I, unlike most it seems, drink wine as well as other bottled beverages. If I can do it al fresco with a nice bit of cheese, some bread and salami I am even happier. My SAK of choice is the Victorinox Waiter with nylon handles (picked up for the cost of nothing in a cop store in Palermo). A knife blade, a bottle opener, a corkscrew. Most if not all of my needs taken care of.
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First SAK - Which to Buy??
- Thread starter RedLynx
- Start date
I have a few SAKs, but I'd recommend starting with a Classic. If any SAK is going to be of use to you, that'll test it. And it won't break the bank.
If you find it useful, then consider one of the larger models. My others that I use regularly are an silver alox Soldier (1960s era) and black-alox Pioneer, which is functionally the same thing. I also have a Rambler, but I'm not sure I like it. Too similar and yet too different from the Classic.
Anyway — start here:
If you find it useful, then consider one of the larger models. My others that I use regularly are an silver alox Soldier (1960s era) and black-alox Pioneer, which is functionally the same thing. I also have a Rambler, but I'm not sure I like it. Too similar and yet too different from the Classic.
Anyway — start here:
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Huntsman is awesome too!
Have one, like it very much.
Climber is also nice!
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Have one, like it very much.
Climber is also nice!
Mr. Tettnanger
Gold Member
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- Jul 14, 2012
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- 1,343
I find myself carrying a huntsman most of the time.
Looking back through this thread, and all of the different answers....You need to decide how thick you want the SAK to be, as well as which tools you want the most, and go from there.
I do the Tinker because I don't need anything more than a pair of screwdrivers and two blades, so it's perfect for me.
If I wanted a scissors and pliers and whatever else, I'd need to decide if it was worth increasing the thickness of the knife.
I do the Tinker because I don't need anything more than a pair of screwdrivers and two blades, so it's perfect for me.
If I wanted a scissors and pliers and whatever else, I'd need to decide if it was worth increasing the thickness of the knife.
Thickness is a good consideration, I agree.
If you just want to have a SAK in your collection, the Soldier could be a good choice... the Soldier and the Spartan both have good claims to the title "the quintessential Swiss Army Knife." Be aware that the Soldier is pretty minimalist, though. It has seven tools... that's only one more than the itsy-bitsy Classic.
So my questions:
1. does anyone know the thickest, "most tools" models vs. the thinnest "least tools" models? (Just to head this one off at the pass, I'm not talking about that massive thing that includes a digital clock face)
Not sure what you're asking here... the thickest current production model is the SwissChamp XAVT; the thinnest would probably be the Bantom Alox.
Do you mean, "What is the thickest model that's practical to carry, and what is the thinnest model that has a useful set of tools?"
Now, that's a good question. Really, all the two- and three-layer 84 and 91 mm models are excellent, and you can't go far wrong with any of them. But, what about outside this range?
You only get the true value of a SAK when you carry it all the time, in a variety of situations, and in a variety of clothing.
So, what's the thickest SAK that can be practically carried in any clothes, including slacks and light summer shorts? Really you ought to stay at three layers or less, but some people -- including myself -- do sometimes push it to four layers. So, my answer to would be the Huntsman Plus. It truly has everything I need, and I can make it work with just about any clothes by rigging it such that it hangs vertically from the top of the pocket rather than sitting in a lump at the bottom of the pocket. To do this, you can either get a TEC P-7 titanium pocket clip, or put a weighted lanyard on the knife that hangs outside the pocket. If you really want the Phillips head instead of the corkscrew (see below), then you would go with the Fieldmaster.
What's the thinnest model that gives you geniunely useful tools? The Classic is the best-selling pocket knife in the world, and it truly is handy. But, it's not my choice for a thin/minimalist SAK. In the 58 mm line (same as the Classic), the Rambler and Manager are thicker but really just as pocketable, and considerably better than the Classic: the knife blade folds out opposite of the keyring, so it's handy to use when the knife is kept on a key chain, and the combo tool is excellent... the magnetized Phillips head works well on the tiny screws you find on toys and electronics as well as full-size #2 screws, plus it opens bottles.
