SOG Reactor vs. Skeletool: The One Big Flaw
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 มี.ค. 2016
- SOG Reactor: amzn.to/1pUgF9E
Leatherman Skeletool CX: amzn.to/1pUgElY
The new Reactor from SOG is a really interesting offering, with some flaws. But I can't wait to see those flaws fixed.
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9:56 is the secret problem he keeps alluding to and teasing us with earlier in the video.
I have many SOG products and think they are a great value. Thank you for being honest. These channels that get free stuff and say how wonderful it is even if it's crap really piss me off.
Wow that's a total deal-breaker of a design flaw. Thanks for pointing that out Scout!
great review. I love it when you guys are honest about this stuff
Very helpful points, thanks! I was thinking of picking one of these up, but I think I'm gonna stick with my Skeletool.
Great review
Very nice review. I'm happy to see you didn't just sing praises, as I might expect from someone who'd received a testing sample from a company.
Good review and I agree with you here and I'll even go a step more and add that a multi-tool like this should be of simple design.
thanks for the honest review. I don't know why you'd choose this one over a skeletool after watching this review. Skeletool is a proven tool for almost the same price.
sog is a complex and genius design. it's just a shoddy POS in execution.
This is a crap review. The skeletool is a cheap piece of junk just as much as this sog may be (never used one)
great video, I really appreciate the constructive criticism you offered up by not only pointing out the flaws but explaining a fix for each one. I was so excited for this tool after shot show and was looking forward to buying one to replace the skeletool in my edc rotation, having said that I will be holding off until sog makes some much needed adjustments too the reactor. great concept, great look and design but they didn't quite take the time that this thing needed with testing and qa. for now, leatherman wins again.
Dude thank you for your honesty!
Good review. I have a skeletool, and wondered if i made the right choice, now I know I did. Thanks
Is there anything you dislike in your skeletool?
@@blizzbee I've owned one for a few years and it's not a full size pocket tool replacement. It's very light weight and because of that its weak, especially the lock on the knife. I cut my finger pretty good when the liner lock gave out on me (and it hasn't worked since).
glad I checked this out before I picked one up. really like the idea, but until at least the bit driver problem is fixed, it's a no go. Thanks Scout.
thx for the honesty you saved me some bucks. another great review.
I like your proverb "whatever the job is, is what the job is"
I like your Honesty.
Thanks for the review. I might just stick with EDCing my Juice S2. I might still get it further down the road though... Only because it's still kinda cool.
I agree with you on the flaw but like the idea of it taking standard 1/4 inch 6mm bits so you can get the longer longer bit in there.
Thanks
DD
I was looking forward to your reviews on these new Sog multi tools after your Shot Show videos. I bought BOTH of these tools - the Powerplay is bad, the pliers are amazing, but eerything else on it feels super cheap, and the ergonomics on it are awkward all over the tool. The Reactor is super cool, but tiny. I ran into the exact same issue and Im really glad that you showed in such great detail; the spinning bits. They were really close on this tool, but missed the mark. I'm looking forward to your Powerplay video.
Thanks for the heads up. Recently lost my Juice J2. Need a replacement.
I'm with you on that conclusion. Still, love the innovative designs.
I wouldn't buy one of these now, and I'm looking for a new multitool, Leatherman for the win, again!
+Will An Leatherman dominates the multi tool market. They are an all US company so I have no issue with that.
I've been checking amazon pretty regularly for this since your shot show video and I'm glad it has not been available yet. I definitely think I'll skip it for now. But, for anyone who does want to pull the trigger on it, you can order it down for 40 bucks and it will ship in a month or so.
I bought the Reactor because of your shotshow video.
Sent in my review to there survey, haven't heard back form them.
2 problems i've had:
1.) my clip opened up and is a little loose on my jeans (figured it might have slipped through QC)
2.) my blade "lock" is very loose, i can shake it from "locked" to "unlocked"...no pressure needed. i figured that was like that on all of them. yours seemed more "positive" and appeared to require force to switch it...maybe this was another flaw only in mine.
otherwise, i'm happy to own it.
