Best SAK for EDC, and best for in the woods...

T

tique

Joined
Oct 28, 2000
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I have recently gotten a renewed interested in the SAK. I was a fan of them when I was a good bit younger in Scouts, and when I got into tactical folders I sorta lost interest. I've always carried a small one on a keychain or whatnot, but I'm looking for a slightly bigger model to replace my leatherman for an EDC piece. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Leatherman, but the SAK is a bit more PC, and I find them easier to manipulate, who knows... I'll probably end up carrying both sooner or later, but for now I'm trying it as a replacement.

My current SAK is a Forester(I think), it's one of the locking versions with the black scales, it's been in my tool box and/or backpack for a while, but hasn't seen much use. I'm looking at one of the non-locking versions though to cut down on size as it will be pocket carried. The models that have most caught my attention are the Super Tinker, the Fieldmaster, and the Ranger. The Super Tinker is what I'm looking at for an EDC, and the Ranger is what I think I'm going to toss into the pocket of the Busse that heads into the bush with me. The Fieldmaster is sorta inbetween the two, as it adds a little more to the S.T., but might be too much size to carry comfortably in a back jeans pocket. I will always have a 'tactical' folder(probably 2, one for the right and one for the left) to accompany my EDC piece to handle tasks requiring a locking blade, so that's not really a problem.

I'm interested in y'alls opinions and experiences on what is the best size for an EDC and what works best. Obviously the Swiss Champ has the most options, but I have always found them way too large to be handled easily, and they don't carry that well from what I've seen.
 
Tique,

Simplicity is the best, I use an SAK Hunter and carry it in a Normark neck sheath or in a small beltpouch filled with some survival goodies (Scout Firesteel, ASP 1AAA Led, Photon III fresnel lens etc).

The knifeblade locks, the saw is very good the awl also.

Best Scouting wishes from Holland,

Bagheera
 
tique, I have carried many SAK's over the years (Soldier, Pioneer, Tinker, Recruit, etc.) but have fallen in love with the Fieldmaster you mentioned. Although a bit larger than the Tinker, it has the scissors I use every day. I've found lots of uses for those scissors where I would have used the knife blade before -- cutting the top off of candy bars, chip bags, anything sealed in plastic, the corners off my calendar pages, etc. I have scissors at my desk and in the lab but none are as handy as those on my knife in my pocket. I also carry a SOG Power Plier on my belt and it is great for pliers, but I usually use my Fieldmaster for everything else.

Bruce Woodbury
 
I swore by the Huntsman until I got my Outrider. It's my hands down favorite in the woods. For EDC I carry my Leatherman Wave on my belt. I use the Outrider backpacking because the Outrider weighs about half as much as the Wave and I haven't missed any of the Wave's additional features yet. I've got my eye on one of Normark's neck rigs for the Outrider and one of his horizontal "bikini" carriers for the Wave.

P.S. If I recall correctly, the Outrider cost me about $25 US plus about $12 shipping from the UK for a total of less than $40.
 
For EDC pocketability, I really like the 84 mm version of the Spartan (<i>my</i> favorite because I like that little screwdriver that fits into the corkscrew) and the Tinker. These are a bit smaller than the standard Spartans and Tinkers commonly available here in the U.S. (those are 91 mm) and are a wee bit more comfortable in the pocket, IMHO. The only place I know of where you can get one of the smaller ones online is at Swiss-knives.com. They're just $11.47

If you're a real minimalist, then check out the Waiter, also available in this size. It just has a large blade, combo cap-lifter/can opener/screwdriver, toothpick and tweezers.
 
I like the Recruit (have two of them), since it's compact, and has everything that I normally need-flathead, phillips head, tweezers. I've used the bottle opener and can opener some, the blades are functional, but really don't recall ever using them, since there's always got a larger knife with me. I do use the small blade on the one I carry to work to hold buttons in on equipment that has to be run manually sometimes.
Small enough that I've carried it on the keyring with no complaint, but I just keep a Classic or a Micra on there, now.
 
There is a great thread on this topic here:
http://www.knifeforums.com/ubbthrea...r=80283&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=
My EDC SAKs are:
At work: Recruit
Regular EDC: Pioneer
Field: Firemans Model

The Pioneer is shown with my other edc gear here:
146853-Picture%20019.jpg


My most used SAKs:
146916-smallervicpic.JPG


My Field SAK (Firemans model)
fddec6c3.jpg


The Pioneer saw in action:
fddec6c0.jpg




Take care,
Chad
 
I swear by my Rucksak but if I could find a place to buy a WorkChamp then that might take it's place. Are they even availible outside of Europe yet? I also have a Camper that I like and carry a lot too. It's sort of a smaller version of the Rucksak.
 
