Must.....Resist.....Urge.....

M

MacTech

Joined
Jan 7, 2006
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I shouldn't have read the posts in here, now i'm finding myself wanting a nice, basic SAK, problem is, i don't really *need* one, as i already have "too many" knives as it is;

Spyderco Endura, Dyad Jr, Native, Jester, and Cricket
Kershaw Scallion
Buck Metro

yes, it's a small collection, so how can i consider it to be "too many"?, simple, i only have *two hands*, my feet aren't dexterous enough (yet) to open and close knives... ;)

besides, i have this horible feeling if i *do* get a SAK, suddenly i'll start carrying my "fancier" knives less often (well, aside from the Cricket, that's on *permanent* EDC duty, it's too handy to leave behind....)

i've been trying to decide between a "Leatherman" style multitool, or a SAK, i don't really need pliers all that often, so that points me more in the direction of the SAK, the biggest problem is what SAK to buy, there's so many choices, i've been perusing threads here, trying to see if i should go with a light, easily EDC'd model, or a "portable toolbox".....

the only tools i really *need* are a decent pair of blades and a stout Phillips head screwdriver, have *no* need of a corkscrew, fish scaler, saw blade, all i need are a decent pair of blades and a phillips screwdriver.....

something tells me that a trip to my local sporting goods shop is in order tomorrow....
 
Easy answer - get the swisstool spirit. Slimmer and lighter than most multi-tools with that classic victorinox styling (it's the Ipod of multi-tools). It takes about 30 minutes with a diamond stone to grind off those serrations off the blade if you don't like them.
 
Resistence is futile, Mac Tech. But seriously, if you don't have a SAK you definately need one. The Tinker sounds like it would fit your needs well. You might also consider a Spartan Lite. It has the phillips on the end of the knife instead of in the "T" position that limits it's use. It also has a bright LED flashlight built in. Spartan Lites have been selling for $19.50 a Targets around the country.
 
Every knife knut should own at least one SAK. They may not be fancy or exotic, but they're about as iconic a knife design as I can think of.

I second the Spartan Lite suggestion. For less than $20, it's a helluva lotta utility in your pocket!
 
My three SAKs are Swisschamp, Tinker and Minichamp. These are, IMHO, either seperately or in combination, classics, the ultimate EDC. They make me very happy, except when I need full size pliers or other more serious tools. Then, I switch to Leathermen, which also make me happy. About my Spydercos, another time.:)
 
cabron50 said:
Resistence is futile, MacTech. But seriously, if you don't have a SAK you definately need one. The Tinker sounds like it would fit your needs well. You might also consider a Spartan Lite. It has the phillips on the end of the knife instead of in the "T" position that limits it's use. It also has a bright LED flashlight built in. Spartan Lites have been selling for $19.50 a Targets around the country.
Click to expand...

I stopped off at KTP tonight, checked all the SAK's out (they have a great selection of both Wegner and Victorinox), and the one that had the toolset that fit me best was the Spartan Lite, i would've preferred the non-light Spartan model, but they didn't have that one....

i wouldn't exactly call the light in the Spartan "bright", after all, it's eclipsed by even a lowly LRI Photon II (the one that came with my Spydie Jester), but just like knives, you can never have too many flashlights, even though the light in the SAK isn't the most powerful, it's good to have just in case, it's more of a "find the keyhole" or "find my better lights" light....

and considering I EDC 2-3 lights anyway (not counting the pair of Photons on my keyring...), there'll be no *need* of the light in the SAK, so the batteries will likely stay good for a while

(I EDC a SureFire 6P and Fenix L1 R-Bin Lighthound Special, occasionally i add an Inova X5 to the mix)

and after a trip on the Sharpmaker, both blades are now shaving-sharp, close to scary sharp....
 
I encourage the SAK....I own a few. Customer service is great. Warranty excellent.
However, how much will you need scissor? If you need them, fold-out scissors on "multitool" are usually better then the SAK scissors...i.e. check LM micra.

O/W, if "all (you) need are a decent pair of blades and a phillips screwdriver", then the Tinker looks excellent and simple and to the point!
 
I'm glad that you like the Spartan Lite, Mac Tec. The standard Spartan model doesn't have a Phillips at all. There really aren't that many Victorinox SAKs with the coveted end Phillips. The only ones that come to mind are the Spartan Lite, Huntsman Lite, Scientist, Yeoman, BSA Yeoman and SwissChamp. I'm sure that there are a couple more past or present models with the end Phillips but you get the picture.

I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression by saying that the Spartan Lite's LED is "bright." I should have given a more objective assesment of it's performance like "it's bright enough to let you get around in a totally dark room." Just be careful not to leave the light on when you pocket it. A few forumites have killed the batteries that way. If you want to carry spare batteries, you can wrap them in paper and put them under the phillips.

Enjoy the knife!
 
