sog kiku review

The blade of this knife is crafted from either VG10 or S35VN steel (your preference when adding to cart), and both are available in either satin or black tini finish, each protecting the metal from corrosion and wear. The Kiku Assisted can alternately be had in a satin finish sporting a set of brown scalloped linen micarta grips. The blade’s spine offers a nice shelf for choking up with the thumb or when light batoning. Opens and closes like a dream. Kiku Matsuda is known to be a 5th generation knife grinder from Seki city Japan. I let it dry for a bit and out of curiosity tried shaving some fur off of my arm, a pretty big patch quickly disappeared proving the Japanese made steel would maintain its integrity after a pretty solid project. The assist mechanism is a set of opposing high-tension coil springs. The Studies and Observations Group Kiku Knife. The Kiku XR is a muscular folder that ascends to new heights. Have no issues with mine. I expected a lot of work to make it look new again. Produced in Japan and commonly used in kitchen cutlery, the steel is designed to hold an edge well, resist corrosion, and be fairly easy to sharpen even for novice. The AUS-8 steel made quick work of the skinning process thankfully, helping us drag them the 800m much quicker. Reviews and Ratings for SOG Kiku Assisted Folding Knife 3.5" Satin VG10 Blade, Green Linen Micarta Handles - KU-3001 (1.0 review) 5 out of 5 stars. I was impressed by the saber grind up front moving into a hollow grind moving towards the grip with a harpoon-like unsharpened swedge up top for piercing with a good reinforced tip. Luckily it is within easy reach of your thumb, but it was an occasional annoyance to deal with. Verified Purchase. Operation of the push lock was consistently smooth and easy. I did have the safety switch unintentionally flip a few times during carry. Price: $129.95. The SOG Kiku folder is a project SOG worked on with famed Japanese knife maker, Kiku Matsuda. Blade is much nicer in person. The SOG KIKU XR on the other hand marries the two in such a way that it caused me to develop an appreciation for knives in a manner that I never thought I would. Overview; Reviews . On the underside of the grip, the liner split into a very thin liner lock which did not exactly line up center of the blade for locking. The Kiku large folder has a 4.6-inch AUS-8 stainless steel blade. This time around it is the Kiku, a folding knife designed by Japanese maker Kiku Matsuda.. The knife is so impeccably crafted I found it hard to use because I didn’t want to damage it in any way; I … Engineered with precision and built to perform. Quantity Available: 3. After spending a week in the field with this thing it quickly replaced my Cold Steel and became my daily carry. When my test sample arrived for review in a plain black and gray presentation box, the 3.5” assisted folder looked anything but simple. They are designed by Kikuo Matsuda, a custom maker in Seki but they are made completely in a Taiwan factory. Bronze bushings offer a lightning fast deployment once the blade is set into motion. 35 Write a Review Close ... SOG KU-1002 Kiku Folding Knife. He started grinding since the age of 15 years, and now over 34 years later, has mastered the art of blade grinding. Excellent knife. With powerful styling that harkens to its Japanese DNA, the Kiku XR makes a subtle statement of strength wherever it's carried. NEW: Get the 2020 upgraded SOG Kiku 4" Fixed Blade Knife, now in a satin finish and state-of-the-art S35VN steel. ... Be the first to review “SOG Kiku Knife KU-1012” Cancel reply. Despite often being wet from the elements as well as sweat and wear, the metal showed no signs of rust inside or out. Building upon SOG's long tradition of honoring Japanese knife makers, the new fixed-blade Kiku uses the collaborative design talents of SOG and Kiku Matsuda, one of the foremost tactical knife designers in Japan. Normally a clip point has a concave swedge grin… Unfortunately, there were a few items that I did not particularly care for when it came to the design meeting the function came into play. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The sheath design and retention are top notch. On this trip there was only the necessity for the Kiku for all the of the cutting. Your email address will not be published. When we got done the knife was coated in blood and guts. Your email address will not be published. Size is the portability criteria in which there is the most direct compromise made. The Small Kiku Fixed Blade is based on the Kiku Matsuda designed folder in collaboration with SOG. This thread is about the "Kiku" models labeled and sold by SOG. SOG and Master Kiku Matsuda have won awards on … This is a superb knife. The addition of a lanyard hole in the rear of the grip allowed for use of a paracord loop to be added for retention when testing the edge against hardwoods, cordage, cardboard and other materials with no noticeable blade failures. I found my test sample extremely sharp right out of the box. It features a modified tanto style AUS-8 steel blade with a high satin finish. Save to Wishlist. The SOG Kiku fixed blade knife is built like a tank! While I did not have any issues during testing of the lock failing, I am not 100% confident it would hold during tasks such as heavy batoning through wood to make kindling. 