I have rediscovered SAKs!

cabron50

cabron50

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
273
Like many of you I had a SAK when I was a kid, but after loosing the tweezers and toothpick, breaking the tip off the large blade and damaging the scales by getting it caught in the internal mechanics of a Lay Z Boy, I finally lost track of it.

Fast forward to a few days ago. I was at Lowe's with a buddy, and while he was at customer service trying to get a refund I was checking out the cutlery section. They had a few Victorinox Recruits packaged with Mini Mag AAA flashlights clearanced priced at $8.43. I could never pass up a bargain like that even though that Cold Steel Voyager that I just bought was supposed to be my last knife for a while.

I paid for it and got it home, used the CS to cut open the package. I must say I was very impressed with the knife. Made in Switzerland, decent steel, smooth actions, nice fit and finish, lifetime warranty, no "tactical" pretentions and 10 tools in one knife. I had forgotten how sweet SAKs are.
 
Mass production does indeed have it's advantages. A SAK will fit anywhere and do 90% of the chores of any knife.
 
No other company gives the warrentee and customer suport like Victorinox. You can even send back well worn knives to have a blade replaced for five bucks.

Sak's are a wonderful knife from a great company that is still family owned by the Elsners.
 
For a long time, I used to carry a Victorinox Hiker. It had all the tools I wanted, and none that I didn't. Then I started chasing $80-100 "tactical" knives. One handed opening and a pocket clip are pretty handy and the SAK didn't have them. I did buy a Rucksack for carry in the woods, but it was just a bit too big for comfortable EDC pocket carry. A week or two ago, Lavan posted a mod for adding a clip to a One Handed Trekker. It is essentially a one handed but larger version of my old Hiker. As soon as I saw the mod, I knew I had to get a Trekker. It won't replace my BM 940 for EDC, but it will suppliment it instead. I'll carry both. I'm expecting it to arrive next Monday. I've not been this excited about a new knife in a long time--and it's only a $30 knife!
 
SAKs are the only folders I use. They have a wide variety of sizes and tool selections to suit any need/want/use. If you haven't tried one of the alox (aluminum) handled models, you don't know what you are missing.

Paul
 
PWork said:
If you haven't tried one of the alox (aluminum) handled models, you don't know what you are missing.
Click to expand...

Paul--

What is it about the alox handles that makes them so great. I know a lot of people really love them. Is it aesthetics? Something more practical? I really like the tweezers (and the pens on the models that have them.) You give up these things with the alox handles. Is it really worth it?
 
It's a trade off. The alox scales give you a slimmer profile. A 3 layer alox is about the same thickness as a 2 layer cellidor. The scales don't crack or break like cellidor can. The worst thing about alox is that there isn't near as big a selection of models to choose from. The blades on the 91/93 mm alox models are thicker than those on the 91mm cellidors. The 84mm, 74mm, and 58mm alox are the same blades/tools as the cellidors.

Paul
 
The basic SAKs, and their cousins, the Scout/Utility knives, are my primary EDCs. Most complex I carry on a regular basis is a Farmer or Camper, both with just enough to work well.

The Alox SAKs are better hard-use tools, as the tools in them are stouter.
 
Some of us are SAKaholics, SAKnuts and never out-grew those little red handled knives -
here are a few discussion threads just to keep everyone occupied for a while:


Minimalist SAKs

SAK - Purchase Rationale

My EDC Story - Victorinox Combo Tool Story

SAKs - Victorinox or Wenger

Victorinox Soldier v. Wenger Standard Issue

SAK Scissors - Wenger or Victorinox?

SAK Pliers - Wenger or Victorinox?

SAKs - Tool-by-Tool

SAKs - 91mm Vic Soldier & Alox "Pioneers"?

Victorinox Farmer

Twisted SAK blades?

the maximal Minimalist SAK

and sometimes all's not quite well in paradise.......

UNBELIEVABLE!!! SAK Quality....

My customized SAK - Victorinox Scientist that I have EDC'd since Feb/1993

Scientist2.jpg


--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
 
I must admit I always have one on me too. Mine is a Wenger but still a SAK. I use the scissors and pliers the most on it and the blade the least probably because I have other knives for that on me but it does get used some.

My SAK has been retired once after years of carry and then had new life breathed into it by my very good friend Dirk also known as OUPA on my home page. He did my Wenger with some fiddleback maple scales that are great. I really love that old knife. Been with me since 1991. I carried it for years with no handle scales because they fell off after a few years of carry.

Some of his other SAKs turned out pretty good looking too. I love the Melt downs best of all I think.
 
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