- Joined
- Dec 18, 2001
- Messages
- 1,294
After hearing its praises sung on these forums for well over a year now, I finally decided to bite the bullet and purchase a SOG Powerlock. (I had already ordered a Leatherman Supertool which should arrive any day now, but I yielded to temptation and coughed up the extra cash to buy the SOG also) It came in the mail this very afternoon shortly before I left for work and upon arriving at the office tonight it was immediately put to the test. As I pulled up to the building I found a friend of mine from the day shift underneath the hood of his car. Apparently he had tried to change a fuse and accidentally dropped one of the fuse covers down into the engine compartment. In order to find it, he needed to remove the battery and so he asked whether I had a pair of pliers handy. Figuring this was as good a time as any to give the SOG a field test, I reached into my truck and handed him the Powerlock. He then proceeded to unscrew the terminals, remove the battery, and locate the cover. It was in a tight spot and he had to use the needlenose pliers to retrieve it. He then put them to good use restoring the terminals and tightening the screws before handing the Powerlock back, giving it several well-deserved compliments as he did so. All in all, I'd say it passed the test with flying colors.
Upon reaching my workstation I continually found myself playing with the damned thing during the idle periods in my schedule. Even while working I've kept it on the desk nearby. I must say that Glockman99 was right, this little beauty is quite a tool, very solid and designed for hard use. The one-handed opening is still sticky at the start, but that should ease with use or perhaps a little cleaning and some WD-40. The tools are very generous and useful, and I really like the fact that the Philips head screwdriver locks in place, both at a ninety-degree angle as well as fully extended. (Which gives you more leverage) The fact that I can dismantle the tool for cleaning and change the positions of the blades is another plus in my book. (Many a time I've wished that I could disassemble my Leathermans rather than spend a half hour carefully cleaning the individual nooks and crannies with a Q-Tip.) Though hefty, it's certainly not too heavy to pack on the belt nor to carry in a pocket - at least I don't think so, anyway. The hardest thing to get used to at first, having been a steady Leatherman customer, is the gear wheel ends for the compound leverage. When folded, they protrude at the top ~ very different from the Leatherman's which fold compactly into a neat package. (With the exception of the Crunch, which even then has no unsightly obtrustions) Overall it's a wonderful tool and will replace my beloved Leatherman PST2 as my everyday carry beginning tomorrow. Not to worry, the PST2 will still be on active duty, but in the tacklebox rather than my pocket.
I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up!
Upon reaching my workstation I continually found myself playing with the damned thing during the idle periods in my schedule. Even while working I've kept it on the desk nearby. I must say that Glockman99 was right, this little beauty is quite a tool, very solid and designed for hard use. The one-handed opening is still sticky at the start, but that should ease with use or perhaps a little cleaning and some WD-40. The tools are very generous and useful, and I really like the fact that the Philips head screwdriver locks in place, both at a ninety-degree angle as well as fully extended. (Which gives you more leverage) The fact that I can dismantle the tool for cleaning and change the positions of the blades is another plus in my book. (Many a time I've wished that I could disassemble my Leathermans rather than spend a half hour carefully cleaning the individual nooks and crannies with a Q-Tip.) Though hefty, it's certainly not too heavy to pack on the belt nor to carry in a pocket - at least I don't think so, anyway. The hardest thing to get used to at first, having been a steady Leatherman customer, is the gear wheel ends for the compound leverage. When folded, they protrude at the top ~ very different from the Leatherman's which fold compactly into a neat package. (With the exception of the Crunch, which even then has no unsightly obtrustions) Overall it's a wonderful tool and will replace my beloved Leatherman PST2 as my everyday carry beginning tomorrow. Not to worry, the PST2 will still be on active duty, but in the tacklebox rather than my pocket.
I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up!
