Manual Action & So Much Belly! SOG-TAC XR 

I’ve had the Tac XR for about a month. I love it. I have the terminus XR but have not cared for the relatively small size and the gaudy pocket clip. The Tac XR is the antidote to those qualms.

Aaron let me first say i love the fact that you give the very best and honest reviews on the planet. You don’t just bow to the manufacturer. I have purchased so many items of interest to me after your review. Thanks for your content

I have the SOG TAC XR in OD Green or whatever and I love this thing man. To be honest it was the first knife of my growing collection. I went down to Cabelas here in Charlotte and it stood out to me so I gave it a chance. After buying many more knives since then here are my thoughts on the TAC XR: this knife is good and by good I mean way above average if not fantastic. This knife has the XR lock which gives me a ton of peace of mind and is really a pleasing action to use. Secondly the handle fills your palm well. I actually have smaller than average hands and hate then handles are small or without character or egos. This handle feels very sure and confidence inspiring. Extremely comfortable, grippy, ergonomic feeling in the hand just an absolute pleasure. Third the blade is a wonderfully wicked drop point with thin blade stock so it is very slicey and it is sharp and cuts like a dream. Next is the entertainment value....this is an extremely entertaining knife I play with this knife in my hand for probably hours a day. The "click" when the bar locks feels and sounds great....I dunno man dont ask me I freaking just like the "click" every time I open it up it's very crisp and clean ohhhh boy. Flipper tab....flips pretty well. I think my favorite deployment is with a slow roll thumb stud opening. You just have complete control and a nice smooth track to take your thumb to a great thumb stud and slowly open it up until you hear that click ohhhh boy what a great knife indeed. The price is only 85 dollars which when you look at their other knives this is like one of their cheapest XR knives they sell and also it's one of the least expensive Axis type locks on the market as far as I can tell. Look here's the thing. This is my first knife I bought so since then I've been buying up all these other brands hoping for ONE knife worthy to beat the SOG TAC XR and none of them are worthy. So anyway man I'm literally just sticking with SOG for a while. I'm getting the Pentagon XR next and that will probably beat the TAC XR but it is over twice as expensive as the TAC XR 🤣

After getting the Tac XR, I have to admit I'm thoroughly impressed. Definitely well built and has a good weight to it, as well a really ergonomic handle which makes using it a dream.

SOG is really doing well.

I just ordered one today from $mk₩ at $71 and have been contemplating this since they first came out. As always, after watching your videos, I am convinced that I "need" a new blade in my collection! And the next two are most likely going to be an Esee Junglas and a new Esee 6. Really impressed with SOG's latest lineup of the xr knives. Thanks again for your impartial, detailed and thorough videos.

I appreciate your informative review and the observation based on cost, not just from the performance aspect right- on. Thank you👍

Holding one in my hand. Men, this is a real solid solid knife. I am more than impressed. I would trust it in the woods or for defense. SOG appears to be stepping up into another level. Go SOG!

I carried my old SOG Tac Auto for years_ the bade shape is amazing but it had the old AUS 8 steel with no real edge retention, I would love to try the new D2.

We Are Definitely on the Same Page, I like it and I'm so happy Sog dropped the assisted blade but $80 is a little steep for D2 steel. Next I hope Sog gets rid of the bearings and uses Bronze washers , right now my favorite Sog is the Seal XR, it is a Awesome Blade and it has some of the Best S35VN I've used , they did a fantastic job with their heat treat, I just wish it was on Bronze washers, anyway you should try one , you won't regret it ,,,, 👍⚔🖖

Hey Aaron, awesome review, as always. I just got this Sog Tac XR and it is indeed impressive. I liked the Terminus XR, but felt it was a little too small for my hands (I wear large sized gloves too! Coincidence , right? :p ) I got the partial serrated version because it’s only serrated a little over 1/3 of the blade as opposed to most combo blade 50/50’s. The knife feels solid and I think the extra cost being China made over the Taiwan made Flash AT XR comes from the ball bearings and G10. Also “Tac” as in tactical usually has a “tacticool” tax since Sog says it’s geared towards professionals. The XR lock is awesome and so close to an Axis lock from Benchmade. Maybe Benchmade is higher quality, but to me, the fidget factor is the same. Thank you so much for your honest and straightforward reviews with actual cutting tasks being done. You’re the best knife reviewer on RU-vid!