I have had the reactor for a few weeks now. I didn't have a problem with the retaining pin being loose on mine. Also, I completely agree with you about the blade lock. When I carry the reactor in my pocket the lock always seems to be pushed to the unlock position. Other than that I love it. It works great with my EDC. Barely notice it in my back pocket everyday.
+FreeWilly2020 Good to know.
You can use any 1/4 inch bit with the SOG, as well as an extender, Both of which can be bought from SOG
Honestly when I first saw your video where I think it was at Shot show, raving about the new SOG multi tools and saying you cant wait to try em, just from the guy showing it I was thinking it looks like garbage. Saw all these same flaws. Especially that bit portion.
Seriously, when it comes to multitools I have the Charge, Surge, and OHT. I carry the charge on weekends when I am just out and about and the OHT is in my car. But at work (electrician) I ALWAYS have my surge with me and use it way more than I ever thought I would. I've tried gerber and some other brands, haven't found anything as durable as the leatherman. Since I'm usually in tight areas I cant keep all my tools on hand I'll usually just carry the specifics I need, or if I just climbed a ladder and forgot my screw driver, I'll just use my surge instead of climbing down.
That being said, since my use for them is usually construction for when I dont have all my tools with me as the job sites are usually really big, PLEASE for the love of god, someone make multitool with pliers like my linesman. I want something I can twist wires with. There's many times I'll be at a friends house or something and asked to fix something quick and I'll try my charge or surge but you just cannot twist wires with it for a proper joint.
I edc the skeletool and was thinking about checking out the reactor. After watching your review I think I will stay with the skeletool. Thx for saving me the money.
Really well done review over all, just one thing to be completely fair: yes the leatherman stores two bits, buut one aspect here really is a benefit you get with the reactor's bit system --> it's a standart hex bit driver you use there - this is a win!! I know u can buy a bunch of leatherman bits, but honestly, being able to use the every day regular bit everybody probably has stored somewhere at home, really is an upside in my opinion. But besides that, very interesting points u cleared up here, totally legit critisim - if they decide to fix that... great tool I think :) Greetings from Germany
Good point!
+The Late Boy Scout Thx :) I think if they also built the bitstorage-handle solid enough to use it as a secondary driver, it would be perfect. Would fix the issue you had in narrow spaces and one could decide which driver rather to use, whether you need better reach or stronger force :) I wonder if the guys from SOG implement some of your critique, would love to see that. Greetings!
Great idea, bad implementation. When this tool came out, I was tempted to buy it. I held back and I am happy I did. Great review. Thanks for sharing.
So glad I bought the leatherman skeletool.
I have been really looking hard for a smaller knife based tool and was about to pull the trigger on this one over the Freestyle, Crucial, Bivy, etc until I saw this and gideonstactical review. Now I think I'll wait it out to see what SOG does with this tool moving forward and just keep using my Tool Logic SL plier tool for now. Any suggestions on some good EDC tools?
I noticed the same design flaw you are talking about on the powerplay. Good thing that any general use on the powerplay in terms of screw driving needs can be accomplished with built-in flat and phillips screw driver heads. Out of all the multitools companies, I felt I can only go with SOG purely due to the compounding leverage pliers. I'd say it outweighs everything else, at least for me.
I also understand why SOG made their knife safety pulling down/towards you. The sole purpose for an assisted-open knife is quick release. If the safety was pushing away from you like you suggested, you would need to take the tool out from your pocket and try to both push the safety away from you and push the knife opening stud away from you. That's just an awkward motion. Instead, the current design allows almost a pinching motion, where you can pull your index finger back towards you on the safety, disengaging it, and then push the knife stud away from you, opening the knife in a blink of an eye.
Great review, but even with it's flaws i would still go with the SOG over the other brands. The SOG Power Lock is part of my EDC and has been for a few years now. The gear system they use works much better than just a single pivot point, IMO, and it does get used daily.
