upcoming new SOG Multitool Spring 2022: Flash MT

[Nob00st]

hey all, I got a sneak peak at the SOG Catalog for Spring 2022.  I ran this by their PR guy before posting, they have a new multitool coming out that I'm pretty stoked for: the Flash MT.

7 implements, compound leverage pliers, long reach 4mm bit driver with two sided bit, assisted open D2 blade, bottle opener/large straight driver, seems like it might be a winner.  only weighs 4.7 ounces, could be a contender for the Skeletool CX.  i'm hoping to get one for a review as soon as I can get my hands on it.  Nice to see SOG bringing out some new stuff.

[parnass]

Interesting.  Hope I can see one in person next year.

[rdub934]

Reactor 2.0

[ReamerPunch]

So what is innovative about it? 
There's nothing new here.

When I first saw the picture, I thought it looked like the Outu multi-tool, or the NexTool 5024, so I thought they just put SOG on that one, like they did with the Outu. Not innovative, but at least it's better than the Outu. Those scissors are excellent.

[Nob00st]

I dont have my hands on it yet, it just reminds me of the Skeletool in that it focuses on just doing a few things well - good one hand opening blade in a good steel, decent pliers, a long reach but driver and a bottle opener.  And its lighter. I don't think there's a lot of true innovating left to do in multitools at this point.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[cody6268]

I can see this as a replacement for my Gerber Crucial (the black/law enforcement model with the strap cutter in place of carabiner), which isn't the best design, and is really beginning to show its age.



 No offense, but my only problem is that I don't really care for assisted open blades.

[algernonramone]

For the size it looks pretty good, like a mini version of the Reactor. If they continue w/ the upward motion on their QC and make it work better than the reactor that would be helpful. My main gripe is w/ the assisted opening. Assisted opening on a pocket knife is almost always kind of silly. But, on a multi-tool, it's downright idiotic (IMHO). The mechanism is far more likely to get lost or damaged than it would be on a regular pocket knife due to the kind of tasks a multitool has to perform.

[x86Daddy]

The shots make it look very much like the Reactor... if the assist mechanism is the same, it'll also be a point of failure.  I found my Reactor sitting on its shelf with the blade half open and not shuttable anymore one day because the shutting part of the mechanism failed by metal fatigue.  Warranty department said they'd send a different tool in exchange, so instead I tore it down and modded it to a manual blade that would actually shut again.  Apparently, other people had the same failure with some frequency too, so I'm hoping the Flash MT revamps the whole thing.

I'd prefer it if they used the "press the inverted crossguard part of the blade" sort of assist mechanism, as those knives seem a lot less prone to fail, being so simple.  Still looking forward to the Flash MT either way; hoping for improvements.

[Happy Gilmore]

IF...and that is a big IF they can deliver on the quality..this will be a true contender for competition in the Skeletool size range. I'm also very curious if it will have proper opening ratio like the PowerPint.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Everyone is comparing it to the Skeletool and saying it is a compact tool.

The Skeletool is not a compact tool- with the carabiner it is just as big as a full sized tool, but with a lot less functions.  Them, when they took the fancy carabiner off, they also thre out the but driver.  Don't get me wrong, I like the Freestyle, but it is painfully limited.

If SOG's new masters can kick the quality up a bit, whole keeping the price reasonable, I'd really be looking forward to this one.

I really like the Reactor despite its quality issues because it is everything the Skeletool is, but better as it is a smaller package, with all the same functions, and a proper 1/4" driver- not those idiotic flat bits.

Def

[Happy Gilmore]

New shotshow vid of the Flash MT.

Looks like a good year for SOG

[Rich_SD]

New shotshow vid of the Flash MT.

Looks like a good year for SOG

(jump to 15:00 to see it)

I wasn't interested in that tool until I saw it in this video.  I think that size of tool is under represented among the other leading multitool brands.  I might have to pick one up.

[ReamerPunch]

I'm still waiting for the rebranding to kick in so we can get mind-blowing new stuff.

[rdub934]

I'm still waiting for the rebranding to kick in so we can get mind-blowing new stuff.

  same

Although their knives do look a lot better these days, this multitool.... is not it

[Tsquare]

     Got an email from knife center and the flash multitool appears to be in stock. No affiliation with this site just passing it along to those who might be interested.

[Hvac budget]

Appreciate the heads up.  Just bought one!

[Tsquare]

     Glad to be of service. Hope this turns out to be a good tool for SOG. Look forward to your opinion of this new tool.

[Hvac budget]

Thank you!  Just got the Gerber Stake Out as well.  Now waiting on the Gerber Dualforce!

[Happy Gilmore]

I was able to get mine really fast because I live in the same state as Knife Center. I have my inital impressions up on YT.

