Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best of the non locking pocket pliers tools, September 15, 2000
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.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best multi-tool..., August 23, 2000
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.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Durable, very useful...and yes, it does open with one hand., June 11, 2003
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.
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