do you consider SAKs high quality

As far as trusting my life to a SAK, if I were stuck out in the woods at night, far from home, and needed a few simple tools to make the trip a bit more comfortable, I can't think of many knives I'd rather have with me than my Vic Ranger.

There are a few other SAKs with the saw, file, and scissors, along with the usual blade, screwdrivers, and openers. This one is pretty compact, so it carries easily and often, at the least, in my briefcase.

A lot of us are steel snobs. I like my high-end knives enough to have spent too much money on them. :) But many European manufacturers never moved away from the 440A, for example, that they found so effective years ago, and by now, they know how to get the very best possible performance from it.

The SAK in its many permutations is an ultimate survival knife. Supplement it with a Frosts Mora and you're good to go, just about anywhere. Cheap, lightweight, and extremely effective.
 
bquinlan said:
Cold Steel's Carbon V You can like it or dislike it, but they provide a rare degree of consistency.
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I think that is the whole point. The quality level of Victorinox products is very consistent which means they have an effective quality control system. Are Victorinox knives of high quality? Yes, if you bring the price into consideration. I'd say the quality is unbelievable given the price. Does it compete with a Chris Reeve knife for quality? Of course not, but price makes the comparison like apples and oranges.
 
I mentioned it before,any other company would have a real hard time to make knives that good for twice the price....
 
I agree with the sentiments of everyone but olaf_yahoo. I have never in my life had an out-of-box issue with Victorinox. Victorinox is the only company that I feel comfortable buying blind every time, with no apprehension at all. I don't think a lot of companies can say that. Sure, they use "weaker", "cheaper". "obsolete" steel, but at fractions of the cost and with better fit and finish than most competitors, I don't mind at all. You can beat them, neglect them, drop them, and they'll still be there...they're like a dream wife :p :D

I also think that one problem that companies are seeing now is that they're producing tons of different types of knives with different locks, steels, shapes, etc., and I find it hard to believe that these companies are really putting out top quality stuff. In other words, Victorinox has left its designs relatively unchanged, with many variations of the same style, but Victorinox uses the same materials, meaning that they've had a lot of time to perfect the temper, design, fit and finish and so on, whereas other companies pick up on the hot new steels and trends and I tend to think that design, quality, temper and the like suffer, whereas Victorinox sticks to what its knows, doesn't try to capture the tactical market, and puts out a consistently great knife.
 
SAK's are justly so of high quality. I've yet to have a problem with any SAK I presently or have owned (I've currently about 70 in the collection). I use mine without worry as they've always stood up to the job without a problem: and came back for more.
 
I'm probably just as much as a steel snob as anybody, but when it really comes down to it, there just ain't nothin' wrong with the steel in swiss army knives. The consistency of these knives is truly remarkable, and even though I virtually always have a high dollar "tactical" folder in S30V on me, it's always accompanied by any one of a number of Vic SAKS, and I begrudgingly have to admit that their very thin, flat ground blades cut better than about anything else.

What really makes my day is to find them on clearance on Target. A year or two ago they had the Soldiers on sale for like five or six bucks. I only bought three of them. Should have bought fifteen or twenty. Finding an already inexpensive, high quality knife on sale for a ridiculously low price is a real emotional uplift, even though the last thing that I actually "need" is yet another SAK.
 
As a multi tool, I think the quality is excellent. As a knife, it's good. The main value for me with SAK's is the value that they give as a multi tool, not as a knife. YMMV.
 
I have a number of knives I have purchased for around £20 - £30 in the past, they are all thrown in the back of a cupboard now apart from my SAK.

I have to sharpen it quite often but is that because of the steel or because I use it so much more often?

They are also about as sheeple friendly as you can get, you can legally carry them virtually anywhere in the world (even in the UK! well, the non locking ones at least...)

I lost one about 3 years ago, and immediately ordered a new one. What more do I need to say!
 
I really like the Alox models, they are heavier and tougher built than the plastic sided models. I have a Harvester that I use every day at work (construction), very useful knife. I would rather that they had installed the combination tool instead of just the bottle opener/screwdriver combo, but I can live with the other goodies in it no problem.
 
Rocinante said:
But they don't seem like knives to me....more like utility tools that happen to have a blade. So I also EDC a Gerber Mini-Covert.
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I see it the opposite. I think a SAK is a great knife that also has other utility tools. To me, a SAK is a knife first and foremost and will perform cutting tasks as good as or better than most small folding knives. Additionally it will open your beer, adjust your eyeglasses, or remove a splinter.
 
Add me to the SAK boat! Mystery steel or not, it's a great knife.
 
I just got a Super Tinker earlier tonight. Obviously it hasn't gotten any use yet, but I have a feeling it will be with me for a long time. Seems built like a tank. The knives are sharp enough to do anything I need them to do.
 
A Victorinox Pioneer Settler bumped a CRK small Sebenza out of my pocket. No tools, just a large and small blade. For my daily uses, the SAK main blade is more than adequate. Quite honestly, it's cutting ability exceeds the Sebenza's. Throw a few other useful tools into the package and you have an unbeatable EDC. I am currently EDCing a Cadet model. I've never felt under knifed with a SAK in my pocket.
Are SAKs high quality.....ABSOLUTELY!:thumbup:
 
EDC tinker. The SAK is not made of the best materials, but more than adequate for 99.9% of folks. I have used my tinker for a multitude of remodeling tasks, yard work, barn duties, etc. Plus it's my carry in the office. For sheer functionality, they are nearly impossible to beat. As I say," The Gunting is probably the best Self defense folder ever made, but it makes a lousy screwdriver."
 
First time poster, long time SAK owner.

My first SAK was the Victorinox Camper. I loved that knife, I used if for everything from a knife to a hammer, and she never failed me. I even went so far as to use it for a spoon.

I think it cost $35.00 new about 15 years ago. The blades would take an edge like you wouldn't believe, so sharp you could shave with it, if you were so inclined.

Alas I lost it somewhere at the gunclub I think. She's been gone for over six years now, but I rest easy knowing someone else found a hell of a knife. That still doesn't mean I wouln't like it back.
That camper was the best knife in the world, and I would give every knife I have to get it back.

I don't know what the model SAK I carry today is called, but it does every thing I need. It's also sharp as hell. While I wonder about the kind of steel it's made from, it's not something I need to know. The only thing I am sure of, is it great stuff.

Victorinox knives are the only knives that will not rust in my pocket.
 
I have a huntsman light and I carry it with my SNG and Sebenza's cuz there is no substitute for it. I find myself reaching for it just as much as the other two, they really are high quality knives.
 
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