I completely agree with you regarding SOG making a US multi-tool. They have a couple of US-made knives that are staples in their line-up. With a US-made multi-tool they could easily secure a military contract and make a legacy American product like Leatherman and Gerber have done. Something that is passed down through generations and seen as a rite of passage. For a company so seemingly military-focused, you'd think they would embrace that perspective and make more products domestically.
I have a USA pair from back in the day. Both hands squeeze on a bolt...snap goes a handle. Sent back with a note explaining what happened and a blank check to cover part and return shipping. 2 weeks later my pliers back with everything re sharpened, my chech, and a thank you note for being a customer. Good companies are very rare nowadays.
The SOG of today is not the same as old SOG. They are owned by GSM who also bought Cold Steel a while back. SOG will begin going down in quality/materials like Cold Steel has. GSM is known for milking brands then turning them into Walmart gear.
I carry the sog powerpint religiously. I keep a bit kit with a cal van tools mini finger ratchet. It fits directly into the powerpint's bit holder. Together $65 and just a crazy assortment of options as needed. Plus unlike Leatherman's ratchet extender you can actually buy it! I keep one kit in my Jeep and one in my desk. The sog is the only thing that has to move.
I carry two discontinued leathermans that I rarely use because I want to keep them as mint as possible!😂 -it is the leatherman Blast and the Crunch. Two small and very usable tools, combined they have everything you need, and having two pliers is often good, especially with one being able to lock and hold onto sawblades or other items and tools!❤ (I also have a ratchet bitholder and a bitkit...)
@@JokerInk-CustomBuilds To tell the crunch could be remade with some variants. I'm kind of sad no multitool company is trying something innovative with locking pliers. Gerber and Leatherman have the only true folders in the category and they could be improved.
Me too. I didn't expect to enjoy the PP as much as I do. I've modded "thumb studs" to the blades by heating glue sticks to the nail nicks, and it's now one handed flick open. Putting in a tiny disc magnet in the hex bit holder also greatly helped with the bits.
Now imagine the flex with geared swappable plier heads, pruning shear, side cutter, various plier heads, with embedded 1/4” bit driver. And eh we know that Roxon listens to their customers…
I think their (SOG) issue is that over the years they've released so many cheap knives that break or bend that most of us just ignore SOG as a reputable brand.
I have a PowerPint and a Power Access Deluxe. They've never let me down but I'll admit they don't feel like they're up to "hard use". The tools are thinner and feel cheaper than those on my Rebar.
I forgot to mention in my previous comment, thank you for showing me how to open up the tool cover like that, owning sog for years and I never knew you could access the tool in that way. It makes it super easy now
Great comments, glad to see your review on the SOGs and hopefully this will send some sparks towards their R&D, and revive this brand. Love my PowerAssist, but the PowerPint is the one residing in my pocket. Cheers!
Did you ever try the Buck multi tool back in the day? They licenced the opening mechanism from SOG. The two sides basically twist out so that when you are using the pliers the outside of the handle is still the outside. The most comfortable multi tool pliers I have ever used.
I've had issues with some SOG stuff before. But for a multitool you don't even notice in your back pocket. And for tons of small jobs. I've been more than pleased with the power pint. Think that's what they are called. I have broken a thing or two. But I've also had them come in handy more times than I can count. Plus they open like a ballasong if kept slightly loose. Lol. Which is silly, but I love it. I've had one on me for years now. I keep some bits and sockets and a ratchet deal in a small hip pack. Love it. If I know I'm gonna need something stronger, I take it. But it's something you can carry all the time and never even know it's there. But it is nice to see a full size, less gimmicky one made with better quality these days. I've always had a thing for the company and have rooted for them.
SOG can learn a thing or two from this review for their next Multi Tool which I'm eagerly waiting for. Excellent effort by you!! I wish they would incorporate the following in the upcoming- HC steel as you mentioned on the gear mechanism. Diamond file. Replaceable Plier cutters. Individual Piano locks.
Friend of mine who teaches survival and bushcraft swears by the SOG compound leverage tool..won't carry anything else..but..he knows the limits of that leverage on the gear system.."a man has to know his limitations "...:)
The SOG Powerlock EOD Scissors is my edc multitool, but it could be replaced with the Leatherman Signal. If the Leatherman Signal had a better awl, a good file, and a pair of scissors.
The final tool you showed has so much promise, that hexbit holder should be standard on every multitool. It's a shame that it's let down by gimmicks. Your assessment was spot on.
With everything SOG, Ali Express can also be a great friend to your budget. Ali does at least 2 big sales a year, the anniversary sale in February, and the 11.11 sale in November. I got my powerpint for $27 shipped during the anniversary sale this year.
I use to carry a modified powerlitre (replaced blades with scissors and file from powerpint, replaced corkscrew with tweezers holder) as my only multitool for a long time, since i usually dont need the pliers. Until one day i needed the pliers and went too hard with them and snapped the frame.
As the most fanatical SOG multitool collector in Europe, I salute you. I agree on most things you've explained. I'm currently working on removing the spring assist mechanics (in the Poweracces Assist) in the outer 4 sleeves and adding 4 extra main tools, adding scissors, file, fish scaler and a chizzle/scraper. It's a bitch though to make those tools either lock or slipjoint enough to make them stay put when folded out.
