West Marine Sailing Tool

Chako · **on:** July 16, 2010, 09:56:50 PM

West Marine Sailing Multi-Tool model 11001591 by SOG.

Features:
Compound leverage pliers
Wire cutter
Crimper
Locking marlin spike
Locking sheepfoot blade
Lanyard ring
File/ shackle key
3 wrenches (#8, #10, ¼”)
3 flathead screwdrivers
Phillips screwdriver
Bottle and can openers
Nylon pouch with belt clip

(West Marine branded Sailing tool on left, SOG PowerAssist S66 on right.)

(The sailing tool does not have the power assist feature, and thus lacks the spring mechanism housing as seen in the PowerAssist.)

(A nice touch, there is minimal SOG branding on the West Marine Sailing Tool. Note the differences in the piano hinge location.)

(The only similar tools found between these two models are the can/bottle opener, and Phillips driver.)

(The West Marine has a partially serrated sheepfoot, while the PowerAssist is fully serrated. Also, the very beautiful and highly functional marlin spike in lieu of the drop point blade of the PowerAssist illustrates the West Marines focus on marine activities.)

(The West Marine Sailing Tool has the same locking mechanism of the PowerAssist. )

(The SOG PowerAssist showing a bit of detailing differences from the West Marine Sailing Tool.)

(A close up of the West Marine’s plastic spacer between the sheepfoot blade and marling spike. There is no spring mechanism housing in this tool. The marlin spike occupies most of the space due to its greater thickness.

(West Marine.)

(This photo shows the PowerAssist’s spring mechanism housing nestled between the drop point and sheepfoot blade.)

ryan1835 · **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2010, 10:31:53 PM

i ask stupid questions alot

but what do you use a marlin spike for?

AHB · **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2010, 10:34:05 PM

Quote from: ryan1835 on July 16, 2010, 10:31:53 PM

i ask stupid questions alot

but what do you use a marlin spike for?

Untying knots I think..

Chako · **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2010, 10:35:01 PM

Very useful for general rope work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlinspike

yud · **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2010, 10:58:16 PM

Charger · **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2010, 12:15:16 AM

I knew you'd find one!

Crouton · **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2010, 02:20:01 AM

Very nice write-up Chako. West Marine sure loves the Sogs.

J-sews · **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2010, 03:21:13 AM

Odd how many of the rebadged SOG's have button head screws, while the SOG-branded versions have hex bolts....?

Chako · **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2010, 01:45:12 AM

Yep. I have noticed that also Bob. No clue why either. Possibly a way that SOG differentiates their line for those made for others.

J-sews · **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2010, 04:07:53 AM

I stopped by West Marine and picked up mine today.

(they are on sale for $49 and there are three left if anyone's interested...) The tool is as well made as any other SOG

Oddly enough, there were no Country Of Origin markings anywhere on the packaging or tool itself.

Which is strange, as I thought items were required by law to have markings indicating where they were made.

The only thing I'd like to add to Chako's excellent tool comparison is the fact that on the West Marine tool, the handle sheet metal prevents the crimper from being used. $:-\$ (not that I often use the SOG crimper anyhow, but its the point...)

Oh, I almost forgot, the store staff also informed me that the Fisherman version was subject to a factory recall.

Perhaps a problem with the cutter jaw inserts??

Chako · **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2010, 04:21:59 AM

Great catch. I hadn't noticed that detail. You can see it clearly in the 5th photo, just below the pliers pivot point. Makes me wonder why they built it like that?

MultiMat · **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2010, 05:03:37 AM

Bloody hell look at the size of the nail nick on the West Marine's file

.I really hate holes in files as what you are filling often gets caught in them , that thing is a flippen chasm

.

Chako or Bob the spacer between the Spike & the blade on the West Marine tool still looks size-able , would their be room for another tool

.

I assisted open Marlin spike would of impressed the old salties

Chako · **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2010, 09:35:39 AM

That huge hole in the nail file is a shackle key...so it apparently does have a reason for being there. Just don't ask me what a shackle key is used for.

