Advice desperately needed

M

MonkeyHands

Joined
Dec 22, 2024
Messages
4
I think maybe I'm looking for a Unicorn that doesn't exist but before I give up I thought I'd ask. I've been looking for a SAK style knife for EDC but have a few criteria that I can't meet from what I've found so far. I want a blade with better steel than a Vitorinox, ideally has a saw and both a flat and Phillips screw driver and can't be too thick that it's really noticeable in my pocket i.e as few layers as possible .The ideal one would also have the screw driver in line instead of at right angles, I'd be happy if it just had those 4 items on. I cannot find such a knife anywhere, either they don't have a Phillips screwdriver or they're too thick or the same blade material as a Vitorinox etc. Can anyone give suggestions of knives that may fit my criteria. I've looked at Leatherman K2, MKM, Fox, Ruike, Swiza etc and nothing seems to fit the bill. Even looked at a Gerber Armbar but read the knives are made out of poor steel.

Any advice gratefully received

Thanks

Ben
 
What's "wrong" with Vic's blade steel?
It is tough, highly rust and corrosion resistant, holds an edge for a reasonable amount of time/work, is quick and easy to sharpen without diamond or SiC stones ... smooth river rocks will work.
Vic's blades meet the needs of several million people around the world daily. (the majority of whom use their SAK's for tasks a lot heavier than the typical user in North or South America ever dream of)
 
The MKM Campo 8 seems like it would fit the bill the closest. It is SAK style with premium steel, saw, Philips, the flathead also works as a 2D Philips inline. It also appears to use torx screws so it might be easily customizable. You might be able to remove the scissors if not needed to thin it a bit. I have the Campo 6 and the quality is very good.
 
afishhunter said:
What's "wrong" with Vic's blade steel?
It is tough, highly rust and corrosion resistant, holds an edge for a reasonable amount of time/work, is quick and easy to sharpen without diamond or SiC stones ... smooth river rocks will work.
Vic's blades meet the needs of several million people around the world daily. (the majority of whom use their SAK's for tasks a lot heavier than the typical user in North or South America ever dream of)
Click to expand...
To be honest I didn't think there was anything wrong with it until I started reading a few posts and found people were calling it down for not holding an edge very long and saying they wouldn't have a Vic because of this. That got me searching as it sounded like there was something better out there but I've yet to find it hence my post
 
You’re right that there are not many choices with the few tools you’re looking for. If I were you, I’d go for the SAK Outrider. Only thing it has that you don’t want is scissors. Yes it’s a larger 111mm SAK, but only 4 layers. I carry mine suspended inside my pocket from a pocket clip attached to the lanyard ring, and I forget it’s there. SAK blade steel takes a great edge and is easy to resharpen. Don’t listen to the online haters. Nothing fancy but it works.

www.swissknifeshop.com

Victorinox Outrider Lockblade Swiss Army Knife at Swiss Knife Shop

The Outrider Swiss Army Knife by Victorinox packs in 14 functions, including a strong locking blade, integrated scissors and an extra-long Phillips screwdriver. Custom Engraving on the Outrider at Swiss Knife Shop, authorized Victorinox retailer.
www.swissknifeshop.com www.swissknifeshop.com
 
MonkeyHands said:
To be honest I didn't think there was anything wrong with it until I started reading a few posts and found people were calling it down for not holding an edge very long and saying they wouldn't have a Vic because of this. That got me searching as it sounded like there was something better out there but I've yet to find it hence my post
Click to expand...
No offence mate but I would place much stock in that. Victorinox is the largest knife company in the world and they didn't get there by making garbage.

Take the plunge and buy the SAK that meets your needs. They are very affordable and your investment is minimum. I guarantee after you use it and experience it for yourself you will realise how good they are.

I have a fairly good collection of knives and this is my edc..........

 
ontheriver said:
The MKM Campo 8 seems like it would fit the bill the closest. It is SAK style with premium steel, saw, Philips, the flathead also works as a 2D Philips inline. It also appears to use torx screws so it might be easily customizable. You might be able to remove the scissors if not needed to thin it a bit. I have the Campo 6 and the quality is very good.
Click to expand...
I do like the Campo to be honest but the only thing putting me off is it's thickness, I would prefer it to be a little slimmer for my pocket, think I'm being too fussy to be honest.
 
MonkeyHands said:
To be honest I didn't think there was anything wrong with it until I started reading a few posts and found people were calling it down for not holding an edge very long and saying they wouldn't have a Vic because of this. That got me searching as it sounded like there was something better out there but I've yet to find it hence my post
Click to expand...
I wonder how many of those haters have actually owned a real SAK and not a no name knock-off copy made in a "stan" country from recycled car fenders.
Also wonder how many have actually held and used one.
Sadly there are some young folk who "think" the "latest and greatest" flavor blade steel is required for a edge to last longer than slicing one apple.
1095; 440A; 420HC; and even 440C (the worlds first "super steel") dull if you look at them wrong, and won't hold an edge long enough to sharpen a wood pencil.
Those fools "think" the market should cater to "knife nuts" not realizing we make up less than 2% of the market world wide.
Even in "civilized" areas "knife nuts" are a low single digit percentage of the market.
They also fail to realize if the time tested and proven steels didn't work, they would not be used, and most folk using a pocket knife in the wilds of Asia, India, Africa, South America, and some other locations use their slipjoint and friction folders harder than the steel snobs would dream of using their "overbuilt" "latest & greatest" locking blade "tactical" folder ... or "bushcraft" fixed blade.