The SOG Powerlock EOD with Scissors would be perfect, if the file worked better and it came with the new bit holder integrated into the frame, so you could use the tool with the bit adapter.
As a long time Leatherman Rebar EDC type (I use it over all others) I have never thought about SOG as a serious competitor, until the price drops on the Power lock tools. If they address the soft steel in the gear train I would buy one (I might just go there anyway) because the one and only one SOG tool I own (and love btw) is the tiny Power Pint. Just for the pliers and the size. The other tools wobble a bit, but that's fixable. And I hate the thumb studs and the power assist of the others. WTF. So yeah,... I might buy another SOG. WOW. Never thought I would say that 😂
SOG has such a good platform that could be used for so many things like you said And yeah you definitely don't need assist for every tool. I wouldn't mind if it's just for the blades. But when has anyone thought, man I wish my saw had assisted opening! But the potential for SOG is so great.
Totally agree that the SOG power series plier head is fantastic, especially when it integrated the bit holder into that. Thus, I bought my first ever SOG Power plier and Power Lite, after watching your review and after decades I have my Leatherman Wave. SOG always has innovative idea but, as you mentioned, always miss the point when coming down to market. I strongly suggest them to have people like you to form an product transfer team to make up the road map for their product mix. They may also consider to license out some part, such as the plier head and 1/4" adapter to some brand, e.g. Roxon, Nextool or even Leatherman (if they are interested). I totally understand when you are so emotional towards the end of the clip. It is very frustrating to see how people lost the point with good design and good idea. Wish SOG moves to another level in the future and have we more surprise.
To achieve its designed functionality "there can only be one". There will be trade-offs no matter who's making it. There will be oppurtunity missed. Hence that's where the fun starts, we all mod our tools one way or another, to make it ours but mostly to make requirement to our needs & usages. There's collectors & users, in between there's "tinkers". Have fun.! Cheers from Australia.
on the powerassist access the assisted blades with the thumb studs can be swapped side to side. you could make the whole tool lefty or just swap the serrated blade with the v cutter.
The best SOG multi tool in my opinion is the Power Pint. Forty nine bucks at Wally world. 4.2 ounces with a pocket clip. Other than that one I'll stick with Leatherman.
Love my Power Access Assist. I agree the Assisted nature is unnecessary but i think it's a pretty good tool overall. And the lowered weight and size would be worth it 😆 The Bit Driver in the pliers is fantastic
ehh if you have gloves its basically a requirement and if your really messed up from a injury it might also be a requirement or at least really fucking nice (like if you fell down a hill and its graphic). not a fan but some might be
Very great observations, ideas and suggestions. I liked the USA made models back in the day, but when I got out and into the trades there always has seemed to be something missing now that my professional use needs are more varied. That and “made in China” and I’ve just stuck with Leatherman. No multitool is perfect or ideal, at least not for me. Combining the Surge & ST300, per one of your videos, has been the best tool I’ve had so far for my purposes. I don’t like having to swap out the file and saw at work on the Surge, and I’ve lost several proprietary bits without realizing it just from dropping the tool. The SOG 1/4” driver in the plier head or the SOG 1/4” socket driver would be much better than Leatherman’s proprietary bits 🤑 I also like how that plier head driver in the SOG doesn’t take up an additional tool. Very innovative. AS far as bit drivers go though, I’ve been carrying a Klein 10-Fold in my pocket or on my belt for 10 years and that meets my driver needs better than a multitool solution. The 10-Fold and the SuperCool 300 (🧐) have been the best combo for me so far.
I have a power-lock from 2016. The hinge gears are exposed, not tastefully covered like the new versions. It's my opinion that, while the gears line up, they don't actually intermesh on mine. I think the leverage comes from the physics of a dual hinge point, "compound leverage". Great tool, love it. Also, great channel, Maxlvl. Just sharing info that may be of interest. Keep up the fair and tastefully done videos. KK
SOG still has USA made items on their website. Sold in stores and Amazon etc is another story. If they adopted GERBERs take on manufacturing they would have an immediate boost in their production. GERBER StrongArm, CenterDrive, Fast Ball etc are all USA made and they’re awesome tools that fly off the shelves as fast as they can make them. The less expensive items are made overseas and the quality takes a hit but it’s affordable. 70% of working adults(18-45) don’t have a savings account. We are all living day to day and check to check, one wrong step and it’s over for most of us. We can’t go around dropping $200 on stuff that isn’t a necessity anymore. So it’s nice to have budget friendly options and some top shelf items that we can save up for. I respect SOG and they have a very loyal customer base just like GERBER and I sincerely hope we see SOG make a similar comeback just like GERBER did.
Agree with most points here. The one thing I think so really brings to the table is the PowerPint. The geared jaws make a very small, very easy to carry tool have actually good pliers. It's a true edc unit in a way that full size plier tools aren't and proper pliers in a way that smaller size plier tools aren't either.
I actually like SOG, not the absolute BEST, but a GREAT VALUE! Needs replaceable cutters like a Gerber, though... That it is a 3-sided file is really useful. I use the edge fike often.
