SOG Powerlock

ono724

ono724

Joined
Jul 17, 2010
Messages
1,490
Bought a SOG Powerlock a few weeks ago from Lowes and to be honest, I'm just not liking it very much. I own a couple of LM Waves, and an original LM PST and love them. I had heard some good things about the Powerlocks and figured I'd give one a shot. To me, it's far too large and clunky, and not very user-friendly. The fit and finish of the tool seems to be on the cheap side and the "bat wings" that cover the handles are unbelievably annoying.

So, my question is, did I get a lemon, or is this just a poorly designed/manufactured multi-tool?

Please, any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
 
I have two, bought at different times but the are both the same model. One seems pretty flimsy. The "bat wings" don't snap all the way, most of the tools have some play (especially the knife), and it just overall feels "cheap". The other one, top notch. The "bat wings" fit snug, the tools and blade all are solid, and it just feels like a much better made tool. I'm not sure, but I think I read that SOG contracts these out to the lowest bidder so sometimes they are hit and miss. Please don't rip my head off if I mis-spoke here SOG guys, I think I read that, but I'm not 100% sure. If I'm wrong, please correct me.
 
So, it might be possible that I got a "lower end" one buying from Lowe's? It wouldn't surprise me any.
 
Just got the PowerAssist model today for my bday. It is a little chunky and definitely heavier than my Leatherman that I retired after carrying for the better part of 16 years. But the "Bat wing" seems to function ok, and all the tools lock up good. The only thing I'm not crazy about is the file. Seems to be kinda inferior to the one on my Leatherman.
Maybe you just got a dud.
 
ono724 said:
...large and clunky
....not very user-friendly
...fit and finish of the tool seems to be on the cheap side
.... "bat wings" that cover the handles are unbelievably annoying.
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Yep, pretty much describes mine, but its a SOG not a LM.

It is large and clunky, but those pliers are a beast and the ratcheting really lets you get a grip with minimal effort, which is why most get it.

Access to and placement of some of the tools seems less friendly than it could be.

f&f on mine is satisfactory, but you will never confuse it with a LM. Everything is tight and well assembled.

The bat-wings don't bother me, but you're not the first to be annoyed by them.

So, my question is, did I get a lemon, or is this just a poorly designed/manufactured multi-tool?
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Hard to say with out seeing it. Your best bet would be to look at some others and see how yours compares, certainly possible you got a lemon. If so, SOG will take care of it.

I don't feel its a poorly designed MT, its just different from a LM. Many folks love the functionality of the SOG.
 
I have been a SOG guy for ten years. I carried a powerlock for 8 of them, then I replaced it with a power assist. They both served me well, I like being able to customize and change out the components inside. The weight never bothered me.
I also like the leather case, now the PA came with a nylon sheath but that was ok because it fit in the powerlock case. My command did recently buy the staff a Supertool 300, I was skeptical at first because I was not impressed with my LM Wave that I had when they first came out, it just wasn't heavy duty enough for me. I have to say I am really enjoying carrying my 300, and the tool compliment is very nice.
 
I have a Power assist that I purchased a while back and I like it as much as any LM I have had. Yes it is heavier but that does not bug me at all. I just prefer the way it handles I suppose. You know the "bat wings" are not necessary they are just for added comfort when using the pliers and they come off quite easily if they bug you. They seemed like an extra step when I first got it but they have grown on me and just become reactionary.
 
The design of the SOG powerlock is a little dated. I love the plier head itself, that compound leverage idea was genius, too bad they don't update the rest of the tool somehow to eliminate those tool covers. I had a Power Assist for a while but found the blades to be a little thin and wiggly for how big the tool was. I would rather have more substantial blades that aren't assisted and lock up solid like on my Charge ect. Being able to customize your tool array on the SOG is great too, something Leatherman has refused to offer. SOG has some good features but needs to update badly. Guess that's why I sold mine all off. Then there are the Swisstools that have been around for a while but are so tool dense and well made and designed it's hard for Victorinox to improve them much as the years go by. Seems only the plier head has changed on the Swisstool over the years. Would be nice if they offered say 154CM main blades though instead of always using SAK steel.
 
