older powerlock

[jim guy]

I think im going to break my LM tradition and get a powerlock. The local lowes only have the older models without the gear covers, they have the bo and polished versions with v cutters. My question is the newer models that much better or will the older ones be just as good? I dont like getting discontinued models but thats the only ones they have, I have a lowes gift card thats why thats my only source to get one.

[e17]

I have a discontinued product, too, but here is what you could consider, as I did when I decided this was not an issue for me:

1- lifetime warranty.
2- it seems users are less enthusiastics about piano locks than with "older" version.
3- the cover gear... it's a question of look. I love that "rought" look it has without the covers, and... someone said once it's a pretty nice weapon as they could hurt badly. This is up to you to take that last point in consideration, but the look it gives is pretty cool, IMHO.

Hope this helps.

[scrappy]

I think the gears hurt when applying much force but I don't have a new model so I couldn't say if it is any better.

[Sean]

Jim,

Try one out if you can and see what you think.  I like the old style better because I feel the locking mechanism
is easier to unlock compared to the piano key locks of the newer models.  The gear covers feel better when you
use a particular tool for any extended period of time but the old style with exposed gear covers aren't all that
bad really.  I quite like the powerlocks.  Both mine are old style exposed but one the black oxide has the newer
plier head and the stainless has the older version.
I'll go out on a limb here though and say if you have a choice and can get a nylon sheath or whatever as
opposed to the leather one go that route.  The leather sheath I find very uncomfortable to wear because it
rides up quite high on the belt and digs into the waist.

cheers,
Sean

[jim guy]

I wish i could handle one first, thats the bad thing about lowes, clamshell packs everywhere.

[Sean]

Do you think they would open one up for you?  I think they probably would. 

[Benner]

The gear covers are more than just for looks, they are to cover the gearing which digs in your hands anytime you want to use the drivers.  I traded my original Powerlock away because of that very reason.

If it was me, I'd be wanting the newer one.

[jzmtl]

If you have a choice go with new ones. The exposed gear looks cool, but is downright painful when having to push and turn at the same time (i.e. drill with awl, drive phillips since the sog driver is one size too small).

[e17]

Right. The gear cover is not only (just) a question of look. But it has never been a problem for me yet. I'm not using the philips screw driver that much. And when I had to punch holes in a leather belt, the awl is so impressive that everything I was concerned about was not to punch my hand too 

I don't know the store you are talking about, expect that it comes regularly on top when we talk about prices. But if they cannot open a blister for you, may be there is another store that can help you with that. That was my concern, too, not to be able to "test" before buying. YouTube helped me to see how to manipulate the MT.

[Anthony]

I don't think you'll be dissapointed with the "old" Powerlock.  How much are they asking for one at Lowes?

[jim guy]

I don't think you'll be dissapointed with the "old" Powerlock.  How much are they asking for one at Lowes?

49 bucks black or polished

[jim guy]

well i went ahead and got one today, im not real happy with it. The pliers work alot better than LM's, but the locks are crap, most of the tools wont lock on their own you have to push down on the lock to get them to fully seat.The saw works good, the v cutter works real good on clam packs.I also got a flash2 folder I had one before and took it back because it had so much blade play up and down, this new one has the archlock on it. The lock up is a little better, but it still has too much up and down play, i think im going to send the power lock back to them and see if they send me a newer model. Sogs quality sure is not what it was, I had a tomcat and sogwinder before and I would have put them up against any benchmade.

[DaveK]

I consider the gears on the Powerlock to be a huge design flaw - they effectively prevent you applying any force on a tight screw. Same goes for the PPP and Powerplier. Even the new covered gears could hardly be described as comfortable!

Here's some evidence!

[Medic82]

The tools from SOG are great, I love them…….as long as you don’t need to use any of the screwdrivers that is. As long as you don’t have a regular use for a screwdriver then the SOG is great

Nice video Dave.

