I can't decide between a SOG powerlock or a Leatherman Blast

E

EDCguy

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I have owned leathermans before and I know of thier good quality. I also like the fact that they come with a 25 year warranty. My dad does not want to part with his super tool and I don't blame him.

I figure I'll get the leatherman blast because it's only $10 more that the fuse and it comes with a wood saw and file. But then I see these SOG powerlocks. They seem like good quality and have the same tools at around the same prices, made in the USA, comes with a belt sheath...etc.

What do you guys perfer? What's the quality of the SOGs compared to leatherman's? Have you ever had to use SOG or leatherman CS and how was it?
 
I got 2 SOG Powerlock's and i wasnt happy with them. The fit and finish on them was not very good, and there was problems with the pianolock on one of them, so i sent them back to the store. When speaking with other members on BF ive heard nothing but good things about the SOG tools. I was just unlucky and got 2 lemons in a row.
The SOG's compound leverage is pretty cool and offers tons of grip, and overall it has a real heavyduty industrial feel to it. The SOG's sheath was nice, but the snap-lock wasnt very tight. Rubbing the sheath along something and it could un-snap.

Here is a link to the thread where i discussed the Powerlock before and after i got them inc. a link to pics i took: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=672198

The Blast is great. It has a nice collection of tools and its real lightweight compared to other tools with the same tool selection. Something to consider if youre planning to carry it all day long or going hiking. I also prefer the Blasts nylon pancake sheath. The tools are pretty good, and IMO Leatherman have the best phillips screwdrivers in the business. The scissors are small but much smoother/better than the SOG's.
Some people think the Zytel inserts makes it look/feel cheap but they dont bother me at all.

Leathermans customer service is the only one ive ever used. If you break it theyll replace it, no questions asked. Broke my Skeletool once and they exchanged it with a knifeless Fuse (my choice) promptly.
 
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EDCguy said:
I have owned leathermans before and I know of thier good quality. I also like the fact that they come with a 25 year warranty. My dad does not want to part with his super tool and I don't blame him.

I figure I'll get the leatherman blast because it's only $10 more that the fuse and it comes with a wood saw and file. But then I see these SOG powerlocks. They seem like good quality and have the same tools at around the same prices, made in the USA, comes with a belt sheath...etc.

What do you guys perfer? What's the quality of the SOGs compared to leatherman's? Have you ever had to use SOG or leatherman CS and how was it?
Click to expand...

My brother loves his SOGs, thinks they are best but has had no experience with Leatherman. OTOH, I loves my Leathermen but never handled a SOG. My conclusion: they're both good :) .

Leatherman CS has been awesome, couldn't ask for better.
 
pros for the SOG: wire cutters, swapable tools.
cons: brute size

the last leatherman I had was a pulse that I carried for 8 years, and I challenge anyone to find that level of fit and finish at the same price point. however, my dad's latest leatherman of a couple years ago was on par with my SOG, so I'd say its personal preference. Had good luck with both CS departments.
 
It is a bit large, but I really like my SOG Powerlock. The pliers are very strong and I get alot of use cutting cordage with the v-cutter.
 
Hi,

I've got a bunch of multi-tools. Have been carrying the Blast for about 9 - 12 months and think it is great. Give it a go.

Best - Joe
 
I really like my SOG powerlock...i have the newer version with the black oxide coating. I Gave my old powerlock to my brother when he shipped off to Japan for a semester. I really really liked the original powerlock that i had it was pre-piano lock and it served me well. The black one was just as good as the original that i had.

What i really like about them is when compared to the leathermen that i have handled and i have handled them all at work(a high end outdoors store). The SOG is sOOO much smoother opening then the leathermen, with the same rugged feel to it. The other thing that i like better with the SOG is that all of the joints and tools are attatched with a common 1/4 inch bolt unlike the leathearman's torx drivers. the other thing that is cool is how easy it is to get replacement or different tools from SOG. I have not had any problems with my Powerlock.

Honestly though man, You cant go wrong with either SOG or Leatherman.

Good luck man,

-Alex
 
I think I'll go with what I know and stick with leatherman. I've been eyeing that new super tool for a while now. Thanks for the help.
 
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I have them both (MT nutz have many lol) and I agree with everyone, they both are good tools
and you won't go wrong with either.

