- Joined
- Oct 7, 2009
- Messages
- 63
Just recently got myself a SOG Powerlock. After years of using my Leatherman Wave, I wanted to try out a SOG MT. The Powerlock is SOG's most recongnized MT(multi tool) and is very popular as far as I know. I haven't used this enough to really give an in depth of its capabilities, but I have years of use of the Leatherman Wave, also an excellent MT and I will try explain what I think is their pros and cons when compared to each other. I do not have my LM Wave where I am now, so I don't have any picture comparisons, but I'll do my best and not make any false judgements
My SOG is of the newer generation which have the following changes(as far as I know):
*Small covers over the leverage gears(to prevent damage and add comfort)
*Pianokey-styled locks to lock the tools.
*Sharpened tip on the pliers.
This version has the following tools:
*Needlenose pliers/wire cutters/ heavy duty pliers
*Blasting Cap crimpers(EOD)
*Comboedged knife
*Scissors
*Socketwrench extension
*Bottleopener w/flathead
*3-sided file
*Saw
*Phillipshead screwdriver
*Awl(punch hole in things like leather)
*Box opener
*Flathead screwdriver
*Ruler with centimeters and inches(located on the handle).
*Lanyard ring
Available with either nylon or leathersheath.
7" opened and 4.6" closed. Available in black oxide finish or satin stainless finish. Made in the USA.
Also available in an EOD version which has a C-4 punch/Marlin Spike and a V-styled seatbelt cutter.
The most unique thing about this MT, or SOG's MT's in general is the Compound Leverage System. This is basically a set of dual gears by the handles' pivot that connects with each other and as a result, increases torque on the pliers when
the handles are pressed. According to SOG, this makes the pliers' force twice as strong as a conventional pliers. I do believe them. These pliers are incredibly strong and heavy duty. I've seen people snap pennies and nails without much effort. When it comes to pure plierpower, I think the SOG's MT's are the best. It looks well made and easy to maintain. The only minor gripe I have to the plierhead is that the wirecutters are non-replaceable opposed to some of the Leatherman-models. But as said, if you just want the strongest pliers, SOG is a hard one to beat I think. My experience with my Wave says that a lot of heavy duty gripping is fatiguing on the hand. This will certainly be decreased with the Compound-system. I also want to mention that this system ensures that the Powerlock can easily be opened with one hand, almost like a Balisong-knife. Nice feature when in an emergency. Other than that, it opens like any Leatherman does.
I haven't used the tools inside the handles that much, but my impression is that they do their work just fine. I do feel some of the Wave's tools seem a bit more heavy duty, but I do not think that the Powerlock's tools will break that easily.
You can also replace them or swap out tools without any problems or warranty void. Very nice feature by SOG. Only thing is that I think they only ship spareparts to USA and Canada, and not Europe, but not sure about that. The knife is chiselground and combo-edged. Not my style of knife or grind, but you can get a plainedge version too. It is a bit shorter than the Wave's knife. When it comes to knives, the Wave is a lot better I would say. They also have faster opening.
A thing about the tools and handle on the Powerlock that I've seen some people don't like is that the tools are not as easy to get out, one at a time. I've seen this myself and it can be kinda difficult for people with large hands to clean up when all the tools come out at once. This can be partially fixed by releasing some tension on the top screws which hold the tools together. Not everyone is a fan of the handlecovers, which provides comfort, but also slows down tool deployment. For me, this is nothing that really bothers me, you can take them off, but without gloves, hard gripping can be uncomfortable on the hand. But I do wish that SOG did like Leatherman, round off the handles.
All in all, when it comes to deployment of the tools and handle-ergonomics, I prefer the Leatherman. Should you not buy the SOG because of this? No, I wouldn't say that. Some people like me, just don't bother about this issue. The tools themselves are great, replaceable without warranty void and high quality, it depends on the user I think.
The finish will scratch easily and is not the same TiNi finish found on some of SOG's fixed blades. But it looks cooler in black! The Powerlock might feel a little bit "loose", but that is because of the smooth leverage system. I've not heard
about any major failures on the plierlock or anything. The sheath I have is the leather one. I also have a leathersheath for my Wave. Although I find the Wave leathersheath a bit more practical like for example its opening in the bottom(for holstering the tool deployed), the leathersheath that came with my Powerlock wins in my book. It is riveted all the way(no stitching), all leather, has a bigger and easier beltloop and is just a lot nicer to look at. I'm probably going to buy a nylonsheath for it sooner or later.
So, should you buy a Powerlock(or a SOG MT) or a Leatherman(I do not have experience with Gerbers or Victorinox, but I've heard that the Vic's are one of the best there is)? In my opinion, it depends on what you want. I would say they are equally good when it comes to quality etc. If you need fast tool deployment(especially the knife), more tool-options and replaceable wirecutters(SuperTool 300 and MUT as far as I know) the Leatherman MTs are the better ones I would say, but if you want extreme plierpower, fast plieropening, easy maintenance and "non"-fatiguing gripping action, the SOG is the better one I think. I personally prefer the Powerlock because of its pliers shere power, but I do hope they round off the handles some day! The Leatherman Wave will still be a reference and standard to a lot of MTs, especially when it comes to tool deployment! Both SOG and Leatherman are excellent companies, you can't go wrong with either of them. I'm probably more a SOG-fanboy, but I've tried to be honest here. The Wave is anyways the most popular MT in the world and there is a good reason why!
