Fusion Salute, G-10 Handle, Black Blade, Plain

For a little bit of background, I've been a blade connoisseur since my grandfather started teaching me how to make my own 15 years ago. I've had Smith and Wesson blades, Cold Steel, Winchester, Buck, Ka-Bar, Gerber, CKRT and SOG. My first SOG blade was instantly my favorite blade, and I'm happy to say they have continued to impress.I broke my last pocket knife (a Gerber that I loved) being stupid and trying to pry something I had no business prying on with a knife. Since it busted my daily blade I went on search of a new one. SOG has a lot of interesting knives, and whittling down which one to buy was a challenge. Over all my decision came down to about the worse possible attribute when shopping for a blade: How it looked.Looks in a knife are purely personal, and most of the time highly irrelevant. The look of the FF-11 is one of the irrelevant cases. It's handle doesn't look like it provides any extra "live without" features, though there is a rescission between the handle and thumb assist that allows a very comfortable and easy access to flip out your blade.The FF-11 is COMPLETELY ambidextrous. The clip belt/pocket clip is easy to move from one side of the handle to the other. The thumb assist is located in a narrow open space on the blade, and allows for the assist to be relocated higher or lower on the blade for personal preference. The assist can be reached from ether side of the blade, and the recession mentioned above is also found on each side. The blade is located in a perfectly centered position, reducing and deterioration of the blade or handle from constant rubbing, and when closed the blade does not press into the "back wall" of the handle.The blade has a beautiful "walk and talk". Meaning it is beautifully easy to open, a small nudge and flick of the wrist brings about a resounding and very final "clack". The noise is reassuring, and for a knife lover like myself beautiful. It opens and closes smoothly, not a hitch to be seen, heard, felt, nothing. It's one solid motion.When fully extended the blade is a beautiful black, with a shiny, razor sharp edge. Five minuets with this blade and my brother is already nursing a nasty cut. (He was playing with her, missed his nail while presumably attempting to trim it, and it SUNK easily through his skin.) So be warned, if your one of those that "just need a knife" and your use to something from Wal-Mart please treat this with extra caution, other wise you'll end up like him.The spine of the FF-11 holds the "lock back". The location will not allow (at least to my knowledge, and I HAVE tried) for an accidental closure, but it's action when in use is smooth, and completely fluent.The Belt/Pocket clip IS VERY STIFF. I know it was said in earlier reviews, I personally fixed this by wrapping a dime in a kitchen plastic wrap (one layer only, enough to keep the dime from roughing up my handle anymore then completely necessarily) and placing it between the clip and handle. It took about two days (leaving it from the time I got home till I left the next morning) to gap enough to easily, yet securely, clip on my pocket.I ordered this new, and the package it came in was open, busted up, and falling apart. The knife looks perfect. I'm fairly certain the boxing was open due to it being a "show case" item. Even if you kept this blade for just a show case you wouldn't be disappointed. When they come back in stock I'll be ordering (from the same supplier I hope. They were fairly amazing.) at least two more, just to keep around in case I do something stupid with this one.It cost me almost 50 dollars for the FF-11 I have here. I would GLADLY shell out 110-120 for her. 50 dollars with faster then normal shipping was a steal, I really do think it's been completely under priced.Side note: You won't find many reviews from me I think I've written three now.) So let that be a statement to just how much I'm in love with this blade.

I'm absolutely in love with this knife so far. I've had it a little over a day but I can tell this was made with quality. It came razor sharp out of the package, the blade was centered in handle, locks up tight no play whatsoever. The lockback is by far the best I've encountered so far, its not extremely resistant but its not loose enough to accidentally actuate.Ergonomically, the G-10 handles aren't too aggressive, which to me is a negative but there is some traction. There is "usable" jimping both on the lockback and the back of the blade. There is also jimping on the finger choils and back of the spine of the handle but it doesn't provide much of any traction to be considered.The clip is very tight, so it will stay secure in the pocket. It rides almost completely concealed except for the extended steal liners which they kept on to be used as a lanyard hole (i'm assuming).The adjustable button stud was a nice idea, but I attempted to move it and it was so stuck in place that I was afraid of stripping it. However, for me it was already in an ideal place, I just wanted to make sure I thoroughly went over the knife to make sure I could give it an honest review.Overall, for the money, I do not think you'll be able to find a better knife in either an EDC or emergency tactical role, here is a list of pros and cons:Pros:G-10 scalessecured clipsharp out of the packagejimping on the back of knifeeasy to use lockbackPRICE!standard hex screws (allows you to easily adjust the knife)ambidextrous clip (see cons)Cons:bladesteel (standard at this pricepoint, you're not getting vg-10 for 30 dollars)weight (4.2 ounces is a tad heavy, I do not notice it in the pocket however for some of you, if you have a larder EDC kit than I you know ounce for ounce can count)insufficient jimping on the spine and finger choilsextending the liners past the handle (I have medium-sized hands and do not really notice it, but if you have larger hands and squeezed the handle hard enough, i could see how one could be discomforted)clip only allows for tip up carry (I prefer tip down because for me, it allows for faster demployment).Overall, I give this a 9/10 (price considered)