Least useful SAK tool?

mnblade

mnblade

Joined
Feb 7, 2000
Messages
6,688
I recently picked up a Victorinox Spartan to carry as a day-to-day SAK that’s not too big to carry comfortably, yet still has enough tools to do the job. The decision which SAK to buy got me thinking about the tools they offer. I’ve been carrying various SAKs for the better part of 20 years now and I can remember MAYBE once when I actually used the awl. I don’t live on a ranch or work with leather, but I do camp a fair bit and carried (and used!) a large-sized SAK for five years living in Europe. I.E. I’m a knife guy.
Anyway, it occurs to me that the awl is the least useful tool offered on the standard line of SAKs. I know that, for some, the corkscrew is a waste, but I do use mine from time to time. Plus, I bought one of those tiny screwdrivers that is carried in the corkscrew. Very cool. Also, if you don’t want a corkscrew, you can always pick up a model with a Phillips screwdriver instead. But there’s no alternative to the ubiquitous awl. Anyone out there use these things? What for? Better yet, any suggestions for a tool Victorinox could place there instead?
 
Wow!

It's funny, I use the awl "awl" the time! ;-)

The awl is a superb wood and bone drill, for making things in the wilds. You can start a hole with the awl and use your knife blade to widen it. Make an emergency handle for something by drilling into the end of a stick. Scrape and shave with the blade edge of the awl if the knife is too much for the task. Attach thread or string to the awl to pass it through any number of holes when lashing stuff together.

Granted, if you don't practice primitive skills, but just camp, the awl might not be for you. But it comes in mighty mighty handy when the sh*t hits the fan and you need to improvise in an emergency. Try playing with it and see...

LOL, but here it is: I will not go into the woods without an awl on my SAK.

The corkscrew is a good drill in soft materials, and is excellent for getting bad knots undone in string and shoelaces. Not to mention attacking that rogue bottle of wine now and then.

Funny story: I actually got hired for a consulting job when I was hanging out discussing things with the potential clients, and one of them pulled out a bottle of wine. Looked like I was gonna get it anyway, and I had been emphasizing that they needed to be prepared in their business by having back-up plans and methods.

They frowned when they realized nobody brought a corkscrew, when I sudeenly and dramatically pulled out my SAK Rucksack with a big smile, and opened the wine. One of the clients said, "I like a man who's prepared: you're HIRED!"

God that was fun!
smile.gif


~Brian.
 
MNB,
I use the awl frequently, I wish it had a heavier spring to hold it in place while using it though. My vote for the most useless tool has to go to the "Fish scaler".
Dan
 
I'd definitely agree with Dan on the uselessness of the fish scaler. I didn't include that because I don't really consider it a "standard" tool on SAKs - it's more of an option. I just can't imagine any real fisherman using that rinkydink thing.
I'd STILL like to see some alternative to the awl for folks like me who don't "awl"ways need an awl.
 
I've used the awl for untying stuck knots, scraping gunk that forms on my glasses (from oxydation??), etc.

I don't know if you can call it a standard tool, but on my little Mini-Champ, I use all the blades except for the cuticle pusher. Why would someone need a specific blade for that? I'm trying to think of a use for it...no, it doesn't work as a spoon...Doh!
redface.gif


Any suggestions?
Jim
 
AWL? Sure, use it a lot... sometimes it folds up on my finger and makes me swear, but sometimes I can use it to "sew" a tarp together (awl with the hole in it). And for the larger fellows, it can add holes in a belt as needed (so I'm told)...
 
Serrated main blade. I wish I could have a small blade instead.

Fish scaler

------------------
Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

"We will either find a way, or make one." Hannibal, 210 B.C.
 
My vote .. That little screwdriver that they put at the end of the can opener on the swisstool. What an absolutly worthless make believe addition. I havent found anywhere that I can actually use it. I know its not the Swiss army knife but I bet there is a model around with this same set up. Yuck ! it seems its just there so they can say they have 100 tools instead of 99 like the leatherman.


------------------
ALex

http://home.att.net./~a.boriqua
 
Actually, for me, it would have to be the blade! I always have a better knife with me than that on the SAK.


Ryan

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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23


 
Good point Ryan, I have barely used mine either and have never used the serrated blade. The corkscrew and awl are favorites for me, I enjoy fine wine while camping and can rarely remember to take a dedicated corkscrew.
David
 
I use the awl blade and the tiny screwdriver tip on the can opener a lot. My most common use for the awl is to make starter holes for installing wood screws. I also use it for scraping or punching holes in sheet metal when I don't want to dull the knife blade. I most commonly use the small screwdriver tip for philips head screws. When removing a philips head I may break it free using the T-handled philips blade, but it is clumsy for making many turns. Once the screw is loose I run it out most of the way using the small screwdriver blade.

For me scissors are the most useless blade. If you've got a razor sharp knife blade, what do you need with a tiny pair of scissors.
 
I'd say the corkscrew and the hook are the least useful for me. I use the awl every day for something or other that I need a sharp pokey thing for. I lent the can opener screwdriver tip to a guy just yesterday to adjust the brakes on his bike.
 
I don't like the earwax remover that pops out of the side. Oh wait, here comes the wife she's yelling something at me. I can't hear too well you know...

Oh really honey...

She says the earwax remover is called an Awl in latin. Learn something new every day...

I think she said latin.

Damn, now I got to clear more of that earwax out, kinda stings sometimes...

Guess I vote for the Awl.

-Sam
smile.gif
 
That weird hook thing that comes with some models is the most useless tool. Looks like it might be great for button hook boots, but those disappeared around 1920 or so, I believe. Or it could be used to eviscerate vampire gerbils, I suppose.
 
Well, although I do have the regular sized
SAK for camping, the one I carry every day
is one of the little ones. Mine has a orange
peeler on it! Now, who in their right mind
would want to gunk up a folder with orange
juice? How about the acid from the juice?

Warhawk
 
Warhawk:
I have the model with the orange peeler, too (the Executive). But now I rarely use the peeler...the cutter/picker blade on my MiniChamp works much better at peeling oranges. Never had a gunk problem.

I hear the hook is used for lifting packages where the binding is tied too tightly to stick your fingers under.

I have used the small screwdriver on the can opener quite a bit, though now I prefer the thin one on the minichamp for setting up my steno computer system (the can opener blade tends to scrape things as it turns).
Jim
 
As I am a Native Californian, I am glad that the rest of you have found the corkscrew useful. You may not be aware that NC's are given corkscrews at birth, and to be caught without one at any time is considered disgraceful.
wink.gif


Seriously, a friend of mine in the wine country, who is in his 70's, is a Swiss, and served in the Swiss Army. He showed me his collection of SAK's that go back to the 30's. The difference between an enlisted man's SAK and an officer's was that the officer's had a corkscrew!

Have fun, and keep those corks popping! Walt
 
I use the awl on my SAK to make starter holes for screws and the screw driver to seat them. Usually this is at work where I don't have proper tools. I have also made holes in belts for friends who have lost weight.

John
 
The Victorinox awl is absolutely great!! But the fish scaler... never used... and I bet never will... at least not for what it's intended (might have used the length scale on the side a couple of time - when nothing better was close at hand.)

Hugo.
 
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