PowerPint Overview Mighty Little MT

[ChopperCharles]

Is it just me, or does the PowerLitre come with a lock to hold it closed?

Charles.

[ChopperCharles]

Why the hate on the PowerAccess files? They work GREAT on metal. Not stainless (it will damage the file), but mild steel and aluminum are cut quickly and easily. The PowerPlay file, now *that* is a bad file. It's not even useful for fingernails.

Also... would it be possible to grind the bottle opener into a screwdriver blade? Might make it harder to open, but with clumping that's not really that big an issue.

Charles.

[ChopperCharles]

I've put together a mini bit kit to extend the capability of our nimble Pint.

If you use the Victorinox bitdriver extension, it has a smooth flat shank without the cutout for quick-release holders. Meaning, there is more flat surface area inside the area that grips the bits, and it doesn't wobble as much.

Charles.

[Top-Gear-24]

Just discovered the SOG PowerPint at the local outdoorshop, and I thought it was strange that I'd never heard of it before...

When I got home I found this topic, that for some reason, I had missed completely 🙄.

Anyway, inspecting it at the outdoorshop I thought it looked like quite a decent tool in a small package.

So I thought, why not make the first tool I buy in 2021 a SOG (which is definitely a first for me, since I only own 3 other SOG products after 26 years of hoarding collecting multitools).

So here it is:



And I must say, I'm surprised by the quality of this one.  I expected tools rubbing against the plier head, locks that needed a bit of adjusting, a PE blade that needed sharpening...

But turns out SOG has it all covered on this one, only thing I might mod is the spring on the scissors, just like GLBM did on his PowerPint.

I actually like this little tool 😁.

[masterjuggler]

And I must say, I'm surprised by the quality of this one.  I expected tools rubbing against the plier head, locks that needed a bit of adjusting, a PE blade that needed sharpening...

But turns out SOG has it all covered on this one, only thing I might mod is the spring on the scissors, just like GLBM did on his PowerPint.

I actually like this little tool 😁.

How are the scissors on it?

I got the powerpint a year or two ago and really was not impressed. All the tools had some burrs on the edges that made it hard to get a tool out, and the scissors had some burr that made them catch while cutting, but I never could find out where to file it down. I ended up losing it when camping and didn't feel too bad, went back to a leatherman juice.

Maybe they raised the quality control? Anyone else have a good experience? Might have to try again at some point.

[King_Gorilla]

I was thinking about getting one of these when they came out because I thought that the bid driver in the back of the plier head was a genius design.  But then before I bought one, I saw 4 or 5 video reviews on youtube that all said that the bit driver barely worked.  They all seemed to have issues with the bits spinning. 

I just read through all the pages on here and it doesn't seem like anyone was talking about that.  Do any of you that have the Power Pint, or any of the other similar SOG tools with that function, feel that the bit driver works well?

[Sven34]

Old thread I know, but I just bought my first Power Pint (not my first SOG) at Walmart the other day. I was not expecting great things given reported quality issues, however, the example I got is excellent in every way! I am very stoked about this little MT! The file on mine is excellently cut and very agressive. All the locking tools deploy nicely and snick into place. There is no blade rub, the pliers tips meet accurately, the scissors cut well, the blades are sharp and the other tools are well ground and sturdy for their size. Overall, I am very impressed! Perfect pocketable size, and great fidget factor. Just thought people might like to know it is worth trying again.
 

[Barry Rowland]

I've heard great things about them too Sven!  I keep hearing about quality issues with SOG but I've had great luck so far.  Post a picture when you can   

[Sven34]

I got my first SOG, a PowerLock, 15 or so years ago on clearance at Lowes. I had been a dedicated Leatherman fan since my father got me a Leatherman Supertool in the late 80's while I was in High-school.  Hoewever, when I saw the pliers-head on the PowerLock, as well as the socket-driver, I was sold. I later bought a Switch-plier 2, and now the PowerPint. Going to try to attach some pictures of the PowerPint.
Cheers, Sven.
 
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[Sven34]

The file on this PowerPint really is excellent. The files on my old PowerLock and Switch-plier 2 are rather unimpressive, so I was delighted to find that the PowerPint's file is very good. Both the single-cut and the double-cut sides of the file will cut aluminum and mild steel, and it cleans up fingernails like a champ. The awl is very sharp, and even the jewelry driver looks precisely ground. The serrated blade is surprisingly similar in size and grind to the serrated blade on my Leatherman Crunch, and the PE blade is a nice, pointy wharncliffe, perfect for detail work and delicate tasks.
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[Barry Rowland]

Looking good Sven!  I agree with you on those files.

[Jack the Zipper]

So I finally picked up my first SOG product, the PowerPint. I haven't seen those for sale anywhere in Finland, but on a visit to Germany I had the opportunity to handle one. Been wanting a small MT since forever.

In short, it's pretty good. I like the size, the action of the pliers, and half of the tools. I can see myself slipping the PowerPint in my pocket, while I would not pocket a full sized MT but use a belt pouch.

It's easier to list the things I do NOT like.
- It is thick for it's overall size
- Removing the pocket clip would remedy some of this, but you need a washer to keep the pivot tight if you do that
- The scissors are just bad
- Openers. Not needed, not even good.

