- Joined
- May 19, 2007
- Messages
- 7,745
So I'm finally getting around to doing a review of my SOG powerlock 2.0, and since i've been carrying it for a while it's also a bit of a longevity/ usability review.
I figure I'll start at the tip and work my way down. As a point of reference I carried a LM Pulse for about 7 years prior (everyday) I work as a freelance medic, Audio-visual tech, and generally fix broken stuff, so my multitool preference is for the urban environment.
The pliers
These definitely have more grip than the pulse did, and while the jaws are much meatier, they don't open as far, due to the leverage, so its a trade-off.
The cutters are bigger, and don't jam, but they are softer than on my pulse, and are now a bit serrated, not major, and the fact that they open no matter what makes up for it.
The crimper works great, did several auto repairs with it, and got great results, very nice
Grip
I haven't used the "comfort grip" things on my SOG, mostly because they didn't fit right and were awkward to use. But they are good enough as is, like the early LM PSTs and such, the point where it becomes a problem, you should have been using real pliers.
Tools
Just the highlights on what I have in it now, then an overview
Plain blade, easy to sharpen, and holds a decent edge, spine works for a firesteel, which is just a bonus. other than that, meh, nothing special
Awl, very good, simple, digs in and goes, scary sharp out of the box.
Screwdrivers, worked well, I ground the can opener into a long "tweeker" for setting pot switches and such. being able to get a Robertson was very good.
File, would prefer a diamond side, for all the claims, it just does not seem to be that aggressive, my LM is cut far deeper.
Scissors..... suck I have them, because I use them, but they are not very good at all, well below SAK scissors which I would consider a benchmark. They are incredibly difficult to install, uncomfortable to use, and not very sharp.
V-cutter, well, now that I have a BM5 hook, there is no real reason to have it, plus the edge got nicked and there is really no way to sharpen it. good theory....
All in all they are decent, but nothing special, aesthetically it would be nice if they had the same finish, but they don't, and I suspect that is from the different OEMs SOG uses. As I'm sure it saves cost, not a big deal.
The Locks
Here is were we run into a bit of trouble. First I need to give credit where due to SOG, They could have riveted the powerlock together and made it easier on themselves, but they let us screw around with it, and that can't make life easier. That said, the handles on my SOG are not quite square, not by much, and not enough out to send back. what this does however is bind some of the "piano keys" together. also, because the implements are not all the same width some keys engage multiple tools. This one is a hard one because my LM, once I was used to it was smooth like glass, and sometimes I fight with my SOG
After A Year
Things I would like to see
It needs a key ring. not for keys, but so I can tether it when working at height, at some point I'll get one made I guess.
I wish the finish was better, my LM was smooth and classy, where as the SOG is much more the industrial tool.
I would like to see harder cutter blades, and plier jaws in general.
The Good
This is a very solid tool, good value for money, and with the ability to customize the tools, very useful.
The Bad
It will rust if you look at it funny, now I know that carrying things around salt water isn't the best for them, but even with religious rinsing and oiling there are still small rust spots on it. Also it is a heavy BEAST! but it does double as a hammer if needed. (Locking screwdriver heads was more important than size)
Other Concerns (AKA the ugly)
There is already about half as much play in the plier jaws as in my 7 year old pulse. this does not bode well for long term use.
In conclusion
Like I said before, the SOG powerlock is good value for money, yeah they are a bit spendy out front, but it's done quite well for me. there are things that I would change, but I recognize that the world was different 8 years ago when my pulse was built, and that level of fit and finish would be much more expensive now.
Thanks!
I figure I'll start at the tip and work my way down. As a point of reference I carried a LM Pulse for about 7 years prior (everyday) I work as a freelance medic, Audio-visual tech, and generally fix broken stuff, so my multitool preference is for the urban environment.
The pliers
These definitely have more grip than the pulse did, and while the jaws are much meatier, they don't open as far, due to the leverage, so its a trade-off.
The cutters are bigger, and don't jam, but they are softer than on my pulse, and are now a bit serrated, not major, and the fact that they open no matter what makes up for it.
The crimper works great, did several auto repairs with it, and got great results, very nice
Grip
I haven't used the "comfort grip" things on my SOG, mostly because they didn't fit right and were awkward to use. But they are good enough as is, like the early LM PSTs and such, the point where it becomes a problem, you should have been using real pliers.
Tools
Just the highlights on what I have in it now, then an overview
Plain blade, easy to sharpen, and holds a decent edge, spine works for a firesteel, which is just a bonus. other than that, meh, nothing special
Awl, very good, simple, digs in and goes, scary sharp out of the box.
Screwdrivers, worked well, I ground the can opener into a long "tweeker" for setting pot switches and such. being able to get a Robertson was very good.
File, would prefer a diamond side, for all the claims, it just does not seem to be that aggressive, my LM is cut far deeper.
Scissors..... suck I have them, because I use them, but they are not very good at all, well below SAK scissors which I would consider a benchmark. They are incredibly difficult to install, uncomfortable to use, and not very sharp.
V-cutter, well, now that I have a BM5 hook, there is no real reason to have it, plus the edge got nicked and there is really no way to sharpen it. good theory....
All in all they are decent, but nothing special, aesthetically it would be nice if they had the same finish, but they don't, and I suspect that is from the different OEMs SOG uses. As I'm sure it saves cost, not a big deal.
The Locks
Here is were we run into a bit of trouble. First I need to give credit where due to SOG, They could have riveted the powerlock together and made it easier on themselves, but they let us screw around with it, and that can't make life easier. That said, the handles on my SOG are not quite square, not by much, and not enough out to send back. what this does however is bind some of the "piano keys" together. also, because the implements are not all the same width some keys engage multiple tools. This one is a hard one because my LM, once I was used to it was smooth like glass, and sometimes I fight with my SOG
After A Year
Things I would like to see
It needs a key ring. not for keys, but so I can tether it when working at height, at some point I'll get one made I guess.
I wish the finish was better, my LM was smooth and classy, where as the SOG is much more the industrial tool.
I would like to see harder cutter blades, and plier jaws in general.
The Good
This is a very solid tool, good value for money, and with the ability to customize the tools, very useful.
The Bad
It will rust if you look at it funny, now I know that carrying things around salt water isn't the best for them, but even with religious rinsing and oiling there are still small rust spots on it. Also it is a heavy BEAST! but it does double as a hammer if needed. (Locking screwdriver heads was more important than size)
Other Concerns (AKA the ugly)
There is already about half as much play in the plier jaws as in my 7 year old pulse. this does not bode well for long term use.
In conclusion
Like I said before, the SOG powerlock is good value for money, yeah they are a bit spendy out front, but it's done quite well for me. there are things that I would change, but I recognize that the world was different 8 years ago when my pulse was built, and that level of fit and finish would be much more expensive now.
Thanks!
