SOG Flashback - Black TiNi Knife (Open Box)

I am a SOG fan. I love their knives. They do great heat treatment on their AUS8 blades and have never had a problem with them except their customer service email issues. I'm not too interested on their 'lower end' models like the Fusion series (or anything that is being produced in China at the moment) and I'm not too keen on their plastic blades, such as the Flash series, Aegis, whatever lower end models. I do however own a lot of their VG10 models such as the Visionary 1,2, Xray, Xray Mini, and their discontinued Stingray and Bluto. I love the Arc-Lock design and functionality of it. It makes opening and closing a breeze - for me anyway. More though, I love their design, and this is why I had bought this knife. The design on it just.. makes me want it. The blade shape, the metal on the handle. So I bought it. Now, I am an owner to the Flash II and it is my EDC work knife. I've been having problems with it as far as the handle coming apart at the seems on the spine of it, the blade play (which doesn't take place unless I really force it using my fingers, but not in everyday real world use) and was hoping that this knife would be better as far as the overall production on this knife. So I took my chance and bought it. First, the handle feels great. I LOVE the metal handle around plastic design. It doesn't really offer any traction, but feels really grippy in my hand because of the plastic indented mold. It has indents when I need to choke up on the spine and underneath where your index and middle finger rest. The feel of the plastic is really aggressive and I love that. The metal is a bit slippery but, again, I don't mind it and it's not enough for me to frown upon. The clip on it is a lot smaller compared to other SOG knives such as the Visionary/Xray and I like it. I'm not too thrilled about having SOG's name bill boarded on it, because I like to be discreet about me carrying at times. And that's just a personal thing, but it's small to the point where it doesn't really flash and not noticed. The black chips off a la Benchmade clips (the painted glossy ones, anyway) and that's ok. Just like my guns, I like them to have character on them. It has a bigger opening up top if the pants you are going to put it in has thick material, and slides in and out without any snags. The blade, made up of AUS8 and great for EDC needs and really easy to resharpen. I bought the black TiNi finish one, and I'm sure, just like any other black-coated blade, it'll wear off - and again- that's ok. I love character. It came hair popping sharp, and that's what I expect when I get a SOG. This is no exception. The thumb stud feels great and not sharp to the point where it feels you're going to cut yourself pressing up against cut metal. It is extremely natural feeling when I use my thumb to pop it open. Good job on the ergonomics on that. The jimping on the spine is aggressive and really digs into my thumb. Not too much to the point where it hurts and not to soft like you would see on a Benchmade Griptillian. I know SOG did do some modifications to this line involving all the issues with the opening and closing of the knife. I suppose I got the modified version of this knife and not the earlier for I have yet to see any problems in that area. It opens and closes just like a Flash series and that's fine. I've been playing with it and opening and closing it all day/night to break it in a bit. It's doing just fine for me. I hope this knife lasts me a long time. I'm sure it will. If it doesn't I'm going to have to contact SOG warranty department and deal with a unpleasant Email customer service. I know I can call them, but I have no time. I'm usually at work or busy with my own thing. I like Email so I can be in and out and get back to my life while dealing with an issue. Hope this helps. Happy New Years!