Powerlock 2.0 Thoughts

[David Bowen]

After playing with my Powerlock 2.0 and comparing it to the original model I have come to some conclusions of what I like and don't like so far. SOG has had the Powerlock out for quite some time now and I feel it gets a bad rap because some folks feel that SOG lacks the ability to adapt or to make more frequent changes to thier multitool line. There is one company that is alot like that in those respects I think, Victorinox....am I wrong? They don't like change, they stick with what they feel works and only makes changes every once in a while.

Anyways, the Powerlock 2.0 has been a much anticipated upgrade for me. The hatred I have towards those painfull gears is only shadowed by thier usefullness. Compound leverage is a great thing but must the user suffer as a result? The new gear covers work fantastic and there is no discomfort what so over in using any of the tools. This crutial step forward for SOG I think was nessisary to keep the public happy. How many many folks have complained on here or on other forums, I know I for one am guilty. I often refer to them as the "gears of madness", cause we love them but they drive us crazy.




The new plier design is interesting as well, a by product of the collaboration with Paladin the new Powerlock has a longer plier head design with a larger (or would that be longer) wire cutter area. The nose of the tool also comes to a taper as opposed to the rounded one we are familiar with. If I remember correctly the IT's could use it to punch a hole in drywall if needed. The wirecutters seem as robust as the original but mine stick a little when opening and closing, maybe I just need to break them in. The plier head is not only strong but very precise and even though the tool is quite large it makes for delicate work. The Blasting cap crimper thing has me stumped, is this just something left over from the EOD models or will they eventually incorperate the old crimper in the new plier head design. I can't see myself crimping anything like electrical connections with this style 



The new Piano Keys are something which are cool and yet irritating at the same time. The idea is quite neat and serves it's purpose to a degree. What SOG did was take a regular locking mechanism and split it into many smaller locks (calling them keys) and thus allowing each tool to ride on it's own spring/lock. As far as anti-clumping is concerned, the new design is awesome! No clumping has occured since I have started using the tool and it's another step forward for SOG. I like to think of SOG as old school in some respects, they are kind of like Leatherman when they started out (PST and original Supertool), none of thier tools sported any contours or rounded handles. Progress for some companies takes longer than others, SOG must be one of those companies. Don't get me wrong, I love what SOG makes...just wish they made changes more often. The Piano keys do have two flaws it seems, the new locking system was not designed with some of the impliments in mind. The awl, phillips and some other tools do not have staggered or layered nail nicks like on most modern tools. In order to get a tool out you have to dig out a couple and push the rest back in. We have become to use to the "clump" that this may be an oversight that wasn't thought out completely. The other problem I have is that they keys are so small you often have to press several of them to unlock one tool. Since the keys are small you often need to press harder than you should in order to unlock the desired tool, I am also having some problem with the main blade locking sucessfully when opening, maybe the lock needs to be worn in as well 




Overall the Powerlock 2.0 is a very positive upgrade to the aging Powerlock model, it is not without it's flaws though (like any good tool). I want you guys to tell me what you think, am I right on any of this stuff, anyone else have one and want to share thier feelings. These are initial impressions and this tool has not been field tested for very long, I still thought since it was new I wanted to get it on here and get some feedback on my thoughts and what I am experiencing with it.

[max6166]

Thanks for the info and great pics! 

I was really looking forward to the new Powerlock. I was excited when you described the new plier head and wider wire cutters, gear cutters, etc. That all sounds great!

By the end though, I was a bit disappointed as the tools and locks seem very clumsy to deal with.

Could the non-staggered nail nick problems be due to the interchangeable parts? In other words, since people can swap tools around however they like, there is no way to predict where the nail nicks should be.

Thanks again and be sure to let us know how you feel after a few more days of using it.

[David Bowen]

Nail nicks on SOG tools are all roughly in the same place (unless it's a large one like a knife or a file) so unfortunatly there is no whay to stagger them, it's a nice thought at least.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Great review David, really enjoyed reading it

[J-sews]

I'm agreeing with you across the board David. Fine assessment by the way. The new plier head and the new gear covers make a great tool like the PowerLock even better. The exposed gear teeth on the old model were an obvious opportunity for improvement, and the improved plier head, wow! It's a welcome improvement even though I didn't have any complaints about the old style!

The piano locks....hmmm....they work like you say. In some ways they are better, in other ways not. Lets call it a wash.

Max, don't let these honest opinions discourage you. Overall the new 2.0 PowerLock is an advancement over the original.

 

[David Bowen]

Yes, the 2.0 is a major improvement in my mind over the original. A few months of hard labor and this tool should be boke in like a champ. I love the anti-clump idea, taking some getting use to (it being sog and all) but I think I could like it in the end. They are probably the last manufacturer to jump on the anti-clump bandwagon, all I have to say is better late than never. Now if they could do all this to a PPP and give it piano locks, I am ALL over that tool.

[Medic82]

It’s just a mater of getting used too the tool and the new implements. Have been using SOG MT for 10 years now, and when I got the Swisstool for a short while ago it was so strange too not have clumping. Can’t wait too get Powerlock 2.0.

[J-sews]

By the way Dave, I'm thinking this one should be posted up on the main site.

[David Bowen]

I don't think this is "review worthy", course I could be wrong. This was thrown down as a "my opinions" before a review kind of thing. But if the general consensus thinks it's good enough (including the boss) then I will post it.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well I'm not the boss, but I think it belongs there mate

[carl]

great review, great pics!  Glad I stopped by the forum tonight.