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Do you guys think this was a waste
- Thread starter homersimpsons60
- Start date
I have several Chinese SAK-type knives. They have more in common than they are different.
They all have at least some brutally stiff springs.
Fit and finish is poor. There's huge gaps between liners and backsprings, and toolmarks on the backspring side covered by the tools.
The awl will probably be completely worthless. They are flat, completely unsharpened, and very, very dull.
The corkscrew is is very skinny and is probably worthless. It's much narrower in diameter and uses much thinner stock than its Swiss counterpart. It just barely probably won't poke you, and creates a brutal hotspot if you use any of the other tools for anything more vigorous than opening mail.
The fingernail file is probably worthless. They tend to have parallel grooves stamped in them as the abrasive surface, which is worthless. The stock is too thick, and isn't narrowed at all so it will probably be too fat to clean out under your fingernail.
The saw is probably serviceable.
The scissors are loose and have tool marks. They may fall apart. The spring may be crooked.
All of the tools on the backspring side have the same height when closed and are brutal to open. You will have to use something else to pry up tools until you can get to the one you want.
The bottle opener may or may not actually open bottles, and only if you can get it open without finding something else to pry it open with. A bottle opener opener, if you will
. The tip is rounded, short, and fat, which is not good for a screwdriver.
The can opener is dull, nearly flat, and has a part that is stamped so that it almost looks like it's sharpened (it isn't). Interestingly enough, this is on the opposite side of the can opener as on a real Wenger. On one of the knives, it was so difficult to open I almost gave up. I haven't tried to open a can with one, but I don't see it going well. If I remember, I'll try them later tonight when I make dinner and report if they actually work.
The Philip's head screwdriver is probably serviceable. I tried one just now, and it fit and turned a screw (shocking, considering the rest of the tool), but I would expect bad things if you torqued down on it.
The blade is mystery Chinese steel. I don't like these knives very much, so I don't use them much. I haven't tried to sharpen them, but I wouldn't expect much. The truth is, most people's EDC tasks are quite mild, and I'm sure the blade will open mail beautifully. The profile is very strange, as they have very little or no belly. Almost closer to a modified wharncliffe than a real SAK-style spearpoint.
The toothpick may fit loosely and be easily lost. Knowing the quality of the rest of the tool, it wouldn't surprise me if it was poisonous or radioactive.
The tweezers are very cheesy and are also loose enough to possibly lose, which would be no great loss.
No idea on the fish scaler.
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So, in conclusion, for $4, you get a mystery China blade, a saw and screwdriver of dubious quality, and a whole bunch of heavy bulky junk tools.
A waste? I think so, but it's only $4 so at least it's not too bad.
You could probably find a nice used or seized real SAK that was actually made in Switzerland fairly cheaply on ebay or elsewhere. Even new, they aren't that expensive. Or, FelineVet of SOSAK has some preowned full size real SAK's for as little as $6 (plus shipping). Also, it's important to note that a real SAK has a limited lifetime warranty.
Also, make sure you tell us about it when it gets there. I'm very curious how it compares to mine.
They all have at least some brutally stiff springs.
Fit and finish is poor. There's huge gaps between liners and backsprings, and toolmarks on the backspring side covered by the tools.
The awl will probably be completely worthless. They are flat, completely unsharpened, and very, very dull.
The corkscrew is is very skinny and is probably worthless. It's much narrower in diameter and uses much thinner stock than its Swiss counterpart. It just barely probably won't poke you, and creates a brutal hotspot if you use any of the other tools for anything more vigorous than opening mail.
The fingernail file is probably worthless. They tend to have parallel grooves stamped in them as the abrasive surface, which is worthless. The stock is too thick, and isn't narrowed at all so it will probably be too fat to clean out under your fingernail.
The saw is probably serviceable.
The scissors are loose and have tool marks. They may fall apart. The spring may be crooked.
All of the tools on the backspring side have the same height when closed and are brutal to open. You will have to use something else to pry up tools until you can get to the one you want.
The bottle opener may or may not actually open bottles, and only if you can get it open without finding something else to pry it open with. A bottle opener opener, if you will
. The tip is rounded, short, and fat, which is not good for a screwdriver.The can opener is dull, nearly flat, and has a part that is stamped so that it almost looks like it's sharpened (it isn't). Interestingly enough, this is on the opposite side of the can opener as on a real Wenger. On one of the knives, it was so difficult to open I almost gave up. I haven't tried to open a can with one, but I don't see it going well. If I remember, I'll try them later tonight when I make dinner and report if they actually work.
The Philip's head screwdriver is probably serviceable. I tried one just now, and it fit and turned a screw (shocking, considering the rest of the tool), but I would expect bad things if you torqued down on it.
The blade is mystery Chinese steel. I don't like these knives very much, so I don't use them much. I haven't tried to sharpen them, but I wouldn't expect much. The truth is, most people's EDC tasks are quite mild, and I'm sure the blade will open mail beautifully. The profile is very strange, as they have very little or no belly. Almost closer to a modified wharncliffe than a real SAK-style spearpoint.
The toothpick may fit loosely and be easily lost. Knowing the quality of the rest of the tool, it wouldn't surprise me if it was poisonous or radioactive.
