- good everyday companion from SOG
Studies and Observations Group is the full name, which is usually abbreviated to SOG Knives. A legendary brand that went under the radar for a while but which now in my opinion has released a series of very interesting new knives. Most recently, I reviewed the eminent Terminus XR LTE, which is a very sympathetic knife for EDC use.
Now it's time to take a closer look at a knife that is aimed at the same area of use but that offers a completely different design language. In addition, a smaller, or at least a sturdier, format and also a lower price range. Place on stage for Stout FLK!
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| SOG Stout FLK Blacked Out |
The question is whether there is a certain "Danish" style when it comes to knife design? The reason why my thoughts wander in that direction is of course that there are some similarities between this knife from SOG and the Pilar designed by Jesper Voxnaes. Behind this knife, Stout FLK, is another Dane, Mikkel Willumsen. But he did not design this knife himself if I understood it correctly, but it is a collaboration between him and SOG's founder Spencer Frazer.
One thing that I'm pretty sure comes from Willumsen's pencil or rather a drawing program is the blade shape. The appearance of the tip bears all the hallmarks of it!
Anyway, the result of this collaboration is both attractive and generally sympathetic knife.
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| Mikkel Willumsen and Spencer Frazer are the men behind this knife |
Twitter version: Not everything is pitch black, although SOG Stout FLK in the "Blacked Out" version has a dark look. With a solid blade and very good ergonomics, it is a good choice as an EDC knife!
Blade
As I said, the knife blade can be recognized as a Willumsen creation with its distinctive appearance. Many of his designs have a rather angular tip and quite often some kind of compound grind. That's not the case here but the edge gets significantly broader towards the tip.
However, the basic type is uncomplicated. It is a drop point where the tip is found so close to the center that the profile almost resembles a spear point at a distance. The blade measures 6.6 cm in length and is in relation to it relatively high with its 32 mm. The thickness is 3.8 mm. A sturdy blade in other words.
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| This typical Willumsen blade is 6.6 cm long |
Then the blade has been provided with several details that make more elaborated. On the spine, you find "jimpings" or grooves for better traction at the blade base and it then slopes down towards the tip in two different steps with an angle in between. The second part also has a swedge and the whole spine has a beveled edge. Then you can not miss the elongated hole in the blade that has several different angles as well.
The blade is then blackened in this version, although it is also available in satin if preferred. Then SOG has, as usual, "fertilized" with text on the blade, but at least it's rather discreet. On one side you will find "Designed by Mikkel Willumsen" and on the other, the whole name beside the model name and steel type.
The steel is by the way D2 and the hardening have been done cold, something the word "Cryo" suggests. D2 is a tool steel that can rust if not kept dry. Less so with this coating that I do not really know what it consists of. However, it is quite shiny and feels painted.
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| The steel used is D2 |
With such a chubby blade, of course, certain cutting properties follow, even if in this case it has been improved by having a really high saber grind. So high that it extends up to the blade hole, which almost makes the blade fully flat ground. But despite that, the knife is thick behind the edge. At the straight part, it is around 0.8 mm and behind the wider section towards the tip, there is 1 to 1.7 mm steel.
Those measurements made me fear that the knife would be moderately good for certain tasks. Initially, the knife was tested on "shallow" cuts, ie those where you mostly use the edge but not the entire blade, for example, nylon straps, cable ties, string, and the like. For such tasks, Stout LFK is not unexpectedly very good. Especially as it was a good bite in the factory edge. But then I wanted to challenge the knife a bit. And I was surprised when it also handled apples and carrots in a fully capable way. Why would you cut carrots with a short bladed EDC knife you might be wondering. The answer is simple, they are well suited for testing blade geometry. A too obtuse edge and thick blade crack them and make them fly instead of cutting.
I got even happier when the knife got to feel typical everyday materials such as plastic packaging, tape, and cardboard. The former I had thought would go gallantly, especially with the competent tip. But cardboard turned out to be really fun to handle with this knife. Possibly because the edge is wide, which means that the transition to the thick steel behind it is gradual. Something that is later reinforced by the high flat grind.
