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XR LOCKING MECHANISM: The XR locking mechanism is snappy and adjusts over the lifespan of the knife
Your Journey Through A Plethora Of Brands Starts Here, Where Variety Meets Convenience.
GrizzlyAdams –
The SOG Termius XR is so far as I can tell the best knife for the money if you want an “axis lock” style blade. I have a benchmade bugout and comparing to that this knife does really well for the price. Sure the benchmade is better in every way but the compromises are not bad on the SOG and the feature set is robust. Sure the XR lock is not as smooth as the Benchmade. The spring is stronger on the SOG so it takes more pressure to unlock it. Sure the scales are not as polished. Sure the D2 is not as good as S30V. Sure there is no lanyard hole on the SOG. But… do you use a lanyard hole? For my use the upgrades are not really a good use of my dollars. The scale finish isnt bad its just not as smooth. The XR lock works fine and can be flicked open and closed with ease. The pocketclip (since SOG updated it) is peachy keen. The SOG also has a flicker giving you one more way to open it than a bugout. The CIVIVI praxis has similar steel/scales but no crossbar lock, the kershaw heist would be the best direct competition to this knife but at the time of writing is $10 more and doesnt have a flicker tab on the back (though the heist has a lanyard hole). So my opinion, this is a sweet knife for the money, it drops effortlessly through paper out of the box, has all the features (though less polished) of a knife that costs $120 more, its hard not to like it.
Nick Danger –
First off, this is a great knife. Super sharp (yup, already cut myself), feels nice in the hand, and the “axis lock” functions flawlessly. I’d recommend it to anyone considering a similar Benchmade, but who wants a knife that they aren’t afraid to abuse a little bit. Not that Benchmades can’t handle a little abuse, but if I had a $150+ knife, I’d be a lot more cautious about how I use it, and what I do with it. The only “issue” (and it’s super minor) is that it does not open quite as smoothly as some other knives I have. It still opens very smoothly, but it could be more so. Maybe it will loosen up over time.
Rachel Z. –
This is one of the best axis lock nice you will come across at this price point. Normally something like this with good quality will cost you about $100 or more.
The lock works really well after some breaking in. The handle is just the right length to fit all my four fingers. The blade shape is beautiful and classic. Overall it’s just very well-built. And for those who love to fidget, this is definitely the nice you should consider.
But here are a couple small caveats that you should know. Although this knife has really good action, it does get a little bit uncomfortable after closing and opening a couple times because of the hotspot dad the end of the handle and pocket clip create. I appreciate that they put some stuff on this knife, but it is really tight to use. I don’t think anyone can actually thumb open this knife. Yet the thumb stud takes up so much space on the blade and makes it less perfect a slicer.
There’s no doubt this is a very good axis lock knife. But there are definitely things that it can improve on.
AmazonAddict –
I like: the shape, swedge, and coarse stone wash finish of the blade, the lockup, lack of blade play, firm detent, and blade centering. It feels solid and durable.
The handle finishing and ergos are just ok. The frame is heavy. The XR lock switch is plastic and has in and out play – making a popping noise. The XR lock spring is strong, using it takes 2 strong fingers and it’s harsh on your fingertips. You need to brace the end of the handle against your palm to get enough leverage. The red g-10 definitely looks and feels a bit cheap, , the g-10 edges are disappointingly sharp. My old Flash II’s FRN looks and feels better. The flipper deployment is the best option, using the XR lock to deploy takes an strong, practiced wrist flick. The detent is strong, so the thumbstuds are difficult to use.
When I first got it, I could not deploy the blade with the XR lock alone and it did not drop shut, stopping at the detent point. After wiping off the contact points, fidgeting for a day, and tuf-glide it has gotten better. I can drop shut now. It’s definitely still gritty, but hopefully will improve.
Overall the knife has some good points, but the ergos, look and feel of the handle detract from the whole package. It also came in an awful blister pack. IMO it’s got enough negatives that I wouldn’t recommend it unless you really want an XR cross bar style lock knife but only have $50.
I’d probably spend $75 and go for a CIVIVI button lock (altus, conspirator) instead. Or get a sencut / civivi framelock (Snap, Honoris, Praxis, Elementum) if you want a nice flipper and want it under $50.
~~~ After a few days of working the lock mechanism, the knife action has improved. It drops shot and overall is good for a $45 knife.
ham –
Have not used long enough to judge
Byron P. –
Smooth action. Very sharp out of the the box lightweight great! EDC knife highly recommended!
Amazon Customer –
Very smooth operation. But not sharp out of the plastic container.
It comes in a hard plastic bubble that one will need a sharp knife or scissors to open.
Marith –
The D2 steel blade is super sharp. The blade flips open quickly with the stud or the thumb catch, and locks positively. The XR lock releases the blade and lets it close safely. The G10 handle is shaped and surface-textured to feel really great in my hand. The whole package is operable by one hand and cuts really well. Great value for just around $50.
JD –
I am torn as I write this review. This is not my first SOG, but it is my first SOG folder. The knife is overall made of quality materials and my first impression is that this is truly a duty knife, it is built to work hard. So let me get into the pro’s, and then what is holding it back for me.
Pros
Materials- stone washed, centered D2 blade, G10 scales, stainless steel liners, and ball bearings all make this knife feel like a premium pocket knife.
XR (cross bar) lock- it is more expensive for manufactures to build in this feature and honestly SOG does a good job delivering this at this price point.
Very deep carry pocket clip
Cons
Poorly executed G10 scales, mine came extremely smooth, and slightly difficult to grip
Noticeably heavy
Slightly gritty out of the package, I did take it down, clean it and re-oil and it made a difference. Likely will break in smoother but doesn’t feel very crisp.
Pocket clip cuts into the palms, and to accommodate the SOG logo it is very wide.
I am reaching out to SOG about the knife scales being slick, honestly if they correct that my only real complaint would be the way the pocket clip cuts into my hand when gripping.
Something to take into consideration is that SOG has put this knife directly into competition with the Civivi Elementum, both with prices and size. The problem with that is Civivi is lighter, has better bearings, much crisper action, and micarta scales at a slightly lower price point.
Both have D2 steel but SOG does it better with a coated and stone washed blade that looks slightly more upscale. SOG also wins the lock game with the crossbar lock, which I honestly feels is safer because it gets your fingers out the path of the blade when closing.
All in all, I give it an overall 4 stars. The smooth grips and pocket clip cutting into my hand keeps it from being rated higher.
BONES –
I’ve had a few days now to use & learn about this knife. I thought it would be just another assisted folder. It is so much more. Being relatively unfamiliar with current knife technology, I am very pleased as I discover capability after capability. Definitely in my EDC.
Bellesmom –
sharp, fast opening knife.perfect weight. Very well made knife for the price.
Joe C. –
Everyday carry.All in all, good knife.
Bruce rcarey –
Had this knife for one day and lost it at work, I was so disappointed it is a great knife, just wish I could have held onto it longer. it’s size, it has a little bit of weight to it, which I like. And the flipper…oh man…don’t get me started talking about that, I played with it for a couple hours after I received it. I have large (thick) hands and the handle felt really good and secure in my hands. That is the part I was most concerned about. Ya, it’s a small short knife with a short handle, but the grip and feel were good.
Joe C. –
Good size for EDC. It’s small enough to drop in pocket but still enough blade to be affective.
I use it constantly at work. Blade it string and holds its edge really well.
I just lose my last one and an ordering another now.