I just really wish it hadn't been assisted..It feels like it creates more problems than anything. Even if its legal..its still not necessary.

[GearedForwards]

I was able to get mine really fast because I live in the same state as Knife Center. I have my inital impressions up on YT.

I just really wish it hadn't been assisted..It feels like it creates more problems than anything. Even if its legal..its still not necessary.

I believe the assist was to make it more easy/reliable to deploy the blade with gloves and... it's the Flash, they're assisted.

What problems would being assisted create besides a small amount of resistance closing it?

[Rich_SD]

I almost purchased this from the Knife Center, but I watched the video again and just realized that there is no screwdriver bit ready to go when you open the tool - it's always stored in the handle and you have to connect it to use it.  I think that is a big miss in the design, and now I think I might pass on this tool. 

[Happy Gilmore]

I almost purchased this from the Knife Center, but I watched the video again and just realized that there is no screwdriver bit ready to go when you open the tool - it's always stored in the handle and you have to connect it to use it.  I think that is a big miss in the design, and now I think I might pass on this tool. 

There is no way the tool could be designed like that...When the reactor was released it was returned often because the torque of the Driver twisted the frame and ruined the plier head connection. Although this is slightly more inconvenient, no more so than switching Skeletool bits. On top of that.I can easily open the Flash MT pliers one handed. I cant do that at ALL with the skeletool with any consistency. So definitely a give and take. I have other issues with the Flash MT, such as gear ratio...why not do the same as the PowerPint?? It would have made it SOOO much better imo.

[powernoodle]

This one is limited in functionality, and SOG "quality" has been so lacking that I am staying away from them for the foreseeable future.  The only Challenge I have ever dropped out of was the SOG Power Access, which had wobbly tools that would inadvertently deploy past 180 degrees, a main blade so thin (edge to spin dimension) that I could have snapped it in half with my fingers, and a "file" that was as smooth as a baby's hind shanks.

In my view, SOG isn't even trying to make decent MTs any more.  I bought a ton of SOGs back in the day, both knives and MTs, but they've been playing games with us for quite a while and it gets tiresome.

YMMV.   

[Rich_SD]

There is no way the tool could be designed like that...When the reactor was released it was returned often because the torque of the Driver twisted the frame and ruined the plier head connection. Although this is slightly more inconvenient, no more so than switching Skeletool bits. On top of that.I can easily open the Flash MT pliers one handed. I cant do that at ALL with the skeletool with any consistency. So definitely a give and take. I have other issues with the Flash MT, such as gear ratio...why not do the same as the PowerPint?? It would have made it SOOO much better imo.

But my Skeletool bit stays on the Philips head like 90% of the time.  With the SOG, I would have to remove the bit from the holder, insert it in the driver, then remove it when done, then replace it in the holder... besides being inconvenient, that's a lot of opportunities to drop that little bit. 

[powernoodle]

I was going to say that if you dropped the bit, you would be screwed.  And then I was going to say that I just made a driver pun.  But that would be stupid, so I won't say it.

[Rich_SD]

I was going to say that if you dropped the bit, you would be screwed.  And then I was going to say that I just made a driver pun.  But that would be stupid, so I won't say it.

 

[CK]

Just got my Flash MT today!  Probably going to send it back.  The knife blade rubs on the liner lock through the deployment (it's not smooth and sounds like it's grinding)... and yeah.  Just don't see this replacing the skeletool.

[Happy Gilmore]

But my Skeletool bit stays on the Philips head like 90% of the time.  With the SOG, I would have to remove the bit from the holder, insert it in the driver, then remove it when done, then replace it in the holder... besides being inconvenient, that's a lot of opportunities to drop that little bit. 

I mean..if you use the Philips that much, it makes perfect sense to go with the Skeletool, I can say from experience I've lost Leatherman bits while switching them..I bet this one is just as bad 

Just got my Flash MT today!  Probably going to send it back.  The knife blade rubs on the liner lock through the deployment (it's not smooth and sounds like it's grinding)... and yeah.  Just don't see this replacing the skeletool.

This is what I was afraid of..bad QC. Curious to see how many more have this issue.

[kkokkolis]

Discouraging.
So, during this meta-multitool craze age, it's all about Victorinox and Leatherman.

[Demel]

I just ordered mine through Knife Center. I've been looking forward to this one since the reactor was discontinued. The bit holder on mine broke, they replaced it with a Poweraccess. I don't care for it, and I've really missed the reactor since. I mainly used the blade and pliers. I rarely used the screwdriver so I'm hoping the Flash MT is a hit     To be fair, the main thing I enjoyed was the form factor. It was so much easier to carry than the Skeletool. I'll check back in once it arrives.