SOG Seal Pup Knife
More Articles Related to Blades And KnivesBased on the SOG Seal 2000 Knife
The Sog Seal Pup knife is a smaller version of the Sog Seal 2000. As you may know, the Sog Seal 2000 was designed specifically for the US Navy Seals as one of its favorite knives. Extensive tests were done on this military knife in seeking a combination of breaking strength, sharpness, resistance to corrosion, and stealthiness.
Although the Sog Seal 2000 knife is one of the better made for the military knives, some survival experts feel the 7 inch blade and 12.8 ounce heft is a bit too large to carry well over long distances when on foot. For this reason a ¾ size version of the Seal 2000 was created, the Sog Seal Pup - an excellent survival knife.
SOG Seals Puppy Knife
If you like good survival knives as much as I do, this puppy will make your tail wag. Officially designated the Sog Seal Pup M37 knife, the Seal Pup has a 4.75 inch fixed blade that is 5/32 of an inch thick. Its overall length is 9 inches and weighs in at just 5.4 ounces. Well within the recommended survival knife size.
The Sog Seal Pups blade needs a closer examination. As with any survival knife worth its salt, the SOG Seal Pup has a full tang blade. Made of AUS6 57-58 RC, 440A powder coated stainless steel; the M37 Seal Pup knife is made for the water. If you are looking for a knife that will not rust, even in sea water, this is perhaps the best knife you can get.
Though not as robust as for example the Becker BK7 type knives, there is something to be said for a lighter blade that can still hold its own in the rugged knife department.
The Pup knife blade itself consists of a 1 inch serrated section near the handle, 3 inches of smooth knife, and a ¾ inch knife trap. The handle consists of Zytel that has been glass reinforces and patterned with raised diamonds. A convenient lanyard hole has been drilled into the end of the handle.
Sog Seal Pups Kydex Sheath
I am totally impressed with the Kydex sheath for the Sog Seal Pup knife. For one, it has an interesting little groove built into Kydex that exposes a small section of the knife blade and allows you to cut your 550 paracord without having to unsheathe the knife.
The Kydex sheath has a boot clip, 6 round eyelets, 4 1 inch webbing slots and a two inch web loop for your belt. This combination allows you many ways to secure your knife.
I especially like the way the Kydex sheath secures the Sog Seal Pup knife, so that it does not rattle or come loose. As you can see in the picture, I like to wear my survival knife attached upside down to the left shoulder strap of my backpack. The handle is slanted slightly to the right. This allows me to ergonomically grab the handle of the Sog Seal Pup with my right hand and instantly deploy the knife.
Sog Seal Pup Knife in the Field
The Sog Seal Pup knife feels very good in my hand. Although not as robustly built as some survival blades, I feel I can depend upon this knife. The SOG Pup is relatively light in weight which a real plus when carrying all your survival gear. It is balanced and ergonomically designed. I like how I can secure the knife upside down without losing it.
One great advantage to having a knife designed for the US Navy Seals is that it is of course a corrosion resistant knife, just about immune to the rusting effects of fresh and salt water. Being a dependable corrosion resistant knife is a big plus for any survival knife in the mountainous and frequently wet areas I traverse. I have been using my SOG Seal Pup knife for over a year now nearly every day in all weather conditions and am happy to report not a drop of rust on its blade.
Knives Similar to the Sog Seal Pup
Knives that may be considered reasonably similar to the Sog Seal Pup M37 include
- SEAL Pup Tiger Stripe
- SEAL Pup Elite
- SEAL 2000
- SEAL Revolver
- SEAL Team Elite
- Tigershark
Cleveland, OH
I have owned this knife for about a year and a half now, and it is by far the best overall knife I have ever owned. I have taken it all over the world with me, and it has worked flawlessly, just like the other SOG products I have owned.
I am particularly fond of the size of this knife, not to big and bulky, and very light for those long expedtitions. It does everything a survival knife needs to do, and it does it with simplicity.
The sheath is one of the best parts of the SOG knife, secure and multi-mount capabilities make it ideal for military, para-military, survival, camping, hiking and just about everything else you would need a knife for.
Philadelphia
How do you feel about the serrated edge? I've been reading up on survival knives and one thing most people say is to stay away from the serrated edge because they can dull easily and they're a bitch to sharpen in the field. I've been looking at the SOG Seal Pup elite straight, but I'm trying to get as many opinions as possible.
