I keep coming back to the Recruit

Wild Willie said:
Also something I look for in a woman...😉
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Wild Willie is every creepy uncle we've ever known 🤣
jackknife said:
The recruit and classic make a great team. SAK scissors are second to none. Its too bad there is no recruit equivalent model with scissors.
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I personally love the recruit and thought I miss having an awl I prefer the simplicity. Generally speaking I could probably get rid of the can opener in favor of an awl, and as suggested above, add a large scissor.
This would make a very useful tool.
 
The Recruit surprised me, I think it is my favorite SAK now. It really is a great knife and I don't feel like I am missing anything from my Tinker. I feel the backside tools are redundant and often difficult or frustrating to use. Yep I love the Recruit.
 
EngrSorenson said:
I personally love the recruit and thought I miss having an awl I prefer the simplicity. Generally speaking I could probably get rid of the can opener in favor of an awl, and as suggested above, add a large scissor.
This would make a very useful tool.
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Since this thread already got raised from the dead, I’ll just pile on here a bit, if I may …

This was my exact thinking when my thinking landed me on a Pioneer X. Blade, awl, large scissor, and you don’t have to give up the can opener and bottle opener. It’s Alox, which keeps the width down, but you do lose the toothpick and tweezer, if those are important to you. And still fairly simple.
 
comis said:
Personally, I am a big fan of the corkscrew, since it could host a mini screwdriver and it really is a life saver when you do need a corkscrew in an impromptu party setting.

But I can surely appreciate the cleanliness of the 84mm Recruit like you ...
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^ I agree here 100%. The 84mm Tourist (I.E. mini Spartan) would be the one SAK I'd own if I could only own one SAK.
 
I almost never carry an 84mm. Carry being operative word here. I love to have one on my TV table. I do. I keep my "Moomintroll and the Grolke" tinker there always, for all kinds of little tasks.

74mm is my "lesiure" size, but we will see how this changes, now that I have some different 58mms coming to me.

Every time I try to carry the 84mm for leisure, I just want to carry a 91 because it's so similar with more tools. For the women in my life, 84mm is the perfect size of "not too heavy or big" and "tools". For me, this is the 74mm, like the Executive - not feeling under-tooled, but still feeling light and leisurely. Only downside - no white scales, but it's okay, I want a couple old-school Vics.
 
Hashishiin said:
I almost never carry an 84mm. Carry being operative word here. I love to have one on my TV table. I do. I keep my "Moomintroll and the Grolke" tinker there always, for all kinds of little tasks.

74mm is my "lesiure" size, but we will see how this changes, now that I have some different 58mms coming to me.

Every time I try to carry the 84mm for leisure, I just want to carry a 91 because it's so similar with more tools. For the women in my life, 84mm is the perfect size of "not too heavy or big" and "tools". For me, this is the 74mm, like the Executive - not feeling under-tooled, but still feeling light and leisurely. Only downside - no white scales, but it's okay, I want a couple old-school Vics.
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The 74mm maybe be a good 'leisure' knife for you, And it is a great little knife for life in any urban or suburban environment. But...this is kind of funny, reading General Charles "Chuck" Yeager's book "Press On" the humble executive was his sole carry for his two to three week backpacking trips into the Sierra Nevada's in his obsessive search for and catching and consuming the California Golden Trout. He and his buddy Andy, had many adventures in the Nevada's over the years, and the executive served Yeager well as his sole EDC knife.
 
jackknife said:
The 74mm maybe be a good 'leisure' knife for you, And it is a great little knife for life in any urban or suburban environment. But...this is kind of funny, reading General Charles "Chuck" Yeager's book "Press On" the humble executive was his sole carry for his two to three week backpacking trips into the Sierra Nevada's in his obsessive search for and catching and consuming the California Golden Trout. He and his buddy Andy, had many adventures in the Nevada's over the years, and the executive served Yeager well as his sole EDC knife.
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I like this a lot.

He'd probably use a knife as a knife and had other dedicated tools like a hatchet and such for woodcutting, thus eliminating a need for some huge belt-knife, or a saw on a 91mm, etc, is this correct? I have heard of Chuck Yeager, have done a little research on him, and this seems like a cool endeavor.


I mentioned it in this subforum before, how the way I came to handle this Executive was repairing it for my fiance's grandfather, but he was a biker dude, Buck 110 dude, did a fight scene in one of those biker-sploitation movies from the 60s called Angels from Hell (in crutches, at that! That's how you know him, he's the one with crutches fighting in the end scene) and the Executive is what served him in his last 20 years. He had some hunting-style knives, some Frosts that were untouched, but this Executive you could tell was heavily used.


Not that it has a ton of bearing on reality (but can have bearing on good ideas), I have heard tell that an Executive was the most commonly knife used by MacGuyver, as well.
 
Hashishiin said:
I like this a lot.

He'd probably use a knife as a knife and had other dedicated tools like a hatchet and such for woodcutting, thus eliminating a need for some huge belt-knife, or a saw on a 91mm, etc, is this correct? I have heard of Chuck Yeager, have done a little research on him, and this seems like a cool endeavor.


