I've been noticing that a bunch of SAK models have both a smaller blade as well as the main one. This seems a little superfluous to me. I've been trying to find an SAK with scissors, and a corkscrew but all the ones I've found with this combo also have penblades. Is the other blade a different style, like sheepsfoot? Or is it just a small pen knife? Do you guys find this to be a useful feature?
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How often do you use the small blade on your SAK?
- Thread starter davide
- Start date
SAKs pretty much only use pen blades (I think there are very few models which are exceptions). The secondary smaller blade is a pen blade as well. There are main uses for the two blades. A person either usually keeps the small blade as an always sharp backup blade (never using it unless having no other blade on them which is sharp enough) or using one of the knives for food prep and the other for general tasks.
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I used the smaller blade on my super tinker a lot. I use it for fine work, or like someone said, a backup sharp blade. It tends to sharpen up sharper than the main blade.
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And if they would only drop that goofy hook and put in an awl...that's all I'd ever need:thumbup:
Revolvergeek
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When I carry a SAK with two blades, I tend to use the small blade for opening mail / boxes / packages and keep the larger blade sharp and clean for food or emergency use (I always have a large lockblade with me for heavy cutting chores).
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The small blade is great for opening mail, cutting articles out of newspapers and magazines, and opening packages. The tape some use on packages tends to leave residue, and I find it easier to clean the small blade. Also - if you carve - the little blade offers great control for fine detail work.
I leave the large one for food and other heavier cutting chores.
I leave the large one for food and other heavier cutting chores.
Not only SAKs but on any knife with more than one blade, I like to make the smallest one super sharp with a very sharp point. Great for fine or detailed work and even for long splinter removals. This also lets me leave the main blade with a not-so-acute bevel so it holds its edge a bit longer.
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What he said.
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Great minds think alike. I have a inexpensive recruit I use as an EDC. The lil blde is general tasks, and larger for food, etc. I have a larger locking folder or small fb for anything that requires a more substantial blade, etc.
Similar to Bill H, the little blade is kept razor sharp.
I wish I could find a cadet II that has the same tool config and the little blade instead of a nail file/nail cleaner, as this is my second recruit in 15 years to have scales fall off, etc.
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For the first 15 years I never used a SAK small blade for anything. My reasoning was that I might need it someday for something like an emergency tracheotomy (my time as a tracked vehicle mechanic qualifies me 
), so I kept the factory edge.
During most of this time, I was not interested in knives as a subject, but then I was. Among other things I learned, thanks mostly to members posting on this forum
thumbup:, guys!), was how to properly restore an edge to original or better sharpness, so there was no need to leave any blade unused. These days I use the small blade for whatever doesn't need the larger, which turns out to be most things. I find the small blade allows for greater control and can even slice a bagel with it (but only as a party trick 
)
), so I kept the factory edge. During most of this time, I was not interested in knives as a subject, but then I was. Among other things I learned, thanks mostly to members posting on this forum
thumbup:, guys!), was how to properly restore an edge to original or better sharpness, so there was no need to leave any blade unused. These days I use the small blade for whatever doesn't need the larger, which turns out to be most things. I find the small blade allows for greater control and can even slice a bagel with it (but only as a party trick )Most of the time, I find I don't really need a second blade, in my daily SAK use. I usually carry an 84mm Vic of some sort, almost always with a nail file in the position normally occupied by the small blade on other models.
However, I also usually carry a 58mm Vic of some sort on my key chain, usually a Classic SD or a Rogue. So I do have a second blade around if I need one or if I want to use a smaller SAK when out in public.
- Tim
However, I also usually carry a 58mm Vic of some sort on my key chain, usually a Classic SD or a Rogue. So I do have a second blade around if I need one or if I want to use a smaller SAK when out in public.
- Tim
Yep - me too. I use the small blade much more than the large.
I'll have to go along with all the above - I keep the small blade super sharp and use it sparingly-but then it is always ready! - I also carry a "classic" on my keys - that sissor is very handy - as to the usefulness of the small blade - once as a way to "irritate" a friend - I gutted and skinned out his deer with the classic! Not as bad a job as you may think.. but then I only did that once!
Peace
Revvie
Peace
Revvie