Feel "neked" without a multi tool or SAK?

tarmix101

tarmix101

Joined
Jun 14, 2005
Messages
2,962
I have been thinking about this after several Nessmuk trio threads I have looked over and posted to on other forums. I am a big proponent of the trio (axe/fixed blade/folder) school of thought and practice. However I have been adding a Leatherman Wave of Vic Farmer to my rucksack for some time just for the extra tools (saw blade, awl, scissors, can and bottle openers) and feel a little neked without it. I just got back from a 3 dayer w/ my Brother and Father. We were fly fishing and I forgot to bring my SAK w/ me. I had this setup at the time (knife was new to me so I had to test it out:o)



I immediately felt the loss of not having my SAK. Not sure why, there wasn't anything I needed it for other than opining the can of chili and I had a P38 for the task. I just wondered if anyone else felt the same way. If something had NOT gone according to plan I "feel" like I really would have missed not packing my SAK or Leatherman. Just a thought.
 
I have carried a SAK for about 25 years. I always miss it when I do not have it with me. I just had to fly out for 3 days and was not able to take it with me and felt "neked". When I got back to my office (straight from the airport), I hugged my wife (she works with me) and she handed me my SAK. I felt much better when I put it in my pocket. It is amazing how much you use one of those things.
 
A sak is not just a knife, its a package that gives you options.

I've been a fan of saks for over 25 years, and I can't count the zillions of times having a screw driver, or wire stripper, or can opener was more than handy. Countless times I've really fixed things with the tools on a sak. A basement door, an ignition switch on a 1967 BMW motorcycle in the middle of nowhere, an electric Minicota trolling motor in the middle of a lake, numerous firearms adjustments and minor repairs in the woods. opening a jammed door by using the screwdriver blade and a shoe as a mallet and driving the hinge pins up and out. And as far as the cutting blade, its cut everything I've had to cut that could reasonably be asked of a pocket knife.

As I got more bark on me in the game of life, I even stopped carrying the single blade lockers. They were just too limited. I have not had the need of a lockblade knife for years now, don't even own any. If my pocket knife(sak) can't deal with it, then thats what fixed blades are for. I have Swedish moras stashed in my truck, canoe/kayak bag, day hike bag. If I go off in the woods a good ways, I carry my own version of the Nessmuck trio- a sak, 4 inch fixed blade, and my 12 inch Ontario machete.

But I never would leave home without one of my sak's.
 
I think SAKs are one of the most versatile tools out there when it comes to knives.

Jack's experiences reflect my own. I can't think of anything off the top of my head the blade on my SAKs hasn't been able to handle. In addition, it does so much more....saw branches apart for shelters, tighten up my skateboard, open my friends beer, open cans of soup and catfood, trim my mustache, trim my nails, adjust the pickups on my bass guitar, remove splinters, assist in trimming and packing hand-rolled cigarretes etc.

I find myself having no need for a lock myself. It prettymuch has come down to I carry a larger locking knife just because I like variety. I enjoy experiencing a wide range of knives and understanding the concepts of their design and function. From a pure practical standpoint though, no knife in the world would be picked before one of my SAKs.

I've long pondered over the folks residing here who get in a frenzy over the newest steels or debate on locking mechanisms, when a simple 10$ SAK could do all they'd need of a knife.
 
tarmix thats fixed blade in your pic is really really nice can you tell me anything about it please.
 
laurens said:
tarmix thats fixed blade in your pic is really really nice can you tell me anything about it please.
Click to expand...


I bought it off Ebay from ML Knives. It is L6 band Saw steel. Hickory scales over a full tank. OAL is right @ 8" and is 3/32" thick. I wanted a good slicer and utility knife for light around camp cook, clean, and skinning duties with a late 1800's feel and look to it. Reference his web site here:http://www.mlknives.com/KnifeHome.html

His knives are very reasonable for customs IMHO.

Thanks for the comment. :thumbup:
 
jackknife said:
A sak is not just a knife, its a package that gives you options.

I've been a fan of saks for over 25 years, and I can't count the zillions of times having a screw driver, or wire stripper, or can opener was more than handy. Countless times I've really fixed things with the tools on a sak. A basement door, an ignition switch on a 1967 BMW motorcycle in the middle of nowhere, an electric Minicota trolling motor in the middle of a lake, numerous firearms adjustments and minor repairs in the woods. opening a jammed door by using the screwdriver blade and a shoe as a mallet and driving the hinge pins up and out. And as far as the cutting blade, its cut everything I've had to cut that could reasonably be asked of a pocket knife.

As I got more bark on me in the game of life, I even stopped carrying the single blade lockers. They were just too limited. I have not had the need of a lockblade knife for years now, don't even own any. If my pocket knife(sak) can't deal with it, then thats what fixed blades are for. I have Swedish moras stashed in my truck, canoe/kayak bag, day hike bag. If I go off in the woods a good ways, I carry my own version of the Nessmuck trio- a sak, 4 inch fixed blade, and my 12 inch Ontario machete.

But I never would leave home without one of my sak's.
Click to expand...


i've been carrying a SAK almost 20 years in one form or another, and even after carrying a Leatherman(Wave now Charge) for almost 7 of those i still really don't like leaving home without a SAK, just too many little things it does
 
only time i usually don't have both is when i have to go through metal detectors
 
I have an older Leatherman and a SAK. I don't always have them with me, but I always try to remember to carry some sort of a knife.

