SOG Telus MT First Impressions: A Compound Leverage Multi-Tool With an Outdoorsy Streak

Introduction

When SOG re-released the Switch Plier 2.0, it earned attention for one obvious reason: press a button and the pliers snap out like a switchblade. So when SOG announced another multi-tool with a very similar angled plier head, the Telus MT, expectations were naturally high. After a pre-order placed in March and roughly five months of shipping delays, it has finally arrived.

This is not a long-term review. It is a first look after unboxing, with initial handling impressions, a rundown of the tool set, and some early observations about what SOG got right and where the design raises questions.

Out of the Box

The Telus MT ships in a cardboard box listing 14 tools, though the SOG website lists 15, a small discrepancy worth noting. Inside the box you get the multi-tool itself, a nylon sheath, and a surprise bonus: a ferro rod. That inclusion hints at the tool’s intended focus, since the ferro rod strongly suggests camping and outdoor use rather than pure job-site work.

The OD green and orange color combination is distinctive, and the textured G10 handles feel good in the hand immediately.

Design and Build

Despite the visual resemblance to the Switch Plier 2.0, the Telus MT is its own tool. Side by side, the only real shared trait is the angled plier head. The pliers are spring-loaded and use SOG’s patented compound leverage system, with gear-driven pivot points that deliver roughly twice the leverage of a conventional joint. Anyone who already owns a SOG multi-tool will feel at home, and that added gripping power has always been one of SOG’s strengths.

One surprise is the plier head itself: it is genuinely small, noticeably smaller than the Switch Plier 2.0’s. Whether that turns out to be a benefit for fine work or a limitation for heavier tasks is hard to say before extended use.

Folding the pliers back into the body feels smooth and satisfying, and the overall build quality is the standout impression so far. This tool feels solid.

The Cutting Tools

On the outside of the handles sit two locking implements. First is a drop point blade in 440C stainless steel, about 2.5 inches long, with gimping on the spine and a single orange thumb stud on the left side. Unlocking it requires opening the handles and pressing a release inside, which works but is slightly awkward.

The second outside tool is a locking saw of a genuinely useful size, with the same spine gimping and a thumb stud on the right side. Both lock positively, and the lockback release is consistent between the two.

Inside the Handles

The inner tools split into two groups with different access methods, which is one of the stranger choices in the design. On one side, tools pop out from the middle and include a flathead screwdriver, bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver, can opener, and a tiny screwdriver on top. The gimping on the spine of the bottle opener and can opener is a nice touch.

The other side has a more defined nail-nick system where every tool pulls out at once. Here you find a double-sided file with a diamond face that also serves as the ferro rod striker, a second flathead screwdriver, a chisel, and the scissors.

The scissors are the biggest disappointment. They are not spring-loaded, which makes these small scissors awkward to use, forcing an uncomfortable thumb position to cut. For anyone who values scissors on a multi-tool, this is a genuine miss; a knife simply does the job better at this size. Also tucked at the bottom of the pliers are wire strippers and a cable cutter.

Case, Carry, and the Ferro Rod Question

The included nylon case has a Velcro flap on the front, a fixed belt loop on the back, and a small side pocket that finally answers where the ferro rod lives. It is functional, but not everyone wants to carry a sheath.

That leads to the most requested improvement: there is no pocket clip. Anyone who prefers pocket carry over a case is limited to the tool rattling loose in a pocket or using the sheath. A deep carry pocket clip similar to the Switch Plier 2.0’s would fix this entirely.

Specs at a Glance

• Blade: 2.5-inch 440C stainless drop point, locking
• Overall length: about 5.75 inches
• Weight: 6.7 oz (192 g)
• Tool count: 14 listed on the box, 15 listed on the SOG website
• Includes: nylon sheath and ferro rod with file-as-striker

Should You Buy It?

First impressions are fairly positive. The compound leverage pliers, the quality build, the locking blade and saw, and the included ferro rod make a compelling package for camping and outdoor use. The trade-offs are real, though: the very small plier head, non-spring-loaded scissors, mixed inside/outside tool access, and no pocket clip. If those compromises do not bother you, the Telus MT is an interesting option in SOG’s current lineup.

Conclusion

The SOG Telus MT is not simply a Switch Plier 2.0 clone. It is a distinct outdoors-leaning multi-tool with excellent build quality, strong leverage, and a few questionable design decisions. A longer hands-on test will tell whether the tiny plier head and the missing pocket clip matter in daily use, but as a first look, the Telus MT earns a cautious recommendation for campers and everyday carriers who can live with its quirks.