KNIVES, POCKET KNIVES AND TOOLS SOG

HISTORY OF KNIVES AND POCKET KNIVES SOG

SOG initially 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.

Sog Factory in Lynnwood, Washington USA

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 knives and penknives are distributed around the world and renowned for their uncompromising style and performance.

SOG was the second company to produce a folding multi- tool with ParaTool

MACV/SOG HISTORY

SOG Specialty Knives and Tools, was named SOG in honor of the Vietnam War's only covert special warfare unit. 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 describes the nature of this specialized group and its secret missions.

Separate from "conventional," unconventional operations of the fifth 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 front name to mislead SOG's real function, and the name "Special Operations Group," as it was sometimes called, described its real mission more precision.
Created in January of 1964, SOG was a joint services unit  composed of members from the armed forces: Marine Recons, Navy SEALs, Air Force Special Operations pilots of the 90th Special Operations Wing, but predominantly Army Special Forces.

Path of special forces SOG MACV

MACV/SOG's missions included:

·         Cross border operations into Cambodia, Laos and North Vietnam to carry out information collecting or raiding missions on the enemy's 'home ground';

·         Collecting information about POWs (Prisoner of war) and carrying out rescue missions when possible;

·         Rescuing downed aircrews in enemy territory;

·         Training, inserting, and controlling agents in North Vietnam to collect information or form resistance groups;

·         Carrying out 'black' Psychological Operations such as operating fake broadcasting stations inside North Vietnam;

·         Kidnapping or assassinating key enemy personnel;

·         Retrieving sensitive document so equipment lost in enemy hands or in enemy territory;

·         Inserting rigged mortar rounds or other booby-trapped ordnance in enemy arms caches (OPERATION ELDEST SON).

 THE SOG KNIVES, PENKNIVES, AND TOLLS PHILOSOPHY

Some manufacturers simply produce knives. At SOG, we create style through craftsmanship. Our purpose is to combine advanced technology, imaginative designs and high-quality construction to create products of the highest caliber-products that enhance your life.

New logo for SOG Specialty knives & tools

SPENCER FRAZER BIOGRAPHY

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; but it wasn't until much later that this interest would be channeled into actually creating knives and tools.

Spencer Frazer SOG Specialty knives & Tools Founder

Now more than 20 years in the knives making, SOG Specialty Knives & Tools, Inc. has become known for its innovations and ingenuity, thanks in large part to its founder and chief designer, Spencer Frazer. Frezer is the sole creative force that keeps SOG ahead of the game.

"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, Frazer 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.

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 technology 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 in production knives, and had the first automatic opening multi-tool in the world (SwitchPlier). These are just a few of the landmarks that Spencer has achieved for SOG.

SOG knife Flash II with automatic opening.

Actually  SOG knives,  SOG pocket knives and SOG tools are distributed and sold throughout the world. Military, law enforcement, 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 blades and tools.

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