SOG Sync Belt Buckle Review

Spencer Frazer, the man who founded SOG had a unique mission when he started his company. He had found the SOG Bowie knife, which is the knife that members of a highly classified US Special Ops unit carried. The knife had been designed for this specific group, MACV-SOG, because they were working on covert missions in the Vietnam jungles. Spencer’s mission was to reproduce the original SOG Bowie knife and pay tribute to the special ops unit that created it. SOG Specialty Knives began as a single commemorative model but quickly expanded to become a full line of innovative tools. These tools are filed proven by US Special Forces and have even been honored as the Navy SEAL knife of choice. Now when you carry a SOG knife, you can carry it with confidence, knowing that it will stand up to the most extreme conditions and craziest adventures. SOG tools are forged out of tradition, hardened in the field, and honed for you.

SOG has recently released a brand new series of multi tools. This series is called the Sync Belt Buck series. Right now, it has two separate multi tools called the Sync I and the Sync II. These will help you get almost any job done and are a fantastic addition to your tool collection.

 

The Steels:

The Tool Steel:

The steel that has been used for these multi tools is 5Cr15MoV stainless steel. This is a Chinese steel that comes from the Cr steel series. This is a low end steel, but because of that, it is very inexpensive. This inexpensive property is what helps to keep the cost of the entire tool down. This is a very soft steel that does not hold its edge for long periods of time. However, because of its softness, this steel is extremely easy to sharpen. This steel is widely used to make kitchen knives, high end scissors, folding knives, and hunting knives because it is very resistant to staining and rusting. The Rockwell Hardness on this steel is around a 54-56. However, the bigger the knife or tool is, the softer this steel will be.

The Handle Steel:

The handle is made out of a stainless steel. This is a very durable material for a handle material. Another major benefit of having a stainless steel handle is that it is very resistant to corrosion. However, stainless steel is a heavier material. Because the handle is made out of stainless steel, you are going to be able to feel your tool in your pocket or wherever you are keeping it. The stainless steel really does add a significant amount of weight. However, because the tool is on the smaller side, it’s not going to feel like a rock in your pocket, and will add some desired heftiness. One of the other drawbacks to stainless steel is that it is a pretty slippery material that does not provide you with exceptional grip. To combat this, SOG has added jimping along the sides of the handles when the tool is unfolded. There are also some etchings along the handles to help give you a good grip. All in all, SOG has worked with the stainless steel very well and you will be able to have a secure grip on it at all times.

 

The Finishes:

The tool and handle steel have been finished with a bead blasted finish. This finish is created by blasting small ceramic or glass beads at the steel with a high pressure. This finish creates an even gray finish. This finish works to reduce reflections and glares because it does create an even matte surface. However, because the bead blasting does create micro abrasions in the steel, the tool will be more likely to rust or corrode. Because of this, you do need to make sure that you are maintaining and up keeping this tool or else it will rust.

 

The Purposes/Design:

The Syncs are multi tools that have been designed to be easily worn. The Syncs have a detachable base that can be worn as a belt buckle or even clipped onto a backpack or boot. Because of the design, you can be sure to always have your multi tool with you. You can easily detach the tool with only one hand, but it will stay locked and secure when it has been clipped on and is not needed.

 

The Designer:

Spencer Frazer is the man behind SOG. He just so happens to also be the head designer. Since he was a young kid, he has always bene interested in the way that the world works. When he was in boy scouts, he gained an interest for knives and axes, but he never really considered making them a career until much later. He graduated with a math and science major and actually began his own company in the professional audio industry. This is when he learned to work with different materials and build models and prototypes. He went on to work in the aerospace defense industry as a R&D tool/die and model maker. Around the same time as that, he became involved in the modern art movement and met many of the top artists. During this time of his life, he learned a lot about scale and color. He says that he felt like all of his life experiences converged the moment that he saw the Vietnam SOG Bowie knife. This is the knife that encouraged him to start his own company as a knife designer. Since then, he has designed hundreds of innovative, ground breaking tools.

 

The Sync I:

The Specs:

This product originated in china. It has a closed length of 2.4 inches and weighs in at 2.6 ounces. This multi tool sports 11 different tools. The Sync I fits belts up to 1 3/8 inches.

The Tools:

1. The Awl:

The awl comes out of the left side of the handle when the tool has been unfolded. This tool comes out of the butt of the handle. An awl is a long, pointed spike that can be used for making holes in wood or making markings on wood.

