Minimalist SAKs

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by Gonzo_Beyondo
i believe it's called the "Cybertool" or cyber-something. What i find great about it is the interchangeable drivers! it's larger than i'd like, however, it's usefullness makes that seem bearable.

There are 3 Victorinox Cybertools -

29, 34 and 41

The Cybertool 29 is the thinnest - with just the standard features and the bit drivers, in addition to the red there is also a transucent blue):

cybertool 29
size:91 mm /3.58 inch
Large Blade
Small Blade
Bit Wrench
Bit Case
5mm Hex Socket
4mm Hex Socket
#8 Torx Bit
#10 Torx Bit
#15 Torx Bit
#2 Phillips Head
4mm Hex Bit
4mm Flat Head
#0 Pozidrive Bit
#1 Pozidrive Bit
Ball Point Pen
DIP Switch Setter (use pen)
Can Opener
Small Screwdriver 3mm
Bottle Opener
Large Screwdriver 6mm
Wire Stripper
Reamer
Sewing Eye
Cork Screw
Mini Screwdriver
Straight Pin
Key Ring
Toothpick
Tweezers
Dimensions: 91mm (length)
Weight: 3.5 oz.
Materials: Stainless/Plastic

Actually there is a fourth "cybertool" in the form of the SwissChamp XLT, and overseas they have the CyberTool XL

 

[GlockMonkey]

You can still get the Cybertool 34 at Graveyard Mall for $34.99. That's the best price I've seen it for. It's a little too big for pocket carry, but it makes a great belt tool. I love it for working on computers. The driver is long enough to get into some tight spots that the normal SAK screwdriver could never reach.

Does anyone make replacement bits that would fit the Cybertool driver? I'd like a couple different torx bits to fit some of my other knives.

 

[enkidu]

Wiha tools has a "micro" bit line of bits which fit the cybertool. They have pretty much every single small bit available. www.wihatools.com sells individual bits for about $2 each.

 

[GlockMonkey]

Thanks enkidu, those look perfect.

 

[Gerard122]

I've only just got a SAK last week (my first) one and I think it is outstanding. Perhaps it isn't quite a minimalistic SAK, but I think the Climber is an amazing all-rounder. It's small by any standards, has heaps of stuff you need, not much of what you don't need.

The corkscrew instead of a phillips head is good for me; you can get by using a flat driver instead of a phillips, but its very hard to impersonate a corkscrew. The scissors aren't essential, but ince you have them, you realise just how great they are.

still not sure about that hook though....!

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by Gerard122
I think the Climber is an amazing all-rounder.
The corkscrew instead of a phillips head is good for me; you can get by using a flat driver instead of a phillips, but its very hard to impersonate a corkscrew. The scissors aren't essential, but ince you have them, you realise just how great they are.
still not sure about that hook though....!

Welcome to the onset of SAKmania.....

Did you look at the
Victorinox Compact Knife (#54941):

size:91 mm | 3 1/2 inch
Large blade
Scissors
Hook
Bottle opener with can opener, wire stripper and large screwdriver
Mini screwdriver
Corkscrew
Straight pin
Ball point pen
Tweezers
Key ring
Toothpick

To me this model has almost all the functionalities of the Climber:

size:91 mm | 3 1/2 inch
Large blade
Small blade
Can opener with small screwdriver
Bottle opener with large screwdriver & wire stripper
Scissors
Reamer with sewing eye
Corkscrew
Hook
Toothpick
Tweezers
Key ring

with one layer/backspring less thickness - plus the Compact also adds a very useful ballpoint pen and straight Pin.

BTW - does your Hook thingy have a textured straight body (on the face out when closed) that would work as a file/nailfile?

 

[Gerard122]

RE: CLIMBER

I just checked. Nope, the hook is just plain smooth steel. I'm in Australia; maybe they have different models or something.

The compact looks good. But I don't mind the extra size of the Climber; its still pretty small to me.

I was just wondering why I don't seem to read about the climber much. In the threads talking about fav SAK's, I don't see many people saying how good the Climber is. I was going to get a Spartan or Tinker (they appear to be very popular) but found the Climber just a bit better for me.