My SOG is a tank! smooth and easy to switch out tools, and nobody does Plier-strength better!

My Blast is reliable, nice tool compliment and a good MT for the price. We are lucky here
in the USA because we get great deals compared to other countries.

Now you mentioned Warranty. 25 years is nice and I've read Leatherman is still honoring even older models,
a credit to the company, that's cool but...

SOG and Victorinox and even Gerber have lifetime warranties and I like that
better, it's in writing! LOL

Good Luck and let us know what you get and how you like it ;)
 
I looked at the leatherman but went for the SOG PowerAssist. The spring-assist blades and interchangeable tools were factors, but they weren't what won me over.

Rather, the compound leverage system just can't be reckoned with. It allows you to use the pliers when they're only half-open, giving you a lot more diversity. Plus, there's the bali-style opening and closing when it wears in. PLUS, any time you squeeze the handle, the jaws squeeze twice as hard; I've used mine as tin-snips, I've used it to pull out nails, and I've even cut the odd penny in half to impress friends.

The PowerAssist is big, god knows, and it certainly has its faults, but mine has been outstanding. Future plans involve replacing the V-cutter with a saw, and the large screwdriver with an awl. That'll be interesting :D
 
"SOG's are Gunny Approved”
and like gunny say's, it's the choice of tools that make the man.
you'll have a blast of a time too.
 
missin_hobo said:
Plus, there's the bali-style opening and closing when it wears in
Click to expand...

This is true! we don't talk about this enough, though I usually smash my knuckles when I attempt it! ouch :D

I was a "little" disappointed other MTs didn't do this, but just a little ;)
 
Originally posted by GIRLYmann
and like gunny say's, it's the choice of tools that make the man.
Click to expand...

I was disappointed when I saw that in the SOG ad. 'A true expert knows it's not about how you use the tool, it's about what tool you're using.'

Really?

I'd like to think it's ALL about how you use the tool. Multitools, and knives in general, are among the most diverse technologies on the planet, and half the reason we like them is because we can use any one we want for any thing we want.
That's my rant on the matter.
 
Really? No one disagrees?

C'mon, I thought this was an internet forum!

Prove me wrong, please! I could use the insight!
 
my gunny would probably say that there's probably a valid truth in there somewheres.
but, let's just say it's a matter of how one sees things as in a glass being half-full or half-empty of water.
when the water breaks, a loud scream is heard.
when a tool breaks, a louder curse is heard.
though in hind sight, it probably wouldn't matter at that point in time if it's a $5 or $500 worth of tools that gives way.
plainly, nobody likes to be inconvenienced.
chances are, better made tools do works better apparently!
or so i've been told...
 
With all the ruckus going on after the new folder models from SOG came out, I bet their MT will also take a hit.
 
LUW said:
With all the ruckus going on after the new folder models from SOG came out, I bet their MT will also take a hit.
Click to expand...

They shouldnt cause they put out relatively good tools. Only thing missing is abit of extra quality control.
 
You know how us geek knife nuts are; most of us are a bunch of fanboys and brand loyalty is a big issue among us. The overall public, of course, doesn't give a rotten rat's ass.

Being honest, after all that has been said and shown on most knife forums, I will be shy to get something from SOG if there is another brand that offers the same product that will suit my needs. Specially if it's a folder - I would cut them some slack in regards to MTs.
 
kmm said:
They shouldnt cause they put out relatively good tools. Only thing missing is abit of extra quality control.
Click to expand...

Perhaps not. But I know I won't buy another SOG. Too bad too cuz I love my Powerlock S62. Sold off my Powerlock 2.0 EOD B69 though.

SOG Powerlock +'s: great pliers, compound leverage, interchangeable tools, one-hand openingsmooth action, available dedicated wire strippers, tough as nails

SOG Powerlock -'s: tool clumping, covers make getting tools out cumbersome, no outside opening tools, gears dig into hand when using some tools

SOG Powerlock note: compound leverage increases grip opening but because of the increase power, it is sort of negated IMO

Compared to A LM Wave:
IMG_4428.JPG


Compared with Gerber Diesel:
IMG_4425.JPG



I don't have or have never used the Blast so I can not comment on that.
 
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