With that in mind, Stout was also challenged with a lot of wood on later occasions. Here, too, it turns out that the blade and the edge are not bad at all. In addition, having a handle that enables you to get close to the blade is a great advantage. This is where you have the most power and control. In fact, Stout LFK really surprised me in this area.
Overall, this knife cuts well. Especially considering how it looks.
Handle
Stout LFK is a typical asymmetrical knife in that the lock side consists of steel and the presentation side of G10. A partial backspacer is also found in the back, also made of steel. The construction is then screwed with three screws in addition to the pivot screw. They are very small with their T6 heads. Consistently, that size is used for all screws including the clip, the overtravel stop, and the said pivot screw. All screws are also well countersunk and black to match the look of this completely dark "Blacked Out" variant.
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| Stout FLK has a handle based on a "50/50" choil ", a groove for the index finger partly in front of the handle |
The handle is 93 mm long, and builds at most 26 mm in height with a thickness of 11 mm. But the length does not really matter on this type of handle as it is made for use with the forward finger choil available. This means that the available grip length actually exceeds the length of the handle, being 98 mm. This means that you play tricks with the size of the knife in the same way as, for example, Cold Steel Tuff Lite and Spyderco Lil 'Native.
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| The back is semi-open and the construction is asymmetrical with a presentation side in G10 and a lock side in steel |
This means that even though this isn't a large knife, it can accommodate the whole hand. Stout FLK works just as well in a firm hammer grip as with a thumb on the blade in a saber grip. For that matter, it is just as easy to guide the blade with a forefinger on the blade or to hold the blade in a pinch grip. Thus, it is a very good handle. Especially as it is as convenient to work with like a knife of this size can offer. A strong contributing factor to this is that with the angles and the length of the combined handle and forward finger choil, the clip is not felt in the hand. This despite the fact that this variant of clip can sometimes be downright painful. Impressively done!
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| The knife is a bit heavy at the back, as you can see. Despite the short format, the whole hand fits, which is a big plus |
Then it should be pointed out that the grip is very solid. No risk of slipping here. That is not the merit of the relatively smooth G10 material. The forward choil, big enough to actually fit my finger is also accompanied by a second groove for the middle finger that fits just as well. The thumb also provides a good grip when it rests on the grooves on the blade when it needs to be poked with the tip.
There is also room for the last two fingers on the handle. This is important because they are the ones who get the pressure when the knife wants to rotate in the hand after the blade is pressed against something.
Opening and Lock
Whether or not Stout FLK should be considered a "flipper knife" can be discussed. But it's one of the main ways to get the blade out. It can sometimes be difficult to combine that function with a blade hole as they require slightly different resistance from the "detent ball" to work optimally. In this case, SOG has succeeded to some extent. With a good flipper-knife, you do not have to think but can just open the knife. Not so in this case. Stout requires a learning period due to the fact that if you follow the direction indicated by the notches on the tab and pull your finger straight back, you will fail and stand there with a half-opened blade. If you do not use a hefty flick on the wrist, that is.
If, on the other hand, the user presses the tab downwards, the function is actually decent. With a little "pre-load" in the finger, you can even get the knife to be quite quick.
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| SOG Stout FLK is equipped with a flipper tab that requires some getting used to |
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| Stout LFK is also equipped with a working hole in the blade for thumb opening |
As I said, the flipper works decent, but I find that I usually open the knife with a thumb in the blade hole instead. Mostly because I'm not primarily a "flipper man". On the contrary, I got a little tired of that trend a while back. Therefore, it is thankful that Stout FLK offers more options. The knife can also be opened calmly and quietly with two hands if desired. The blade hole is also easy to access as it is elongated. The edges are also soft and beveled, which is comfortable against the thumb.
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| For safety, a sturdy steel frame lock |
The safety is managed by a frame lock made of the same steel which is found on the entire side of the handle. The lock bar has been provided with an overtravel stop and perhaps it can be discussed how necessary it is when steel is used. But it does not hurt in any case. The lock keeps the blade in a very firm grip in this case. No play at all. It is also relatively easy to disengage the lock. Not perfect as the lock arm has the same height as the opposite side. But the space between the handle sides is sufficient and has been helped by a beveled edge on the inside.
