It seems to have happened overnight, I will turn 42 in just over two months. With it comes the realization that in about a decade or so, I seem to have turned into a 'practical guy'. Gone are the days when shaving involved using a brush and fairly expensive soaps and all. These days it's simply a matter of rubbing my face with some soap and then going to town with my safety razor. Gives me a great shave quickly and easily. When it comes to knives, I started carrying a pocket knife again at the beginning of this year after a hiatus of some 30 years. It took my quite some purchases of different sizes of mostly Opinels and many 84 and 91mm Victorinox models, all bought and sold in a span of about 11 months. But I started this by saying that I've turned into a practical guy. What I need is just a small blade that is easy to carry, easy to sharpen and no drama should I ever lose it. Guess what I ended up with: an 58mm SAK model Rambler. Today I bought a Classic SD as well to add to that. These 58mm SAK seem to be all that I require and I don't feel the urge to have any more fancy knive on me. The of point all of this? Nothing really, just something I wanted to share.
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A practical guy and his SAK
- Thread starter Fass
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I am the same way for the most part. For years I didnt't carry a knife but now I carry a Rambler and a simple Tinker. I don't need anything fancier.
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I'm a bit the same, just a simple Tinker or Pioneer and I'm golden. Too much other stuff to get on with to have the time to be "flash gear Frank"
Fass, I went through the same thing in my late 40's, early 50's. Maybe its an age thing, and something happens that we finally see through the fog of obsession to the truth. I somehow lost 99% of my knife nut/gun nut/gear nut obsession, and now carry a small SAK, and a few other things but no mass of EDC like I used to. Went back to simplicity and never looked back. No more GEC's, or 'other' knives that are a one trick pony. I ended up selling off/giving away most my stuff. I had woke up and looked around at all the sh... 'stuff'... I had accumulated, and thought "what the hell am I doing with all this...'stuff'. It was like waking up from some form of temporary insanity or bad dream.
Even my SAK's got shrunk. For 20 years I carried a little classic, and in truth, it handled 98% of what I needed a pocket knife for. It also was a small flat screw driver that worked on small to medium Phillips screws, opened cold beers, and included a surgical sharp little scissors, file and useful tweezers to boot. It only got phased out by an executive, but on vacation I still mail a classic to where I'll be staying and give it away when I fly out. Last time in Key West, the classic cut bait, trimmed fishing line, sliced key limes for cold vodka tonics, and other duties. It did fine. Even though I love my executive, I'll still give it a break now and then, and carry a classic just for yuks. The world keeps on turning, the sun still rises in the east, and I live through the day.
For the average Joe going about life in the wilds of suburbia, a 58mm SAK should do nicely. As long as we keep in mind that we are not Bruce Willis in an action movie or the caped crusader saving Gotham, we'll be fine with something less than a Navy SEAL would use on a mission.
Welcome to reality, Fass!
Even my SAK's got shrunk. For 20 years I carried a little classic, and in truth, it handled 98% of what I needed a pocket knife for. It also was a small flat screw driver that worked on small to medium Phillips screws, opened cold beers, and included a surgical sharp little scissors, file and useful tweezers to boot. It only got phased out by an executive, but on vacation I still mail a classic to where I'll be staying and give it away when I fly out. Last time in Key West, the classic cut bait, trimmed fishing line, sliced key limes for cold vodka tonics, and other duties. It did fine. Even though I love my executive, I'll still give it a break now and then, and carry a classic just for yuks. The world keeps on turning, the sun still rises in the east, and I live through the day.
For the average Joe going about life in the wilds of suburbia, a 58mm SAK should do nicely. As long as we keep in mind that we are not Bruce Willis in an action movie or the caped crusader saving Gotham, we'll be fine with something less than a Navy SEAL would use on a mission.
Welcome to reality, Fass!
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What??? Couldn't you have told me before this??
I turn 60 in a couple of weeks, right there with you....
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2004
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- 575
You folks inspire me! I'm slowly learning how wonderful simple things are.
A year ago September I inherited my late brother's Vic Tinker and started carrying it because it was his.
I've discovered its really all I need.
All the men I grew up around were one knife men, bought off the rack and used em til they wore out.
I'm pretty much over fancy guns too.
So far I'm pleased with the results
A year ago September I inherited my late brother's Vic Tinker and started carrying it because it was his.
I've discovered its really all I need.
All the men I grew up around were one knife men, bought off the rack and used em til they wore out.
