SOG Pillar Fixed Blade Knife- Full Tang 5 Inch S35VN Steel Blade Survival Knife, w/ Linen Micarta Handle and Kydex Sheath, Made in the USA (UF1001-BX)

I wrote the following review on 23 April 2022. Since that time I bought two more as gifts. The following review still holds true, plus a couple additional comments. SOG has really hit a grand slam with this knife. It is spectacular. First, the most critical aspect: the steel. CPMS35VN is a high-grade steel ideally suited for blades that will see heavy use. It's strong, durable and easy to sharpen. The linen micarta handle is tough as a Marine Corps drill instructor, and the ergonomics of the handle give you a solid, sturdy and comfortable grip. The thumb notches atop the spine are robust and feel great. The solid tang simply adds more strength to an already solid piece. The glass-breaker on the butt is equally solid and the lanyard loop hole is ideally positioned. The edge is quite sharp and the tip is pointed and strong. The stonewashed finish is uniform and looks very nice. The knife feels great in the hand and is easy to wield. Some reviewers have criticized the sheath, but I have found it to be very durable. The knife locks into the sheath with a secure and audible click, and the belt attachment has proven itself to be strong and reliable. On top of all these great features is the fact that it is American made, and this means a lot to me. I know that there are many good knives of foreign manufacture on the market, but I did not spend 22 years in a branch of the military to subsidize Asian communists. Let's not forget the SOG lifetime warranty and sharpening service. You can't beat this. This knife would be at home in your camp, on your hunting trip, on your web gear, or on your person for everyday carry. Dollar for dollar, the SOG Pillar is a an exceptional value, and I recommend it highly.

If you're in the market for an exceptional tactical/hunting knife in the under $200 dollar range, I found two quite similar & excellent choices. Unhindered by budget, common sense or domestic bliss; I bought both for comparison purposes because even after many years; my knife collection isn't quite complete.First to arrive was the SOG Pillar, which is a brand new knife on the market that not a lot of folks have seen yet. This new offering from SOG is USA made and says so on the right side of the blade. Forged from CPM-S35VN premium stainless steel this a highly durable full tang blade that will resist corrosion while keeping it's edge under harsh conditions. The five inch blade has a scalloped upper spine, with heavy duty jimping at the grip for enhanced retention in wet or bloody conditions. The clip point manages to keep a nice width at the tip for prying or piercing without worry of breaking.I like the contoured beveling on the blade, it gives the knife a distinctive look that is all business. The protruding knurled skull popper on the butt (with lanyard hole) says this is a tactical design, yet one that will also serve hunters quite well. I've seen a man field dress a caribou with the knife blade on his Leatherman tool, which proves you can do that if you are experienced, its just that some knives will be better suited for the task than others. The SOG Pillar's blade has just enough belly on it to be a damn decent skinning blade for any hunter of any game. The canvas micarta handles are very comfortable, and the knife feels natural and balanced in the hand, though it is a tad heavy on the back end.The Pillar comes with a kyndex tactical sheath that utilizes a very tight friction fit to do away with safety straps; rendering the knife instantly accessible no matter how or where you rig it. The sheath is molle compatible, and features an adjustable low profile locking mount. Some might shy away in sticker shock but a knife of this quality is worth every cent, especially when you come to depend upon it over time. This is a really great blade.This tale of two knives is continued with my review of the Benchmade fixed Contego 183 reverse tanto: Benchmade - Fixed Contego 183, Plain Reverse Tanto, Satin Finish

It’s hard to know where to begin. I have been eyeballing this knife for several weeks due to its perfect size(5 inch blade), its CPM S35VN steel, and attractive blade design. As you might have guessed, I am a knife lover and avid collector, though I tend to shy away from the super pricey ones due to the fact that I would become homeless rather quickly if I purchased all the ones I want. When the price of this one dropped by nearly $40, I was willing to gamble on it since there was no guarantee that the price would remain that low for long.The arrival of the blade was much anticipated and I quickly opened the box upon arrival. I was quite apprehensive about the color of the micarta handle since the product description showed it to be black but several reviews mentioned the coloring to be grey. I was happy to see that for the most part it was black with only a little bit of grey mixed in. The handle feels solid and comfortable, although I have felt better on some less pricey knives. The blade steel is excellent, with a mixture of stonewashed and satin finishing, the look is awesome. The S35VN steel is razor sharp and high quality. As far as the knife itself goes, it’s 5 stars.The sheath, on the other hand, left something to be desired. Despite the fact that it comes with adjustable fittings to accommodate a variety of carrying options, the knife doesn’t snap in place or even sit firmly when sheathed. I found that it wobbled and would probably fall out if carried sideways or blade up. At this price point of a knife normally near $200, I would expect a better quality sheath to match the excellence of the blade. I have included in the provided pictures some of the other knives and sheaths that are of similar size that I have purchased for comparison. None of those blades cost me more than $50.I am still giving this knife a five star rating because the blade is good enough to make up for the shortcomings of the sheath, and it’s easier to find a better sheath at a reasonable price than it is to find such an excellent knife and quality sheath together for a cheaper price.If you’re on the fence about this one, the knife itself is worth it. Just be prepared to find a quality sheath or use the one provided in tip down configuration only as you will not want to drop or lose a knife in this price range.