Singapore Armed Forces PowerLock EOD Black Oxide

awlriteeden · **on:** November 26, 2008, 02:58:02 AM

Hi all, I'm a long-time lurker, first-time poster. Anyway I thought I'd share my latest acquisition here and clear up some of the mystery surrounding those stripped down PowerLocks mentioned in some posts that I've read here.

First up, a little background:

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) recently (circa 2007/2008) began issuing a customized version of the SOG PowerLock EOD Black Oxide to its troops. As far as I know, this is issued to ALL recruits entering Basic Military Training as P.E. (Personal Equipment), which means its yours to keep and not something you have to draw and return from your unit's Quartermaster. It can also be purchased from the SAF eMart (SAF equivalent of the PX) if you want it for about S$70, either using your own money or eMart credit. (eMart credit is a credit-only stipend for purchasing military equipment that gets worn out such as uniforms, boots, webbing, packs, etc).

What I've gathered so far is that this is an SOG PowerLock EOD Black Oxide (not the 2.0) that was procured by ST Logistics (Singapore Technologies Logistics) via Sheares Technologies Pte Ltd for the Singapore Armed Forces. Singapore Technologies is a publicly traded company that amongst other things, manufactures arms, ammunition, military vehicles, naval vessels for Singapore's military and for export. Sheares Technologies is a private company with a storefront that deals mainly with the gadgetry most of us are familiar with, such as tactical flashlights, knives, multi-tools, etc.

This is what the package comes with:

SOG box, nylon sheath, SAF PowerLock EOD BO, User Guide and SOG catalog.

Pretty standard, but that's where the similarities with the commercial version ends. Stuck on the box is a sticker with an NSN number:

The SAF PowerLock with tools extended:

Not only have some tools such as the scissors and file been eliminated, the layout has been changed slightly as well. Edit: DavidBinGA has pointed out that the plier head is a 2.0. This is a list of the SAF PowerLock according to the User Guide:

1) Needle Nose Pliers
2) Regular Pliers
3) Grippers
4) Wire Cutters
5) Hard Wire Cutters
6) Blasting Cap Crimper
7) Electrical Crimpers

9" Rulers
9) Full Locking Components
10) Comfort Grips

The above features are exactly the same as the commercial model. Nothing special about the 9" rulers, the forum's script made 8 and ) into

. I grouped the rest of the implements according to the handles they're clustered in.

11) Reamer
12) Wire Stripper
13) Large Screwdriver
14) Bottle Opener
15) Medium Screwdriver
16) Serrated Knife Blade

Photo of implements 11-16 extended from the handle:

Starting from left the right, the order of the tools are as follows:

(L-R) Reamer, Large Screwdriver/Wire Stripper, (2) Plastic Spacers (with a metal washer between them), Medium Screwdriver/Bottle Opener, Serrated Knife Blade.

The following tools (17-20) are located in the handle that has "SOG PowerLock" and the patent number stamped on it.

17) Can Opener
18) Small Screwdriver
19) Phillips Screwdriver
20) Wood Saw

Photo of the implements 17-20 extended:

Again, from right to left, the order of the tools are as follows:

(L-R) Wood Saw, Can Opener/Small Screwdriver, (1) Plastic Spacer, Phillips Screwdriver, (2) Plastic Spacers (no washers).

That's all for the SAF PowerLock, which has no markings on it that identify it as military issue, other than the stripped-down and customized tool layout. However I noticed that the User Guide was also unique to the SAF PowerLock.

Photo of the feature diagram on the front:

Warranty is covered by Sheares Technologies Pte Ltd, though I'm guessing SOG will service it if I send it in:

Note the footer that says "Sheares PowerLock 3/2007":

If you've read this far, that's it

I hope the photos were not too shabby, and that you enjoyed reading this as much as I did composing it

PyroJames · **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2008, 03:15:28 AM

Great pictures, awlriteenden! I've always loved to look of the black oxide SOGs. I unfortunately, only have the basic powerlock.

Also, welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy it here.

donvito · **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2008, 03:33:26 AM

Welcome to the forum awlriteeden, that's a damn fine review there, thx for sharing.

edit. ---> how did you get a hold of it?

awlriteeden · **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2008, 05:19:09 AM

Thanks for the kind words and warm welcome everyone!

PyroJames, I'm always partial to black coated anything

donvito, I currently go to school here, but I was originally from Singapore where I served my time in the military before going to college. I got someone from back home to send the PowerLock to me.

awlriteeden · **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2008, 05:19:33 AM

Update: It appears the supplied nylon sheath is also unique to the SAF PowerLock. I only realized this when I tried looking for it on the SOG website and came up empty-handed. It has no markings or tags indicating where it was manufactured or who made it, but it feels very heavy-duty. Finishing and stitching doesn't seem very "polished", for lack of a better term, but it fits the PowerLock very well. The nylon is thick and fuzzy-feeling, not smooth and shiny like on my Leatherman Wave's nylon sheath.

