Choosing the right SAK

C

Charlie_K

Joined
Jul 16, 2012
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With Victorinox releasing so many different models it's very hard to decide just which SAK is the best option for you, like what tools you really need and which you'd wind up getting to the "If I'm gonna pay good money I'm getting everything I can" mentality of completion. But with different applications come different needs. What the handyman needs might not be what's needed for the bushcrafter.

So for a job where you're working with electrical wiring applications, working screws, cutting drywall, shaving wood for a better fit and other such matters what SAK is likely to fit the bill best?
 
Charlie, something like the Fieldmaster comes to mind, as it gives you a saw for trimming drywall, flat driver and phillips for screws, plus blades and scissors. But the phillips does not fold out 180 degrees, so it can be a little hard to use. However, the tip of the can opener works nicely as a phillips driver, and it is inline. Other SAKs like the Explorer have a good inline phillips driver, but don't have the saw. Seems like Victorinox intentionally doesn't make the perfect combo, so you keep buying the many alternatives. Or you might do something like get a Fieldmaster or Huntsman, and add a real phillips driver, depending on your needs.
 
As you'd mentioned, sometimes it is difficult to foretell which tools you are going to use most. So instead of recommending a particular model to get certain types of tools, if you are ok with it, one way of doing it is to simply get a Swisschamp (borderline pocketable or in its pouch). This is such a classic and popular model that many who likes and collects SAK will eventually own one, might as well to use it for an indicator of which tools you use most, then 'downgrade' to get a tool with the bare minimum.

Or the other way around, to go bare minimum, get a 'Hiker' and expand from there.:)
 
If you're not in a great hurry, you might want to check ebay for used SAKs - I've purchased numerous ones that way and while
listed as used, they are normally in excellent condition maybe requiring a little oil and sharpening. I use the ebay search engine for "knives-swords-blades", then "swiss army knives" and check the box on the left for "used". You'll get around 700 and be able to see nearly every model made; new and old. Then you can check out which model is best for you. If you want to see all SAKs, just leave off the "used" button - you'll get about 1700 entries. An easy way to see lots of models. Just a thought. Also, the used ones are much less expensive, so you could get several. Always be careful of fakes - lots of folks list any type of general utility knife, whether a real SAK or not as SAKs. Remember only two makers are real; Victorinox and Wenger.

Rich
 
Sounda like my camper model is both a fit for the bushcrafter AND the job you just mentioned, think Spartan plus Saw for $25

If you like the Camper but would rather a dedicated philips (not needed thanks to the wonderfully designed screwdriving can opener) then that model is called a Hiker.

I find the only reason to have a philips with a shaft is if you needed to open some electronics and had to get down into the hole to turn a screw.

Also take a look at the Deluxe Tinker, it has pliers, and if your a handsy kinda guy it just might be the ultimate pocket knife in my opinion.
 
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stvpourciau said:
I find the only reason to have a philips with a shaft is if you needed to open some electronics and had to get down into the hole to turn a screw.
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That's what I thought until day before yesterday when I tried using a Tinker to open a wooden crate fastened with 2 inch screws. After almost breaking the can opener screwdriver without budging the screws, I switched to the dedicated ph driver on the back spring, which did the job easily. The combo driver has worked for me sometimes, but the shafted driver is much stronger and fits better.
 
I've checked ebay. But when you do a side by side comparison of prices between ebay and amazon sometimes the difference between new and used is only $5, and sometimes the listings on ebay are more expensive.
 
Charlie -

That is true, but then there are some great deals on used knives to be found on ebay.

Rich
 
The Electrician Plus might be another option. It has a so called electrician's blade, which can be handy for wire stripping and a great general purpose blade too. The awl on the alox models is a great tool for punching holes, scraping and many other things.

