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

Wspeed · **Reply #390 on:** June 18, 2018, 02:42:11 PM

The PA

Cut everything no problems

Wspeed · **Reply #391 on:** June 18, 2018, 02:43:47 PM

The LM Crunch

Only had one cut on the green
trimmer wire it had a problem with

Wspeed · **Reply #392 on:** June 18, 2018, 02:44:27 PM

The LM Supertool

No problems

I have just about tested
everything I can with the SOG PAD
On day 11 I tested zip ties stainless
welding wire and a hardened 2.5mm nail
As well as trimmer wire and electric wire
And again for the 2nd test it cut everything

Wspeed · **Reply #393 on:** June 18, 2018, 02:52:03 PM

Quote from: ThePeacent on June 18, 2018, 02:26:16 PM

Quote from: Dutch_Tooler on June 18, 2018, 01:27:04 PM
In my book that qualifies as an imaginative use, Wspeed

+1
just beware that files (if we can call this one a file ) are usually hardened so should not be used to pry, twist or torque as they easily snapped but I see that you used it putting the force closer to the pivot thus reducing the leverage multiplication effect

Good point D_T I do think anything
tighter and it would of snapped off

Nix · **Reply #394 on:** June 18, 2018, 03:31:46 PM

Nice testing, guys!

(And D_T, good work with the checklist. Your cap-lifter is clearly well tested.

)

I scrounged up a few extra bits of wire to test, will post a pic later.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #395 on:** June 18, 2018, 04:19:41 PM

Quote from: Don Pablo

So if I understand the chart, the PAD got more passes than the Swisstool and Wave, and the Surge was the only one to get three passes.

Indeed. It seems strange, but remember, the tests involved no twisting or pulling while using the cutters on stranded wire & tiny solid core wire(these were intentionally chosen, because they are notoriously aggravating to cut) Every tool tested can cut most stuff when "manipulated" a bit.
And don't be put-off my results. I needed a standard of testing and obviously most of us don't cut stuff exactly the same way.

Usually, when I cut zip ties, electrical wire and thin steel wire, I angle and pull the wire up towards the cutter blade(i just cut straight on in the the tests). This makes for cleaner cuts and reduces strain on the jaw pivot. Every tool I have will cut most stuff this way.
Non of the tools tested would need this kind of manipulation with thicker (or stronger) materials like bailing wire.

Pic of what I mean attached at bottom. The pic is showing a powerpint, because I am having my off-day coffe and can't be bothered to go get the pad right now.

Quote from: Wspeed on June 18, 2018, 12:24:14 PM

Day 18

Today I was checking the fluid levels in the engine bay
And needed something to open the power steering cap
Normally I use a large screwdriver but as I got the PAD
I found the file to be just right for removing the cap

I think you win most creative file use.

And thank you for doing all of your testing. Seems your PAD has an excellent cutter section!

Don Pablo · **Reply #396 on:** June 18, 2018, 04:32:04 PM

Can we agree that Gerbers replaceable cutters suck?

Wspeed · **Reply #397 on:** June 18, 2018, 04:40:43 PM

Thanks GLBM

If there is anything else you would like
me to test the cutters with let me know

So far the cutters have cut everything i can think of
The pliers on my PAD seem to be good quality

gerleatherberman · **Reply #398 on:** June 18, 2018, 04:53:54 PM

Quote from: Don Pablo on June 18, 2018, 04:32:04 PM

Can we agree that Gerbers replaceable cutters suck?

Hell yes. They have to be the worst cutter system ever designed. Everything from my early replaceable-cutter MP600 to my Center-Drive look like piranhas when I try to cut wire with them.
You saw the chart. The Gerber failed all three. And if you look at the photos, it barely tore the jackets off of the wire.

The CD isn't as bad as that mp600, but it is definitely at the bottom of the totem-pole(sp?).

