SOG 2016 Product Info!!!!

[Tom Munch]

Thanks Tom and Kampfer for taking the hit on this one. I just cancelled my Knifecenter pre-order. Sounds like I can find a better way to spend $50.

You're welcome, but I still think the Reactor has a place with someone who wants a smaller tool that has interesting engineering and doesn't mind if it's a little fiddly.

[Kampfer]

Thanks Tom and Kampfer for taking the hit on this one. I just cancelled my Knifecenter pre-order. Sounds like I can find a better way to spend $50.

You're welcome, but I still think the Reactor has a place with someone who wants a smaller tool that has interesting engineering and doesn't mind if it's a little fiddly.

You are welcome, get a Skeletool from HD for $20 and save yourself $30.

[Tom Munch]

Funny thing is that I keep fiddling with the Reactor tonight.  It's just quirky enough and interesting enough that I can't put it down. SOG may have something there.

[Grant Lamontagne]

From Lord Kampfer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfXbm2hQjus&feature=youtu.be

Def

[Obi1shinobee]

From Lord Kampfer:



Def

 

[Tom Munch]

Removed?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Corrupt file didn't work.  Trying again, give me a few minutes.

Def

[Tom Munch]

K

[Grant Lamontagne]

There.  Should be good to go now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfXbm2hQjus&feature=youtu.be

Def

[Kampfer]

There.  Should be good to go now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfXbm2hQjus&feature=youtu.be

Def

That is my short and bitter 12 second review on the Reactor.
The lock was fully engaged in the video, and see how easy I disengaged it just by touching it.

[Tom Munch]

Hmmm. Mine doesn't do that.

[Tom Munch]

I can get it to flex a bit back, but it doesn't disengage like that.  Is the locking mechanism sliding between the blade and the housing?

[Tom Munch]

I looked at your video again.  It just doesn't look like it's getting much bite on the blade butt, and so it's just sliding back into the pre-lock position next to the blade.  Mine did that at first until it wore in.  SOG really needs someone to inspect these better before they ship.

[sLaughterMed]

Hey Kam, how thick is it compared to a Skeletool?

That is a really disappointing review. 

[Tom Munch]

Hey Kam, how thick is it compared to a Skeletool?

That is a really disappointing review. 

Look at my photo on the previous pages.

[sLaughterMed]

Hey Kam, how thick is it compared to a Skeletool?

That is a really disappointing review. 

Look at my photo on the previous pages.

But theres no Skele for comparison

The screwdriver bit is a 1/4" right? Does that make the Reactor (minus clip) about 3/4" wide

EDIT: Found it.

[Tom Munch]

Yes. On page 7. Here they are again.

[Kampfer]

I looked at your video again.  It just doesn't look like it's getting much bite on the blade butt, and so it's just sliding back into the pre-lock position next to the blade.  Mine did that at first until it wore in.  SOG really needs someone to inspect these better before they ship.

The lock was engaged all the way, but the strength is weak, and at the wrong spot where index finger rests.
One little squeeze, it is done.

Some said Skeletool liner has the same issue, but I personally never encounter it, and the same issue on Reactor is 100 times worst.

[Tom Munch]

Here's mine doing the same flex.

[Kampfer]

Unlike the other SOG tools, the new reactor and power play are fully sand blasted.
Don't know about you but I hate anything sand blasted, just screams cheap to me.

[Tom Munch]

They look painted.

[Kampfer]

They look painted.

I was talking about the sliver parts.

[Tom Munch]

Got in the 2nd Reactor and the Powerplay. They're definitely different beasts.

The Reactor is looser than the first one, but works better out of the box since the first one felt broken. The resistance on the assistive opening is less, and the spring is also not as strong it seems. The lock doesn't come over as far on the knife butt, and so I can see how it could slip over like it did for you, Kampfer. The blade hinge also seems like it could be tighter since the blade has some side-to-side play. The whole box frame that houses the pliers seems to be a little out of alignment so that the pliers don't fold into the middle which also makes the blade a little crooked in its track. It also has put a scratch on the plier head right out of the box where it grazes the housing. SOG really has some variance in manufacturing tolerances to work out.

The Powerplay is different than the Reactor although the construction is similar. The plier head is longer and comes to a finer point. The outside-opening tools are easy to deploy, lock, and unlock, but they don't seem particularly well made. The Phillips screwdriver especially is small and stubby, and it slips out of my usual test screw very easily. The blade is okay, but isn't very sharp. The can opener is dull, and the bottle opener is so-so. The inside-opening tools are harder to deploy, especially the middle three. The locking piece and the tool butts are both rough and don't slide easily against each other, so it's really hard to get the tools out. SOG tried to make this easier by putting washers in between tools to keep the from clumping and binding, but it's going to take some use to smooth out the rough pieces and make these easy to use. The small flat screwdriver is the only new tool I haven't used in a SOG before. It's too big for eyeglasses, but seems well made.

I'll take pictures and give more details tomorrow.

[Tom Munch]

The 2nd Reactor bottle opener is really tight like the first one too. I'll loosen it tomorrow. I think I'll take it apart and see if reassembling it with a little tweaking can make it work better. I like the design, but the execution is rough.

Another note on the Powerplay. The bit driver is misaligned. Pictures will show better. Also the pliers don't fold flush when closed.

[Demel]

This is getting rough.....thanks for the first impressions Tom. I may have to stick to my powerlock.

[WWW]

It is like the Gerber Dime all over again. Great ideas but not the best execution.

[Tom Munch]

To be fair, pretty much every multitool manufacturer has had some poor execution and imprecise tools. I still haven't seen one that was everything I wanted. That's why they keep trying and we keep buying.

[Tom Munch]

Here's a bunch of photos for comparison.

With several tools



With a LM New Wave and Powerplier



Showing five tools in Powerplier showing thickness and washers in between tools



Comparing pliers





With Wave showing grips





PE blades



Phillips is stubbier than regular SOG



Nail studs hard to get to



Middle inside-opening tools



Locking mechanism



SOG pliers comparing bit driver addition



Different pliers tips



Phillips compared to Powerduo



Bottle and can openers Powerduo, Powerplay, Powerplier (on top)



Bottle and can openers Powerduo, Powerplay, Paratool (on top)



Bottle and can openers Powerduo, Powerplay, Vic Spirit (on top)

[Wanimator]

I like the PB thrust washers inbetween the tools... but after that it just seems like a SOG design made by a real bad Chinese manufacturer.

[Tom Munch]

It's not as bad as some of the bad tools, particularly some of the cheaper Gerbers over the years, but it doesn't smack of precision. I'd love to see the precision of Vic with the tools and finish of Leatherman. I wish Knipex or Wiha would make a multitool.