The SOG Power Access Assist is SOG’s current flagship multitool. So I was expecting a full-sized full-featured multi-tool — and it delivered on that front with a big beefy build and a plethora of no-nonsense tools. But it also came with a letdown (or 4), a minor injury, and a feature I think is a gimmick. But if you’re in the market for a heavy-duty, full-sized multi-tool with some genuinely good engineering, this one might be worth a look.
Packaging and First Impressions
The SOG Power Access Assist MT arrived in what was, honestly, one of the biggest multi-tool boxes I had ever seen — even bigger than the Gerber Dual Force’s packaging. The box featured a magnetic clasp on the front that actually let you peek at the tool before even opening it. On the back, SOG stood for Studies and Observation Group, and there was a helpful illustration of the tools alongside some specs. A nice touch overall, even if the box itself was unnecessarily large.
What’s in the Box
Inside the box came two things: the tool itself and a carrying case. The case had SOG branding on the front — though notably absent was the skull-with-beret embroidery that used to adorn older versions. Apparently that detail got cut, probably because it took too long to embroider. The case still had a Velcro closure, a loop for storing extra bits, and separate loops for both horizontal and vertical carry. A pull tab made opening it easy.
Tucked inside the case was a bit kit. Pulling it apart took a bit of effort, but inside were three flatheads, two hex bits, four Torx bits, and three Phillips bits. There was also a hex bit driver with a magnet on one end and a quarter-inch square driver on the other — a genuinely interesting dual-purpose piece. The bit kit slotted securely into a dedicated compartment in the case, and the tool itself fit in the main pocket. All together, it made for a tidy little package you could clip to a belt, backpack, or chest rig.
Build Quality and Finish
The finish on the tool appeared to be black paint — similar to the SOG PowerPoint, which was my current EDC at the time. Whether it was black oxide or paint was a bit of a toss-up, but based on my experience with the PowerPoint, I expected it to wear gracefully rather than chip. The PowerPoint developed a nice patina over time, and I anticipated the same would happen with this one. Build quality and workmanship were genuinely solid throughout.
The Pliers
The pliers were the star of the show. They were large, and initially quite stiff, but the tip was fine and precise with zero wobble. The jaws had fine teeth for a long-nose bolt gripper configuration, and there were both soft and hard wire cutters. SOG’s compound leverage system was present too, which really helped in applying force when gripping bolts or other objects. A crimper and a hex bit driver with a magnet to hold bits in place rounded out the plier section. They were impressive — just stiff out of the box, which I fully expected to improve with use.
The One-Hand Opening Tools (and a Minor Injury)
The tool featured four implements marketed as one-hand opening, each equipped with a thumb stud. In practice, the mechanism was extremely stiff — stiff enough that I actually injured myself trying to open one with one hand. After that, two-handed operation became the rule for the rest of the review.
Knife Blade
The plain-edge knife blade was quite pointy, though not sharp out of the box. It locked open with a tab that needed to be pressed to close — a standard locking mechanism.
Saw
The saw was on the shorter side, but it was still a useful thing to have. The teeth were pointy and appeared sharp enough to get the job done in a pinch.
Serrated Blade
Like the plain-edge blade, the serrated version wasn’t sharp out of the box, but its design looked well-suited for cutting fibrous materials like rope or webbing.
Seat Belt / Rope Cutter
The seat belt and rope cutter was the last of the four, and it actually worked well in testing. Running a cord through it made short work of the material — a reassuring result for an emergency-use tool.
The Remaining Tools
Beyond the four supposedly one-hand opening tools, the tool packed in quite a few more implements:
- A can opener with a small flathead tip
- A full 3D Phillips screwdriver — the full 3D shape being a welcome detail
- A bottle opener with a flathead at the tip
- A small precision screwdriver with a fine tip
- A large flathead screwdriver
- An awl — sharp and pointy, with an eye for threading string for field-expedient sewing
- A quarter-inch square driver that locked at both 90° and 180° positions
The quarter-inch square driver was particularly interesting. It accepted the included hex bit adapter and standard hex bits, and it also worked with standard square drive sockets. That meant actual socket wrench functionality from a multi-tool — a genuinely useful addition that added real flexibility.
The Bit Driver and Ruler / Protractor
The centered hex bit holder was one of my favorite features. It allowed standard hex bits to be used while keeping everything centered — something the SOG PowerPoint also had, and something I really appreciated. Combined with a standard extension, it added useful reach for driving fasteners in awkward spots.
The tool also featured a ruler in both inches and centimeters along the handle, as well as a protractor for measuring angles. The protractor concept was clever — aligning lines with tick marks to read an angle — but in practice, it seemed a little off except at 180 degrees, which appeared accurate. My honest assessment was that it landed closer to gimmick territory than genuinely useful tool.
Final Thoughts
The SOG Power Access Assist MT was a full-sized, heavy-duty multi-tool with a lot going for it. The centered hex bit holder and the 90°/180° square driver were genuinely clever features that set it apart. The pliers were precise and well-built. The case and bit kit rounded out a well-thought-out package.
The biggest letdown was the assisted one-hand opening, which was nowhere near functional out of the box. Hopefully it would loosen up with time and use. As for carrying it every day — it was just a bit too big and heavy for my personal EDC preferences. But for someone who needs a capable, versatile tool for work or field use, this one would likely serve them very well.
Would you EDC the SOG Power Access Assist MT? Drop a comment below and let me know — I’d love to hear how you’d actually put this thing to work.
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