Beater SAKs and tools

fruitbat

fruitbat

Joined
Dec 17, 2003
Messages
1,275
For a long time I didn't care much for Wenger SAK. But I must admit that I have changed my mind on them. I have one that I think I got with a lot of other knives I bought. Anyway I decided that since I didn't care much for it and it did have a locking blade and scissors, that I would just use the crap out of it to save some of my more favored SAKs. Well I must give credit where it's due. this thing has took everything I've thrown at it and come back for more. I'm not even sure what model it is.

Anyone else have a "Beater SAK"?
ry%3D400


ry%3D400
 
My beater SAKs are a Deluxe Tinker (in a belt pouch) when I'm out and a Tinker in my pocket at home.
Have a Wenger Tradesman (same as a Deluxe Tinker) that I like a lot and commonly switch off with
my Deluxe Tinker. Got them all used off ebay and cleaned them up - excellent source of good user knives.

Rich
 
All of the SAKs I use are what I would call beaters. They are truly the only knife I have ever used that are absolutely trouble free and worry free. When I use them on something sticky or dirty, I just rinse the whole knife off in running water, shake out the excess water, and put it away. If they get too dirty, I take out the toothpick, tweezers, and what not, open all the blades, and wash them in the top rack of my dishwasher. If I crack the scales, I get new ones and snap them on. If a blade breaks (this only happens due to stupid misuse), I send it in to Victorinox and for the cost of return shipping they fix it. When they get dull I spend about a minute on my Sharpmaker and it is shaving sharp again.

My only exception is my horn and stag handled models. I do not put those in the dishwasher.
 
My beater SAK is a Fieldmaster that served as somebody else's beater before I got it. In desperate need of a good oiling and cleaning, specks of rust on the saw blade, broken scales trapping an impossible amount of lint underneath, cracked aluminum liners, but otherwise fully functional and intact.

In other words it was perfect for just such a task/position.
 
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I've been using this bantam for a couple or three years now as a beater. The dirty work jobs I don't want to screw up a 'good' knife on. I figure it's as cheap to replace as an Opinel, yet gives me capability with the combo tool. I love the Vic combo tool. I have literally beat on this knife, pried with it, (the combo tool) and sliced and diced, any it's taken it all in stride. Even salt water didn't phase it.
 
My beater SAK is a Tinker. About 10 years ago I was looking for a belt sheath to replace a worn out one that I used for a Swisschamp and found a Tinker/sheath combo at Target on a clearance sale for the price of a sheath alone. Since I now had a Tinker I didn't really care about, it got the nasty chores, but in time I grew to appreciate it. The scales are bunged up but hanging in there, and the implements are dinged, but also still functional. These days it has become my most used/abused SAK. Got to respect how tough these Victorinox products can be.
 
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jackknife said:
9933481314_78612f1869_c.jpg


I've been using this bantam for a couple or three years now as a beater. The dirty work jobs I don't want to screw up a 'good' knife on. I figure it's as cheap to replace as an Opinel, yet gives me capability with the combo tool. I love the Vic combo tool. I have literally beat on this knife, pried with it, (the combo tool) and sliced and diced, any it's taken it all in stride. Even salt water didn't phase it.
Click to expand...

Jackknife,

How does the combo tool work opening cans, compared to the standard Vic can opener/small screw driver blade?

I guess my 'beater' SAK would be my Tinker. I've had it for years, and it was preceded by a Spartan. I can't say I abuse it, but I do use it in ways I would not use most other pocket knives.

Jim
 
I received Victorinox Camper when I was 11 or 12 as a Christmas gift from my Dad. I put that knife through everything and finally ended up breaking the tip ( Misuse ). I carried it every day for years until I lost it in the river one day when I was 27 or 28. I miss that knife greatly even still today and I am 38 now. I have went back to the river several times over the years with a metal detector to try to find it with no luck.
On the plus side, when searching for my knife with my metal detector I found a very nice size diamond ring. I later had the diamond remounted into my wife's engagement ring.
 
jackknife said:
9933481314_78612f1869_c.jpg


I've been using this bantam for a couple or three years now as a beater. The dirty work jobs I don't want to screw up a 'good' knife on. I figure it's as cheap to replace as an Opinel, yet gives me capability with the combo tool. I love the Vic combo tool. I have literally beat on this knife, pried with it, (the combo tool) and sliced and diced, any it's taken it all in stride. Even salt water didn't phase it.
Click to expand...
This Christmas, I'm stuffing one of those in my youngest daughter's stocking, Waiters in my wife's and oldest daughter's stockings, and Classic SDs in my son's and son's in-law stockings. Already bought them. With the warranty, I figure they'll have them forever.
 
James Y said:
Jackknife,

How does the combo tool work opening cans, compared to the standard Vic can opener/small screw driver blade?
Jim
Click to expand...

Jim, it works very well. I like it because it works in reverse, more like the motion the old scout knives we had as kids, or the army scout knife. You pull towards you as you go around, and I like that better. In addition, with no small screw driver tip, like on the Vic tinker, the tool doesn't get 'caught' on the SD tip and the rim of the can. And the lower inside corner of the combo tool does very well on larger phillips screws.

I love the combo tool!
 
leghog said:
This Christmas, I'm stuffing one of those in my youngest daughter's stocking, Waiters in my wife's and oldest daughter's stockings, and Classic SDs in my son's and son's in-law stockings. Already bought them. With the warranty, I figure they'll have them forever.
Click to expand...

Some years ago I put the classic SD's in all Christmas stockings of the non knife members of the family. It was a big hit. No more "Hey Carl, lemme see your knife for a minute." Or, "Hey, anyone got a knife?" Not only did the non knife folks learn to appreciate how handy a small sharp knife could be, but also the scissors, SD tip on the nail file, and how it was attached to their keys, so they couldn't leave home without it.

A few of them actually went on to buy larger SAK's of their own. Miracles never cease.

Carl.
 
leghog said:
This Christmas, I'm stuffing one of those in my youngest daughter's stocking, Waiters in my wife's and oldest daughter's stockings, and Classic SDs in my son's and son's in-law stockings. Already bought them. With the warranty, I figure they'll have them forever.
Click to expand...

Nothing for Christmas, but I got my sister a Huntsman for her backpack.
 
pipedreams308 said:
My whipping-boy is an economy Recruit.
Click to expand...
That's actually what I call my beater " Whipping Boy ". Whipping Boy cut the normal stuff everyday like boxes, packaging and tape ( I hate cutting tape with my non beater). But it also cuts other things like the other day I used the serrated blade like a saw on a tree limb, pryed open a stuck door on storage bin, etc. I love the locking blade and wish more SAKs had one.
 
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