On a few occasions I have gone out and discovered that I don't have a knife in my pocket. I really have felt quite naked and vulnerable without it. And it is infinitely worse if I find I have a need for it, or if somebody wants to borrow it... knowing that I always have one, and knowing how important I think that it is to carry one. A pleasant journey can be partly spoiled by the sudden realization that I don't have man's most essential tool with me.

To cope with these accidental occasions, I have a knife in my car (and a hatchet and other tools etc), and I have a tiny folder in the change compartment of my wallet. We are required by law here to always have our driver's licence when driving, so I nearly always have my wallet when going out.

A couple of times my knife has fallen out of my pocket when sitting on the sofa or car seat. My wife would pick it up and say "are you missing something?"

Any sort of sharp blade is better than nothing. I recently bought a jar of 144 cheap keychain knives. Now I can leave them all over the place or maybe give them to people instead of them borrowing one of my good blades.
 
I like the tool trio myself. I mix up the knives, but for right now, I only have the one useable axe. Got a Plumb cruiser that I need to rehandle and then it'll come along on an adventure or two.

edgedtrio.jpg
 
longbow50 said:
I like the tool trio myself. I mix up the knives, but for right now, I only have the one useable axe. Got a Plumb cruiser that I need to rehandle and then it'll come along on an adventure or two.
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Love the Eriksson. I have a Eriksson Mora (510)and have used it for some time. Great knives. I have had several more expensive knives and still came back to the Eriksson. Anyway sorry to go O.T.

What kind of SAK is in your picture? I like it.

Here has been my standard kit for some time w/ a GB SFA axe not pictured:



I also EDC my Vic Farmer and that has added to my feeling as thought I left something out when I didn't pack. I have used the darn thing for so much I don't think it will easily be replaced any time soon. I won't leave it home again.
 
Is that rust on the GB SFA? *SLAP! :D

I know this train of thought is popular but after using a Fallkniven A1 and limbing with it as well as chopping through ~3" branches I dont see the need for a small saw on a SAK. I carry a LM Charge for the pliars mostly for kit repairs or those other times your fingers just arnt strong enough.

My kit would be

GB or SAW 16~19" handled hatchet
Bahco Laplander
Fallkniven A1
Spyderco Mini Manix

Yes, I feel naked without my Canoe on a daily basis, its hard to describe putting your hand in your pocket and it not being there.
 
Temper said:
Is that rust on the GB SFA? *SLAP! :D
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There is no way I would allow rust on my GB axe. I took the picture shortly after chopping a few branches and logs for a fire. I'ts SAP..... not rust. ;)
 
CaptRon010 said:
I have carried a SAK for about 25 years. I always miss it when I do not have it with me. I just had to fly out for 3 days and was not able to take it with me and felt "neked". When I got back to my office (straight from the airport), I hugged my wife (she works with me) and she handed me my SAK. I felt much better when I put it in my pocket. It is amazing how much you use one of those things.
Click to expand...

Love that little story:thumbup:
 
What kind of SAK is in your picture? I like it.
Click to expand...

That's a Vic Hunter lockblade which was my EDC until I picked up a Vic made Bundeswehr issue one hand lock blade.
 
Temper said:
I know this train of thought is popular but after using a Fallkniven A1 and limbing with it as well as chopping through ~3" branches I dont see the need for a small saw on a SAK.
Click to expand...


I use the SAK saw for many things, day to day. Included is making the notch in fire boards, making nocks in arrows, making temporary nocks in atlatl darts for fletching alignment, and so on. I also use it quite often at work to cut plastic. These are just a few of things that readily come to mind.

Many times I have thought about buying a multitool such as the Leatherman Wave, but the only tool that I would gain is a pair of pliers, and I'd rather carry a small pair of Vise grips in my kit than give up my indispensable Victorinox Ranger. The other indispensable woods goods are a Becker Machax (not disputing the usefulness of an axe, but have a bad back and can't use one), Mora fixed blade, and also, lately, a Buck Alpha Dorado.

Doc
 
Doc ? The SAK saw is good enough to easily cut nocks on arrows ?

Did you hear about the guy who cut nocks on both ends of his buddies arrows ?

It was the first nock nock joke . L:O:L

I am not a fan of multi tools as there is usually a comprimise somewhere . I do have to admit victorinox makes a good knife .
 
Theres a lot of things I never liked about multi-tools. They're usually bulky and heavy to accomodate a tool I don't use often, the pliers. Not as comfortable for me to use, they usually have thicker, less useful blades, they've always rusted easily on me, before locking ones were common the tools had less resistance than SAKs etc. I've always found a standard sized SAK to be more elegant and functional for my uses.
 
I've too have carried either a BSA Scout knife or a SAK since I can remember. About 10 years ago I added a Gerber multi-tool for on-duty use but continued to carry a SAK. I have to fly often and always feel naked without my Rucksack. I don't seem to miss the Geber though. (yes it is still going strong.) Even though I added a couple Swiss-Tech tools to my carry-on bag my SAK is still the last thing I take out of my pocket before going to the airport and the first I pick up on my return.

And don't get anywhere near me if I temporarily misplace a SAK. Talk about OCD!
 
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