Has your mini-tool displaced your SAK?

I've been browsing the Victorinox line recently looking for the best camping-and-bushcraft-specific model as a gift for my nephew who is acquiring his uncle's love of backpacking. He already as a Swiss Champ and I realize that's all anyone needs, but I'd like to find him a dedicated camping-only model that would live in his backpack or maybe in the sheath pocket of his KaBar USMC.

The Vic bushcraft model I'd like to find would have a saw, locking straight edge main blade, awl for drilling, serrated blade for rope/vines, and scissors. Add a magnifying glass and you'd have the perfect bushcraft knife.
I haven't found that combo so far in my Vic search. The Fireman model comes close but lacks scissors and magnifier. Any of the SAK aficianadoes here have a suggestion?
 
Well, I feel that the Juice is in many ways smaller than my SAK Explorer, though I feel like it's a tad bit heavier. SAK's in my RFP, and LM in my Left, LOL. I would rate the Juice scissors superior to the Micra (on my keychain), and just about par with the SAK's.
 
Tallahassee said:
I've been browsing the Victorinox line recently looking for the best camping-and-bushcraft-specific model as a gift for my nephew who is acquiring his uncle's love of backpacking. He already as a Swiss Champ and I realize that's all anyone needs, but I'd like to find him a dedicated camping-only model that would live in his backpack or maybe in the sheath pocket of his KaBar USMC.

The Vic bushcraft model I'd like to find would have a saw, locking straight edge main blade, awl for drilling, serrated blade for rope/vines, and scissors. Add a magnifying glass and you'd have the perfect bushcraft knife.
I haven't found that combo so far in my Vic search. The Fireman model comes close but lacks scissors and magnifier. Any of the SAK aficianadoes here have a suggestion?
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People's definition of "backpacking" vary considerably, so take this with a grain of salt...

For modern backpacking, I carry a repair kit that includes a straight and curved heavy duty needle and heavy duty thread. Critical for repairing blown seams in the field, imo. These are useless though unless I have the ability to force the needle through heavy pack cloth and webbing. For this reason, I carry a tool with pliers. I also find scissors to be useful for 1st aid/bandage prep.

I carry the Leatherman Squirt PS4 along with a main knife for food prep/wood working. For me, I've found that anything beyond this is "bad weight", meaning extra weight with little/no functional pay back. In this scenario, my multi-tool has definitely displaced a camper/sak type knife.

With respect to some of your other requirements...

SAW - In the winter if I really may need a fire for survival, I carry a Silky Pocket boy. If I need to cut wood, I consider the Pocket Boy "good weight" over any saw on a multi-tool or folding knife. Size matters.

Locking straight edge main blade - I strongly prefer a single bladed knife. I generally carry an Opinel or a fixed blade. Ability to deal with food prep and feather sticking is essential.

Awl for drilling - in over 30 years of backpacking, ski touring and climbing, I've only needed to drill once and that was dealing with remounting a ski binding. This would easily overcome the awls on 90% of the pocket tools I've seen. It's a real problem. Currently I carry a drill type bit for the racheting t-handle screw driver that I carry when ski touring.

Serrated blade for rope/vines - I think this is primarily an issue if in watercraft or doing real rope craft, where seconds count. A PFT cutting tool makes sense in that scenario. But for general backpacking, I can deal with ropes with a plain blade.

Scissors - critical but covered by the Squirt.
In the
 
VictorLouis said:
Just wondering if anyone has stopped carrying their SAK because of a pocket mini-tool, w or even key-chain tool that accomplishes what you need?
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No way. It's the opposite for me. I owned a Leatherman Supertool years before I bought my first SAK. I have a Leatherman Squirt S4 also but don't consider it a respectable tool so I don't carry it.

My SAK has replaced all my others for EDC knives & tools
 
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I have a Leatherman Skeletool and love it.
It´s my EDC. I love the fact that it has a clip and doesn´t float around my pocket.
One hand opening 154CM blade, screwdrivers and pliers. All I want in one package
(after modding it a bit)
 
Since my post, I realized that my SAK outshines my Juice S2, for sure. I dont' need pliers. Can't think of a time when I said to myself, "Dang, if only I had pliers with me". The SAK has the same drivers, an awl, better scissors, better can opener, and a magnifier all of which I DO USE from time to time, or frequently. Plus, a corkscrew I've used at parties over the years. The tools are also faster to access.
 
Yup. I replaced my Tinker/Deluxe Tinker/Gerber Shard & V-nox Classic SD combination with a LM Micra for regular EDC. I get almost the same day to day utility out of it for about 1/2 the weight. I still carry the Deluxe Tinker when I know that's it's going to be a heavy use day.
 
znapschatz said:
If scissors are a critical item, how can you rely on the dinky ones offered by the PS4? You would do much better with a Squirt S4, Style CS or better yet, a Micra.
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Znap,

For EDC and shop use, I vastly prefer the much more robust scissors on the Micra. That's why I carry it EDC.

In a backpacking context, my uses for scissors are more mundane: cutting moleskin to shape, cutting bandage material, carefully opening up seams on gear while doing repairs. I want/demand scissors while backpacking, but the PS4 size (same as a Vic Classic) are sufficient.

VictorLouis said:
Since my post, I realized that my SAK outshines my Juice S2, for sure. I dont' need pliers. Can't think of a time when I said to myself, "Dang, if only I had pliers with me". The SAK has the same drivers, an awl, better scissors, better can opener, and a magnifier all of which I DO USE from time to time, or frequently. Plus, a corkscrew I've used at parties over the years. The tools are also faster to access.
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I can understand the desire to compare a single tool (SAK) to a single multi-tool (Juice S2).

