Access to Power -SOG 30-day Challenge! Starting June 1st! Access & Access Deluxe

[Wspeed]

Yes this could be interesting to see what will happen
I am going to use the LM Supertool file for comparing
The SOG PAD file on the same aluminium
This way I will have a better idea if the file works or not 

[Dutch_Tooler]

Day 12

Not wanting to steal your thunder Wspeed, but great minds think alike, it seems... I've just finished a quick comparison between a loose LM Supertool 300 file and the one on the PAD, on a piece of aluminium.

Verdict: even loose, i.e. with no handle, the ST file works better than the one on the PAD (i.e. with a sizable handle), I'd estimate about twice to three times as well in terms of abrasive qualities per unit of transversal force applied. No surprise, but... having said that... what is surprising is that even the PAD file works, after a fashion, despite only the most minimal of grooves and the entire absence of any apex worthy of the name between them.

[Wspeed]

Nice one DT 
Do you think that the Supertool 300 file
Would be able to fit the PAD
Is there enough metal on the pivot end
To copy the PAD file pivot profile 

[gerleatherberman]

Thank you for checking on it as well, DT!

The PA/PAD file is a perplexing phenomenon. It seems that we really jumped into presumption, if it turns out, that most (if not all) of our PADs have a barely mediocre file (and not useless ). We must go back and reevaluate some assertions I think. 

But, all in all, I cannot say I am upset. This makes the file usable.

Now, I start to ponder, is it better or worse than a file on a "seriously" low quality MT? Say, an Ozark Trail $3.88 MT, perhaps?
I shall endeavor to test this possibility before the challenge is completed. 

[gerleatherberman]

For the challenge day 12:

1) Used the plain edge blade to cut splintered wood and dried wood glue out of a poorly repaired foot on this cedar chest. I cut stuff out until I had two flush surfaces to glue back properly.
2) I tried out the medium driver on the bottle opener. I drove four wood screws into cedar foot-support blocks with it.  I did make starter holes with the awl to make it easier. The piece pictured is the one glued back together.
Thankfully only one foot was jacked up, because it took several hours to get it all sorted.

[Wspeed]

Day 12

Wow was it difficult to get some old
style cans with something I like to eat
It looks like it won’t be long and all cans will have a ring pull
And the can opener will be obsolete 

For the test I bought 3 cans
2 normal size tins and 1 large tin
Now I can tick all three task boxes for
Opening the cans in one day 

The can opener works but it is more
Like just puncturing the tin
I had 3 tins to test and I tried different
ways to open the tins but couldn’t get the
Tin opener to work any better
All I got was butchered tins

I am left handed and have no problem
using the SAK or LM can opener
Looking at the can opener you can see
it’s got no proper cutting edge and it’s very blunt

Now I have tested the can opener I
will have a go at reshaping the opener
I can’t make it any worse I hope 

I don’t really use a can opener
But it should work why put one
on the PAD if it doesn’t work
Or does SOG already know that
Cans will all be ring pull soon
So SOG can’t be bothered to make it work

[gerleatherberman]

Great job, W! I imagine that was arduous at best.

 Only "good" can opener I have seen on a SOG is on the early ParaTool and PowerPlier. Those resembled the Leatherman can openers.

[Wspeed]

Thanks GLBM 
It wasn’t easy opening the cans
But got there in the end

It doesn’t look like a can opener will
be needed soon anymore it will be interesting
To see what companies will replace
The can opener with instead on their MT

[Dutch_Tooler]

Nice one DT 
Do you think that the Supertool 300 file
Would be able to fit the PAD
Is there enough metal on the pivot end
To copy the PAD file pivot profile 

I'm thinking there might be... there remains the fact that the file proper would have to be made lower-profile as well, and I don't know how the steel's tempering would react to a cutting disc being put to it...

Good job on the cans as well - looks like a battlefield. Methinks a grinding job cannot possibly make the opener worse

[Dutch_Tooler]

Thank you for checking on it as well, DT!