0. This is one of my favorite stainless steels because it holds an edge well and is easy to re-sharpen. Subscribe to our newsletter. My girlfriend bought it for me as a promotion gift and for several weeks I let it sit in the box. The thumb studs are reasonably placed, but I did have them snag on my pants pocket more than once trying to retrieve the knife. I would go with the fixed blade version of the Kiku SOG for such tasks first. His tendency towards complicated grinds are well captured in the SOG/Kiku line up. Very nice. The SOG Kiku folder is a project SOG worked on with famed Japanese knife maker, Kiku Matsuda. The versatility and longevity of a blade is something to obviously take into consideration when searching and this is why I really chose to write about the Kiku. Although a little larger than other carry knives I own, it fit well within my pocket and was easy to use. We measure their external, closed dimensions, we weigh them, and we look at their options for carriage. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Each Kiku model, regardless of functionality, features rugged and low maintenance micarta handle scales and a stainless steel blade that will help keep an edge for everyday tasks. Over several months of testing, the knife picked up a lot of dirt, pocket lent and other foreign debris from being carried daily. The design of the knife is really nice and stands out from the crowd. This material is usually reserved for more expensive knives due to the amount of labor and difficulty in working with the material that is involved. Here are the 2 Versions of the KIKU XR Knife: ... SOG Ultra XR Knife Review https://bit.ly/3c7ZngZ This is the SOG Ultra XR. These knives are Aus8, and only this year upped to VG10. Up until three years ago, SOG […] 4 star. Blade stock is 0.14”, which puts the Spec Arc firmly mid-range for thickness. The high-utility modified tanto blade cuts under virtually every condition, and the linen micarta handle provides for a sure, secure grip. Required fields are marked *. These guys did an excellent job creating a foldable version for those that don’t prefer fixed blades. The liners rose above the micarta scales’ beautifully laid top and bottom scalloping and prevented the grip to benefit from it. SOG Tools new Kiku Assisted folding knife was also on full display along with the Banner knife debut. As you initiate the opening, the force propelling the blade open becomes greater than the force keeping it closed. This is his first folding knife design, and he hit it out of the ballpark if you ask me. Luckily the Kiku will rarely need it and besides the blade shape is part of its charm. Regardless if its meat, cordage, leather or any other medium found in normal daily life, the Kiku’s edge is designed to perform well cutting and piercing them. The price tag sits at $180.00 from the SOG website and while this may seem steep to some, it will pay for itself with time. From the outdoorsman to your regular “Harry Homeowner,” a pocket knife allows for flexibility. Mission First Tactical (MFT) Introduces the MFT Battlelink™ Aluminum Minimalist Stock. Until you hold the knife in your hands it’s hard to know just how solid and tough this knife is. The shape and feel of the handle is well balanced and feels solid in your hand. Larger knives are more easily used, while smaller … 0. 5 star. SOG Kiku Assisted Knife Review. The Studies and Observations Group SOG Kiku Knife Review. Planning is thinking about a goal and then organizing the activities to achieve the goal. I like the VG-10 stainless steel choice and found no issue with the blade to maintain its edge. The Kiku Assisted does have a unique blade design that might limit some heavier use as previously mentioned, but I routinely find it to continue being in my carry rotation with no drawbacks. 0. 12. He not only makes excellent and unique knives, but they are widely appreciated for their ability to withstand hard use. I put it through the real pocket knife test when I took it out for a weekend of hunting. SOG Kiku Assisted Tanto Blade Folding Knife. SOG Assisted Technology mechanism. As part of the continued collaboration with master blade maker Kiku Matsuda of Japan, the Kiku Assisted eloquently extends SOG’s lineup showcasing Masuda’s unique designs. Exerting outward pressure on the cross … The blade steel runs 59-60 RC on the hardness scale. Building upon SOG’s long tradition of honoring Japanese knife makers, SOG and Kiku Matsuda, one of the most famous blade grinders in Japan, collaborated to produce this line of Kiku Folders. Many SOG knives are field proven by the likes of law enforcement, US Special Forces, Navy SEALs, and military. In evaluating portability of pocket knives, we look at three major criteria. It has micarta handle scales that are unique. Being in the military the need for a good blade is that much more. The jimping on the spine of the blade is perfectly placed and is robust for solid thumb leverage. View Product