SOG EOD Powerlock w/ V-cutter

[timogranzotti]

I was thinking of purchasing the new SOG EOD Powerlock w/ V-cutter...Does anyone have any suggestions prior? How are SOG multitools rated next to Leatherman's or Gerber's? I know SOG fixed blades are so-so...Should I get a different one?

 

[supratentorial]

I was thinking of purchasing the new SOG EOD Powerlock w/ V-cutter...Does anyone have any suggestions prior? How are SOG multitools rated next to Leatherman's or Gerber's? I know SOG fixed blades are so-so...Should I get a different one?

SOG recently updated the pliers and wire cutter, added gear covers, and updated the locking mechanism on the PowerLock. A lot of places are still selling the older version but I'd recommend the improved version if you can find it. It should be easy to spot the difference between them since the new version has gear covers and the old version has exposed gears.

In my opinion, the PowerLock has the best pliers and wire cutter of any multi-tool. The rest of the PowerLock is OK. The ability to swap out components is a really nice feature.

The pliers and wirecutter on the Gerber Diesel are also really good. The rest of the Diesel is so so in my opinion.

You might also look at the Leatherman Charge series and the Victorinox SwissTool series. The fit and finish of the SwissTool is superb. The one hand opening blades and the diamond file on the Charge are handy.

Should I get a different one?

What features are important to you? For what sort of work will it primarily be used?

 

[timogranzotti]

mostly wilderness uses. Camping. Want something that would be pretty weather resilient, so probably with a black oxide coating. Pliers, cutters, mostly. I have a knife so the blade wouldn't be so important. Mostly outdoors oriented. I wonder, Does SOG have a list of available components to pick and choose online?

 

[supratentorial]

The SwissTool is probably the most resistant to rust. Although the SwissTool pliers don't have the benefit of compound leverage they're still a good pliers. The SwissTool pliers are a bit blunt compared to the needle nose pliers on most other multi-tools. The cutter on the SwissTool Spirit mostly mashes rather than cuts but it works fine for hard wire. Cutting some stranded or insulated wire will jam them. The regular SwissTool cutter has a slightly better edge but the cutting area is small compared to the PowerLock cutter.

Because of the design of the PowerLock and its better cutting edge, jamming isn't a problem with the PowerLock. I highly recommend the pliers and cutter on the PowerLock but its file and Phillips driver seem to be more prone to rust compared to those on the SwissTool. My PowerLocks are stainless or gold TiNi. I don't own any black oxide coated SOG multi-tools (yet!) though I have a few from other brands. They seem to be holding up pretty well but the black oxide coating is wearing off some places.

List of SOG components: http://www.sogknives.com/store/components.html

Comparison chart of the SOG multi-tools: http://www.sogknives.com/service/assistance/mt-chart.php

 

[Steely_Gunz]

The SOG powerlock is my heavy duty tool of choice for the simple reason that it really is a no frills all business tool.

I love the pliers on it, and the other tool selection is pretty much everything I need. Swapping the tools out is a huge advantage in getting the tool exactly where you want it. The drawback is that because the internal tools are made to be used, abused, and tossed, they are not up to the polish or finish of LM and certainly not Victorinox. This is no big deal for me as the SOG is my tool that gets a good amonut of abuse...plus I'm the type of guy who takes apart and cleans his multitool once a week. I love being about to break it down to the last screw to scrub it out. This is one of the reasons I love my Byrdrench so much as well:thumbup:

I have used my SOG in and around water and even in a chlorinated environment without any rusting or pitting to the tool itself. As supratentorial said, the driver and file seem to rust a bit if left untreated.

The only real drawback that I didn't think I would miss from going from a LM Surge to the SOG is that because of of the compound leverage the SOG cannot be hyper extended. That is to say, taking a LM tool and extending one handle all the way out and keeping the other one tucked in for more leverage and reach when using a driver. Not a big deal, but I do miss it.

 

[timogranzotti]

right on, thanks for all the help. I also like the ability to strip the SOG down to bare bones for cleaning. Had a Swiss multitool for about 10 years. The big fat one with mag. glass, pen, and all that. Beat it to hell. The only thing I didn't like about it was the plastic handles and how difficult it was at times to pull something out with the fingernail. Sometimes I bent my nail backwards! Ouch...Would have to clean it and oil it alot. Otherwise it was great. I think SOG is what I want. Pointier pliers are a plus! Thanx again!

 

[Kronos]

i love my sog, its in my pocket right now, over a core, swisstool spirit, or wave. It refuses to rust, and i just can't break it. I dont like the spirit because the tools are hard to get out when i'm wearing gloves, and the core rusts really easily. The sog is just a good solid working tool.