I Regret Ignoring SAKs for So Long

[hobnob]

It's hard to beat a SAK for EDC. My Tinker has enough blade for what I need on a daily basis, plus the additional tools when needed. One thing I can't stand is the horizontal position when loose in the pocket. Mine hangs on a P7 clip which works great clipped on the pocket. I'm still amazed with the quality/value of these little tools. I still have my first (Executive) from the late 70's.

 

[gazz98]

SAK addiction is a subset of knife addiction. Clear out another drawer for your incomming SAKs as you try to find the right one.

The Explorer might be my favorite.

You might as well get a Classic for your keyring too. All the cool kids have one.

 

[Chucktabulous]

I started with a case, or something similar, and got a SAK shortly afterwards as a kid in the 1970's.
After many years of collecting a ridiculous amount of higher end production knives I'm continually coming to the same conclusion.
If I could only have one knife for the rest of my life it would be a SAK Swisschamp. I can do some serious MacGyver magic with a Swisschamp.
The Alox models are great with their more stout than usual main blades and their reamers.
The bigger models are great, the small models are great... I just love my SAKs
Fit and finish has always been excellent. The saw, a requirement for my doomsday knife, is pretty impressive. The blade geometry, with a wicked sharp edge, cuts like a light saber.
Just love those SAKs.

 

[jackknife]

The consistent quality is amazing. Alox is hard to beat for me. Especially the Pioneer. You are headed down a slippery slope....

That consistency is just one of the reasons I've been a die hard SAK fan since 1969. I know that I can go anywhere in the world, and walk into a sports/campingh site and buy a SAK, and it's going to be just like the SAK I left at home, or the last SAK I had. Take out of box and drop in pocket and go. No sharpening, or modifying or fiddling around with it to tweek it to get it to good serviceable shape.

And that SAK steel is good enough to get the job done, and if it does go a bit dull, the nearest coffee mug, car window, brick wall, smith stone from a creek will get it sharp again is a very few minutes.

A SAK is always my go-to vacation knife if I am flying someplace that I absolute have to use a airline. I'll mail a recruit to myself at where I'll be staying, and when I leave, I give it away to the airport shuttle driver, or the kid that's the grounds keeper at the guest house, or the bar tender when I get that last cocktail before heading out to the airport. The red handles with the silver cross is always recognized and extremely appreciated. Usually a reaction like; "Wow dude, for me, like for real?? A Swiss Army knife, wow dude, thanks!"

While on vacation, I've found a SAK cuts bait, opens cold bottles of beer, slices limes for Vodka tonics, helps with lunch prep on the beach, opens plastic packages that everything in the world comes wrapped in, cuts fishing line, and a ton more stuff a regular knife can't begin to handle.

Ya know, when you get right down to it, it doesn't make sense to carry any other pocket knife.

And alox is just gravy on the taters!

 

[evanofcain]

I've struggled for several years trying to decide whether I prefer to carry a multitool (pliers based or SAKs) or dedicated knife paired with a pry tool/one piece tool. I doubt I'll decide anytime soon, but I've been enjoying carrying my Vic Camper for the last few days while my Benchmade was in need of repair.

I used to think SAKs were gimicky and toy-like until I purchased a Camper about 4 years ago. They are very capable and very well made. As much as I love my Mini Freek, I'm going to bench it for a while and keep enjoying my Camper.

As a side note, I'm really excited to see reviews of the Leatherman Free T series! I would love a US made SAK-like tool that may be more easily modified.

 

[James Y]

No matter what new knife technology develops, I will always have my 2 SAKs on me. There are some (many) things they do better than any other pocketable tool.

I've said this before: I've seen videos online where people open a can of food with their hi-tech tactical folders and make a big deal out of it if the tip and edge are intact. With any SAK with a can opener, you can accomplish the job faster, cleaner, safer, and with zero tip or edge damage. That's only one use. SAK tools can also be applied to uses outside of those of the tool(s) in question.

Some people say that SAKs are cheap knives with crappy steel. Well, that 'crappy' steel has gotten more people out of jams over many, many decades than all of the super steel folders combined. And while I carry and use the latter as well, IMO, there is no substitute for a SAK, and there is no reason to limit myself to only one or the other. But if I absolutely had to carry only one knife or type of knife, it would be a Victorinox SAK(s).

As far as the Alox or toothpick-tweezers issue, why not carry a cellidor-handled Executive in one pocket, and an Alox Pioneer in another? They each have features the other doesn't, and still take up very little space.

