SOG knives are made in the USA, Japan, Taiwan, and China, depending on the specific model. SOG itself is owned by GSM Outdoors, which acquired the brand from its founders in December 2021.
Fewer SOG knives are made in the United States today than in years past, and the company closed its longtime factory in Lynnwood, Washington after the GSM Outdoors acquisition.
This article covers who owns SOG Knives, where its knives are actually manufactured, why the Washington factory closed, and its founding history.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns SOG Knives?
SOG Specialty Knives and Tools is owned by GSM Outdoors, a multi brand hunting and shooting sport accessories company that also owns Cold Steel, TruGlo, and Birchwood Casey. Current products are shown on SOG’s official website.
GSM Outdoors acquired SOG in December 2021 from founders Spencer and Gloria Frazer, who had run the company independently since starting it in 1986. SOG now operates as one brand within GSM’s broader portfolio of outdoor and tactical equipment companies.
SOG’s headquarters shifted to Irving, Texas following the acquisition, moving away from its original home base in the Pacific Northwest.
Where Are SOG Knives Made?
SOG manufactures knives across several countries, including the United States, Japan, Taiwan, and China, with the specific location depending on the model and price point.
Higher end SOG knives have historically been made in Japan, where the company built its early reputation through a long partnership with bladesmith Ichiro Hattori in Seki City. By the mid 2000s, SOG shifted much of its fixed blade production to Taiwan for cost efficiency, while more affordable lines moved to China.
SOG still produces a limited number of models domestically, and the company clearly labels these as Made in USA on its website and product packaging, unlike some of its imported lines where origin information is less consistently displayed.
Why Did SOG’s Washington Factory Close?
SOG’s factory in Lynnwood, Washington closed following GSM Outdoors’ acquisition of the company in December 2021, as part of broader integration into GSM’s existing manufacturing and distribution network.
Prior to the closure, SOG had already scaled back significantly, operating with a small team of roughly 25 employees in its final years as an independent, privately held company backed by private equity investors.
SOG’s operations consolidated under GSM’s Texas headquarters after the acquisition, aligning the brand’s administrative functions with the rest of GSM’s knife and utility tool portfolio.
When Was SOG Founded?
SOG was founded in 1986 by Spencer and Gloria Frazer, who named the company after MACV SOG, the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observations Group. More on the brand’s history is documented on Wikipedia.
The company’s first products were reproductions of the original Vietnam era SOG Knife carried by covert special operations personnel. These early models, including the S1 and S2 Bowie knives, were manufactured in Seki, Japan under contract with master bladesmith Ichiro Hattori.
SOG expanded well beyond its original military inspired designs over the following decades, building a broad catalog of folding knives, fixed blades, and multi tools aimed at law enforcement, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyday carry users.
Is SOG Still Good Quality?
The knives themselves generally still earn solid reviews. Owners on Walmart and Adorama regularly praise models like the Seal Pup for holding an edge, surviving years of camping and hunting use, and offering strong value at their price point.
The bigger shift customers report is in customer service and warranty support since GSM Outdoors acquired SOG in December 2021.
Trustpilot reviews from 2022 onward describe longer wait times, warranty claims being denied or downgraded to partial discounts, and offshore support lines giving inconsistent answers, a contrast to the lifetime warranty service many long time SOG owners remember from the company’s independent years.
GSM Outdoors was itself acquired by Platinum Equity in 2024, adding another layer of corporate ownership.
Most reviewers agree that individual SOG knives still perform well out of the box, but recommend keeping proof of purchase and expecting a more corporate, less personal warranty experience than in the brand’s founder run era.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes SOG Knives
Are SOG knives made in the USA?
Only some SOG knives are made in the USA. Most current production happens in Japan, Taiwan, and China, though a limited number of domestically made models are still available and clearly labeled.
Who owns SOG Knives now?
SOG is owned by GSM Outdoors, which acquired the company from founders Spencer and Gloria Frazer in December 2021. GSM also owns Cold Steel, TruGlo, and several other outdoor and tactical brands.
Why did SOG move to Texas?
SOG’s headquarters moved to Irving, Texas after GSM Outdoors acquired the company in 2021, consolidating operations under GSM’s existing corporate structure and closing SOG’s original Lynnwood, Washington location.
Where were the first SOG knives made?
The first SOG knives were made in Seki, Japan, by bladesmith Ichiro Hattori under contract with the company’s founders starting in 1986.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.