Nix · **Reply #399 on:** June 18, 2018, 05:12:47 PM

Day 13:

More wire cutter testing:

All wires are steel (checked with magnet). The top most wire is thick and heavy, about the thickness of a 14-16g finishing nail. The second from the top is a standard medium-gauge wire. Third down is a fine, coated garden wire used for tying up plants. The bottom is a common "twist-tie".

The PAD chomped through the thick wire without difficulty. As I cut the medium wire, I felt it twist a little, then it cut fairly well. In the case of the garden wire and twist tie, the wires just bent.

So, my PAD will cut fairly heavy wire with relative ease. The cutters have sustained no damage so far (checked with 5x magnifier). However, thinner wire and stranded wire seems to stymie my PAD. As does mono-filament and perhaps a zip tie (variable results with zip ties).

This is a real set back for me. Fishing is one of those activities where I always try to have a multi-tool with me. While I typically use scissors to cut mono, it's nice to have the ability to use a multitool if it is already in hand.

As well, I do a fair bit of work in the garden in the summer, so not being able to use a multitool to cut simple garden wire is another disappointment.

Right at the moment, my PAD is bumming me out. If it weren't for you guys and the challenge(s), I'd be tempted to pitch the thing.

For comparison, I tried using a LM Juice to tackle the same wires:

No problems.

No damage (checked with 5x magnifier).

I will say, the Juice had difficulty with the orange mono that I tried cutting yesterday. The Juice has also failed to cut double-stranded barbed wire for me in the past. If it ever stops raining, I'll try to get out for a hike and test the PAD against double stranded barbed wire. I have cut double stranded barbed wire successfully with a Charge and a Rebar. It is a tough task though.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #400 on:** June 18, 2018, 05:25:21 PM

Thank you for the comparison, Nix!

I would be willing to be there is some play in those plier jaws. Might be worth peening the pivot a bit(or trying that method someone came up with using vise-grips). Only because you are using them for the summer and will need them to work. Definitely not saying sloppy plier jaws are o.k.

Nix · **Reply #401 on:** June 18, 2018, 06:18:27 PM

There is definitely some play in the pliers.

I can grab the ends of the pliers head and move the jaws side-to-side.

I may try peening. I'm curious to see how SOG wants to resolve the file issue first.

I'm not familiar with the Vise Grip technique.

Nix · **Reply #402 on:** June 18, 2018, 06:21:27 PM

BTW, sent SOG an email on Saturday in re the file. Haven't heard back from them yet, but it's still early out on the West coast.

And they may be busy....

gerleatherberman · **Reply #403 on:** June 18, 2018, 07:04:46 PM

Hehe. They may be up to their eyeballs in repair/exchange requests.

I can't be too hard on them about slight plier play though. I've experienced plier play on brand new tools with every brand. Heck, I received a LM OHT once that I could literally cross the jaw tips over one-another. The replacement was close to as bad. $:-\$
It shouldn't happen though, even if other companies do ship out sloppy jaws, doesn't mean everyone should do it.
This is an issue I take to be blatantly careless, whether it is LM, Vic, Gerber, Bear, or SOG. Loose pliers are not exactly hard to check for in QC and everyone seems to still ship out MTs with slightly sloppy jaws(Vic and Gerber are pretty good about not having jaw play often though).
I wish they would ship the tools with the pivot a bit tight to allow some break in. If they ship the tool with a loose plier pivot, it is going to be horribly loose after the break in period.
Since my take on this is a topic for general tool discussion, I'll just hush about it now.
Back to the PAD. What to do. What to do on my lazy day off with the PAD.

Wspeed · **Reply #404 on:** June 18, 2018, 07:16:33 PM

Totally agree GLBM it should not happen

You could always open some
cans or bottles on your lazy day

gerleatherberman · **Reply #405 on:** June 18, 2018, 07:19:43 PM

Nix,
I must apologize. The fix I was thinking about has only been demonstrated to work on LM pivots. Not sure if a SOG pivot would move with the technique. Would it be the end of the world if trying it on the SOG didn't work?