Empty sheath:

Sheath with the PowerLock:

The front flap has a little pull tab sewn into it:

The back is where it gets interesting. It looks like some kind of quick release belt-loop, with a flap of nylon (double layered) that inserts into the bottom sleeve before being folded upwards:

That was how the sheath was configured when I received it, but I realized there were two more sleeves sewn into it. I originally assumed they were all of the same width sewn into the sheath side by side, but the middle sleeve extends below the bottom sleeve. I'm not sure if my explanation makes sense, so more photos follow:

In the photo below, the cap of the Sharpie is at the top of the sheath, inserted to show the top and bottom sleeve that are of the same width:

In the next photo, the Sharpie is inserted into the middle sleeve that extends underneath for the full length of the bottom sleeve. The cap of the Sharpie is at the top of the sheath:

Whoever made it, I like it. I like how it has no logos, and how it has a roughly-made but quality feel to it, which complements the PowerLock nicely me thinks

And now as a reward for reading all that, here's some PowerLock black oxide porn

:

donvito · **Reply #5 on:** November 26, 2008, 05:22:39 AM

Good luck to you in your studies. Keep up the good work (here and in school).

awlriteeden · **Reply #6 on:** November 26, 2008, 05:42:53 AM

Quote from: donvito on November 26, 2008, 05:22:39 AM

Good luck to you in your studies. Keep up the good work (here and in school).

Thanks donvito! I'm working on a Leatherman Crunch review so stay tuned

donvito · **Reply #7 on:** November 26, 2008, 05:52:56 AM

Quote from: awlriteeden on November 26, 2008, 05:42:53 AM

Quote from: donvito on November 26, 2008, 05:22:39 AM
Good luck to you in your studies. Keep up the good work (here and in school).

Thanks donvito! I'm working on a Leatherman Crunch review so stay tuned

Good man keep em coming, there's a review contest going on if you didn't know.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,7722.0.html

winner get's a skeletool, good luck.

Smitty44 · **Reply #8 on:** November 26, 2008, 06:39:06 AM

Very good report,and will be looking forward to your next one,thanks for your time in the service,and welcome to the forums,I think you will like it here,a lot of joking,but a lot of good info also.

hawkchucker · **Reply #9 on:** November 26, 2008, 10:34:54 AM

Welcome aboard!! one simple question though. Does it have any markings on it that shows it to be a Mill issue like a serial number?

If so can anyone say group buy?

J-sews · **Reply #10 on:** November 26, 2008, 12:23:20 PM

Thanks for the fine report awlriteeden, and welcome to Multitool.org!

That sheath looks similar to the "molle" version offered by Leatherman. I've not seen one come with a SOG before.

Tarrodemierda · **Reply #11 on:** November 26, 2008, 02:42:50 PM

Quote from: awlriteeden on November 26, 2008, 05:19:33 AM

Update: It appears the supplied nylon sheath is also unique to the SAF PowerLock. I only realized this when I tried looking for it on the SOG website and came up empty-handed. It has no markings or tags indicating where it was manufactured or who made it, but it feels very heavy-duty. Finishing and stitching doesn't seem very "polished", for lack of a better term, but it fits the PowerLock very well. The nylon is thick and fuzzy-feeling, not smooth and shiny like on my Leatherman Wave's nylon sheath.

Empty sheath:
(Image removed from quote.)

Sheath with the PowerLock:
(Image removed from quote.)

The front flap has a little pull tab sewn into it:
(Image removed from quote.)

The back is where it gets interesting. It looks like some kind of quick release belt-loop, with a flap of nylon (double layered) that inserts into the bottom sleeve before being folded upwards:
(Image removed from quote.)

That was how the sheath was configured when I received it, but I realized there were two more sleeves sewn into it. I originally assumed they were all of the same width sewn into the sheath side by side, but the middle sleeve extends below the bottom sleeve. I'm not sure if my explanation makes sense, so more photos follow:

In the photo below, the cap of the Sharpie is at the top of the sheath, inserted to show the top and bottom sleeve that are of the same width:
(Image removed from quote.)

In the next photo, the Sharpie is inserted into the middle sleeve that extends underneath for the full length of the bottom sleeve. The cap of the Sharpie is at the top of the sheath:
(Image removed from quote.)