I'd like to see the other companies produce a tool that can compete with the Leatherman Signal as survival multitools
So did the PowerPlay have the same loose bit unless you grip tight flaw as well? Any other multi tools have standard hex bits that you know of? Not the flat ones from the skeletool, standard bits.
Good review
I agree with you with the lock. It's almost like these companies don't test their products anymore good vid
+jared wheeland not only was that obviously not tested but whichever engineer did the butt-screw section obviously didn't talk to the engineer who did the lock. /facepalm the knife lock engineer probably didn't even know someone would be holding it that way. Major engineering flaw. I respect SOG, don't get me wrong, but when I see a flaw like this I have to start wondering about their engineering quality control and I can't find anywhere if they're ISO 9001 depending on location. That is absolutely no bueno to have functionality like that.
Good review. You hit the cons that I have observed with mine but I would add that the knife seems pretty flimsy. It has a lot of side to side play. I think they could have skipped the bottle opener too. Just my opinion. Why does every EDC items have to have a bottle opener? Most bottles are twist-off anymore and you can use just about anything to open a bottle.
I'd like to see the skeletool with the ratcheting pliers,and assisted opening knife of the SOG,but also the drop pliers of a Gerber.
I like how this guy isn't afraid to give critical feedback to large companies. And I hope SOG listens and makes these tweaks. I'd then be ready to buy one of these.
I work and volunteer both as an EMR and K-9 Search and Rescue, what multitool would you recommend?
Bladesteel quality is a good fact to have for a review/comparison.
I was really waiting for this tool (and the new PowerPlay too, as the old PowerPlay was so sweet), but now I feel kinda bad for SOG. This was meant to be their "year of the multitools". The older products are still really good, I love the Pocket Powerplier, maybe even the best tool in that size/price category.
I feel like the only thing going on for the Reactor is the looks. It looks really good, I like the logo on that clip. Futuristic.
These two new tools support invidual parts from SOG? If not, thats really shame.
Made in China, design and quality looks lame...I'll stick with Leatherman.
Ozark trail all the way lol
Its true, a lock or latch would also solve another problem. I find if you are using the pocket clip, the tool will begin to open up over time in your pocket. Causing it to snag when you attempt to remove it.
I like my leatherman wave its great but it rusts up stupidly fast compared to my victorinox swiss tool so I tend to carry that more often. wouldn't say no to a skeletool though it looks kinda cool and useful in a minimalistic sort of way.
this showdown its the skeletool. its also much thinner im guessing and can be hung off its own carabiner , longer reach with the bit tips
I dont understand the thinking on the sog you cant use the bit tip arm to screw in anything. why even have the arm why not include another tool with a cut out for the tip to slide into. I predict many returns with stripped out arms from people abusing it
I do like the quick blade, not sure on the gears can each handle open separately or because of the gears they both open at the same time?
What are your preferences on the kershaw blur tanto point
Thx bro! Excellent comparison, deal breaker at 6:07!
I Was looking for a handy tool for my girlfriend, with her strong grip she sure will break one of both and probably hurt herself in the process!!
Instead of that bottle opener they should make it a mini strap cutter. I find those very useful. Especially on things like zip ties.
My first multitool was a SOG powerassist; at the time it was my entire EDC. Worked great cutting wires when I worked IT. Now i just use it to cut pennies as a party trick :D The compound gear on the SOGs are stupid strong, but not necessary in many situations.
tldr: If you want to do some silly demonstrations with the SOG, cut some coins one handed with it =]
I have EDC'ed a SOG aegis knife for 5 years and I love it, and the SOG headquarters is only a few miles from my house. That being said, I have never really been attracted to their multi-tools, I have always bought leathermans (6+). The fact that this SOG reactor is made in china also isn't very appealing.
hmm valid points, thank you. im looking to get another skeletool as it fits my needs and uses while carries easily. i was interested in the reactor but i'll stick with my skeletool. i have 2 wingman's and a surge. surge stays home, and the wingman are in bags. ive almost lost my skeletool a couple times and with all the other stuff i carry the wingman is too bulky and heavy to me now. skeletool it is
+jacob manalang I have a SOG Power assist. If you're an electrician the cool thing about it is you can swap some of the tools in the handle for a wire stripper with multiple wire gauges that SOG sells on their site.
