3 layer SAK.....Corkscrew or Phillips ?

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
923
Hi all,

Let me say right up front, I LOVE my lil' old Swiss Army Knife "Tinker". My "Tinker" has been with me since the late 70's early 80's. I find it most useful/comfortable to carry in the pocket since it's a 2 layer SAK. My "Tinker" has BLUE scales, once had a Company Promotion logo "KATUN" (which finally came off the Scales). My "Tinker" has no lanyard ring. That being said, I'd like to own (what is basically a "Tinker") with the addition of a Wood Saw which would make it a 3 layer SAK. Question #1, does a three layer SAK "feel-carry" a lot different than a 2 layer SAK ? The 2 layer SAK feels about perfect in the pocket. Question #2, which do you SAK guys find more useful, the traditional Corkscrew or the Phillips Head Screwdriver ? So, it's going to come down to either a SAK "CAMPER" or "HIKER".
I know for sure I want the WOOD SAW (and I want TWO knife blades). Thanks for any help/suggestions.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
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To answer #2-Phillips all the way. I find it far more useful than the corkscrew, which I find useless .
I hate the feel the corkscrew gives to SAK's.
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for your input. On the whole, I tend to agree with you. I have used the Phillips myself often. I think the ONE big advantage of the Corkscrew would be to undo/open knots in cord. Then again, I suppose I could do that with that sharp pointy reamer.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
For me specifically, no a 2 layer vs. 3 layer makes no difference however I carry in a side pocket so it doesn't affect me as much. I've never used my corkscrew before but have used the philips quite often.
 
I'd opt for the corkscrew. But A. I like wine and B. I like that handy little eyeglasses screwdriver that fits in them. Remember, the little screwdriver tip on the can opener works great on Phillips head screws. YMMV.
 
Most of us encounter 9000 phillips screws everyday, and zero wine bottles. I would tear the corkscrews off of all of my SAKs if I didn't have girly arms.
 
I personally love the Explorer because it has the philips on the top rather than the back so you can turn it more easily and get into tighter spaces and you still get the corkscrew on the back. However if you're used to a two layer than a four layer will be a big difference for you although still carry-able in my opinion. But if you must go with a three layer than I would suggest going with a philips head on the back because unless you're a corked bottle wine drinker the cork screw in useless.
 
If you drink wine Cork Screw.

Otherwise Phillips.

And if think "Ill get a corkscrew for a just in case"
Not likely. I have jet to see a wino who didnt have a corkscrew.

see.

fetzer85 said:
For me specifically, no a 2 layer vs. 3 layer makes no difference however I carry in a side pocket so it doesn't affect me as much. I've never used my corkscrew before but have used the philips quite often.
Click to expand...
 
While here is the bigger question do you drink wine more often or use a philips screwdriver more often. And than if you want a small screwdriver for glasses you may have to consider the corkscrew again.

Pick the one you think is more versatile for you. For me I don't drink wine, but I have more use for the large philips so I would opt for that as the small screwdriver for glasses duty is taken over by my leatherman micra on my keychain.
 
Like many others, I'd go with the Phillips screwdriver over the corkscrew. As for 2 layers vs 3, I do notice a slight difference (eg. between the Tinker and Super Tinker), but it's not significant.
 
If you drink a lot of wine, get the Phillips screwdriver. The corkscrew on these knives will start to bend after a case or so. It's not designed to give you proper leverage.
 
Hi guys,

Thank you for all the responses. Do I drink Wine ? Yes indeed (also Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky). However, I only drink Wine at home and mostly during the Winter months (still Winter here in Maine) and only at home where I have a nice old fashion wood handle Corkscrew. Both Whiskey and Whisky have easy to remove Cork/Stoppers so, no Corkscrew needed. When I think hard about it, in the thirty plus years I've had this "Tinker" perhaps, perhaps, I MIGHT of used the Corkscrew once whereas I have used the Phillips many times/often. Since I'm looking for a new SAK that's not much bigger than my old "Tinker" (which has a Saw Blade) the "HIKER" is looking like my next SAK (EDC) due to the Phillips. Besides, should I loose my Wood handle (home) Corkscrew, I still have my old SWISS CHAMP handy! Of course I don't EDC my SWISS CHAMP. Thanks all for your help. Time for a wee bit of Irish Whiskey!

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
Americans will probably almost all say the phillips. But a lot of Europeans still drink wine :D For me the corkscrew is one of my most used tools from my Victorinoxes. The Victorinox Waiter was the first pocket knife I bought, solely for the corkscrew and bottle opener, for when sitting in the park for example (few people have a garden in the centre of Amsterdam). On top of that I use it to untie knots and to keep the Victorinox mini-screwdriver in there. I have ten Victorinoxes on this moment and except for the Classic SD and Alox ones, all have the corkscrew with the mini-screwdriver (and pin behind it). A black Climber is my most carried one.
 
At the risk of going outside the question: I suggest neither corkscrew nor philips, and get an alox farmer instead. It's the best three layer sak I've used. It has the saw, beefy tools, and it's got those rugged scales.
 
I carry a 4 layer SAK (huntsman). I bought it for the purpose of opening those fancy wine bottles with a cork in them. Most winos drink fortified wine with the screw on caps (T-bird, MD 20-20). It has also come in useful for hooking things like O-rings that have fallen in hard to get places. The small screw driver on the can opener works for most of the Phillips I come across. And I have a lot more Phillips screw drivers than I do corkscrews.
 
Hi Guys,

Jeru, ten SAK eh ? Nice! I have seen the "Climber" and that is a nice knife for sure. If I lived in Amsterdam, I'd have to have a CUSTOM made SAK with a "Roach Clip" no doubt lol. Danger....I actually do have a brand new Alox Farmer. I keep in my hunting "Fanny Pack" tied to a Leatherman Micro. The "Farmer" looks like it'll be a good knife but, for EDC, I like the silly little things like a "Tooth Pick" and I find the smaller (second) blade very handy/useful. Oooh, might there be something I could carry in the slab hole other than the (included) "Tweezers" ? I used the "Tweezers" once only. I wonder if there was some other Gizmo that would be useful that would fit in that hole ? Oooh, I decide on Scotch (OBAN 14) Whisky tonight instead of the Irish Whiskey. Ummmm. Thanks all for your help and suggestions.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
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