Need some help from the Swiss Army experts...

my fav SAK is the ranger, has all the stuff i need, carry a ranger and a leatherman juice daily, a great combo imho.
 
The biggest question to answer is how you will be carrying the SAK? The locking blade SAKs really need to be carried in a sheath or in your pack, as they are just too large for pocket carry. If a sheath is cool with you, the Rucksack is a great knife. Even better, take a close look at the Outrider. A pair of small scissors comes in awfully handy on the trail.

If pocket carry is more your style, I like the alox handled Farmer and the ecoline nylon handled Huntsman. The Huntsman is basically a large locking Outrider, with a few small differences. The Farmer is about as basic a SAK as you’ll get, equipped with a saw, but a little more bulletproof than your average red-handled SAK. The awl on the alox handled SAKs are noticeably superior. The only big drawbacks to the alox handled SAKs are the lack of scissors, and the lack of the toothpick/tweezer combo.
 
Will said:
Is the LM just as good?
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My leatherman Wave and all my SAKs have a similar tooth design and all cut equally well. On the other hand, my SOG PowerLock saw has finer teeth and takes much longer.
 
Buzzbait said:
The biggest question to answer is how you will be carrying the SAK? ....
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Listen to Buzz. The Rucksak or one hand trailmaster are NOT for in pocket carry. Have to be in pack or in sheath.

For pocket, the Farmer and Hiker are good choices.

As to them being inferior.. Well Saks use softer steel than most blades, but they work well and are VERY easy to resharpen. They are also cheap enough to replace if you wear it out. They are compact and not meant to replace a large blade or a hatchet... For detail and lighter tasks, they are great.
 
Actually the rucksack is not too big for pocket carry. I bought one in Franfurt Germany In the late 80's and carried it for a long time in the vinyl slip cover it came in (they only sell SAK's in Europe witht he vinyl slip cover pouches). As far as the steel, although better, is not to much different than 420, but it also holds a decent edge. They are inexpensive, but they also are good knives.
 
Well I guess I would want to pocket carry the SAK since I would already have the Fox River on the belt. This may make the alox handles a bit more enticing for me due to the smaller size.

I cannot seem to find the Farmer Plus anywhere. Anybody have a link?

Thanks for the replies. It appears that SAKs are quite a hot item...

Oh yeah, what would need need sciccors for on the trail that you could not cut with the blades?
 
kbog said:
Well I guess I would want to pocket carry the SAK since I would already have the Fox River on the belt. This may make the alox handles a bit more enticing for me due to the smaller size.

I cannot seem to find the Farmer Plus anywhere. Anybody have a link?

Thanks for the replies. It appears that SAKs are quite a hot item...

Oh yeah, what would need need sciccors for on the trail that you could not cut with the blades?
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I think we are talking about the FARMER:
http://www.knivesplus.com/victorinox-knife-vn-53964.html

OR the ELECTRICIAN PLUS:
http://www.knivesplus.com/victorinox-knife-vn-53952.html

I've never seen a farmer plus, though with a million different models I wouldn't be surprised.

The alox handled models are very nice, but ALL SAKS with saw blades perform that function the same.

The rucksack could fit in a back pocket, I suppose, but I would go with a 94 mm model or an alox model if you are already bringing a larger knife.

The swiss-shop (not US, but you can find most of these models in the US with a google search or by asking us here) has an extensive collection for you to look at. (some of the names change when you go to the US)
91mm (3.58"):
http://www.swiss-knife.com/EN/SK/victorinoxSwissKnives/91mm-corkscrew.html
Alox:
http://www.swiss-knife.com/EN/SK/victorinoxSwissKnives/original.html

If you cannot find the name, someone here will help you.
Places in the US:
http://www.knivesplus.com/VICTORINOX-KNIVES.HTML
http://www.quickknife.com/victorinox.html
http://www.1sks.com/store/victorinox-swiss-army.html
http://www.newgraham.com/victorinox.htm
http://www.bestknives.com/victorinox.html
http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/prodlist.jsp?Mode=Brand&Brand=117&A=

I think I have purchased from all these places.

Good luck finding the _one_ you want! :p
 
kbog said:
Well I guess I would want to pocket carry the SAK since I would already have the Fox River on the belt.

Oh yeah, what would need need sciccors for on the trail that you could not cut with the blades?
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Since you're thinking about pocket carry, and will have a belt on, I'll suggest an additional item. The Victorinox Belt Hanger . It's the best way I've found to carry a SAK in your pocket. You don't get that "anvil in your pocket" feel and look, and it will keep the knife from acidentally falling out of less than secure front pockets. I wear mine every day, letting the SAK dangle into my front pocket.

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As far as scissors go, you'd be surprised how often you use a pair of scissors when you have a pair with you. Yes, you could just use a knife for almost every occasion that calls for scissors on the trail. But the scissors make better quality cuts, and are generally much safer in certain situations. They are definitely not necessary, but can be a huge convenience.
 
Hey, thanks for all the links. Those were very helpful.

Neat idea Buzz. I like that hanger idea quite a lot. Actually, something like that would work quite well with the big SAKs I would think. Really keep the weight off.
 
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