SOG PowerLock 2.0 EOD

supratentorial

supratentorial

Joined
Dec 19, 2006
Messages
8,210
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools (SOG) released several new multi-tools this year, including the first multi-tool to feature assisted opening blades (PowerAssist) and a multi-tool with a combination wire cutter/stripper instead of the pliers (PowerCut). The new multi-tools are largely based on the design of their popular PowerLock multi-tool and the PowerLock itself has been updated a bit this year (PowerLock 2.0).

powerlock2-d-full.jpg


The original PowerLock was introduced around 1998 to replace the PowerPlier (from ~1996) which lacked locking tools and handle covers.

DSC02009-full.jpg


The old PowerPlier was the first multi-tool to feature compound leverage pliers. It's a simple but effective design: a set of gears allows greater handle travel in relation to pliers jaw movement. The result is that by using the same hand strength, twice the wire cutting and pliers gripping strength is generated compared to conventional pliers. This also allows better control of the pliers since they require less force.

The EOD PowerLock 2.0 updates the original version with new pliers, covers for the compound leverage gears, a new locking system, and a C4 spike for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD).

The gear covers are intended to address a common complaint that the exposed compound leverage gears prevent a comfortable grip of the handle when using the knife, drivers, and the other internal tools. The same gear covers have been previously used on PowerPlay multi-tools, SOG-based multi-tools with specialized instruments for telecom and datacom professionals. The newly designed pliers are also similar to the pliers on one of the PowerPlay multi-tools, the PowerPlay PT-525. The cutters are larger and have a better edge than those on the previous PowerLock. I have enjoyed these features on the PowerPlay multi-tools and was excited to see SOG incorporate these improvements in their own line of multi-tools.

powerlock2-b-full.jpg


powerlock2-powerplay-full.jpg


The newly designed locking system, "Piano Locks" is a bit peculiar. The original locking bar has been replaced with a series of bars such that each of the tools is locked indepently. I'm not sure of any real benefit to this design and don't know why SOG chose to change the locking mechanism.

powerlock2-c-full.jpg


Other than the C-4 punch, the rest of the tools are essentially the same as the ones on the original PowerLock.

powerlock2-a-full.jpg


Here's a list of the implements:

Compound Leverage Pliers
1/2 Serrated Blade
3-Sided File
Large Screwdriver
#1 Phillips Screwdriver
Awl
Combination Can Opener/Small Screwdriver
Combination Bottle Opener/Medium Screwdriver
Wire Crimper
Wire Cutter
Blast Cap Crimper
V-Cutter
C-4 Punch

The original PowerLock multi-tool featured a 1/4" and an optional adapter for standard hex bits. The EOD PowerLock 2.0 features a C-4 punch instead of a 1/4" drive saw. A 1/4" drive and a saw can be purchased separately. One of the extraordinary features of SOG multi-tools is that they can be completely customized with parts available for purchase direct from SOG. I'm not an EOD technician so I'm planning to remove the C4 punch and customize the tool selection.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with the PowerLock 2.0. The original PowerLock was the multi-tool that I used the most and I am happy to replace it with the new and improved PowerLock 2.0.

(+)
* Compound leverage pliers
* Easily disassembled for cleaning or replacement of worn or broken tools
* Gear covers facilitate an ergonomic grip (new feature)
* Improved wire cutter (new feature)

(-)
* Accessing the internal tools requires opening the pliers and the handle covers
* New locking mechanism adds complexity with no real benefit (new feature)
 
Thanks for the review.

My PowerLock S60 has "USA" engraved on the side of the pliers, but your photos of the new PowerLock 2.0 show no "USA." Does the packaging say Made in USA?
 
parnass said:
Thanks for the review.

My PowerLock S60 has "USA" engraved on the side of the pliers, but your photos of the new PowerLock 2.0 show no "USA." Does the packaging say Made in USA?
Click to expand...

The tool and box don't show "USA". The User's guide says "Made in the USA" but it is the same guide that comes with the original PowerLock and it is dated 2004.

Chris at SOG assured me that they are still manufactured in the USA.
 
I posted this is response to a topic on another forum but I thought it would make a nice update here.

