First SAK

[jec88]

Usually all I carry are Buck knives, but I've always wanted a Sak. I was at a knife shop this weekend looking for a traditional SAK, but ended up with a new Soldier. I probably should have went with the Trekkar, but went with the Soldier because I liked the saw and the way they stamped the year on the blade. Also liked the one hand opening of the newer types.
Any tips on loosing up all the tools or am I going to have to grow longer fingernails?
Anyway, seems like a nice knife. Still think I might want a more traditional red(to keep from losing it) and get a super tinker, if there are tricks to opening all the tools since I keep shorter nails.

 

[BerkshireHunter]

I just got my first OHT and the awl is pretty stiff to get out. But then again, the "parcel hook" on my super tinker is real hard to get out (maybe because there's no nail nick.) My new craftsman has somewhat looser but decent backsprings, so I think there's some variation from knife to knife. As one hand openers though, I find the design on the soldier to be clumsy so far.

 

[Carloxicus]

Actually, most of the time, it's just a matter of getting the joints of the tools well lubricated. The tools of Victorinox knives are almost unfailingly fairly easy to get out, with the exception of the parcel hook (mostly because it is hard to get a hold on it due to its close proximity to the keyring) and sometimes the awl (because for some reason, when it opens, it suddenly opens fast and gets your nails stuck and twisted in the nail nick... haha best way to describe it for me).

Also, some people make the mistake of trying to open a tool when another tool sharing the backspring is already open. They will find that it will be harder to open the former and conclude that it's hard to open simply because it is hard and not because the opposite open tool is making it harder.

 

[gadgetgeek]

oil it up and use it, I've found that my SAKs will get tight if they have been sitting in storage. (of course when I acquired one of my soldiers it was full of tile grout!) one thing I've found that helps is to pour boiling water through them. then when its cool enough to handle, work the blades around. I think the thermal expansion helps get things loosened up, and remove thickened lubricant.