SOG Specialty Knives and Tools S60-N PowerLock

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.

I bought my first SOG product, a PowerPlier multi-tool, in 1997. After looking at the available competition (back then there was only Leatherman) it was obvious that SOG had created a tool in a class of its own, far superior to anything its competition could provide. Even still, having satisfied myself that I was purchasing the better tool, I had no way to know back then just how invaluable that little knife would come to be. I can only compare it to the first time I picked up a smart phone and thought; "Wow, that's pretty neat," without having any idea of the convenience and security it would provide me going forward. Today, just like my smart phone, my SOG PowerPlier is one of the few items I carry everywhere. The difference, of course, is that I either drop or drown my smart phone every couple of years and am forced to get a new one. I still own the same 15+ year old SOG PowerPlier and use it every day.

A few weeks ago, a small thing happened that affected me quite profoundly. I was working on a piece of copper pipe, trying to crimp and fold the end. As usual, I was using my trusty SOG for something that I really should not be - placing more stress on it than is reasonable for a "pocket knife" when - snap! One of the jaws of the pliers broke off and shot across the garage. Ordinarily, with any other tool, I may have gotten a little upset, tossed it into the trash, and grabbed another tool to get back at it; however, having killed my SOG for no good reason other than to crimp some copper pipe, I was truly disheartened. It ruined my whole day, no kidding.

I couldn't bring myself to just throw my old friend away so I tossed it into my dresser drawer and tried to get along without it, replacing it with a standard two-blade pocketknife. I felt naked. It seemed like at least five times a day I'd be working on something and instinctively reach into my pocket for my SOG only to remember it was gone forever.

After a few days, I broke down and decided to check the SOG website to see if they offered any replacement parts I might possibly buy to somehow repair my trusty tool. I wasn't hopeful. After all, the knife is 15 years old and had been discontinued. I did see that SOG offered a lifetime warranty - which I did not know - and that they would replace broken plier jaws for free on current models. I thought, "Well, it's my only chance," and mailed it to them, along with a note, to see if they could salvage it.

After about two weeks, I thought I might call them and see if they had a chance to look at my knife or, since it was out of production, had simply tabled it until I called to either pay for return shipping or authorize them to toss it out. Calling the warranty department, I was caught off guard when a real human named Arnoldo immediately answered the phone. I was a little dumbfounded, having expected to leave a message or push a button or something. I asked, stammering a little, "Um, Hi. I sent you guys an old knife a couple of weeks ago with a broken plier jaw.. Oh yeah, My name is..." Arnoldo cut in saying, "Oh, the PowerPlier, yes sir. Is everything OK?" This caught me off guard again. He knew my knife, personally? And what did he mean by "Is everything OK?" So I asked more clearly this time, now having my thoughts better formed for a person-to-person conversation, "Yes, I was just wondering if you'd gotten a chance to look at it and if there was anything you could do. Do you need to look me up in your computer?" Arnoldo laughed and said, "No sir, Your knife is all fixed up and was mailed out to you a few days ago. I thought there was a problem. Let me check... Yes, the tracking shows it to be out for delivery to your address today." Huh? Fixed? Delivery? TODAY?!? I stammered some more, thanked him profusely, and got off the phone. I imagine he gets that all the time.

Sure enough, in a couple of hours the doorbell rang. I opened it just in time to see the UPS man climbing back into his truck, leaving a small box on my doorstep. I was thrilled. I quickly opened the box and could not believe what I found. SOG had not only replaced the pliers, they were upgraded to the new, improved version. They had additionally replaced the old, loosening pins with new ones, tightening the plier mechanism to new condition. They also attached a lanyard mount that had not been there before, sharpened all the blades to a like-new edge, and (I could not believe) even replaced the fine-tipped screwdriver blade that I had long ago ruined. I had a new knife again! My cost, zero. Lastly, they included a really cool little credit card-sized toolkit as an extra and completely unexpected gift.

Sitting at this computer with my trusty PowerPlier back in my pocket, I feel that I cannot adequately express my gratitude - although you wouldn't know it based on the length of this review. It seems silly to think that something as simple as a knife could be that important. Thinking about it though, I think my gratitude to SOG goes deeper than just this knife. In this "90 day warranty" disposable age, I find comfort and hope in the knowledge that there are still companies who stand behind their products, really do expect them to last a lifetime, and show by their actions that they are truly grateful to have their customers' business. I also find it deeply satisfying that I am able to support a company like this with my business. I encourage you to do the same.

- SOG customer for life

SOG is a company that, for the most part, lives up to its name (SOG was a top-secret team in the Vietnam war that performed sabatoge, psyops, and special operations for the CIA). The company consistently produces innovative, effective products (although they don't come cheap). The B61 is definitely my personal favorite of their line of multitools, the reason being that it is very simple, and very effective. Most multitools like Leatherman and Gerber are like most pliers... essentially two pieces of metal fixed together at a single pivot point (yeah, Gerbers have a pretty cool way of opening up, but they still have the same basic overall design). Now, the average multitool has a leverage ratio of 1:8, meaning that you get 8 pounds of force on whatever is in the plier head's grip for every 1 pound of force you apply to the handles. With the B61s, the leverage ratio is 1:14. That's enough to cut through a quarter like it were butter (trust me, I've tried... this morning, actually. Don't ask). The reason for this is that the handles pivot with each other on gears, and the plier head is connected to the handles just below the gears. Now that may not make sense (I'm horrible at explaining things), but you'll get it if you look at the picture.
The tools within the handles are made of high-quality steal, and after almost a year I've never had one break on me, like I did with my previous multitool (a Gerber). The flip-up covers over the tool-side of the handles can occasionally fall off as they are not permanently fixed to the handles to allow the user to remove them, but are easily snapped back on and really do preserve your hands if and when you need to apply some real force.
I only have two complaints with this product... the socket drive and the knife blade. The spring used to keep the socket one the driver fell off within a month. Then again, I've never had to use it, and SOG sells individual components if you want to customize/replace your multitool, so it hasn't been an huge issue. The knife blade, while easily sharpened, isn't the highest quality. By that I mean it isn't the main part of multitool and SOG knows this, and gave the blade a simple grind on one side and left the other side flat. I have no issue with this either because I also carry a pocket knife. If you want a multitool with a good blade on it, go for the SOG PowerAssist.
Overall, its a great deal for a tool of this quality, and it hasn't left my side since I bought it (which is saying a lot).