Suggest you make a vid on user applying paint or using a "lacquer stick/paint stick/fingernail polish" (amazon) to apply appropriately contrasting paint into numbers/ruler graduations/etc. on multitools. Hard to use some features (especially with black finish) if unable to see them.
have a power assist. the locks, at least on the serrated side, failed on it and gave me a pretty good and deep scar on my thumb. it is not a good locking system, at least mine has a lot of play.
the assist is nice for people with gloves. especially leather gloves (military, firefighter (these are especially bad, and the tool despite being big, is fine for bunker gear) or snow. same for compound, bad gloves = less work. welding too, the gloves suck hard. when you need the gloves you need the gloves more then anything. I actually think fire fighters might like this one ALOT. it has to be cheap too, because everything gets lost by firefighters (oxygen mask, fatigue level 15, smoke, heavy ass labor, etc). I dunno if you should be handling a tool in puffy ass winter gloves though lol. maybe canadians do it. seriously though with heavy fire gloves you want a literal assistant to do everything for you
and i agree that the stamping gear is bullshit, that needs to be improved. but i am not against having assists for specific situations. injuries too (if your in combat) but I don't know nothing about that. like if you get super fucked up from falling down a hill or drowning the assist might be nice. there have got to be stories about super messed up people surviving in the woods with broken arms, fingers, etc after they fell down a hill. seems like a common situation. ugly situations... but I would imagine yor practically dead if you 'need' the assist. the most successful outdoor animals have assist (paws)
I had a USA made powerlock from 2006. Bought it because I wasn't sure if Leatherman was made in the US anymore. I had the gold titanium nitrate coating similar to yours, only I feel like mine was more polished and shiny. I liked the one hand open flip you can do with them. Other than that, the knife was meh, and I bent the pliers. That tool is now sadly at the bottom of a lake. One more thing I hated about the SOG was the locking mechanism, it is really easy to accidentally push in while using the tool since that is where your hand naturally rests.
You really need to add the SOG Power Access Deluxe tool to this mix. I got one of these because I really like my Power Pint and this is a larger more capable tool for heavier use. I'm getting older and loosing some grip strength so I've come to like the compound leverage system. This eliminates your complaints about the assist functions that nobody asked for. Keeps the tool at 5/8" thick and has the 1/4" drivers on both ends. The only real downside here compared to the assist models in your review is that the Access Deluxe has smaller knife blades, which some may wish were bigger. But I always have a good knife, so this is not an issue for me. I'd wager with the Access Deluxe in hand, you will ignore the Assist models.
I was in the army from 2008-2014. I did combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. SOG is nothing but gimmicks that don’t hold up. The only folks I know who purchase them are not the kind of people I would ever take seriously.
agreed on all points. the assisted blades/implements are silly relics of the tacticool era that don't belong on multitools, the compound gearing is a unique and very powerful feature if done right, and the designs of some of their implements do stand out from the crowd. they just gotta step up their steel, nail down usability over coolness, and above all LISTEN to not just their customers, but the relatively new gold mine of expert feedback that content creators like you are putting out FOR FREE on youtube
One more SOG trick for you. Reverse the plier grip for larger items. Inside out. In other words, act like you are closing the pliers up. In that position, you can squeeze between thumb and forefinger.
I got the power access assist when it first came out, I thought "great idea!". But after getting it and using it I thought it was garage. Opening just one tool outside tool makes all the tools want to deploy. My wife got me the power lock vcutter for Christmas before we were married. I thought it Was a great tool and used it for years. And then I bought the power assist, another great tool. What makes SOG so great is that compound leverage, I can cut just about anything with the wire cutters. Even 1/4 inch copper. I don't care if parts are from China. I just care about their bad design choices of future multi tools. Which is a shame since they were heading in such a good direction. :-/
I bought a SOG multitool about a decade ago and I used the can opener driver on a small phillips head screw that wasn't tight at all and the tip of the can opener snaped off. I was so digusted by thr fact that it was so weak and broke so easy I just couldn't look at the tool the same way again. I never uaed it again. I keot it in my work truck as an extra multitool and never really used it. Also thr issue with the pliers is that you have to open the plier handle so wide to ooen thr head just a little due to the conpound leverage system.
So here’s a question for you, in my opinion Leatherman’s quality is gone to the toilet and it’s no longer a brand that one can safely buy. If we remove Leatherman from the multitool equation, what’s the best multitool out there?
I didn't realize that's what it was but being 420 the Jaws on the pliers get lop sided because the steel don't stand up to the pressure exerted. Hell I thought I'd just got a bad pair. Thanks
They wont listen. Just like Leatherman wont listen. Were is the Juice everybody wants? I wrote a Email to Leatherman. Response was "I dont know that THEY plan" ...Wow. For me as customer the customer service should be THEM. SOG on the otherhand is great I had the same issue like you. The Access deluxe would be great without the assisted opening - takes to much space and replace the V cutter with GOOD scissors.
We got those as paratroopers, they worked well for everyday use very handy. I can say the V cutter is a waist of space. We usually cut the file down into a carbon scraper for cleaning weapons. Gerber makes that now. Go figure. They day you need a V cutter it can't be inside a folding tool, which is why they also issued us the Gerber Claymore and a good jump master checks for sharpness. The price is right.
