new SAK recruit

B

bmg371

Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
5
hey everyone,
I just picked up a SAK recruit at the store... it was kind of a dissapointment because I really wanted the ranger, or craftsman.. but they were all sold out and I just couldn't wait to get one.... so I took it home and was wondering how useful could the recruit be.. so I thought that if anyone could answer that you all could... so if you have or have ever had a recruit SAK post and tell some of the uses and how useful this tool really is... i mainly do whittling so all i really need is the large and small blades but i wanted to use it as a general carry tool as well.

thanks and looking forward to the great posts,
brian
 
My first vic was a recruit and it is still a great knife.I have whittled,pruned made fuzz sticks etc. with it. To me for around $12 you get alot of knife,more than a $30 plus folder. It may be a little small for a all around woods knife but makes a great pocket knife.Plus inexpensive enough so your not afraid to use it.

enjoy!
 
I think the main selling point is how light and pocketable the Vic Recruit is. I'm really beginning to think that it is a great EDC. Not as heavy as the alox scaled knives, blade is larger than the Classic so it performs pretty well for most everyday tasks, cost is not so high you'll feel bad losing it.

I am somewhat particular about SAK thicknesses, so in comparison, although the Vic Waiter thickness makes it barely noticeable in your pocket, the extra blades in the Vic Recruit increase its usefulness, versatililty and robustness. For me, that's enough to trump the Vic Waiter in terms of the tradeoff between usefullness and pocketability. The Recruit pockets well, a lot better than the 91 mm. (3 1/2 inch) models such as the Spartan, which along with the soldier model tends be noticeable to me due to its tendency to ride horizontally in my pockets (never did like that).

So, unless you want the sturdier blades of the 91 mm, or larger toolset, I would present the case that the Recruit is a superlative EDC, having the dimensions and utility to handle significant daily and emergency tasks.

:thumbup: to the Recruit!
 
Congrats!My first SAK was a recruit which i was gifted with when i was a teenager. It was my daily carry for 4 years (then temporarily misplaced for two years) and edc'ed for 2 more years after that. Then replaced by a Hunstsman, then Swisschamp, then SOG Tomcat, then SOG paratool,then Leatherman Wave. Currently I'm using the Victorinox OHT. The OHT is great but a little big for pocket carry. Of all these knives i've carried the recruit the most and for the longest period and used it more than any of the above knives. It is a well loved and well used knife, worn smooth like a bar of soap. I recently picked up an old Vic Tourist, basically a recruit with an awl and corscrew. I really like the two layer 84mm as they have adequate blade length and when folded disappears in my hand. Really a recruit will do about 99% of what you need a SAK/pocket knife to do. Cutting (rope/paper/string/apples/etc), opening cans, occasional screwing and light prying. Its the perfect "all the time knife". And is even sheeple friendly, small enough to be considered "cute" lol!
Come spring my edc will probably be my old recruit or tourist and a leatherman micra on a keychain (or on a string worn around my neck under my shirt). Minimalism is good!
 
A recruit will do just about anything you will run into on a daily edc basisthat a sak tinker, pioneer, or soldier will do. Its a fine edc pocket knife with the addition of having a couple of tools along. Use it for a month and I'll bet you will keep carrying it. But then once you get into the sak thing, it's addictive. Go over to the "other" knife place and go to sosak. Its a collection of real sak collectors and afictionado's. There is also SOSAK online.
 
I just picked a recruit up at target for 5 bucks on clearence. It came with a waiters tool. I got the last one. I always have a large folder clipt to my pocket, and got this to carry to use in front of sheeple, or places my manix is to big to whip out in public. I bareley notice it in my pocket, till I need it.
 
If you intend to use the knife mainly for whittling, you will find the recruit to be easier on the hands than SAKs with tools on the back. I have one that I cut the keyring attachment off of that works well.
 
The recruit is one of my favorite 84mm SAKs. Very useful and rides very well in the pocket. It is one of those EDC items that make no sense to leave behind in the morning. I would pass on many other larger and heavier EDC things before leaving a recruit on the dresser.
 
I have an econo recruit I got with a mini maglite on sale for $12. I think it's a great knife and will do anything I ask of it. The larger SAKs are great, but this knife has all you really need without the extra bulk. Not to mention you can pick this knife up for under $15 just about anywhere.
 
All SAKs are good SAKs.

I have an economy Recruit, which I carry when I want to go light (usually I carry a Huntsman).

The Recruit is what I like to give to youngsters as a first knife, it will serve them well, help them learn about knives and wont hurt much if they abuse it or loose it, in older days I would probably give a Boy Scout pattern like my first knife was at age 8, The Boy Scout pattern is a proven design and the Recruit is much similar, easy to find and does the job just fine.

If you had a Boy Scout knife and didn't use the leather punch much you could replace it with a small blade, you could redesign the can opener to include a small screwdriver tip that can handle Phillips, then make slots in the handle scales to carry tweezers and toothpick, and you have the Recruit.

You can use the main blade for most cutting, scrapping, etc. and keep the small blade sharp for detailed work.

Use it and enjoy it, you'll be glad you got it.

Luis
 
thank you everyone.. i've been carrying it since friday.. and i've only had to use it to cut some string and packaging tape at work, i whittled some things, and i took apart my battery compartment of my remote control with it and i works like a charm... thanks again

brian
 
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