Let's talk SAK's !

My top choices when hiking are Forester, Camper, Farmer, and One Hand Trekker. For around town or in the shop I use either an old style Soldier, or Cadet.
 
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.
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i just got one a week ago and i havent used it in the wilderness but i am very impressed with it as an edc so far
 
For outdoors/bushcraft I don't think theres any better than the safari series. Longer thicker blades, and depending on the model you get two main blades as opposed to a large and a small.

For general, my favorite is my custom sak. Standard size alox, two large blades one small one, saw, awl, can & bottle opener.
 
My first new knife was a SwissBuck Globetrotter (made by Wegner and nearly Identical to the Tinker) It has served me well since 92, and was my EDC knife throughout my teenage years. The blade and awl have seen the most use, but over the years everything has come in handy once or twice (and that include the nearly worthless wire stripper on the can opener)
 
One thing that I have found useful is a file to grind a little wood/plastic/metal to make something fit properly or whatever. I kinda like the Victorinox Ranger for bush bummin' as it has the file, scissors, saw, small blade, large blade, toothpick, tweezers,bottle opener & can opener (as well as some other stuff)
http://www.victorinox.com/product/1/100/1000/1103/1.3763
It looks like a pretty useful tool IMO.

I have found that the can opener on Victorinox SAKs works really well, doesn't leave a jagged edge or anything. I keep my blades easily 'shaving sharp' and they slice through stuff really well. The humble SAK makes a nice complement to a larger fixed blade giving you are range of handy tools that would be too much to carry the full sized versions of (who goes camping carrying a pair of scissors, a file, a saw, a can opener, a bottle opener, a screwdriver, etc).

The Outrider looks nice, but it is a little larger and since I always have a knife as well I don't really need a big SAK. The Alox Farmer is pretty nice, lacking a file or scissors but it is pretty small for easy carry.
 
In the early eighties I bought a Swiss Champ (or Champion). I quickly broke the main blade. Owing to the fact that it only had two to begin with, I bought a new one. I carried the new one every day from 1982 until 2008, when it was replaced by a XLT. The interesting part of the story is the original Champ moved into the kitchen during 1988, in order to open cans. Every can opener used prior eventually broke or quickly wore out. That can opener has opened at least two cans per day during the past 22 years, survived my wifes and myselfs use, and the raising of three sons into adulthood. Simple math indicates that the Champ's can opener has opened more than 16,000 cans. I am sure the total since I first bought it exceeds 20,000. A pretty good testament to their durability. I own many models, but the Champ, XLT, and farmer are among my favorites.
 
Huntsman all the way for me. I use it all the time - in the field or not. It's part of a well balanced breakfast!

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I EDC a Vic Farmer and most often use the saw, awl, and knife. I think it's a great piece of kit but I'm not impressed with the knife blade...same goes for all SAKs. I would rather have a sheepsfoot blade like the Electrician's in place of the main blade.
 
tabeeb762 said:
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
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My experience has been different. I've lost the springy thing on the Wave/Surge that holds those interchangeable tools in and then you're SOL. No new Surge or Waves for me.

I don't understand the "don't need a screwdriver for bushcraft sentiment". I carry gear in the bush and it often needs repair, much of which can be repaired with a screwdriver or set of pliers. When I leave the field, it's often in a vehicle. Can't tell you how many times my coworkers or I was able to fix something on an ATV or vehicle with a SAK or Leatherman.
 
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I'm a fan of the Marlboro Outdoorsman. Last count, I was up to 7 of them.

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I also like the Farmer. :thumbup:

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I love SAKs....My first knife was a SAK Tinker.

Tops to me is the Farmer. I love that thing. Swiss Bianco is doing a run of black alox. Too cool! I also love the one they did in Autumn Orange alox with pocket clip.

I really want one of the Bushcrafter Aloxs....Farmer minus bottle opener and can opener. mtnfolkmike has one of Scibeers like it with a pocketclip. Its awesome.

My Swisstool Spirit is a constant companion on the Ambulance, and in the woods. I EDC it sometimes, but I like to rotate between the Farmer, and my 1969 Camillus US knife.
 
I'm a fan of the Vic Hiker for woods bummin or just plain ole general purpose use.

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nemoaz said:
My experience has been different. I've lost the springy thing on the Wave/Surge that holds those interchangeable tools in and then you're SOL. No new Surge or Waves for me.
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Never had any problems with mine, but thanks for giving me another thing to lose sleep over.


nemoaz said:
I don't understand the "don't need a screwdriver for bushcraft sentiment". I carry gear in the bush and it often needs repair, much of which can be repaired with a screwdriver or set of pliers. When I leave the field, it's often in a vehicle. Can't tell you how many times my coworkers or I was able to fix something on an ATV or vehicle with a SAK or Leatherman.
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This is one thing that I often overlook. I have a tool-kit in all my vehicles, but a lot of people dont. Something goes wrong and its still your ass out there.
 
Victorinox Farmer for me when i'm outdoors.

The blade, reamer and saw see the most action, unless i'm camping, then the can opener and cap lifter see some service.
 
JNieporte said:
Hunter. Very overlooked.
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Until recently I would have agreed with you. After I started EDC'ing mine approx. one year ago I see them mentioned more and more. At least 3-4 times in this thread alone. I think I started a trend:). Either that or I just started noticing more.

SAKaholics will never agree on a particular brand or model. Even when talking to themselves.:D But IMHO any SAK that includes a saw is perfect for woods bumming. I would also be comfortable with the classic Scout / Utility pattern. See, I'm doing it again.
 
I've used a forester and a bk7 almost exclusive for an entire year.. It performed most of my outdoors and edc tasks with ease..
I use the blade canopener and saw the most... Ive found uses for other blades but could do with out them
It would be great it the large screw drive. bottle opener thing had a chisel point on it, or if the saw locked in place. or if the large models incorporated a small pen blade like the smaller models do.. That being said the larger locking saks area n awesome outdoor platfor, as evidence by them being the choice for several outdoors gurus, Ron Hood being one of them. another thing I love about them is that is it a woods capable blade, that is easily edc-able in an urban environment without turning any heads..
 
RescueRiley said:
I've used a forester and a bk7 almost exclusive for an entire year.. It performed most of my outdoors and edc tasks with ease..

another thing I love about them is that is it a woods capable blade, that is easily edc-able in an urban environment without turning any heads..
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I like the combo - the BK-7 is a good tough survival knife that can handle just about anything, then you have your SAK for the smaller jobs.

I totally agree about the last point too - I live in a country where it is illegal to carry a weapon in an urban environment. I EDC a SAK & a Multi-tool and after around a decade of this my tally of problems stands at zero. If I carried a locking folder like my Endura then there would be a risk if I whipped it out in public - someone could panic thinking I'm a psychopath. The humble SAK seems to struggle to raise an eyebrow, so no negative reactions for me to worry about. If searched by the police (not that that has happened to me, ever) I could explain that the SAK & Multi-Tool were useful tools of the trade to me, but it would be harder to explain something like the Endura and it would be possible to be arrested for carrying one. When camping though I can play with my BK-9 as much as I like!
 
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