Have had the EOD Powerassist for over a decade. It is great but the philips driver had a manufacturing defect. Not properly heat treated and it along with its replacements shattered with light use. Not mentioned in your review but the built in crimpers are extremely useful when you need them.
Hey Dom, quick question. How similar in size are the Powerlock and Arc? I have a holster for the Arc, just wondering if it might be compatible with the Powerlock. Couldn't find any thickness specs online. Thanks!
Interesting tools.....How about looking at the Schrade Tough Tool which can be had super cheap....or the Utica Multimaster, or even the handy Minimaster....which seems to be available again....., both made in USA. The Multi can be had under $100 if you shop around...
The perfect multitool would have needlenose pliers, 6mm hex adapter, scissor, scalpelholder and knifeblade.. Nothing else, nothing less. If you have those acessible all other tools would be redundant imo... Personally I am planning a custom Victorinox cybertool build with those exact features exept it will be 4mm hexdriver... and ofcourse it will still have the parcel hook and a cystom set of scales with all the available victorinox tools including a sewing needle and string and a 6x2mm magnet.
@@jasonbeecher509 I'm a Farmer and I use my Power Access Assist all the time. I also used it on Aircraft Maintenance a tad. Works fantastic imo. The "rope cutter" is especially good on it 😆 (I use it for zip ties, cordage, etc)
@@jamesR1990 I'm a dairy farmer in upstate new York. I can ruin most pocket tools in 6 months or less. The only one that has held up is the Leatherman wingman
Correction for the previous comment. I meant to include that the gears don't seem to contact each other with any surface force, just lining up next to each other, and the two hinge points are creating the extra force. To me, they seem like they are non-functioning ornaments, but i could be wrong. I'm sure I'll know here soon, Ha Ha.
Great video. I own about 30 SOG multi-tools. Sad to say however, it appears SOG is no longer making multi-tools. They just shelved the last two they were developing pre production.
I absolutely loathe the inside tool covers. Totally annoying every time I needed to use one. I hate it so much that I gave mine away and replaced it with the Daicamping
I completely agree with you regarding SOG making a US multi-tool. They have a couple of US-made knives that are staples in their line-up. With a US-made multi-tool they could easily secure a military contract and make a legacy American product like Leatherman and Gerber have done. Something that is passed down through generations and seen as a rite of passage. For a company so seemingly military-focused, you'd think they would embrace that perspective and make more products domestically.
I have a USA pair from back in the day. Both hands squeeze on a bolt...snap goes a handle. Sent back with a note explaining what happened and a blank check to cover part and return shipping. 2 weeks later my pliers back with everything re sharpened, my chech, and a thank you note for being a customer. Good companies are very rare nowadays.
Who sends cheques 😂 and bank ones at that. Jeezuz! Can I have one? 😅
The SOG of today is not the same as old SOG. They are owned by GSM who also bought Cold Steel a while back. SOG will begin going down in quality/materials like Cold Steel has. GSM is known for milking brands then turning them into Walmart gear.
I carry the sog powerpint religiously. I keep a bit kit with a cal van tools mini finger ratchet. It fits directly into the powerpint's bit holder. Together $65 and just a crazy assortment of options as needed. Plus unlike Leatherman's ratchet extender you can actually buy it! I keep one kit in my Jeep and one in my desk. The sog is the only thing that has to move.
Me too. Exactly thr same setup. Have had it on me for quite some time now.
Powerpint and Powerlitre are under rated multitools. My only complaint with these tools it's how the locking system impedes thicker blades.
I carry two discontinued leathermans that I rarely use because I want to keep them as mint as possible!😂
-it is the leatherman Blast and the Crunch. Two small and very usable tools, combined they have everything you need, and having two pliers is often good, especially with one being able to lock and hold onto sawblades or other items and tools!❤
(I also have a ratchet bitholder and a bitkit...)
@@JokerInk-CustomBuilds To tell the crunch could be remade with some variants. I'm kind of sad no multitool company is trying something innovative with locking pliers.
Gerber and Leatherman have the only true folders in the category and they could be improved.
Me too. I didn't expect to enjoy the PP as much as I do. I've modded "thumb studs" to the blades by heating glue sticks to the nail nicks, and it's now one handed flick open.
Putting in a tiny disc magnet in the hex bit holder also greatly helped with the bits.
Got the powerpint because I do believe it’s the best in its size. Still wear the surge on the daily tho.
Little bit bigger. and the toolset not that stiff would be nice. Size between Swis tool spirit and powerpint would be perfect
Best part about the powerlock is that you can buy tool implements from SOG and easily customize your toolset
I believe it was my short that showed you the opening trick. Great video! Powerlock is one of the most underrated tool for the value.
You guys should do a collab!
Now imagine the flex with geared swappable plier heads, pruning shear, side cutter, various plier heads, with embedded 1/4” bit driver.
And eh we know that Roxon listens to their customers…
SOG makes great stuff
I think their (SOG) issue is that over the years they've released so many cheap knives that break or bend that most of us just ignore SOG as a reputable brand.