They also sell a 1/4" bit driver you can swap in that uses the same 1/4 square socket size as every other socket set so you can use it with all your other bits, extenders and sockets. The SOG bit kit comes with a MOLLE Pouch for the Power Assist/Lock that makes it a great little package.
After these two upgrades I love the power assist but I had to do a little work to get it the way I wanted it.
That being said, I also have a Charge, Surge, Skeletool, Signal and half a dozen bit kits by Leatherman.
+Brad Avery my buddy at work has the power assist and he loves it. he works on machinery so he needs a more serious tool than i do. i definitely like the bit driver! i dont know how but he actually snapped the tip off of his pliers and i think sog replaced his whole tool. one of the other maintenance guys said sog let him keep his old tool and gave him a new one when something broke after a few years. really good customer service, cant beat that!
Boyscout - what's the two knives you are comparing in your intro? It looks like two kershaws. Thanks for the great reviews!
Yup, the G10 Hawk and the Chill.
Thats a bummer....I wanted to get the Reactor.
Something about the skeletool looks and performers right. I enjoy using the skeletool. SOG just aint me
Great video man, I love brutal honest truth! lol! I love it!
I think a good/cool way to compare the force is using a soft wood like a pencil, or a thick pencil if a regular one is too easy to crush. Just an idea, great video!
Interesting. I was thinking about brass shells.
+The Late Boy Scout That sounds like a good idea too. The soft wood might give you feedback you can feel more easily.
It's good i watched this first…. SOG on my amazon cart- Gone! SKELETOOL CX- added! Thanks L.B!
The reason that the lock switch is in that direction is because they don't want you to accidentally unlock it when you put it in your pocket. They don't want you to stab yourself in the leg when you're walking
I really like mine, but having to grip it hard to use the bit is true
What about the pliers? Did they hold up and not twist from side to sideline twisting wire. ect.
+Rolland Lynch I didn't work the pliers hard, but they seem very capable, yes.
Yup, I'll wait for ver. 2
In my opinion, the idea of the Skeletool having the bit in the arm it's going to be in is a no brainier. How hard would it have been for SOG to make that bit holder arm a drive arm, and do away with the magnetic butt end of the plier retaining issue? When I first saw images of this and thought that the arm was the drive arm, I was excited by it, but lost interest once I saw where the bit was installed. I would say that because of the arms pivots and length, the Skeletool would have more torque ability and reach! You can use the other handle as a lever to apply force. Did SOG go this route to avoid being called out for copying that? I don't know, but the design of the Skeletool is better as far as that goes. If there was a way to meld the Skeletool's design with the SOGs compound plier, man, that would be awesome!
the skeletatool CX has an S30V blade, making it my personal favorite, I don't own one but I have a benchmade with a S30V steel and it's amazing, I trust leatherman to do the same
S30v? My Skeletool CX has a 154 CM blade.
+The Late Boy Scout You're right it's the, Leatherman Charge with the S30V. I thought they also put it in one of the Skeletatool models
+The Late Boy Scout My brain had a really hard time reading 154 CM... I kept thinking, one-hundred and fifty-four centimeters? huh? Is he metric challenged? haha. 154cm is not bad steel, based off of 440C. I prefer my Juice S2 for EDC, and larger Leatherman for more serious use.
Listening to the US prices makes me want to cry... Skeletools are about $110-$120 in Canada right now, haven't seen too many either.
+MAD_Exotix You should see the prices in Greece: From 95 to 155 Euro for the CX!!! No more tears left ...
I want to like this more because it accepts non proprietary bits. The skeletool is great but it would be better if it worked with the normal bits they sell at the hardware store!