FYI, the Powerlock was also used in the movie "The Hurt Locker".
My SOG is of the newer generation which have the following changes(as far as I know):
*Small covers over the leverage gears(to prevent damage and add comfort)
*Pianokey-styled locks to lock the tools.
*Sharpened tip on the pliers.
This version has the following tools:
*Needlenose pliers/wire cutters/ heavy duty pliers
*Blasting Cap crimpers(EOD)
*Comboedged knife
*Scissors
*Socketwrench extension
*Bottleopener w/flathead
*3-sided file
*Saw
*Phillipshead screwdriver
*Awl(punch hole in things like leather)
*Box opener
*Flathead screwdriver
*Ruler with centimeters and inches(located on the handle).
*Lanyard ring
Available with either nylon or leathersheath.
7" opened and 4.6" closed. Available in black oxide finish or satin stainless finish. Made in the USA.
Also available in an EOD version which has a C-4 punch/Marlin Spike and a V-styled seatbelt cutter.
The most unique thing about this MT, or SOG's MT's in general is the Compound Leverage System. This is basically a set of dual gears by the handles' pivot that connects with each other and as a result, increases torque on the pliers when
the handles are pressed. According to SOG, this makes the pliers' force twice as strong as a conventional pliers. I do believe them. These pliers are incredibly strong and heavy duty. I've seen people snap pennies and nails without much effort. When it comes to pure plierpower, I think the SOG's MT's are the best. It looks well made and easy to maintain. The only minor gripe I have to the plierhead is that the wirecutters are non-replaceable opposed to some of the Leatherman-models. But as said, if you just want the strongest pliers, SOG is a hard one to beat I think. My experience with my Wave says that a lot of heavy duty gripping is fatiguing on the hand. This will certainly be decreased with the Compound-system. I also want to mention that this system ensures that the Powerlock can easily be opened with one hand, almost like a Balisong-knife. Nice feature when in an emergency. Other than that, it opens like any Leatherman does.
I haven't used the tools inside the handles that much, but my impression is that they do their work just fine. I do feel some of the Wave's tools seem a bit more heavy duty, but I do not think that the Powerlock's tools will break that easily.
You can also replace them or swap out tools without any problems or warranty void. Very nice feature by SOG. Only thing is that I think they only ship spareparts to USA and Canada, and not Europe, but not sure about that. The knife is chiselground and combo-edged. Not my style of knife or grind, but you can get a plainedge version too. It is a bit shorter than the Wave's knife. When it comes to knives, the Wave is a lot better I would say. They also have faster opening.
A thing about the tools and handle on the Powerlock that I've seen some people don't like is that the tools are not as easy to get out, one at a time. I've seen this myself and it can be kinda difficult for people with large hands to clean up when all the tools come out at once. This can be partially fixed by releasing some tension on the top screws which hold the tools together. Not everyone is a fan of the handlecovers, which provides comfort, but also slows down tool deployment. For me, this is nothing that really bothers me, you can take them off, but without gloves, hard gripping can be uncomfortable on the hand. But I do wish that SOG did like Leatherman, round off the handles.
All in all, when it comes to deployment of the tools and handle-ergonomics, I prefer the Leatherman. Should you not buy the SOG because of this? No, I wouldn't say that. Some people like me, just don't bother about this issue. The tools themselves are great, replaceable without warranty void and high quality, it depends on the user I think.
The finish will scratch easily and is not the same TiNi finish found on some of SOG's fixed blades. But it looks cooler in black! The Powerlock might feel a little bit "loose", but that is because of the smooth leverage system. I've not heard
about any major failures on the plierlock or anything. The sheath I have is the leather one. I also have a leathersheath for my Wave. Although I find the Wave leathersheath a bit more practical like for example its opening in the bottom(for holstering the tool deployed), the leathersheath that came with my Powerlock wins in my book. It is riveted all the way(no stitching), all leather, has a bigger and easier beltloop and is just a lot nicer to look at. I'm probably going to buy a nylonsheath for it sooner or later.
So, should you buy a Powerlock(or a SOG MT) or a Leatherman(I do not have experience with Gerbers or Victorinox, but I've heard that the Vic's are one of the best there is)? In my opinion, it depends on what you want. I would say they are equally good when it comes to quality etc. If you need fast tool deployment(especially the knife), more tool-options and replaceable wirecutters(SuperTool 300 and MUT as far as I know) the Leatherman MTs are the better ones I would say, but if you want extreme plierpower, fast plieropening, easy maintenance and "non"-fatiguing gripping action, the SOG is the better one I think. I personally prefer the Powerlock because of its pliers shere power, but I do hope they round off the handles some day! The Leatherman Wave will still be a reference and standard to a lot of MTs, especially when it comes to tool deployment! Both SOG and Leatherman are excellent companies, you can't go wrong with either of them. I'm probably more a SOG-fanboy, but I've tried to be honest here. The Wave is anyways the most popular MT in the world and there is a good reason why!
FYI, the Powerlock was also used in the movie "The Hurt Locker".
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