The PA/PAD file is a perplexing phenomenon. It seems that we really jumped into presumption, if it turns out, that most (if not all) of our PADs have a barely mediocre file (and not useless ). We must go back and reevaluate some assertions I think. 

But, all in all, I cannot say I am upset. This makes the file usable.

Now, I start to ponder, is it better or worse than a file on a "seriously" low quality MT? Say, an Ozark Trail $3.88 MT, perhaps?
I shall endeavor to test this possibility before the challenge is completed. 

[Wspeed]

Nice one DT 
Do you think that the Supertool 300 file
Would be able to fit the PAD
Is there enough metal on the pivot end
To copy the PAD file pivot profile 

I'm thinking there might be... there remains the fact that the file proper would have to be made lower-profile as well, and I don't know how the steel's tempering would react to a cutting disc being put to it...

Good job on the cans as well - looks like a battlefield. Methinks a grinding job cannot possibly make it worse

Thanks DT 
I think cutting the file will be fine 
If the file has enough metal to make it fit
Than I would definitely try and make the file work

I don’t think I can make the can opener
Any worse than it already is right now
It would be nice for the can opener to work properly 

[powernoodle]

why put one on the PAD if it doesn’t work

I really think they are just punking us. SOG knows full well what it is selling.

[gerleatherberman]

So, the question begs to be asked, do those of you who used the can opener so far have experience using knife/mt can openers?  If so, a fair side by side with a SAK can opener would be more reasonable than just saying the sog can opener is garbage. Photos of a can opened with the pad next to a can opened with a sak. Seems only fair to me.
The pad can openers did work, seeing the photos. They are just not good at it(or difficult to use). In a pinch, it looks like it can do the job. And with practice, may get easier to use.
Just some food for thought, as I have observed, judging the PAD in absolute terminology isn't going to end with a fair and unbiased final result.
We have to keep the challenge grounded in reasonability and not emotion.
Adopting an absolute stance on multitool performance based on two tools is a very narrow in scope and fails to address any nuances that may shed some favorable light on it as a whole.

And PN,
It isn't a "punk". It boils down to poor design, resulting in the file and can opener not being "sak-like" in function.
Just, because something is mediocre, doesn't make it useless. The nuance being that the truth is somewhere in the middle.
You seem to present yourself as an authority on the PAD, but honesty, I don't think you had enough experience using it to make absolute claims about it.
Have you read over the file correction part of the thread yet? The file is actually useful on metal and wood. The perplexing phenomenon being that it feels/looks smooth and doesn't work well on fingernails. But, it sure seems to work on harder materials. Even the notching side.

I know crapping on stuff is an international past time, but I would like to see this thread end up being objectively true and not riddled with absolute false assertions.
Ex. Instead of saying the can opener is garbage, try discussing if it can be used in an emergency.
Whatever. Too tired to type anymore.

[Wspeed]

Day 13

I tested the file Today on the SOG PAD and yes it works
Looks like we are wrong about the file
I tested aluminium 3mm thick

I tested the PAD first I had no problems removing
The burr using the cross cut side
Than I used the same side of the file
To chamfer the edge again no problems

Then I used the fine side of the file
To remove the corner of the aluminium
Again it worked but the groove on the file
Got in the way when trying to
remove the point on the corner

I tested my LM Supertool with the same aluminium
And yes it was easier to remove material not by much

But I didn’t have much luck using the thin side
Of the file on the PAD hardly did anything
And couldn’t show this up in a pic

So yes the SOG PAD has got a file that works
Maybe not the best and that groove cut out
Is not useful as it gets in the way filing thinner metal

I tried to get some pics but have bad lighting
So hopefully you can see what I did on the aluminium

[gerleatherberman]

Awesome comparison, W!

It is mind boggling that the SOG file works as it does. One would think, the fact it hardly works on fingernails, it means it wouldn't work on harder materials at all. Does not compute...does not compute.