But after years of promising myself I wouldn't become one of "those guys" who carries multiple knives/tools, I've become one.

The secret of the Leatherman Micra in terms of pocket carry is how thin it is. It really makes it all but unnoticeable in my LFP (along with my money clip).

What this does for me is that it frees my knife selection to be 100% about the knife. The Micra handles all of my most pressing tools needs. (full disclosure - I carry a larger multi-tool and a variety of other assorted things in my backpack/briefcase so it's not like I live 100% out of my pockets or anything.) I grew up carrying camper style knives (aka BSA/Scout knives). And I have several multi-tools. When it comes to knife selection and use though, my answer when choosing between them is "none of the above". As a cutting tool, I'm just much happier with a single blade knife. Much better ergonomics in the hand. No compromise on blade shape or position in the knife.

'Zall good though. Whatever works best for folks works best for them. Can't pick each others shoes either.
 
Micra's been in my kit for many many years, and one of my faves. I recen'ty got one of SOG's versions of it, and it's NOT the same. :( Until I re-acquired a good SAK, I used the scissors for my nails. I'll leave it to your field-use experience to assert Micro's scissors as stronger. I just simply can't see them doing any more or less than those on the SAK. Obviously, there's overlap/redundancy between some of them. But, i don't such much harm in the back-up usefullness of the blade/s and scissors on either tool.

Just now, I used the SAK pen blade to cut through the dastardly plastic bubbles holding my OTC gel-caps for indigestion. WOuld've been far more awkward and less safe than trying to work with the tip of the Opie #*, LOL.
 
VictorLouis said:
Micra's been in my kit for many many years, and one of my faves. I recen'ty got one of SOG's versions of it, and it's NOT the same. :( Until I re-acquired a good SAK, I used the scissors for my nails. I'll leave it to your field-use experience to assert Micro's scissors as stronger. I just simply can't see them doing any more or less than those on the SAK.
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Comparing them size for size, I believe Vic is overall best, although the Micra scissors are pretty good. Thing is, Leatherman scissors are much larger in their keychain multi-tools. They are overbuilt for increased force compared to SAKs, but whether the blades can deal with something that needs extra persuasion is another matter. All Vics of that size all have smaller scissors, also excellent quality but obviously more limited in what they can handle. You're right, though. In the same size category, both are functionally equal.
 
VictorLouis said:
Micra's been in my kit for many many years, and one of my faves. I recen'ty got one of SOG's versions of it, and it's NOT the same. :( Until I re-acquired a good SAK, I used the scissors for my nails. I'll leave it to your field-use experience to assert Micro's scissors as stronger. I just simply can't see them doing any more or less than those on the SAK. Obviously, there's overlap/redundancy between some of them. But, i don't such much harm in the back-up usefullness of the blade/s and scissors on either tool.

Just now, I used the SAK pen blade to cut through the dastardly plastic bubbles holding my OTC gel-caps for indigestion. WOuld've been far more awkward and less safe than trying to work with the tip of the Opie #*, LOL.
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We all find what works for ourselves and that can different. No harm in that.

I've come to think of the scissors on my Micra more like mini shop shears. I've used them to cut heavy zip ties, heavy webbing, aluminum flashing, metal wire and all sorts of other heavy things that I wouldn't tackle with the SAK scissors I've used.

As for pen blades, when I need one, I use my Micra. Agreed that some cuts are best done with that blade. I use my Micra for detailed whittling some times in the full open position. Essentially turns the body into a full length handle with a decent flat for controlled thumb pressure.

I grew up with Ulster BSA knives and have used my share of SAKs. Personal pref but I prefer the Opinel in absolutely every regard when comparing them as knives (primary cutting blade). But, that's just a pref thing.
 
What I usually carry is a locking modern folder clipped to my pocket
A Victorinox Compact in that pocket
For a while there was also a ps4 squirt or gerber dime too but I left it.
I'm starting to switch over to traditional folders.

The SAK is my main use blade and the modern type folder is just there to be there I feel naked without a modern folder cause I'm so used to having one.
I kept breaking the keychain multi tools and I don't want to go to anything larger as the Squirt was already too much bulk for most of the pants I wear.
I've been using a traditional as my main blade now, the SAK for it's tools and the modern folder is still there for poops and giggles and occasional use. Usually a waved folder because they're cool ha.

So the mini-tool tried replacing my SAK but has failed to do so; to answer your question.
 
I carry either a leatherman PS4 or ES4 everyday along with a larger modern folder. That combo seems to more than meet my average day to day needs, whenever I have to do more I either get my Rebar, or proper tools.
 
My SAK is pretty much all I need on a daily basis in my urban environment. I tried pocket multitools like the Micra, Juice and Squirt series, some Gerbers and a few others, but I always come back to a SAK, especially the Victorinox Climber.
 
I love the Victorinox PS4 Sqirt and for the size and the pliers help a lot. So it replaces the SAK most of the time because the weight is similar but I still like to change it up and carry a SAK every now and then. It depends on what I am doing.
 
Never. The one thing that my SAK has, that no multi-tool ever has had, is:

A corkscrew. The single most over-riding reason for an urban hipster to carry a SAK.
 
seanp said:
Never. The one thing that my SAK has, that no multi-tool ever has had, is:

A corkscrew. The single most over-riding reason for an urban hipster to carry a SAK.
Click to expand...

Hipsters rejoice! Unfortunately, the available colors are not nearly ironic enough. The purple XE6 is pretty close.


 
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