Which of these two?

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Plasmio

Joined
Jun 20, 2012
Messages
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I plan on purchasing a multi tool pretty soon. I've looked at several, but like the Leatherman ST 300 and the SOG power assist. I've heard some problems blade play on the power assist, but which one is better in terms of general use?
 
If you're going to use it almost exclusively as a pair of pliers with some added functions, the Powerassist is probably the better choice. Ditto if you really, really need assisted-opening blades. For every other tool, the ST300 is a better option, doubly so if you ever need to use the tool while wearing gloves. Screwdrivers in particular are better in the ST300, but so are all the other tools. I wouldn't be too concerned with blade play in the PA; there's some in the ST300 as well.

In total, I'd go with the ST300 and carry a one-hand-opening knife if that was a feature you liked on the PA. To be honest, I'd also take a look at the Surge. IMO it give you all the capabilities of the ST300 and adds one-hand-opening blades. Wait a few months and the Surge will be available with the 154CM wirecutters, as well.
 
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For some reason I find the ST300 bulky and obnoxious but I love the surge300. Lol
 
I'm having difficulty deciding. They both offer things I'd like. Which of the two is, in your opinion, more well-built? I like the SOG's compound leverage, but the ST 300's tools seem better. The replaceable wire cutters on the ST 300 is another plus. Is it possible that the gears in the SOG could be compromised easily?
 
I don't have any SOG mt's. I've read iffy reviews of them here and there and just never wanted to bite the bullet on one. I do however EDC an ST300 and it takes a beating on a daily basis. I've been carrying it to work for over a year now and have had no issues at all with it. The cutters are just now starting to get dull but they are replaceable! What a great feature for those of use who use them all the time. It sucks to have to retire an mt just because the cutters get dull or damaged. The other nice thing about this tool as that after you carry it for a little while the joints loosen up and you can open the pliers one handed like butterfly knife. Very useful.

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I don't know about the SOG but I just got the ST300. That thing is a beast but is very well made like all of leatherman's products.
 
Leatherman warranty is awesome! I returned broken jaw on the pliers. They sent me a brand new tool. I thought they'd just fix it.
 
I have had both. Bought the Power Assist when it first came out. Same with the ST 300. As for general use. I like the ST300. It is more comfortable to use. I never had the need for a ao blade on a multitool. One handed opening pliers, yes, which you most likely can't do with the ST 300. The SOG you can butterfly the tool open on handed. But, the ST300 has replaceable wire cutters. It depends on what you want to comprimise.
 
TheGent said:
I have had both. Bought the Power Assist when it first came out. Same with the ST 300. As for general use. I like the ST300. It is more comfortable to use. I never had the need for a ao blade on a multitool. One handed opening pliers, yes, which you most likely can't do with the ST 300. The SOG you can butterfly the tool open on handed. But, the ST300 has replaceable wire cutters. It depends on what you want to comprimise.
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That makes it more difficult to decide. Does the SOG feel cheap at all and have any of the tools broken? From my experience, the flat head screwdrivers break more often than anything else.
 
Plasmio said:
That makes it more difficult to decide. Does the SOG feel cheap at all and have any of the tools broken? From my experience, the flat head screwdrivers break more often than anything else.
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Nothing has broken yet, but the assisted knife didn't take long to develop weak deployment. That's about it. I think the Powerlock would be a good compromise between the Powerassist and ST300 though. Take a look at that. The SOG gears offer great smooth opening and awesome leverage. I will be honest, I have had more problems with Leathermans than I have had with Gerber or SOG. It's nothing that Leatherman won't fix, but it is frustrating. I will always love the Leatherman tools. There will always be some comprimise when it comes to Multitools, Guns and Knives and that's why we have to buy so many :D Which brings me to my next point. You can buy both just for hobby's sake and have fun developing an EDC rotation. I have had experience with over 45 (and counting) different SAKs and Multitools and it's been a fun road.
 
I've decided to try the ST300 out for now. If I have any issues, I'll purchase a powerlock or powerassist and hopefully be happy with it. The main reason I chose the ST300 is replaceable wire-cutters. The powerassist and lock look more comfortable for a tight grip though.
 
Plasmio said:
I've decided to try the ST300 out for now. If I have any issues, I'll purchase a powerlock or powerassist and hopefully be happy with it. The main reason I chose the ST300 is replaceable wire-cutters. The powerassist and lock look more comfortable for a tight grip though.
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Good choice young skywalker may the Leatherman Force be with you.
 
I've owned many leathermans and still do, but as for all the sogs I've had I'm not a fan of their multis at all. I do still own one sog though as I won it on MT.O and its has the MT.O logo. The others have gone. Save yourself the hassle and buy a Leatherman. :thumbup:
 
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