I Tried This Multi-Tool That Stashes on the Back of Your Phone

I’m a forgetful person. My mind is always off in la-la-land, daydreaming about some new furniture design, mountain bike trail or a book I’m working my way through. My wife can attest to me scrambling around our bungalow, mumbling “wallet, keys, phone, sunglasses” to myself each time I leave the house. Otherwise, I’m bound to leave something behind.

Recently I noticed SOG (Studies and Observations Group), the specialty knife and tool brand, teamed with the phone grip company PopSockets to release the PopGrip SOG Multi-Tool that mounts to the back of smartphones or device cases. I found this idea tantalizingly and creative since no one goes anywhere these days without their smartphones—including me.

So I ordered a PopSocket Amazon multi-tool and installed it onto the back of my phone a few days later.

What is the PopSockets PopGrip SOG Multi-Tool?

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The PopSockets PopGrip SOG Multi-Tool is a collapsible two-inch-diameter disk with a multi-tool embedded. The tool functions as a flat-head screwdriver, bottle opener, mini pry bar and a hex bit driver. When not in use, the removable tool easily clicks in place, held by a magnetic locking system.

PopGrip adheres to the back of your device with a strong peel-off adhesive tab. It also serves as a phone stand and one-handed grip and is available in three colors.

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PopSockets PopGrip SOG Multi-Tool Product Features

This detachable multi-tool safely tucked into a PopSocket includes the three tool functions mentioned above and a built-in magnetic twist system to secure it safely in place. It’s compatible with any PopMount 2 or PopPower, and it’s easy to pop off the top to wirelessly charge your phone.

The PopGrip multi-tool is made of stainless steel and comes in three colors: Black, cyan and moss green.

How We Tested It

I spent a couple of hours pacing around my garage shop looking for specific uses for the PopSockets PopGrip SOG Multi-Tool. I seemed to come up with something for almost everything. Here’s how each PopSocket Amazon tool component fared:

Flathead/slotted screwdriver

The slotted screwdriver worked great on small and medium-sized machine screws.

Because it’s on the corner of the tool, it’s easy to apply downward pressure and torque to the machine screws to tighten or loosen as needed. But the scrawny 1/8-inch-wide tip struggled with slotted wood screws, brass screws and larger machine screws.

Bottle opener

The bottle opener worked effectively—as did the pry bar function and a finger—at opening my six-pack of Minnesota-made bottled beer and a couple of other stragglers in the back of the refrigerator.

I like that the barb on the bottom lip of the opener assists in gripping the bottle cap so the tool doesn’t slide off.  The issue here is torque. The two-inch bar is not efficient at easily popping off the bottle caps so some elbow grease is needed.

Mini pry-bar

Again, no torque. I couldn’t find a single non-beer-opening job where a two-inch long pry-bar helped. The 1/8-inch thickness is impractical. It worked OK as a spacer to adjust inset cabinet doors, but that’s as close as I will ever come to prying anything with the PopSockets Multi-Tool.

Hex drivers

Both hex drivers are pretty much useless except for a few situations.  The 1/4-in. hex driver helps on nuts from #4 machine screws, or in conjunction with a hex drive Phillips head, Torx or other bit.

Even after scouring every square inch of my foreign-made car, motorcycle and hoard of bicycles, I found only one use for the 4mm hex drive—sliding over a 4mm Allen key for a little extra oompf.

Pros

• Bottle opener and slotted screwdriver work well
• Nice for large hands and phones
• Handy for opening packages
• Great as a phone stand/grip
• Made of durable stainless steel
• Available in three colors
• Works with PopMount 2 and PopPower
• Cool conversation starter

Cons

• Pry bar and 4mm hex wrench don’t work well
• No tool replacements offered

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

Craigit, a verified purchaser, gave the PopSocket Amazon tool a glowing five-star review, writing: “The tool I never knew I needed. I’m happy I bought this. Super easy to install and the tool locking mechanism is clever with using a magnet. I also appreciate the larger size of the PopSockets versus the normal size. My hands feel less cramped when using this one. Honestly, it could have come without the tool and I would have been happy—the tool is a value add.”

“I really like how big it is,” writes verified purchaser Jay S. “What has impressed me is taking the socket off to charge my phone and put it back on. The bottle opener works OK but to me works better by popping the cap off using my hand and the side of the unit. This is going to be my socket for a lot of other devices now.”

Five-star reviewer Travis writes, “Sometimes other PopSockets feel too small but this one feels just right for me. I definitely recommend this PopSocket. SOG is a knife brand that I love and trust. This PopSocket is going to be great for SOG and knife lovers and those looking for something unique.”

Final Verdict

I use this PopSocket Amazon multi-tool most often to open boxes. The beveled, pointed lip of the bottle opener slides through manila-colored courier envelopes and packing tape with ease. My bratwurst-sized fingers appreciate the large size, and it functions nicely as a phone stand and grip. It’s also good as a beer bottle opener or conversation starter, which often go hand in hand.

A multi-tool’s value is directly tied to functionality and transportability. You want a tool you’ll use when things pop up (pun intended). The PopSockets PopGrip SOG Multi-Tool leaves a little to be desired in functionality, but at least it’s always with me, attached to the back of my rarely-forgotten smartphone.

Where to Buy the PopSockets PopGrip SOG Multi-Tool

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The PopSockets Pop Grip SOG Multi-Tool is available at Amazon for $15. Snag one now and have a handy multi-tool with you wherever you take your phone—which is in all likelihood literally everywhere.

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