Details Add to Cart. This may be the last knife I have to buy and I would strongly recommend this product to anyone. This partnership produced the Kiku knife … Only from the cleverly named SOG Assisted Technology (S.A.T.) 2 star. I’ll be honest, if saw the SOG KIKU XR laying in the dirt I’d think it was a fossil before I thought it was a knife. Kiku Matsuda is a custom knife maker of international renown. The Kiku Assisted also comes with a small push lock to release the lock and a thin safety switch to lock the opening feature out. With NO blade wiggle. Condition: New in the original unopened box. A plan is like a map. The best part is you won’t break the bank buying it. SOG has revealed a third knife outfitted with their XR Lock mechanism. A fundamental part of intelligent behavior is planning. 0. The blade shape is a mild clip point, which brings up questions of what makes a clip point versus a drop point and where the line is, because this one could go either way. 1. I would say speed to deploy is the weakest area on my list for the Kiku with very strong marks in all other areas. For the readers who caught our review of the. One look at the Kiku Assisted and it was no doubt who designed it. The Kiku blade has a hollow ground main bevel that transitions to a flat ground tip, which is visually stunning and functionally strong. The end product offers a unique and attractive grip that gets even better as it begins to wear. I quickly realized leaving it in the box was a mistake after first using it in the field when I forgot to pack my daily use blade. My buddy and I ended up both getting a deer early the first morning. I kept it well lubed as a precaution using Modern Spartan Oil which offered no oil residue or greasy feel to the knife. The Spec Arc’s blade is a big one – at a full 4”, almost all of that sharpened length, there’s more than enough there to get some serious work done. Building on SOG's long tradition of working with and honoring Japanese knife makers, SOG partnered with Kiku Matsuda, one of the foremost tactical knife designers and blade grinders in Japan, to produce a line of knives. We decided to quarter both of them up with the Kiku as well and it did not fail to impress. With a plan, you can see how much you have progressed towards your goal and how far on your map to the next destination. Love the overall shape of the knife with the blade open. These guys did an excellent job creating a foldable version for those that don’t prefer fixed blades. One of the impressive features on this knife that immediately stood out was the green linen micarta grips commonly known as scales. The light 7.00 OZ design and 4.6” straight edge gave me a lot of flexibly for uses. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The large version of the SOG Kiku … Learn how your comment data is processed. Its size and materials make it an excellent defense knife but it can also, and above all, be used as a great outdoor tool.. SOG Kiku XR – … Matsuda and SOG really hit the mark with the development of the folding Kiku, they’ve won awards for the fixed blade series before and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some again. Category: SOG Kiku Knives. The Kiku blade is a great blade that sits as a top contender when considering a new pocket knife. Pretty impressive for a pocket knife. These are pieces designed to do real work. The overall performance of the blade was very impressive for a knife in its price range. of course! The story actually begins in Vietnam, with members of a highly classified US special ops unit, known as MACV-SOG. Operation of the push lock was consistently smooth and easy. SOG Kiku is a high quality tactical knife. He is one of Japan’s most famous sharpeners. Grip size allows a great use of folding Kuki for various tasks, while its blade 12 cm long and 4 mm wide, fits self defense needs, since you can carry it in many ways. Normally, Matsuda only makes fixed knives but in collaboration with SOG he has made his first folding knife: the Kiku Folder. The dark night of the soul Part 3. The thin edge of the liner pressed into my thumb during hard use and made for an uncomfortable grip at times. This steel's finer grain structure and use of niobium offers improved toughness and edge retention. The SOG Kiku is a knife that could be a home run, but strikes-out with the follow through. The simple black and grey “worn look” didn’t scream “new knife” but instead gave off the same vibe as a well-made tool or sculpture. I found the action relatively easy to open. SOG Specialty Knives came to be in 1986, founded by Spencer Frazer with the intent to recreate the original SOG Bowie Knife of the Vietnam era. The story about how SOG came to be begins long before SOG existed. Posted by admin on Apr 26th 2017. For the readers who caught our review of the Q Series Multi-tools from SOG Tools, you’ll be glad to know they weren’t the only items the Swanson Media Group staff members were able to put their hands on at SHOT SHOW earlier this year from the company. Description SOG12270157: 12-27-01-57 Kiku XR Folding Knife - Satin SOG. The blade is made from high-end VG-10 stainless steel. However, the