2. The Blade:

The blade on this tool is located at the butt of the left side of the handle. This is a straight edged blade.

3. The Bolt/Nut Gripper:

This tool is located at the top of the unfolded tool, right in the center. The pliers actually make up the framing for this tool.

4. The Bottle Opener:

The bottle opener is located at the butt of the right side of the handle. The jewelry driver actually extends off of the bottle opener.

5. The Crimpers:

The crimpers are located right in between the two handles, but is on the lower end, under the pliers. Crimpers are often used for fishing. This is a quick and reliable method for making joins in monofilament and cable.

6. The File:

The file is a three sided file that folds out of the butt of the right handle. At the end of the file. There is a flat screwdriver.

7. The Flat Screwdriver:

At the butt of the right handle, where the file folds out, there is a flat screwdriver. This screwdriver is in a size small.

8. The Jewelry Driver:

This tool also extends out of the butt of the right handle. This specific tool is at the tip of the bottle opener.

9. The Pliers:

The Pliers are located at the very top of the Sync 1 when it is unfolded.

10. The Ruler:

When this tool is unfolded, the ruler goes up the inside of the two handles. Each of the sides carries about 2.4 inches. When you extend the ruler and make it into one long stick, it spans a little over 5 inches long.

11. The Wire Cutter:

The last tool that this multi tool sports is the wire cutter. This wire cutter can cut through soft wire. It is located at the top of the tool when it is unfolded. The wire cutters lie directly below the bolt and nut gripper.

The Sync I has been designed to give you the tools that you need on a daily basis. This tool will be able to get you through your daily life whether you are encountering the expected or the unexpected.

 

The Sync II:

The Specs:

This tool originated in China. It has a closed length of 3.1 inches long, an overall length of 5.8 inches long, and weighs 5 ounces. The Sync II sports 12 different tools. This tool fits belts up to 1 ¾ inches wide.

The Tools:

1. The Blade:

The blade is located at the butt of the right handle. This is a straight edge blade.

2. The Bolt/Nut Gripper:

The bolt/nut gripper is located at the top of the unfolded tool. It is made up of the pliers.

3. The Bottle Opener:

This tool folds out of the inner side of the right handle. At the top of the bottle opener, there is a flat screwdriver.

4. The Crimpers:

The crimpers are located in between the two handles. Crimpers are often used in fishing, to make joins in lines or cords.

5. The File:

The file is a three sided file. It folds out of the butt of the right handle and is attached to the small flat screwdriver.

6. The Flat Screwdriver:

This flat screwdriver is located on the bottle opener, and folds out of the inner side of the right handle. This screwdriver is in a size medium.

7. The Flat Screwdriver:

This flat screwdriver is in a size small. It folds out of the butt of the right handle and is connected to the end of the file.

8. The Phillips Screwdriver:

This screwdriver folds out of the butt of the left handle.

9. The Pliers:

The pliers are located at the top of the unfolded tool. These pliers are needle nosed pliers.

10. The Ruler:

The ruler extends on both of the inner sides of the handles. When the tool is closed, each side of the handle has bout three and a half inches. However, you can unfold the tool so that the ruler lines up. When you unfold the tool in that manner, the ruler will measure 7 inches.

11. The Scissors:

The scissors are located on the left side of the handle, where they fold out of the butt.

12. The Wire Cutters:

The wire cutters are located at the top of the unfolded tool. The cutters lie at the bottom portion of the pliers, directly under the nut/bolt gripper. These are soft wire cutters.

The Sync II has been equipped with a selection of frequently used components that are available at a moment’s notice to save the day anytime and anywhere.

 

Conclusion:

SOG is a reliable company that you will help you carry their products with confidence. Their tools have been US Special Forces approved and have even been honored as the knife of the year. The tools are built and designed to stand up to the roughest of environments and the most extreme of situations. They have been built to help you lead, protect, save, and have fun while doing it. They use high quality materials to complete the high quality designs that Spencer Frazer has introduced to the world. They just released a brand new line of multi tools called the Belt Buckle Sync series, and it will change the way you do everyday life.

They looked at the common dilemma of forgetting your tool or knife and designed a multi tool that you can wear at all times. This belt buckle design has a detachable base, so you can also attach it to a boot or pack strap. The Sync I and II can fit on belts up to 1 ¾ inch wide. The tools that SOG chose to incorporate on the two are tools that you can use frequently in a variety of different scenarios. This tool will be a great investment that will constantly pay itself off when you encounter the unexpected.