I'm pretty much over fancy guns too.
So far I'm pleased with the results
What??? Couldn't you have told me before this??
I turn 60 in a couple of weeks, right there with you....
hey man, I'm sorry, but I didn't get the memo until I was like 65.
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2020
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- 214
A $20 Tinker can do more than almost any knife out there and is not a burden to carry. Just look at the difference with the What did you do with your EDC and What did you use your SAK for threads.
I do carry a one-hand folder (a Spyderco) in addition to whichever SAK(s) I’m carrying. For 21 years, my main EDC has been my Executive. I carried that for the small stuff, and either my Pioneer or Spartan in another pocket for other stuff the Executive isn’t designed for. IMO, a small and a standard-sized, 2-layer SAK make a great complement to each other, and handle pretty much anything I will encounter in a typical day.
Recently, I picked up an Alox Minichamp to try something different, and am giving my Executive a temporary rest.
Truth be told, I use one of my SAKs more than my one-handed knife on most days.
I’ve mentioned before in other threads that when I lived overseas during my 20s, and for several years after returning Stateside, my only EDC knife was a Vic Spartan, and I somehow survived. It did whatever I needed a knife for. Were there occasions where I wished I had something a bit bigger for certain cutting uses? Sure. But I still accomplished whatever needed to be done. And it did a lot of things that a knife blade-only tool could not. If I absolutely had to choose to use one category of knife for the rest of my life, I would choose SAKs.
Jim
Recently, I picked up an Alox Minichamp to try something different, and am giving my Executive a temporary rest.
Truth be told, I use one of my SAKs more than my one-handed knife on most days.
I’ve mentioned before in other threads that when I lived overseas during my 20s, and for several years after returning Stateside, my only EDC knife was a Vic Spartan, and I somehow survived. It did whatever I needed a knife for. Were there occasions where I wished I had something a bit bigger for certain cutting uses? Sure. But I still accomplished whatever needed to be done. And it did a lot of things that a knife blade-only tool could not. If I absolutely had to choose to use one category of knife for the rest of my life, I would choose SAKs.
Jim
I'm 77 & usually edc a SAK EVO S18....no other SAK wanted, or needed! Sometimes,I know where I'm going & will need a larger knife,I'll take a larger knife along.Could I get along with a smaller knife probably...but why?? I have no desire to prove I can get by with something like a penknife when I don't have too!
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- 13,408
I love knives as a hobby, so the variety is a draw.
However, and specifically to your point, I always have my Victorinox Waiter in my left front pocket.
I feel naked without it, so I understand. I look at them as practical more than tactical, but if your mission is cheese, apples and shipping tape, they are more than fine.
I will say that the ZTs, Busses, Spydercos, Benchmades, Bucks and JKs are the "tv watchin' fondlin' knives" and I guess there is a tactic in play for that use as well.
best
mqqn
However, and specifically to your point, I always have my Victorinox Waiter in my left front pocket.
I feel naked without it, so I understand. I look at them as practical more than tactical, but if your mission is cheese, apples and shipping tape, they are more than fine.
I will say that the ZTs, Busses, Spydercos, Benchmades, Bucks and JKs are the "tv watchin' fondlin' knives" and I guess there is a tactic in play for that use as well.
best
mqqn
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2018
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- 206
I love the Rambler’s #0-2 Phillips SD. For me, an indispensable addition to the Classic.
I, too, favour 2-layer SAKs as my general pocket carry. My preference is for the Spartan pattern as I spent about 35 years with a cheap scout knife of similar design that was quite adequate for my usual needs.
For some time I paired the Rambler with a Sportsman as I like the latter’s nail file as a probing tool. However, since I find the Rambler’s small blade not up to tasks the 84-91mm small blade handles much better, I’ve come to prefer either a Tourist or Spartan, or a serrated Recruit.
The alox Soldier is another favourite, on par with the Spartan and its close relatives.
I, too, favour 2-layer SAKs as my general pocket carry. My preference is for the Spartan pattern as I spent about 35 years with a cheap scout knife of similar design that was quite adequate for my usual needs.
For some time I paired the Rambler with a Sportsman as I like the latter’s nail file as a probing tool. However, since I find the Rambler’s small blade not up to tasks the 84-91mm small blade handles much better, I’ve come to prefer either a Tourist or Spartan, or a serrated Recruit.
The alox Soldier is another favourite, on par with the Spartan and its close relatives.
