Giving Old School a second try or my first SAK in 20ish years

Normally carry a Kershaw Zing as my EDC but have a Vic Mechanic in my gear bag at work. Safe knife to have around Sheeple. No one even blinks at a SAK.

Also own five Vic Alox Soldiers, two Wenger SI, an Electrician, a Cadet, and finally, a black Pioneer. I can see why people love the Cadet as a dress knife.

Looks like I have caught the Alox Pox.
 
Been carrying a SAK every day for almost 30 years. I had a succession of Tinkers (IMHO probably the best all-rounder. I don't need scissors or a corkscrew but that small blade is great and a real phillips bit is useful). Two years ago I got a Cadet to save front pocket real estate when I picked up a 1XAA flashlight. The cadet is great but I do sometimes miss the small blade and phillips.

At any rate, they are fantastic tools. The blades to take a wicked edge (I strop mine now with the Bark River kit). The edges do go off with use, but you will probably use that knife blade more than any other one you own. It's not that the steel is bad, it's just getting used more often.
 
One hand opening is a convenience for most of us but not a necessity. The only knives that I actually open one handed are the assisted openers or the flippers. Otherwise, I use two hands. You can get one hand opening SAKs, but I don't find them particularly convenient and use two hands except in a pinch.
 
I like to carry Swiss Army Knives that are on the small side. I like the ones with 2.5" blades. I also love keychain SAKs. I especially love my Mini Champ.
 
Sunyata said:
I don't know if I'm ready for all that yet.

I've had it a few days and had to find excuses to use the screwdrivers.

So far my biggest issue has been adapting to using two hands when opening it. Kind of annoying hanging heavy plants on a ladder.
Click to expand...

I may be wierd, but I received an auto as a gift and still found myself using two hands to open it. After a while, it would only open half way, as if it needed cleaning and lubing. I refuse to have a pocket knife which requires the care of a handgun:) It also had a safety and I was always confused which way to slide it. SAK for me now all the way:thumbup:
 
22-rimfire said:
One hand opening is a convenience for most of us but not a necessity. The only knives that I actually open one handed are the assisted openers or the flippers. Otherwise, I use two hands. You can get one hand opening SAKs, but I don't find them particularly convenient and use two hands except in a pinch.
Click to expand...


I agree. I like to be able to open all of my normal folders/assisted/etc with one hand but when it comes to my swiss it really isn't a big deal at all. At work 9/10 times I have both hands free when I need to cut something, so I'll reach for the tinker and use the small blade because I am probably cutting cardboard. The other few times when I may actually be bending down under something and holding something with my other hand, I'll reach into my waist band and pull out my little work folder, a Byrd Robin2 which easily opens one handed. I love the SAK though, especially the tinker. Like mentioned above, that small blade and the phillips come in handy big time.
 
I have a tiny sak on a key chain that has the nail file. :D This is in addition to a regular SAK lacking the file.
 
22-rimfire said:
That is one of the reasons I usually carry a one handed opener in addition to the sak. You made a good first choice. I carry the side locking Adventurer. I like having the tooth pick and tweezers which is why I generally don't choose the alox models.
Click to expand...


I always carry in pairs.

Right now the modern folders/fixed blades are getting more spontaneous cutting chores just because it's easier to do with one hand then move on as opposed to putting things down,dig in my pocket, open the knife with two hands, cut things, two handed closing and put it away.
 
Sunyata said:
possible pocket real estate is a tough market
Click to expand...

This can be part of the "fun" too - i.e., trying to maximize utility while minimizing size. Smallest SAK that does the trick, smallest light, knife, gun, etc. that still provides adequate utility.
 
skyhorse said:
Great choice. Lol,they're a hard knife to lose. :)
Click to expand...

Probably. I don't loose them so much as use them and set them down and walk away. Then you remember and it's too much effort to go back and look for it. In my case, that usually meant drive 30-40 miles.
 
Sunyata said:
It was between the Pioneer and Farmer for me. I just didn't see the saw getting used much
Click to expand...

The saw doesn't get used much, but my reasoning is, the blade doesn't get used much either as I always have a (better) blade on me. I like my SAK to do the things my knife-knife cannot, and since I also rarely carry a serrated edge outside of work (I only own one other one besides my combo blur for work), I like my SAK to have a saw blade "just in case"... God forbid I ever have to cut my own arm or leg off, that saw I'm sure will come in handy when I get down to the bone ;) ... God forbid...
(Fwiw, The scissors get the most use for me)...
 
For being so small, that Farmer saw works really well. I carry a Tinker at work for the drivers, but the Farmer is king outdoors due to the saw and awl.
 
strategy9 said:
The saw doesn't get used much, but my reasoning is, the blade doesn't get used much either as I always have a (better) blade on me. I like my SAK to do the things my knife-knife cannot, and since I also rarely carry a serrated edge outside of work (I only own one other one besides my combo blur for work), I like my SAK to have a saw blade "just in case"... God forbid I ever have to cut my own arm or leg off, that saw I'm sure will come in handy when I get down to the bone ;) ... God forbid...
(Fwiw, The scissors get the most use for me)...
Click to expand...


That's a good point. The SAK isn't just for cutting. I actually used the can opener last night because I stopped my wife from using the electric can opener
 
I always have either a Compact or an Alox Cadet as a backup to a "modern" folder. I keep a Huntsman in the car and in the hunting pack as well.

I think Powernoodle said it best:

powernoodle said:
And this is a gateway drug to the SAK Kingdom.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top