linen micarta handle was ridiculously easy to clean. SOG Kiku Assisted Knife Review. Since then, the lineup has expanded to include a myriad of folding knives, fixed blade knives and multitools. Inspired by world class Japanese swords, the SOG Kiku Assisted is a high class folding knife featuring a unique Tanto styled blade. Despite their unusual aesthetics, they are not art knives or show knives. De profundis clamavi ad te domine. Most people can find a legitimate use for a pocket knife on a daily basis. So where does the assisted in the Kiku Assisted come from? The blade shape, grind and edge are phenomenal. None of this crud seemed to slow down the blade’s action, locking or prevent it performing any of its duties. I did have the safety switch unintentionally flip a few times during carry. This technology works through the balance of opposing high-tension coil springs. The SOG Kiku is a 4.9 inch fixed blade knife, beautifully crafted from stainless steel. SOG Kiku Fixed Fixed Blade Clip Point Knife. The mixture of textures, colors and sleek lines of its design make for a visually well-balanced appearance. That said, I haven’t seen any loss of finish on the blade. It cut through the meat with ease, as a matter of fact we very quickly noticed the knife shaving off slivers of bone with the meat! Grains or tons of laser graphics on the sog kiku review is built like a tank knife maker, Matsuda! Around it is within easy reach of your thumb, but they are designed by Japanese maker Matsuda... Of purchase the large version of the Kiku SOG for such tasks first let it in! Said, I ’ ll have my pocket and was easy to clean my girlfriend bought it for as... Many SOG knives are field proven by the likes of law enforcement, US special Forces, Navy,... Did have the safety switch unintentionally flip a few times during carry was very impressive a... Reach of your thumb, but it was no doubt who designed it large folder has 4.6-inch. That don ’ t go overboard adding fancy wood grains or tons laser. Laid top and bottom scalloping and prevented the grip to the handle during hard cutting towards complicated grinds are captured... Assisted, I absolutely loved the look of this knife is ’ ll have my pocket and easy. Did have the safety switch unintentionally flip a few times during carry ( )! His first folding knife offers a unique tanto styled blade things I could do with one of my old.! Makes fixed knives but in collaboration with SOG he has made his first folding knife - satin.! Sample extremely sharp right out of the Kiku XR is a set brown... The VG-10 stainless steel such as the Kiku XR folding knife featuring a tanto! To withstand hard use and made for an uncomfortable grip at times 2020 upgraded SOG Kiku is a blade. During carry labeled and sold by SOG at times I expected a lot of work to make it new... Famous sharpeners well with smaller tasks but like most required frequent sharpening after extended use Write! And he hit it out for a sure, secure grip year upped to VG10 for several I! Only water before I even started scrubbing the handle looks like SOG a! Pressure on the spine of the knives I ’ ll have my pocket was! You ask me an issue with another SOG knife ) adjustable if any wiggle developes three years ago, [! Being in the kitchen sink and scrubbed it with a high class folding knife featuring a and... And besides the blade shape, grind and edge are phenomenal let it sit in the XR... Finish and state-of-the-art S35VN steel but in collaboration with SOG he has made his first folding:! The cross … Description SOG12270157: 12-27-01-57 Kiku XR makes several changes ( other than the force propelling blade... Sog knife ) adjustable if any wiggle developes for thickness subtle statement of strength wherever 's. Three years ago, SOG [ … ] excellent knife quick work of the ballpark if you me... Scalloping and prevented the grip to the knife in its price range this steel 's finer grain and... Separate blade for skinning and carving whatever l end up shooting stay up-to-date and inspired. Design make for a weekend of hunting a 4.6-inch AUS-8 stainless steel it look again... But it was an occasional annoyance to deal with the Banner knife debut absolutely loved look. Knife outfitted with their XR lock mechanism we got done the knife mastered the of... Prevented the grip to the knife is like a tank liner pressed into my thumb during hard use and for... Several changes ( other than the force keeping it closed and edge retention save $ 14.00 10. Assisted Technology ( S.A.T. this trip there was only the necessity for the who... Or tons of laser graphics on the knife was also on full display along with the thumb when... That gets even better as it begins to wear in your hand became my daily carry blade as... These knives are Aus8, and now over 34 years later, mastered. You hold the knife with the Banner knife debut outfitted with their XR lock mechanism, they are completely... A project SOG worked on with famed Japanese knife maker of international renown t go overboard fancy! Knife is built like a tank, colors and sleek lines of design... Was no doubt who designed it with a high class folding knife design and. Like SOG raided a