Analysis Paralysis

[DannyZRC]

SURGE!!! vs PowerAssist;

I'd put a Saw, File, Slotted/bottle opener, Large Slotted, Phillips, Awl in the PowerAssist

which, compared to the surge, leaves me down scissors & diamond on my file, and a bit driver short
(and low value to me eyeglass driver)

I'd probably want to carry the leatherman bits in either scenario, but carrying the means to drive them alongside a powerassist is something I'm not sure there is a satisfactory solution for.

but I've got a girly grip and the compound leverage of the sog is a big draw. being lighter doesn't hurt either.


HEEELLPPPP!! 

(2nd post, hi everyone!)

[cliosguy]

when i got my powerlock S61(replaced the scissors with a v-cutter, the file with a serrated blade and the partially serrated one with a plain edge one) i sold my SURGE.......good luck deciding, i'd go with the powerassist and then buy me a charge AL/Ti( )

[DannyZRC]

You got a powerlock and dumped your surge eh?

do you miss the diamond file, the bit driver, or the scissors? did you have much use for the leatherman bits when you were using your surge?

I like the charges, but that's not really what I'm looking at right now I think:)

[cliosguy]

nope, i have a charge al but if you found those functions very important and dont plan on getting another multi(yet ) then go for the SURGE

[nuphoria]

If you like the SOG anyway, being able to customise the tools is a real bonus. At least you get a choice and not just the fixed tool compliment like most other brands.

Oh, and welcome to the form 

[DannyZRC]

been agonizing over this for a week or two.

think I'm gonna go for the powerassist, but with saw, slotted + opener, phillips, 1/4 drive, and the file.

that should all fit with appropriate clearance, and I can carry a little 1/4 to 1/4 adapter to drive the LM bits (and a couple full hex bits for larger sizes).

as for not getting another multi, I figured that no matter what I chose for #1 a crunch was going to be #2, vise grips are excellent.

[jzmtl]

I've been thinking about powerassist as well, but loosing 4 inner implements just isn't worth it to me. Regard the assissted blades, I have a few assissted kershaws and while they are fun to play with, I always end up going back to carry non-assissted knives.

[DannyZRC]

the assist on the blades, to me, isn't a draw at all.

but the convenient access is, and I'm not turned off by the assist either, I'm sure i'll enjoy it's geek factor.

[DannyZRC]

Ended up going a fairly different route!

Skeletool CX clipped to pocket, 91mm Vic Compact on my Keychain, and a SOG Powerlock in my backpack, along with a squirt E4 and a LM Bit Kit + Bit Extender.

covers all my bases, and I get the added benefit of only having to pull out a friendly red SAK for small jobs. (I'm a student).

I'll probably pick up a crunch for pack carry later on, then I'll really be stylin 

[cliosguy]

Sounds like a great set up

[Poncho65]

Welcome to the forum

And great choices you seem to have made as well Hope that they help you out in your day to day stuff

[rockyman500]

IMHO, compound leverage is ALL that's going for the powerlock...(yes I own one DaveK)

BTW, SURGE all the way!

[DannyZRC]

I would probably agree, the powerlock is extremely clunky to use (and with the tool access scheme as it is, I can't really see how the piano locks would make it more rather than less convenient to use), but, having said that..

I feel much better having a powerlock vs not, since doing it this way allows me to keep my at hand stuff a bit lighter and tighter with the skeletool + sak (rather than pocketing or belt carrying a surge), while still having the extra tools and mucho pliers there as a backup in my bag. (and a non bit based phillips has already come in handy for recessed screws on an air cleaner)

[rockyman500]

also the "compound leverage" gives you a decent grip is all...it can't take much torque due to the weak chicago screws and the extra amount of moving pieces...you want have trouble with the SURGE as far as gripping/cutting goes...

[WH867]

also the "compound leverage" gives you a decent grip is all...it can't take much torque due to the weak chicago screws and the extra amount of moving pieces...you want have trouble with the SURGE as far as gripping/cutting goes...

How many of the powerlock "weak chicago screws" have you broken so far?    Just curious because I have put some serious torque on a powerlock with no problems.

[rockyman500]

I haven't broke it...but it flexes pretty easily and is absolutely dwarfed by the SURGE's screws...

[rockyman500]

same with the rest of the tools...they just flex to easily in my experiences...even the 1/4 in. bit driver (which is thickest) flexes like plastic under some rather heavy torquing...the SURGE does also, but it takes WAY more force to make it flex...

[cliosguy]

also the "compound leverage" gives you a decent grip is all...it can't take much torque due to the weak chicago screws and the extra amount of moving pieces...you want have trouble with the SURGE as far as gripping/cutting goes...

