Do you actually use your swiss army knives?

[gundude73]

i carry a SAK with me everywhere i can legally carry a knife. classic on my keys and a cadet in the pocket. they are quite useful.

 

[NaturalMystic]

I've EDC'd a Victorinox Midnite Manager then Midnite MiniChamp on my keychain for years then added a Huntsman to the mix about 4 years ago. Shortly after getting my first Huntsman I went on a bit of a SAK buying frenzy, picking them up at various local warehouse sales and online. They are awesome tools and based on the requirements you have, you're sure to find a model to suit your needs.

Here's most of my collection of both Victorinox and Wenger SAKs. These pics are a few years old.

 

[misterjuiceman]

I use my SAK executive all of the time. it's the only knife I've carried every single day for the past six years.

 

[link2derek]

I bought a black model with a corkscrew when I was in Paris -- both for a souvenir, and for the corkscrew -- and, yes, we used it much!

 

[Bill1170]

I've carried a Swiss Army Knife since I was a kid 40 years ago. I use it constantly. In fact, I often carry two, a Classic on my car keys and a Tinker or Super Tinker. Like another guy posted, I use every tool on the Super Tinker except for the hook thingy. What's up with that tool, anyhow?

Add in a Delica, Endura, or Paramilitary and I'm almost too prepared!

 

[Picksmith]

Carried a tinker for a long time. Finally switched to a super tinker this year. I use the scissors quite a bit. Use the hook for tying knots on occasion. I open it several times a day, and it doesn't freak out the sheeple like a "tactical" knife because it's so readily recognizable. I use the small flat head screwdriver/can opener the most.

 

[bigbadboom]

Just today ,
I started to cut a branch to hook something out of the river , a couple of strokes with a small fixed blade -- and I was like "what am I doing , my Vic Forester in my bag has a saw" : / sawed right through that branch like it was polysterene , much easier than chopping.

 

[echobelly]

I EDC my SAK Pioneer (Soldier). One of the best proportioned EDC knives in my opinion. Perfect balance of size, weight and functionality. Major plus is that an SAK is very non-knife people friendly. Can't praise that knife enough. I saw a recommendation and bought the pioneer earlier this year. So glad I did.

 

[A.P.F.]

I've carried a Swiss Army Knife since I was a kid 40 years ago. I use it constantly. In fact, I often carry two, a Classic on my car keys and a Tinker or Super Tinker. Like another guy posted, I use every tool on the Super Tinker except for the hook thingy. What's up with that tool, anyhow?

Add in a Delica, Endura, or Paramilitary and I'm almost too prepared!

As an FYI, the 'hook' was originally used to carry string wrapped parcels more easily. Now, some use it to carry plastic bags.

 

[Robert.B]

As an FYI, the 'hook' was originally used to carry string wrapped parcels more easily. Now, some use it to carry plastic bags.

is that what thats for? haha had no idea.

 

[GIRLYmann]

both the slotted and flat screwdriver bladetools are often called upon the most.
the scissors are perfect for manicure and slight trims.
did i fail to mention that the main blade tool the nicest thing to count upon; especially when figuring out the neatest way to slice a foot-long subway in half?
so yeah! pretty much in use.

 

[GRIM 62]

I edc a Huntsman on my belt,an Alox Soldier in my feft front jeans pocket,and a Classic&Rambler on me keychain.I use my SAKs everyday for almost everything that comes up.The Soldier gets used for the heavier chores.

 

[EricV]

Mine sits in my tool box these days, pretty much have my leatherman on me all the time which is a better tool for the tasks I have generally, though that cork screw is worth its weight in gold sometimes.

 

[Liveitloud]

I carry a SAK everyday. I am fond of the Alox over the plastic handled ones but they are all well made knives!

 

[Foilist]

I've EDC'd a Victorinox Midnite Manager then Midnite MiniChamp on my keychain for years then added a Huntsman to the mix about 4 years ago. Shortly after getting my first Huntsman I went on a bit of a SAK buying frenzy, picking them up at various local warehouse sales and online. They are awesome tools and based on the requirements you have, you're sure to find a model to suit your needs.