I mentioned it in this subforum before, how the way I came to handle this Executive was repairing it for my fiance's grandfather, but he was a biker dude, Buck 110 dude, did a fight scene in one of those biker-sploitation movies from the 60s called Angels from Hell (in crutches, at that! That's how you know him, he's the one with crutches fighting in the end scene) and the Executive is what served him in his last 20 years. He had some hunting-style knives, some Frosts that were untouched, but this Executive you could tell was heavily used.


Not that it has a ton of bearing on reality (but can have bearing on good ideas), I have heard tell that an Executive was the most commonly knife used by MacGuyver, as well.
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No, Yeager listed his gear in the book, and no choppers, no saws, no processing of wood other than small sticks for a camp fire. Due to the backpacking gear, no need for heavy duty cutting to weigh down the pack. Just his little executive to gut and clean the trout he caught. It a common misconception on knife forums to vastly over estimate what cutlery is needed.
 
Ah, was unclear on what exactly he was using for shelter, whether self-constructed or not. Over-estimation is certainly the rule, especially with the flash that's there nowadays. I am looking forward to your continued tales of minimalism! And will be trying "minimalist days", myself, just to see what the bare requirements are.
 
Hashishiin said:
Ah, was unclear on what exactly he was using for shelter, whether self-constructed or not. Over-estimation is certainly the rule, especially with the flash that's there nowadays. I am looking forward to your continued tales of minimalism! And will be trying "minimalist days", myself, just to see what the bare requirements are.
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Backpacking by virtue of what it is, eliminates the need for choppers and destruction of nature. After I got out of the army 50% disabled from injuries to my right ankle and foot, went to the ultralight backpacking. A urethane coated nylon tarp about the size and weight of a loaf of wonder bread, gave me a 12X12 foot waterproof cover. The sleeping bag, also about the size and weight of a loaf of wonder bread, gave me comfy sleeping down to 20 degrees. If I put the liner in it, that pushed it down to 10 degrees. Colder than that, I'm staying home. Soda can alcohol stove weight almost nothing, but gave me the ability to boil water for tea, or for food prep in 10 minutes. In 5 minutes I could put up a storm proof shelter that I rode out many an afternoon thunder storm.

If you have any good backpacking gear, you really don't need anything more than a small SAK. A small twig fire can be made to cook a fish over the fire with no chopping or sawing at all. Most backpackers don't even carry anything more than a SAK classic, or like Yeager, an executive. Any SAK that has a saw can be carried incase of dire emergency. With any small saw like on a hiker or farmer, you can split and quarter wood for a more serious fire if you need it. But I've sat making tea and Raman with the rain pouring down on my shelter that kept me perfectly dry.
 
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jackknife said:
Backpacking by virtue of what it is, eliminates the need for choppers and destruction of nature. After I got out of the army 50% disables from injuries to my right ankle and foot, went to the ultralight backpacking. A urethane coated nylon tarp about the size and weight of a loaf of wonder bread, gave me a 12X12 foot waterproof cover. The sleeping bag, also about the size and weight of a loaf of wonder bread, gave me comfy sleeping down to 20 degrees. If I put the liner in it, that pushed it down to 10 degrees. Colder than that, I'm staying home. Soda can alcohol stove weight almost nothing, but gave me the ability to boil water for tea, or for food prep in 10 minutes. In 5 minutes I could put up a storm proof shelter that I rode out many an afternoon thunder storm.

If you have any good backpacking gear, you really don't need anything more than a small SAK. A small thing fire can be made wand cook a fish over the fire with no chopping or sawing at all. Most backpackers don't even carry anything more than a SAK classic, or like Yeager, an executive. Any SAK that has a saw can be carried incase of dire emergency. With any small saw like on a hiker or farmer, you can split and quarter wood for a more serious fire if you need it. But I've sat making tea and Raman with the rain pouring down on my shelter that kept me perfectly dry.
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I sat and read this three times over and now I really want to go camping. Thanks for sharing your experience sir, and for reminding us that simple and straightforward is often the best way to go.
 
el gigantor said:
I sat and read this three times over and now I really want to go camping. Thanks for sharing your experience sir, and for reminding us that simple and straightforward is often the best way to go.
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Don't get caught up in gear. Granny Gatewood hiked the Appalachian Trail for the first time in her 60's with a small denim gunny sack a a few supplies. She called modern backpackers 'panty waists" for all their un needed gear. Granny was the pioneer of ultra light backpacking even if she didn't know it. Food, water, shelter, and a layered clothing system is all you need. The ten essentials.
 
jackknife said:
The recruit is the SAK that is soooo much of a great everyday real world pocket knife. It has the two blades for a wife variety of cutting, both flat and Phillips head screw driving capability, the bottle and can openers, and a nice smooth backside that is a great deal more comfortable in hand. A great basic pocket knife.