Where'd ya get it?? LOL

My primary SAK EDC's are the Pioneer and/or the Soldier. These knives offer probably the strongest slipjoint mechanisms I've ever seen and the most practical utility for their size to weight ratio.

Mike
 
Hi Mike,
I got mine from a really nice guy, really decent connsidering that he is a command officer :) :) :) :)

Chad
 
A month ago I bought a Scout model, but I think it also goes by the Camper name. I wanted something to carry EDC that had the same tools as my knockoff, but witht he addition of a Saw. This one has a main blade, a small blade, a bottle opener, can opener, awl, saw, corkscrew, tweezers and the toothpick. Easy to carry around, looks good, feels good to use. The saw really eats wood. I sharpened the main blade to a rougher finish (sharpmaker grey stones) than the little blade, so I can have 2 edge types.
 
>"... if I could find a place to buy a WorkChamp then that might take it's place. Are they even availible outside of Europe yet?"

===============================

Check out swiss-knife.com. They seem to have a lot of stuff that's not easy to find in the U.S. And their prices are great. If they seem high to you at first, you're probably looking at their price in Swiss money, so be sure you find their U.S. $ price.
 
basically a rucksack with a phillips instead of a corkscrew


it is awesome and it has a liner lock.


I also carry a supertinker which has scissors


that picture of the outrider really got my eye.
 
For taking to the woods, and for heavy use, find the Victorinox Locksmith.

The perfect knife for my fishing-tacklebox is the Wenger Handyman.

But for EDC in your pocket: my all time favorite is the Victorinox Cadet.
It is slim, small, and has silver aluminum alox scales (think of a mini Soldier model except it has a nail-file instead of an awl).

Second runner-up for EDC is my Wenger Highlander.

Happy hunting,
Allen.
 
In answer to the post, my EDC is usually a knife that opens one handed, and that is fairly flat in my pocket. If there was a junior version of the Rucksack, that opened one handed like the Pocket Service Tool, that might be an EDC–especially if they managed to coat something with a patch of diamonds for a file.

I have carried a Wenger 1 17 01 for many years which weighs 3.2 oz. Occasionally, I carry a Wenger Esquire, often in conjunction with a larger one handed folder. My wife carries a purple Victorinox Classic.

Something like the Pioneer might be nice for EDC.
See one version of the Pioneer here:
http://www.swiss-knife.com/asp/detail.asp?lan=EN&code=0.8241.26&shop=SK


For woods use, the SAK that I have now, which I would use, is a Rucksack. I used it today to cut up my sandwich. I was at my desk though, not in the woods. The Outrider looks more tempting everytime I see its picture. The WorkChamp, even has pliers, but I am afraid that it is getting somewhat bulky. Perhaps it might be a good compromise between carrying a Rucksack and a heavier multitool. For BoyNhisDog I’ll paste in some information on it. I do not know its weight or anyone that has one. Perhaps BoyNhisDog will get one and report back. :) If I was not carrying my Leatherman Wave, I might consider carrying the Outrider, along with one of those small fold up pliers. Another way to round out the Rucksack if one wants to skip a multi-tool might be to carry a classic with it.

What might be really nice is a boxed set with a Rucksack (w/ hole to open one handed) and Rucksack Companion. There is NO such thing as of yet. The companion would have a small locking whittling blade, scissors, pliers, phillips, diamond/bastard file. This way you would have everything, with little duplication, and each one would fit the hand nicely. If one had to put a large blade on it, perhaps it could be a one handed rescue type blade, with a curved in rounded tip, which could also be used around a raft and would have a lock in the other side of the handle. I believe the Emerson SARK has such a blade. If any room was left, in a handle end, or wherever, a magnifying glass for examining splinters and sunny-day fire-starting would be nice. Perhaps in place of the awl a hoof pick or fid (marlinspike) could be added.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: SAK WorkChamp Links & Details

http://www.swiss-knife.com/asp/detail.asp?lan=EN&code=0.9064&shop=SK

Name: WorkChamp
Code: 0.9064
Maker: Victorinox
Price: 59.67 Euro
52.65 USD
89.50 CHF

Function: 01. SWISS ARMY KNIVES, large
Color: red
Material: nylon


Specific attributes:
phillips screwdriver (cross), screwdriver, corkscrew, scissors, metal saw, wood saw, can opener, mini screwdriver, metal file, small screwdriver, cap lifter, wire stripper, reamer, punch, key ring, tweezers, toothpick, wire cutters, large lock blade, multipurpose pliers

