SOG has just released 3 new multi-tools in their Power range. All of them feature the compound leverage feature SOG developed. They all also have the center magnetic 1/4″ hex bit driver. They all have a stonewashed finish and are made in China.
Let’s have a first look at what each of these new multi-tools has to offer.
SOG PowerPint
The PowerPint is a compact tool weighing in at only 4.2 ounces (119 grams) packing 18 tools into its length. The main tool is the needle nose pliers that have the usual nut gripper function and non-replaceable wire cutters. SOG has a couple of design tricks in their recent multi-tools. Their pliers have the compound leverage feature that is supposed to amplify any effort you put into the pliers. It’s not a gimmick either. I have this on my SOG PowerAccess and it works well.
The other function they’ve included is a bit holder which uses a gap between the closed handles to hold a 1/4″ hex bit. At first, you think it’s not a big deal, they’ve just created a space between the handles that you jam a hex bit into but it’s more than that.
SOG have embedded a magnet into one side of the holder that helps to hold the hex bit in place and the gap is shaped to hold the bit securely. SOG call it a center magnetic 1/4″ hex bit holder. Works well enough on other SOG models but some users complain you need to keep grip pressure on the handles otherwise the hex bit can fall out. That hasn’t been my experience. There’s only a magnet on one side so to make it more secure, SOG could have added one on the other side as well. I can’t tell whether they have taken user feedback on board with these new additions to the Power range but I’ll check it out when I get one. It’s not a bad solution but a dedicated bit holder works better. Let’s just say it’s no Gerber Center Drive bit driver.
I have a preference for getting access to as many tools as possible without opening up the arms. Especially ‘main tools’ like the knife and scissors. Impressively, the PowerPint has most of its tools outside accessible.
There’s a thumb notch cut out for the straight blade and the serrated blade so you can deploy them one-handed. If you’ve got the real estate, most MacGyver’s prefer a separate straight and serrated blade rather than the combination straight/serrated combination blade so this is well-done for a compact multi-tool like the PowerPint. There’s a small pair of scissors here to complete the main tools.
The secondary toolset is headed up by a 3 sided file. The third side is one edge of the file. Only good for very small filing jobs but still a good use of space and better than nothing in a pinch. The screwdrivers are a Phillips, small flathead screwdriver and a very small flathead screwdriver. SOG actually call the very small flathead a jewelry driver because I guess it’s so small it can handle tightening those tiny screws like the ones that come loose on your sunglasses. A line cutter can handle fishing line and small diameter cable and cut a seat belt in an emergency situation. Add a can opener and a bottle opener and that’s about it. Except for some lasered markings for a ruler and a protractor. Adds to the tool count and doesn’t take any real estate but in practice are rarely used, at least by me anyway.
Finished in the stonewash that SOG use on some of their other multi-tools and the same as the finish on my PowerAccess. It’s a good looking finish that’s hard wearing and doesn’t seem to show marks and scratches. Like the PowerAccess, the PowerPint – and all the Power range – is made in China but if it’s anything like the quality of the PowerAccess, I wouldn’t have any concerns. Plus there’s always the SOG lifetime warranty.
Hard to know what the best use for the PowerPint is. But looking at the tool loadout and the compact size, this will make a great general purpose compact multi-tool for odd jobs around the house and other light to medium duty tasks.
Check the current price of the SOG PowerPint on Amazon.
SOG PowerLitre
The PowerLitre is a 4.6 ounce (130 gm) new full sized multi-tool. ‘Stonewash’ is the finish of the moment for SOG and the PowerLitre follows that trend. The other trend for SOG is having their multi-tools made in China. If you want to know where American brands actually make their multi-tools, I’ve written an article that tells the truth about the current state of multi-tool manufacture. I give SOG credit for being open about where their multi-tools are made.
The PowerLitre’s 17 tool count means it has 1 less tool than SOG’s new compact PowerPint. Doesn’t mean it’s not as useful though. I’ve never been too hung up on the number of tools a maker claims. Let’s face it, it’s easy to get the tool count up if you just cheat a little – a ‘tool’ that’s laser marked into the metal or the same tool with multiple purposes can help you win the tool count race.
Forget the tool count, there’s plenty of useful tools here. Let’s start with the main tools. The pliers are SOG’s compound leverage needle nose pliers with nut grippers and soft and hard wire cutters. You’ll find a 2.75 in (7 cm) straight bladed stainless steel knife. There’s also a reasonably sized set of scissors to round out the main tools.
Besides the pliers, all the main and secondary tools are outside accessible. The more tools you can get to without unfolding the plier arms, the more practical the multi-tool in my opinion.
There aren’t any surprises in the list of secondary tools except for one. A corkscrew isn’t very common in multi-tools today but still common on pocket knives. This one is a ‘compound leverage’ corkscrew so I guess that means you don’t have to use much effort before you pour your first glass of wine. Other than pulling the cork out of a bottle of wine, I don’t know what else you use a corkscrew for. I’m sure a Multi-Tool MacGyver can think up other uses but a corkscrew takes up the real estate of about 2 other tools so they need to pay their way.
Other secondary tools are an awl – always useful as a tool to save your knife tip – a can and a bottle opener, soft and hard wire cutter, Phillips screwdriver and a small and jewelry screwdriver. Like the PowerPint and the PowerAccess Deluxe, the PowerLitre has the centered magnetic 1/4″ hex bit driver. Topping off the tool count is a line cutter, ruler, and protractor.
