SOG PowerCut

J-sews · **on:** February 03, 2008, 07:41:37 AM

Lot's of goodies at the SOG booth, not the least of which was this beauty right here:

It was announced early last year, but this was the first actual PowerCut that I've seen. Based on the PowerLock handles, the PowerCut has a set of side cutters where you would normally see needlenose pliers. We've seen the photos, but here in the flesh, these side cutters are stronger and beefier than I'd expected. Clearly a heavy duty tool, the side cutters had no difficulty in mutilating 25 cents worth of American coinage.

This was also my first time handling SOG's new Piano Lock blade locking system. (shown below) More on that later.

Measures just over 6" long when opened.

The PowerCut comes equipped with SOG's new wirestripper implement, which itself is a very intriguing device. Anxious to test it out, we were stymied by a lack of wire nearby that didn't already have 110 volts running through it. Darn, we'll have to test the wire strippers at a later date.

Patience will also be required in regards to availability. We've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the PowerCut for some time now, and it looks like the wait isn't over. According to the SOG representative, there were delays in production in order to get a few bugs worked out and make certain that the quality was up to SOG's high standards.

Availability will most likely be sometime around July.

carl · **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2008, 09:01:34 AM

J-sews,
Thanks for the pics! First I've seen from SS 2008 that was actually of hardware. Can't wait to see more later.

Spoonrobot · **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2008, 01:17:02 PM

Oh, freakin' awesome pictures!

This tool looks very interesting. I've had the need for a good solid snippers on a daily basis the past few weeks, makes me think I need to redo my EDC.

Do you think it will be priced in line with the PowerLock?

Benner · **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2008, 01:33:40 PM

Any sign of the Powerassist on the SOG stand?

J-sews · **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2008, 03:22:49 PM

Quote from: Benner on February 03, 2008, 01:33:40 PM

Any sign of the Powerassist on the SOG stand?

Yes!

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2008, 03:24:58 PM

Best start saving then Ben

sjdep97 · **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2008, 03:35:02 PM

Looks like a new electricians "best friend"!!!

J-sews · **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2008, 03:41:00 PM

Quote from: Spoonrobot on February 03, 2008, 01:17:02 PM

Oh, freakin' awesome pictures!

This tool looks very interesting. I've had the need for a good solid snippers on a daily basis the past few weeks, makes me think I need to redo my EDC.

Do you think it will be priced in line with the PowerLock?

Oops, I forgot to ask about price. We'll check in with the SOG folks again today and find out.

Obviously we were not able to run the PowerCut through a complete review (and the SOG folks were not inclined to let us take their display tools). But just going on initial impressions, I must say again how impressive the side cutter head is. It is very solid and robust, with sharp edges that come almost (but not quite) together along the entire length of the cutting edge. This combined with SOG's compound leverage handles made slicing through the coin in the photo an absolute breeze.

One concern of mine about the PowerCut was the wire stripper notches along the cutting edges. I had imagined that these notches would reduce the length of the cutting surface to the point where it perhaps would not be suitable for some jobs. However this does not seem like it will be an issue. Even with the notches, there is still more than enough cutting surface left to handle large three-conductor "romex" wire like what is used in many houses.

The whole tool is really quite impressive. Definitely it will become the tool of choice for electrical workers.

I'm Still Bison · **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2008, 04:10:24 PM

I wonder how the folks at Paladin feel about this?

J-sews · **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2008, 04:16:21 PM

Quote from: Bison56 on February 03, 2008, 04:10:24 PM

I wonder how the folks at Paladin feel about this?

Or....I wonder if there will be a Paladin version?

Leatherman123 · **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2008, 04:33:18 PM

I can't wait for that wirestripper feature to come out on the tool components! BTW, it would be cool if SOG sold the plier head to the PowerCut!

Benner · **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2008, 10:56:23 PM

Quote from: micky d on February 03, 2008, 03:24:58 PM

Best start saving then Ben

I know!

