SOG Micro ToolClip Review
Cons: Awkward and squished phillips drive, main blade requires two hands and fingernail
Manufacturer: SOG
Our Verdict
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 This Product
SOG Micro ToolClip | |||||
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| Awards |  | |  | ||
| Price | $25 List | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $25.00 at Amazon | $19.00 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Small for carry, effective function, spring-loaded pliers | Comprehensive, well-made, aftermarket accessories and carry options | Inexpensive and well-made, spring-loaded pliers, scissors, pocket clip, one-handed blade | Tiny, well made, excellent bottle opener | Small, inexpensive, two blades |
| Cons | Awkward and squished phillips drive, main blade requires two hands and fingernail | Proprietary bit driver, no pocket clip included | Hybrid straight/serrated blade, squashed Phillips driver, short main blade | Package opener is specialized, screwdrivers are tiny | Flexible construction, stiff hinges |
| Bottom Line | Fitting into a niche size sub-category, this neither full size nor keychain tool has functions that are worthy and effective | A full-function tool from a great manufacturer at a reasonable price | A budget tool with real value and function, this model is compact with a feature set that does much of what you want and little that you don't | A keychain tool whose utility belies its tiny stature | A keychain tool with some basic features and two blades; the serrated blade is unique in this sub category |
| Rating Categories | SOG Micro ToolClip | Leatherman Wave+ | Leatherman Wingman | Gerber Dime | Gerber Vise |
| Functions (40%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (25%) | |||||
| Ergonomics (20%) | |||||
| Portability (15%) | |||||
| Specs | SOG Micro ToolClip | Leatherman Wave+ | Leatherman Wingman | Gerber Dime | Gerber Vise |
| Number of functions | 8 | 18 + bits | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Weight (ounces) | 3.2 oz | 8.5 oz, 9.5 oz with case | 6.8 oz, 7.8 oz with sheath | 2.3 oz | 2.4 oz |
| Locking tools? | None | All but pliers | Scissors and blade | None | None |
| Pliers type | Spring-loaded pliers | Needlenose, regular, wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, crimper | Spring-loaded regular and needlenose | Spring loaded needle nose pliers | Mini pliers with wire cutters |
| Tools accessible without deploying pliers | All but phillips driver | Blades, saw, file | Blade and scissors | All | All |
| Blades and type | 1 straight blade | 1 straight, 1 serrated | 1 hybrid serrated/straight drop point | 1 straight blade | 1 straight, 1 serated |
| Scissors | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Number of screwdrivers | 3 | 5 included/integrated. More available aftermarket for proprietary driver | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| File? | Yes | Yes, wood/metal and a diamond-coated file | Yes | No | Yes |
| Saw? | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Openers | Bottle | Can and bottle | Can, bottle, and a unique box opener | Bottle, package | Bottle |
| Other important features | Wirecutter | Ruler | Very small ruler | Tweezers | None |
| Sheath included? | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Other carry options | Pocket, lanyard, clip | Pocket, Pocket clip | Key ring attachment | Keychain | |
| Closed dimensions (Length by thickness, in inches) | 3.9x0.5 | 4 x 0.7 | 3.8 x 0.7 | 2.8 x 0.6 | 2.2 x 0.5 |
| Open length (pliers, in inches) | 3.9 in | 6.3 in | 6.2 in | 4 in | 3.9 in |
| Open overall length (primary blade deployed, in inches) | 5.8 in | 6.9 in | 6.4 in | 4.1 in | 3.6 in |
| Length of primary blade effective edge (inches) | 1.9 in | 2.8in | 2.4 in | 1.4 in | 1.4 in |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Micro ToolClip from SOG splits the difference between "full size" multi-tools and keychain-sized options. Especially if you've examined both of these well-represented subcategories, this SOG will be a welcome addition to your shopping list. It features SOG's well-known quality of manufacture, but also incorporates some curious attributes. In short, it is the right size with somewhat imperfect execution.
Performance Comparison
Functions
The Micro ToolClip has pliers, wire cutters, a blade, a "squashed" Phillips driver bit, two different file textures, two different straight driver bits, and a bottle opener. This set of tools is simple and unsurprising. Most are pretty effective, given their mid-size stature. The Phillips driver is on the end of one of the pliers handles. In many tighter positions, this driver isn't particularly useful.
Ergonomics
Below a certain threshold, smaller tools are tougher to use, all else equal. The Micro ToolClip is smaller than most but bigger than some. It is largely alone, on the market, in this size range. To balance usability and portability, this might be the sweet spot for you. The pliers are spring-loaded. Some like this, some don't. For one-and-done pliers grabs, unsprung seems better. If you are using your multi-tool pliers to turn a nut or bolt (in the absence of a more suitable tool) the spring can help your cause. The main knife blade can only be opened with a fingernail. We've come to expect one-handed, thumb-deployed blades on larger multi-tools. This one seems like it could be configured that way as well. We prefer a main blade that can be opened with one thumb.
Portability
The greatest portability attribute of the Micro ToolClip is its smaller stature. For the usability of the tools, it is the smallest we know of. More accurately, we've not tested any other tool close to this one in size. There are some much smaller and many much larger. The Micro is squarely in between. It can be carried on a key ring, loose in your pocket, or clipped to the edge of your pocket. The lattermost is our preferred way of carrying a multi-tool for handy usage, especially this one.
Construction Quality
SOG is known for sturdy multi-tools and pocket knives. Our testing of products in both these categories, for years and years now, proves this out. We've never had a problem with the integrity of an SOG product. The same can be said of the Micro ToolClip. This is sturdy and ready for day-to-day use.
Value
The price is right and the quality is high. If the form and function works for you, the Micro ToolClip is a good value.
Conclusion
We like that this tool is in a size range with few (if any?) competitors. It is the only product that we've tested at this size. The size and form of the SOG Micro ToolClip is balanced differently than others. The tiny keychain tools are even more portable but suffer in application. The bigger products are definitely more robust than the SOG but just won't go everywhere with some people. If you've found the existing options to be either too small or too big, the Micro ToolClip might be "just right."
— Jediah Porter