Yeah Leatherman Multi-Tools for me. Leatherman and Victorinox Swiss Army multi-tool. Are number one.👌
Is skeletool cx good for cutting with its 420hc wire cutter?
I own one and it works great for what I used the wire cutter for
I love my Skeletool - carry it everywhere with me.
Wingman is a better tool for everyday use. Biggest problem with the Leatherman bits is the limited selection. If you need anything specialised, like a security bit, your screwed.
SOG'S tools are awesome, very unique and their multitools are very interesting in my opinion, but their locking system is terrible, and that's the main reason why I always prefer leatherman on SOG
All they would need to do is modify the plier head so the slot is a fraction more narrow.
I've had two reactors, both of them the blade would not lock in place. One out of the package the second just after a couple of days. I was more disappointed in the quality of the tool. SOG can and has done much better.
Really, no comments on the Hello Kitty light switch plate yet?
When you say QA what does the A stand for? Don't you mean QC for Quality Control?
Thanks for the video, the criticisms you gave are very helpful for those of us who are in the market for that type of a tool. THANKS!
Some companies refer to it as Quality Assurance instead of Control. Same thing, though.
+The Late Boy Scout
QA is saying.
QC is doing.
Not the same.
+Landrew0 uh... no. You can't assure something with words. It's equivalent to saying you will "make sure" with your words.
You gotta be honest!
Well,that's it! Leatherman it is! :-D
I've been carrying that Skeletool for about a month and I love it. Very very high quality. It's definitely minimalistic though. I wish it had just a little more to it. Tweezers, even a bubble pack opener. I wish it had a quick-deploying knife, and even more so, I wish Leatherman made a left hand version. There's nothing quick about deploying that leatherman knife for a lefty.
But I'd never buy that SOG, especially after this review. They strike out by the lack of quality. Good ideas, poor execution.
I always stay with my Letherman
I bought the learherman skeletool. The locking mechanism failed exactly like you said the sog reactor would. I'm guessing that this might be because of machining. Sliced my finger open pretty deep. Just a heads up.
If you're comparing the regular skeletool for 50$ its got the serrations so... plain edge sog vs half serated skeletool.
I know SOGs main issue was to make a multi tool to disassemble major appliances. 😐
I've heard the pliers on the Skeletool are made out of crap steel ?- I've seen reviews on many that were busted.
I own one and the pliers don't look very good, as compared to the SOG stuff, as well as most Leatherman pliers.
Didn't you mention you'd do a review also of the powerfully? It's been quite some time and actually nobody seems to make a review of it - does Leatherman pay the big Channels for not showing the powerfully? Just curiously wondering...
I still have the Powerplay, and I still owe you guys a review on it. Thanks for the reminder,
Thx for the reply, really appreciate it - I'm looking forward to the review, wonder how it works and if it has the same issues like the reactor when it comes to the bit driver...
Still waiting for that review... not sure if I want the powerplay or if I should go with the wave, surge or rebar
This is at first a question of size - Rebar and Wave are quite the same size, Surge is a bigger tool and kinda like the bigger brother of the wave in a way. So if you just decide which size you want, it would rather be the surge or according to wether you prefer the inner tool setting or the outer tool setting the reber or the wave. If you're done with that, you do know at least which leatherman it would be and then you only have to wait for the review of the Powerplay still ;) Naah I really like the Powerplay but I think it has too many flaws unfortunately... but I'm also still looking forward to the review :D
Exactly my problem: I'm not sure. It will be my first MT, and I want it to stay for long, so warranty is not a problem, (25 years vs lifetime), but I don't know what size would be better and if the inside opening tools would be better... I think currently if the powerplay doesn't have a serious flaw it would be my first choice (PERFECT price point, the full sized hex bit driver makes it amazing if it doesn't fail, OHO tools, the fact that I can actually open the pliers one handed, and god, that compound leverage...), the rebar probably next because of price but the lack of a bit driver and OHO tools drives me away. After that, I'm open to suggestions.
