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

I don't need the file or pliers, but can I just buy the small screw driver atttachment and use it with my Outrider's corkscrew? I think I've seen the screwdriver attachment sold independently as a spare. If it would fit (i.e. if the cutout for the corkscrew is the right shape) it would be nice to have for keeping the bows on my sunglasses.
 
diletante,

Yes, most places that have a Victorinox SAK display will have one available or can get them. That is how I got mine to put in my Rucksack. I got mine at Jet Outdoors, an outdoors store here in Miami, but I believe they were out of stock when I asked, so the ordered some and gave me a call when they came in. I have seen them listed on-line too, such as 1SKS.

It did not fit in my Wenger corkscrew, which has a closer spiral pattern.

That Outrider looks great. Do you know how much it weighs? How thick is it? Does it have the slide lock on the side like the Rucksack?
 
I haven't put the Outrider on a scale, but it weighs a little over 4oz. It says HERE the Outrider's dimenstions (in centimerers) are 11.3L x 3W x 2.1H (but then it also says the Outrider is green :rolleyes: ) For comparison, the same source says the Huntsman is 9 x 2.5 x 2.


The Outrider locks (which is why I bought it to replace my Huntsman), but it's the side lock and not the liner lock that's on the Nomad, Forester, Trailmaster and Firefighter. The lock is strudy enough for me, especially since I will have a Fallkniven F1 in the near future for heavier cutting tasks.
 
The Hercules model also sounds interesting. You pick up the pliers, but do not have the file of the WorkChamp. That would place it between the Outrider and Workchamp in thickness. Good for grabbing something hot from the fire.
http://www.swiss-knife.com/asp/detail.asp?lan=EN&code=0.9043&shop=SK

One page I saw mentioned that the Outrider has 4 layers, which I guess give some idea how thick one knife will be compared to another, and is another way of measuring. I slipped the Rucksack out of my pocket this morning and slipped a Bladeforum Spyderco Native in, so I can't look at this now.*

The Pocket Service tool is 3 layers, which I believe is the same as the Rucksack. *In any event looking at the link I posted above, I see I measured the Rucksack at .68 inches thick or 1.73 centimeters. There are several measurements in that thread as we were comparing the Rucksack and the Pocket Service Tool. These are very similar in size, with the hump/hole in the blade of the PSTool of course being different. The Rucksack is lighter at 3.7 oz. versus the PSTool at 4.6.

I much prefer the slide lock, which utilizes a locking bar into the back of the blade, so that is good news. I do find it hard to believe that the Outrider is 3 centimeters or 1.2 inches thick. That is a real handfull! I hope that is wrong. When you get a chance, please look at yours and let me know how thick it is. The other measurements on that page makes sense. Could they have mistyped it and meant 2 centimeters. That would seem about right, in comparison. Now if they would just make the Rucksack, Outrider, Hercules, and WorkChamp with an oval hole for one-handed opening of the blade!!! :eek:
 
I'll measure my Outrider when I get home and post the dimensions in inches. Looking at the ruler in front of me, there's no way the 3cm figure is correct. If the Outrider is any thicker than my old Huntsman, it's not by much. I'd be amazed if it's thicker than 2.5cm or 1 inch.

OK--the Outrider is 4 5/16" long (111mm) closed and 7 3/4" long with the blade open, 3/4" wide (20mm) and 1 1/4" high (30mm from the back of the closed blade to the back of the handle)--this dimension is reduced to 1" (25mm) when you open the blade.
 
If anyone orders from swiss-knife or other non-US store, don't ignore the Economy or matt models. These are exactly like the regular Victorinox line with the exception of the handle scales. The Economy line uses a slightly rough scale very similar to the 111mm lockback line. Recently I bought an Economy Spartan and so far I like the rough handle better than the smooth.
 
Frank's right about the economy models. I picked up one this past weekend at Lowe's for $9.00. The unfinished handle is very user friendly. I figured a $9.00 knife could always be stuck in the glove box but I think I'll find a spot for another EDC.
 
I see no-one's mentioned my favorite for the woods - the Victorinox Mauser - although I'm also partial to those alox sided pioneers.

