The folks at SOG always send us some of the best tactical and practical knives and tools for camping and survival situations. Their newest offering to drop by our office is the Blade Light.
The Blade Light offers a new concept that I believe is a great idea. It’s patent pending technology employs six LEDs molded into the GRN handle on either side of the knife blade, providing shadowless light when cutting or flashlight capability (while sheathed or closed for the folding style).
The Blade Light is no amateur. Its light is powered by standard alkaline batteries, with a state of the art push button switch/circuitry and an IPX-7 rating for water resistance to full immersion. The clip point fixed blade is matched to a streamlined handle for excellent balance and intuitive control. A single AA battery provides 25 Lumens of bright white light. The molded hard sheath is easily removed from your belt but still allows the flashlight to be used while the knife is in the sheath.
Another great concept is that while the Blade Light is mounted on your hip, the light can illuminate your way along a path or be a beacon for others to locate you. The sheath features a patent pending button retention system and quiet carry tensioner. Included with the knife and sheath are two spare batteries and a removable nylon pouch that can be mounted on the front or back of the sheath.
The only drawback I saw with this knife is that the handle is a polymer plastic, and once it’s wet, tends to be slippery. Other than that, I find it a useful and clever concept with a lot of practical uses. SOG’s website offers quick and easy ordering of the Blade Light. Pricing on this model is a modest $115. I am a fan of fixed blades, but they also offer a Blade Light folder if that’s your preference.
