Favorite multi-tool these days?

Originally posted by Schtik
hehe, tie rope to the lanyard attachment.
It'll prevent it from going into the handle.

Just pull the rope to get all the tools on that side out.
Click to expand...


Yeehah!!! That works!!! Many thanks. Now about that one-hand opening blade that won't open one-handed.....
 
Originally posted by Buzzbait,
I'd take the Wave apart and give it a shot of wet/dry paper to smooth things out, but some lunatic put the dreaded mystery screws in it. If ANYBODY knows where to get the darned screwdriver for this thing, SPEAK!!!!
Click to expand...

Buzzbait, this is one problem that you won't run into with the SOG Powerlock. The tool's design easily allows for it to be disassembled, for cleaning and oiling. Because of this, you can also replace any tool blades with optional accessories available from SOG, such as the gut hook(seatbelt cutter). No special tools are required for disassembly. Also, the opening action on ALL of the locking tool blades is real smooth, especially the pliers because of the Compound Leverage.

I would also suggest that if anyone were to look into getting a SOG multitool, get one with the Titanium Nitride coating. With a Rockwell hardness of 90, this extremely tough coating can handle serious wear and tear, especially on the wire cutters and pliers. :D
 
Leatherman did not invent the multi-tool. The multi-tool has been around a long time. Leatherman just marketed the idea better. That being said, my favorite is the V-nox Swiss-Tool RS. Yes it's big and heavy. But it's built like a tank and the fit and finish are excellent.

Paul
 
Originally posted by Buzzbait
One side of the pliers is too stiff. One whole set of inner tools is too stiff. I've opened and closed the stuff a million times; I've oiled; and yet.... still too stiff!!! :mad:

Click to expand...

I had sent my wave back to leatherman for repair. I had it for a couple years and like yours the tools in the one handle were hell to get out.
Leatherman sent me a new and improved Wave. I had it back within two weeks of shipping it out.
 
So...... On the SOG Powerlock...... How big is it in comparison to the Leatherman Wave, Pulse and SuperTool 200? The SuperTool 200 is far too big for my hands to be comfortable. The Pulse is just about perfect in size.
 
Buzz, I don't have the ST200, but my older model Supertool is slightly smaller than the Powerlock...mainly in the handles. If the LM Pulse fits your hand just right, you may consider the Powerlock to be too big. The wings that cover the tool blades do allow for a very comfortable grip on it, though.
 
Originally posted by PWork
Leatherman did not invent the multi-tool.
Click to expand...

The concept of the multi-tool has been around, in various forms, for quite a while. However, I am fairly sure that Tim Leatherman did invent the first practical folding plier design.

--Bob Q
 
I have carried my Leatherman Wave for the past 3 years on a horizontal nylon Leatherman sheath (original Leatherman customized by me with the help of my local shoe repair shop). It's size (4") and one-handed access to two different blades make it a perfect fit for me. I don't mind the slightly higher weight (8oz).

BTW, the SOG Powerlock is listed on the web page as 4.62" and 7oz. The new Leatherman SuperTool 200 is 4.5" and 9oz. The SwissTool is listed at 4.5" and 9.5oz.

Oh yeah, I'm also pretty sure that bquinlan has it right: Leatherman originated the "folding plier" design.

EnkiduEOT
 
For those that deeem the SOG powerlock too large, SOG makes a few smaller multitools with the compound leverage gears.

The discontinued (I think) needlenose versions of the powerplier are slightly smaller than the supertool and come equally equipped as the Powerlock minus the locking system and comfort grips.

The Cross Grip is small enough to be a comfortable keychain, contains a good assortment of tools and has the compound leverage system.

The Paratool (the first SOG multi-tool I believe) is smaller than both the Powerlock and the Powerplier, larger than the Crossgrip, does not feature compound leverage but is extremely well built.

All of the tools above can be fully dissassembled easily with 1/4" wrench and the tools rearranged and added onto. They also all come, or did come coated in gold colored Titanium Nitride wich is very attractive and does offer some protection.

There is also the Switchplier wich deploys the pliers element with the same action as a automatic knife.

All of the SOG tools are made in the USA.


I myself got a Paratool at the age of 14....I gave it to my best freind when I was 16 because I got the new Powerplier, I carried the same Powerplier till a few months ago when I got my Black Oxide coated EOD Powerlock. My best friend visited from Colorado not to long ago and I found out that still to this day he carries that same Paratool.