The cutters on SOG's new pliers are much better than the original. The cutter is wider and has a much better edge. In my opinion, the best cutters are on the new SOG and the Paladin PT-525. The Gerber Diesel has a pretty good cutter also. I was able to cut lamp cord with all three (also the Leatherman E4...though the small cutter required a couple of passes). Every other multi-tool that I've tried makes a mess of finely stranded wire. (Although it's a fine tool in other respects, the SwissTool spirit was the worst on lamp cord. The fine wires got mashed between the jaws and I had to pry the jaws apart. The Leatherman Crunch was 2nd worst on stranded wire. The Charge and SwissTool were about equally poor--they cut some but not all of the wires on one pass. I haven't tried the stranded wire cutter on the Leatherman Core & Surge) The new SOG cutters also handle solid wire (10 gauge).

Here's a photo showing the SwissTool Spirit jammed on lamp cord (right panel). I can actually suspend the SwissTool Spirit by the wire. It didn't take a lot of force but I did have to pry the jaws apart. It had just mashed the wires rather than cutting them (left panel). The clean ends were cut with the new SOG.

lamp_cord_st_spirit.jpg
 
Awesome review with great pics!

I think the piano locks probably work better because:

1) The bottoming surface for all the tools varies slightly, so the old one-piece lock bottoms at the highest point, However, on the piano locks, each lock bottoms at each individual tool. This may give a slight advantage in locking power. The other option would have been to match-grind all the tools at the bottoming surface even to each other.
Just a theory.
 
cncyana said:
Awesome review with great pics!

I think the piano locks probably work better because:

1) The bottoming surface for all the tools varies slightly, so the old one-piece lock bottoms at the highest point, However, on the piano locks, each lock bottoms at each individual tool. This may give a slight advantage in locking power. The other option would have been to match-grind all the tools at the bottoming surface even to each other.
Just a theory.
Click to expand...

Interesting point! My opinion of the piano locks is actually becoming more positive. Sometimes the older locks wouldn't catch correctly and you'd need to push the lock into place. It didn't happen often but it was annoying when it happened. With the new Piano locks, I haven't experienced that problem.

cncyana said:
How does that Gold TiNi coating wear? Is that finish still available?
Click to expand...

Titanium nitride (TiNi) is a very hard coating that's used to extend the life of high wear tools such as screwdriver bits and drill bits. It definitely won't wear off as easily as black oxide (black oxide has lower reflectivity though). I've heard some claims that TiNi will not scratch but I purchased a used SOG crosscut that had some scratches in the TiNi.

scratched_tini.jpg


SOG claims only that their TiNi coating is scratch resistant:

Titanium Nitride coatings are some of the toughest coatings that can be applied to steel. They exhibit extreme hardness, are exceptionally scratch and peel resistant and help increase longevity. This coating is applied using a unique process of plasma deposition that occurs in a complete vacuum.
Click to expand...

TiNi was previously an option for most of the SOG multi-tools: the PowerLock (T60), PowerPlier (T52 and T65), Pocket Power Plier (T44), CrossGrip, and CrossCut. Unfortunately SOG hasn't used TiNi on their multi-tools in a few years even though they still use it on many of their knives. The old TiNi coated multi-tools are somewhat difficult to find now. SOG is starting a collectors club which promises to offer some discontinued and rare items for sale. Maybe we'll see some TiNi-coated multi-tools in the collectors club. But I'd like to see SOG reintroduce TiNi as an option on their standard production multi-tools.
 
supratentorial,

thanks for all the great info and pics! I just signed up at the SOG collectors site. I see some gold Powerlocks on some sites going for $78 but no more available so I was suspecting they discontinued that finish. love the look - i'd pay extra for it.

I played with an S60 at Adventure 16 recently and, like you mentioned, the single lock was good for some of teh tools but not all. With moderate force, the phillips folded.

carl
 
I bet having each tool having its own lock would also keep the other tools from interfering with the locks. For example, on my powerlock if you closed the knife blade, the adjacent bottle opener would pivot down and hold the lock open. Then I'd have to open the knife and the bottle open, so I could close them so they'd be in the same position. The piano locks look like they may solve that problem.
 
Are they bringing the Tini coating back? I have had mine forever, and I want to retire her, but I would like the same TINI coating.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top