Kampfer's Paratool

Kampfer · **on:** December 07, 2015, 10:07:01 PM

First I like to thank sLaughterMed for gifting me this MT.
I was impressed by Paratool's Fit/Finish, unique design and form factor as soon as I held it in my hands.
However, it has one major downside, wobbling.

Something that really bugs me.

Here is how I received it.

Quote from: David Bowen link=http://www.multitool.org/reviews/sog/medium-tools/214-paratool.html

When the tools is closed there is a half moon dent and tab, one on either handle that are suppose to keep play from being in the handles when using the screwdrivers and such. But the real way it works is the tools inside press against each other to prevent movement. When you use the medium screwdriver or the knife blade there is serious movement in the handles making usage of these tools difficult.

Kampfer · **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2015, 10:08:45 PM

After 45 mins of tinkering, I present you my customized Paratool.
It weights at exactly 6 oz, with scissors, saw and full serrated blade along with drivers and awl.

Kampfer · **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2015, 10:10:48 PM

I filed down the handles a little to give clearance to the Scissors & Saw.
See the red circle

Kampfer · **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2015, 10:15:19 PM

And I am proud to say my Paratool does NOT wobble.
What I did is remove the spacer in the "inch" handle, and load it with five implements, so when the handles are closed, the half moon tab on "cm" handle fully bite on to the five implements, locking the tool solidly.

Kampfer · **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2015, 10:16:03 PM

Here is a picture of it in closed position. Rock solid.

Aloha · **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2015, 10:17:36 PM

Good one sLaughterMed

The Paratool is a neat tool. I like what you have done to add additional functionality. SOG makes a wicked awl, if I remember correctly I cut myself with it promply

upon playing with it.

zoidberg · **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2015, 10:20:03 PM

Nicely done Kampfer.

zoidberg · **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2015, 10:25:26 PM

And congrats for going ANLC!

SteveC · **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2015, 11:09:48 PM

Quote from: zoidberg on December 07, 2015, 10:20:03 PM

Nicely done Kampfer.

Quote from: zoidberg on December 07, 2015, 10:25:26 PM

And congrats for going ANLC!

+1

sLaughterMed · **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2015, 01:41:59 AM

Great mods! Im glad you liked the paratool, and found ways to make it even better. In the short time i had that one, i didnt mind the wobble, or the saw not quite fitting. However, I found closing the pliers without getting my fingers tangled in the jaws difficult. but hey, if it works for you (and I suspect it does) more power to ya.

Kampfer · **Reply #10 on:** December 08, 2015, 03:15:34 AM

That is right, we had our first kiss today too.

sLaughterMed · **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2015, 01:57:58 PM

Quote from: Kampfer on December 08, 2015, 03:15:34 AM

That is right, we had our first kiss today too.

May you have a long life and many children together.

ducttapetech · **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2015, 02:05:33 PM

LOL!
Nice job on the Para. I really them. Small, light and hit like a heavy weight.

sawman · **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2015, 02:12:13 PM

great work as always Kampfer

As for you and that new tool, whatever happens, don't name it after me!

Kampfer · **Reply #14 on:** December 08, 2015, 06:16:08 PM

Other then the wobbleing, pliers deployemeny and tool access is another drawback, cant fix that, as it is part of its design.

Kampfer · **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2015, 01:04:36 AM

Saw removed, added hard wire cutter.

Max Stone · **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2019, 06:13:43 PM

Nice improvement on the Paratool Kampfer!

I am definitely going to add scissors and maybe SOG's new V-cutter to mine.

Only one SOG distributor in my country and they probably don't carry the spare tools

The only MT I know that you can knot

Cheers!

kirk13 · **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2019, 07:07:36 PM

This thread was started in 2015??! Boy,I have been out of touch!

Nice to see the Paratool getting some love!

Max Stone · **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2019, 11:09:24 PM

Quote from: kirk13 on January 25, 2019, 07:07:36 PM

This thread was started in 2015??! Boy,I have been out of touch!

