist you in opening the knife is too close to the handle end of the knife, which makes it a little harder to put your thumb or finger on to open the knife. Maybe I'm just not used to the knob being in that spot, but if it was my knife I would have returned it and tried again with a different knife.

This knife is by far my favorite knife I have yet. I was all about some CRKTs until i bought this from backcountry. CRKT makes good knives, but just like almost any other knife company, they use screws with a star head on them. Parts on any knife, the belt clip specifically, loosen up after time, and its real hard to find a star head driver small enough to fit those little screws and even when you do, they strip. The SOG knives use a standard ALLEN head. Its an incredible difference to be able to be able to tighten it whenever i want. On top of that, the clip design is amazing, much better than anything else i have used and the blade and handle are awesome as well. Its also probably the best looking knife i own as well. Get this knife. Much faster than the CRKT outburst stuff. Awesome knife.

Just need to do your homework...the reason this knife is getting a bad overall rating is because some people didn't do their homework. There are 3 models of the Flash II. 2 have the aluminum handle and the third and cheapest has the zytel scratch and impact resistance plastic handle. All 3 knives have the AUS 8 steel, which in the grand scheme of things is good steel and holds an edge well. You just need to pay attention to which model you are getting so you know what to expect out of the box. I have the zytel model from SAC and I have been pretty happy with it so far. Its a little stiff out of the box but plenty sharp, just need a little breaking in. I don't mind the plastic handle because it really cuts down the weight of the knife. In my opinion, 4 stars, great knife for the price, good quality (made in USA) just not the best on the market. I would recommend this knife to anyone looking for a quality knife for daily or camping use.

I just replaced my old flash 2 that I lost on a backpacking trip. For the SAC price it was a no brainer. Some helpful info from the SOG website for the weight conscious backpacker: the aluminum handle model is 4.2 oz. The plastic handle is 3.1 oz. I have never used the aluminum handle model which may be a bit more solid, but I re-bought the plastic (zytel) version because although there was a little side to side blade-play, the locking mechanism is great as is the weight vs size ratio of the plastic handle model. Some say it feels cheap but regardless of that opinion, you will be very hard pressed to break the zytel material. You can tighten the handle to eliminate the small blade movement but that causes the handle to press down on the blade and restricts the assisted open design. If over time the blade loosens up too much, just tighten the one bolt down a tad to find a good balance between fast opening and small movement when locked. Overall I think this is a great knife for most situations especially because it is light for its size and how easily it opens with one hand, even with gloves on. Oh, and it is really, really fun! If you think you will be cutting cordage or ropes, get the half serrated blade.

This thing is awesome. I got the aluminum handle and the TiNi blade. Solid knife, holds an edge great, and scored on SAC! The assisted opening is solid, the locking mechanism can be operated with gloves on, and the balance and ergonomics are fantastic. The aluminum handle is tough and still light enough. The clip lets the knife sit completely flush inside my pocket and it stays in place very well. Also, SOG used regular allen bolts instead of torx bolts so it is easier to work on. Go buy one of these!

After owning a Flash I for a year and seeing this marked at forty dollars at a local retail store I had to pounce on it. This knife is now my utility knife while hiking performing every duty I need a knife for. The blade assist is not as fast as its smaller brother, but I actually prefer the slower speed. My handle is a composite, not aluminum(which is why I got it so cheap) but the blade quality is the same. Blade lock(when closed) is nice as I am able to pass this knife around at xmas time and not have to worry about little cousins cutting themselves.

After having a Flash I, this was much bigger than expected!

The Flash II is a great knife. The spring assisted opening is lightning fast and great for when you need it in a hurry/want to impress your buddies. The blade is incredibly sharp and very solidly constructed. I have used this knife consistently for many months and with proper care it is as sharp as the day it arrived at my door. The piston lock system is very secure and saved my life on an icy slope with an improvised emergency self-arrest using the Flash. All in all a fantastic blade and one that will serve me for many years to come.

One of the best parts about this knife is that it is truely razor sharp right from the factory! Very little pressure is needed to cut any sorts of plastic or cardboard because it is not only sharp, but the blade is fairly thin as well so it does not create a lot of drag when cutting through something. The size is good, although a little big to use as an every-day carry. Very simple and the zytel grip is very good. It does not seem that it would be a knife that could go through tons and tons of very hard abuse, but that's not what I bought it for. I bought mine on Ebay (backcountry didn't have the camo color option) for about $50. Overall very pleased with the knife and expect it to give me years of great service. Great all around knife and assisted opening a plus.