Now, I must admit, I flew to everyone's house in each respective time zone/geographic location and replaced all of your PA/PAD files with ones that work while you were sleeping.

[Wspeed]

I am surprised it works and will
have to apologise for my rant 
But it’s not the best file especially the thin side of the file
So there are improvements to be made to make it a good file 

[Dutch_Tooler]

Day 13

A comparison shot only, today. The PAD is fully as long and wide as the ST300...

[gerleatherberman]

Day 13:
Did a quick polish on a tea set. Didn't use the PAD for anything on the tea set. Just thought it would be a neat pic.

[Wspeed]

Day 14

Today I had to use the plain blade
To open this special package from SOG

When I received my warranty PAD
I was charged by customs £20 Or $26
Which I didn’t think was fair
And SOG didn’t think that was fair
The only way they could refund me was in dollars
Or we can send you the pocket version of the PAD
I said yes please I will be happy with the pocket version
But didn’t know what model MT they were talking about
I didn’t want to ask SOG as I thought it would
be a nice surprise when I get the package

So after having a coffee and stopped shaking
I opened the package to be very surprised
With what I saw when I removed the brown paper
A very nice SOG Power Access, I wasn’t expecting that
I straight away checked out all the tools and
everything works so I am very happy
SOG thank you very much for all your help 

[Dutch_Tooler]

How nice! So now you get to complete two checklists 

[RF52]

That is some great customer service

Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk

[Dutch_Tooler]

Day 14

Meanwhile, I know that throughout this challenge all of you have been itching to finally learn how long that cool LED light is that I keep in the PAD sheath's side loop.

After making a high-precision attempt, followed by some liberal extrapolation (the PAD's ruler is -just- too short) I conclude that the answer you have all been waiting for, is...







90 mm!




Stay tuned, and watch the next three episodes to learn:
- the light's length in inches (I have a cunning plan for this that I will not yet reveal)
- the light's diameter in mm
- the same in inches

[Wspeed]

That is some great customer service

Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk

Excellent customer service 
I can’t fault SOG they have been excellent 

[Wspeed]

I just checked the ruler on the PAD
And it goes to 23 cm as it
carries on to the other handle
Just no read out from 9cm to 14cm

[gerleatherberman]

That is awesome, W! I do like the regular PowerAcces.

Nice pics guys!

DT,
I would have cheated by marking a first set of measurements at a point and measuring again from there. It wouldn't be very accurate.  But, accuracy is work and, I am a bit lazy. 
Hats off to your being accurate. 

[Wspeed]

Thanks GLBM 
I like the SOG PA a lot
Even the file looks better 

[Dutch_Tooler]

That is awesome, W! I do like the regular PowerAcces.

Nice pics guys!

DT,
I would have cheated by marking a first set of measurements at a point and measuring again from there. It wouldn't be very accurate.  But, accuracy is work and, I am a bit lazy. 
Hats off to your being accurate. 

Thanks (I think )

Actually, the PAD's ruler seems pretty accurate (in points where it indicates anything, that is), I've just laid it along a real fixed ruler and the markings match.

[Dutch_Tooler]

Thanks GLBM 
I like the SOG PA a lot
Even the file looks better 

That file... could you transpose it to the PAD?

[Wspeed]

Thanks GLBM 
I like the SOG PA a lot
Even the file looks better 

That file... could you transpose it to the PAD?

As far as I can see it’s exactly the same
file and so are the pivot side cutouts for the lock 

[gerleatherberman]

The early PA had a mediocre file, but maybe they have remedied that.

The PA and PAD have the same tools (at least in terms of what is in the PA's smaller toolset. Ex. The PA has no saw...etc), except for the cutting blades, of which the PAD has longer cutting blades.

Thank you for cheking on the ruler, DT! It was a compliment calling you accurate.

W,
I forgot to mention! Congrats on getting the PA! That was excellent CS on SOG's part.