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by Gerard122
I was going to get a Spartan or Tinker (they appear to be very popular) but found the Climber just a bit better for me.

The Climber is a great model.

It's basically the Spartan/Standard model with Scissors (and hook thingy) added.

It really shouldn't matter matter much if hardly anyone talks about it -
The most important thing is that it suits you.

eg: My EDC of the Victorinox Scientist (for some 15+ years),
hardly anyone even knew about that model when current -
now that it's been long discontinued -
it's become a very sought after model.......

 

[Gerard122]

Thanks for that.

It's not like I really need anyone else's endorsement of my knife, but I was a little worried that it might be no good, or that there was a much better similar knife that I didn't know about!

Was the scientist the one that had a magnifying glass? As it was discontinued I imagine that it was not especially popular at the time. What is the most popular (most sold) SAK these days?

I now use the Climber as my EDC in preference to my Endura. Much more useful, and noone looks twice at someone carrying a SAK. Did get a few looks if I ever used the serrated Endura for cutting a thread or something small...

If I carry it long enough, I might find a use for the hook thingy!

 

[Frank]

Originally posted by Gerard122
I was just wondering why I don't seem to read about the climber much. In the threads talking about fav SAK's, I don't see many people saying how good the Climber is.

My favorite SAK is the Climber. My sister gave me my first one over 20 years ago and I've had one ever since. I like having the scissors, eyeglass screwdriver and two blades. Nowdays,I now keep a Cadet or (thanks to VT) a Waiter because they are thinner and easier to carry. I keep the Climber in my fanny pack, ready for travel, and I have 2 spares in boxes.

The hook is what got me started collecting SAKs. In 1998, my '91 black Climber was worn to the point where it needed replacement. I went to the store and bought a new one. When I got home, I noticed the hook. For some reason, it bugged me enough to search ebay everyday until I could find a pre-hook model.

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by Gerard122
I was a little worried that it might be no good, or that there was a much better similar knife that I didn't know about!

The Climber has been around since at least the mid to late 80's, and in the form of the Traveller (no keyring) since at least the early 80's - so it's a well proven model - and the fact that it's still in production, and in the current catalog must mean there's been steady demand.

Was the scientist the one that had a magnifying glass? As it was discontinued I imagine that it was not especially popular at the time. What is the most popular (most sold) SAK these days?

The Scientist is the one with the magnifying glass see this thread -

My EDC Story - Victorinox Combo Tool Story
and that's exactly why I think it was discontinued - but it's the one that I have found suits me best over any other SAK - I'm strange that way

The Victorinox Classic is the top seller, and the top selling regular sized model with 6 or more implements is the Tinker.

I now use the Climber as my EDC in preference to my Endura. Much more useful, and noone looks twice at someone carrying a SAK.

SAKs are extremely useful for all those tools in addition to the knife blade - that is why they are so popular -

and one of the reasons I carry a SAK for my EDC is precisely because - no one bats an eye-lid at a SAK - or regards it as an offensive weapon.

 

[UnknownVT]

I have a few Victorinox Economy Line pamphlets around and only on a closer inspection did I just realize I had one that was different from the others.
(my lame excuse is that I thought it was just a duplicate of the other ones I had)

This one is truly "international" as one can see it has German, French and Arabic(?) in addition to English....

so far.... so what?

Looking more closely

The lower knife is my "budget" Waiter model! (I bought mine in Jan/82) # 2.06 00.

Now look at that Combination tool - it's the older type too.

I can sense Don Luis (and maybe Frank K) jumping up and down....... about the upper knife # 2.05 11 -
that may well be their PLumberJacks - cellidor scales pressed in silver printed logo/shield, no toothpick, no tweezers and NO corkscrew.....

I'm not sure exactly when I got the catalog, but it was probably 1988/89.

So perhaps Victorinox used up the remaining older style Combo tools in this Economy line as well as the sewing eye-less reamers?

 

[frank k]

Thanks Vincent.

The “2.05 11” is just like the one I have – except the scale color looks a little lighter with an orange tinge.

