SOG PowerLock Multitool Overview

SOG Powerlock is a series of multitools from SOG that are positioned as multifunctional tools for civilian and military specialists. A separate niche in it is multitools labeled EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), intended for specialists in subversive affairs and mine clearance. These multitools can include highly specialized tools such as crimping tongs for capsules or probes for making holes for detonators in plastic explosives, but we must pay tribute to SOG for the fact that next to specialized models they release wider versions that are perfect for use tourists, hunters and fishermen, and everyone who needs a solid and reliable full-sized multitool.

This knife is not a cold weapon, about which a bona fide seller can provide you with a copy of the examination report.

Next, we will get acquainted with PowerLock SOG in more detail using the PowerLock EOD 2.0 Black Oxide with Scissors (B61N), which I have been using for about two years. But first, the general characteristics of this model:

- Using Compound Leverage technology.
- Possibility of folding / unfolding with one hand.
- Removable instrument covers.
- Lock all instruments according to the Piano Lock principle.
- Nylon case.
- Black Oxide coating.
- Stainless steel.
- Available tools:
- pliers
- Round pliers
- Nippers
- Crimping tongs for capsules
- Crimping tongs
- Half-serrated knife
- File
- Flat screwdriver (large)
- Flat screwdriver (medium)
- Flat screwdriver (small)
- Figured screwdriver (philips)
- Adapter for 1/4 inch bits
- scissors
- Saw on wood
- awl
- Bottle opener
- Opener for canned food
- Ruler
- Dimensions when folded: 4.6 inches (11.68 cm.)
- Dimensions when unfolded: 7 inches (17.78 cm.)
- Weight: 272 gr. (without cover and accessories)

So, the multitool of the SOG Powerlock (B61N) model will get to you in a box and such a ballistic nylon case. The cover is made with sufficient quality and reliably holds the multitool inside. On the back of the case is a Secure Clip, designed more to carry the tool on the belt in an upright position. Using this clip to place SOG PowerLock in a horizontal position or transfer it to PALS, unfortunately, will not work.

Inside the pouch, the SOG PowerLock itself is quite comfortable

And even there is free space for accommodating additional devices shown in the photo below. However, be careful with items placed in the case, as it is not continuous, but has two rather large slots in the lower part on the sides. PowerLock itself will not fall out through them, but some small or narrow part may well.

I personally don’t have a habit of wearing a multitool on my belt, therefore, for greater compatibility with PALS, I transferred my PowerLock to a single pistol magazine pouch under the store. And now about the SOG PowerLock itself. To access the tools you need to expand the entire multitool, which should not cause difficulties for those who at least once laid out a butterfly knife (balisong). in the same movement with rotation, holding one half of the multitool, we quickly and easily get access to the pliers.

Then we see that the tool compartments are also covered with lining covers. They were invented in order to reduce the discomfort caused by the sharp edges of the handles biting into the palm of the hand when using aggressive pliers or pliers. The function of these pads is to distribute the force over a large area, thereby reducing pressure. These pads can be opened / closed every time you need some kind of tool, or disconnected altogether.

And just by opening these lining covers we can appreciate all the internal wealth of SOG PowerLock, consisting of six tools on one side and four on the other.

Before I tell you about my experience in using each of them, we will briefly return to the pliers themselves, around which the entire tool is built. Opening the pliers, we see that they combine pliers, round-nose pliers and wire cutters. Both halves are reduced perfectly, no gaps, backlashes and other problems with pliers for 2 years of use have been noticed.

Separately, it is worth mentioning Compound Leverage - the patented SOG technology, which is used to increase the compressive force by using gears between the handles and the halves of the pliers. A nice feature of this technology is a noticeable reduction in the effort on PowerLock handles necessary for squeezing / biting solid objects such as wires, etc. In addition, this technology works in both directions - for compression and expansion, which is not in multitools from other manufacturers. Because of the gears used in Compound Leverage, SOG PowerLock handles have to be widened much wider than other multitools. Between the handles under the Compound Leverage gears are also crimping tongs and a crimp for capsules. You probably will never need these tools in everyday life, unless you are a brave guy from the EOD team.

