Durability of SAK's?

S

street soldier

Joined
Feb 21, 2003
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Recently I've been considering picking up a SAK. My knife interests have been shifting away from the 'tactical' to the more 'traditional', slipjoints and lockbacks and such. Along with that, I've been looking at SAK's.

I have gathered from looking around the forums that they are an excellent tool to have with you, combining a knife with other useful tools.

My question is this: how do SAK's stand up to everyday use? I want to say hard use, but everyone's opinion on this will vary. Does it hold up to constant wear and tear on it? Has anyone found that repeated use of, say, the screwdrivers or saw, has loosened up the fit and finish of the tool itself?

There is talk about the right tool for the job and all that, but with a SAK it seems that it possesses many tools for many different jobs. Do the multiple tools within the SAK adversely affect its overall performance?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and offering your opinion. The more opinions I get, the better informed I can be when making a decision.
 
I've had my Tinker for about eight years, and carried it around for almost that entire time... It's still working like the day I got it! The scales are just a little scratched and dented.

As for the tools, they're outperformed by standalone versions like dedicated screwdrivers and stuff, but they don't affect the SAK itself and they work great in a pinch. Unless you get one of the really thick versions, they're pretty ergonomically and easy to cut with, too.

-Zigosity
 
I think you are more likely to lose one than wear it out...I've never killed a Vic SAK and I have owned a few for 15+ years. I think they are extremely durable.
 
I have broken blades on SAK's and also once twisted one open. With that said, I foolishly used the knife for tasks it wasn't designed for.

They are slipjoint knives, and they do have limitations. If you understand that going in - you will not be dissappointed. Prior to buying my first real "folder" in 1995, all I ever carried was a Vic SAK going back to the late 70's).

They do loosen up a little over time, but honestly I've never had one so loose that it became bothersome.

Depending on what model you have, I would imagine that the pins could be peened again to take out the play, or you could send it back for an overhaul.

I am a knife nut, and I hate to say this, but in the urban jungle I could make it very comfortably thru every day with a SAK only.

I EDC a Vic Climber along with my folder - RR pocket next to my wallet. The folders get changed from time to time, but the Climber is always there.
 
I have a Wenger SI that is almost 20 years old. It's been a beater knife for most of that time. My tinker is 17 years old, and exept for living in the sock drawer for 2 years or so, it's been in pretty steady use.

My guess is the other poster is right; you will loose it before you wear it out. But, Victorinox has a repair center in Shelton Conn. where you can send your sak for blade replacement for a very nominal fee, or if you do break it, they will replace it. Victorinox has one of the most iron clad warentees in the buiness. No if's or but's about it. There's a reason they have been a good seller since 1890, and are known the world over for a good pocket knife.:thumbup:
 
I have a SAK Camper that I've had 20+ years. It is the one knife I always have with me. It's not pretty any more, but dependable.
 
I've had a lot of SAK's, over the last 30 years, never broke one yet.

I have a Victorinox Swiss Champ that I carried as an EMT in the early 90's, that is on it's 2nd or 3rd set of scales, due to being dropped on pavement at accident scenes and stuff, but the knife itself is still going strong.
 
I picked a small one up at a car boot sale 30 years ago. still in the box for AU$5.00 it's been in my pocket every day since.A bit scratched and a small crack on one scale but still going strong.
Richard
 
I looked at the title of this thread and laughed out loud. That says it all! Well not quite, They are extreamly stout IMO.
 
I edc a Vic Alox Farmer and let me tell you, that little beastie feels more solid than some folders I've owned. It is without a doubt durable, and as J Curd said, you'd be more likely to lose it than wear it out. I've been edcing this farmer for a few months now, and the retention on the tools is no less than on the day I received it :thumbup: It's a little scruffed up now, but other than that, it functions smoothly and locks up tight.

I have a Vic Rucksack and Vic OHT as well, and though they don't give you the feeling of durability the alox scaled Farmer does, they're tough tools as well :thumbup:
 
I've EDC'd a Soldier for six years. And by EDC I mean that knife is in my pocket every day that I have pockets (weekends, vacation and other times where my main EDC stays at home).

The alox is dinged up, but opens up with a snap and the blades stay open with no play. Unless I manage to lose it, I don't see any reason that I shouldn't still be carrying that knife in 20 years or more.
 
street soldier said:
My question is this: how do SAK's stand up to everyday use? I want to say hard use, but everyone's opinion on this will vary. Does it hold up to constant wear and tear on it? Has anyone found that repeated use of, say, the screwdrivers or saw, has loosened up the fit and finish of the tool itself?
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When I was 12 in 1982 or so, I bought myself a Victorinox Huntsman SAK. It was my only edc for the next 20 years or so (until I became a knife knut and started accumulating a variety of pointy things). During that 20 years it was carried every day in every situation, was used hard in every capacity as a stand-in for dedicated tools, was neglected, and sometimes abused (the main blade still has battery acid stains from an impromptu lawn tractor assembly session). The most used tools were the main blade, scissors, and the screwdriver tip of the bottle opener.

I still have the knife and carry it occasionally, but I am mainly saving it to give to my daughter when she is old enough (unless she wants to start with a new one). All tools are fully functional. It has had the scissors spring replaced at least three times and the scales have been reattached once, but it has held up like a champ and is still tight and snappy.
 
With the exception of a handle scale falling off after years (6) of use. I’ve never had any SAK wear out on me. Considering how affordable they are the knives posses absolutely stunning quality.
 
I've broken and twisted apart a few pinned together knives over the years, including various "Swiss Army Knives".

I also have a few that are over a decade old and still work fine.

Treat pinned together knives as light duty knives and they last a lifetime. I note that most tasks we ask of our knives are "light duty".

Of course you can always re-pin a knife, but most people seem to just dispose of them.
 
street soldier said:
My question is this: how do SAK's stand up to everyday use? I want to say hard use, but everyone's opinion on this will vary.
Click to expand...

If you really plan to beat on it badly, go for a Victorinox alox model. The alox models are much more stout than the basic plastic handled models. Alox models like the Soldier and Farmer are an outrageous steal for the price. They don't have some of the more fun tools, but they are nearly bombproof.

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Don't even worry about it.

Victorinox makes some of the best users and longest lasting knives on the planet. Like others said, don't abuse it and it will last a lifetime.

:thumbup:
 
Buzzbait said:
If you really plan to beat on it badly, go for a Victorinox alox model. The alox models are much more stout than the basic plastic handled models. Alox models like the Soldier and Farmer are an outrageous steal for the price. They don't have some of the more fun tools, but they are nearly bombproof.

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Click to expand...

And OMG they are good looking:thumbup:
 
They will hold up to hard use, I've done some light batoning with a plastic handled SAK before, if you do manage to damage or break a tool, you can send it back to Victorinox, they have one of the best warranties.
 
I've used them for decades ; no problems with the tools, etc. As others have mentioned, the alox models are bombproof.

pry open paint cans - no problem; open plenty of beer/pop, no worries. ACtually use the can opener to open cans - no problemo, use the blades for a variety of cutting chores, some scraping, etc.

Fro the price, there is no question. Arguably the best value in knifedom.
 
Mmmm...Alox love... :D The alox Farmer (only alox one I have) is definitely worth more than its price. Loved my first one so much, I had to get three more (another silver, one blue, and one red) "just in case" :D

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