Depending on when they finally release it, it could be a b'day present bought for myself.

J-sews · **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2008, 08:24:40 AM

Here's another couple shots Def took of the cutter head. Construction is of cast stainless steel, entirely hardened and ground along the cutting edges. If you couldn't tell already, I'm quite impressed with it.

Sea Monster · **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2008, 09:50:45 AM

If I wore panties, they would be well and truly moist right now.

J-sews · **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2008, 03:09:02 PM

More observations:

Even though the jaws are totally devoted to cutting, the PowerCut doesn't leave you completely up the creek without a plier. On the backside of the pivots is a large pliering area with serrated jaws. Granted, not everything that needs squeezing will fit back here, but at least SOG has recognized the need and addressed it.

Here's a couple gynecological shots for reference:

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2008, 07:17:02 PM

Benner · **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2008, 09:14:30 PM

I like that plier idea. At least you are left with pliers to a certain extent.

Roadie · **Reply #17 on:** February 04, 2008, 11:12:52 PM

That does look like a serious tool, the head looks like you could cut your way into a bank vault! Definitely near the top of the wish list!

Roadie

J-sews · **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2008, 08:01:09 PM

Quote from: Spoonrobot on February 03, 2008, 01:17:02 PM

Oh, freakin' awesome pictures!

This tool looks very interesting. I've had the need for a good solid snippers on a daily basis the past few weeks, makes me think I need to redo my EDC.

Do you think it will be priced in line with the PowerLock?

Happily, the PowerCut model is expected to cost about $5.00 less than a standard PowerLock.

Sea Monster · **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2008, 09:03:48 AM

Quote

I like that plier idea. At least you are left with pliers to a certain extent.

The internal plier is not a terribly novel concept, quite a few sidecutters come with that configuration.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2008, 07:22:16 PM

In case anyone is wondering, here is a close up of the new piano key lock on the new SOG models.

This new design helps to minimize if not eliminate the tool clumping issue by providing a separate lock for each tool. Basically it is the same mechanism as before, only now the flat plate has been cut into strips. The drawbacks I can see for this is that not all SOG implements are the same thickness, so while the user can configure the tool complement, the piano keys may not match up.

Def

Tsquare · **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2008, 09:28:19 PM

That I know of the standard array of tools are either single or double thickness. This does not include specialty blades such as the paladin tools.

carl · **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2008, 08:27:50 PM

Even though i continue to wish for outside-opening tools, this design is probably about as good as it gets for inside-opening tools.

hawkchucker · **Reply #23 on:** February 12, 2008, 12:23:12 AM

I think that this design is a winner. I really cant find anything wrong with this tool. I have been thinking of getting the Dedicated tool for electrical work.(since I believe in setting the tool to the task) And this one looks to fit the bill.

scrappy · **Reply #24 on:** April 13, 2008, 11:06:03 PM

THIS TOOL DOES LOOK VERY NICE.

Leatherman123 · **Reply #25 on:** April 23, 2008, 03:28:16 AM

Do you know if the wire stripper component will be available separately

J-sews · **Reply #26 on:** April 23, 2008, 03:42:34 AM

Quote from: Leatherman123 on April 23, 2008, 03:28:16 AM

Do you know if the wire stripper component will be available separately

They didn't say.

It does not appear to be listed (yet) on the SOG Multi-Tool component list. $:-\$

Link = http://sogknives.com/store/components.html

gafftapegreenia · **Reply #27 on:** June 13, 2008, 08:39:36 AM

I will say it again: Is this thing ever coming out? Because I want one NOW!!!

Benner · **Reply #28 on:** June 13, 2008, 11:53:39 AM

Quote from: gafftapegreenia on June 13, 2008, 08:39:36 AM

I will say it again: Is this thing ever coming out? Because I want one NOW!!!

It does look pretty awesome doesn't it.

Leatherman123 · **Reply #29 on:** June 13, 2008, 07:43:16 PM

Thanks Bob!

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