Customer Reviews

SOG Specialty Knives & Tools *S31-N Paratool

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is the tool I carry day in and out because of the hex bolt feature I've customized by removing the straight blade (There is still a serated blade) and replaced it with a saw and a seatbelt cutter. I sail competively and the seatbelt cutter gives me a safe way to cut a line. With the hook end on the blade the line won't come off until its fully cut through. (Oh yeah, the basic knife comes with one open slot for customization.)

This is one of the best designs for the pliers. As you can see in the photo the smooth part of the handles is on the outside so when you bear down on the pliers the handle doesn't cut into your hand. Also as you can see the head tilts. You can get some pressure at the tip at this angle, and you can pick up those little screws that dropped behind the exhaust manifold without burning your fingers.

Disadvantages: No sizzors. The file blade dosen't have that grove for sharpening hooks, the tab for popping out the plier head pokes holes in my pockets so I have to wear it on my belt. Because the handles don't do that "leatherman T" the ruler is short, just the length of one of the handles. I did a sawing test in the woods one day and a 3" blade is too short for firewood. I've kept it incase I need to cut away something while sailing. Otherwise you'll still need a regular saw.

The sizzors problem I fixed by getting a leatherman Micra. The rest I just live with.

We all know the Leatherman, but SOG has several features that make it the obscure tool of choice. First, changing out the tools. Can't do it on the leatherman, but on the SOG you can. Instead of rivets, it has a screw assembly that comes undone and you can change out blades and such. My old SOG Paratool had a heavy-duty saw blade and EMT-style seatbelt cutter (always a hit with the ladies) that I added myself. Also, the SOG has a needlenose plier that folds out the side of the handles. This has two advantages: First, unlike the Leatherman which folds out like a butterfly knife, the SOG Paratool won't leave huge red marks on your palm from squeezing the handles because the handle are smooth and not exposing the fold-out tools. Secondly, the pliers are able to fold and get into very tight spaces where a normal "straight" Leatherman would not reach. Very nice.

I recently lost my old Paratool. We had been through so much together. I wore out the bottle opener. Alas...I will certainly buy another SOG ASAP.

I just bought my second Paratool to replace one I left overseas with my father-in-law. I also have a SOG PowerLock. Both the Paratool and the PowerLock have been completely durable and reliable and perform like new. When I still had both, I always carried one with me - the larger, heavier PowerLock in the outdoors or while traveling, and the smaller, lighter Paratool on more "formal" occasions where slipping in into a pocket or less bulk on the belt was called for. My wife still calls me "SOG-Man" now and then (the mythic superhero with the power to repair). Now that I only have the one, I find I miss having the Paratool.
To open the Paratool one-handed, simply press on the lanyard ring/tab with your thumb and the pliers head pivots up and out to where your thumb can press it down into position. As far as the pliers head not locking - that's an asset not a liability. I've fished out many a small part from tight places where the head's ability to pivot was "mission critical".
I carry a SOG with me for those times when I'm not near a tool box or when something just pops up that needs doing/fixing. If I'm planning to do a specific job - say remodel the kitchen, drop the transmission out of the car or wire a network with CAT-5 cable, I assemble a proper tool kit for the job.
I highly recommend the Paratool or the PowerLock.

I carried a Leatherman for years and liked it. I got the SOG for Christmas about 6 years ago and love it even more.

1.-The handle design puts the smooth part on your palm when using pliers. Very nice.

2.-You can take the whole thing apart to change tools and clean it. Very nice touch, especially after you spill anything sticky all over it.

3.-Good customer service. I managed to snap the plier head on mine. (Was not easy to do, mind you.) Sent it in to SOG. They sent it back cleaned, sharpened and with a new head.

4.-USEFUL. My kids and friends know I carry it and treat it as an extension of me. I smirk when my wife asks me if I have my paratool. I ALWAYS have it on me unless I'm asleep. I use it daily. Cut, screw, crimp, bend, twist, open, tighten. It's great. I've fixed everything from my car to my computer with it at some point.

