LM Super Tool 300 vs SOG PowerAssist/PowerLock

[Westerdutch]

Hi all!

I'm in the market for a new do-it-all multitool but i find myself having the hardest time choosing between the brands mentioned above.

I really fell in love with the whole black-oxide thing, so here's the contenders:
Supertool 300


PowerAssist


Powerlock


Now, ill be using the multitool mainly for the following:
-Opening boxes, cutting rope, enlarging holes, shaving/cutting plastics and de-burring soft-ish metals
-Electrical stuff, basically everything involving tools on vehicles and housing
-Bending stuff so i really love good strong set of pliers
-Cutting metal rods (this is what almost killed the cutter on my skeletool)
-Pulling small items from locations i can't reach with my fingers (so a set of fine-tipped pliers is also a must)
I dont really need a can opener, bottle opener or scissors. An inch more or less size-wise doesn't matter to me as long as it stays in the candy-bar size category.

Now the super 300 and the powerlock are a pretty close call, but what i really love about the supertool 300 is the fact that i can replace/resharpen the cutters and that there's a crimper in the pliers. I can't really find how easy the stripper/crimper function on the SOGs is. The Powerlock on the other hand has nice covers for the tools so i guess this would be a bit more comfy.....

What i really love about the SOG powerassist is that i can access the knives without having to open the multitool..... I for one will never be using a knife on a multitool with the tool opened so to me it just makes sense to place the knives on the outside of the tool.

I really like the way the SOGs multiply the power to the pliers but i really doubt its all that practical. My hands are strong enough to almost kill non-assisted pliers like the ones on my skeletool but if this assisted function is any good this would mean i woudnt have to squeeze the handles all that hard and this would benefit overall dexterity......

I'd love to know if any of you guys have some experience with both LM and SOG stuff! Im really looking for a keeper here so the thing must be able to withstand quite some heavy (ab)use.

[inzelique]

I love my SOG. That being said, Leatherman has a superior system to carry the tools with you. Get the driver adapter and a set if the flat bits and you have just about all the screw drivers you could need. add the replaceable cutters and you have a great system that can fit in your pockets, or a (large) pouch. With the SOG you can remove the handle covers (they pop right off and back on) which I haven't had a problem with yet. If you are squeezing so hard they hurt your hands, get a set of dedicated pliers.
Also you can customize the tools on the SOG to a degree. I Will be removing the knife blade from mine as soon as my parts arrive. I always carry a pocket knife any way

[Westerdutch]

I can get a bit-driver on the super tool? Now that would be neat, i already have a complete set of leatherman flatbits and if those would fit the 300 that would be awesome!

I do know that the SOGs can be lego'd somewhat and i was thinking of putting one of those 1/4" square thingies on there and just start carrying normal bits and maybe even some other nice goodies to fit that but if the leatherman has a bit holder that would have my preference.

[Marlinaholic]

If you are cutting metal rods, get the Supertool. It's the only high quality multi with replaceable cutters I know of on the market. I think Gerber makes something similar but I bet the cutters are not made of 154CM. I would skip the power assist for heavy duty work like you describe, I had one and while it wasn't junk, the blades are not all that sturdy once deployed, and the deployment system is housed in a polymer little block, so the blade on a regular SOG or Supertool will be more robust and take far more abuse I would say. The Supertool blades will lock with less wiggle than the Powerlocks do, but the powerlock blade won't fail, it will just wiggle a little up and down.

[inzelique]

I believe the bit adapter that fits over the phillips driver will work on the supertool. Not 100% sure as I don't have a supertool yet.

[Westerdutch]

I believe the bit adapter that fits over the phillips driver will work on the supertool. Not 100% sure as I don't have a supertool yet.

Well, the bit-driver isnt listed as a compatible accessory on the LM website.... Would be a bummer if i couldn't use my nice torx and allen bits.....

[Wes_Siler]

The SOG plier heads are replacable for like $12, so all three tools technically feature replacement cutters.

The SOG crimper is behind the hinge and works well.

There's also a multi-size wire stripper available (takes up 2 long tool slots) for the PowerLock and PowerAssist.

I just switched from a PowerAssist to the Powerlock because I decided I didn't need a knife in my multitool (I remove the Powerlocks, replaced with wire strippers). I really, really dig the assisted pliers, not terribly useful in day to day, but if you ever need to really get on a rusted bolt or cut something a bit too thick or get some leverage on something slippy, then it's a godsend.

To me, the ability to customize your tool set and the assisted pliers are killer apps for SOG, I know have exactly the tool I need in my pocket at all times, no job too big, no bolt too rusted or rounded off. You can pickup last-gen Powerlock's on eBay for like $40 too.

[Westerdutch]

You guys are making this so hard for me!

Price-wise the multitools don't do that much... well, the ones that i can find that is. The leatherman and spare parts are readily available here in the EU whereas the SOG is a bit harder to find and thus more expensive (i havent found a reliable source for parts yet).... Importing from the US after shipping, taxes and other costs brings the price of a Powerlock to just a tenner or maybe two under the price of a leatherman ST300....

I love the SOG for versatility in user replaceable parts, but having never handled one in person im a bit in doubt about the quality (im quite picky on that)... Now leatherman isnt perfect when it comes to quality but for me they do always meet a certain acceptable standard.

Choices choices........

[Dr. Bahn]

You guys are making this so hard for me!

Price-wise the multitools don't do that much... well, the ones that i can find that is. The leatherman and spare parts are readily available here in the EU whereas the SOG is a bit harder to find and thus more expensive (i havent found a reliable source for parts yet).... Importing from the US after shipping, taxes and other costs brings the price of a Powerlock to just a tenner or maybe two under the price of a leatherman ST300....

I love the SOG for versatility in user replaceable parts, but having never handled one in person im a bit in doubt about the quality (im quite picky on that)... Now leatherman isnt perfect when it comes to quality but for me they do always meet a certain acceptable standard.

Choices choices........

http://www.boker.de/taschenmesser/sog-8-70.html ;-) If you can´t read german, let me know which parts you are looking for an I will give you the article number/translation/price.

I own a SOG Paratool and its quality is very good imo. Only the bladesteel is a bit soft for my taste but becomes easily very sharp.

[Westerdutch]

http://www.boker.de/taschenmesser/sog-8-70.html ;-) If you can´t read german, let me know which parts you are looking for an I will give you the article number/translation/price.

I own a SOG Paratool and its quality is very good imo. Only the bladesteel is a bit soft for my taste but becomes easily very sharp.

Hey thanks for that link! That's a great source for parts! Shipping is OK as well!

Now i tend to like the SOGs more and more..... Now only if i could also find a good source for the plier head for a nice price i'd be set for the SOGs!