Can you believe that I don't have a SAK?!

alphamaniv

alphamaniv

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Well, it's true. I look at them a lot, but never buy. I notice when reading a lot of threads that most of you guys swear by them, usually as part of a two knife or more team. Let the advice begin. What would be a good "all rounder" to get. Remember, I have taken care of my knife budget with what I have already bought and something I am going to order in the next few weeks, so I am going to have to sneak this one in under the radar. So take it easy on the $$$:D Let the debate and ideas begin!
 
I say go for either the Rucksack or the Spartan model. The reasons are thus: For the Rucksack you get a locking blade and a saw. For the Spartan, you get the basics. From my perspective, I have to admit that if I were to be REALLY honest with myself about what I NEED in a knife, all I would carry would be the Spartan. I mean, it will open cans, bottles (of beer and wine), will put holes in stuff, thread a needle and has two blades so that you can keep a toothy edge on one, using it for crap work, and keep a finer edge on the other. Now, do I only carry one knife, of COURSE not!! But, like I said, if I were HONEST about NEEDS... well, then I wouldn't be HERE now would I :D !!! Long life the SAK!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
IMO the Soldier would be a great knife with which to begin. My Soldier rides in the glove box of my truck and is part of a multi-knife combo just a you mentioned earlier. The Soldier is the direct descendent of the original SAK and it is made by V'nox whom I prefer over Wenger. It comes with a slip joint blade with a spear point design. Other tools are two screw drivers, leather punch/reamer, bottle opener and can opener. I think you would be pleased with this choice. Whichever you decide I hope that you enjoy your first SAK.
 
Thanks for the ideas so far. I have found info on the rucksack and it looks prett good. I haven't found a soldier model, but I'm looking for it. Anybody else want to put in here?
 
Hi,

I'd go for the Explorer - not too big, nor too complex; and it has an "end-on" Philips screwdriver, that is much easier to use than the normal "side-on" version.

The Soldier is a good rugged knife - there also used to be one like the Soldier, with red metal scales, that had a really useful saw - I think it might have been called the Farmer, or maybe Pioneer?
 
As mentioned above the Soldier would be a great choice. Also the Spartan and Tinker. If you dont mind a little more size the the Explorer mentioned above would also be good.

If you like one-handers, then check out the one-hand Trailmaster. Its a larger knife, but still pretty easy to carry.

Check out www.cutleryshoppe.com . Its also worth checking various hardware stores. The ACE hardware here has a nice selection and super prices. Target also tends to have a wide range at good prices.
 
The Recruit is my favorite. I have a black one, and a red one.
Large and small blades, can opener/phillips, bottle opener/flathead, tweezers, and a toothpick. ~$15 at Wal-Mart.
It seems to feel lighter in the pocket than the alox handle models that also sacrifice the tweezers, which I use alot.
 
Out of all the ones i've seen, i like the Camper. It has a saw similar to my leatherman pst... and they cut great!

Its basicly just a spartan with 2 or three add ons!

Zach
 
>"Let the advice begin. What would be a good 'all rounder' to get."

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

I hate to tell you this, but I think that picking the SAK that's right for you is something only you can do.

With that said, get an 84mm Spartan or Tinker. :D Very pocketable and they have all the basics for day-to-day life. I prefer the Spartan because it has a corkscrew that will hold an additional tiny screwdriver, plus the thought of not being able to open a bottle of wine at a moment's notice makes me shudder. ;)
 
You can't really go wrong with any of the ones listed. Just figure out what needs/uses you will have and go for it.
For me its the Tinker, as it's slimline and pocketable and I'd rather have the philips screwdriver than a corkscrew. Picked mine up at a sporting goods store for $19.95 so it won't bust the bank.
When you get it, it will be a moment of clarity, the sun will burst through the clouds and a host of angels will sing the Hallelujah chorus..., and you will think "Now I get it! Now I know why people at BF are always praising the SAK" Ok Ok I am being dramatic (well a little). When I got my Tinker, I thought man, why has it taken me so long to get one.
Whichever one you get you will love, and I doubt it will be your only SAK for long!
 
I don't own a SAK either. I've owned them in the past and liked them. For my purposes, the Leatherman line has replaced what the SAKs did for me, and done it better. One of my outdoors partners recently picked up a SAK that was tempting though, one of the Trailmasters.

Phil
 
The Rucksack is a great model. If you are only going to by one SAK though, I would suggest the Huntsman-- probably the best all-around model in my opinion. SAK's are great knives-- I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
--Josh
 
I have a couple guidelines. To keep the knife thin try and pick a model that is only two springs thick. That fits up to 5 or 6 blades using both sides of the knife. Second thing to think of is what tools you will frequently use. For me that is knives, screwdrivers, openers, and an awl (in that order). My primary choice for years was the tinker. In particular I insisted that I have a philips head screwdriver. When it came out I switched to the longer, lock-bladed equivalent the Adventurer. This is surprisingly light yet has a respectable 3-3/8" locking blade. This has worked well for hunting as well as general utility. Most of the time this is my EDC without any other knife in my pocket.
 
I have the Trailmaster Millitary One Handed and it is so good, I love the one handed feature, it has openers, awl, etc.

It is a great EDC for utility and for self defense too.

Roloss_valdes
 
2 main schools of thought -

maximalist - get as much as you can - to be prepared,
or
minimalist - get only what you really need/use.

Maximalist -
Victorinox SwissChamp (#53501 red #53503 black)
53501_l.jpg

This isn't quite the biggest (that's the SwissChamp XLT) -
but it is amazing value for money as low as $39 if you shop around.

Minimalist -
Victorinox Waiter (#53891)
53891_l.jpg

Can be as low as about $10 if you shop around....

and obviously anywhere in between - the whole joy of SAKs is making one's own choice and trying to get exactly the tools one wants in a single model -

Perhaps my tool-by-tool review/analysis of the everything SAKs might help:

SAKs - Victorinox or Wenger
 
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