There's some nice people in Switzerland who'll ship any Victorinox overseas if you're having trouble locating any:) :)
 
I'd never even heard of the Mauser model before, but after looking at the picture it looks exacly like the German Army pocketknife, with an extra clip point blade. I have an Italian-made GAK, and it has the exact same multi-purpose saw blade, and the same basic layout of the Mauser, except for the clip point blade. The Sportsman's Guide is selling the Victorinox-made GAK for around $8.00 I think. A great knife for the money.

I've been cruising the SAK sites here latley, and I've just about copme to the conclusion that the best overall SAK, for both EDC and woods use, is the SwissChamp. Sure, the main blade doesn't lock and it's not as long as the WorkChamp, but it has all the blades on the WorkChamp, plus a few more. I plan on getting one some day soon.
 
My former favorite SAK was the Vic made GAK. I had several and gave them to friends who were deployed in Desert Shield / Desert Storm. I never got another one before they were discontinued. Now I've really grown to love and trust the Soldier and Pioneer models. I had a SwissChamp for about two days before I got rid of it - I hated the bulk. I was really considering a Rucksack model until I looked at several the other day - Vic must have had a bad run or something, as the spring for the canopener on each one I looked at seemed "dead".

Mike
 
Vic Electrician for EDC, and either one of the Pioneer series with saw (like Farmer) or Boy Scout Huntsman (like Fieldmaster but no hook) for field, along with my Gerber Multiplier for both.
Claidheamh, the Mauser is indeed hard to find in the USA.
 
I'm coming to this thread pretty late but the SAK I carry every day is the "Camper". I also have a Rucksack, which I know alot of people like but it was just a tad to bulky for EDC (for me) and the Camper has all the same tools the Rucksack has, BUT is a little smaller AND has an additional small blade (great for everyday "box cutting" duty).

Go to www.swissarmy.com and search for "Camper"

PS: make sure you buy the little screwdriver that goes inside the corkscrew - its great if you wear glasses and add NO extra bulk.

Eek
 
Rep, I got my Mauser from a friendly shop in Ireland it cost about $26 (if my conversions are right)plus shipping.

Victorinox don't seem to make a case for the knife and I never did get anywhere with Walther/Mauser who said they did make a case. However the knife does have a handy hole for a neck loop.

It's a great field knife for ED use - I leave mine in my backpack all the time.

CM
 
"SAK is a bit more PC"

No it ain't. I see more liberals with Multi Tools than Swiss Army Knives these days. A locking Swiss Army Knife? That is NOT P.C. compared to a leatherman. Just admit it, You want another knife in your collection ;) I'm the same way. I will look for an excuse to get a new pocket knife all the time.
 
Frank and Callahan, I also prefer the Economy models for EDC. They are not only less slippery, but also the scales tend to scratch up less too.
Because of the smaller size they are also better suited for pocket carry. When NIB they are not so pretty as their shiny, larger cellidor cousins with the inlaid-metal Swiss shield, but a week of pocket carry gives a clear lead for the Economy ones in the looking department.
Last year after reading a lot of positive reviews about the Recruit I have ordered an Economy Recruit from Swiss-Knife.com. It was very comfortable as an EDC but recently I went back to my old Economy Spartan. I just missed the slightly longer large blade when cutting those apples. The Spartan allows me to have reamer and the small eye glass screwdriver with me all the time too.
I think the Economy Spartan is one of the best, most cost-effective and underrated pocketknives/tools available for urban EDC.

For the outdoors I used to carry an older model large, locking Victorinox Forester. Now I have a Pioneer with the saw and the electrician blade, but am strongly considering the Pioneer/Farmer pictured above, because mine is lacking the can opener.
 
Lately I've been carrying a Victorinox Handyman in the woods:
http://www.swiss-knife.com/asp/detail.asp?lan=EN&code=1.3773&shop=SK

It's got a lot of tools, including scissors, pliers, wood and metal saws, but it's still smaller than the Champ.

I normally carry a Victorinox Hunter in my knapsack, as well, for slicing tasks (and because it has a larger saw than the Handyman).

The Hercules and the Work Champ look pretty good, too, though I think those models would be pretty bulky. Bear in mind that, along with the SAKs, I normally carry a Leatherman Crunch and a large folder (or a mid sized fixed blade), so I have most tool and cutting functions covered.

With regard to the Victorinox Mauser, I've have one since 1985, and it is a great knife. However, I would have prefered that one of the two blades (the drop point) be serrated, or, better yet, that the knife had scissors in place of one of the blades. Plus, a little niche for tweezers would be nice, too.
 
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