In today’s article, Friedrich Seiltgen reviews the SOG Shadow Spear II. While spears may seem archaic in modern society, they have been reliable hunting tools and personal weapons for thousands of years. Do they still hold a place in contemporary society? The Shadow Spear II reviewed here was purchased by the author from a local retailer.
While browsing social media, I came across a buzz about a new spear for sale. Imagine my surprise when I found the SOG Shadow Spear II at my local feed store. Intrigued, I decided to take a closer look.
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools
The SOG Specialty Knives & Tools story traces its inspirational roots to the Vietnam War, where members of a U.S. special operations unit known as MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam — Studies and Observation Group) carried a Bowie-style combat knife into the jungle on covert missions. [Ed. note: Be sure to read Randal Wilson’s in-depth article on the MACV-SOG knife in Vietnam for additional information and rare photos of the blade “in country.”]
In 1986, that knife inspired a young designer, named Spencer Frazer, to found SOG Specialty Knives. His mission: to reproduce the original SOG Bowie knife and pay tribute to the special operations unit that created it. The result was the SOG Bowie 2.0.
What began as a single commemorative model soon became a complete line of innovative tools, field-proven by U.S. Special Operations Forces. SOG Knives earned the honor with the selection of the SOG “Seal Pup” as one of the U.S. Navy SEALs issued knives.
First Impressions
I removed the Shadow Spear II from its blister pack and found a good looking tanto-style blade that was sharp and nicely honed.
The blade, measuring 7.5” long, is attached to the handle with three large hex screws on either side. It’s lightweight, and its size and tanto design suggest serious piercing power.
Haft
The haft (or shaft) of the Shadow Spear II is about 36” long and is manufactured from glass-filled nylon (GFN), which is lightweight and durable. It’s also nicely textured for a secure grip and control while thrusting or throwing, even with wet or gloved hands.c
Blade
The blade on the Shadow Spear II is constructed of 420 stainless steel, which gives it exceptional strength, makes it well-suited for tough jobs, helps it maintain a sharp edge, and reduces corrosion. It’s finished with a black powder coat, which gives it a Tacti-Cool vibe while reducing glare.
While the original Shadow Spear I is equipped with a spear point blade, this new version has a fixed-blade tanto design with a serrated top edge, measuring a massive 7.5” long, and that’s ready for deep penetration. For safety between uses, the SOG Spear comes with a fitted polymer sheath with a locking snap to prevent accidents, yet it deploys quickly when needed.
Shadow Spear II Specifications
- Overall Length: 43.8”
- Blade Length: 7.5”
- Haft Length: 36.3”
- Weight: 36 oz.
- Blade Material: 420 stainless steel
- Blade Finish: Black powder coat
- Fixed Blade Shape: Tanto
- Sheath: Black polymer
- SOG Knives Product # SOG-33-44-02-43
- MSRP: $79.95
Spears 101
You’ve read about and seen spears in countless movies and TV shows, so here’s some basic information about the history of the design.
Spartan Spear: King Leonidas and the 300 were equipped with what’s called a “Dory”, which was the primary offensive weapon of the Spartans. Generally, it was 7-9 feet long with a leaf-shaped blade made of iron. On the back of the shaft was a bronze butt spike, or “Sauroter,” used to balance the spear and provide a way to plant the spear in the ground when not in use.
It was also a backup weapon if the blade broke off during combat. It was also used to stab fallen enemy combatants as the Spartans marched over them, to ensure they were not faking death to get behind the formation as they passed over.
The Dory was used as a thrusting weapon, but could be thrown if needed. It was used with one hand while in the Phalanx formation, freeing the other to carry a shield.
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Zulu Spear: The “iklwa” was a short stabbing spear made popular by King Shaka of the Zulu. The name is said to be derived from the sound it makes upon entering a victim’s body.
It’s generally about a meter long with a substantial leaf-type blade. The iklwa was paired with a cowhide shield and was quite effective as an underhand stabbing weapon in battle and as a symbol of Zulu strength.
Trident: The word “trident” comes from the French trident, which in turn comes from the Latin tridentis: tri “three” and dentes “teeth.”
The trident is a three-pronged spear used for spear fishing. The three tines increase the chance that a fish will be struck, and as the tines curve away from each other, the fish has less chance of escaping. As a military weapon, the trident has a long reach and the ability to trap other long weapons between its prongs, thereby disarming the opponent.
In Roman gladiator games, tridents were used by a type of gladiator called a retiarius or “net fighter.” In a parody of spear fishing, the retiarius cast a net to wrap his opponent, and then used the trident to kill him.
The trident symbolizes power, authority and control, and is an emblem of the U.S. Navy SEALs. In mythology, it is the weapon of sea gods like Poseidon, representing mastery over oceans, storms, and earthquakes, and signifies divine power, creation, and destruction in various cultures.
Testing the Spear
I put the SOG Shadow Spear II through some testing, and it delivered impressive performance while standing up to punishing use.
Whether it’s for throwing or thrusting, this spear is balanced for whatever your style calls for. I found the spear to be well constructed, and the blade maintained a tight fit on the handle even after several throws and thrusts into some large pine tree sections.
The SOG Shadow Spear II was a hit with the locals in my area. Here in North Florida, hunting is serious business. I’m seeing hunters equipped with the SOG Shadow Spear in their pickup beds, in case they need to deal with a wild boar while on the hunt.
[Ed. note: Wild hogs are an invasive species in Florida. Hunting them is encouraged and largely unregulated as they do extensive damage to agricultural crops, land and chattel. Primitive hunting with knives and spears is one method used in the state to control the large populations.]
The Verdict on the SOG Shadow Spear II
While you won’t see it starring in a reboot of the movie 300, the SOG Shadow Spear II is an excellent addition to your kit. It’s a well-constructed, solid tool that gives you options for emergency use, bug-out gear, self-defense, hunting, spearfishing, man cave display, an addition to your edged-weapon collection, or some recreational tactical fun with the family.
With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $79.95, you should pick up a couple of these spears. The SOG Shadow Spear II is a budget-friendly option that delivers strong performance at a great price and should be part of your vehicle kit.
Trust me, everybody needs a spear.
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