The thread has a few good peening techniques shown/linked/mentioned as well. Not sure which peening technique you're used to using though.
Here is that thread. https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,75195.msg1606879.html#msg1606879

gerleatherberman · **Reply #406 on:** June 18, 2018, 07:20:50 PM

Quote from: Wspeed on June 18, 2018, 07:16:33 PM

Totally agree GLBM it should not happen
You could always open some
cans or bottles on your lazy day

Excellent idea.

gerleatherberman · **Reply #407 on:** June 18, 2018, 07:51:17 PM

Decided to get off my lazy hind-end and rummage through my canned food pantry. Found two cans of beans(both passed their sell by

) and a can of water chestnuts(I don't eat these. Don't know why I had them).
The can opener on my PAD performed exactly like I had imagined. Not great, but worked as advertised. It really wasn't that much worse than the SAK can opener in my opinion.

Pics 1/2

gerleatherberman · **Reply #408 on:** June 18, 2018, 07:52:12 PM

Pics 2/2.

Wspeed · **Reply #409 on:** June 18, 2018, 07:57:29 PM

Nice one GLBM

Your cans look the same as the cans I did

After the challenge I will have a go at
Trying to get a better cutting edge on the can opener

gerleatherberman · **Reply #410 on:** June 18, 2018, 08:33:23 PM

Thank you, W!

To be honest, as lame as the PAD can opener is, I don't think much better about any other one-piece openers on knives/saks/MTs.
I am not sure, with pull ring cans being the normal thing now, it is worth sharpening it. It will work in the .001% chance you may be stuck with it as the only can opener available.

Nix · **Reply #411 on:** June 18, 2018, 08:35:00 PM

I think the can openers on the Vic SAKs are light years better than the PAD's can opener.

But, as you noted, the PAD can get the job done.

And I've had more practice with the Vic openers.

Wspeed · **Reply #412 on:** June 18, 2018, 08:43:12 PM

At least the can opener will work in emergency’s

I want to give it a cutting edge like on the LM ones
And make the point on the can opener a bit sharper
Hopefully I might get easier cutting through the lid

Wspeed · **Reply #413 on:** June 18, 2018, 08:45:47 PM

Quote from: Nix on June 18, 2018, 08:35:00 PM

I think the can openers on the Vic SAKs are light years better than the PAD's can opener.

But, as you noted, the PAD can get the job done.

And I've had more practice with the Vic openers.

+1 i like the SAK can openers

gerleatherberman · **Reply #414 on:** June 18, 2018, 08:46:27 PM

I am spoiled with electric can openers and handheld circular-blade can openers. I don't have much practice with MT/SAK openers. And, to be honest, I have only used the can opener on my EDC Explorer a couple of times in about ten years.

I am going to have to roll with your(and others) conclusion, regarding your experience(vic opener being much better)on this topic, Nix!

Nix · **Reply #415 on:** June 18, 2018, 08:56:04 PM

Day 13 (continued):

I noticed that the back gate latch was a bit loose after the Winter. I used the integral bit holder and the #1 Philips to tighten this back up. Might need to be replaced, but this will hold the dog in for now.

ThePeacent · **Reply #416 on:** June 18, 2018, 09:38:45 PM

interesting challenge so far!

so, seeing the results, I can say that the can opener is Pitiful And Disastrous,
it also seems like the alignment of the jaws can be Problematic And Dysfunctional
the innovative feature of the centerline bit driver is Passable And Decent,
we could also agree that in a way the tool itself is has good Pliers And Drivers
but it really lacks and leaves you cold if we talk about the Protractor And Durability of the tool
The cutters are still being tested by all of you with Perseverance And Dedication to have a verdict on them

now I'll stop Playing And Distracting as I always do,

and encourage you to keep on with this very interesting challenge