So true bro
In my research leathermen was the only who didn't get a bunch of flak in quality
I totally agree with the focus of SOG.
I have a PowerPint and a Power Access Deluxe. They've never let me down but I'll admit they don't feel like they're up to "hard use". The tools are thinner and feel cheaper than those on my Rebar.
I forgot to mention in my previous comment, thank you for showing me how to open up the tool cover like that, owning sog for years and I never knew you could access the tool in that way. It makes it super easy now
Great comments, glad to see your review on the SOGs and hopefully this will send some sparks towards their R&D, and revive this brand. Love my PowerAssist, but the PowerPint is the one residing in my pocket. Cheers!
Did you ever try the Buck multi tool back in the day? They licenced the opening mechanism from SOG. The two sides basically twist out so that when you are using the pliers the outside of the handle is still the outside. The most comfortable multi tool pliers I have ever used.
some of your suggested improvements are incredible....I want THAT!
I've got one of those you're showing but the power pint I believe is the name is the best one I've found. Love it and it comes with great scissors
I've had issues with some SOG stuff before. But for a multitool you don't even notice in your back pocket. And for tons of small jobs. I've been more than pleased with the power pint. Think that's what they are called. I have broken a thing or two. But I've also had them come in handy more times than I can count. Plus they open like a ballasong if kept slightly loose. Lol. Which is silly, but I love it. I've had one on me for years now. I keep some bits and sockets and a ratchet deal in a small hip pack. Love it. If I know I'm gonna need something stronger, I take it. But it's something you can carry all the time and never even know it's there. But it is nice to see a full size, less gimmicky one made with better quality these days. I've always had a thing for the company and have rooted for them.
SOG can learn a thing or two from this review for their next Multi Tool which I'm eagerly waiting for.
Excellent effort by you!!
I wish they would incorporate the following in the upcoming-
HC steel as you mentioned on the gear mechanism.
Diamond file.
Replaceable Plier cutters.
Individual Piano locks.
I'm against replaceable cutters for thos because of the weak points it creates. With the compound leverage it is even more of a risk.
@@maxlvledc Even though Leatherman does not have Comp Lev mechanism, do you think the replaceable cutters are not great? (pls exclude the Arc)
Leatherman Signal with a better awl, a good file and excellent scissors would rule them all.
Have you seen a signal wave hybrid?
@@maxlvledc No, but The Leather Signal is awesome. The combo blade on a multitool is great. It keeps the weight down without losing a serrated blade.
Friend of mine who teaches survival and bushcraft swears by the SOG compound leverage tool..won't carry anything else..but..he knows the limits of that leverage on the gear system.."a man has to know his limitations "...:)
I rarely agree 100% with reviewers, but I do on this video! Love that you can use regular bits and bit extenders
I carry the SOG Power lock EOD with Scissors. Nothing beats the tool set to weight ratio.
Power Access Deluxe or Power Pint carry them everyday. Easy access to tools, bit drivers and slim size
I EDC A Twitch2 from time to time Ive owned over 20 years.Ive always felt sentimental towards SOG.
The SOG Powerlock EOD Scissors is my edc multitool, but it could be replaced with the Leatherman Signal. If the Leatherman Signal had a better awl, a good file, and a pair of scissors.
The final tool you showed has so much promise, that hexbit holder should be standard on every multitool. It's a shame that it's let down by gimmicks. Your assessment was spot on.
With everything SOG, Ali Express can also be a great friend to your budget. Ali does at least 2 big sales a year, the anniversary sale in February, and the 11.11 sale in November. I got my powerpint for $27 shipped during the anniversary sale this year.
I use to carry a modified powerlitre (replaced blades with scissors and file from powerpint, replaced corkscrew with tweezers holder) as my only multitool for a long time, since i usually dont need the pliers. Until one day i needed the pliers and went too hard with them and snapped the frame.
Just got the SOG power access deluxe. One thing I don’t like is the slick coating. Makes it challenging to keep in the hand
As the most fanatical SOG multitool collector in Europe, I salute you. I agree on most things you've explained. I'm currently working on removing the spring assist mechanics (in the Poweracces Assist) in the outer 4 sleeves and adding 4 extra main tools, adding scissors, file, fish scaler and a chizzle/scraper. It's a bitch though to make those tools either lock or slipjoint enough to make them stay put when folded out.
Omg! Tag me! I want to see it! Are you on IG?
The SOG Powerlock EOD with Scissors would be perfect, if the file worked better and it came with the new bit holder integrated into the frame, so you could use the tool with the bit adapter.
As a long time Leatherman Rebar EDC type (I use it over all others) I have never thought about SOG as a serious competitor, until the price drops on the Power lock tools. If they address the soft steel in the gear train I would buy one (I might just go there anyway) because the one and only one SOG tool I own (and love btw) is the tiny Power Pint. Just for the pliers and the size. The other tools wobble a bit, but that's fixable.
And I hate the thumb studs and the power assist of the others. WTF.
So yeah,... I might buy another SOG. WOW. Never thought I would say that 😂
SOG has such a good platform that could be used for so many things like you said
And yeah you definitely don't need assist for every tool. I wouldn't mind if it's just for the blades. But when has anyone thought, man I wish my saw had assisted opening! But the potential for SOG is so great.