Despite all the coolness of Compound Leverage, I sincerely do not advise you to pounce on red-hot steel nails right away. To me, such a stupid impudence cost a part of the cutting edge of the nippers (as can be seen in the photo above). Nevertheless, some things should not be used outside their philosophy of use, as we already mentioned in the article "Equipment: introduction"

Well, now closer to the tools hidden inside.

Having already taken out the multitool from the box, I was surprised by the sharpness of the knife. This relatively small knife made of 420 Stainless Steel, with a stated hardness of 51-53 units on the Rockwell scale, has been faithfully serving for 2 years, has never been resharpened and never finished. It is used mainly for household needs on paper, cardboard, plastic, rope, fabric, a couple of times it was used when working with wiring, etc. Thanks to the serrator, it copes well with fibrous materials such as rope and polyamide slings, it copes with most types of modern packaging without problems.

A flat screwdriver of small sizes, it’s also a bottle opener, also does a good job of its tasks, although it comes in handy much less often. It is used more precisely as a screwdriver than an opener, simply because there is nothing to open, as it were.

This is a simple device - in my humble opinion, a separate superiority of SOG PowerLock in comparison with competitors. On this adapter for bits of one quarter of an inch, you can directly wear socket wrenches. In addition, with the help of a small extension adapter for screwdrivers, which you can buy at the nearest market for quite reasonable money, we easily get the functional extension of SOG PowerLock capabilities and compatibility with a wide range of hex bits for different types of screwdrivers. In the same market, you can easily purchase the set of hex bits you need and complement them with a wearable set of tools. No proprietary bit-kits in which there is nothing but what is needed. If you are missing a regular set of screwdrivers in PowerLock, which I recall 4 (three flat, different sizes and one curly), you can easily get the missing bits and use them through this kind of adapter. If the old bit was lost or lost, just buy a replacement in the same market, and you do not need to order a new bit kit in online stores and wait for delivery. Simple, cheap and cheerful.

On this, all the charms of the adapter for bits do not end there. For the convenience of its use in narrow spaces, SOG also provided the ability to fix this tool in 2 positions: laid out 180 and 90 degrees, respectively.

You need to make more effort - spread the adapter 90 degrees, fix and use the entire multitool as a lever.

Separately pleased and scissors. Unlike most of the tools I saw, the scissors in which are small and frankly flimsy in appearance, SOG PowerLock has sane scissors that provide a good and convenient cut both on paper and on something more rigid, such as small wires. The scissors spring mechanism is triggered when the scissors are locked in the unfolded position. By the way, not all PowerLocks have scissors, therefore, if the presence of scissors is important for you, pay special attention to this. In some models, the place of scissors is occupied by V-Cutter - a hook-line cutter designed for quick cutting of rope, clothes, seat belts, etc. In my opinion, a serrator on the main blade can do this, and scissors in everyday home and field life are much more useful than a sling cutter.

The manufacturer makes a separate emphasis on the saw. And there are reasons for that, because saw SOG PowerLock two-row, the angle and depth of sharpening more than multitools of other brands. Due to this, the saw bites more aggressively, takes out more matter in one pass and does not clog so often. For its relatively small size, this saw has a very decent performance, and was used many times during field exits.

Shiloh, this is also a tool that distinguishes SOG PowerLock. In the majority of multitools that I have seen before, it simply does not exist, despite the fact that a very popular tool was sewn in the field and field conditions. Starting from making small holes in the wood in the context of a bushcraft (making a spoon, a shuttle for weaving nets, etc.), ending with an emergency repair of clothes and shoes if the situation requires it. The awl design in PowerLock makes it easy to use as an awl, small chisel and drill.