Solid Multi-tool!

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n8swag

Joined
Feb 4, 2012
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Sooo, i've owned several leathermans, gerbers, etc. The sturdiest multitool i've owned is the SOG Powerlock. The pliers seem to be top notch in their desiggn. Any opinions on this?
 
I remembered reading about the Powerlock in some other forum, so i dug out that particular thread in the archive. Here's what people said about the SOG Powerlock compared to other MTs:

- The SOG seems to be less prone to rust compared to LM tools.
- People like the fact that you can disassemble and replace the tools.
- SOG's fit and finish seems to be better than Leatherman's.
- Saw, file and blade are considered too thin and a lot more delicate compared to LM. This is the main point that people dislike about this tool.
- SOG's sheaths are considered much better than Leatherman's.

Source: http://www.messerforum.net/archive/index.php/t-29136.html - summarized and translated from German.
 
Bilmiyorum said:
I remembered reading about the Powerlock in some other forum, so i dug out that particular thread in the archive. Here's what people said about the SOG Powerlock compared to other MTs:

- The SOG seems to be less prone to rust compared to LM tools.
- People like the fact that you can disassemble and replace the tools.
- SOG's fit and finish seems to be better than Leatherman's.
- Saw, file and blade are considered too thin and a lot more delicate compared to LM. This is the main point that people dislike about this tool.
- SOG's sheaths are considered much better than Leatherman's.

Source: http://www.messerforum.net/archive/index.php/t-29136.html - summarized and translated from German.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I agree with all of those. The powerlock seems better for real work, whereas the leathermans seem nice looking and better for all around tasks. I must say that the blade is thinner... the file seems to be fairly bulky on mine. Haha, yes. SOG sheaths are beast. I hopped in a river with my leather sheath and knife, no rust on the knife and the sheath is fine.
 
I've never had a Sog MT. The most solid one I've handled is my original SwissTool. (now called the SwissTool X)

They took some elements from Leatherman's original design, but beefed it up and made all the (non-pliers) tools outside accessible and locking. The pliers aren't geared, but they're pretty big, so some of that compound leverage is replaced by simple leverage.
 
I use a SOG powerassist daily as maintenance man. It gets used and abused. The pliers are the best I've used. I carry a SOG pocket powerplier, for non work EDC along with a vic alox farmer to cover all my bases. These things snap quarters wjth ease. Simple and very smooth opening.
 
I carried a SOG powerlock at work for a year, and here were my findings, granted, this was a piano lock model, not sure of the age or generation, so take it for what you paid for it. Fit and finish, 60% of my old leatherman pulse (but that one is a jewel) 70% as good as a recently acquired LM kick (I think) and 50% of my new Vic swisstool. I took the "tool covers" off as they did not sit square. as for setting up the custom loadout, that was great, and the basic features of the tool worked very well, however... the file sucked and the scissors were second rate at best. The saw and knife were somewhat rough as far as finish, but worked rather well. Tool lockup was good, but there was play in the thinner tools. I found that after a year of use there was wear starting in the pliers, in fact it was about as bad as the wear in my 10 year old EDCed LM Pulse.
I suspect that I got a poorer one right near the start of SOGs difficulties, so I may have a non-representative one, no idea really. I haven't seen any old ones, or any post-buyout models, so I guess it really depends. So, mixed reviews I guess, I had high hopes for my SOG and I'd buy another one, if I could get it in hand, and the quality was back up. Loved my other SOG knives.
 
With no experience using SOG multi-tools, not even having ever held one, I can only report second hand.

My brother, a serious DYI-er and a huge fan of SOG products who owns 2 models, often commented on how much he admired them. Then, for a birthday present, I gave him a Swisstool Spirit. Now, that's all he uses, loves it, thinks it's the best multi-tool ever.

That's really all I can say about this topic. ;)
 
I think it's to close to call them. Maybe their pliers are the best. But I feel victorinox has them both beat on fit and finish. And Leatherman has them both beat on design and innovation, not counting the pliers.
 
I used a Powerlock for almost a year at work and now carry a Surge. The only part I miss with the SOG is the geared pliers. The Surge is better in almost every other way. I carry a Vic Spirit around home and it's quality is the best out of LM and SOG.
 
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