Survival Topics - It looks like you are doing your research well. When it comes to knives in general and survival knives in particular, everybody has their preferences based upon experience and preference.
The Sog Seal Pup was designed with Navy Seals in mind; serrated edges are generally better than straight edges at cutting synthetic materials such as webbing, which would be a very important function in this environment.
I find that as long as I do not abuse my Sog the serrations remain viable and easy to sharpen with the right tools and technique. Because I also carray a tomahawk for the heavy work my blade is in little danger of being overstressed.
If you plan on doing heavy duty work with your survival knife, such as batoning wood, I would steer away from a serrated blade in favor of a rugged straight edge. As always, gear selection depends upon the uses you are likely to put it to.
Good luck with your knife search!
MA
Your review was very insightful and the first complete review of the seal pup I could find. I am definately looking into an SOG knife, but am still deciding on which one.
I have narrowed my list down to basically two options, either an sog seal pup elite or an sog seal revolver.
My 2 questions are 1) If i get the seal pup elite, do I get the tiger stripe or black coating? I do not understand the benefits of the stripes, but I know the black coating reduces glare, which I like. For some reason I don'y like shiny knives. I would also probably get the serrated version, as I frequently cut strong material.
2) The only bad thing about serrations is that it is hard to sharpen and takes away straight cutting edge, which is why I am considering the seal revolver. However, I need the knife and sheath to be waterproof, which is why the seal pup elite with kydex sheath caught my attention. Is the revolver/ sheath as waterproof as the seal pup?
WA
Hey thank you for the review on this knife. You said the SEAL PUP has a "¾ inch knife trap." I am still learning about knives and I do not know what a "knife trap" is. Can someone please explain to me what it is and what its purpose and uses are?
Survival Topics - if you look at the picture, running down from the point of the knife is respectively
- The point of the knife
- Main blade
- Serrated blade
- Knife Trap (also called the ricasso)
I've heard tell that in a knife fight the knife trap is used to catch the opponents blade. This type of situation is best avoided.
WA
A Sog Seal Pup was my frist real knife other then folding knives. It's still the one I most use and is one of the most muti purpose knifes i have over owned. It's major drawback is trying to do some of the finer things with the blade can be alittle hard and trying to put the froce into it to cut harder stuff with the knife gaurd there. But overall an amazing knife.
Campbell Rive B.C. Canada
I must urge people to try out many different knives in the hand, under a variety of conditions, rather than just going with an accepted blade. While I agree absolutely that if anyone needs a knife to perform, one designed for (or influenced by) the Navy SEALs is usually a no-brainer, The Seal Pup and Seal Pup Elite offer me no advantages as the handle shape, dimensions and material is extremely uncomfortable in my palm. I am hoping to try a Benchmade Rant or an Ontario TAK1. Unfortunately, Fallkniven knives are too expensive and nearly impossible to obtain here!
Navarre Florida
I was on the test team for the SOG200, as such when testing was done we were all given one. They are great, however I feel I can do anything the SOGs can just as well with a K-BAR. Mine has 550 paracord wrapped at the hilt and I have run threw the woods plenty and the knife never failed me. I have plenty of blades to include a Buck Bushmaster. But more often than not I grab old faithful and never felt let down.
Lake Huron, Michigan
Just got my new SOG E37T-N SEAL Pup Elite. Looks like a great blade. My question is, is this knife really made in Taiwan or did I get scammed with a copy of a real Sog knife?
Survival Topics - alas, it is true, Sog knives are made in Taiwan. Howeve these remain high quality knives.
nc
I have had this knife for about 2yrs and once took 2 inches off the top of a door with this knife being struck on the spine with a steel handle. There was no knife damage. This knife is probably my favorite fixed blade.
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Washington DC
I enjoyed reading your review of the Seal Pup. I've been looking at a number of different survival knives and was wondering if you've had a chance to use the SOG Gov-Tac? I know that the 6 inch blade is on the long end for a survival knife, but it seems like very well made knife.
Survival Topics admin - Dana, thank you for your post. Yes the SOG Gov-Tac is certainly a very good survival knife and very well made as are all SOG knives. Many of us would consider the GOV-Tac a good tactical knife. For my taste I prefer smaller survival knives that are more easily carried, especially when traveling on foot when weight and bulk are an important consideration.