The PowerPint is probably the only SOG I'd ever buy.
Totally agree that the SOG power series plier head is fantastic, especially when it integrated the bit holder into that. Thus, I bought my first ever SOG Power plier and Power Lite, after watching your review and after decades I have my Leatherman Wave.
SOG always has innovative idea but, as you mentioned, always miss the point when coming down to market. I strongly suggest them to have people like you to form an product transfer team to make up the road map for their product mix. They may also consider to license out some part, such as the plier head and 1/4" adapter to some brand, e.g. Roxon, Nextool or even Leatherman (if they are interested).
I totally understand when you are so emotional towards the end of the clip. It is very frustrating to see how people lost the point with good design and good idea.
Wish SOG moves to another level in the future and have we more surprise.
To achieve its designed functionality "there can only be one". There will be trade-offs no matter who's making it. There will be oppurtunity missed. Hence that's where the fun starts, we all mod our tools one way or another, to make it ours but mostly to make requirement to our needs & usages. There's collectors & users, in between there's "tinkers". Have fun.! Cheers from Australia.
on the powerassist access the assisted blades with the thumb studs can be swapped side to side. you could make the whole tool lefty or just swap the serrated blade with the v cutter.
Awesomenesssss
100 percent thought these were ballisongs from the thumbnails 😂
They can be opened like one
They can be opened like one
The best SOG multi tool in my opinion is the Power Pint. Forty nine bucks at Wally world. 4.2 ounces with a pocket clip. Other than that one I'll stick with Leatherman.
Love my Power Access Assist. I agree the Assisted nature is unnecessary but i think it's a pretty good tool overall. And the lowered weight and size would be worth it 😆
The Bit Driver in the pliers is fantastic
ehh if you have gloves its basically a requirement and if your really messed up from a injury it might also be a requirement or at least really fucking nice (like if you fell down a hill and its graphic). not a fan but some might be
Very great observations, ideas and suggestions. I liked the USA made models back in the day, but when I got out and into the trades there always has seemed to be something missing now that my professional use needs are more varied. That and “made in China” and I’ve just stuck with Leatherman.
No multitool is perfect or ideal, at least not for me. Combining the Surge & ST300, per one of your videos, has been the best tool I’ve had so far for my purposes. I don’t like having to swap out the file and saw at work on the Surge, and I’ve lost several proprietary bits without realizing it just from dropping the tool. The SOG 1/4” driver in the plier head or the SOG 1/4” socket driver would be much better than Leatherman’s proprietary bits 🤑
I also like how that plier head driver in the SOG doesn’t take up an additional tool. Very innovative. AS far as bit drivers go though, I’ve been carrying a Klein 10-Fold in my pocket or on my belt for 10 years and that meets my driver needs better than a multitool solution.
The 10-Fold and the SuperCool 300 (🧐) have been the best combo for me so far.
I have a power-lock from 2016. The hinge gears are exposed, not tastefully covered like the new versions. It's my opinion that, while the gears line up, they don't actually intermesh on mine. I think the leverage comes from the physics of a dual hinge point, "compound leverage". Great tool, love it. Also, great channel, Maxlvl. Just sharing info that may be of interest.
Keep up the fair and tastefully done videos.
KK
Your the second one to mention this...requires testing
Don't forget, unlike leatherman and gerber, SOG sells individual tools on their website and has instructional videos on how to modifiy their tools.
SOG still has USA made items on their website. Sold in stores and Amazon etc is another story. If they adopted GERBERs take on manufacturing they would have an immediate boost in their production. GERBER StrongArm, CenterDrive, Fast Ball etc are all USA made and they’re awesome tools that fly off the shelves as fast as they can make them. The less expensive items are made overseas and the quality takes a hit but it’s affordable. 70% of working adults(18-45) don’t have a savings account. We are all living day to day and check to check, one wrong step and it’s over for most of us. We can’t go around dropping $200 on stuff that isn’t a necessity anymore. So it’s nice to have budget friendly options and some top shelf items that we can save up for. I respect SOG and they have a very loyal customer base just like GERBER and I sincerely hope we see SOG make a similar comeback just like GERBER did.
Sadly they say usa made on their site..bot not when you get them.
@@maxlvledc oh no! SOG doing the old bait and switch huh? What a shame!
Agree with most points here.
The one thing I think so really brings to the table is the PowerPint.
The geared jaws make a very small, very easy to carry tool have actually good pliers.
It's a true edc unit in a way that full size plier tools aren't and proper pliers in a way that smaller size plier tools aren't either.
If they made a super sized, super durable and rugged plier based tool it would suit tradesmen in a way that not even knipex offers.
I actually like SOG, not the absolute BEST, but a GREAT VALUE! Needs replaceable cutters like a Gerber, though... That it is a 3-sided file is really useful. I use the edge fike often.
Suggest you make a vid on user applying paint or using a "lacquer stick/paint stick/fingernail polish" (amazon) to apply appropriately contrasting paint into numbers/ruler graduations/etc. on multitools. Hard to use some features (especially with black finish) if unable to see them.
