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SOG
Factory in Lynnwood, Washington USA
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SOG
KNIVES - THE COMPANY HISTORY
SOG originally stood for Studies and Observation Group, an elite joint services
military group designed for covert operations in the Vietnam War. Sanctioned
to develop and purchase their own equipment, SOG created a knife for use
in one of the harshest environments in the world. It is in the spirit of
this elite group that SOG Specialty Knives was founded.
Totally committed to creating the world's finest specialized
knives and tools, SOG became the first knife manufacturer to expand its
line to include a broad scope of fixed blades, folding knives and multipurpose
tools. Each product is created by Founder and Chief Engineer, Spencer Frazer.
His patented inventions and unique, futuristic style have earned SOG many
awards and Frazer the recognition as an industry innovator and premier designer.
Today, SOG products are distributed around the world and renowned
for their uncompromising style and performance.
SOG KNIVES - MACV HISTORY
SOG Specialty
Knives and Tools, Inc. was named in honor of the Vietnam War's only covert
special warfare unit-The Studies and Observation Group. Its existence was
once denied by the US Government and it wasn't until long after the war
that the SOG Story could even be told.
The following is an excerpt from US ELITE FORCES-VIETNAM by
Leroy Thompson that further describes the nature of this specialized group
and its secret missions.
Separate from "conventional," unconventional operations
of the 5th Special Forces Group were the clandestine operations of Military
Assistance Command Vietnam/Studies and Observations Group (MACV/SOG). The
Studies and Observation Group (SOG) was a cover name to disguise SOG's real
function, and the name "Special Operations Group," as it was sometimes
called, described its real mission more accurately.
Activated in January of 1964, SOG was a joint services unit
composed of members from all four branches of the armed forces, including
Navy SEALs, Marine Recons, Air Force Special Operations pilots of the 90th
Special Operations Wing, but predominantly Army Special Forces.
MACV/SOG's missions included: cross border operations into Cambodia,
Laos and North Vietnam to carry out intelligence gathering or raiding missions
on the enemy's 'home ground'; gathering intelligence about POWs and carrying
out rescue missions when possible; rescuing downed aircrews in enemy territory
("Bright Light" missions); training, inserting, and controlling
agents in North Vietnam to gather intelligence or form resistance groups;
carrying out 'black' Psy Ops such as operating fake broadcasting stations
inside North Vietnam; kidnapping or assassinating key enemy personnel; retrieving
sensitive document so equipment lost in enemy territory or in enemy hands;
and inserting rigged mortar rounds or other booby-trapped ordnance in enemy
arms caches (OPERATION ELDEST SON).
SOG KNIVES - THE COMPANY PHILOSOPHY
Some manufacturers
simply produce knives--At SOG, they create style through craftsmanship.
Their purpose is to combine advanced technology, imaginative designs and
high-quality construction to create products of the highest caliber-products
that enhance your life--This is the philosophy you share with SOG each time
you choose a SOG product.
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Spencer
Frazer
SOG Company Founder
and Chief Designer
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SOG
KNIVES - THE COMPANY FOUNDER Now
more than 20 years in the making, SOG Specialty Knives & Tools, Inc.
has become known for its innovations and ingenuity in the cutlery industry,
thanks in large part to its founder and chief designer, Spencer Frazer.
Whereas most companies collaborate with custom knife makers to help envision
products, Spencer is the sole creative force that keeps SOG ahead of the
game.
Born in 1955, Spencer was a creative kid with a great curiosity
for how things worked. As he got older he gained an affinity for knives
and axes while in the Boy Scouts; but it wasn't until much later that this
interest would be channeled into actually creating knives and tools.
After graduating from UCLA as a math and science major,
Spencer started his own company in the professional audio industry, designing
a whole new style of speaker systems. "I learned to work with many
different materials as I built models and prototypes." Spencer went
on to work in the aerospace defense industry in the Top Secret Black Projects
Division as an R&D tool/die and model maker. "I saw things there
that I still can't talk about." At about the same time, Spencer became
involved with the modern art movement, learning about scale and color while
meeting with top artists. He went on to work in product development of toys
and consumer products.
All of these experiences came together when Spencer saw his
first Vietnam SOG Bowie. "The knife was magical in how it felt and
looked. You could see the history as well as the functional aspects of the
knife." This spawned the start of SOG Specialty Knives & Tools,
Inc. to reproduce the mystical knife. "We started the company by having
to sell a one-knife line at the very high end of $200 retail."
SOG is a true innovator in the cutlery industry, having won
many industry awards. It was one of the first companies to be synonymous
with a high-tech modern image. "SOG was the first company to produce
a sculptural faceted folding knife with the Tomcat. We were the second company
to produce a folding multi-tool with the Paratool. We are the only company:
to use compound leverage in our multi-tools (the only way to miniaturize
power), have adjustable lock-on clips on our folders (AutoClip), employ
one of the strongest locks in the industry (Arc-Lock), use exotic BG-42
steel cost effectively in production knives, and had the first automatic
opening multi-tool in the world (SwitchPlier). We're now producing a whole
new line of Assisted Opening Knives (Flash series, Blink, Twitch and SOG
Trident)." These are just a few of the landmarks that Spencer has achieved
for SOG.
"I look at our products and design them to be functional
and comfortable to use, as well as aesthetically pleasing. If I don't like
them or wouldn't use them, they don't make it into production. We don't
settle for ordinary. We never did, and we never will."
Today, SOG is distributed and sold throughout the world. Law
enforcement, military, and industrial customers, as well as outdoors enthusiasts,
have come to rely on SOG products under the most adverse conditions. SOG
and Spencer are definitely creators of extraordinary tools and blades.
We at 888 Knives R Us are proud to offer the SOG
Knife line. If you are looking for a particular model of knife that you
do not see on our webstore, don't hesitate to contact
us and we will do our best to find it for you. |
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