 
Alright I'm mildly curious at this point. I've never been a big fan of belts because of how much they hurt my back, the only reason I started wearing one was to carry by BK9 with me. But since I've gotten used to it I've started giving consideration to other things that come with their old belt holsters. I can see carrying either an SAK or a Leatherman multi-tool individually, but is it redundant to carry both at the same? Or does it allow for a greater range of available tools by having both on hand?
 
Charlie_K said:
Alright I'm mildly curious at this point. I've never been a big fan of belts because of how much they hurt my back, the only reason I started wearing one was to carry by BK9 with me. But since I've gotten used to it I've started giving consideration to other things that come with their old belt holsters. I can see carrying either an SAK or a Leatherman multi-tool individually, but is it redundant to carry both at the same? Or does it allow for a greater range of available tools by having both on hand?
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It may be a little of an off answer but I feel very redundant when I carry both a multitool and a saw in my pack + a SAK with a saw in my pocket.

I just chose to see it as having all the bases covered in my lack and still having a mini-version in my pocket to do the same things when I'm away from my bag at the moment or if I loose my pack in some kind of way as an "emergency" tool.

Still, I can't help but feel redundant cos I am.

It may be a little much to have around town but outdoors any redundancies that fall in the category of absolute necessities are good ones..

I prefer the feel and action of a good ole SAK but I do find myself missing the full sized pliers.

Thus the great dilemma.

Maybe look into a larger SAK fir sheath carry that includes pliers? Though I cant vouch fir their effectiveness as I have ne'er even handled Vic. Pliers.

Gotta have a saw guys, I used it Monday to saw through the clips of a fender that was hanging off the bottom of our thunderbird, better to have it off than to drag it around and the fender useless/non-visible anyway..
 
I started with a classic then upgraded to an exectutive model but soon wanted a full size SAK, I no sooner won a SwissChamp in a GAW here and I carried it in my EDC and strictly used just that knife so get a feel for what I used most often and then I came back here and said what I wanted and The Compact model is perfect for me.

Large blade, Large Scissors, Phillips/Flat Heat/Bottle Opener/Can Opener/Wire Stripper combotool that has a 90 and a 180 degree stop, Parcel Hook (which I have yet to use) with a nail file on the back of it, Corkscrew with the micro screwdriver, toothpick, tweezers, and finally a pen.

It doesn't have a saw but I think there is a model very similar to the compact with a saw on it. I can't remember the name and it's probably been said already. Anyways I'd go for the swisschamp idea and see what you use. That model comes with way more than you'll ever need in a normal daily scenario.
 
but is it redundant to carry both at the same? Or does it allow for a greater range of available tools by having both on hand?
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No, I do not think it is redundant. The SAK (Swisschamp) has a variety of tools on it that you won't find on a Leatherman. Magnifying class, wood chisel, pen to name a few. Not to mention some of the tools are better IMO than those found on the average Leatherman, like the scissors for instance.
 
The SAK Farmer has been the only thing I've needed, it's small, looks gorgeous, and very pocketable
sak_farmer2_low.jpg
 
Swoop03 said:
Anyways I'd go for the swisschamp idea and see what you use. That model comes with way more than you'll ever need in a normal daily scenario.
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In a normal daily scenario that is true enough, but over time (20 years!) I have used every implement on my Swisschamp except the small backspring mounted screwdriver. Really, sometimes you don't know what you'll need until you need it.
 
So I finally got a Fieldmaster knife and I like it. Unfortunately it came as dirty as all get out and there's more gunk in this thing than there is inside a milsurp rifle purchased straight from the warehouse. There was so much lint and grease under the scales they were quite literally bulging at the seams.

I've tried to scrub the crud out of this knife with a toothbrush and some cleaning oil, but over half of the parts are still stiff and take a great deal of effort to open. Is there a more effective home remedy for cleaning the insides out of whatever might be binding them up?
 
My recommendation is to first handle a few with different numbers of layers. Decide what you are most comfortable with if you had to carry it long term -- for me that's three layers max.

Then find the longest one that most closely fits your needs.

Understand that you'll not likely find the "perfect" SAK (or any other knife) for you.
 
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