I have two of these knives, one (black/black) as an every day carry and one (yellow/powder) which is in my paddling gear. I couldn't ask for a better knife - versatile, easy opening, and never dulling.

Can't beat the price/benefit of a SOG knife.

Love this knife! Fit and finish is amazing and the comfort in hand is reassuring.

I originally go the Flash I for my brother. I checked it out when I got it and it was really small and hard to operate even with my small hands. He agreed and wanted to try the Flash II knife. It is about twice as big and much easier to use. I do have 1 complaint though. The knob to assist you in opening the knife is too close to the handle end of the knife, which makes it a little harder to put your thumb or finger on to open the knife. Maybe I'm just not used to the knob being in that spot, but if it was my knife I would have returned it and tried again with a different knife.

For me personally this knife ranks as one of the most handy blades I have owned and certainly the most handy folder. I carry this daily because it light and isn't too thick for the pocket. In addition to locking open, it also locks closed which is a great feature when you have it in or around thin backpacks and tents.

I have had mine for over 5 years and it is still sharp and the assisted open is still very snappy.

If I lost mine or it was damaged (which is unlikely) I would replace it immediately.

Got this mainly for camping but could easily be used for everyday. Little too large for me to carry around everyday but for some you could. Quality product from SOG and if anything goes wrong in the future I'll post about it.

I am a huge fan of SOG knives. Let me start by saying that. I have this knife in a survival kit because it is so freaking light weight. That's the good part. The bad parts are that: Mine came with alot of play between the blade and the frame, and the blade seems really dinky. I like this knive for a backup only because I carry a Seal Pup and CRKT folding knife as "Main"/Heavy duty blades. That being said, I'm a knife fanatic who carries more shiny blades than are really necessary.
/Cheers!

I've had the flash for a couple years now and it is to this point my favorite and best knive. It is quick to open and very durable. I've had no problems and done many jobs with this knife. The only exception to this is that the clip that lets me wear the knife on the outside of my jeans broke. In my opinion this is a very good knife.

Recently was gifted this knife! everything I read about the kife before hand was accurate and its super awesome feels great in your hand easy to open a little stiff on closing with one had but not a big deal!

If your on the edge about buying the knife just do it the first time you open the knife it will all become clear to you that it was worth it!

I have this knife in the Aluminum and Zytel handle and both are very dependable knives. The zytel drops the weight by about 25% and make it much easier to stash in your pocket. The blades are durable and hold an edge very well. I have carried mine for several years and never had a problem with either one of them. I don't really understand the review about the "cheap plastic handle" as this thing is about as rugged as you can get. It has been dropped, bounced around a backpack and still looks new.

The supplied clip makes this knife very easy to carry and it is barely visible in your pocket.

The knife's blade seemed great but I returned this knife because the blade played around too much when open. It rocked back and forth maybe 1-2mm at the tip.

Aight I give it 5 stars. This knife is SOLID...I've owned Kershaw, Gerber and Kabar and this knife is my go to knife for anything outside, inside or urban. The assisted opening is damn fast and smoother than Cosmo Kramer, and I think I read that the lock mechanism can withstand about 1000 lbs of pressure. Regardless, its strong. The blade is real sharp and holds an edge well...it's the sharpest, out of the box, out of any of my knives. At first I was a little angry about the clip-it bends easy and looked hard to fix. However, I didn't take enough time to actually see that the clip can be removed by loosening one screw using a 1mm hex wrench. It's very easy to take the clip off and hammer it back to being straight, but easier if the clip doesn't bend at all. So try not to let the clip catch on things.

First off, this knife will last. I've used the Flash II for a long time now and this year's model has raised the bar. A few changes include: Molded handle with more rough areas which increase grip even when wet/bloodied up; the newly revamped ergonomic safety release is easier to actuate than previous models and the non-serated blade comes sharp enough to shave with. Unfortunately, this sharpness only lasts a few weeks with regular use and upkeep. The AUS-8 stainless looks and feels good, it just doesn't keep its edge as well as I would like. All in all, it's a great knife with a good feel, good looks, and it's easily carried, just expect to sharpen the blade weekly.

Best SOG I have purchased yet. Great color on the AUS-8 SS blade. S.A.T assisted opening is super smooth! Blade is crazy sharp from SOG and cool handle (Zytel) is molded with their grippy Dragon Skin texture. Very lightweight but very strong. Also while I am a righty, I am able to use the Flash II in my left hand just as well as my right. Phenomenal!