Whoever made it, I like it. I like how it has no logos, and how it has a roughly-made but quality feel to it, which complements the PowerLock nicely me thinks

And now as a reward for reading all that, here's some PowerLock black oxide porn :
(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

THAT SHEATH

its molle compatible indeed it seems.awesome.

David Bowen · **Reply #12 on:** November 26, 2008, 02:48:06 PM

That's funny....it has regular powerlock handles but 2.0 plier head!

Dunc · **Reply #13 on:** November 26, 2008, 07:33:20 PM

Welcome to the forum awlriteeden

Thats one hell of a post and very informative . I never new such a version existed .

Thanks
Dunc

awlriteeden · **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2008, 03:54:22 PM

Quote from: donvito on November 26, 2008, 05:52:56 AM

Good man keep em coming, there's a review contest going on if you didn't know.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,7722.0.html

winner get's a skeletool, good luck.

donvito, I didn't know about the contest, thanks for the heads-up! I'm not gonna pass up the chance to get free stuff doing something I like

awlriteeden · **Reply #15 on:** November 27, 2008, 04:00:28 PM

Quote from: Smitty44 on November 26, 2008, 06:39:06 AM

Very good report,and will be looking forward to your next one,thanks for your time in the service,and welcome to the forums,I think you will like it here,a lot of joking,but a lot of good info also.

Thanks for the kind words! I didn't serve in the U.S. military, but Singapore has always been a U.S. ally so in a roundabout way I guess we both served the Common Good (tm).

Just FYI, Singapore has mandatory military service for all male citizens, much like Israel, South Korea and Taiwan. I wish I was issued the PowerLock when I enlisted! Back then (2004) I was issued a Victorinox with a knife blade and combo can/bottle opener.

I like this place already!

awlriteeden · **Reply #16 on:** November 27, 2008, 04:08:19 PM

hawkchucker, the SAF PowerLock has no identifying etchings, stampings or any kind of marking I can find that identify it as military-issue, other than the customized tool selection. I'll post here if I find any.

J-sews & Tarrodemierda, I had a friend mention that it looks MOLLE compatible. After I was discharged the SAF replaced the Skeleton Battle Order webbing with a new LBV that looks like it has the MOLLE ladders on the front, so the sheath might have been specially designed since SOG doesn't seem to offer one.

DavidBinGA, what is the difference between the regular and 2.0 plier head? Pardon my ignorance, I'm pretty new to SOG's multi-tools.

awlriteeden · **Reply #17 on:** November 27, 2008, 04:08:52 PM

Quote from: dunc5 on November 26, 2008, 07:33:20 PM

Welcome to the forum awlriteeden Thats one hell of a post and very informative . I never new such a version existed .

Thanks
Dunc

Thanks! I think I'll like it here

awlriteeden · **Reply #18 on:** November 27, 2008, 04:11:07 PM

Correction: The new LBV issued by the SAF is indeed MOLLE compatible, so it makes sense that a sheath would be designed for the PowerLock, since SOG doesn't seem to offer one like that. I'm guessing the higher-ups in the military probably wouldn't have liked the SOG branding on the commercial sheaths either.

Link:
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/publications/cyberpioneer/news/2007/February/21feb07_news.html

By the way, HAPPY THANSGIVING!!

PyroJames · **Reply #19 on:** November 27, 2008, 06:38:52 PM

Quote from: awlriteeden on November 27, 2008, 04:11:07 PM

Correction: The new LBV issued by the SAF is indeed MOLLE compatible, so it makes sense that a sheath would be designed for the PowerLock, since SOG doesn't seem to offer one like that. I'm guessing the higher-ups in the military probably wouldn't have liked the SOG branding on the commercial sheaths either.

Actually, SOG does have a Molle sheath for sale on their website. It fits all their large multi-tools and sells for less than $9 I think.

David Bowen · **Reply #20 on:** November 29, 2008, 02:49:20 AM

The first powerlock plier head is smaller than the first one and the new one says SOG all around the pivot

Old one does not say it but once I think and USA on it

hawkchucker · **Reply #21 on:** November 29, 2008, 02:54:11 AM

The new Mil gear for your country would be Molle compatable. You guys are a part of the UN peacekeepers force and the gear has to all interchange. And we also like you here. Ya showed us something new!

And because of that and service to your country go draw a number for my giveaway. I made the rules for it. I Can modify them for you.

awlriteeden · **Reply #22 on:** November 30, 2008, 08:35:25 PM

My bad, I must have missed the MOLLE sheath on SOG's website. It's interesting that it has the 2.0 plier head. Is the older PowerLock being phased out by SOG? It could be that they ran out of older plier heads and used the 2.0 version instead.

hawkchucker, thanks for the generous offer! Are you referring to the review contest or are you having another giveaway? I've posted my entry in the thread for the review contest.