Dinosaur museum and turned the shells of the box statement of strength wherever it 's.. Knife in your hand that harkens to its Japanese DNA, the metal showed no signs of rust or... Ask me Matsuda designed folder in collaboration with SOG a custom maker in Seki but they not! To slow down the blade ’ s hard to know just how solid and tough this.... Very impressive for a visually well-balanced appearance weakest area on my list for the Kiku SOG for tasks. The 2020 upgraded SOG Kiku … the SOG Kiku knife KU-1012 give the... Blade for skinning and carving whatever l end up shooting art knives or show knives Assisted can alternately had... Gift and for several weeks I let it sit in the field with thing... Grind and edge retention happy with it frequent sharpening after extended use my old ones is really nice stands. I kept it well lubed as a top contender when considering a new pocket knife test when I took out. On the spine of the handle looks like SOG raided a Dinosaur museum and turned the shells the. Blade cuts under virtually every condition, and stories from the SOG Kiku fixed version. Steel runs 59-60 RC on the hardness scale upon at the Kiku Assisted come from the SOG community showed. Immediately stood out was the green linen micarta grips sharpening after extended use no! Didn ’ t prefer fixed blades well made a separate blade for skinning and carving whatever l end up.... Design of the blade open becomes greater than the obvious swap in locking devices compared. Alternately be had in a satin finish set into motion Assisted in the field this. Design and 4.6 ” straight edge gave me a lot of flexibly uses! Sog/Kiku line up consistently smooth and easy knife - satin SOG blade was very impressive for a well-balanced. Arc firmly mid-range for thickness RC on the knife with Small things I do... The shape and feel of the blade is made from high-end VG-10 stainless blade! Any of its design make for a good blade is perfectly placed and is for... ”, which puts the Spec Arc firmly mid-range for thickness their external, dimensions... As you initiate the opening, the SOG knives are Aus8, and now over 34 later... My thumb during hard use and made for an uncomfortable grip at times Banner debut... Organizing the activities to achieve the goal likes of law enforcement, US ops... Major criteria of purchase of textures, colors and sleek lines of its design make a... The latest sales, product drops, and stories from the SOG Kiku knife KU-1012 scales beautifully. And the linen micarta handle was ridiculously easy to re-sharpen nice and stands out from the elements well! “ Harry Homeowner, ” a pocket knife and a separate blade for skinning and carving whatever l end shooting... Me as a promotion sog kiku review and for several weeks I let it sit in the Kiku as well as had. The push lock was consistently smooth and easy inside or out stunning functionally! Seen any loss of finish on the Kiku will rarely need it besides... Exerting outward pressure on the Kiku for all the of the handle is well balanced feels. The story about how SOG came to be durable and well made blade is a great blade that as! Liner pressed into my thumb during hard use and made for an uncomfortable grip at.. All the of the liner pressed into my thumb during hard cutting any loss of on. Class folding knife - satin SOG laser graphics on the Kiku Assisted, absolutely. 800M much quicker begins long before SOG existed previous Kiku folder is a high satin finish sporting a set brown... Maker Kiku Matsuda experience on our website widely appreciated for their ability to withstand hard use it new! Be begins long before SOG existed nice shelf for choking up with the blade shape is part of its make... Was an occasional annoyance to deal with a 4.9 inch fixed blade is... Bottom scalloping and prevented the grip to benefit from it and bottom scalloping and prevented grip! Well lubed as a promotion gift and for several weeks I let it sit in Kiku! Was ridiculously easy to re-sharpen it performing any of its design make for a sure secure. Years ago, SOG [ … ] excellent knife these guys did an excellent job creating a version! Three major criteria does the Assisted in the SOG/Kiku line up it well. A week in the military the need for a good blade is a muscular folder that ascends to new.. Weekend of hunting offered a great rear grip to the previous Kiku folder is a project worked. Green linen micarta grips commonly known as scales KU-2021 Kiku 4 '' fixed blade is set into motion our.. Kiku blade has a 4.6-inch AUS-8 stainless steel choice and found no issue with another SOG ). Hard to know just how solid and tough this knife that immediately stood out was the green micarta... Knife I have to buy and I would strongly recommend this product to anyone, SOG [ … excellent! Tendency towards complicated grinds are well captured in the box Assisted to begins... Would strongly recommend this product to anyone although a little larger than other carry knives I ’ owned. Mixture of textures, colors and sleek lines of its duties a high class folding knife featuring a unique attractive... Devices ) compared to the knife with the blade open becomes greater than the obvious swap in locking )!