Picked one up about a month ago in green. Never really liked sog because i will admit im a steel snob. But their cryogenic d2 has preformed well. Was a good buy. Great vid .

This whole XR line is awesome.

Just picked up this badazz! 👍🏽 I donated my SOG Terminus XR to one of my friends and replaced it with this one. It’s much more of a FULLER grip in hands compared to the Terminus XR. 👊🏽

The manual is the winner there hands down, well worth the extra 5 bucks . Nice review

Just got the green one today and this is a beautiful strong knife. Thanks for the great review 👊🏼

Perfect knife for EDC, I really like that SOG TAC-XR, because some of the other models are not my type of knives

Hi Aaron I always enjoy your reviews. I never really connect with Sog , Gerber , CRKT or Kershaw , I used to love Gerber 30+ years ago . I still enjoy watching you review these brands and most of them connect style and use wise but not price to material to fit and finish , just my bias.. Thanks

Great Video Aaron and the Tac XR has dropped a bit in price on the Amazon Site but made in the PRC kills it for me albeit a nice Performer. Thank you my friend

Great vid love your videos

I love this knife mine has zero play in any direction. Feels very strong for it's size.

Bout time a Flipper has useable thumb studs,...Ive always wished my Skyline S30VCF would have useable thumb studs... Keep up the Good work and God Bless!

Once again,, the best knife reviews.

Thanks for the great review. Really helpful. :D

A smooth manual is always good. I will take the manual every time. 😉

Yaaaaa you had me right up to the point where I found out it was the same price as the Spyderco manix 2

Great video can you do a comparison video o the sog seal xr and the cold steel ad10

I'm on the market for an edc but here in Spain we can't buy or carry auto. I really trust your opinions. I think this going to be my choice. Thanks Aaron keep up the great work 👍

Great review and knife.SOG please make a 4-inch version of this bad boy!!! (and make the pocket clip very deep carry again).

Brah...that's a counterfeit. Sog puts their name on every inch of their knives.

I found this knife in OD green for 10 dollars at a junk store!!! I picked it up and was like whooaa this a nice knife then I saw sog on the clip and I almost screamed🤣 I handed the man a 10 dollar bill and googled it and I could not believe my luck. I had a twitch but it was taken from me in Nashville at a concert,I forgot I had it on me and had to put it in the community box and I asked the lady if she could keep an eye on it but somebody snagged it. I was heartbroken but the universe blessed me with this knife. I'm so grateful!!

Thanks for well covered informative review

Reminds me of sogs version of Emerson Persian blade style. Nice review good knife for the money all things considered

I was carrying the presidio 2 mini... a great knife but in the summer I switch my knife to the back pocket and the clip was catching on everything I sat on. It got bent and benchmade sent me a couple of spares but I switched to this knife and the clip hasn't caught on anything... secures the knife just fine and this blade has been good for everything I've needed it for all summer. Wish it wasn't made in China though.

Love mine. I think it is the best value out of the new XR's. But, the Vision XR, in my opinion, is the most fun to fidget with. Peace, Stiletto :-)

Excellent review!I would love to try the new D2.

I have one. It fidgets really well. It doesn't really have a purpose for me though. I tent camp from a car a lot and the blade is too short for food prep and there's no easy way to wash it out. The handle is way too thick and heavy for pocket carry. I clip it on my belt. The handle is thick and comfy, but needlessly heavy for the blade length and thinness. It's a toy really. Better options out there for outdoor camp tasks. My guess is that the handle was intended as an armed forces backup knife, and the belly blade was to make it more utility. So kinda a kewl toy utility crossover. It is fun to play with though. All the kids ask to play with it every trip.