The tweezers are very cheesy and are also loose enough to possibly lose, which would be no great loss.
No idea on the fish scaler.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
So, in conclusion, for $4, you get a mystery China blade, a saw and screwdriver of dubious quality, and a whole bunch of heavy bulky junk tools.
A waste? I think so, but it's only $4 so at least it's not too bad.
You could probably find a nice used or seized real SAK that was actually made in Switzerland fairly cheaply on ebay or elsewhere. Even new, they aren't that expensive. Or, FelineVet of SOSAK has some preowned full size real SAK's for as little as $6 (plus shipping). Also, it's important to note that a real SAK has a limited lifetime warranty.
Also, make sure you tell us about it when it gets there. I'm very curious how it compares to mine.
homersimpsons60
BANNED
- Joined
- May 31, 2010
- Messages
- 59
well i recieved the knife today and ive got to say its was pretty good other than the plastic handle felt incredibly cheap and its seems like if i drop it it will shatter into peices other than that wasnt to bad of a deal even if that does happen i could still use the tools it would just be ugly
homersimpsons60, I say it is NOT a waste of $4.
I also believe it is a cheap knock off, but as has been stated, you never know what you are getting. Hell, for all we know, the picture isn't even the seller's. It might be an authentic SAK, and the seller just put a picture of something that looked like it.
You never know.
As for it being an actual, cheap, P.O.S. knock off? Who cares?
You just got yourself a beater.
My wife bought me one to use as a beater, and we ALL used it as such at work. The saw came in handy, as did many of the other tools. Hell, I even got a decent edge on the blade and used the crap out of it.
It lasted about three years, being used AND abused by folks who are not knife users. They beat and beat on it, and it held up fine. The springs finally gave out on it.
Like JK said, there IS use for it. If it is a knock off, it won't be something you hand down to your kids one day, but you can get plenty of use from it right now.
Enjoy.
I also believe it is a cheap knock off, but as has been stated, you never know what you are getting. Hell, for all we know, the picture isn't even the seller's. It might be an authentic SAK, and the seller just put a picture of something that looked like it.
You never know.
As for it being an actual, cheap, P.O.S. knock off? Who cares?
You just got yourself a beater.
My wife bought me one to use as a beater, and we ALL used it as such at work. The saw came in handy, as did many of the other tools. Hell, I even got a decent edge on the blade and used the crap out of it.
It lasted about three years, being used AND abused by folks who are not knife users. They beat and beat on it, and it held up fine. The springs finally gave out on it.
Like JK said, there IS use for it. If it is a knock off, it won't be something you hand down to your kids one day, but you can get plenty of use from it right now.
Enjoy.
- Joined
- May 31, 2007
- Messages
- 947
I have one of the SA knockoffs, it was given to me as a gift. I have found that the blades and tools are very soft, and bend with use. I would relegate this to letter opener use, and get a real SA.
- Joined
- May 22, 2009
- Messages
- 1,755
I've had a couple of these...
I got mine when I was a child operating on a $10 a month allowance...It wasn't too bad an investment at the time. But seriously, if you're an adult with a job, save your change for a few more days and get a real SAK.
The saw and scissors are ok...the blade is terrible.
The other tools are all a bit crude and poorly formed, but probably work...mostly.
The tweezers and toothpick on mine fit poorly and were lost almost instantly.
The handle scales have a tendancy to detach, and one of mine broke, a rivet coming loose, my big brother helped me put it back together.
I saw a much more recent one not long ago, I was surprised to see that the design and quality had not been altered in over a decade.
I got mine when I was a child operating on a $10 a month allowance...It wasn't too bad an investment at the time. But seriously, if you're an adult with a job, save your change for a few more days and get a real SAK.
The saw and scissors are ok...the blade is terrible.
The other tools are all a bit crude and poorly formed, but probably work...mostly.
The tweezers and toothpick on mine fit poorly and were lost almost instantly.
The handle scales have a tendancy to detach, and one of mine broke, a rivet coming loose, my big brother helped me put it back together.
I saw a much more recent one not long ago, I was surprised to see that the design and quality had not been altered in over a decade.
homersimpsons60
BANNED
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- May 31, 2010
- Messages
- 59
- Joined
- May 22, 2009
- Messages
- 1,755
It was a while ago that they came off one of the two I had, and I just left them off...gave that one to a nephew.
If i recall they are glued on. So I would try some superglue or epoxy if they happen to come off yours.
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2005
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- 2,792
In too many other consumer categories I have no choice, but I will not buy a Chinese made knife. On this subject I am something of a hardnose. It has little to do with quality of the product, but a personal protest against where trade policy has taken us. I resent that fine US knife makers have gone under, companies like Buck, Spyderco, whatever your favorite manufacturer, must import Asian made lines in order to compete, and others have become just prestige names attached to sub-par off-shore production. There is no hope that my little gesture will change anything, but I can certainly draw the line for myself.
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- Oct 1, 2002
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I got a Vic Rambler for $2 shipped, and a Vic Compact for $3 shipped on ebay. Just gotta be patient, and watch the auctions.