Ming65 said:
Easy answer - get the swisstool spirit. Slimmer and lighter than most multi-tools with that classic victorinox styling (it's the Ipod of multi-tools). It takes about 30 minutes with a diamond stone to grind off those serrations off the blade if you don't like them.
Click to expand...


+1 ON THAT:D
 
The Spartan Lite fits my needs just right, and i'm already starting to hack it a little, i sharpened the blade on the can opener, and will use that for opening packages, rather have the can opener blade get gummed up with packing tape residue, the blades are now shaving sharp thanks to a trip down the fine Sharpmaker rods, took very few strokes to get there

the jewlers screwdriver holder...err...corkscrew won't see much use, i don't drink wine, but the little jeweler's screwdriver is handy...

bottle opener won't see much use, exept on some of those "microbrew" root beer and Steaz sodas, i don't drink beer that often, so it won't be popping open brews too much

the biggest selling point for the Spartan was the phillips screwdriver, it fits *perfectly* in the screw holes for the original iMac G5's, so when i can't find my DeWalt 12V cordless drill/screwdriver, i can quickly pop the case open with the SAK

i'll be blunt, the LED flashlight is laughable, pathetic, nearly useless, a Photon II outperforms it in runtime and brightness, but then again, it's not fair to compare a 3MM white LED to a more powerful 5MM Nichia Snow LED, lets not even bring my 1 watt Luxeon Fenix L1 into the mix either....

and no, it's not even worth comparing it to my P61 120 lumen-equipped SureFire 6p.....

still, always good to have a spare light, even if it's wimpy..... a weak light's better than no light, and in that highly improbable possibility that all the batteries in my EDC lights (6P, Fenix L1, Inova X5, Photon II, "Fauxton" Photon clone) die, i'll still have a light in the SAK that will work, and allow me to go to the car where i can grab my SureFire G2 with 3W Bug Out Gear LED module and Inova 24/7.....

i'm already trying to figure out the best way to shoehorn a 5MM Nichia into the light, to give it a bit of an upgrade....

now, the next question is how to incorporate the Spartan Lite into my EDC knives, what knife to leave at home?

EDC knives;
Spyderco SS PE Cricket (on *permanent* EDC duty)
Kershaw Scallion
Spyderco Native
Vic. Spartan Lite
Spyderco Jester (on keyring, so it really doesn't count, right? ;) )

for work EDC, i'm contemplating leaving the Native at home, so far i have no need for a "heavy duty" cutter, the Scallion's my "fun" knife (flicking it open and closed, assisteds are fun), most of my actual *cutting* chores are balanced between the Scallion and Cricket, whatever one is closer at hand gets used....

i suppose i *could* leave the Cricket home, as the SAK would be performing the same duties, but i *love* my Cricket, cuts like a big blade, handles like a small blade, and is very "sheeple" freindly, i *could* leave the Scallion at home, as i only really use the AO feature if it's just me and my co-workers, if i have to open the Scallion in front of a customer, i go two-handed as not to stir up a hornets nest of "He's got a *SWITCHBLADE!*, but the Scallion's just too much fun to use

for the weekend, the Cricket is a definite, as is the Native, the Scallion's too much fun to leave at home, so i'll add the SAK to the mix there....

heck, i have enough knives now that i can randomly choose what companions to the Cricket i'll carry, i may try to limit myself to two next week, Cricket and SAK.....
 
Interesting discussion that I feel really needed some pictures:
Micra
LMMicra.jpg

swisstool spirit
vm_53800_sol_a02.jpg

SAK Tinker
vm_53133_sol_a02.jpg

SAK Spartan
vm_53151_sol_a02.jpg

SAK Spartan Lite
vm_53451_sol_a02.jpg

vm_53481_sol_a02.jpg

SAK Swisschamp
vm_53501_sol_a02.jpg
 
I personally like the larger vics with the lock blades. I carry a basic large sak (don't remember the model right now but it has large blade, can opener, saw, screwdriver, then has reamer and phillips driver on back side) then my large clip on folder (spyderco, kershaw, or bm depending on the day) when I go hiking, I add a leatherman wave and a fixed blade or two.
 
MacTech said:
...i've been trying to decide between a "Leatherman" style multitool, or a SAK, i don't really need pliers all that often...trying to see if i should go with a light, easily EDC'd model, or a "portable toolbox".....

the only tools i really *need* are a decent pair of blades and a stout Phillips head screwdriver, have *no* need of a corkscrew, fish scaler, saw blade, all i need are a decent pair of blades and a phillips screwdriver.....
...QUOTE]

A really great choice might be the Bantam. You get one nice large blade and one "combo tool" that can drive large-ish phillips screws, in a very compact package, especially if you go with the Alox scales.

Another nice choice would be an Explorer. That gets you the blades plus a stout phillips screwdriver, in a package that's still relatively compact.

- Tim
Click to expand...
 
Sounds like you need the tinker. It comes in both normal 3.5" and small 3.25" versions. The small one is enough knife for almost any task and fits in a pocket better than the standard size.
 
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