Yes the gears for the pliers should be made of stronger thicker steel.
Had a sog once broke first week. Went back to Leathernman. I really use my tools.
Right on! Have you seen the Dual force?
have a power assist. the locks, at least on the serrated side, failed on it and gave me a pretty good and deep scar on my thumb. it is not a good locking system, at least mine has a lot of play.
the assist is nice for people with gloves. especially leather gloves (military, firefighter (these are especially bad, and the tool despite being big, is fine for bunker gear) or snow. same for compound, bad gloves = less work. welding too, the gloves suck hard. when you need the gloves you need the gloves more then anything. I actually think fire fighters might like this one ALOT. it has to be cheap too, because everything gets lost by firefighters (oxygen mask, fatigue level 15, smoke, heavy ass labor, etc). I dunno if you should be handling a tool in puffy ass winter gloves though lol. maybe canadians do it. seriously though with heavy fire gloves you want a literal assistant to do everything for you
and i agree that the stamping gear is bullshit, that needs to be improved. but i am not against having assists for specific situations. injuries too (if your in combat) but I don't know nothing about that. like if you get super fucked up from falling down a hill or drowning the assist might be nice. there have got to be stories about super messed up people surviving in the woods with broken arms, fingers, etc after they fell down a hill. seems like a common situation. ugly situations... but I would imagine yor practically dead if you 'need' the assist. the most successful outdoor animals have assist (paws)
I had a USA made powerlock from 2006. Bought it because I wasn't sure if Leatherman was made in the US anymore. I had the gold titanium nitrate coating similar to yours, only I feel like mine was more polished and shiny. I liked the one hand open flip you can do with them. Other than that, the knife was meh, and I bent the pliers. That tool is now sadly at the bottom of a lake. One more thing I hated about the SOG was the locking mechanism, it is really easy to accidentally push in while using the tool since that is where your hand naturally rests.
You really need to add the SOG Power Access Deluxe tool to this mix. I got one of these because I really like my Power Pint and this is a larger more capable tool for heavier use. I'm getting older and loosing some grip strength so I've come to like the compound leverage system. This eliminates your complaints about the assist functions that nobody asked for. Keeps the tool at 5/8" thick and has the 1/4" drivers on both ends. The only real downside here compared to the assist models in your review is that the Access Deluxe has smaller knife blades, which some may wish were bigger. But I always have a good knife, so this is not an issue for me. I'd wager with the Access Deluxe in hand, you will ignore the Assist models.
I was in the army from 2008-2014. I did combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. SOG is nothing but gimmicks that don’t hold up. The only folks I know who purchase them are not the kind of people I would ever take seriously.
agreed on all points. the assisted blades/implements are silly relics of the tacticool era that don't belong on multitools, the compound gearing is a unique and very powerful feature if done right, and the designs of some of their implements do stand out from the crowd. they just gotta step up their steel, nail down usability over coolness, and above all LISTEN to not just their customers, but the relatively new gold mine of expert feedback that content creators like you are putting out FOR FREE on youtube
One more SOG trick for you. Reverse the plier grip for larger items. Inside out. In other words, act like you are closing the pliers up. In that position, you can squeeze between thumb and forefinger.
Would you buy it if SOG made button locks for the blades of their multi?
They’re “so close but not quite’ that is super frustrating. The compound leverage really does make a huge difference.
I got the power access assist when it first came out, I thought "great idea!". But after getting it and using it I thought it was garage. Opening just one tool outside tool makes all the tools want to deploy. My wife got me the power lock vcutter for Christmas before we were married. I thought it Was a great tool and used it for years. And then I bought the power assist, another great tool. What makes SOG so great is that compound leverage, I can cut just about anything with the wire cutters. Even 1/4 inch copper. I don't care if parts are from China. I just care about their bad design choices of future multi tools. Which is a shame since they were heading in such a good direction. :-/
I bought a SOG multitool about a decade ago and I used the can opener driver on a small phillips head screw that wasn't tight at all and the tip of the can opener snaped off. I was so digusted by thr fact that it was so weak and broke so easy I just couldn't look at the tool the same way again. I never uaed it again. I keot it in my work truck as an extra multitool and never really used it.
Also thr issue with the pliers is that you have to open the plier handle so wide to ooen thr head just a little due to the conpound leverage system.
Love my SOG.. as an older guy, we loose our grip strength, and the power leverage really comes in handy
Check out the SOG power access if you like that plier bit driver.
It's my least favorite by fsr
Along with removing the assisted on one side, it would be nice to have replaceable blades on the wire cutters.
Get a power access deluxe 😊
No assisted blades and a better tool set.
As for mini tools
Powerpint and Powerlitre for the minis.
So here’s a question for you, in my opinion Leatherman’s quality is gone to the toilet and it’s no longer a brand that one can safely buy. If we remove Leatherman from the multitool equation, what’s the best multitool out there?
Victorinox MX Clip
@@maxlvledc a good one. Wasn’t sure if that would get the nod over the SOG lineup or not.
They could use the compound leveler system with something like rescue shears with that extra oomph
I've carried a SOG for around 20 years. Heavy, solid, functional, and well worth the price. Totally satisfied.