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- May 1, 2016
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I like to be able to pick up a stick and get a fire going, using my knife to make kindling. Is it necessary? Maybe not, but my daughter liked warming up her hands in a middle of sledding around in a snow. I have a squirt and can disconnect a car battery with the pliers it comes with or change a battery in a remote with small screwdriver, but been using the knife way more often. At least a small delica for me or an endura and fine I'll take your tinkerer.
Oh btw delica is k390 and endura is zdp189 and can both scratch iPhone glass
Oh btw delica is k390 and endura is zdp189 and can both scratch iPhone glass
great thread!
you know i bet a couple of folks
in their childhood days dreamt and wished
real hard for some fancy looking knife
they had spotted gleaming in a counter.
but more often than not, don't get the knife and so becomes no more than just some
wild yearnings of a minor.
the kid doesn't get "the sharp toy"
because the parent or guardian
at that point in time is either
overly protective and has safery concerns
in mind, or has limited recources to spare
on some child's whimsical want.
thamkfully the majority of us do grow up,
mature and develop a better sense of understanding of the real world and what
cuts it.
sure they will be pretty headturners along
the way, but being practical has shown
little in the way of regret.
good quality and affordability is what i look for in a product.
and to me at least, this is why the sak
remains a great an exciting product
that will never loose its charm
since the day i saw one knee high.
you know i bet a couple of folks
in their childhood days dreamt and wished
real hard for some fancy looking knife
they had spotted gleaming in a counter.
but more often than not, don't get the knife and so becomes no more than just some
wild yearnings of a minor.
the kid doesn't get "the sharp toy"
because the parent or guardian
at that point in time is either
overly protective and has safery concerns
in mind, or has limited recources to spare
on some child's whimsical want.
thamkfully the majority of us do grow up,
mature and develop a better sense of understanding of the real world and what
cuts it.
sure they will be pretty headturners along
the way, but being practical has shown
little in the way of regret.
good quality and affordability is what i look for in a product.
and to me at least, this is why the sak
remains a great an exciting product
that will never loose its charm
since the day i saw one knee high.
The 58mm line has it all;
Small for very easy carry.
A blade that is very easy to sharpen on almost anything.
Very well made quality product with an amazing precision considering the yearly output.
Very easy to find in stores and online.
Cheap and thus no drama should you lose it.
Non-threatening to non-knife folks.
A classic traditional knife with lots of pedigree.
Lifetime warranty and made to last
These SAK's folks, come very close to being a perfect product!
Small for very easy carry.
A blade that is very easy to sharpen on almost anything.
Very well made quality product with an amazing precision considering the yearly output.
Very easy to find in stores and online.
Cheap and thus no drama should you lose it.
Non-threatening to non-knife folks.
A classic traditional knife with lots of pedigree.
Lifetime warranty and made to last
These SAK's folks, come very close to being a perfect product!
jmh33
Gold Member
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- Mar 16, 2003
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- Jul 31, 2015
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I'm with you though I'm a couple of years younger. When I was young it was a simple two bladed penknife and I wouldn't have understood the point of the question if you'd asked me what type it was. I didn't carry a knife at all through my 20's. In my 30's I started looking for a good knife to carry. Tried the modern stuff, tried the expensive stuff, tried the cool stuff. Ended up with a simple SAK Spartan and I use the heck out of it every day. Has everything I need and nothing I don't.
The simple SAK goes together with the mini bic lighter (yup, tried all the fancy stuff there also), a cheap but good watch and I handmade my own simple wallet.
Perhaps at this point in my life I don't have the feeling of needing to impress any more? If it works then it just works. End of story.
The simple SAK goes together with the mini bic lighter (yup, tried all the fancy stuff there also), a cheap but good watch and I handmade my own simple wallet.
Perhaps at this point in my life I don't have the feeling of needing to impress any more? If it works then it just works. End of story.
That seems to be the opinion of several folks in this forum... but I'm not one of them. Everything in life is about compromises in some way, but I find the 58mm and 74mm SAKs to be too much of a compromise. If you try using them to process food (e.g., peel an orange or carve the inside of an apple) then you'll know what I'm talking about, and that's 80-90% of what I find myself using my knives for. I too fancied some of the modern folders and came back to SAKs and traditional folders. In that regard, the 84mm SAKs are the best all-around size IMHO. A large and sturdy enough blade that won't leave you far behind pretty much any other folder out there, and a very small and compact size.