SOG is a U.S. tool and knife company that founded in 1986. The company grew quickly, owing to its knack to design products that are now considered classics.
While the company has an affinity to make tools for professionals away from a toolbox, the SOG PowerAssist strikes the right balance between ease of use, pricing, and utility. These characteristics make the PowerAssist an excellent all-round multitool.
In this post, I will review the SOG PowerAssist to determine if it lives up to its reputation.
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- 2X PLIERS POWER W/ PATENTED COMPOUND LEVERAGE: A tough and lightweight multi-tool knife, tool kit...
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 14:43 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
SKIP AHEAD
SOG PowerAssist Multitool Review
The multitool comes with 16 tools, all of which have a locking mechanism. The pliers and knives are easy to access, but most tools are tucked away into the handles.
One arm of the PowerAssist houses the knives, while the other arm encloses most of the other tools.
The blades and the plier are replaceable, and the spring-loaded handle cover is also replaceable.
Overall, SOG PowerAssist Multitool makes an excellent first impression.
Size and Build
The weighs 9.6 ounces, so it’s certainly heavier than a lot of other multitools on the market. However, the weight doesn’t make it uncomfortable to use.
Extended, the PowerAssist is 7 inches long, and closed, it measures 4.6 inches. You won’t be able to carry the multitool around in your pockets unless you’re wearing cargo shorts.
SOG is best-known for making beefy knives, and the tradition carries forward to the multitools. Lapses in construction quality are rare.
All the hinges and rivets in the PowerAssist have just the right tension. The pliers can be deployed with ease, but the hinges are tense enough to hold them in place.
The edges of the multitool tend to be sharp, but they’re not sharp enough to cut – this is a minor inconvenience at worst, but worth mentioning.
Tools
The entire tool is crafted out of satin-finished 420 stainless steel. The steel is known for its excellent corrosion resistance, and I can verify that it holds a good edge.
Knives
The PowerAssist the first SOG multitool that enabled users to access the knives without opening the pliers. The latest iterations of the multitool still have this trait.
You can also lock the knives securely when the PowerAssist is not in use.
The multitool comes equipped with a serrated knife and a straight-edged knife. The blades are 2.75 inches long, and the steel quality and ease of access make the tool an apt replacement for an everyday carry knife.
What I like most about the multitool is its assisted opening feature.
The first step to opening a knife is sliding the safety switch into the unlock position. Then, you can start pushing the thumb stud up.
The assisted opening tech takes over quickly, and the blade flicks open and locks into position.
This feature alone makes the multitool a winner in my book.
While you can lock the knife with one hand, using both your hands to shut the blade is safer and easier.
Pliers
The pliers also come with SOG’s hallmark compound leverage feature. The pliers are geared in a way that amplifies the force your hands apply.
The needlenose tips are super fine, and the pliers are sturdy – they won’t disappoint.
Wire Cutter
The wire cutter section is 3/8 of an inch long, making it one of the biggest wire cutter tools that come with multitools.
These deep wire cutters can cut through thick wires with ease. The pivots and handles hold up to rough use, meaning you have nothing to worry about even if you tend to be rough.
Screwdrivers
The PowerAssist comes with four screwdrivers. The small, medium, and large-sized screwdrivers are standard, but the PowerAssist also includes a Philips screwdriver, which comes in very handy.
The Philips screwdriver isn’t improvised or flattened – the screwdriver is full-sized and is constructed out of hardened cast steel.
Other Tools
The multitool also comes with a 9-inch ruler, a wire crimper, a three-sided file, and a can opener – all of which are standard in multitools.
Accessories
The SOG PowerAssist comes with a ballistic nylon sheath, that comes with a belt clip attached to it. The clip makes everyday carry convenient.
Warranty
SOG’s warranty covers broken pliers, but you will need to send your multitool in for inspection via the company website.
Keep in mind that the warranty does not cover rusted, spotted, or stained multitools. Scratches and broken blade tips also void the warranty.
SOG PowerAssist Multitool Pros And Cons
Pros
- All tools can be locked
- Compound leverage feature
- Comes with Philips screwdriver
- Easy to access knives
- A total of 16 tools
Cons
- Too big to carry in the pocket
- The sheath could be better quality
- 16 HAND TOOLS IN BLACK OXIDE 420 STAINLESS STEEL: The loadout for this EDC outdoor camping and...
- 2X PLIERS POWER W/ PATENTED COMPOUND LEVERAGE: A tough and lightweight multi-tool knife, tool kit...
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 14:43 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What People Are Saying About the SOG PowerAssist Multitool
The consensus is very positive. Customers report that deploying the blade is easy, and the pliers can handle a lot of pressure without breaking.
However, customers complain that most tools are difficult to access. Since you need to close the pliers before accessing other tools, handling the PowerAssist is a little cumbersome.
Lifting the spring-loaded plate is another hurdle that only slows down access.
But overall, the tool is sturdy and reliable. It is refreshing to see customers – from the average Joe to personnel in the U.S. Army – approve of the multitool.
Verdict
The PowerAssist is the perfect multitool for most users. It boasts a sturdy design, and the compound leverage and assisted opening feature always come in handy. While the slightly larger profile is a bit of a drawback, overall, the PowerAssist more than makes up for it with the assortment of tools it offers.
- 16 HAND TOOLS IN BLACK OXIDE 420 STAINLESS STEEL: The loadout for this EDC outdoor camping and...
- 2X PLIERS POWER W/ PATENTED COMPOUND LEVERAGE: A tough and lightweight multi-tool knife, tool kit...
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 14:43 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