I didn't realize that's what it was but being 420 the Jaws on the pliers get lop sided because the steel don't stand up to the pressure exerted. Hell I thought I'd just got a bad pair. Thanks
Love my pint…
They wont listen. Just like Leatherman wont listen. Were is the Juice everybody wants? I wrote a Email to Leatherman. Response was "I dont know that THEY plan" ...Wow. For me as customer the customer service should be THEM. SOG on the otherhand is great I had the same issue like you. The Access deluxe would be great without the assisted opening - takes to much space and replace the V cutter with GOOD scissors.
Take it EASY, buddy
We got those as paratroopers, they worked well for everyday use very handy. I can say the V cutter is a waist of space. We usually cut the file down into a carbon scraper for cleaning weapons. Gerber makes that now. Go figure. They day you need a V cutter it can't be inside a folding tool, which is why they also issued us the Gerber Claymore and a good jump master checks for sharpness.
The price is right.
Oh! I'll look into this! Thanks for info
Have had the EOD Powerassist for over a decade. It is great but the philips driver had a manufacturing defect. Not properly heat treated and it along with its replacements shattered with light use. Not mentioned in your review but the built in crimpers are extremely useful when you need them.
Damn...that sucks..isn't it also true with powelock then?
Hey Dom, quick question.
How similar in size are the Powerlock and Arc? I have a holster for the Arc, just wondering if it might be compatible with the Powerlock. Couldn't find any thickness specs online. Thanks!
hmm, its going to be very close, hard to say.
What are your thoughts on thd Rocktol 12-in-1 on Amazon?
Which? Link?
Interesting tools.....How about looking at the Schrade Tough Tool which can be had super cheap....or the Utica Multimaster, or even the handy Minimaster....which seems to be available again....., both made in USA. The Multi can be had under $100 if you shop around...
Thanks! I couldn't remember the name of that one.
Welcome to the dark side. Thanks for giving SOG another look. Powerpint is on my person daily.
The perfect multitool would have needlenose pliers, 6mm hex adapter, scissor, scalpelholder and knifeblade..
Nothing else, nothing less.
If you have those acessible all other tools would be redundant imo...
Personally I am planning a custom Victorinox cybertool build with those exact features exept it will be 4mm hexdriver... and ofcourse it will still have the parcel hook and a cystom set of scales with all the available victorinox tools including a sewing needle and string and a 6x2mm magnet.
You can make that with the roxon flex btw
If you want hard use let a farmer use it
Facts!
@@maxlvledc I volunteer
@@jasonbeecher509 I'm a Farmer and I use my Power Access Assist all the time.
I also used it on Aircraft Maintenance a tad.
Works fantastic imo. The "rope cutter" is especially good on it 😆 (I use it for zip ties, cordage, etc)
@@jamesR1990 I'm a dairy farmer in upstate new York. I can ruin most pocket tools in 6 months or less. The only one that has held up is the Leatherman wingman
@@jasonbeecher509with dairy cows I could see that. I'm a small scale farmer in the SW. Mostly crops and small meat animals so different needs 😆
Correction for the previous comment. I meant to include that the gears don't seem to contact each other with any surface force, just lining up next to each other, and the two hinge points are creating the extra force. To me, they seem like they are non-functioning ornaments, but i could be wrong. I'm sure I'll know here soon, Ha Ha.
Huh...this needs testing
Great video. I own about 30 SOG multi-tools. Sad to say however, it appears SOG is no longer making multi-tools. They just shelved the last two they were developing pre production.
??? What?? Where did this info come from??
Sog power grab have all advantages that you mentioned but they discontinued that tool..Why..?
Where did you get the blue Gerber multitool?!! I’ve been looking for one since the last video you had it on.
It's a Father's day exclusive
The Aegis MT could’ve been so good if it replaced the tweezer thing with a little folding driver like on the Gerber armbar.
Dude..your sooo right
The older powerlocls are US made. That is why they are more expensive on ebay!
Would like the gears to be 3 times the thickness for a im never braking mad max tool everyone needs
Sounds like you're looking for the PowerAccess Deluxe (not the assist).
Terrible tools, but I have it coming none the less.
I'm so glad that design idiocy annoys the hell out of someone else, I've felt so alone !!! LoL
Do they call the end of the file a flat head. I would use it as a scraper
That would work great! Should have said that instead
Sog and Gerber need to make there multi tools with pocket clips at least there popular ones
I absolutely loathe the inside tool covers. Totally annoying every time I needed to use one. I hate it so much that I gave mine away and replaced it with the Daicamping
do you not like Powerpaint or just didnt mention it?
I do like it, mentioned it many times in other videos
Pocket clips please
Shame you two don’t see eye to eye, I think they need you lol
If they want to design a kick ass USA made tool, I'll help em for a flat percentage lol.
50 minutes is pretty early
They make a PowerAccess without the assist and it’s $50. You bought the wrong one.
That one is the worst..completely different inner tools
All of my tools on the side are locked out and I can’t get in touch with customer service
Anyone know how to fix?
the only person a multitool is good for is a photographer
They are obsolete by now, though. No tools on the outside.