Durability of SAK's?

Gahh! Where are you guys getting the colored handled farmers?! I cant find them anywhere!

Btw, I had a vic. mini-champ (i think it was called) and ran it over with a lawnmower and other than scratches in the handle, it was fine. Until the airport took it from me. :( All my other vic. saks have been flawless.
 
for SAKs to have been around so long in it's present basic form, speaks volumes about its durability with the majority of users.
sure it would weardown someday as everything would, but it's a matter of how its used or abused that counts in the long run.
i've never snapped or broken off a bladetool, but have in time managed to wear out some backsprings; and this however will not affect my decision to continue buying SAKs for as long as a replacement is needed.
the best thing with having a spolit SAK is that, i finally get to shop for a brand new piece.
and btw, try the newer hole in blade models.
it's so much safer than a slip joint.
 
Jake Bauer said:
Gahh! Where are you guys getting the colored handled farmers?! I cant find them anywhere!
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Sierra trading post had em on sale a while back, but not any more. I think you can still find the red on amazon, but I don't know about the blue. I knew I had to snatch em up while they were still there :D I edc the blue and keep the red as a safequeen/back-up.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far. It definitely sounds like a SAK should be standard in everyone's EDC rotation.

One further question: what is the difference between the alox and a regular plastic handled model? Not sure what 'alox' is.

Thanks.
 
I find the Vic a tad soft and lacking toughness. Saying that if someone respects those limitations they will have a sharp tool for years. I have enjoyed SAKs for over 9 years and theft is their worst failure.

I am fortunate to be able to carry very tough knives as a second EDC.

They are very fit for duty.
 
As long as you don't jump into a beach with your clothes on and forget to take out your SAK for drying, then it'll do just fine. Give it a bit of oil in the joints once in a while and it'll last you for quite some time.

Although, I am quite surprised by how well it held up against rust. It still rusted up a bit, of course, but still...
 
street soldier said:
Thanks for all the replies so far. It definitely sounds like a SAK should be standard in everyone's EDC rotation.

One further question: what is the difference between the alox and a regular plastic handled model? Not sure what 'alox' is.

Thanks.
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Alox is Aluminium Oxide(or aluminum for Americans). The alox models have metal scales instead of plastic, they are more durable, grippy and give you a thinner tool, the one draw back is that they are too thin to hold the tweezers or toothpick.
 
You can't go wrong with a Vic Sak. I have been carrying them just about every day for the last 20 years. If I loose one, I replace it immediately. I suspect that is about all the testimony you need. My favorite is the Adventurer model which is the full sized one. I have no complaints. I have probably 7 or 8 different Saks at the moment.

The steel is easy to sharpen. For the price, they are very hard to beat for EDC.
 
For the price, buy a couple; I'd start with the small (keyring) Classic, and get a larger one too. You'll be amazed at how useful they are, for the $$$.

I love telling this story:

About 14-15 years ago, I found a SAK Huntsman in the road; it had been run over, and was missing a scale. I had to pry the joints a little to get it to open smoothly again, then I carried it as is, for a year or two, then put wood scales on it. It took every kind of abuse you can imagine, from prying open stuck paint can lids to scraping paint to digging holes for planting herbs to cutting roofing shingles to building furniture to . . . you name it. I even used the scissors to cut copper sheeting for slug stops. I decided to retire it in 2007.

Then, that same year (2007), I find another Huntsman, run over, etc., but still in good using shape. I carry it most days now, either on me or in the car.

If you want a good tough user, go for the ALOX types. I bought one for my BIL, and they are literally built like tanks.

thx - cpr
 
My most used knife day in and day out is.....
007-2.jpg
 
In my quest to understand and better appreciate the SAK, I have one further question:

What is the difference, if any, between Victorinox SAK's and Wenger SAK's?
 
If you want functionality like a SAK, but more durability, get a multi-tool. You can get all locking tools (a very important factor, which is sorely lacking in SAKs), and much sturdier construction. They may not be as "traditional," but they are substantially more functional.
 
street soldier said:
My question is this: how do SAK's stand up to everyday use??
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Great!

street soldier said:
Does it hold up to constant wear and tear on it??
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Yes!

street soldier said:
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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No change in fit and finish of the tool at all.

Buy one! Great value for money. Mine is 18 years old and still one of the best tools I was ever given!
 
Both Victorinox and Wenger SAKs are very well made and of good quality materials. Under normal use they can last for decades. I have a couple SAKs in my collection of users that are over 20 years old and have been used at work, at home and in the woods. That said, they are not tanks, and it is possible to break them if you misuse or abuse them. ;)
 
I have had mine 35 years.
I was my dedicated camping knife.
It has opened more bottles of wine than I care to discuss.

Enough said?
 
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