How many of the powerlock "weak chicago screws" have you broken so far?    Just curious because I have put some serious torque on a powerlock with no problems.

same here

actualy i only trust the powerlock plier for heavy duty work

[rockyman500]

also the "compound leverage" gives you a decent grip is all...it can't take much torque due to the weak chicago screws and the extra amount of moving pieces...you want have trouble with the SURGE as far as gripping/cutting goes...

How many of the powerlock "weak chicago screws" have you broken so far?    Just curious because I have put some serious torque on a powerlock with no problems.

same here

actualy i only trust the powerlock plier for heavy duty work

so, that's the only tool you trust for heavy duty or you only trust the pliers for heavy duty?
I'm sure I'm gonna get a lot of heat from you SOG guys but...
The other tools are all so thin, the phillips is like jello! ...and the main blade...don't get me started on it...

[american lockpicker]

I used to have a SOG and other than the pliers going bad I thought it was a great tool.

[cliosguy]

also the "compound leverage" gives you a decent grip is all...it can't take much torque due to the weak chicago screws and the extra amount of moving pieces...you want have trouble with the SURGE as far as gripping/cutting goes...

How many of the powerlock "weak chicago screws" have you broken so far?    Just curious because I have put some serious torque on a powerlock with no problems.

same here

actualy i only trust the powerlock plier for heavy duty work

so, that's the only tool you trust for heavy duty or you only trust the pliers for heavy duty?
I'm sure I'm gonna get a lot of heat from you SOG guys but...
The other tools are all so thin, the phillips is like jello! ...and the main blade...don't get me started on it...

pliers mostly, for everything else i prefer the swisstool although the swisstool pliers are heavy duty as well i fell like i got a better grip with the powerlock as long as whatever im griping is not to big

[Benner]

also the "compound leverage" gives you a decent grip is all...it can't take much torque due to the weak chicago screws and the extra amount of moving pieces...you want have trouble with the SURGE as far as gripping/cutting goes...

How many of the powerlock "weak chicago screws" have you broken so far?    Just curious because I have put some serious torque on a powerlock with no problems.

I'm curious to hear why you would regard them as weak as well?  I haven't heard of a single case where one as broken.

[rockyman500]

also the "compound leverage" gives you a decent grip is all...it can't take much torque due to the weak chicago screws and the extra amount of moving pieces...you want have trouble with the SURGE as far as gripping/cutting goes...

How many of the powerlock "weak chicago screws" have you broken so far?    Just curious because I have put some serious torque on a powerlock with no problems.

I'm curious to hear why you would regard them as weak as well?  I haven't heard of a single case where one as broken.

because they're undersized and flex like plastic...

[Benner]

also the "compound leverage" gives you a decent grip is all...it can't take much torque due to the weak chicago screws and the extra amount of moving pieces...you want have trouble with the SURGE as far as gripping/cutting goes...

How many of the powerlock "weak chicago screws" have you broken so far?    Just curious because I have put some serious torque on a powerlock with no problems.

I'm curious to hear why you would regard them as weak as well?  I haven't heard of a single case where one as broken.

because they're undersized and flex like plastic...

Like plastic?  I can't imagine that's true.  Anyway, they may flex but they don't seem to break.

[I'm Still Bison]

I've only heard of one instance where a SOG plier jaw failed,and the owner admitted that it was likely from abuse.

[american lockpicker]

I've only heard of one instance where a SOG plier jaw failed,and the owner admitted that it was likely from abuse.

I ruined mine from flipping it open repeatedly.

[cliosguy]

I've only heard of one instance where a SOG plier jaw failed,and the owner admitted that it was likely from abuse.

I ruined mine from flipping it open repeatedly.

really what happened?

[american lockpicker]

I've only heard of one instance where a SOG plier jaw failed,and the owner admitted that it was likely from abuse.

I ruined mine from flipping it open repeatedly.

really what happened?

Whenever I was bored I used to have a habit of swinging my power lock to open it and eventually the pliers became really hard to open. I tried lubing it but that didn't help.

[cliosguy]

I've only heard of one instance where a SOG plier jaw failed,and the owner admitted that it was likely from abuse.

I ruined mine from flipping it open repeatedly.

really what happened?

Whenever I was bored I used to have a habit of swinging my power lock to open it and eventually the pliers became really hard to open. I tried lubing it but that didn't help.

that happen to me with once, i took it completely apart, lubricate it, put it all together, applied some threat lock and it was good as new

[american lockpicker]

I've only heard of one instance where a SOG plier jaw failed,and the owner admitted that it was likely from abuse.

I ruined mine from flipping it open repeatedly.

really what happened?

Whenever I was bored I used to have a habit of swinging my power lock to open it and eventually the pliers became really hard to open. I tried lubing it but that didn't help.

that happen to me with once, i took it completely apart, lubricate it, put it all together, applied some threat lock and it was good as new

Once I lubed the pliers it helped a little and if it hadn't been for the gears I doubt I would have benn able to use the pliers at all.