Multi-tool vs Swiss Army Knife vs Large Locking SAK

A

allenC

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Jun 18, 2000
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Okay, which do you find serves you better: a multi-tool, a traditional Swiss Army Knife, or one of the newer large Lock-blade Swiss Army knives?
I sometimes carry my Gerber Pro-Scout but I don't use the pliars often enough to justify the weight (or the metal-file), so I carry a traditional SAK which meets most of my needs.
I usually carry a small Victorinox Cadet, but lately I've been torn between carrying my Vic Supertinker or my Wenger Handyman.
However, I'm always looking for something better. And after reading all the terrific reviews and comments on the large locking SAKS (like the Victorinox Rucksack) I have considered getting one.
So, who has what, and why do you carry it instead of one of the others?
If you carry a multi-tool instead of a SAK, what was it about the SAK that made you nix it (and vice-versa)?
And what specific tools do you find yourself using the most?

Thanks and enjoy,
Allen.
 
I think the bottom line is that if you need pliers in a more or less full size, the multi-tool is the way to go. You get a combo needle nose/regular pliers and a wire cutter. The SAKs are generally for lighter-duty applications.
 
I tend to love the Rucksack. That said I also always carry my Leatherman Wave. I find that for "me" the need for both at once happens often. The SAK for the screwdriver, while using the pliars to hold the nut. I seem to always be doing something where both become invaluable. Your personal need should dictate which tool or combo of tools you need in your EDC.
 
I vote for all of the above, depending on the situation.
For EDC I most often carry a Wave, but sometimes a locking Adventurer SAK is all I want to carry.
For hunting or hiking I like a Huntsman or locking Hunter model, along with a fixed blade.
For more heavy duty use it is a Swisstool for me.
 
At work, I most often carry a multitool. I haven't found a good substitute for the comfortable, full-function pliers. Everywhere else, I most often carry an SAK. I prefer the SAK blades, handle shape, and light weight. I sometimes supplement the SAK with a Sebertech Sebertool. This provides a very small pliers for light crimping and grasping, with minimal extra weight.

Bottom line, I use them both and wouldn't want to give up either.
 
I like all three, for most BF members who carry a quality folder the multi-tool with good pliers appears more useful for EDC. However, in camping/ hiking situation the SAK saw is excellent and awl/ reamer can be invaluable, also better quality back up blade of SAK is more important out in the woods.
Martin
 
I have numerous SAKs and three leatherman tools. That being said, I'll take a SAK anyday. The Leatherman is OK if you really need the pliers. But then Victorinox makes the Swiss-tool. IMO, V-nox puts much more quality into their tools than Leatherman. Other than that, Buzzbait said it better than anyone.

Paul
 
I carry a Supertool 200 daily. To me, SAK's feel kinda flimsy. The construction and steel is just not up to what I expect from a knife. I never use the blades on my ST, but the screwdrivers, pliers, file, and saw come in handy. There's not really anything a SAK can do that I need done that my ST can't. In addition to that, the ST is virtually indestructible and I really like that. I see multi-tools as the next development of the SAK, and while I'm glad that SAK's are always evolving, I don't have any need for one.
 
Somehow i'm completely the reverse of Buzzbait. I carry a folding knife anyways, and never cared for the blade in a multitool. I've found occasions to use a multitool (ie a bike) and damn glad that I have my Leatherman Juice (blue).
When I have both my mutlitool and the SAK, I grab the multitool first.
 
I find most multitools heavy and clunky. I standardized long ago on the tools that I used the most: Knife; phillips head plus small, medium, & large flat head screw drivers; can opener; bottle opener; awl; tweezers, and toothpick. For years I carried the basic Tinker model SAK as the most compact and lightweight tool for the job. When the longer locking blade Adventurer I moved up without a lot more weight and thickness. The Adventurer is a much handier knife for defense and utility than any multitool I have ever handled. For me most multitools aren't worth the weight and bulk. I also find them to be very substandard knives.
 
Jeff: you just might want to try the Juice.
IMHO it's not there in my pocket until I need it.
 
A couple of other things came to mind here.

Some of the devices that I use at work have screws that are inset into their case. A multitool can reach these, but my SAKs cannot. In general, I like the dedicated screwdrivers on multitools, with the handle as a guard in case they fold up. This is not as important to me at home, because I use the screwdrivers a lot less. My V'nox Tinker does just fine for most stuff there.

As far as the blade quality goes, I love the SAK's great slicing ability. On the other hand, my LM Wave gives me two of my favorite blade shapes in one tool. It's a tough call...that's why I have 'em all...;)
 
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