Paratool score!

[Grant Lamontagne]

I spotted this Paratool on FB Marketplace for $20- and it was in my neighborhood!

I picked it up last night on my way home from work and it's in great shape, although a little dirty.

The only thing "wrong" with it is that someone has swapped out the internal components and has a serrated blade and file in one handle, so the head doesn't close 100 percent of the way. 

It doesn't stick out or anything and is still perfectly functional, but it also doesn't slot in as neatly as it would have from the factory.

That should be an easy fix- I'll just have to dig up some SOG parts that I'm sure I have laying around here somewhere!

Or maybe I'll design a new part to fit in it and get Shapeways to print it for me.... Or just peruse Shapeways to see if anyone has already done that!

Who else gets this excited over a smurfty old tool?   

Def

[Antti Lammi]

Great find Grant   
If i correctly remeber shapeways did go bankcrupty and was boughted other company and they wont print anymore small patchses

[Grant Lamontagne]

Well that's disappointing.

I knew about the bankruptcy and purchase, I didn't know they'd cut out small makers.

I guess I'd better think of a part that will work in plastic and print it myself then! 

Def

[Antti Lammi]

Not sure does SOG parts what they sell goes to paratool   since its older model

[Grant Lamontagne]

All of the parts for the older SOG models, including the PowerLock (which still exist) fit all other SOG models with interchangeable parts.

That was the main selling feature of SOGs in this era- you could easily buy the parts you want and customize your tool, OR you could buy replacement parts and fix the tool yourself.

The only issue with this was that while mechanically the parts do fit and function, you can only put certain length tools in certain positions or the plier head wouldn't close.  This is a mild case of that problem, as the side folding head just doesn't have the space to close completely.  If one of the blades was in the middle position on any SOG tool the pliers wouldn't close because there isn't enough open space for the pliers to fold into.

Regardless, I love the Paratool.  It is one of my favorites and I like that this one has already been messed with so I don't have to feel bad about messing with it some more. 

I wonder if the PowerLock scissors would be too fat to fit in there?   

Def

[Farmer X]

That would have been a terrific score at $20 US. $20 CAN works out to $14.35 US as of this post. Congratulations on a hell of a deal!

[JonesE]

Congrats on the new to you tool Grant!

I have a couple of para tools that see occasional carry. Let me know if you need any pictures of the original tool load out. A good disassembly and cleaning will do that tool wonders.

JonesE

[madfishcat]

I wonder if the PowerLock scissors would be too fat to fit in there?   

There won't be any problems with the scissors. I installed the scissors but returned them back to the powerlock because they are too rough for my purposes and this pocket multi-tool.

[Grant Lamontagne]

That would have been a terrific score at $20 US. $20 CAN works out to $14.35 US as of this post. Congratulations on a hell of a deal!

It was $30 CAD, but I rounded it down to $20 US as most people seem to know how their own money compares to USD, but few know CAD.   

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

Congrats on the new to you tool Grant!

I have a couple of para tools that see occasional carry. Let me know if you need any pictures of the original tool load out. A good disassembly and cleaning will do that tool wonders.

JonesE

I also have a few Paratools, but for the price I couldn't resist adding another one.   

Of course if you are offering, I'd never turn down seeing pics of a Paratool!   

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

There won't be any problems with the scissors. I installed the scissors but returned them back to the powerlock because they are too rough for my purposes and this pocket multi-tool.

I can definitely see that.  They are pretty rough indeed, but I would rather have scissors rather than multiple blades, a saw or a file.  In fact I was also thinking of swapping out the other blade for a V Cutter too....   

Def

[JonesE]

As you wish!



It is funny, I thought I had two, but turns out I had three. The Eddie Bauer paratool has a stone washed finish. I have a polished and another stonewashed one in the nylon sheaths.

JonesE

[Fireman]

Great find!  Mine came with the Blackie Collins plastic sheath, which broke off my belt at work.  The black nylon sheath I replaced it with lasted for years.  I did add the saw blade when I bought it, but did not know other SOG tools will fit.

[Barry Rowland]

Great score Def!  I definitely get excited over finds like that!! 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Thanks Barry, me too!  They don't come around often, but when they don't try to jump on them!

Great find!  Mine came with the Blackie Collins plastic sheath, which broke off my belt at work.  The black nylon sheath I replaced it with lasted for years.  I did add the saw blade when I bought it, but did not know other SOG tools will fit.

The Blackie Collins sheath continues to avoid me unfortunately.  I still haven't managed to find one, at least not one at a price I was willing to pay.

But that's the fun of collecting- the hunt!

Def

[Juan el Boricua]

Def, it is completely feasible to add scissors. As a matter of fact, any implement from the Powerlock series will fit in! Larger tools go to the back of the handles; scissors and/or saw blade need to go 2nd. "slot" from the back and, the combo blade needs to be assembled "from the open position" so that its very tip rest on the handle's rim; alternately, you could grind their tips to fit but I found no need for it. The black one has all Powerlock implements, and the silver one just the scissors.
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[JonesE]

Hey Grant, Checking in to see if you ever got your ParaTool cleaned up. It would be nice to see the after pictures of it put back into use.

JonesE

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have not yet cleaned it up as I was looking for the parts and then got distracted.   

I figured I would clean it up as I swapped the tools rather than take it apart multiple times, but I may just clean it a bit while it's still together.  It has seen some use though, so it's got that going for it at least!

Def

[JonesE]

I have not yet cleaned it up as I was looking for the parts and then got distracted.   

This is happening with me more often. Wanting to jump on a project and then squirrel 🐿️, Boom forward momentum lost.

JonesE

[Barry Rowland]

That's the story of my life 

[Grant Lamontagne]

You know the old joke of how long it takes a man to clean up the garage- 2% of the time he's actually cleaning and 98% of the time he's playing with something he found that he forgot that he had.   

Def