SOG Knives Collectors - Tigershark Elite

SOG Knives Collectors' Take:

The Tigershark Elite has taken over the powder-coated 'S5 Tigershark' (which was a popular hit and the last Tigershark knife that was made in Seki Japan) as the largest knife in SOG's inventory. Building on the design of the popular Seal Pup Elite, the Tigershark Elite sports the same design as the Seal Pup Elite, along with the spine rasps and TiNi coating.

The obvious difference between the discontined S5 Tigershark and the Tigershark Elite is the inclusion of a removable 'D guard' and a skull butt crusher pommel. While the 'D guard' may be welcomed by some as an addition that prevents the knife from slipping while doing heavy chopping, the skull crusher raises some eyebrowns, leading to the impression that the Tigershark Elite is designed as a fighting weapon or "trench knife". Well the Tigershark Elite does perform resonably out in the field, as evident from the pictures below. Meanwhile, check out it's twin powder-coated brother, the 'Tigershark 2.0'...

Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 in. x .240 in.

Overall length: 15.25 in.
Blade Steel: AUS-8
Blade hardness: Rc. 57-58

Blade Finish: Black Hardcased TiNi

Weight: 16.3 oz.

Edge: Partially serrated
Carry System: Nylon Sheath
Handle Material: Zytel
Knife Type: Fixed Blade

Country of origin: Taiwan

Part #: TE-02

Rarity Details:

Last Known MSRP: $240

Production dates: 2008 - present

Production numbers: Still running...

Limited run?: No.

Other things of interest:

Rarity index: 1.5/10 (10 being the most rare)

Rarity index scale (1 to 10, 10 being the most rare):

1 - Very common; easily available on ebay, google product search and almost every knife selling website. Spammed with at least 10+ listings on ebay.

3 - Has been around for at least 2 years and are selling reasonably well, with retailers favouring other newer models over this knife.

5 - Knives that are on the borderline of being discontinued or have been discontinued for less than 6 months

6 - Products from 6 onwards are either discontinued or limited edition.

7 - Discontinued knives that pop up once every few months on the "For Sale" part of forums or on ebay. Still can be found at a few online shops though.

8 - Knives that need lots of researching to find. Not available anymore in online knife shops and pop up (if you're lucky) >4 months for one at a time.

9 - Knives holding this rarity are the shadowy kind. You can't find any information on them at all (not even from online knife shops that have not taken down that knife's product page). If you see one for sale grab at all cost.

10 - The rarest of all knives. If you hadn't been here you wouldn't even have known that it existed. Should you have one of these you better lock it up in a triple-combination safe and treat it like a family heirloom...

Links to forums on this knife:

Product Description:

In the presence of the revised Tigershark series, one’s pulse quickens. It is instantly recognized for its signature handguard and defensive rear point, which are removable for a more streamlined look. But it is also familiar as the largest member of the SEAL series with precise grind lines, rasped back, touch point checkering, and superior ergonomics. The Tigershark is capable of chopping and slicing with an economy of scale and ferocity not available to smaller knives. Still, it’s impeccable balance and style create fluiditty in the hand that is unexpected and thrilling.

NOTE: Handguard and rear point are packaged separately, and are also removeable at any time.

SOG Tigershark Elite Pictures:

What's in box with SOG Tigershark Elite (Photo: "poor_fish" - ebay)

SOG Tigershark Elite spine rasps, blade thickness (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

SOG Tigershark Elite removable handguard and pommel (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

What's in the box Spine rasps, blade thickness 'D' handguard + pommel Dwarfing a 6" ruler

SOG Tigershark Elite balance point (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

SOG Tigershark Elite shaving stick (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

SOG Tigershark Elite removing bark (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

SOG Tigershark Elite chopping sapling (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

Tigershark Elite balance point Sharpening stick Stripping bark off twig Chopping a sapling

SOG Tigershark Elite chopped wood (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

SOG Tigershark Elite clean slices (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

SOG Tigershark Elite clean cut (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

SOG Tigershark Elite cutting roots (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

Chopped the sapling 9" blade makes clean cuts Tigershark clean slice Tigershark elite chopping roots

SOG Tigershark Elite - The dirty Excalibur? (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

SOG Tigershark Elite cleaned after use (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

SOG Tigershark Elite sheath on belt (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

SOG Tigershark Elite sheath with multitool (Photo: "mistwalker" - bladeforums)

The 'Dirty Excalibur'? Not much damage to coating Sheath on belt Nylon sheath with mutitool

Page last updated: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 05:30:31 PDT