New locking SAKs coming?

DocJD said:
Yup ! Did pretty good too .

Found a few uses I hadn't thought about . 🤖
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Have to agree there!!

Though, a couple of those, it's something of a tossup for me as to whether I'd use the can opener on a SAK I was carrying, (or the package opener) versus using the bottle-opener/large flathead. Now, THAT, THAT tool has always been useful to me in a variety of ways and I won't carry a SAK without it. I'm very glad it's on these new models.

Turns out, we all have certain tools we have to have on our SAKs, and I'll issue a general apology if I came off harshly dismissing the can opener that others have found extensive use for. We all like what we like.
 
I’ve used the tools on my Victorinox Executive in an off-label manner, to borrow a phrase from the pharmaceutical industry. The other uses for the can opener are no surprise. Sadly, the Executive model died with nowhere near as much handwringing as the new package opener is getting. 😁
Time marches on and changes will come.
 
It's not for nothing that the can opener on my Gerber is also one of my most useful box openers. I admit I'm intrigued by that little toothy thing on new SAKs, but not enough to run out and get one. But I also won't turn it down for want of a lock. The real test is whether it can also open my soup.
 
edgelion said:
It's not for nothing that the can opener on my Gerber is also one of my most useful box openers. I admit I'm intrigued by that little toothy thing on new SAKs, but not enough to run out and get one. But I also won't turn it down for want of a lock. The real test is whether it can also open my soup.
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It didn't help that for a little while, the only way to get a SAK with the new tool was to buy one of the three $75 Companions. In fact, I am not immediately aware of any truly inexpensive frame that it comes with as yet.
 
I'm actually a fan of the package opener as well. For years I've been using: a sharpened Wenger can opener, pruning blade on the models that have it, orange peeler on the executive and 58mm models; all as makeshift package openers for clamshell packages or avoiding tape gunk from boxes on the blade.

My personal 3 favorite tools on a SAK are: Scissors, cap lifter, fingernail file/cleaner. I've long held the opinion that a dedicated package opening tool would be my 4th, so I welcome the attempt at least. This one has been fairly useful in my experience thus far. Even works sufficiently as a Philips driver in a pinch.

Another thing I'm pleased with on some of the recent models (including this one) is the 93mm fingernail tool. Considering the fact that I'm almost always carrying a larger folder, the main blade on my SAK is already my secondary blade, so the extra tool is more useful to me. I need to clean my fingernails and temporarily make a jagged broken fingernail functional much more often than I need yet another blade beyond what I am already carrying.

That's why the Companion has become my go-to, especially since they recently (FINALLY) released it in red at standard pricing. I bought the initial wood-scaled release and sanded the design off, and now I'm getting the red to do scale swaps with my other 93's. It has already replaced my compact. And I DO like the corkscrew. You might not need to open a bottle of wine on the beach too often, but when the time comes to open a bottle of wine on the beach, don't you wanna be the guy that's got us covered? ;)

I guess all of this is just a long winded way of saying, I appreciate the attempt at innovation, even if it's not always for me. I'm not sure if I'll find an excuse to "need" one of these, but I'm happy to have the option. Sure I wish it had scissors, sure I'd love screws, but perhaps this a step in that direction.
 
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Knives&Lint said:
I guess all of this is just a long winded way of saying, I appreciate the attempt at innovation, even if it's not always for me. I'm not sure if I'll find an excuse to "need" one of these, but I'm happy to have the option. Sure I wish it had scissors, sure I'd love screws, but perhaps this a step in that direction.
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It looks like there is a Synergy X model with scissors as well.
 
I'm on board and will picking these up👍

I always get a chuckle out of people getting so damn bent out of shape because a company offers them something you don't have to buy. It's like getting mad at TV stations for putting things on that you don't want your kids to watch when you are the one holding the remote ;)

The package opener is awesome. I have been practicing carrying my "bladeless" SAK the last couple of weeks at work to try and get used to it and see how it handles chores I might come up in Ireland. Honestly, I haven't NEEDED knife in this time. Yes a blade would cut better and I'm not going to switch. However, the package opener is just fine and allows those who aren't as familiar with blades a way to get through box tape and clam shells.