This is a great knife to carry around every day. It's lightweight, sharp, sturdy and has a very cool switchblade-type assisted opening. The only minor complaint I had was with the safety switch. It was very loose and would engage all the time, while in my pocket. This is a minor complaint though and does not hinder the overall effectiveness of the knife. I would definitely recommend this knife to use for daily tasks and for camping purposes.

This knife hasnt left my back pocket since I bought it last summer. (Though I normally take a fixed blade CRKT with me when hiking/backpacking) Ive only sharpened it twice since I got it, and it stays sharp for a long time. I even lost the thumb stud, emailed sog and had one in my mail box two days later free of charge.

This has been, dare I say it? The best pocket knife Ive ever owned. I've snapped Buck blades clean in two, broken the tips off every Gerber Ive ever owned, mutilated my Kershaw , and destroyed lethermans but this one has lasted. Get one, you wont be disappointed.

I use this knife all the time around town and on the local trails.

The serrated edge part of the blade is the workhorse of the knife!

However, when I head for the backcountry I leave it home and carry a non-folding knife.

I've had this knife for about six months now as an EDC (everyday carry), using it or just about any and every task I can find for it. Got it off SAC then and saw it again just now, though it seems that they've raised the price, and when the price of shipping is added, it's not really as competitive price as it once was compared to other sources on the net =(

Like previous reviews have said, the description is wrong and the handle is zytel, not aluminum, HOWEVER, it is just as plenty strong and actually I think I prefer it since it makes this knife super light weight. 3.1oz according to the SOG website. That's just fantastic for a knife with a blade of this size. I always forget that I'm carrying it since my pocket doesn't get weighed down one bit.

I don't know what the gripe is with other people's reviews regarding the clip. For me, it always sits tightly where I leave it in my pocket, never shifts and is in the same spot ready to be used. Compared to other knives, the clip is on the the bottom of the handle, making it a bit awkward to use if you've been using other knives where the clip was right next to the pivot point of the blade, but you'll get used to it fast.

Locking mechanism to prevent blade from opening is great, when engaged, doesn't accidentally get unlocked. The blade requires a bit of movement to get it to open, so no accidental openings in your pocket. And lastly the mechanism to unlock an open blade requires some work to undo, so no chance of it accidentally closing on your fingers while in use.

The blade was beyond razor sharp out of the box and the assisted open spring was crazy strong, I actually had it flip out of my hands the first couple times I used it and it ended up cutting my finger, doh! =( But after some usage, the spring is not nearly as stiff and you do get used to the quickness of the blade popping out faster than you can blink. The AUS 8 steel is a solid steel, holds an edge, won't chip as easily as softer steels (like 420/440) and an excellent choice and value for this price point.

My first gripe is that I wish that they hadn't made the factory edge so damn sharp! It spoiled me, thinking I could cut through any and everything. After using it over and over and over and finally dulling it a bit, I simply cannot sharpen it to that degree manually and makes me feel like i shouldn't have used this awesome knife as much as I did. My second, that they would sell a plain edge knife at the price I bought my combo edge at.

Overall, awesome blade! After my current one dies (if it ever does =P) I'll definitely get another one.

With a fancier material for the handle, I would have given the knife 5 stars, but a fancier material for the handle would have cost a lot more money. The plastic seems very durable and plenty comfortable. The knife only gets light use from me, but the blade is plenty sharp and seems to hold an edge well. The opening assist mechanism is brilliant. In all, I'm completely satisfied.

I own two of these knives, one for everyday use and one for backpacking. The pocket clip is better than other brands making it more comfortable to carry and retrieve. Blade is stable when fully opened and under heavy load. Also, you can take the thing completely apart and clean it out.I abuse mine everyday and they keep on going. SOG makes the best knives hands down.

The best part of this knife is the pocket clip. Seriously, the "bayonet" style clip allows for the lowest, most discreet carry out of any style folder I have ever tried. The assisted open is reliable, the blade is a good shape/style, but the handle and lock seem to be a little off. The handle has a bulbous shape at the pivot point and the lock bar has some play in the slide button. To be fair, the handle is comfortable to grip and the lock bar mechanism is solid and secure, but each detracts slightly from the overall package. I'll continue to carry my Kershaw KO Blackout as my EDC.

I have the cheaper and lighter, but still solid Zytel handle version with a partially serrated blade. I carry this knife just about everywhere and use it on just about everything. Easy one handed operation when you are in a pinch makes this knife a life saver. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a versatile and dependable blade.