[jzmtl]

Right. The gear cover is not only (just) a question of look. But it has never been a problem for me yet. I'm not using the philips screw driver that much. And when I had to punch holes in a leather belt, the awl is so impressive that everything I was concerned about was not to punch my hand too 

Punch a hole in leather is easy, it's drilling a pilot hole on wood that hurts.

I assembled my current computer desk with powerlock (all phillips), and my hand hurt for two days after.

[jim guy]

update, the spring on my flashbroke already and I tried using the screwdriver on the powerlock I cant say that the gears hurt that much but the phillips is to small to work on most screws. I guess im going back to lowes. I knew there was a reason I stick to my benchmade afo and a LM of some sort.

[e17]

Regarding the video, nice test. I wonder if having used the SOG screwdriver at a 90deg position would have helped. Have to remove the cover, no more gear in the palm, but less tork, I guess.

I hate to admit it but, as Medic82 and Jim said : SOG screwdrivers sucks.

[EZ822]

The screwdriver on the Powerlock is the one thing that keeps it from being my edc over the Core. I work in maintenance so I use the phillips driver often and it just doesn't measure up. It's a shame because I love the pliers.

[resaw]

If I have the room to maneouver, the 90 degree position works OK, but another idea is to have the tool open as if you are using the pliers, but turned with the driver out.  The V shape of the open tool provides a grip to push the driver downwards, and no gear spikes.  With space to maneouver being a factor though, none of these works, and you have to push down on the gears.  Not so bad once you get used to it.  When my SOG comes into play, it's usually because I don't have the normal tool for the job (nothing beats a dedicated screwdriver for screwing) and need to get the job done, especially with an emergency.  So, a mark on the palm is a small price to pay in most cases.  Just grin an bare it.  That being said, I would rather have gear covers, but I'm not about to go trade my faithful SOG in.

[TangoDown]

To the OP, sorry to hear about your experiences with the Powerlock. I actually have a better opinion of SOG multi-tools than Leatherman. The only problem I have with my SOG' (Paratool S31, Powerlock S62, BO Powerlock 2.0 S69) is the tool clumping. The tools lock up adequately for me but I will admit that my LM Wave (new) tools locks up tighter. But the pliers on the Powerlock SOG's are so much better than the Wave and even better than my Vic Swisstool RS and Spirit. I don't mund the covers at all. Sure they take a bit of extra time but I deal with it fine.

As to the comparison of the old and new (2.0) Powerlocks, I can say the gear covers make it more comfortable when using the screwdrivers as the gears don't dig into your palms but I didn't find the old Powerlock to be too much of an issue. I do find that the my BO S69 flexes a bit more when squeezing the pliers and it isn't as fluid moving as my polished S62. SOG's are rock solid though and the power multiplying head is nice to use. I use the SOG's mor than my Wave but my Spirit is still my fav.







Oh, I forgot to add that I like the older lock better than the newer piano locks. The piano locks still don't solve clumping and I find it more difficult to unlock the tools than the older lock.

[DaveK]

Nice pics and thoughts TangoDown.

There are two grievances I have with the PPP, Powerplier, Powerlock and Power assist:

1) The fact that I do not have an ape's hands:

The bolt in the pliers is about 0.5" (it's a metric size and I don't have a metric ruler within easy reach), and the Powerlock at this point is very difficult for me to use. At 5.5" from handle to handle, the compound leverage adds limited benefits as my hands aren't big enough to get a good enough grip to apply much force anyway!



Contrast that with a non-compound leverage tool. I can easily apply grip to handles that are 3.5" apart. This is actually much more beneficial to me, than not being able to apply the compound leverage!



2) Using the drivers:

In addition to the already mentioned inevitable pain you'll get trying to apply pressure to a worn screw head for example, there's one very useful feature that a "normal" butterfly opening tool can offer, that the geared SOGs can't.