Yes, there is room for a tool or two more...but they decided to keep it true to the PowerAssist build. They do not have room to install the spring housing due to the thickness of the marlin spike, so no assisted spike for anyone.

Screwtape · **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2010, 10:43:06 AM

A shackle key is used to open shackles, it slips over the flat part of the pin to make a handle,

never use it to tighten it up or it will bind and the hold isn't for sticking a screwdriver through instead but for a nice piece of wire so you can mouse the pin in place,

hope that helps

Screwtape · **Reply #14 on:** July 18, 2010, 10:44:51 AM

opps I forgot to ask,

Does the main blade have as much play as in the power assist or has losing the springs made for a tighter tool

Chako · **Reply #15 on:** July 18, 2010, 02:19:10 PM

Blade play in either is very very small in both my examples.

J-sews · **Reply #16 on:** July 18, 2010, 03:21:30 PM

Same locking mechanism = same blade play in both.

Speaking of locking mechanism; its far too complicated, and far too fiddly.

This was perhaps necessary on the PowerAssist in order to work around the assisted opening springworks, but its totally overboard on this tool. My thumbs are getting rubbed raw just playing with it.

Chako · **Reply #17 on:** July 18, 2010, 03:34:09 PM

True enough.

What I find interesting with the mechanism...on the PowerAssist, the spring would pop the tool out a little once you pushed the round button up. On the Sailing Tool, you push it up, and have to dig the tool out with your other hand, as there is no spring assembly to help you get at the tools a little. The marlin spike is a bit of a challenge at times for me to get out.

J-sews · **Reply #18 on:** July 18, 2010, 03:51:13 PM

Yah, I agree there.

Although the getting IN seems to be more of a problem for me than the getting OUT. $:-\$ My thumb just doesn't seem to work naturally on the little sliding lock release button. (Possibly because its already become sore from trying)

It seems like releasing these locks with cold damp fingers out on a boat would be even more difficult. $:-\$

yud · **Reply #19 on:** July 18, 2010, 07:26:00 PM

Please stop it you two are wearing down my resistance, must look away

Styerman · **Reply #20 on:** July 23, 2010, 03:58:12 PM

Congrats to SOG for the innovation !

Chris

BIG-TARGET · **Reply #21 on:** July 24, 2010, 02:27:10 AM

I'm not even a SOG fan, and even I like it!!!

yud · **Reply #22 on:** August 03, 2010, 03:27:07 AM

Chako I was wondering how does that tool compare to the Wenger Alinghi?

Chako · **Reply #23 on:** August 03, 2010, 03:31:37 AM

If I was on a sail boat, or a ship, the Wenger would be the better way to go simply because the tools are a lot larger, and the tool is not as fiddly as the West Marine.

yud · **Reply #24 on:** August 05, 2010, 07:12:24 PM

zepla · **Reply #25 on:** August 21, 2010, 11:31:32 AM

Quote from: Chako on August 03, 2010, 03:31:37 AM

If I was on a sail boat, or a ship, the Wenger would be the better way to go simply because the tools are a lot larger, and the tool is not as fiddly as the West Marine.

Hmm, I was interested (as a sailor) but now it seems not that atractive anymore. Perhaps I should find one just to check it out and see what I think of it myself

Chako · **Reply #26 on:** August 21, 2010, 01:28:49 PM

What are you waiting for?

zepla · **Reply #27 on:** August 21, 2010, 05:03:40 PM

The costs to get it here including the tool itself makes it an expesive item, just to see if I like it or not $:-\$

scrappy · **Reply #28 on:** August 25, 2010, 07:56:58 PM

I thought someone mentioned the price is 50 but it is 70. have these gone up in proces or is there some where selling them for less?

nuphoria · **Reply #29 on:** August 25, 2010, 08:18:18 PM

I get it bad for marlinspikes, can't talk myself in to buying any more locking tools though

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