My other use for the package opener? "Hey, lemme borrow your knife...." No more denying them use and no more having to stop what you are doing in order to make sure they don't bugger your edge. Open up the package opener and let them have at it. Even if they dull it, it's going to cut as well as those 20 year old cheap steak knives you've never sharpened.

Also, I feel they have made the can opener into what we have been using the can opener for since the advance of the pop top soup can. I think the last time I used a SAK can opener was when I was living alone in my early 20s and forgot I didn't have a can opener. Total pain in the ass and I went out and bought a $3 one the next trip to Walmart.

These look like a modern way to carry a SAK. They aren't for everyone, but I am more than willing to give them a chance.
 
I'm super excited for the X model. I was happy enough with the Companion. A locking blade and that deep carry clip are nice. Aesthetics are hit and miss with the cutouts until I get one in hand, might be some weight savings. My question, and I haven't had to open a can recently, is has anyone tried to use the package opener tool to open a can? Seems like it would work.
 
pyro777 said:
I'm super excited for the X model. I was happy enough with the Companion. A locking blade and that deep carry clip are nice. Aesthetics are hit and miss with the cutouts until I get one in hand, might be some weight savings. My question, and I haven't had to open a can recently, is has anyone tried to use the package opener tool to open a can? Seems like it would work.
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Since it doesn’t have the hook to “lock on” to the can rim, I imagine it would be a very frustrating exercise.
 
I understand why they want to expand their lockblade line as in a semi-recent article regarding Switzerland and the tariffs, victorinox stated America is their most important market and we can carry locking knives here
 
I think the biggest problem I have with this knife is that it looks ugly as hell. 😂
That and it looks a little flimsy considering it's aluminum.

mnblade said:
I can tell y'all, here in Europe, pull-tabs on cans are NOT ubiquitous.
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This. Literally everything except tomato purée has lids these days.
I've never understood the can opener psychosis that people have. Are people so passionate about having can opener on them all the time? I use cans at home - almost never on the go. People eat can food all day along in USA?
 
A.L. said:
I think the biggest problem I have with this knife is that it looks ugly as hell. 😂
That and it looks a little flimsy considering it's aluminum.



This. Literally everything except tomato purée has lids these days.
I've never understood the can opener psychosis that people have. Are people so passionate about having can opener on them all the time? I use cans at home - almost never on the go. People eat can food all day along in USA?
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gustophersmob said:
I think I’ve opened a can with a SAK maybe twice in over 30 years of knife use, but I use that tool all the time. It’s basically a metal fingernail.
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For me it’s that I can use the can opener in a variety of ways (a true multi-tool) even if I never open a can. The package opener, particularly on a knife with a blade, is of more limited utility for me.

That being said, I don’t care that Vic is offering it. More choices seems like a good thing to me, even if they’re not for everyone.
 
A.L. said:
This. Literally everything except tomato purée has lids these days.
I've never understood the can opener psychosis that people have. Are people so passionate about having can opener on them all the time? I use cans at home - almost never on the go. People eat can food all day along in USA?
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Here in Canuckistan many of our canned products still require a can opener. When I am hunting many of my meals come from a can so a can opener is a must for me. It is nice to have a wood stove in blind and a hot meal is a game changer when its cold out. Now that the economy is in the toilet I have also noticed more people are eating canned food. Hell I like the Vic can opener so much I made one specifically for kitchen duty because it just works better than most store bought ones.

As for these new knives, I am not sure I like the scales with the slots. If they offered a locking pioneer model I would be all over it.
 
Soooo, the pocket clip is non removable and theres no lanyard/keyring. Plus the slots in the handle let in all kinds of pocket lint and crud. And those slots have to be milled in so that requires more machine work, and that will run there cost up unnecessarily. I'm sure Victorinox will not swallow the cost of extra machine out of the goodness of their corporate heart.

This reminds me of when Volkswagen decided to kill off the Beatle and come out with a "modern" car, the Rabbit. The piece of junk that killed the good reputation of VW and was generally in the junk yard 10 years after purchase.

I don't see how this is going to end in anything good.
 
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