Finally bought a SAK

bulgron

bulgron

Joined
May 19, 2005
Messages
12,709
I EDC a sebenza, and I occasionally carry a leatherman on me. But lately I've been wanting a light weight "around-town" alternative to the leatherman. Mostly what I need when around town is the scissors, bottle opener, screw driver, and tweezers. I expect the blade on the SAK will make a good backup to my EDC folder, but that's of secondary consideration.

What really drove this purchasing decision is that I'm tired of my pockets being filled up with a bunch of stuff, so I decided to put together a small belt pouch with the goodies I like to carry around with me on a daily basis: flashlight, lighter, spare batteries, a few other odds and ends, and now a SAK. All of this should ride comfortably in a Maxped Barnacle.

Anyway, after some hemming and hawing, I finally bit the bullet and ordered a Wenger Evolution SoftTouch 14. Mostly I went with the Wenger because I like the scissors on those better than on a Victorinox. Otherwise, as far as I can tell, it's a bit of a toss-up between the two product lines.

This is my first SAK in over 20 years. What do you think? Am I going to be happy with the Wenger?
 
Hi,

I think so. I like the Evo scales, they are very comfortable to use. I gave my Wife an Evo10. She just loves it. Carries it in her purse. The Wenger's blades are a bit thinner than than an equivalent Vic, but that's no biggie. Both will get screaming sharp with out much effort.

The only thing I don't like about the Wenger's is the awl which is less useful than the one on the Vic. And I always miss the combo tool can opener/screw driver of the Vic. I don't care much about opening cans, but I like the screw driver tip.

dalee
 
You should be well pleased with the Wenger.

I have both Victorinox and Wenger SAKs. My preference is Vic but at the same time I also prefer the scissors on the Wenger.

My first SAK was a Vic and that is probably the reason they're my choice but both are excellent quality in my opinion.

Enjoy your new acquisition.
 
You know, I completely missed the fact that the Wenger doesn't have a can opener on it. Not that it really matters; I can't imagine ever using this thing to open a can.

The scissors and bottle opener will probably get the most use on this particular tool.
 
The problem with SAKs is that they are addictive. One leads to another, and then on to ten.
 
jw2n said:
The problem with SAKs is that they are addictive. One leads to another, and then on to ten.
Click to expand...

That's what they told me about Chris Reeve's knives, and at this point I only own four of those, so THERE! :p :D
 
hard to beat a SAK. i'm a big fan.
the only wenger i have is the clipper model. tweezer and toothpick don't stack up to victorinox but the scissors seem more robust IMO.
enjoy.
 
Gadgetaholic said:
What's the tool topmost in the picture, beside the large blade?
Click to expand...

Ack! You're right, it's a can opener. :o

I guess I really should pay attention to all those "other" attachments. Me, I'm used to folders that have, well, one tool and that would be knife. Multiple tools are too confusing for me. ;)
 
Congrats on your first SAK. You should try out a Victorinox model with a similar tool set. I hate to say it, but your going to have a collection soon enough:)
 
With the exception of the Standard Issue the Wenger design is a single tool can/bottle opener, not a effective in opening cans as the Victorinox IMHO, plus you lose out on the small screwdriver. Since can opening is not a priority for you, no loss.
 
I love my SAK - so many useful tools on one device. I have carried mine (Victorinox Cybertool) almost every day for around 10 years (got it when the cybertool was a new model). In that time I never used the can opener until last year when I went camping and took a few cans of food with me - I made sure I tested the can opener at home first to make sure I could get it to do the job OK for me. I also tested the can opener on my LM Wave, but it wasn't as good as the Victorinox one to use.

I kinda think that some tools are useful to have available even if you don't generally have a use for them. I like to have a file on hand, so many things can be done with a file. A blade is obviously useful for many cutting tasks and scissors come it handy at times. Obviously it is good to have a bottle opener on you for those 'WTH - this isn't a twist top' moments. The flat screwdriver on the bottle opener is a great little 'light duty' pry bar and could possibly be used as a screwdriver as well.

I carry a SAK + a multitool (Cybertool + LM Wave) and that gives me a whole heap of useful tools (including 4 blades) that I have appreciated on numerous occasions. Better to have these things and not need them then to need them and not have them - IMO.

You'll find the Wenger SAK useful and there will be times when you prefer to use the SAK blade and not raise alarms by whipping out a bigger knife. Congrats on the purchase.
 
thejamppa said:
or... 24+ as in my case :D
Click to expand...

I've been collecting SAKs - both Wengers and Vics, since the early 80s. Great multipurpose tools. My fave of the larger models is the Vic Huntsman of which I've got two, a regular red one and a yellow StayGlow (Glow in the Dark) version.
My pride and joy is my customer Farmer with scissors and custom HAIII anodized scales done by FelineVet and Scibeer over on the SOSAK forums on the "other knife forum". Great guys to deal with.

Custom Farmer with scissors, pocket clip and HAIII scales:
knifecollectionsaksscib.jpg

nigelsknifecollection20.jpg

nigelsknifecollection20.jpg

And my Alox collection:
nigelsknifecollection20gs4.jpg
 
Ah, geeze guys, I really don't need another hobby....

Can't I have just one SAK? Pretty please?
 
A few months ago I bought some of those TSA confiscation lots on ebay where you get about 25 multitools for 25 bucks... and have acquired quite a collection of quality and junker pocket multitools. I have a few Wengers and Victorinoxes (mostly Spartans or equivalent, and Classics) and they are reliable little tools. Real classy looking too. If you do your research and your shopping they will be well worth the money. Worst case scenario, they make excellent gifts. I got a package today of two Camillus US issue multitools, both are sweet! Mint condition stainless steel, beefy as all getout. More of a camping/survival tool than an EDC thing, but man they are nice.
 
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