The toolset of the SOG PowerLitre makes it a good general multi-tool for odd jobs around the house and to carry with you. There’s no mention of a pocket clip or a sheath of any description though so I’m not sure how you keep it handy. The main tools are standard fare with the only downside for me being the wire cutters which aren’t replaceable. There’s no file or saw in the toolset which I would have preferred to use the space the corkscrew took up but other than that, it looks like a good addition to the Power range.
Check out the current price of the SOG PowerPint on Amazon.
PowerAccess Deluxe
The PowerAccess has been around for a little while. I own one and have reviewed it. After not being totally impressed with it at first, it’s become one of my favorite multi-tools for every day carry. I’m keen to see what the “Deluxe” offers more than the standard PowerAccess and whether it’s worth it.
There are a couple of things that are “more”. The price which is $27 more at $94 and the weight. The Deluxe weighs in at 8.7 oz (247 gms) versus the standard PowerAccess 2.8 oz less at 5.9 oz (167 gms).
The tool count on the Deluxe is more too as you might expect with 3 more tools than the standard version’s 18 tools. Unfortunately, SOG isn’t great at consistently giving us the specifications of their multi-tools. So they tell us that the blade steel on the Deluxe is Stainless Steel while they are more informative about the standard PowerAccess telling us it’s 5CR15MOV – rated a ‘good’ quality multi-tool steel. If you’re interested in knowing more about the quality of the steel the big brands use in their multi-tools, check this out. SOG also tell us the closed length of the standard version at 4.1 in (10.4 cm) but don’t list it for the Deluxe. Strange and a bit annoying.
Most of the tools for both models are the same. They both have the same pliers and plier functions. The other tools that are the same are the 2.75 inch (7 cm) stainless steel straight blade, 3 sided file, full “3D” Phillips screwdriver – means it’s not one of those squashed flat style Phillips you often get on multi-tools but a normal style – a medium flathead screwdriver, a small flathead and a very small flathead – which SOG call a jewelry driver. The jewelry driver is very useful for digging out stuff from little gaps and I think more multi-tool makers should include them in their tool loadouts. More tools shared with the standard version are the chisel, threaded awl, can opener and obligatory bottle opener. And they both have the ruler and protractor markings.
OK, so what do you get for your extra dollars and weight in the PowerAccess Deluxe? You get a couple of extra cutting tools – a 2.75 inch saw and the same sized serrated blade. And you get a 1/4″ hex holder. A 12 piece hex bit kit also comes with the Deluxe and a sheath to carry your Deluxe and the hex bit kit. There’s another hex bit holder on the PowerAccess and that’s the magnetic one that’s used by putting the hex bit between the two handles.
All tools lock into place and are released by putting pressure on a thumb tab. The tab can be easily used from either side of the arm.
If the outside accessible tools deploy like the ones on the standard version, you might be surprised how they feel. They are very easy to deploy because they have no resistance. They feel loose. If you’re used to other multi-tools from brands like Leatherman, Gerber or Victorinox for example, you’ll be looking for the screw you can tighten to put more resistance on them. But you get over it and soon realize that it’s not a problem, in fact, it’s a bonus. No need to worry about breaking your fingernail trying to get a tool out from inside the arms. Just remember to pack the other tools back into the handle and only have one tool locked in at once. If you don’t, the locking tab will allow the tool to overextend. Not a big deal at all and you’ll want to do this naturally anyway when you’re using it.
So is the PowerAccess Deluxe worth the extra or do you sacrifice some extra tools, accessories, weight, and cost and go for the standard version? I can’t see anything about the Deluxe having a pocket clip but the standard version has a good one. I can’t imagine the Deluxe doesn’t have one but it does come with a sheath at least. And the benefit of the sheath is you can carry the 12 piece hex bit kit that comes with the Deluxe and adds a lot of tool functionality.
Maybe not as much extra tool functionality as you expect though. The hex bit kit doubles up on some tools you already have on the PowerAccess Deluxe. It has Phillips head bits #1, 2 and 3 and you already have a 3D Phillips head onboard. It has Flathead bits #3, 5 and 7 and you already have a medium, small and very small flathead screwdrivers onboard. What it genuinely adds are Star-drive/Torx heads in T6, T8, T10, and T20, plus Hex heads in 1.5 and 2mm.
The Deluxe also has two ways to use the 1/4″ hex bits. The standard and the Deluxe both have the magnetic hex bit holder while the Deluxe adds a separate hex bit holder tool. Its like SOG is saying the magnetic holder is OK but the separate one is better! But you do get a full sized saw and serrated blade plus the accessories in the Deluxe. The weight at 8.6 oz isn’t excessive and puts it up against something like a Leatherman Wave at 8.5 oz or a Leatherman Charge AL at 8.3. Light enough for easy EDC.
If I didn’t already own the standard PowerAccess, I would get myself the PowerAccess Deluxe – hell, I might still get myself a Deluxe.
Check out the current price of SOG PowerAccess Deluxe on Amazon.
What do you think? Any of these new Power multi-tools look interesting to you or have you had experience with them? Let me know in the comments below.
Multi-tools – Never Leave Home Without One!