SOG Specialty Knives& Tools attended the SHOT Show this year, and it was on my list of places to visit. I’m glad I did as I got to see all of the new products the company would roll out this year. One of the most interesting new products was the BladeLight series.
Typically, a knife with a built-in flashlight is usually a flashlight first with a knife built-in as an accessory. A good example of this is the Tool Logic SL1 folding knife. It has a flashlight that can be used in conjunction with the blade but also removed for other tasks.
SOG decided to take a different approach with the BladeLights. SOG Marketing Manager Chris Cashbaugh walked us through the set-up and purpose of these lights. The BladeLight series includes both fixed blade and folder knives with LED lights housed in the handles. Let’s take a look at what the company cooked up.
BladeLight Knife Line
The lights are dedicated to providing illumination for the blade for cutting in low or no light conditions. Based on my initial testing, the knives do an outstanding job. SOG’s patent-pending design places three white LED’s on either side of the blade at the handle junction.
With the lights turned on, there is light on either side of the blade edge, so the material being cut is evenly lit. No shadows or shaky ghosting that you will often get when using a blade and separate flashlight. It also allows for a free hand to assist the work.
Original Fixed Blade
The fixed blade BladeLight knife has a 5.7” clip point blade made of 9Cr18MoV steel. That’s 9% carbon and 18% chrome, which makes it a close cousin of 440c stainless steel, known for good durability and edge retention. Personally, I think this is a good combination of features for many applications.
Glass-reinforced nylon (GRN) comprises the grip portion of the handle and contains the single AA battery that powers the light. While a CR123 battery can provide more juice, you don’t need overwhelming light in this knife. The light is meant for work, not as a tactical illuminator.
The light’s switch is on the knife’s tail cap, like many standard flashlights. Light output is 25 lumens for a run time of 175 minutes. I recommend opting for lithium chemistry AA batteries like those from Energizer. These batteries have a long storage life and a markedly improved runtime as compared to standard alkaline cells.
The fixed blade comes with a MOLLE compatible sheath. A cool feature of the sheath is that it allows the light to be used without drawing the knife. Because of the blade, it does not make it like a full utility light, but it does allow for some limited illumination. In a pinch, it might be just what you need.
Specifications
- Overall Length – 11.3″
- Blade Length – 5.7″
- Thickness – 0.15″
- Blade Material – 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel
- HRC – 58-60
- Handle Materials – glass-filled nylon
- Weight – 7.1 oz
- Light Output – 25 lumens, white
- Runtime – 175 minutes
- Power Source – 1 AA battery
- Water Resistance – IPX7 rating for submersion to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- MSRP – $115.00 (Editor’s note: These are on sale for just $29.99 at Amazon!)
Folding Blade
SOG’s Blade Light folding knife contains a 3.9” clip point blade of 9Cr18MoV steel. It has dual thumb studs and locks open with a Walker liner lock. The GRN handle carries the two AA batteries for the light. (Editor’s note: When the folding blade knife was initially offered, it ran on a pair of AA batteries. However, the company updated the light and more recent production models run on four CR2032 batteries.)
Like the fixed blade, the Blade Light folder has a tail cap activation, which has momentary and constant-on modes. Unlike the fixed blade, the 34 lumens of light (Editor’s note: The battery change allowed SOG to boost light output from 34 lumens to 45.) from the folder’s LEDs can be used with the blade closed. This makes it much more like a traditional flashlight when folded.
The light can be used safely with the blade folded or used to shine on the cutting area with the blade exposed. Run time for the folder’s light is 260 minutes. Both Blade Lights have an IPX-7 rating for full water immersion at 1 meter for 30 minutes. (Editor’s note: Again, the battery change noted above altered the water-resistance of the knife. It is no longer considered submersible and has an IPX4 rating against splashes and other incidental exposure.)