Also, there's the Waiter... I wish they called it something different (like the Thru-hiker, say). Its blade is stout enough do considerably more "real work" than the Rambler/Manager, and its wonderfully thin and light. Since it can hold a micro-screwdriver in the corkscrew and has the hole for a straight pen, it arguably has the highest tool-to-layer ratio of any SAK (10-to-1). It also carries well on a key chain.
The Cadet is plenty thin and it has a devoted following. I like the toothpick and tweezers, so it wouldn't be my choice, but it's certainly a very good choice.
If I could only have one SAK, and I was going minimalist, I would be hard pressed to decide between the Rambler, Manager, and Waiter.
Sure... and that's really the whole point of having so many different models: there's bound to be one that's right for your lifestyle.
So, what's your lifestyle?
The Compact is excellent for an urban/suburban lifestyle, for knocking around town, and for road trips. If you don't mind three layers, the Climber fits this niche just as well. If you really want a Phillips head instead of a corkscrew, then the Super Tinker would be the way to go. All of these have the scissors, which many people find to be the handiest of all the SAK tools.
For a more rural/DIY/outdoors lifestyle, you really want a SAK with the saw and awl. The Camper and Hiker (one has a corkscrew, the other has a Phillips) are excellent in this role.
And, there's the Farmer. I once Googled for strings like "best swiss army knife", "favorite swiss army knife", "best EDC swiss army knife", "best all-around swiss army knife", etc., and tallied up the results (http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=42906.0). The Farmer blew all the others away, with more than twice as many votes as the second-place finisher (the Huntsman).
The Farmer is a great knife... the tools on these 93 mm SAKs are stouter than the 91 and 84 mm models, considerably more rugged. The Alox handles look great, last forever, and give considerably better grip when wet. They're thinner than the Celidor handles, so even though the Farmer has three layers of stout tools, it pockets easily. The saw on the Farmer is a bit longer than the 91 mm version, and the awl is terrific... one of the best designed, best performing of all SAK tools. On the one hand, the Farmer is classy, a gentleman's folder... On the other hand, it's about the best SAK made for rough work in dirty conditions. So, best of both worlds.
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Looking through the other responses... Camper vs. Hiker, Climber vs. Super Tinker, Huntsman vs. Fieldmaster... it all comes down to the perennial question: "Corkscrew or Phillips?" All six of these are excellent knives, and I won't dis anyone who goes the Phillips route, but for me the corkscrew is the clear choice:
- The can-opener blade works as well or better than the dedicated T-mount Phillips, which often can't get at a screw positioned near a corner surface... so, the Phillips doesn't really add functionality.
- The corkscrew is great for untying stubborn knots, especially in paracord.
- The corkscrew holds the mini-screwdriver, adding another tool.
- And, the corkscrew unscrews corks! Even if you don't drink wine, you may well find yourself at a gathering where a corkscrew is needed. If you find yourself at such a gathering, you'll be a real hero when you pull out your SAK and save the day. (I do drink wine, and often take it on picnics and waterfall hikes... so, I value the corkscrew just for itself, used as it was intended to be used.)
~~~
For what it's worth, I usually carry either a Camper + Manager or Farmer + Rambler... these give me essentially the same amount of tools as the mighty Huntsman Plus, but in a much more pocket-friendly format. (This week, though, I've been in a minimalist mood, and have been carrying the Waiter.)
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If its the first Victorinox, you should consider the classic one. I already try the precious little one, amazing thing to carry in every time. Very light, simple tools, almost everything you need.
But after several times, with some research, now I use a Climber. Bigger but still good to carry around. A big blade is so nice to peel the apple, cut the cheese, bread. The small one is very easy to control; like for opening the box.
But after several times, with some research, now I use a Climber. Bigger but still good to carry around. A big blade is so nice to peel the apple, cut the cheese, bread. The small one is very easy to control; like for opening the box.