Help.
leatherman owns the multi-tool game.
Wow that screwdriver flaw looks.......annoying to say the least. I JUST ordered this thing a day ago too.
Sorry, if while using a screwdriver and you have to concentration being used on the screwdriver for anything other than keeping the end in the screw head - the screwdriver sucks. Add the fact its reach is only that of bit - it really sucks - as a screwdriver.
With that being said, I'm not a Skeletool fan as a multitool at all (give me one, straight to eBay), but have always thought the Freestyle CX was maybe the most underrated tool Leatherman had. Awesome blade/pocket knife with a decent pair of pliers. If there's a chance I'll need a screwdriver - I'll carry a real multitool. I do like the SOG pliers, so long as the extra mechanical advantage doesn't exceed the design of the of the fairly small pliers. I don't care about the warranty. I just assume have a tool designed to last. I'd bet 95+% of Leathermans returns are people wanting a free new tool. Anyway, all the rambling & run on sentences, and probably typos, I'm only saying I'd like a SOG version of the Freestyle CX. Since I'd view as a pocket knife, I'd only buy if premium steel..., and I lost my Freestyle CX.
Such an innovative design ruined by flawed quality.
Why you can not use it as a screwdriver when a bit is in the handle?
+Moris Sombre It's only meant to store the bit. It doesn't hold it tightly enough to turn it.
+The Late Boy Scout what do you think about quality comparing it with skeletool CX... ? an opinion...
+Mike Tsaron It would be an unfair comparison against the CX, just because the CX has better materials. If we compare it to the standard Skeletool, the Skeletool still has better build quality.
I've communicated with SOG about the issues I found, and they're getting after those issues aggressively. I sincerely hope they get the quality up and fix the issues I found. If they do, this could be a great, lighter-weight alternative to the Skeletool.
+Shane The Late Boy Scout well, y'r right about CX.. but to be honest I expected better quality from sog. Sog has good and innovative ideas but unfortunately never well-construction...
+The Late Boy Scout lack of quality too
I feel like SOG and Leatherman are on a quest to hide and complicate features. The more I test them, the more I love my Gerber tools.
That SOG looks like a cheap throw away multitool. For me The only serious manufacturer for multitools is Leatherman.
+Phil Herb Hey, don't forget about Victorinox. They make good stuff. Albeit only two pliers-based multi-tools, haha.
Yeah I would like one but I just trust leatherman more
Sog stuff looks like it'll always come in a pack with cuff links, flashlight, belt buckle and a commemorative tin, ready for Christmas gift giving.
Didn't he say they both cost the same near the beginning of the video?
John Smith - Because it is. Keep the knife and throw away the rest.
Recently purchased a Sog Reactor and sent it back immediately. It looked and felt too small (kid sized) and flimsy and the assisted main blade wouldn't fully deploy on it's own. I also saw a video where there is a problem with the bit spinning when clamped correctly between the plier jaws. Just didn't feel like a man's tool to me and I wouldn't trust it to do any real work. More of a gimmicky toy. If they had made this full sized with a bigger knife blade and sturdier then I think it would have been a big seller. As it is, I personally think it's a fail. Sog also really needs to come up with replaceable wire cutters like some Leatherman's & Gerber's have. Listening Sog? Looks cool though...
50$ for the regular skeleton seems a little high last time I check it's only 30
Just double checked, you can get it for 30$ if your look. Like the sports men's wearhouse
all SOG is made in Taiwan. many fool don't know about it.
Why not make it so you can drive with the arm that holds the bit as well! Really lame in my opinion, I own the Skeletool and love it except for the pocket clip. I would prefer the Sog deep carry pocket clip.
*I'm selling mine Leatherman stainless steel anyone wanna name their price for it?*
Looks like Leatherman wins another round in the multi-tool fight. Yet again.
Dont know what the blade steel is?? Ill have to go back to watching nutnfancy now!! lol