SOG Knife

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The SOG knife was a knife designed for, and issued to, covert Studies and Observation Group personnel during the Second Indochina War. It was unmarked and supposedly untraceable to country of origin or manufacture in order to maintain plausible deniability of covert operators in the event of their death or capture.

More recently a commercial "SOG" knife was designed for, and is marketed as being used by, the U.S. Navy SEALs. It should be noted, however, that it is not an official issue SEAL knife, and it is not the authentic SOG knife. The classic original SOG knife is rare and extremely valuable to collectors. The commercial "SOG" brand blades are mass marketed online and in stores.

The US Government's knife evaluation program included incredible tests that evaluated the following:

  • tip strength
  • blade toughness
  • sharpness and edge retention
  • handle twist-off limits
  • two-week salt water immersions
  • gasoline and acetylene torch resistance
  • chopping
  • hammering
  • prying
  • penetration performance
  • cutting ability for six different types of rope and nylon line
  • low noise and low reflection factors
  • intense hands-on training in the field

The full sized version has a 7" blade and a 12.5" overall length (18 cm / 32 cm). Smaller, 3/4 sized versions are also available.

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