Big Ol' SAK's

J

James Y

Joined
Feb 18, 1999
Messages
6,504

Does anyone like to carry/use the large SAK models? By large, I mean the normal-length, non-locking Victorinox's, but that are thick with tools. Like the Swisschamp, Cybertool, Super Tinker, etc. Do you have a sheath for carry, or who carries one in a pocket? (they seem too thick/heavy for pocket carry). Is the thickness a problem during usage? And lastly, have these thick models pulled their weight in a real emergency or survival situation?
Jim
 
I used to have one years ago (Swiss Champ), but found it a bit awkward to use, and just gave it away. The only tool I found useful there is the magnifying glass.
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I feel that the newer multitools are better users than the thick SAKs.

Dan
 
Hi!
I do like to use my old Swisschamp quite a lot. I always take it with me when I'm travelling (nowadays I might take others too). It's allowed on the airplanes. I don't generelly carry it daily (I carry the new Calypso Jr./Herbst/Sebenza). I have the sheath for it (the sheath has sharpening stone, pencil, some thread, needles, compass... and band-aids - very good idea btw
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), but I might not carry it in there because the sheath seems so large (I'll take the sheath to outdoors and travelling). It's still ok in the pocket of jeans. It's quite think, but it doesn't matter to me. The blade comes from the other side and thus it's on 'top'-side when used with right hand. And I think that helps a bit. I haven't really been in emergency or survival situation with it (or anything), but I've used it so much that I don't think they would cause any problems. Of course better alternatives to specific needs exists...

Hugo.
 
I was given a Swiss Champ, with the sheath containing the bandaids, compass and all, by co-workers no less :^) It's not a model that I would have initially considered buying but now that I have one I've changed my mind. It makes for a nice tool kit to carry when traveling, to keep in the glove compartment, pack, and such. Lately I've been carrying an original Leatherman in my pack instead, which offers a smaller and different set of tools, which has worked ok as my ToolLogic card has a small magnifying glass and toothpick. Combinations work too as a Leatherman and a Victorinox Camper seem to complement one another well. It's nice to have so many choices :^)
 
I have a SwissChamp with the leather sheath. I carry it when I think I might need more tools than are available on my Deluxe Tinker which I carry every day. The DT is fairly thick but I find it comfortable for the pocket. It is however the thickest knife I want to carry that way.

Although I find both the DT and SwissChamp very practical and useful, if I expect need something sturdier I carry my SwissTool or Leatherman SuperTool.

I haven't ever been in a serious survival situation, but I think the SwissChamp would be an ideal non-locking folder to have if I were. The combination of tools and blades would be useful under many circumstances.

I also have a Wenger Tool Chest Plus. I find it a little too thick to be practical use. It has found a place with my collected or accumulated knives.
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Travis Autry
My knives are just like rabbits---they keep multiplying!!
 
To all of the above questions....yes.
I carry a Swisschamp daily, along with about 25# of other stuff. And that's just on my person!

For me a "bug out" is just a matter of closing the door behind me.
Dan
 
I think you can have both too much and too little on a SAK, it depends on your use. I carry the "Fieldmaster", basically a "Huntsman" with a phillips in place of the corkscrew. It has the large/small blades, scissors, saw, bottle & can openers. I don't need anything else, perhaps a thin metal file, but nothing else.

The Tinker isn't enough tool and the SwissChamp is too much.

Bruce Woodbury
 
Just to add that I too have the Leatherman SuperTool. I use the SuperTool and SwissChamp for different things. SwissChamp is used for 'clean' things so that it can be used for food still (with some cleaning...) whereas the SuperTool handles 'dirty' things (like everything inside my car) and it would need a substantial cleanup to be used anywhere around food (yep, the can opener is quite useless
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). And like I said earlier, SwissTool comes with me to the airport - doesn't have serrations or locking blades and is not too big. I imagine that many people carry SAK's and therefore they are common and not frightening.

Hugo.
 
I have the Deluxe Tinker and the Mechanic, they both ride in my coat pocket and I do use them, not everyday but often. I had made a sheath once that carried the Executive and the Tinker and a Solitare flashlight and it was just way too Batman looking so I quit wearing the utility belt deal. The Champion to me is way to wide for any normal type use so I shied away from them. The Victorinox is the way to go and they do hold up incredibly well!

G2

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"There are no dangerous weapons;
there are only dangerous men."
.......... Robert A. Heinlein, 1959


G2 Leatherworks
 
I carry a Victorinox Craftsman in my pants pocket just about every day. It's a little heavy, but I got used to it.
 
Victorinox Explorer is a daily carry. The in line Phillips is a big plus and I've also had occassion to use the magnifying glass. It is big but not too big except for some old jeans that have gotten too tight.

phantom4

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who dares, wins


 
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