Nice to see the Paratool getting some love!

That's OK Kirk

it's been around some 25 years so what's 4 in it's life? Sadly, it looks like SOG has now discontinued it, as I cannot find it on their web site

gerleatherberman · **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2019, 04:01:15 AM

Will be looking forward to the mods you're planning to do, Max!

I really like the ParaTool, but both of mine are older ones for the collection. Need to find a newer one to go with them

Max Stone · **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2019, 06:57:06 AM

Thanks Poncho. I don’t have an early model. This one probably c2016 as I found it NOS in a retail store. Quality not quite up to LM. File cross cuts very light, pliers tips not perfectly aligned, discoloration in SE and PE blade tips where they laser trimmed them to clear the handles (SOG uses same blades across range). But hey, it’s a bit of history and makes a nice set with my Bear Jaws 155 and PST, but probably the most quirky. I will update this post once I track down the extra tools. Those plastic washer spacers are giving me sleepless nights.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2019, 07:31:49 AM

(though I'm not Poncho.

)

The older SOG files(1990s-pre-2010 or so) were functionally competitive with LMs and Gerbers of the time(round tip file being their best). Not sure why they switched to inferior files, after the move to outsourced parts, but they did.

The newer files function on harder materials better than softer materials; even though they seem like they wouldn't work.

The older SOGs have perfect plier alignment. I have yet to see poorly manufactured pliers from SOG, but a few members have reported the issue with newer tools.

The Buck Knives BuckTool series is the only other well known brand I know of that made pliers with a side rotational deployment pliers system. It is even more ridiculous and cumbersome than the SOG ParaTool.

Max Stone · **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2019, 08:05:35 AM

Thanks GLB for the extra info. Power Assist build quality definitely better than the Paratool sample I have. I guess it just became less relevant to SOG in the last few years and sales probably no longer what they were, so it’s been quietly retired. If they were outsourcing parts there were probably MOQs they had to meet. RIP.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #23 on:** January 27, 2019, 07:06:41 AM

Indeed. The outsourcing hurt them, and when they began cutting corners on the outsourced parts, it got iffy at best. This shows the most with the PowerLock series.

Here are some close ups of the two older ParaTool versions. Two different pliers deployment system versions.

Max Stone · **Reply #24 on:** January 27, 2019, 08:59:32 AM

Nice examples GLB. I can see that the general finish on the pliers in these older samples is much better than the later sample I have, which is not as "crisp", almost over-polished. See also how they trimmed the PE and SE blades, and did not even re-polish to remove the heat marks.

Oh well, at least I have a reference of this unusual design.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #25 on:** January 27, 2019, 09:36:10 AM

Thank you, Max!

Someone at the factory went buck-wild on a buffing machine with that plier head.

Those unfinished blades are a new one to me, but it isn't surprising at all. Will be checking for that on future SOG products. Thanks for the pictures and reference, Max!

Still a good example though for concept and interest.

I believe that was the last multitool manufactured by SOG in the U.S. Even though some of the components were outsourced.

Poncho65 · **Reply #26 on:** January 27, 2019, 04:14:57 PM

Quote from: gerleatherberman on January 26, 2019, 07:31:49 AM

(though I'm not Poncho. )

The older SOG files(1990s-pre-2010 or so) were functionally competitive with LMs and Gerbers of the time(round tip file being their best). Not sure why they switched to inferior files, after the move to outsourced parts, but they did.

The newer files function on harder materials better than softer materials; even though they seem like they wouldn't work.

The older SOGs have perfect plier alignment. I have yet to see poorly manufactured pliers from SOG, but a few members have reported the issue with newer tools.

The Buck Knives BuckTool series is the only other well known brand I know of that made pliers with a side rotational deployment pliers system. It is even more ridiculous and cumbersome than the SOG ParaTool.

It's because of your dashing good looks that he thought you were me

Can't wait to see what you do to the Paratool, Max and yes they have been discontinued for a couple years