Never in my life have I even considered another brand of multi-tool. I have pitted my SOGs against those who owned Gerbers and Leathermans only to have the compettetors pale in comparison. In my circle of non-knifey friends some people think the word SOG means multi-tool.


Not trying to enforce my opinion or anything, there are some who wont find a SOG that fits. We are an exacting bunch when it comes to knives and tools and we know what we want. I am just throwing out some props to the tools that have served me through my whole life..from the Colorado cattle ranch to the computerized city-world I now dwell.
 
I've owned almost every multitool on the market and LM and SOG are the best. The one draw back to the SOG power pliers is the gears, they can irritate your palm when using certain tools (like the phillips). I use the ST200 and the Pulse. I'll never buy a Gerber again, I've broken 2 of them. One that I thought was alright was the Buck tool.
 
Bummer. It looks like the Powerlock is too big for my hands.

Okay, Ron. Get those R&D guys going on a smaller PowerLock!!! Same toolset as the Powerlock, but kill a flathead or two, and fit a sewing hole awl into that baby!!!
 
Originally posted by Buzzbait
That would be a piece of cake if the tools weren't so stiff. The lanyard piece just moves right inside the handle whenever I move the other tools back inward. I'm talking STIFF!!!
Click to expand...
If a stiff tool is your biggest problem, I'd say you're doing OK!

:D
 
Originally posted by knifedaddy84
If a stiff tool is your biggest problem, I'd say you're doing OK!

:D
Click to expand...
Some people will complain about anything. :D

I've got a gerber, a micra, and a spyderench. I love the locking tools on the gerber and its strength. I love the scissors on the micra and its small size. And I love the adjustable wrench, the pocket clip, and overall utility of the spyderench.:)
 
Originally posted by Buzzbait
Bummer. It looks like the Powerlock is too big for my hands.

Okay, Ron. Get those R&D guys going on a smaller PowerLock!!! Same toolset as the Powerlock, but kill a flathead or two, and fit a sewing hole awl into that baby!!!
Click to expand...
It's not exactly a "PowerLock", but THIS might just be what you are looking for; The SOG Pocket PowerPlier:

http://www.sogknives.com/pckpwrpli.htm
 
I just got my SOG Powerlock, and I'm impressed! So much nicer than my Wave! So much bigger too, but that isn't always a bad thing!
 
For me, same answer as always. Favorite overall is the LM Juice S2. I need pliers for my job, but light-duty use only. It has the basic screwdrivers that I need, plus scissors and blade on the outside for easy access. Nice comfortable shape to work with and easy to carry. My only complaint is that the scissors are lower quality than I would like.
 
Hmmm.
Seems like SOG is doing rather well on this thread, and with good reason.
I've tried several other models and eventually decide on SOG.

Here's some comparisons:

Craftsman. POS. That's all.

Gerber. Too hard to open. A little rickety.

Swiss Tool. Locked up bank-vault tight. Unless you have big, strong fingernails, forget it. Besides, Victorinox polishes the HECK out of everything. What you need in a multi-tool is nice, sharp, crisp edges on your tools.

Leatherman WAVE. I'd bet that, like me, most people on this forum carry a nice knife in addition to their multi-tool. It makes no sense to carry a multi-tool that was designed around one-hand opening and lockin blades. If you wanted to carry a Multi-tool INSTEAD of another knife, then sure, the WAVE would be perfect, but other than that I'd skip the knife-intensive design of the WAVE and get...

SOG: I have a Paratool which is one of the lower-end multi-tools SOG offers and I'd STILL choose it above the others I've tried listed above. GREAT workmanship, quality tools. Good sheath. WAYYYY under rated and under marketed. Leatherman and Gerber has nothing on SOG. I like my Paratool, but I'll probably buy two more other SOG multi-tools just because I think they're worth having and that I'd probably use them.
 
Gerber Legend, hands down. That thing is big and I miss the onehand opening of the other Gerbers, but i works for me. I like it much better than the big Leathermans. Leatherman Micra is nice for pocketcarry to back up my folders.

Jan
 
SOG Powerlock.

Haven't manageed to break it yet, like I've done so many others. SOG even went to great lengths to get the wire cutter to work just right for my task.

SOG Powerplier and Powerlock, got three of them and won't convert unless I find something better (I don't expect I will).

Ed
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top