I own/collect several multitool brands (Gerber,Leatherman,SOG,Schrade) and by far I am happiest with SOG multitools. The Gerber tool's finish is showing some corrosion and the small flathead screwdriver's tip broke. The Leatherman tools are good (Juice S2 and Kick), but are overpriced (Juice S2). Leatherman is the granddad of multitools and likely offers the widest variety of multitools, but comparative shopping is a must. The Schrade tool is awkward in that some of the tools lockout and some don't lock at all. I am sure it is because some don't require lockout to work, but my opinion is that they should all lockout. I have two SOG multitools (Power Plier and a smaller version)and am very impressed with the heavy duty, anti-corrosive finish, precision, and function of all the instruments. The smaller version has some instruments (phillips screwdriver and a file) that don't have the shiny,chrome-like finish, but still perform well and show no sign of corrosion. All the instruments lockout and work as expected. I've noticed that once any multitool is used for a repair it is not long after that one gets to see how the metal finish endured the stress of the work. I consider this one of the litmus tests of all multitools. Like I previously mentioned in the section about the Gerber tool, some brands just don't stand up well to duress and one will find that the manufacturer actually has a disclaimer that warns against using the tool for what I consider it's intended purpose: on-the-spot, contingency repair. I highly recommend the SOG multitools for that type of use.

I've been through a few multitools over the years - Leathermans, Gerbers some even made by the same company, SOG. But none have ever held up as well as this mid sized tool. It's tough, really tough. The pliers are made of durable tool steel that has never chipped, the handle peices are made of a softer alloy that grants it some "give" so you aren't snapping those little bolts on really tough jobs. I don't know if it was intentional, but the way each handle tip wraps around the bottom ends of the plier head when fully open really seems to spread the pressure out.

I've literally "crused" a couple of multitool handles inward with the traditional folding design. I admit, I abuse any knife or tool I own. I take CARE of them, but I expect them to be able to stand up to anything I put them through within reason.

The Paratool can take it. Cutting wire, fencing, nails or breaking open rusted down bolts is no problem. The blades are good quality and keep a nice edge. The file on this tool is the best you can get, it has a nice, deep bite that never loses its grit, and can put a sharp edge on a splitting axe in 2 minutes. I find it impossible to strip out the phillips head driver too, it seems to be made of the same high carbon steel that the file is made of. The rest of the tools are cold stamped stainless steel, ground down to profile.

Final note. Since this tool can be opened with one hand, I cannot over exaggerate how much more useful this tool instantly become than any other multitool I own, for every possible task. I have hunted down a bull tyrannasaurus rex with only the Paratool simply because of this one little feature. Seriously. Over and out.

I have carried my Paratool for seven years now. At one point I needed to replace the opening lever on the pliers. I sent the unit in to SOG, fully expecting to be billed for their services. They returned the tool with a new pliers, and they replaced the knife blade that had a slightly bent tip - all free of charge. The design feature that I like the most is that the "screws" that hold the unit together are actually nuts. The distinction sounds trivial, but they are slightly softer than the tool itself. If the jaws become "loose", replace the nuts and the unit is good as new. Great product - great company.

I am a network technician and like all tech's I carry a multitool.I just bought a paratool and this is what I found. The tilting plier heads are a nice idea but when they are at an angle you can't really use it because it DOESN'T LOCK at an angle so you can't put any force on it without causing the tool to close. In other words the tilting plier heads don't work well. Opening the tool requires two hand's, unlike the leatherman tool's that you can whip open single handedly like a butterfly knife. This is a hassle. The wire cutter's are to small to easily cut Cat-5 cable. All of the blades are removable, which is a cool idea, but SOG does not offer any real "variety" of replacement blades so this feature is kind of worthless. This knife is built very solid and is extremely comftorable to hold, but I could not recommend that anyone buys it. My advice would be to stick with a leatherman.

We gave one of these to a teenage sailing student, and it was a hit both with her and her parents, one of whom (who is quite a handyman) commented on the quality of the piece and the excellent hand feel. I might have to get one for myself now!

I bought this tool in 1996 before traveling to Europe. I can't tell you how satisfied I am with it. It is NEVER OUT OF MY POSSESSION. I use it on a daliy basis for everything from peeling fruit to tightening screws. Until I find a better one (based on size and capablity)I'll have this tool for a long time.