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Product Description
This is one of six Multi-tools that I have had regular hands-on experience with. The others I own (or have owned) are the Gerber Multi-Plier Sport 400, an (original) L-Man Wave, an L-Man Charge TTi, a Victorinox Swisstool X and Gerber's Nautilus (ugh).
The SOG is probably at least as robust and sturdy as any of these others and in some respects (see below) it is better. I don't expect to be breaking mine any time soon. But there are trade-offs too and I just don't like it as well as I would like to like it. This tool is too solid and well built to rate it as a 3 but it falls short of a 5 star rating, IMO, which is too bad.
First the good news:
These are the most robust pliers I have ever seen on a multi-tool. I have a hard time imagining that a multitool could have better pliers. The jaws are sturdy, the compound gearing really works and the handle covers make these pliers comfortable to use. When you have to, you can really put the pressure on. If pliers are your top priority and you have big hands (this tool isn't tiny) the Powerlock might just be your best choice in a multi-tool.
The other area where the SOG excels is in smoothness... When you fold this baby open it feels GOOD. My Leatherman Charge TTi feels almost clunky by comparison.
In addition to these strengths are some additional niceties. The V-Cutter seems like it should be useful. I also like the 1/4" driver, which unlike some others, takes standard sockets. There are also a variety of crimpers on this tool that seem well designed though I haven't had occasion to use them yet.
Last of all - and this deserves special mention - the tool can be customized by the user. If you would like to replace the file with an extra knife blade, for example, you can get the components from the SOG Web Site and do your thing. I would expect some users to consider the PowerLock in a class by itself because of this feature.
But as I said there are also some disappointments, some in function others in form:
Functionally, it is a disappointment to find just one knife blade and a 1/2 serrated, chisel ground job, at that. I find that serrated blades are great for cutting rope but that a straight edged blade is far more versatile and more easily maintained. The SOG's file and saw seem pretty decent except for the fact that they could be larger considering this is a big tool - 10 oz. The knife blade is actually rather small too, barely larger than the one on the Gerber Sport 400, which weighs about 6.5 oz.
There are also some disappointments in the "form" of the tool. One disappointment has to do with accessibility of the inside tools, which another reviewer has described fairly well. Also, the locks on these inside tools don't feel quite right. They do lock solidly but you have to fiddle with them a bit more than seems necessary. Once you are used to handling the tool, it isn't really a problem but a learning curve shouldn't be necessary here.
Conclusion: The SOG Powerlock mates a superb pair of pliers with a fairly ordinary set of accessory tools that are just a little harder to access than normal. All seems to be solidly built for rugged use, though. If the accessory tools were of higher quality I would consider rating this tool at 5 stars. As it is, 4 stars is the best rating I can offer.
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