Swisstool Spirit Plier Gripping Force & Serrated knife?

[Dr Hunt]

I'm have read much good words about the Spirit and is considering to the Spirit I (with serrated knife, no scissors), along with the SOG Powerlock and Paratool.

Need some help from you guys to decide whether to get the Spirit I. Questions on the Vic below:

1) Does the plier have same maximum gripping force as SOG Powerlock?

2) How much hand effort/pain required for the same amount of gripping force as the SOG Powerlock? (I'm assuming the handles are different in ergonomics).

2) Anyone know if the serrated blade is decent for cutting sheet material? The MT will be paired with Vic Huntsman, so scissors on MT is not compulsory.

Thanks guys.

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk

[AimlessWanderer]

Not sure what you mean by sheet material. Ripstop nylon? Cotton sheets? Plywood? Plasterboard?

As to gripping force comparisons with the SOG's, the Spirit doesn't have compound leverage like the SOG does. However, the compound leverage also means that the handles open twice as wide, which means your grip becomes less efficient, thus rendering the compound leverage poinless beyond a certain point (depending on your hands and the size of the item you are gripping). What the Spirit DOES have is excellent ergonomics which keeps your grip efficient. The short answer is that it is very subjective depending on the users grip, and the task at hand.

[Smaug]

Not sure what you mean by sheet material. Ripstop nylon? Cotton sheets? Plywood? Plasterboard?

Yeah, this ^ is a critical detail.

However, the compound leverage also means that the handles open twice half as wide (on the SOG)

Correction in bold

which means your grip becomes less efficient, thus rendering the compound leverage pointless beyond a certain point (depending on your hands and the size of the item you are gripping).

Yes, to grip thin items harder, like sheet metal, the SOG will be the clear winner. But then if you need to grip something thicker, the SOG might fail to open far enough. Tough call!

What the Spirit DOES have is excellent ergonomics which keeps your grip efficient. The short answer is that it is very subjective depending on the users grip, and the task at hand.

This part seems is unanimous, among Spirit owners.

[Etherealicer]

For gripping I always use my Spirits.
The pliers head is just made for gripping (great shape, great teeth, great grip)
The handles are extremely comfortable

You might wanna look at this post.

P.S.: SOG wise I only own the PPP and the CrossGrip, used to have a PA

[Etherealicer]

However, the compound leverage also means that the handles open twice half as wide (on the SOG)

Correction in bold

Nope, that was correct the handles need to open twice as wide

[sawman]

I would like to also point out that optional SOG scissors are not very good compared to the Spirits'.

TBH, if I had to choose right now between a Spirit and PL, I'd have to go with the Powerlock as I like its pliers the best. Other drivers and implements are adequate IMO except for maybe the can opener.

The Powerlock's drivers and blades can be purchased and replaced.

...And I like the PL's Phillips better than the Spirit's.

[Dr Hunt]

Not sure what you mean by sheet material. Ripstop nylon? Cotton sheets? Plywood? Plasterboard?

Yeah, this ^ is a critical detail.

Sorry I wasn't articulate about "sheet material", I actually refer to thin rigid materials or meat that will cut well with pull strokes of a serrated blade than a plain edge or saw. In short, whether the serrated blade is any good like the usual Vic tools, so I can decide to select the Spirit variant with serrated blade or scissors.

However, the compound leverage also means that the handles open twice half as wide (on the SOG)

Correction in bold

I believe the SOG has to be open twice as wide as Spirit for the same grip width.

which means your grip becomes less efficient, thus rendering the compound leverage pointless beyond a certain point (depending on your hands and the size of the item you are gripping).

Yes, to grip thin items harder, like sheet metal, the SOG will be the clear winner. But then if you need to grip something thicker, the SOG might fail to open far enough. Tough call!

Yea, thanks to Etherealicer's advice to read 50ft-trad's post on comparing all the MT's plier and handle grip. SOG handles does look ridiculous for holding a small diameter lighter.

[Dr Hunt]

I would like to also point out that optional SOG scissors are not very good compared to the Spirits'.

TBH, if I had to choose right now between a Spirit and PL, I'd have to go with the Powerlock as I like its pliers the best. Other drivers and implements are adequate IMO except for maybe the can opener.

The Powerlock's drivers and blades can be purchased and replaced.

...And I like the PL's Phillips better than the Spirit's.

PL long nose pliers will be more suitable for my intended use. I like the availability of SOG bits, though they seem slightly pricey and difficult to get from their site. I have read many complain about broken PL Philips though.

At the crossroads between getting either both SOG PL and Spirit or just the PL. Hmmm.....

[sawman]

I bought my PL at Lowes for $54 of course I had a coupon but that beats the heck out of their online prices.

[Dr Hunt]

I bought my PL at Lowes for $54 of course I had a coupon but that beats the heck out of their online prices.

Ordered one PL, 53usd and Paratool, 54usd on Amazon, now on its journey halfway around the globe.   

[sawman]

I bought my PL at Lowes for $54 of course I had a coupon but that beats the heck out of their online prices.

Ordered one PL, 53usd and Paratool, 54usd on Amazon, now on its journey halfway around the globe. 

You did good! I hope you receive everything soon

[Dr Hunt]

I bought my PL at Lowes for $54 of course I had a coupon but that beats the heck out of their online prices.

Ordered one PL, 53usd and Paratool, 54usd on Amazon, now on its journey halfway around the globe. 

You did good! I hope you receive everything soon

Thanks Saw. Hope the stuff comes in good condition. I need to find out what happened to the long overdue parcel of Spyderco folders that a friend sent from Canada.