Right out of the box the SOG Woodline fixed blade knife separated the elk hide from flesh like it was warm butter. It was sharp, fit perfectly in my hand and was a comfortable weight. Even though I had bloody hands, the SOG Woodline fixed blade knife is an excellent skinning knife with a perfect grip that stayed put in my hand. I used it to skin out my very first elk this year and it worked great.
Now it is no secret that I like knives. No, I love a good knife! I love the looks, different contours, feel of each one and I love to see how they work in the field. When SOG contacted me about reviewing some of their knives how could I resist. I have owned a SOG Field Pup for years after a recommendation by a fellow bowhunter. It is a great knife that is still one of the best knives I own and it stays attached to my pack at all times.
The gear I packed for my elk hunt in Colorado was carefully chosen and the SOG Woodline was one of the knives that made it into my pack. The knife weighs 8.3 oz. and seemed rather light compared to the size of the knife. The overall length of the knife is 10.4″ with a blade length of 4.8″ that helps immensely when cutting large surfaces. When my bull elk was down and the work started, the Woodline came out and made the butchering that much easier. (I did not get any photos with the knife on my elk hunt due to bloody hands and being focused on the task of butchering the animal.) The knife felt contoured to my hand and the weight of the knife was balanced. I first thought the knife was going to be bulky and cumbersome because of its size, but I was very wrong. It fit into my hand well and my hand never tired from the knife being off balance.
The handle of the knife is beautifully made from hard wood that feels vastly different from a plastic handle. The wood handle offered a solid grip without feeling synthetic, plus it gives it a rad look!
The sheath that protects the blade is well-built and works well. I have found some leather sheathes that stink from the leather or oils used to protect it from the elements. This one didn’t stink and performed very well in the field. It secured the knife perfectly without any play.
The one negative thing I have to say is I did find that the blade dulled rather quickly. I did take into consideration that when skinning a 600 lb. beast with a thick hide, your knife will dull rapidly. After a dozen or so strokes on the knife sharpener I was back in business. Yes, the knife is made in China, but I feel it is still a good blade and does the job it is meant to do.
The suggested retail is $60.00, but many places have them on sale for $35.00 or lower. That’s an excellent price for a knife built like this one. Quite honestly, I would pay the $60.00 for this knife. It is solid, works well, and I think it works extremely well as a skinning blade.
Be First to Comment