Comment:
Linked product(s): Pouch

______________________
In Black:
http://www.swiss-knife.com/asp/detail.asp?lan=EN&code=0.9064.3&shop=SK
_______________________________
More features model:
http://www.swiss-knife.com/asp/detail.asp?lan=EN&code=0.9064.XL&shop=SK
Name: WorkChamp XL
Code: 0.9064.XL
Maker: Victorinox
Price: 126.00 Euro
111.18 USD
189.00 CHF

Function: 01. SWISS ARMY KNIVES, large
Color: red
Material: nylon

Specific attributes:
phillips screwdriver (cross), fine screwdriver, screwdriver, corkscrew, shackle opener with marlin spike, scissors, metal saw, wood saw, can opener, mini screwdriver, hoof cleaner, metal file, yatagan blade, multi-purpose blade, small screwdriver, cap lifter, wire stripper, reamer, punch, key ring, tweezers, toothpick, wire cutters, belt cutter, large lock blade, gutting blade, multipurpose pliers, reamer

Comment:

Linked product(s):

You might also want to refer to the threads in several places on the Service Pocket Tool (the one handed SAK, blade has a opening hole). In addition to the www.swiss-knife.com people that knife was available at Victorinox Stores Inc., 860-521-1806 in Connecticut. I do not know about the WorkChamp. Both Swiss-Knife & Victorinox Stores seem responsive.

The WorkChamp looks good, sort of a Rucksack bulked up. I imagine they are a heavier handful! What I would like on the RuckSack and the WorkChamp are one-handed blades, with no lock or blade style changes.

Does anyone know what lock type is on the WorkChamp?

At least they remember the hole in the awl on the WorkChamp.! They forgot it on the Service Pocket Tool!

A BladeForums article on the Service Pocket Tool is here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1423618#post1423618

The KnifeForums link I placed in that article does not seem to work. Maybe they changed software after that. Perhaps this one will.

http://www.knifeforums.com/ubbthrea...d=UBB62&Number=109267&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1

The stores that sold/sell the Service Pocket Tool might be useful in obtaining a WorkChamp. Further, there is some discussion of features which might be relevant to the WorkChamp.

I previously posted this information here:
http://pub1.ezboard.com/fhoodlumsbladeware.showMessage?topicID=1413.topic&index=2

Generally it seems that those who compare prefer the Victornox, and I do recall them having a lifetime warranty...yes...says so on my Rucksack box. My Wenger box, which I can hardly believe I stil have after 26 years..says 5 years on the enclosed warranty. It says 1 17 01 on a sticker on the box, but if it has a name I do not know what it is. I particularly like its combinations of features...and that my sister gave it to me on my 21st birthday!!! It is similar to a svelte Victorinox Huntsman.


P.S. Some additional information:
My Wenger 1 17 01 SAK circa 1975, 8.5cm or 3 3/8" long:
1. medium blade, 5.3 cm or 2 2/8 cutting edge, 6.3 cm 2.5"to body of knife, on right side of body
2. finger nail file
3. scissors
4. wood saw
5. can opener with (Z or angular shape)
6. - wire stripper
7. cap lifter with
8. - screwdriver
9. corkscrew
10. reamer, punch, (no hole or scalloped edge like the one on the Victorinox)
11. tweezers
12. toothpick
13. lanyard extension with chain & small key ring


For comparison:
Victorinox Huntsman 1.3713
Length: 91 mm, 3 1/2"
Handles: Cellidor
1. large blade
2. small blade
3. corkscrew
4. can opener with
5. - small screwdriver (also for Phillips screws)
6. cap lifter with
7. - screwdriver
8. - wire stripper
9. reamer, punch
10. key ring
11. tweezers
12. toothpick
13. scissors
14. multi-purpose hook (parcel carrier)
15. wood saw

(An Explorer II adds a magnifying glass and Philips screwdriver–note the regular Explorer lacks a saw.)
http://www.victorinox.ch/home_en/home_en.htm

http://www.wenger-knife.ch/indexe.html

My old favorite seems very close to the Wenger 1.17.03with a very similar number located here:
http://www.swiss-knife.com/asp/detail.asp?lan=EN&code=1.17.03&shop=SK

This similar one has a more common shaped can opener.
 
I suspect that they will be in shops close by soon. I want to handle one before I put the money down.

0.9064.3.jpg


It does look promising though.
 
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