Specifications
- Overall Length – 7.0″
- Blade Length – 3.0″
- Thickness – 0.15″
- Blade Material – 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel
- HRC – 58-60
- Handle Materials – glass-filled nylon and aluminum
- Weight – 3.4 oz
- Light Output – 45 lumens, white
- Runtime – 260 minutes
- Power Source – 4 CR2032 batteries
- Water Resistance – IPX4 rating for splash protection
- MSRP – $85.00 (On closeout for less than $30)
Tactical – Fixed Blade
Since the initial introduction of the BladeLight line, SOG brought the BladeLight Tactical to market.
The Tactical is a fixed blade knife with a few new twists. First off, the LED lights emit a red light instead of white. SOG bumped the output of the lights to 20 lumens. The light will not blind anyone, but it will give you adequate light for navigation and document reading without destroying your night vision.
New to the Tactical model is the inclusion of a sharpening tool into the sheath. Likewise, the company also added a safety cutter to the sheath that is a bit of the cover’s material cut away to expose the knife blade. This allows you to cut things like paracord without pulling the knife out.
While I’m not convinced that any of the fixed blade knives have a purpose in uniform patrol, I can see where this could be a useful knife for a SWAT or Search & Rescue team. I like that it has a handle with a rubber overmold for a surer grip in all conditions.
[Editor’s note: The BladeLight Tactical knife has been discontinued by SOG. Almost all sources have dried up, but Amazon has five left in stock as I write this.]
Specifications
- Overall Length – 9.2″
- Blade Length – 4.5″
- Thickness – 0.15″
- Blade Material – 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel
- Handle Materials – glass-filled nylon with rubber overmold
- Light Output – 20 lumens, red
- Power Source – 1 AA battery
- Water Resistance – IPX7 rating for submersion to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- MSRP – $94.00
Hunt – Fixed Blade
When I first spoke with the SOG crew, Cashbaugh said a drop point blade is in the works. I think that would be a great tool for hunters who end up with game to field dress at dusk or later. As it turns out, the company delivered with the BladeLight Hunt.
Although this knife is not geared toward law enforcement use, many cops are avid outdoorsmen. So we figured we would include it here for your consideration.
Specifications
- Overall Length – 8.5″
- Blade Length – 3.8″
- Thickness – 0.15″
- Blade Material – 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel
- HRC – 58-60
- Handle Materials – glass-filled nylon with rubber overmold
- Weight – 4.3 oz
- Light Output – 30 lumens, white
- Runtime – 140 minutes
- Power Source – 1 AAA battery
- Water Resistance – IPX7 rating for submersion to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- MSRP – $77.00 (Limited time sale: less than $25 here)
Fillet – Fixed Blade
Designed for fishermen, this knife has no real law enforcement application. Well, maybe if you work for your state’s Department of Natural Resources there would be a limited use, but you would be the (ahem) edge case.
Nevertheless, like the Hunt variant, we’ve included the BladeLight fillet for your information.
Specifications
- Overall Length – 12.5″
- Blade Length – 7.5″
- Blade Material – 8Cr13MoV Stainless Steel
- HRC – 58-60
- Handle Materials – glass-filled nylon with rubber overmold
- Weight – 3.5 oz
- Light Output – 30 lumens, white
- Runtime – 140 minutes
- Power Source – 1 AAA battery
- Water Resistance – IPX7 rating for submersion to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- MSRP – $85.00
Special Note: This knife has been discontinued by SOG. However, there are limited quantities still available on Amazon, and they have been marked down. Click here to see the current price.
Final Thoughts
Okay, when I first saw the Blade Light, I thought it was kinda gimmicky. But after turning them on and playing with them, I can definitely see where they can be very useful. In general, I see the folding knife being a superior law enforcement tool as opposed to the fixed blade knife.
For sportsmen, the knives have obvious uses. For the average cop, the duty uses of any of these knives is extremely limited. Read my TDI knife review for some of the reasons why I urge caution on using fixed blade knives.
I expect that rural officers have a greater need than I do for any of the fixed blade knives. However, the folding BladeLight could have a place in my standard loadout.
If the concept appeals to you, the blades seem well constructed and should meet your expectations.
Randall is a twenty-five (plus) year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department. He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader. He is currently the K9 Unit Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.