I was thinking about getting an SAK, since I don't have one. Out of all of them, the Victorinox Ranger has the type of blades I like. Does anyone have the Ranger? Is it too thick? I can't find anything about dimensions or weight on the SAKs. If the Ranger is too big, I would settle for the Huntsman.
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Anyone have the SAK Ranger?
- Thread starter komondor
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2002
- Messages
- 352
I don't have a Ranger, but I do have the Huntsman. It's about the thickest SAK that I find comfortable for pocket carry. I added a mini-screwdriver to the corkscrew and a white Photon to the keyring, and it's good to go for EDC.
If you decide on the Huntsman, check your local Lowe's. They were selling the Huntsman and a Mini-Maglite in a clamshell pack for $19.99.
If you decide on the Huntsman, check your local Lowe's. They were selling the Huntsman and a Mini-Maglite in a clamshell pack for $19.99.
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 90,915
komondor, I recently picked up a Victorinox Ranger, and find myself carrying it a lot, since it's lighter-weight than any comparably equipped multitool and drops easily into a pants pocket instead of needing a sheath.
The only possible drawback is the thickness, some 13/16" or about the same as its height, so it is a square cross-section.
Overall it is comparable in size to the big purple LM Juice but the Ranger is noticeably lighter.
The only possible drawback is the thickness, some 13/16" or about the same as its height, so it is a square cross-section.
Overall it is comparable in size to the big purple LM Juice but the Ranger is noticeably lighter.
I got one a while back 'cause it's the closest thing to this old (~1974) Wenger SAk that I have, that has my favorite combo of stuff, including scissors, saw, nail file, corkscrew, and awl. The Ranger is pretty wide though. 
I'ts on the verge of being too wide. It could do without the second blade. Who needs it?
I'ts on the verge of being too wide. It could do without the second blade. Who needs it?
johnniet
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 1999
- Messages
- 4,682
Unfortunately I loaned my Ranger to someone I was dating briefly. I really should have been more careful (both about who I date and about loaning out tools!)
I thought the Ranger was very convenient--a good collection of blades in a small, light package. Having used a SwissChamp before I was amazed at how thin the Ranger is by comparison.
The only thing I'd say against it is that I bent the tip of the pseudo-Phillips screwdriver while trying to remove a tight Phillips screw. It's not a true Phillips screwdriver and isn't as tough as one. I think that Vic would have fixed it, but as I mentioned, the bitch stole it!
I thought the Ranger was very convenient--a good collection of blades in a small, light package. Having used a SwissChamp before I was amazed at how thin the Ranger is by comparison.
The only thing I'd say against it is that I bent the tip of the pseudo-Phillips screwdriver while trying to remove a tight Phillips screw. It's not a true Phillips screwdriver and isn't as tough as one. I think that Vic would have fixed it, but as I mentioned, the bitch stole it!
Yeah, what he said. Except for the "carry mine every day" part. I've had one forever and I did carry it every day, but I realized I was mostly using five tools when I was out in public, so I got a SAK with just those five tools. Now the ranger gets used around the house.
This is a great approach -
analyse ahead to one's required tools -
and get the model with only those tools if possible -
then learn from actual in use experience.
Thickness tolerance is a personal thing - I find I don't like to have more than about 3 (or perhaps 4) layers/backspring thickness for an in pocket carry - that would make even the Huntsman marginal for me -
if that were the case one should examine the tools and decide if one could possibly live without any......
eg: a city dweller probably would not be using the woodsaw on a daily basis.....
So that brings the Huntsman down to perhaps a Climber model:
However if one studies the catalogs then perhaps the SAK could be even one backspring/layer thinner by going for the Compact knife model which essentially has almost all the features of the Climber model:
compact knife US model #54941
size:91 mm | 3 1/2 inch
Large blade
Scissors
Hook
Bottle opener with can opener, wire stripper and large screwdriver
Mini screwdriver
Corkscrew
Straight pin
Ball point pen
Tweezers
Key ring
Toothpick
This is what I called the Minimalist approach -
take a look at these two threads here (linked) -
Minimalist SAKs
SAK - Purchase Rationale