On the scissors side, I would only keep the Philips, and even that is nothing to write home about. But the sheepsfoot blade, mini driver (long!), awl, and file are great.

Another tool that has the makings of greatness but falls kinda short. But like I said, a worthy addition to MT rotation.

[Farmer X]

Good write-up! Honestly, your assessment of the scissors doesn't surprise me. The scissors on a PowerLock aren't great; they're difficult to use with both handles closed. I could see myself adding a PowerPint to the horde/hoard eventually.

[Jack the Zipper]

Really warming up to the PowerPint, the action is very fidgetable and size is just right. Some work on it though. A thorough wd40 bath, opening and closing the tools a hundred times to get the lube in, sharpening the main blade and mini screwdriver, removing (cutting off) the clip, and shaping the hooked blade into something that can be used to penetrate plastic and fabric to pull and cut. Also sharpened the can opener.  Still not happy with the scissors, wish they weren't there at all. Those and the bottle opener, just dead weight. May remove them and reorganize the tools.

[Jack the Zipper]

I guess I jinxed the SOG by badmouthing the scissors. First the spring started acting out, so I couldn't open the scissor blades (parts? Halves? Arms?) more than a millimetre (that's VERY little in freedom inches) and then the scissors wouldn't fold properly, protruding from the handle. So they must go.

[PitCarver]

I've gotta say that when it comes to tool preference, "To each his own".  Im still pleased with my PowerPint after having it for a couple years now.  Even bought a black oxide version, this past spring, just because.

Sure, the scissors aren't the greatest, but Victorinox has ruined the scissors part for every one else in the industry.  My biggest complaint of the PowerPint is the lack of something to keep it closed, which I fixed with a small magnet.   As for the bit holder, I found that it does a fairly good job of holding onto the standard hex design better than the flat design.  I even, just recently, put in an order of a ratchet head similar to the 711L wrench but has the hex design.

[JonesE]

Hi Jack, Sorry to hear about the scissors on your PowerPint. Try to reach out to SOG and see if they will send you a pair of replacement scissors. I have not used their warranty service. I know others on here had had success in using them. I like that you did some mods on the tool to make it work for you better.

JonesE

[powernoodle]

The lack of a flat driver is a total deal breaker for me.  That, and the cheapy feel of SOG products over the last few years. 

[JonesE]

The lack of a flat driver is a total deal breaker for me.

PN, I know what you mean. I did a quick mod to mine. I ground the bottle opener nail nick off and did a hollow ground on the back side to make it fit receptacle screws. I also hollow ground the nick on the can opener as well. This gave me two slotted screwdrivers. The final mod I di was to Smooth the spine on the file.



JonesE

[Sven34]

PN, I know what you mean. I did a quick mod to mine. I ground the bottle opener nail nick off and did a hollow ground on the back side to make it fit receptacle screws. I also hollow ground the nick on the can opener as well. This gave me two slotted screwdrivers. The final mod I di was to Smooth the spine on the file.



JonesE

Nice mods, JonesE!

I like my powerpint. I have given a dozen or so of them as gifts over the years, and they were always appreciated. The bit driver in the back of the pliers is brilliant.

[Jack the Zipper]

Can anyone spot the problem here? I've taken the tool apart twice, and compared to my first photos, there is something weird about the scissors, or the spring, actually. I just can't fix it. So, you can see how little they open, what they look like closed, and how the spring seems to sit wrong, preventing the tool from folding all the way inside the handle.

It's really odd. I'm thinking just chopping off the spring, or at least dremeling the tip a bit to see if it helps. Thing is, you can't rearrange the tools and you can't just take one out. No way I'm disassembling everything a third time, the lock bar and pin are a b1tch to put back in.

Just a fun little problem for idle hands, I'm not sending the PP away, I like it but this just makes me scratch the old noggin 

[magentus]

Big fan of this little tool - before being replaced with a Rebar, this sas my work companion for about a year, and although it's not heavy duty but proved very useful while I carried it.

[JonesE]

Really like seeing that wear on your black oxide power pint Mags!

 

JonesE

[Barry Rowland]

I'll second that!

[PitCarver]

I'll third it.

I'm still using mine and recently picked up a new mini ratchet to keep it company.

[JonesE]

Very nice PC!  I have a similar one I keep with my Charge. They are handy when you need it.

JonesE

[PitCarver]

Yep.  I think that it works better than the 700L which is designed to go with the Leatherman tools

[magentus]

This is my back up Powerpint - my main one is in a BO finish. Love this little thing. It fits perfectly in a small LM case

[Barry Rowland]

I need to pick up one of these Mags.  The small multi tools are handy!  Right now I have a Gerber Dime, but those pliers have come in handy from time to time.

[magentus]

I need to pick up one of these Mags.  The small multi tools are handy!  Right now I have a Gerber Dime, but those pliers have come in handy from time to time.

I'd recommend one Barry - the pliers are a good size that fit between the Dime and something like a Rebar or Spirit. The Philips sd is handy too, and the hex socket for a bit holder is a great feature 👍