What I did with a SOG Powerduo

jdindadell · **on:** July 28, 2014, 04:50:57 AM

First off, I am quite fond of the various SOG multitools. I have a few variations of the PowerLock 2.0 (scissors and v cutter) and a s44, the Pocket Power Plier. Have a few SOG knives as well.

So when the Powerduo (PD from now on) came out I had to try it... I was not impressed. Looks to have the same plier head as the S44 which is great as that may well be my favorite EDC multi. However the knife portion is not all that great on the PD, and the 3 tools are just not really up to snuff compared with SOG's other tools. Feels like gerber quality! I put the PD away in a drawer and sort of forgot about for a few months.

Then I decided that my car tool kit needed some folding needlenose pliers, and the precision pliers in the SOG tools have me spoiled, I even keep a powerlock on my workbench cause the pliers are that much better than my various dedicated needlenose pliers.

Looking over my selection of Multis I remembered the Pd, so I had a look at it to see if I could liberate the pliers and mod the handles to delete the tools and knife. After some cutting and making a layered plastic insert here is the result:

Now I do plan to remove even more material from the large handle to slim the tool down. And yes, I did use thin brass rod to retain the plastic filler. I learned how to peen it over right here on this very forum, so many thanks to the SAK enthusiasts for teaching me that!

jdindadell · **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2014, 05:03:33 AM

And after I had modded the pliers I had a look a the pile of leftovers and found myself looking at the knife blade, lock parts, and the steel liner and matching plastic handle cover. Looked like it would be reasonably simple to make another liner/scale out of some 6061 al sheet I had laying around. I did have to shorten the pivot, which was a real PITA as it was not drilled all the way through and used some sort of oddball thread that I did not have a tap for. I drilled it out and tapped it m4 which worked fine. Only screw I had handy in the correct length was blue, I have a stainless screw I can trim but I wanted the knife assembled so I could test it. And I got to keep the tweezers and toothpick!

I plan to polish the al up, or maybe stipple it for better grip. I left the handle full length as it allows for a full 4 finger hold. I know the blade is crappy 420 or something like that, but I can beat on it with feeling bad about ruining a nice folder. Weighs 2.5oz, in case anyone cares!

lowtech · **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2014, 09:00:36 AM

Hello and welcoem to MTO!

That is an original idea which removes the sup-par quality inside tools and leaves you with 2 functional tools.
I am still curious about the PowerDuo, but am not willing to pay the german retail of about 100,- € just for giggles.

And I want to add you might want to try a Gerber MP 400/600 series tool, which are high quality tools.
Describing a bad tool with the term "Gerber quality" brushed against my grain as a Gerberite. :-) I assume you only experienced Gerbers lower end tools until now (Suspension etc)

Syph007 · **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2014, 03:58:51 PM

Fantastic! Ive avoided getting a power duo because of the build quality even though the classic SOGs are some of my favorites.

Looks like you found a good use for it though turning the power duo into 2 power monos.

rdub934 · **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2014, 05:29:48 PM

BRAVO!

Was this your first post? Legend status, Lol

jdindadell · **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2014, 05:51:12 PM

Quote from: lowtech on July 28, 2014, 09:00:36 AM

Hello and welcoem to MTO!

That is an original idea which removes the sup-par quality inside tools and leaves you with 2 functional tools.
I am still curious about the PowerDuo, but am not willing to pay the german retail of about 100,- € just for giggles.

And I want to add you might want to try a Gerber MP 400/600 series tool, which are high quality tools.
Describing a bad tool with the term "Gerber quality" brushed against my grain as a Gerberite. :-) I assume you only experienced Gerbers lower end tools until now (Suspension etc)

Thanks, I do feel that the powerduo as designed is subpar. At least I have a folding plier for my toolkit, and a "beater" folding knife. I would certainly not pay much for a powerduo, I got both of mine (black and stainless) quite cheap. The pocket power plier is a much better product and I would highly recommend it for a handy smaller multitool that can be pocket carried.

As far as gerber goes I have a mp600 stainless, mp600 det, older pre 600 multi, freehand, flik, and a few dimes. Their quality cannot compete with leatherman, vic or sog. Plus the mp600 and similar do not have any handle gap when deployed so they cannot be used one handed as I am used to using pliers. The flik and freehand do deploy and then open up so they are better. However the only gerber that I consider to be well made is the freehand, I was not impressed with the painted black flik that I have, the stainless model may be better. I would say the powerduo is the equal to the various gerbers I have as far as build quality goes, the overall design is terrible as is the concept. The cheaper gerber tools, such as the suspension, are so bad that I would not even contemplate buying one. I am a tool guy, I have a lot of quality hand tools as I own a vehicle repair shop. For the casual user I guess the cheaper products are ok, but not for me. As usual, one man's junk is another mans treasure, so please take what I say as just my opinion.

jdindadell · **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2014, 05:53:19 PM

Quote from: Syph007 on July 28, 2014, 03:58:51 PM

Fantastic! Ive avoided getting a power duo because of the build quality even though the classic SOGs are some of my favorites.

Looks like you found a good use for it though turning the power duo into 2 power monos.

Power mono, I like that! I was disappointed with the PD when comparing it to the powerlocks and PPP. The plier head is identical to the PPP, so that is quality, but the rest of the tool just came up very short. I do have a Blacktip on the way from west marine, hope I like it...

jdindadell · **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2014, 05:55:18 PM

Quote from: rdub934 on July 28, 2014, 05:29:48 PM

BRAVO!

Was this your first post? Legend status, Lol

I think this is my second thread, my 1st was to ask about SAK pivot drilling/sizes. Not sure if I qualify for "Legend status" but I certainly appreciate the compliments!!!

And is there a way to multi quote so I can reply to multiple members with just one post? Not familiar with this forum layout so please bear with me and feel free to let me know if I get something wrong!

bmot · **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2014, 10:06:42 AM

Welcome! And that's a very cool mod

Quote from: jdindadell on July 28, 2014, 05:55:18 PM

Quote from: rdub934 on July 28, 2014, 05:29:48 PM
BRAVO!

Was this your first post? Legend status, Lol

I think this is my second thread, my 1st was to ask about SAK pivot drilling/sizes. Not sure if I qualify for "Legend status" but I certainly appreciate the compliments!!!

And is there a way to multi quote so I can reply to multiple members with just one post? Not familiar with this forum layout so please bear with me and feel free to let me know if I get something wrong!

Yep there is, (at least when you're just in your browser on a computer). You just scroll down and see the last (ten or something) posts, which all have "quote" buttons