Jim

 

[jackknife]

Of course, the OP should be made aware of one problem with SAK's. And it could be a huuuuge problem. A problem that could mean difficulty just getting out of the house in the morning.

That fateful decision of what three SAK's you're going to carry today.

Soooo many SAK's, decisions, decisions!

 

[Dfunk1210]

I think the Spartan and Tinker is a good size to check out next. Or something with an extra row like Climber, Camper, or Super Tinker

 

[Xykon]

Man I'm in the same boat, was pretty indifferent towards SAKs for a good while but now I never leave home without at least a MiniChamp or Classic SD on my key chain.
Also picked up this Spartan just recently while traveling in Germany because I needed something legal to carry, love it! Can't go wrong with a SAK.

 

[rogatsby]

Man I'm in the same boat, was pretty indifferent towards SAKs for a good while but now I never leave home without at least a MiniChamp or Classic SD on my key chain.
Also picked up this Spartan just recently while traveling in Germany because I needed something legal to carry, love it! Can't go wrong with a SAK.

Very nice. Love the wood scales. I'm thinking about carry my SAK Executive and my Opinel No. 6 almost exclusively for the next few weeks. I doubt I will need the Opinel much because the SAK will be enough blade for 99% of my tasks, but I just love Opinels too lol.

 

[rogatsby]

I think the Spartan and Tinker is a good size to check out next. Or something with an extra row like Climber, Camper, or Super Tinker

Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking about getting the Compact or the Tinker next. Which do you prefer?

 

[Pr3inar]

Everyday: Alox Minichamp on keyring.

Everyday at work: Huntsman or Ranger, for when the LM Surge is to big or the Endura/Emerson is to «scary», or I neew the tweesers, easy access to a flat driver, thoothpick, a whittleknife when I’m bored etc.

Everyday at home: Explorer or sometimes the Spartan

Woods: Huntsman, Ranger, Farmer or my newest one, Rangerwood 55

When I dress up: Spartan or just the Minichamp.

I have a cellidor Minichamp that I don’t use much due to the thickness, and I used to have a small Tinker that got lost when playing with my kids in the snow. I look for it everytime we go back to the place it got lost

I bought a Micra last year, since I had one of those as a kid, but the scissors can’t match SAKs, and it’s bothersome to open it all the way. SAK it is.

 

[Dfunk1210]

Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking about getting the Compact or the Tinker next. Which do you prefer?

That actually is a hard call. The Compact is nice for all the scale accessories. Personally I like the traditional two blade. Philips is also a plus. This really is the question you ask yourself on which you prefer

 

[rogatsby]

That actually is a hard call. The Compact is nice for all the scale accessories. Personally I like the traditional two blade. Philips is also a plus. This really is the question you ask yourself on which you prefer

I'll probably end up getting both . But I think I will get the Compact first. I'm really liking the looks of it and the tools on that SAK.

 

[22-rimfire]

Of course, the OP should be made aware of one problem with SAK's. And it could be a huuuuge problem. A problem that could mean difficulty just getting out of the house in the morning.

That fateful decision of what three SAK's you're going to carry today.

Soooo many SAK's, decisions, decisions!

One's enough for me. I seldom make these daily decisions. I might make monthly decisions but I have settled again on "my SAK". The pocket is lighter and easier to use for other stuff. I do keep a few knives in my truck just in case, but they pretty much stay there.

Some of you would laugh at the 20 or so knives sitting in front of me on my desk. I like to fondle them all, but I use a SAK. Then there is the pile of stacked SAKs in their boxes in my ammunition cabinet. All new.

 

[Getahl]

My SAK has been my favorite knife since receiving a Tinker as a birthday gift in 93. Since then, my accumulation grew, then recently shrank. My primary knife right now, during my work week as a cube dweller, is the Classic on my key chain. Handles most everything during the work week, and I don't need it much. The balance is food prep, and I have a handy paring knife in lunchbox for that.
Weekends is whatever tickles my fancy.

 

[K.O.D.]

I carried a Wenger nomad for most of my life, until it went AWOL. The super tinker was the closest I could find to it. Keep it in my diabetes supply bag. The big flathead is perfect for changing out the cartridge on my pump. I actually use the blades the least.

Scissors and Phillips head screwdriver get used most. That was my stipulation in buying an SAK--no corkscrew, had to be a Phillip's.