Displaying items by tag: SOG

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:

Let me just begin by stating that the SOG PowerAssist may well be the most sophisticated multitool ever made. High tech features abound. Every aspect of this tool is an evolutionary step up from the SOG’s that came before. No portion of the tool can be described as “ordinary.”

On top of that, the PowerAssist is an exceptionally high quality tool. Every individual component is perfectly formed, then given a bright high luster polish. Function is butter smooth without a slightest hint of a flaw. This is clearly the flagship of the SOG multitool line.

The SOG Powerlock has been out for quite a while and has remained the company's flagship. SOG is a company that is slow to make changes in their tool line. They feel that what they make is darn good and they make changes to their products when they feel the time is right. SOG took a second look at their very popular Powerlock model, made a list of all the pros and cons they have noticed over the years and decided to give this old gal a facelift. Some of the things that SOG focused on with this remodel were the gears that drive the compound leverage of the pliers, new locking system for the tools and the ability to keep their tools from clumping when finding the tool you need.
The first thing you notice when handling the Powerlock 2.0 is the new plier head. SOG worked on a collaboration effort with Paladin tools to create a multitool line for the telecom industry. Those tools became a testing ground for what would become the new Powerlock design.

The SOG ToolClip is another one of those fascinating designs that help define what we know today as the “multitool.” It is one of the more successful permanent mount plier type multitools, but unfortunately was apparently not successful enough since it was discontinued some time ago. Made in Seki City, Japan for SOG, the ToolClip and Micro ToolClip are extremely well built, sturdy tools that every collector should experience at least once.

While the PowerLock seems to be the first tool that comes to mind when one thinks of SOG tools, the Pocket Power Plier is perhaps my personal favorite. The more compact size of the Pocket Power Plier seems to be the more “carry-able” version of the big powerhouse.

SOG products are well known for their innovative designs and forward thinking that has made them one of the more popular toolmakers in the industry. Before receiving the CrossGrip and CrossCut, I was expecting something closer size wise to a half pint Pocket Power Pliers ; instead I was surprised to see something more along the lines of my Gerber Clutch . Initial impressions; I was fascinated by the quality and how SOG keeps making tools with those gears, but this time on a much smaller scale.

Well it's been 5 years and many, many miles this tool has been traveling on my side and this is a update of sorts on how it's been holding up.

This review was submitted by Multitool.org forum member 665ae.

The first tool that SOG came out with before their gear driven wonders the power series; SOG had created a tool just as unique and the ones they make today. What SOG came up with is the world's first multitool with a multi-angle plier head. In other words the plier head could be used in any position between fully locked open and closed. Enabling you to get into some hard to reach areas that you cannot get into with other tools.

SOG is one of most creative multitool designers in the market today, with the ever-growing popularity of their Power Pliers and Power Lock tools they have now come out with something more for us to drool over. SOG has introduced the world's first automatic opening multitool; with the push of a button this tool is ready for action quicker than you can say FIX IT!

The SOG SwitchPlier is a very compact tool