I was not impressed at all with my SOG Powerlock. IMO, the steel they chose to make the tools out of is terrible. The blade can't hold an edge to save its life. The locking mechanism is sub-par. When I lock a tool on my LM Charge TTi is locks into place confidently over and over and over...when I lock a tool on my SOG I have to really play with it to make sure that the lock holds...huge disappointment for me. The one thing that I really really like about the SOG is the compound leverage...very impressed with this!
 
kurtras said:
I was not impressed at all with my SOG Powerlock. IMO, the steel they chose to make the tools out of is terrible. The blade can't hold an edge to save its life. The locking mechanism is sub-par. When I lock a tool on my LM Charge TTi is locks into place confidently over and over and over...when I lock a tool on my SOG I have to really play with it to make sure that the lock holds...huge disappointment for me.
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It really is not impressive...nothing close to the "gee wiz thats nice" reaction you get when you buy a TTi.
Haven't used the edge much, so I can't comment on that.
Lockup on mine is decent but sub-par is probably accurate for mine too.

The one thing that I really really like about the SOG is the compound leverage...very impressed with this!
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That IS the reason for it to exist. If you use the pliers a lot it really is great. If not for that I can't think of a single reason to pick it over the LM.
 
SOG stuff appears crude , clunky , and not well executed . Just gives you the ability to change out inferior implements . Not ready for prime time . Compound leverage is not a swift idea with cast plier heads , with badly formed teeth .

Chris
 
cdf said:
SOG stuff appears crude , clunky , and not well executed . Just gives you the ability to change out inferior implements . Not ready for prime time . Compound leverage is not a swift idea with cast plier heads , with badly formed teeth .

Chris
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What implement(s) do you find to be inferior? ..and inferior to which multi-tool(s)? What about the form of the plier teeth is poor?

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The plier function is where the SOG really shines. Compound leverage really works. I have cut some pretty thick wire with mine with no problems.
 
I bought a SOG Powerlock from Lowes on New Years day.This is the second SOG multi i have owned and the last one,unless someone gives me another.First off,the leather sheath that came with it was an inch and a half too big for the tool.Secondly,the implement covers,or batwings or whatever they are called popped off the next day.Then,after messing with it for a bit,the blades on the knife side and the v-cutter would not lock unless you made absolutely sure the can opener or bottle opener or whatever it is was completely straight beside the knife blade,then it would lock.But hand pressure alone on the knife blade and v-cutter was enough to cause the lock to disengage.Very dissappointing,im contemplating whether to even return it to SOG for warranty.The other is a Para Tool i won on ebay,nothing has broke on it yet,it just seems a bad design,to me.Never have got used to using it.IMO,SOG multi's can't hold a candle to Leatherman,or even Gerber for that matter.
 
The handle covers may be removed and reinstalled. Sometimes the covers pop open but they shouldn't pop off during normal use. The cover on the PowerAssist is a little bit tidier since it uses a ball and detent to prevent the cover from opening accidentally. Did you mean normal use when you said "messing with it"? Or have you taken it appart and reassembled it? If it's from normal use, it sounds like a warranty issue that I experienced with one of my PowerLocks. The handles weren't fit right so the locks wouldn't engage well and the covers wouldn't stay closed. I explained the problem to SOG and sent it to them for repair. They ended up sending me a new one AND even threw in a refund for my shipping cost. I have a lot of PowerLocks and PowerAssist multi-tools and that was the only warranty issue that I've had. Darn good pliers and wire cutters compared to most multi-tools! Leave your Klein's in the tool box. ;)
 
By "messing with it"i meant i was opening the tools,checking them out,like we all do when we get a new toy.I never got a chance to use it before i lost confidence in it.The plier heads do appear to be strong,i'll give it that.
 
KyThunder said:
Then,after messing with it for a bit,the blades on the knife side and the v-cutter would not lock unless you made absolutely sure the can opener or bottle opener or whatever it is was completely straight beside the knife blade,then it would lock.
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I'm sure that's no longer a problem on the models with the paino key locks instead of the one big lock.
 
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