Can you sharpen a saw on a SAK?

A

abchopper

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Jan 15, 2008
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Does anyone know if you can sharpen the saw on a Swiss Army Knife?

The kind you get on the Farmer SAK. I'm guessing you could use a small triangle jewelers file or stone. But has anyone actually done it?

I can't imagine the saw lasting for ages. A small saw being used regularly would probably last (I'm guessing) only a few months or a year or so.

I know some would simply say, just buy a new one each time but for me that would be an expensive option.

So how do you sharpen a SAK saw? Can it be done?
 
You can lay the saw flat to the stone to shapen it.
If you look at the saw, it's only the outside of the teeth that cuts.
 
If you do that saw will bind.There are guys who sharpen japanese style saws with two or three bevels per teeth so it is probably possible with werry narrow triangular file.
Try to keep original angles and dont worry about burr removal it will fall off within first inches of sawing.
If you try,please,post results.
 
Sorry,but if you are using the saw that much,wouldn't it be better to get a real saw? I love the saw on my Farmer,but as a back up,or real small woodcraft jobs. But for real saw use,get a folding saw that is a saw.
Even then,you can get a Wal Mart Sierra saw for less than $9.00. You can get a sliding Fiskars for about $11.00. If you dull it,just buy another every two or three years. Of course,YMMV. Just my opinion.
 
Thanks for the quick reply guys.

I can see how using a flat stone might work but I guess you would need to be careful as not to reduce the thickness near the tooth edge or round off the sides of the teeth. If you did I guess it would bind.

I have already thought about the small triangle file but wanted to know if anyone has already sharpen it this way.

I already have a folding saw (which I haven't used yet) for the real sawing but I would like to know about sharping the SAK saw. I too would normally use the SAK saw (and Leatherman Charge saw) as a backup only.

Over time things wear down so this topic is about simply sharping your favorite SAK saw and who have actually done it successfully.
 
What Hawkins said. I tried once with a points file(remember those?),and the more time I spent on it the worse it got.
 
Is the saw on your Farmer dull now? I had a Victorinox Huntsman growing up (still have it actually) and I used the saw regularly out in the woods doing various things for 10+ years and it never seemed to dull. Granted, I didn't cut down large trees with it, but anything approaching the length of the saw in diameter was fair game. This makes me wonder if this is more of a hypothetical question or if yours actually needs sharpening. I have no idea what the cost is, but you can also return them to the Victorinox US service center for refurb; however, it might be cheaper to buy a new one.
 
the angle on the teeth is fairly obtuse, so dulling shouldnt be a huge problem. eventually though, i suppose it would get dull. ill let you know if i come up with anything.
 
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The saw can be sharpened like Hawkings said, it's not a normal saw that has its teeth set outwards to prevent binding, it just has a taper to the whole side. It would take a lot of useage and sharpening to have it need a "proper" sharpening as in the diagrams above.

Chris
 
The saw can be sharpened like Hawkings said, it's not a normal saw that has its teeth set outwards to prevent binding, it just has a taper to the whole side. It would take a lot of useage and sharpening to have it need a "proper" sharpening as in the diagrams above.

Chris
 
Thanks guys.

My saw on my SAK isn't blunt yet and yes it is a hypothetical question. This question is to find out if it's possible and what technique it may be, just in case I do need to sharpen it.

So far I'm liking Hawkins technique. It's seems like the easiest and quickest. It might also be the most accurate method without messing up the teeth.

Sending it in sounds like an expensive option. It might be better to get a new one which I'm not too keen on doing each time. Hence, how to sharpen the old one.

Besides, wouldn't it be nice to keep the old favorite which has been everywhere with you in good working order?
 
Last edited:
JC in SC said:
I have no idea what the cost is, but you can also return them to the Victorinox US service center for refurb; however, it might be cheaper to buy a new one.
Click to expand...

I don't know what it may be now, but a few years ago, you could have a sak re-bladed for 5 dollars, plus the shipping to get it there.

If the blade is dull now, give them a call and ask. They have the service center in Shelton Conn. With the unbelieveale warentee, they just may replace the knife.

If your sak is used just on wood now and then, it should last for years, if not decades. I have a 20 year old hiker that has seen sawing now nad then, still good to go.

Aside from Buck, Victorinox is one of the few companies that will rebuild, reblade/refurbish a knife for a very resonable fee, if not for free.
 
Send it back to SAK or email 'em about replacing the saw or sharpening it /maybe warranty it ? but I would opt for a folding pocket saw if your cutting that much with it... better yet buy a folding saw and if the SAK saw is dull will make a great firesteel striker..
 
texastonydobbs said:
Send it back to SAK or email 'em about replacing the saw or sharpening it /maybe warranty it ? but I would opt for a folding pocket saw if your cutting that much with it... better yet buy a folding saw and if the SAK saw is dull will make a great firesteel striker..
Click to expand...


That sounds like a plan to me. Got a folding saw for my birthday and it is one of the most useful presents I have ever got.
 
I just looked carefully at the saw on my Swisschamp. Looks pretty tricky to sharpen, not a lot of room between the teeth to run a file. I'm guessing if it was extremely dull and I had a small enough file, I'd, with luck, be able to make it at least a little better.
 
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