Editorial

SOG’s Twitch XL

by Dexter Ewing - Field Editor for Blade Magazine

SOG’s Twitch XL model represents the latest in SOG’s constant knife innovations throughout the years. This particular knife incorporates several of SOG’s noteworthy innovative features that make this knife a gentleman’s knife with some panache thrown in the mix. It’s well suited for both casual and formal carry, with its profile being a thin, flat handle that carries very comfortably. Add to that SOG’s own SAT assisted opening mechanism, and you have a knife that is easy to open, easy to use, and a pleasure to own. Read on to find out more about this exciting knife!

Twitch XL (Black handle) TWI-22™

The Twitch XL is a member of SOG’s Twitch family of assisted opening folding knives. The Twitch series comprises of the Twitch I and II models that are slender and thin, with drop point blades. Both can double as money clips as well. However, those looking for a more substantial knife in that series may find the Twitch II [the bigger of the two] to be still too small. That’s why the folks at SOG unleashed the Twitch XL – to provide a more substantial folder with a bigger blade, bigger handle, but still retain the ease of carry with a thin, flat handle profile, and ease of blade deployment. The Twitch XL measures in at 7 ½ inches overall, with a 3 ¼ inch blade that is ground out of 1/8 inch stock of AUS-8 stainless steel. The blade is of a wharncliffe shape, with a swedge grind and a hollow grind. Simply put, it’s a classy looking blade. There are dual thumbstuds to permit fast and rapid access to the blade with either hand, though; the blade is most easily deployed via a brief tug on the exposed flipper. This activates the S.A.T. [SOG Assisted Technology] mechanism that propels the blade open. Out of the box, both Twitch samples were very sharp, with even grinds and overall excellent fit and finish, per SOG’s products, all the way around.

Twitch XL (Black TiNi) TWI-21™

The handle of the Twitch XL is anodized aluminum with dual stainless steel liners providing the backbone. The edges of the aluminum are chamfered for a more comfortable grip on this rectangular-ish shaped handle. The bayonet-style pocket clip is affixed to the butt end of the knife, carrying the Twitch XL tip up in the pocket. Due to the clip’s unique attachment point to the handle, the knife carries very low inside the pocket, away from prying eyes. As an added touch of class, the pocket clip has “SOG” cut into it. Very nice touch! Another SOG innovation incorporated into the Twitch XL is the pass-through lockbar, something that all the Twitch series has. When you think about it, all assisted opening knives that are on the market currently are mostly liner lock® folders. And most of them incorporate a flipper of some sort. But with a lockback style, a flipper isn’t practical given the design of the lockback’s closed handle spine. So, in order to have an assisted opening lockback folder WITH a flipper, something needs to be tweaked, no? What SOG has done is to have a steel lockbar with an oblong hole formed in it, permitting the flipper to pass through uninhibited.

So, there you have it! The Twitch series, the XL included, is the first assisted opening lockback on the market! There also is a safety as well, to prevent unauthorized opening. The sliding switch safety is situated directly behind the lock bar release area. When the safety is activated, this prevents the lock bar from moving, as it does when the blade goes through its opening cycle. Take the safety off and the blade can be opened. Weighing in at 4.2 ounces, the Twitch XL has a nice heft in your hand without it being too excessive.

Twitch XL (Black handle) TWI-22™

In the performance department, the SOG Twitch XL is easy to deploy and use. The keen factory edge bites through various materials easily. Wharncliffe style blades are among my favorite blade shapes because of the straight-line cutting edge is very easy to maintain in terms of sharpness. Because there are no curves to the cutting edge, no specialized sharpening equipment is needed. One can easily achieve a sharp edge quickly even with a standard bench stone. Follow the sharpening up with stropping and you are left with a hair-popping sharp edge. Because of the flat profile of the handle, the Twitch XL carries easily in jeans, slacks, or dress pants. The knife sits deeply in the pocket; with the only visible part is the pocket clip.

The Twitch XL is one of the few folding knives on the market with a pocket clip that facilitates deep pocket carry. Outfitted with SOG’s S.A.T. [SOG Assisted Technology], the Twitch XL jumps open with authority, beginning with a brief tug on the flipper with your index finger. However, there is no concern over accidental or unwanted opening of the blade thanks to the sliding switch safety. Even when the safety is in the off position, the detent feature of the SAT is strong enough to hold the blade in the closed position. Barring a hard, direct bump to the flipper, the blade is not going to open at all unless YOU want it to open!

Twitch XL (Graphite handle) TWI-20™

Overall, I find the SOG Twitch XL to be a highly functional and attractive looking dress knife that is really a workhorse in disguise. Its elegant design is aesthetically pleasing, while its high quality, solid construction will provide you with years of trouble free use. SOG’s long standing reputation of designing and building innovative and exciting knife designs is bolstered with knives in their current line up such as the Twitch XL series. The Twitch XL is available in three versions, each differing in finish of the blade and handle. You have to choose from the standard graphite handle/satin finished blade, the black handle/satin finish blade, or the striking all black version with its black titanium nitride coated blade and black anodized handle. Even the hardware on this particular variation is also black. Black on black on black…a stunning appearance!

**The opinions expressed by Dexter Ewing do not reflect those of the staff of Blades By Brown Cutlery**

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