I dislike backside tools, as they are not as strong as the end hinged tools. I severely damaged a tinker by using the Phillips driver to deal with a couple of badly rusted license plate screws. The aluminum liners deformed badly and it was a learning experience to not trust the back mounted Phillips driver.

The back mounted awl is not near as good as the one on the alox models like the pioneer, and the old Wenger SI or farmer. They are a much more capable boring tool for starter holes in wood or even as small cable ties by inserting and twisting and using the sharp edge to cut
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And no 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 fingernail file, like the "officer's" Cadet. 👍

I can't think of a single (or married) guy I've ever met who needed/used a fingernail file for its designed purpose ... unless perhaps maybe it was a doctor or the like ...
 
afishhunter said:
And no 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 fingernail file, like the "officer's" Cadet. 👍

I can't think of a single (or married) guy I've ever met who needed/used a fingernail file for its designed purpose ... unless perhaps maybe it was a doctor or the like ...
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I actually like the nail file. I do use on occasion for its intended use, but also it works well on very small Philllips screws like in electronics. It will in a rich, make a half decent awl on soft materials.
 
I bought a Cadet the other day. It’s an inconspicuous fit in the fifth pocket of my jeans & the nail file is fantastic, nicer than the old 84mm one. But I’ve got to admit I feel insecure without the small blade which makes the Recruit a favourite casual carry. I also like the extra thickness of the Recruit in the hand.
 
hsherzfeld said:
The Recruit was my first Swiss Army Knife that I bought with my own money as a kid. Back then (2010, my freshman year of high school), the roughly $5 difference in price had a lot to do with my choice of the Recruit over the Tinker. I just thought it was so cool to have a real Swiss Army Knife like MacGyver! I've switched to 91mm models for EDC, mainly because the longer handle length fits more securely in my hand. I do agree that the smooth back of the Recruit makes it better for carving; it would be nice if Victorinox made a 91mm Recruit.

One thing that I noticed, or thought I noticed, about the Recruit compared to the 84mm Tinker is that the Recruit's main blade (at least on the example I had) widens out more near the tip, making the blade look more symmetrical than that of the Tinker. I assume this is because the Tinker has a shallower blade well due to the backspring tools.
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Hey, graduated the same year as you! Funny thing, I just started watching MacGuyver a few weeks ago, which has given me some increased appreciation of the plain red. Mac is so cool, perfect mix of 80s cheese and quality show. I like to suspend reality for a while and just go "Gee, how's Mac gonna get out of this one?". Does inspire a certain inventive thinking as well.

it was actually this special type of white/simple graphic SAKs from these Finnish collaborations with Vic that got me into them. I still find these to be the most perfect SAK scales ever, they are very much not prone to wear like the other graphic SAKs are because of the fact that most of the knife is white. No wear from EDCing them. As I said, though, really starting to appreciate the red cellidor, and the red nylon from the Ecoline series, that color looks almost burgundy.

My first was a Camper, but I bought a Recruit and an Escort for my fiancé for her first SAK(s), in this style, (she showed me the cartoon that the white SAKs are styled after). My 84mm for the TV table is a Tinker Small. I EDC a 91mm, because the 84 has a similar heft and makes me think, why not go for the 91? When I want a light, leisure SAK for say, the pool or something, I prefer the 74mm size, the Executive. It's way lighter and slimmer, while not leave me feeling under-tooled.
 
Good morning and happy !Labor day!, To all my forum friends! I pray you're all doing well and have a great holiday.
I was a little slow seeing that this thread had been revived. Sorry. Been busy with the family and church alot lately, plus been having some seizure activity too, so I've not been online as much in general the last few weeks. Anyway, that's enough of my whining...
Now, after over a year since my first comment in this thread, (#19) it seemed fun to check in and update with you guys.

Yeah, I still like the recruit.
Kinda hard to go wrong with two good quality blades and a couple well designed basic tools, right? Slim, light and legal almost anywhere....
I have a short list** of saks that I love and never really picked one to be the end all favorite. I'm not in any hurry if I don't have to. I'm sure y'all get me on that.

afishhunter said:
And no 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 fingernail file, like the "officer's" Cadet. 👍

I can't think of a single (or married) guy I've ever met who needed/used a fingernail file for its designed purpose ... unless perhaps maybe it was a doctor or the like ...
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To be fair, I have nothing against the nail file or anyone who likes to use it, but I personally prefer the standard full size file. It just works better and is alot more useful for me.
This is part of why "one of" my favorite models is the 91 mm Ranger. (Basically a Huntsman with a full file added.) So you have an extra layer, but you don't have to give up the second blade. I especially like that it's one of the only models I know that has a useful* tool in every place. It just bugs me when I use a sak or multi-tool and there's empty spaces and slots.

*Okay, well... Maybe not the parcel hook so much.lol.😛

** Fun list of favs off top of my head...
1) Alox Farmer X. 93mm.
2) Hunstman. 91mm.
3) Ranger. 91mm.
4) Adventurer. 111mm
5) Trekker. 111mm
6) Walker. 84mm
 
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