Let's talk SAK's !

Does anyone have one of the new one handed Vic Soldiers ? I held one in a store the other day and seemed pretty good.
 
i can't remember the model name (because they don't put it on the knives), but i used to have an EDC SAK with the Philips screwdriver on the end, not in the middle of the back. made much more sense with it on the end, and worked in some places where it wouldn't when it's in the middle. the Phillips on the end was a flat blade, not the round version they put in the middle.

what i'd love to see would be the equivalent of a Farmer, with the addition of pliers and a Phillips driver on the end.

the SAK scissors are nice, but the ones on the Leatherman micra are much better.
 
My farmer doesn't see as much action since the introduction of the OHT into the EDC and backpacking combo. It is a versatile and strong implement:

SANY0016-5.jpg
 
Everything in a Vic SAK is poor substitute for the real tool. Understand that going in, and you can get some use out of your SAK. The Sleuth Channel will run some MacGyver episodes today, if you need examples of their utility... just don't use them where they clearly aren't 'enough'.

I like the scissors - but they don't offer them with ALOX handles. The Farmer is, otherwise, a great hiking knife.

If I were fishing - pliers would be nice for hook retrieval. The plastic handles are tougher to clean of fish goo.

The serrated blade of the OHT and Soldier are nice - until dulled. They are so similar - except for the OHT's toothpick & tweezers. Also, they have a flimsy liner-lock - I feel the regular 'slippie-like' blades are safer - you know not to push cut with them.

I converted from an early Craftsman to a Farmer as my hiker friend in the last few years. I also carry a 'real' knife as well when I 'hike' - a Buck 110, Benchmade, etc.

Stainz
 
There isn't one. My top three are the Huntsman, Farmer and Bundeswehr/Trekker, but neither of them is perfect.

The Huntsman has all the right tools, but lacks the Alox scales and super awl of the Farmer, and the longer saw of the Trekker.

The Farmer needs a pen blade an larger saw. A bigger handle would be a good idea aswell.

The OH-GAK is the right size, but lacks the Alox scales, penblade, uber awl, and has that annoying blade play.


The Leatherman Surge is pretty close to perfect. The saw is interchangable, so you can use one as big as you like.
The diamond/metal file is also removable, which means you can sharpen the plan blade.
Only thing missing is a pen blade and a good awl
 
I agree the Farmer is a great place to start. It was replaced by my Centurion and OHT, which are worn on the belt.

Now a Farmer with scissors and a pocket clip like Swissbianco built and sells is a winner! :)
 
I have been carrying a Wenger Alpine Backpacker for years as my SAK. It has a locking main blade(serrated) and all the tools on it seem sturdy. I've used it for everything and has held up well. The corkscrew is essential as my wife and her lady friends like their wines on a trip. I've also used that corkscrew to pull rubber plugs from gear.
 
I have a Farmer and a Sportsman. I carry the Sportsman everyday, because of the tweezers and toothpick, the Alox handles dont allow them. I would like to have the Farmer without the Alox scales. That would be a Hiker or a Camper.
 
The Outrider.

It's a 111mm model, and they have the longest blades, and more importantly, the longest saws.

It also has the scissors -- the larger scissors in the 111mm models seem to be a cut above the smaller ones. Surprisingly, they are one of my most used tools.

The corkscrew is nice, especially if you add one of those mini screwdrivers.

It also has the reamer which, unlike the Trekker, has the awl eye in it.

And of course the plastic handles give you the tweezers and toothpick.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
The Outrider.

It's a 111mm model, and they have the longest blades, and more importantly, the longest saws.

It also has the scissors -- the larger scissors in the 111mm models seem to be a cut above the smaller ones. Surprisingly, they are one of my most used tools.

The corkscrew is nice, especially if you add one of those mini screwdrivers.

It also has the reamer which, unlike the Trekker, has the awl eye in it.

And of course the plastic handles give you the tweezers and toothpick.
Click to expand...

+1. I carry a Hunter or Rucksack as a loaner for friends in need. But I keep the Outrider for myself.
 
I'm a SAK collector/user (i have 50 plus), here are my favorites!
4 layers or under
1. 91mm Huntsman (4 layers)
2. 111mm OHT (3 layers)
3. 93mm Alox Farmer (3 layers)
4. 91mm Compact (2 layers)
5. 111mm Outrider (4 layers)
6. 84mm My First Victorinox Plus (2 layers) (lightly modded)
7. 84mm Waiter (1 layer)
8. 93mm Alox Soldier/Pioneer (2 layers)
9. 91mm Hiker (3 layers)
If you don't need scissors then #2,3,6,8,7
If you need scissors then #1,5,4
If you need a saw then #1,5,2,9,6
If you need neither scissors nor saw then #8,7

Above 4 layers then you might as well go with 10. 91mm Swisschamp (8 layers)!
Its the most tools per ounce sak/multi out there!
It can be pocket carried but its more at home in a sheath.
In my overall list the top 4 would stay as is but i would put the Swisschamp at number 5.
:)
 
pitdog said:
Does anyone have one of the new one handed Vic Soldiers ? I held one in a store the other day and seemed pretty good.
Click to expand...

I do, great SAK. I don't carry it quite as much as the smaller ones, but it's a great setup.

Another one that I carry daily "in town" rather than outdoors, is the Locksmith.
 
i bought a farmer based on the praise here. only problem is my finger nails are very short & i couldnt open the main blade. i believe i gifted it to someone...but again was reading on the awesomeness of the farmer and bought another one...i still cant open it:grumpy:

so yesterday morning i was killing some time before work in the local ACE hardware store and stumbled upon a victorinox camper & noticed it had basically all the tools of the farmer but w/ a added corkscrew..i bought it and am very happy right now as i can open all the tools
 
VANCE said:
i bought a farmer based on the praise here. only problem is my finger nails are very short & i couldnt open the main blade. i believe i gifted it to someone...but again was reading on the awesomeness of the farmer and bought another one...i still cant open it:grumpy:

so yesterday morning i was killing some time before work in the local ACE hardware store and stumbled upon a victorinox camper & noticed it had basically all the tools of the farmer but w/ a added corkscrew..i bought it and am very happy right now as i can open all the tools
Click to expand...
If you ever go to buy a Vic multi-tool go for the Victorinox Spirit!
Its very finger nail friendly as the nail-nicks are all slightly raised outside the body of the frame.
I have Leathermans SOG and Victorinox multi's, the Vic Spirit by far has the the easiest to open tools!
I love my Victorinox Swisstool X as well but the nail nicks are deep set in the frame. In that regard the Swisstool X is not as good as the Vic Spirit but still better than most Leathermans and SOG's.
 
The only place I go without a SAK is on commercial air transport. When hunting or walking in the woods I always take a Victorinox Hunter. Not because it's named 'Hunter', but I've found it's mix of tools handy for mending gear and general cutting, and it slips in my pants pocket so I always have it. I also like the Soldier's Knife, so that usually goes in my pack.

SP
 
I would like to point out that if this threads title were "Lets talk about SAKs" it would be a rather nifty pun referencing a pop song from the early 90's. ...anyway...

For my outdoor adventures I bought a OHT...and fell in love with it, it's largely replaced my leatherman juice as an in-town EDC.

twosaks2.jpg


I wish the awl was set up like the one on the Farmer, but other than that it's pretty close to perfect.
 
My Vic Farmer with the added scissors is my favorite...a very utilitarian and useful combo!
SDC10059.jpg
 
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