SOG Power Assist

Ellis Wyatt

Ellis Wyatt

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Joined
May 17, 2009
Messages
3,598
I received my power assist in the mail yesterday and have been pretty disappointed so far with it. The fit of the tool seems to be off and closing the outside plain edge blade is extremely difficult. The serrated one closes fine. Also, the tools on the inside are difficult to close. Is this a common issue with these tools or did I just get a bad one? The pliers work great, I am very impressed with the compound leverage aspect, its just the other tools seem to all interfere with each other too much and I did not expect this to be an issue.

Thanks for the help,
JD
 
I am sorry to hear that you are having such bad luck with your powerassist. I was really thinging about replacing my old powerlock with one, especially since SOG is having a good labor day sale. After carrying it for a while has it gotten any better.
 
It has not really gotten any better. I have tried opening and closing it a lot to loosen it up, but there is still interference with the plain edge blade lock. Also, when closing and opening the pliers the wire cutters close too tight to each other and make the pliers pause on opening and closing, requiring a little extra pressure to push them past that point. I may just send it back to SOG and get a replacement. Probably just a bad tool I got because I can't find anything else about this being a common issue.
 
That's a bummer. Keep us posted on how that goes. The PA has been on my radar for a while now. The idea of an external blade housed in a HD tool really intrigues me. However, if its a lame duck, I'll just stick with my PL or maybe the new ST300
 
jdraizor, SOG uses hex screws to assemble the tools. If the assisted opening blades aren't aligned well, try loosening or tightening the hex bit screws. Same goes for the internal tools. But I'm sure SOG will take care of it for you if you send it back to them. My first PowerAssist wouldn't fully deploy the blades until I loosened the hex bolts (just a hair). Now it works great. Others worked great, right out of the box without any tinkering. I have lots of PowerLocks and PowerAssists and I've only had to send in one. The covers on one of the PowerLocks were bent and wouldn't close--it wasn't a big deal but it bothered me. Customer service was great and I promptly received a brand new PowerLock as a replacement.

Jake, I'll lend you one of my PowerAssists if you want to take one for a test drive.
 
Thanks for the advice supratentorial. I will take it apart tonight and see if I can find any problems. Like I said, i think I just got a little unlucky as I have heard nothing bad about these tools specifically or about SOG themselves. This is in no way a SOG bashing thread. With the number of knives and tools I own I am bound to find one or two that didn't come out of the box just right.
 
No problem. Let us know how it works out.

The PowerAssist is definitely a favorite but like my other favorites, I can still find fault in it. (1) I would prefer not to lock the assisted opening blades but it seems necessary to keep them from accidentally opening (In the instructions, SOG recommends locking them when they're not in use). (2) Tool clumping is an issue with the PowerAssist as well as all other SOG multi-tools. The v-cutter and can opener tend to stick the most. On one of my PowerLocks, I put an extra spacer (available from SOG) between the two in order to minimize the clumping. But some people like tool clumping and the Leatherman Super Tool 300 was even designed with the intention of having the tools clump.

What makes the PowerAssist a favorite is: (1) superb pliers/wire cutters (2) customizable tool selection (3) user serviceable (4) the first multi-tool pliers with two assisted opening blades (both plain edge and fully serrated)
 
supratentorial said:
Jake, I'll lend you one of my PowerAssists if you want to take one for a test drive.
Click to expand...

That is a kind offer, but a vote of confidence from you is enough for me:) I've been very happy with my PL. I really just need the PA or the ST300 to fail dramatically so that I don't end up with $100 worth of tools in hurry:):thumbup:
 
The tool clumping was one of the things that I was a little concerned about. Especially the V-Cutter/Can Opener, glad to hear that is a common and normal aspect. The plier head interfering with the blade locks when the tool is closed is my biggest concern. In order to get the lock on the plain edge blade to work I must open the tool a little to get the plier head away from the lock. I loosened and tightened the nuts last night and still have some problems. I will be calling SOG today or tomorrow to see if they have any solutions. Not the biggest deal in the world, but if they can fix it this would be my favorite multi-tool, might be anyway.
 
I overlooked your second post. I definitely think this is a warranty issue now. The pliers should not interfere with the blades at all. Here's a few photo's showing normal clearance:

pa-1.jpg

pa-2.jpg
 
Yep, that seems to be my problem. I think I just got one that is a little too tight in that area. It doesn't hit the blade, but the way the lock is designed to push inwards in the tool it hits the pliers and can not be disengaged without opening the tool some. I will send it in to SOG for a replacement. Besides this small problem I like the tool a lot. The full size #1 phillips head is a neat tool, something I have always wanted on a multi-tool.
 
Great pictures. How does it carry as compared to the PL. I have had my PL for about 6 years now. I carry it in a leather combo case with a mini maglite. Either way I am gonna order one. I to have eyeballing one for sometime.
 
Thanks! There's not a noticeable difference between the weight of the PowerAssist (9.3oz) and the PowerLock (9.6oz). It carries the same as the PowerLock and it will even fit in the old SOG leather sheaths. Chances are that it will also fit your combo case but I can't say for sure.
 
Good to know, because I depend on both my multi and mini mag everyday as a tech school instructor.
 
Well I did it. I just pushed the button on a new PA. I just couldn't pass up the labor day sale price. Plus the free t shirt was nice too.
 
Woo hoo!!! Let us know how it works for you. It's always nice to hear the opinion of those who depend on multi-tools for their work.
 
Hello everybody, I'm new and i just picked up my Power Assist. Love the SAT, only problem though I don't know if its because i picked up the last one at my store, and that last one being a display model, but I found that the unlock bar, and the lock slide is kinda damaging the blade. On the serrated blade some teeth are slightly damaged around the unlock mechanism, and on the straight blade there are 2 sections dulled out
 
That sounds like an issue that should be covered by the warranty. Mine is still pretty tight, but I have gotten it working much better now that it has been beat up a good bit at work. The locks have gotten where they dont bother me anymore, and I think the pliers tightness is loosening up. You may want to call SOG and see about getting it warrantied.
 
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