They need to come out with a flash without the assist. I love the look of the knife but I hate assisted open

I like what I see. As far as price, it depends on which company in CHY-NA made it. If it is WE, Bestech or Rike Knives the price doesn't bother me so much as they do top notch work. Enjoyed the review thanks.

On the fence with this SOG. Deal breaker for me is the weight for what blade length you get. My cold steel recon 1 is same weight, more blade, and bomb proof triad lock. Like my SOG terminus a lot, SOG has got my attention, lighten this up to a 4oz EDC and I’m buying!!!

The TAC has better build quality. As in the bearings ride on stainless washers vs some (maybe the AT) Taiwanese made SOGs where they just ride on the inside of the scales. Also, the springs are thicker gauge on the TAC. I love my TAC. It's the perfect folder for me. Especially after a few mods. I know, F chynah. But, this is my only folder and my fixed blades are US made.

Do you think it’s a little on the heavier side for general EDC? Over 5oz is kind of where I draw the line

It seems like all I see from you for knife reviews lately is SOG and cold steel. Maybe those are just the only ones that come up for me for some reason.

Used to have this. Wearing it normally the clip became loose and shitty and i ended up losing it as a result

Your Sound Effects Sold me on the Manual part when you flipped open the Blade 😂😎👍 Great Video 👍🙏

You should do a review of the SOG Vision XR!

Thanks for the video if it was a little lighter would be great like 4oz or less and I wish wasn’t made it n China great video though

Can you do some reviews on bear edge line

I had a completely different experience with the Tac-XR I bought. The lock stick and action were so bad I had to return it... maybe I just got a bad one, but once you get a bad one, you just loose any desire to get another. Glad you got a good one directly from SOG for review (and I would assume of the highest QC), but maybe it would have been more realistic to buy one from a retailer and see what the average Joe gets sent to them.

I agree SOG over priced for being made in Chine. I don't buy China made knives. Great review.

Which model do u prefer?

SOG tac xr or CS American Lawman? They seem so similar.

You're maybe paying more for the handle material? To be honest that is just a guess though.

Do you know why my sog tac says CHINA right on the blade. Other side just says sog tac xr. I got it right from the website??

Im actually not a fan of the AT XR blade shape at all. Love the rest of the design but not the blade. I would never buy it. That Tac XR on the other hand i would buy quick. Been looking for another curved style blade. Awesome video brother. Thank you.

I won't be spending these prices when for similar $ I can buy a Spyderco or for 20% more I can buy an entry-level Benchmade (both made in USA). I have SOG knives that I like, but I won't pay these $ for offshore manufacture.

I agree with your opinion, Aaron !!!!!!!! I would go with my Kershaw Blur Tanto assisted opening Knife.

How does it hold up after a year?

Mine has Serated ? Are there 2 models?

I forget… what size gloves does he wear?

Not sure how Sog can justify the price of either considering the steel used and the overall market. I just saw a Spyderco K390 for $115. There are too many knives with better metals coming in at about the same price tag.

I Hope those weren't Mrs, G's pair of Flip Flops you were Slicing 😂👍

What is the SOG arc loc?

My days with SOG have been over and this is why. I purchased a Trident some years ago. Shortly after purchase the pocket clip pulled right out the back of handles. Meaning the handle failed. Tried to contact SOG and I'm still waiting for their response. And now that Taiwan is under Chinese control, SOG will not be getting anymore of my dollars.

A properly made knife on bearings shouldn't have any side-to-side wobble. SOG screwed that one up.

This knife is begging for a flipper tab delete.

I can't bring myself to spend money on China made stuff unless I have no choice.

I was here for the knife review, but that red beard is captivating. I hope my wife never meets you.

Disagree cryo d2 is much better than s30v

FIRST !

Damn you just keep reviewing garbage knives that have stolen the axis lock from Benchmade. Unsubscribed