This is a real shame actually, as the drivers (specifically the Phillips) themselves are excellent, grippy and strong.

Therefore, it's only the SOGs without the gears that I can get on with at all.

Left = Bad. Right = Good

[cb4life_34]

Sorry to hear about your issue with the old powerlock, I love mine.  I just recently upgraded to the powerassist after carrying the old PL for 5 years.  The only issue I had was the combo blade, which I changed to a PE knife and switched out the saw for the serrated sheepsfoot blade.  I never had a problem with the exposed gears because I wear gloves when I work.  When I am not wearing a glove I just put a folded hankerchief over the end.  As far as tool clumping goes I kind of like it.  It makes it easier to get at the tools when I am wearing gloves.  That being said I am really enjoying my new PA.  The redesigned pliers and wire cutter is outstanding and the AO knives are fun to play with.

[TangoDown]

Nice pics and thoughts TangoDown.

There are two grievances I have with the PPP, Powerplier, Powerlock and Power assist:

1) The fact that I do not have an ape's hands:

The bolt in the pliers is about 0.5" (it's a metric size and I don't have a metric ruler within easy reach), and the Powerlock at this point is very difficult for me to use. At 5.5" from handle to handle, the compound leverage adds limited benefits as my hands aren't big enough to get a good enough grip to apply much force anyway!

Contrast that with a non-compound leverage tool. I can easily apply grip to handles that are 3.5" apart. This is actually much more beneficial to me, than not being able to apply the compound leverage!

2) Using the drivers:

In addition to the already mentioned inevitable pain you'll get trying to apply pressure to a worn screw head for example, there's one very useful feature that a "normal" butterfly opening tool can offer, that the geared SOGs can't.

This is a real shame actually, as the drivers (specifically the Phillips) themselves are excellent, grippy and strong.

Therefore, it's only the SOGs without the gears that I can get on with at all.

Left = Bad. Right = Good

That is definitely my only gripe with the Powerlocks. I do have large hands but it does make it tricky to use when whatever is in the jaws is fairly large and I have to adjust my technique. When the grip gets wide, it helps to have the compound leverage to compensate the stretched grip. For most of my use, Powerlocks are great. If the nuts-n-bolts get too big, I tend to use the correct tool for the job anyways and get out the socket set or wrenches. Same with my other non-SOG (Powerlock) multi-tools.

[Paracord Junky]

good point.  i think if you have to push so hard that the gears are hurting your hands, you should use a proper screwdriver.  i love my multis as much as the next guy, but they really aren't meant to drive screws into wood, especially without a proper pilot hole(which isn't a good idea anyway, as splitting the wood is more likely without a pilot hole.). 

[Benner]

They did in your hands whatever the screw.  It's a poor design IMO to have jaggedy bits right where you are applying pressure.

[DaveK]

good point.  i think if you have to push so hard that the gears are hurting your hands, you should use a proper screwdriver.  i love my multis as much as the next guy, but they really aren't meant to drive screws into wood, especially without a proper pilot hole(which isn't a good idea anyway, as splitting the wood is more likely without a pilot hole.). 

Whilst what you say is fair, I expect drivers on my multis to perform every bit as well as a dedicated driver! Fortunately, I have a couple to choose from, and the SOGs stay in the drawer

[MultiMat]

+1 for me as well Dave on the problem of having too have LARGE hands to comfortably use the Large Compound Leverage SOG's  + I like the ability to modify my MT's handle position when using the driver tools , the gear mechanism on SOG's make this almost impossible. .

I would like SOG to experiment with a non compound leverage MT , besides the Paratool  . I do not think it is going to happen though     

[Santos]

i'd like to see a locking paratool 

but seriusly i love my powerlock, i dont have bid hands but then again i use pliers for pliery things.
The compound grip has been so handy when i want to say grind a fiddly little Sak space

 If it comes to undoing a nut i just use the appropriate spanner (or the adjustable wrench that goes with the multi )