Steven65 said:
No offence mate but I would place much stock in that. Victorinox is the largest knife company in the world and they didn't get there by making garbage.
Click to expand...
What Steve says.
Vic makes and sells several million Swiss Army folding pocket knives a year - every year - and have for more than the 70 years I have resided on this planet.
They must be doing something right.

I agree with the others. Get a (genuine) SAK that has the tools you want, and give it a try. You'll soon prove the naysayer/steel snobs wrong.
 
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If you decide to take a second look at SAKs, check out the Victorinox Hiker. It has everything you want, except that the Phillips screwdriver is on the back and it does have a couple of extra tools (an awl, another small blade).
 
MonkeyHands said:
Just searched for that as it looks like a good knife/tool but I think it's been turned into the K2 which is bigger than I was hoping for. Gonna have to make a choice sooner or later I think
Click to expand...
C33TX.

I can still get them. Admittedly. In an Australian shop.
 
Drop bear said:
C33TX.

I can still get them. Admittedly. In an Australian shop.
Click to expand...
That's not necessarily a bad thing. I've ordered a couple of knives from Australia. It costs $40-$50 to ship it, but the exchange rate is so dramatic you can end up paying less than you would buying it here. You can also dodge the sales tax.
 
Ozmose said:
That's not necessarily a bad thing. I've ordered a couple of knives from Australia. It costs $40-$50 to ship it, but the exchange rate is so dramatic you can end up paying less than you would buying it here. You can also dodge the sales tax.
Click to expand...
Fair enough.

Paddy Palin then.
 
afishhunter said:
I wonder how many of those haters have actually owned a real SAK and not a no name knock-off copy made in a "stan" country from recycled car fenders.
Also wonder how many have actually held and used one.
Sadly there are some young folk who "think" the "latest and greatest" flavor blade steel is required for a edge to last longer than slicing one apple.
1095; 440A; 420HC; and even 440C (the worlds first "super steel") dull if you look at them wrong, and won't hold an edge long enough to sharpen a wood pencil.
Those fools "think" the market should cater to "knife nuts" not realizing we make up less than 2% of the market world wide.
Even in "civilized" areas "knife nuts" are a low single digit percentage of the market.
They also fail to realize if the time tested and proven steels didn't work, they would not be used, and most folk using a pocket knife in the wilds of Asia, India, Africa, South America, and some other locations use their slipjoint and friction folders harder than the steel snobs would dream of using their "overbuilt" "latest & greatest" locking blade "tactical" folder ... or "bushcraft" fixed blade.


What Steve says.
Vic makes and sells several million Swiss Army folding pocket knives a year - every year - and have for more than the 70 years I have resided on this planet.
They must[/u be doing something right.

I agree with the others. Get a (genuine) SAK that has the tools you want, and give it a try. You'll soon prove the naysayer/steel snobs wrong.
Click to expand...
I’m coming up on 40 and this mentally has taken over me too. Vic steel is not a super steel, but it’s amazingly easy to sharpen SO SHARP and is extremely tough. My Vics have never dulled to the point of being unusable after a very hard day of work and are sharpened back with 30 seconds on a brown ceramic rod.

The OP is looking for a Victorinox Hiker but doesn’t know it yet. I use one (ironically?) for hiking and have always been happy with how sharp it is at the end of a hike, even 10+ days.
 
Here’s my 2 cents so take it for what it’s worth. Victorinox doesn’t cost that much. Pick one up even if it’s a cheaper model and try it for a few months to see if the steel lives up to what you need.

A lot of folks scream for the latest greatest super steel when in truth that a good basic steel works just fine for most applications that one would use a knife for.

I’m not against anyone chasing the latest steel if that’s what they want to do. Honestly at one time I passed on alot of knives I liked because I was looking for a “better” steel.

Take this advice with a grain of salt because I personally only own 2 Vic’s and I’m also working on my first cup of coffee.👍
 
By the way. When I look for these I tend to search through images rather than a normal search.

It's fun. You get some weird stuff.



I can't find a video. But I think ruike do a liner lock version.(mabye)
 
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MonkeyHands said:
I think maybe I'm looking for a Unicorn that doesn't exist but before I give up I thought I'd ask. I've been looking for a SAK style knife for EDC but have a few criteria that I can't meet from what I've found so far. I want a blade with better steel than a Vitorinox, ideally has a saw and both a flat and Phillips screw driver and can't be too thick that it's really noticeable in my pocket i.e as few layers as possible .The ideal one would also have the screw driver in line instead of at right angles, I'd be happy if it just had those 4 items on. I cannot find such a knife anywhere, either they don't have a Phillips screwdriver or they're too thick or the same blade material as a Vitorinox etc. Can anyone give suggestions of knives that may fit my criteria. I've looked at Leatherman K2, MKM, Fox, Ruike, Swiza etc and nothing seems to fit the bill. Even looked at a Gerber Armbar but read the knives are made out of poor steel.

Any advice gratefully received

Thanks

Ben
Click to expand...

Buy an Alox Farmer. The can opener works well enough as a #2 Phillips, the build is rugged and it’s plenty comfortable to carry. All the talk of Vic blade steel being sub par is garbage.
 
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