Here's most of my collection of both Victorinox and Wenger SAKs. These pics are a few years old.

I see you have an Alox Farmer + scissors in there. Scibeer? That would be my idea of a perfect SAK.:thumbup:

 

[mdauben]

So do you who own them really use them much for stuff a ordinary folder couldn't do?

Sure! I have a nice little Victorinox Ambassador that I use as part of my EDC rotation for the office. I find the scissors incredibly useful, and the little nail file sees some use, too. I also have a couple of Victorinox lock-blades that live in my daypacks. Again, I find use for the scissors and screwdrivers all the time, and the wood saw comes in handy at times, too. I have a friend that does IT for a living, and he carries around one of those Victorinox Cybertools (just a SAK optimized for working on computers and telecom) that he uses many of the tools from on a daily basis. I do have a couple of the bigger Vics (SwissChamp, etc.) that I admit I never really use most of the tools on, or seldome actually carry it for that matter, but for me they are more the exception than the rule.

Also what is the best model to get? I want a balance of size and usefulness.

Oh, that's really hard to say. There are so many different models for so many different uses. Looking for something to carry in the office? Garage? Rescue bag? Computer center? Outdoors? For whatever job you are doing there's probably a good choice.

 

[Smash05]

With the exception of certain heavy duty cutting tasks, and the perceived need for one handed operation, there is nothing my heavy duty folders do that my SAK's cannot do better. And honestly, some of the carving and woods tasks are accomplished better by the SAK hands down. Why would I dull my EDC folders opening a can when I can use the can opener? I think we all know what a single, heavier blade can do, but those SAK's have been around for so long doing what they do for a reason.

 

[Dornblaser]

I carry a Cadet almost everyday. It does everything a bigger folder will do in an suburban/urban office environment. I also have have a SAK in my desk drawer as it is a very useful tool.

 

[MassMatt]

I use my SAK quite a bit; tools are quite useful (tweezers, screwdrivers especially--and the flathead I use for some light prying). Having a can and bottle opener is great too. And they are sheeple friendly.

 

[Gadgetaholic]

About a decade ago Victorinox released the Cybertool (now renamed the Cybertool 34) so I bought one - I've been EDCing that for the decade since and I would hate to be without it. I also EDC a Leatherman Wave which gives me a few tools that the Cybertool doesn't have, but I do use the Cybertool more. I do use the screwdriver more than anything else but I also use the small blade for opening boxes and clamshell packaging without scaring the sheeple. I have used the can opener while camping and it works really well - Victorinox have designed a really good can opener! I have also used the pliers & scissors & tweezers & toothpick. The can opener/flat screwdriver has been used as a screwdriver & as a light weight pry tool - now that I think about it I have used that tool quite a lot of times. After a decade the pen still writes, that is pretty impressive. The Cybertool range also come with a stainless steel pin and I have used that on a number of occasions, it is something that is really handy to have on hand.

It occurs to me that since I have the LM Wave I could change the Cybertool 34 to a Cybertool 29 since the scissors & pliers are covered by the wave and I haven't needed the hook. But I have on a couple of occasions used the pliers on the Cybertool and the pliers on the Wave at the same time (nut & bolt).

I have recently ordered a Victorinox Ranger for a good camping tool. It has blades, saw, file, scissors, can opener, bottle opener, tweezers and more - that's a pretty useful bunch of tools to have when spending a few days in the bush. For urban use I like my screwdrivers on the cybertool, for bushcraft the saw & file would be more useful to have.

So what was the question? Do I use my SAK? Yep, use it pretty often. If you carry a SAK with a useful range of tools then you get used to having all those tools on hand, then you have a hard time imagining not having them.
What kind of person walks around without a set of screwdrivers & some other very useful tools? The idea of not having a SAK seems crazy to me!