I have 3 Sog knives and this is the one I use most. The quality is exceptional. It opens one-handed in a flash (hence the name). It was bigger than I expected when I got it, but I don't regret it one bit. The lock is definitely a plus, keeps it from taking off anything it's not supposed to. It balances well in my hand and feels great. Plus who wouldn't love to pull their knife out of their pocket and whip the blade open while their friends gape in awe.

I have this knife with the Zytel (plastic) handle. At first, I was put off by the plastic, but have come to realize that not only is it sturdy, it is very light for knife of this size. The description is accurate, in that a little pressure on the thumb stud causes the knife to quickly open and lock in place. But there is a safety switch to help prevent the knife from accidentally opening in your pocket and groining you. The sliding piston lock is easy to disengage (so I have an easier time closing this knife than I do my CRKT's that have AutoLawks). The light weight of this knife makes it easy to bring along a full-size knife on backpacking trips. This is a good, all-purpose knife.

This knife was my daily carry knife for about three years. I work as a field biologist, so my tools see some heavy use. This knife's assisted open technology is really better then any other assisted knife I've owned or used. I compare it to a kershaw scallion that I bought and had to replace about 6 months later because the spring failed. I will agree with other users when they say the handle feels cheap, but I would contend that it is light and virtually unbreakable. The belt clip is very tight, but after three years it hasn't worked loose like CRKTs and Bucks I've carried. My one complaint is the blade has worked loose over the years. To take out the rattle I tightened the nut holding everything together but it hinders the assisted open function. However the loose blade doesn't effect the function of the knife at all, it is just me being picky. Over all a very functional knife.

I got this knife as a Birthday present and I really like it so far. The spring assisted open is really cool, but it's not the easiest knife in the world to close. Feels pretty sturdy, especially for a plastic handle. Overall, a pretty sweet knife.

i prefer the flash 1 w/the combo blade, it's slightly smaller size makes it a perfect knife to keep in your pocket. sog quality is unparalleled and i really can't understand what the negative reviews were expecting...if you want a big heavy blade, this is NOT the knife for you! it's meant as a high quality daily utility knife that you don't even notice unless you need it. just be careful to remember to check your pockets before you wash your jeans lol

The Flash II is probably the closest you'll get to a switchblade (in this country, anyway). The blade opens with a spring, and if there's any criticism of this knife, it's that the spring gets a little sluggish the more you open and close it. But other than that, it seems like it has very sturdy construction (particularly the solid metal belt clip) though I haven't really put it to the test yet. It's also got great balance, so you can use it one-handed without worrying about cutting yourself (though I already did).

I gotta disagree with the other reviews. I had high expectations for a knife from SOG, but the construction and materials just don't cut it. I have owned a lot of knives from CRKT, Gerber, Kershaw, etc. The plastic handles on the Flash II look and feel like cheap plastic. Nothing near as substantial as the zytel on a cheaper CRKT. The blade isn't the greatest either, but I'll admit that my regular knife is the big CRKT M-16, so I'm used to a beefy blade. The overall construction just feels weak. And the triangular shape to the handle just feels weird in your hand and pocket. I bought it on a SAC deal, so I'm not out much, but it's getting 'spare' duty and l leave it in the truck door box.

I was honestly very excited to see this deal come up on SAC, the box came today and of course i had to check out my new toy. i was a little disappointed. the handle is plastic and the discription says aluminum. the handle has an odd shape that feels o.k., but not as "right" as the crkt tiny tighbreaker i currently have in my pocket. the pocket clip is extremely tight. it would hardly go onto the correct place on my pocket. and then getting it out of my pocket was not easy either. you wont have to worry about it falling out. as far as the spring opening goes, it is not as quick or fluid as afore mentioned crkt blade. i really like the knife's finish. it is black nitride or something, light weight and balanced, but maybe a little light for this size blade. i'll change the rating if after use my feelings improve, right now i'd say save your money until a crkt knife that strikes your fancy shows up.

I was honestly very excited to see this deal come up on SAC, the box came today and of course i had to check out my new toy. i was a little disappointed. the handle is plastic and the discription says aluminum. the handle has an odd shape that feels o.k., but not as "right" as the crkt tiny tighbreaker i currently have in my pocket. the pocket clip is extremely tight. it would hardly go onto the correct place on my pocket. and then getting it out of my pocket was not easy either. you wont have to worry about it falling out. as far as the spring opening goes, it is not as quick or fluid as afore mentioned crkt blade. i really like the knife's finish. it is black nitride or something, light weight and balanced, but maybe a little light for this size blade. i'll change the rating if after use my feelings improve, right now i'd say save your money until a crkt knife that strikes your fancy shows up.