BTW, I have another “minimalist” 85 mm SAK with one spring, standard celidor sales and a main blade and an electrician’s blade, plus a Philips on the back spring and the usual tooth pick and tweezers. There is no “key ring”. By any chance, do you know what this one was called?

Thanks!



- Frank

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by frank k
BTW, I have another “minimalist” 85 mm SAK with one spring, standard celidor sales and a main blade and an electrician’s blade, plus a Philips on the back spring and the usual tooth pick and tweezers. There is no “key ring”. By any chance, do you know what this one was called?

Frank,

Yes, you mentioned this one before, and it indeed sounds very interesting.....

However you guys way overrate me -
(please don't get me wrong I am very flattered) -
I merely read/scrutinize the catalogs I have, and do a bit of deduction.

I haven't seen the knife you described in any of my limited accumulation of Vic SAK catalogs (I insist I don't "colle.." those either )

The only SAKs that I have seen with the electricians' blade had been on the ribbed alox handled "Pioneer" range (91mm) - and the model that's a single backspring with electricians' blade is the
Apprentice (US model # 53965):

Being an alox model there is no corkscrew on the back.

Is your knife a regular cellidor scale with the standard metal embedded shield?

Your knife also is close to what I was asking/wondering about -
is there a Waiter with a Phillips corkscrew replacement driver........

 

[markd1]

while we're at it, I have an old 84mm vik with a large blade, combo tool, scissors , and a cordscrew. Could it be an old 84mm golfer?

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by markd1
I have an old 84mm vik with a large blade, combo tool, scissors , and a cordscrew. Could it be an old 84mm golfer?

Certainly sounds like it -
I have a single catalog illustration from a line drawing Forschner catalog acquired circa 1987/88 that might be the
84mm Golfer (but can't say for certain as there is no description - although the US model # 5036 might confirm/refute this)

Please check the Combo tool is it this older shape?
Also the corkscrew - is it grooved/fluted?
Are the tools in the handle just the toothpick and tweezers?
I assume there is no hook thingy on the back?

 

[frank k]

Hi Vincent,

The scales are the standard red cellidor with the imbedded shield.

Too bad that there is not a site where we could look up all of the discontinued SAK models/variations.

Thanks.




- Frank.

 

[UnknownVT]

Originally posted by frank k
Too bad that there is not a site where we could look up all of the discontinued SAK models/variations.

You and me both Frank -
there should be a site that has every SAK ever produced and all the commenoratives/special issues with dates of production.

It should be searchable by tools (like the Swiss Army Brands old find/design a knife feature on their web site - sadly no longer available),
and by name, model #, and/or year of production.

I often wanted to do a tool by tool compilation - something like I did in My EDC Story - Victorinox Combo Tool Story

But I know the task is mammoth and I'd probably wouldn't be interested in all the tools to want to do all................

However we have quite a few SAK Knuts here who are very knowledgable that we might be able to pool our resource to make a start?
and Victorinox and Wenger themselves may well have records/resources to help?

 

[Frank]

Originally posted by UnknownVT

Please check the Combo tool is it this older shape?
Also the corkscrew - is it grooved/fluted?
Are the tools in the handle just the toothpick and tweezers?
I assume there is no hook thingy on the back?

Here's a pic of my Golfer. The combo tool has an angled cut on the can cutting edge. Corkscrew is fluted. Tweezer and toothpick only.

In the combo tool pic, the Golfer is the knife w/o the eyeglass screwdriver in the corkscrew. That knife is my new Waiter .

 

[Frank]

Originally posted by UnknownVT

Please check the Combo tool is it this older shape?
Also the corkscrew - is it grooved/fluted?
Are the tools in the handle just the toothpick and tweezers?
I assume there is no hook thingy on the back?

Here's a pic of my Golfer. The combo tool has an angled cut on the can cutting edge. Corkscrew is fluted. Tweezer and toothpick only.

In the combo tool pic, the Golfer is the knife w/o the eyeglass screwdriver in the corkscrew. That knife is my new Waiter .