SOG Snippet Review: The Scissor-First Keychain Multi-Tool Worth Your Money

Introduction

SOG is a brand that has often promised more than it delivered. Plenty of small multi-tools come and go, but every so often one earns a genuine recommendation, and the SOG Snippet is that exception. Its scissors scored an outstanding 16-plus out of a possible 20-plus points in gauntlet-style testing, which puts them at the top of the scissor-based multi-tool class. The question is whether the rest of the tool lives up to that headline act.

The Scissors: The Whole Point of This Tool

The Snippet’s scissors are the reason this tool exists. In performance testing they ranked as the number one scissors among scissor-based multi-tools. Technically the Next Tool Mini Flagship scored one point higher, but it could not complete the precision test, so the top spot here goes to the Snippet. They are notably longer and more impressive than even the scissors on a 91mm Victorinox.

One thing to understand is the unusual design. Unlike the Leatherman Micra or Gerber Splice, which use spring-loaded scissors, the Snippet works like a generic pair of scissors that you manipulate with fingers on both sides. For short-term use this is fine. You would not want to rely on it for long cutting sessions, but a little discomfort is an easy trade for the cutting performance on offer.

A practical bonus: the scissors use a Torx removal screw, so you can disassemble the tool, sharpen each blade independently, and reassemble it without much effort. That level of serviceability is excellent in this size class.

The Blade: Safer Than Most Rivals

The blade on the Snippet is 420HC steel, the same as the Micra, and it is actually bigger than the blades on the Micra or the Gerber Splice. The blade sits inside the frame as a slip joint, which is a meaningful safety advantage. If it collapses during use, the frame itself stops it from closing on your fingers. Outside-mounted blades on small tools like the Splice are trickier to use safely, and are best avoided if you can.

The curvature near the spine is designed to give your thumb a place to rest, and with the stop in place, the blade works just fine. You are not going to do large tasks with it, but for small cutting jobs it does the job well.

The Rest of the Toolkit: Tweezers, File, and Screwdrivers

Each side of the Snippet carries three implements. On one side there is the blade, plus a combination bottle opener and micro flathead, a surprisingly useful pairing found on several small scissor-based tools. On the other side there is a flathead that is one of the biggest and longest of any scissor-based keychain multi-tool, a tweezer, and a file.

The tweezer is the weakest link. It is fairly flexible and only adequate as-is. A simple modification helps: bend the tips slightly toward each other with pliers so more pressure concentrates at the tip. It is not bad, just not great.

The file, by contrast, is excellent. It outperforms other SOF-class files in this size range, beats the Gerber files by a long shot, and is arguably nicer than the Leatherman equivalent. The pointed, curved tip is designed for getting under fingernails, but it is arguably even better for careful scratch-free cleaning work.

One caution: the Snippet includes two plastic inserts, one of which SOG calls a toothpick. Do not put it in your mouth. Unlike a Victorinox toothpick, which sits inside a sealed slot, this one is fully exposed to pocket lint and grime. Treat it as a cleaning pick for sensitive items like earbuds, never for anything that goes in your mouth.

Pocketability: The Only One With a Pocket Clip

The Snippet is the only tool in this class that includes a pocket clip, and the fit is excellent. It slots perfectly into the small watch pocket on most jeans, almost as if it were designed for that exact spot.

There is one minor design quibble. The lanyard ring sits on the same side as the flathead, and moving it to the opposite side would let you dangle your keys from the tool itself. It is a fun potential modification, but as shipped, the layout is still quite good.

Buying Advice

At around $24, the Snippet undercuts several rivals, with the Leatherman Micra now priced at $35 and the Style PS, another strong option with pliers, also around $35. If scissors are your priority, the Snippet is the clear pick. Assuming production consistency holds, the scissors alone justify the price, and the serviceable design, inside-mounted blade, and pocket clip make the rest of the package easy to live with.

Conclusion

The SOG Snippet is a rare thing: a small scissor-based multi-tool with no serious compromise. Best-in-class scissors, a larger and safer blade than its closest rivals, an unusually long flathead, and a genuinely excellent file outweigh a mediocre tweezer and an exposed plastic pick you should never put near your mouth. For anyone who wants serious cutting performance in a keychain-sized tool, this is one of the best options out there.