However, I want to add that the lock on this specimen is very good. On my first Stout LFK, it was not. On the contrary, the lock bar wandered all the way to the other side and there was significantly lock rock despite that. But that problem was eminently handled by SOG who replaced the knife. It was simply a rotten tomato.
To Carry
A lot can be said about knives with a steel side and one in another material. One of them is that they make the knives easy to fit in your pocket. The smooth steel does not give much friction whether the knife is going up or down into the pocket.
The outer dimensions are quite modest even if the handle mentioned above is not extremely thin. But with a length of total length 93 mm, a height folded 34 mm and a weight of 117 g, this is no giant.
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| The clip is of the "loop over" variant and attaches to the rear end of the handle |
The clip is of the "loop-over deep ride" variant. This means a bent clip in spring steel that is attached to the rear edge of the handle. It can be both removed and shifted to the left side depending on preference.
The tip of the clip points "forbidden" outwards, usually something I'm a little allergic to. But here, SOG has managed to create a clip that does not rub against the hand and creates a hotspot, either when you grab the knife quickly or work with it for a while. The tip disappears between the fingers at least in my hands.
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| Discreet in the pocket except for the logo. SOG could not refrain, they felt compelled to throw in another logo on the clip, a bad habit of theirs |
Not much of the knife is visible when carried in a pocket. Sorry, I rephrase that, none of the handle is visible! In addition, the clip is dark, which usually is less of an eyesore than glossy ditto. Yes, provided you do not wear white pants of course. The tension is good and both the ramp and space under the clip work fine.
To Conclude
The combination of Mr. Willumsen and SOG, could it be something? Mikkel is one of those designers whose creations can be really far out when it comes to blade shapes and not least how they are ground. Here are features of his design language but toned down a couple of notches. Despite this, the blade comes with details that move it away from Scandinavian simplicity. The most visible of them is of course the blade hole and how the blade is ground where the edge gets wider the closer you get to the tip.
It is, by the way, a very competent tip and it also applies to the entire blade and not least the handle. The latter is a real high light and what makes the knife in my opinion.
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| SOG Stout FLK, is a good companion not only for coffee but also for most everyday chores that requires something sharp |
I have previously mentioned knives from, among others, Spyderco, Cold Steel, and CRKT that share one or more properties with Stout LFK. There are no bad competitors to be compared to! This model from SOG matches them well on most parameters and wins on others. The tip, for example, is superior to that found on the Pilar. However, Stout does not cut as well as a Spyderco, even if it is not as far away as you might think if you just read the measurements and study the blade in pictures. But sure, it could be even better. In my opinion, you could peel off almost a millimeter on the total thickness and almost halved the thickness behind the edge and the knife had become even more sympathetic to work with.
The comfort and ergonomics of the handle are very good and sure, the name suggests where SOG strives with the knife. They aim for a small tank of an EDC knife. But the question is what to cut with a six a half-centimeter blade that calls for the robust geometry? I see it more as a design choice than a practical one.
But speaking of peeling off, SOG could have made the knife lighter. Not because it's heavy but to improve balance. No attempts have been made to lighten the handle. Stout is a bit back heavy and the balance point is found in the middle of the finger groove, which is quite far back
A knife for everyday use signed Willumsen
Overall, I must say that the knife, which certainly looked nice even in pictures, surprised me positively when it arrived. Not least how good it actually is to work with. I did not really expect that. Therefore, it is not at all difficult for me to recommend this knife. Especially not for those who are a fan of Willumsen and like a blade with attitude. The MSRP from SOG is $ 59.95, which for us in Europe is slightly more expensive and it costs around € 78 here.
Specification:
Length Open: 162 mm
Length Folded: 93 mm
Weight: 116 g
Blade Length: 66 mm
Blade Thickness: 3,8 mm
Blade Steel: D2
Handle: Steel/G10
Lock: Frame lock
Produced by: SOG, made in China
/ J
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