Locking Swiss Army Knives - preferences?

R

RX-79G

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Jun 23, 2006
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I recently started looking at SAKs again when I say an Evolution series knife on line. Unlike previous locking SAKs, this one doesn't look too weird.

But it got me looking at the other ones, too.

The Evolution and Evogrip knives are small like the regular SAKs and have a lever/button sticking out where you index finger would go. Evolution is plain plastic, Evogrip has rubber. How do folks like these? They seemed to be the lowest price.

The SAKs with original style liner lock - the one that looks like a half circle - are the first locking SAKs I've seen. I think the first of the series was the new Swiss issue knife. They come with a Spyderhole thingy or nail slot. Bigger, but not that big. Grippy and smooth scales.

The Rangergrip knives are the biggest. The lock is a hidden liner with a push button that is the Swiss cross. Pretty slick. They seem long and quite fat, but they have a saw that is so long it looks useful. Grippy and smooth scales, one handed or nail slot.


Love to hear what is working for people. I'm inclined to go with the Super Tinker-like Evolution S18.
 
I've had a SAK with a locking blade for 28 years, but don't use it much anymore, It has worked fine. That's all I know about it.
 
I personally don't like that the liner-locks on the knives like the Soldier '08 are... backwards.
 
Ace Krampus said:
I personally don't like that the liner-locks on the knives like the Soldier '08 are... backwards.
Click to expand...

It's the pre-Walker style of liner lock. Like the Walker, it blocks the blade below the pivot, but hangs out more. What is backwards about it?
 
Pushing the lock the other way feels counter-intuitive to me. If I was left-handed I'd be all over it.
 
I've carried a one handed trekker ever day for at least the last 5 years. It's a sweet blade that I couldn't be without.

Also, Victorinox is coming out with a new button that you can push on the scales that will disengage the lock!
 
Ace Krampus said:
Pushing the lock the other way feels counter-intuitive to me. If I was left-handed I'd be all over it.
Click to expand...

Ah, right to left rather than left to right. Gotcha!

Yo Mama said:
Also, Victorinox is coming out with a new button that you can push on the scales that will disengage the lock!
Click to expand...
Yo Mama, got any links to that? Is it different than the Rangergrip button release?
 
I watched shot show coverage from 2015 were Victorinox discussed it
 
If I needed a locking Victorinox it would be the One Hand Trekker. I had a Dual Pro X years ago, but found it too bulky for pocket carry. I wouldn't mind having a Trekker to carry in a belt sheath, but for the tasks I would use it for the Farmer I have now is sufficient.
 
The only locking SAK I own is the Sentinel, and it has a lot of vertical play. No big deal, its a good user, but I know it would bug others....that, and the liner lock being backwards seems a little odd at first.
 
I have a Forrester with black scales, traditional looking with locking blade. lovely knife to use. The lock being "backwards" takes a bit of getting used to, allm of twenty minutes.
 
I have a Hercules which goes everywhere with me. Everything you need, nothing you don't.
 
I've got a great one that i traded off a dutch soldier years ago that is a great knife. pretty large for a SAK but it's pretty well put together. nice OD grips and whatnot too, don't know what the name is or if you can buy it off the shelf. and yes, the lock is backwards.
 
Have the pre-vic wenger with the pac-lock system
Handiest little package.
The vic side lock
Did the job, but it wasn't a single handed operation.
The one that takes the cake imo,
Is the one handed opening liner lock GAK
Helps to be ambidextrous with the locking mechanism.
What really matters most is in having a locking main blade
That stays locked.
I honestly do not expect quick closing operations
For blades of this nature.
Understandably, too that they are not exactly SD tools.
But it really is advantageous to have a locked blade fitted
In an SAK
With all the exact tool blades for the requirement.

http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Locking+Systems
 
Thanks for the informative link, GIRLY. It sounds like most folks have the Soldier type backwards liner lock. The link makes the Evo Packlock sound questionable.

The New Ranger lock is pretty cool, but those knives are really large.

I'll have to go to the Vic store at the mall and actually play with these a bit.

Or try to find the SAK I already have.
 
I hate liner locks on pretty much anything, including SAK's :cool:
Stayglow Classic SD :D
 
Another vote for the One Handed Trekker. I carry mine anytime I'm camping or around the yard, the saw by itself is well worth it!
 
Of the locking SAKs I own I like my GAK OHT. More for the coolness of the German Bundeswehr symbol on it. My only other one is a Victorinox Trekker I bought in the early 90s. Carried it on several camping trips as a young man. No issues with the liner lock, just different.
 
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