Finished my SAK "Carry Test" - unexpected result.

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EdgeMeister

Joined
Nov 5, 2024
Messages
17
I spent months looking for the perfect SAK. Always wanted a "real" SAK but never picked one up. Finally I decided on a Ranger with "Plus" scales (so I could get the pen). It arrived around Thanksgiving. Nov-Feb. It's been 5-6 weeks now of EDC. I concluded that the 5-layer mid-size SAK simply doesn't offer enough utility to offset the size, weight, and bulk. I'd been carrying a little keychain Classic SD for decades, and upgraded to the Classic Signature when it was released (now discontinued, I understand). IMHO the Classic Signature is far superior for EDC than the Ranger SAK. The Signature practically disappears in dress slacks, and isn't even noticeable beside my tube of Chapstik in my pocket in jeans or work pants. I haven't needed a bigger blade than the little Signature offers. And the tiny Signature scissors are far more useful than the big ones on the Ranger for daily clipping tasks. Around the ranch, the SOG multitool is far more useful (heavy duty pliers), so the Ranger SAK never left my pocket. I carried the Ranger pretty much as just extra dead weight. My conclusion: for no kidding work around the ranch, the plier-type multitool easily wins, with a little SAK Signature in my front pocket to open mail, clip a thread, trim a fingernail, or make a quick note. I'll toss the Ranger in my tackle box or truck glove box, I guess. Maybe the Ranger would be a good camping knife, but not EDC at the office or at the ranch.
I wouldn't have known if I hadn't given it a try!
Your mileage may vary.
- EM

https://imgur.com/a/2kxP4bw
 
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Huntsman paired with a SIGNATURE or MINI CHAMP (for the pen) is my choice. Huntsman clipper on a SAK belt loop, Signature or Mini Champ clipped on the key ring. I never carry a small knife in my pocket. I'm afraid it will go AWOL, without my noticing.
I pair the SAK's with a large stockman, and for the last few months a two blade folding hunter has displaced the Buck 110 or vintage 7OT on my belt.
 
I agree with your assessment that the 5 layer SAKS are too bulky for edc in a pocket.

My choice for a SAK is the Alox Pioneer. 2 layers is the only thickness that I can tolerate in the bottom of a pocket. Even a Pioneer X is just thicker than I like. Ide love an Alox SAK that was 2 layers thick, that had the blade, the punch, the bottle opener and scissors. For a SAK that is 5 layers, you are around the same thickness of a multitool with much less utility, although much lighter than a multitool. Now if i was to attach a little clip to the keyring and let it dangle in my pocket it wouldnt be an issue, as I carry a leatherman ARC or P4 clipped into my pocket and its fine.
 
Riz! said:
I agree with your assessment that the 5 layer SAKS are too bulky for edc in a pocket.

My choice for a SAK is the Alox Pioneer. 2 layers is the only thickness that I can tolerate in the bottom of a pocket. Even a Pioneer X is just thicker than I like. Ide love an Alox SAK that was 2 layers thick, that had the blade, the punch, the bottle opener and scissors. For a SAK that is 5 layers, you are around the same thickness of a multitool with much less utility, although much lighter than a multitool. Now if i was to attach a little clip to the keyring and let it dangle in my pocket it wouldnt be an issue, as I carry a leatherman ARC or P4 clipped into my pocket and its fine.
Click to expand...

I'm the same. I don't love bulk and have EDC'd a pioneer for 12+ years now. along with a Classic SD alox on my keys.
 
EdgeMeister said:
I spent months looking for the perfect SAK. Always wanted a "real" SAK but never picked one up. Finally I decided on a Ranger with "Plus" scales (so I could get the pen). It arrived around Thanksgiving. Nov-Feb. It's been 5-6 weeks now of EDC. I concluded that the 5-layer mid-size SAK simply doesn't offer enough utility to offset the size, weight, and bulk. I'd been carrying a little keychain Classic SD for decades, and upgraded to the Classic Signature when it was released (now discontinued, I understand). IMHO the Classic Signature is far superior for EDC than the Ranger SAK. The Signature practically disappears in dress slacks, and isn't even noticeable beside my tube of Chapstik in my pocket in jeans or work pants. I haven't needed a bigger blade than the little Signature offers. And the tiny Signature scissors are far more useful than the big ones on the Ranger for daily clipping tasks. Around the ranch, the SOG multitool is far more useful (heavy duty pliers), so the Ranger SAK never left my pocket. I carried the Ranger pretty much as just extra dead weight. My conclusion: for no kidding work around the ranch, the plier-type multitool easily wins, with a little SAK Signature in my front pocket to open mail, clip a thread, trim a fingernail, or make a quick note. I'll toss the Ranger in my tackle box or truck glove box, I guess. Maybe the Ranger would be a good camping knife, but not EDC at the office or at the ranch.
I wouldn't have known if I hadn't given it a try!
Your mileage may vary.
- EM

https://imgur.com/a/2kxP4bw
Click to expand...

Good roundup of what tools fit your needs best. Only comment I'd add is that -- for someone like me, a confirmed tightwad -- a Victorinox paired with any decent pair of pliers is even more functional than a pliers-based MT, and it's quite a bit cheaper as well.
 
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mnblade said:
Good roundup of what tools fit your needs best. Only comment I'd add is that -- for someone like me, confirmed tightwad -- a Victorinox paired with any decent pair of pliers is even more functional than a pliers-based MT, and it's quite a bit cheaper as well.
Click to expand...
And has the advantage that you can use the pliers to hold one end of a fastener while you use the sak to drive the other.
 
I agree with the OP. I carry a Classic SD and a Recruit\Cadet for EDC. If I need anything more I grab my Leatherman Rebar.
 
I didn't even remember I'd really had SAKs. When I moved i found i actually had 3. I remembered buying an alox 15 years ago and promptly putting it in a drawer and buying a leatherman. I put the SAKs in tackleboxes and a boat emergency box. I don't have anything against them i just don't find them useful enough of a tool to edc. I carry a leatherman to cover my tools
 
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