New SAK / multi tool needed - advice please

I

ipl

Joined
Jan 30, 2008
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10
I've carried a SAK for years, but just lost my current one (Victorinox Climber) to airport security :mad: . Before that I had a Spartan, and similar size things previously. I could get the same again (or I like the look of the Compact) but I'm also attracted to the Multi-bit driver on the Cybertool 29. I'm concerned it'll be too big for my pocket though. Can anyone give me a 'thickness' comparison between the Cybertool 29 and, say, the Climber?

I might be open to other things too, like a small leatherman type thing. I've never had one before, and only had a quick look at them, but I don't want anything bulkier than the Climber, and the ones that look similar sized never seem to have corkscrews, which I'm afraid I regard as essential :-) So any suggestions?

Thanks,

Ian.
 
The Cybertool 29 is about as thick as the Huntsman, so about 3mm thicker than the Climber.
 
macgregor22 said:
the victorinox spirit seems like a good choice for you
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Thanks. I had a look on Victorinox's site, but they don't seem to publish dimensions (or even weight) which isn't very helpful. It also doesn't seem to have a corkscrew unless you buy the 'extra bits' and lug them about in a pouch, which I don't want to do.

JOAT said:
The Cybertool 29 is about as thick as the Huntsman, so about 3mm thicker than the Climber.
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Thanks. About what I feared. Too big for me I think.

So any more small multi-tools with corkscrew? Or shall I stick with the Victorinox Compact?

Ian
 
You might like the Leatherman Juice series. I've had my eye on the CS, which incorporates both scissors and corkscrew, plus many of essentials. It's about 3 1/4 inch long, and weighs about 4 ounces or so. Comes in many spiffy colors.
 
Getahl said:
You might like the Leatherman Juice series. I've had my eye on the CS, which incorporates both scissors and corkscrew, plus many of essentials. It's about 3 1/4 inch long, and weighs about 4 ounces or so. Comes in many spiffy colors.
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Thanks. Yes, annoyingly I do. Annoyingly 'cos they're about twice the price.... :( They do look very nice, but I'm not sure they really do any more for me than the SAK. Oh decisions, decisions....

Ian.
 
ipl said:
Thanks. Yes, annoyingly I do. Annoyingly 'cos they're about twice the price.... :( They do look very nice, but I'm not sure they really do any more for me than the SAK. Oh decisions, decisions....

Ian.
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Some of us prefer to face life with pliers ready to hand. If you are among that number, there really is no other choice in its size category than a Leatherman Juice. What it adds to the tool mix is really functional light duty pliers. None of the comparable SAKs provides anything like that, the main reason I carry a CS4 these days instead of Vics, which I have used for decades.

About the price; well, you gotta be patient. Sooner or later, if you are in the right place at the right time, a deal will come along. It happens to me all the time (too often, I think :rolleyes:)

Because of at the time favoring larger multi-tools both for work and general EDC, I wasn't even in the market for one and knew little about the Juice line. However, when finding a CS4 on a Target clearance sale at about half its regular price, I put it in the basket. Couldn't lose, I figured; try it out, keep it if I liked it and if it wasn't a good fit, sell it off for as much or more that it cost me.

That was two years ago. Often I carry something else, but the Juice has become my main EDC multi-tool. It lacks the finesse of Vic products, but functions well enough and has a personality of its own. Look around. You might find one at a good price and learn to appreciate its charms.
 
That sounds like good advice. I don't think of myself as a pliers-user, but then I've never been in the habit of carrying a pair. Perhaps I'll start to take note of when I could have used some. I need something now, so I think I'l get the Vic Compact, and maybe keep an eye out for a cheap juice. The CS4 seems to be about £50 in the UK, but $50 over the pond. I'll be in Canada (Vancouver) later in the year, so I may try and get one there. Any Canadians recommend me somewhere good to look?

Cheers,

Ian.
 
I can get a Climber for £14 online in several places. The Compact oddly seems to be more expensive; about £19 most places (less popular?) but I've found one place that has them on sale for £10.50, (plus some indeterminate postage). So a lot cheaper than a juice :-)

Ian.
 
Well heres' my ten cents worth.

I have carried a small schrade old timer which was just the right size. Bought a Wave but it was too big. Then a Juice kF4. Just triffic. Fits in my money pocket. Needs a pair of scissors and one less blade but apart from that its the ducks guts. I would seriously consider a Juice. There are mobs of designs. I have had a SAK with some snazzy pliers but they aren't as good as the Juice. And the juice is about the same size and a bit thinner than some SAKs

Have a think about it.

By the way the Juice is massively expensive in Australia eg kF4 $180 AU = $160 US so anything you pay less than that is in my eyes a bargain. Mind you I paid half that otherwise I wouldn't have one

Cheers and beers
 
ipl said:
I can get a Climber for £14 online in several places. The Compact oddly seems to be more expensive; about £19 most places (less popular?) but I've found one place that has them on sale for £10.50, (plus some indeterminate postage). So a lot cheaper than a juice :-)

Ian.
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Pricey, but the Juice does offer more implements than the Climber or Compact. Honestly, though, had I not found my CS4 at an exceptional deal, I would not have considered it.


KymG said:
By the way the Juice is massively expensive in Australia eg kF4 $180 AU = $160 US so anything you pay less than that is in my eyes a bargain. Mind you I paid half that otherwise I wouldn't have one
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Apparently, same story the world over. :D
 
KymG said:
Well heres' my ten cents worth.

I have carried a small schrade old timer which was just the right size. Bought a Wave but it was too big. Then a Juice kF4. Just triffic. Fits in my money pocket. Needs a pair of scissors and one less blade but apart from that its the ducks guts. I would seriously consider a Juice. There are mobs of designs. I have had a SAK with some snazzy pliers but they aren't as good as the Juice. And the juice is about the same size and a bit thinner than some SAKs

Have a think about it.

By the way the Juice is massively expensive in Australia eg kF4 $180 AU = $160 US so anything you pay less than that is in my eyes a bargain. Mind you I paid half that otherwise I wouldn't have one

Cheers and beers
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Having visited there, I think the tradeoff for higher priced manufactured goods is the fresh air, beautiful, one-of-a-kind outdoor environment, cheap fresh produce and dairy, and potential for a much healthier lifestyle. Australia is a great place :thumbup:
 
Ultraman said:
Having visited there, I think the tradeoff for higher priced manufactured goods is the fresh air, beautiful, one-of-a-kind outdoor environment, cheap fresh produce and dairy, and potential for a much healthier lifestyle. Australia is a great place :thumbup:
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Tis true and I suspect that the reason that things like this are so expensive is that we may have a higher pay regime too. Not sure just a hunch.

And yes we do have some pretty good things around. Great weather, clean air and if you are lucky enough to live away rom the capital cities no congestion. Its all good really.

Back to the question though, I reckon a search around eBay may find a reasonably priced Juice.

Cheers and more beers
 
Thanks everyone for all the input. I settled on the Vic Compact, which should be in the post now. I'm sure I won't be able to resist a bargain juice if I stumble across one though....

Cheers,

Ian.
 
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