The SOG Escape Tactical Folding Knife (FF25-CP) pairs a 3.4-inch partially serrated blade with a recessed seatbelt cutter in its handle. A glass breaker and wire stripper add functions beyond those of a conventional pocket knife.
With an aluminum handle, one-handed opening, and a lockback mechanism, the Escape may appeal to drivers and campers who want everyday cutting and emergency-oriented tools in one folding design.
A 3.4-inch blade for everyday cutting
The SOG Escape features a 3.4-inch clip-point blade made from 9Cr18MoV stainless steel. The product listing specifies a hardness rating of 58–60 HRC and a partially serrated edge.
The plain edge is intended for routine cutting tasks such as opening packaging, cutting cardboard, and trimming lightweight materials. The serrated portion provides another cutting option for rope, webbing, and other fibrous materials, although its effectiveness depends on the material and cutting conditions.
9Cr18MoV is a stainless steel used in folding knives because of its corrosion resistance and ability to take a sharp edge. However, the steel grade alone doesn’t determine cutting performance. Heat treatment, blade geometry, and maintenance all influence how the knife performs over time.
The Escape measures 8.2 inches when fully opened, giving it a substantial cutting blade while retaining the convenience of a folding design.
A dedicated cutter for seatbelts and rope
One of the Escape’s most useful features is its recessed line cutter. Unlike the main knife blade, this tool is designed specifically for cutting rope, cord, and seatbelt webbing.
The cutter sits inside a groove that limits exposure to the cutting edge. This arrangement can be useful when working with straps or flexible materials, particularly when an exposed blade would be difficult to position.
SOG also includes additional line cutter blades stored beneath the handle slab. These provide replacement cutting edges, although owners should follow the manufacturer’s instructions when accessing or replacing them.
For drivers, the cutter adds a reason to consider keeping the Escape in a vehicle emergency kit.
Accessibility also matters. A rescue knife stored in the trunk or buried inside a bag may be difficult to reach during an emergency. Drivers considering the Escape for this purpose should think carefully about where it will be kept.
A glass breaker for vehicle emergencies
The SOG Escape includes a glass breaker at the end of its handle. This feature is intended for situations where breaking a vehicle window may provide an emergency exit.
Glass breakers can be effective on certain automotive windows, but the type of glass makes a significant difference. Tempered glass is designed to shatter into small pieces when broken, while laminated glass contains a plastic interlayer that helps hold the glass together.
In a 2019 evaluation of six vehicle escape tools, AAA found that four shattered tempered side-window glass, while none penetrated laminated glass. These findings concern the tools evaluated in AAA’s study and do not establish the SOG Escape’s performance. This is an important limitation because some modern vehicles use laminated glass in locations where tempered glass was previously common.
The Escape’s glass breaker is therefore an additional emergency feature, not a guarantee that every vehicle window can be broken. Drivers should check their vehicle’s window construction before relying on any glass-breaking tool.
Aluminum handle and one-handed opening
The Escape uses a hard-anodized 6061-T6 aluminum handle. SOG lists the knife at 4.8 inches when closed and 4.8 ounces in weight, making it compact enough for a pocket, backpack, or vehicle storage compartment.
Thumb studs provide a way to open the blade with one hand, while the lockback mechanism secures it in the open position. Users must release the lock before folding the blade back into the handle. The knife also includes a fixed pocket clip for convenient carrying.
The aluminum construction provides a rigid handle without requiring an all-steel body.
Another feature is the built-in wire stripper, intended for occasional maintenance tasks. SOG doesn’t specify supported wire gauges in the supplied product information, and the Escape isn’t described as electrically insulated. It should never be used on energized wiring.
Should you buy the SOG Escape Folding Knife?
The SOG Escape is worth considering if you want a general-purpose folding knife with emergency-oriented tools in the same package. It may suit drivers and campers who prefer carrying fewer separate items, where local knife laws permit.
If vehicle escape is your main priority, consider a dedicated automotive escape tool suited to your vehicle’s window construction instead. If you only need a blade for routine cutting, a simpler folding knife may be the more practical choice.
