New Survival SAK?

S

sgtmike88

Joined
Oct 15, 2000
Messages
799
I'm writing Victorinox to suggest a new survival model. Tell me what you think:

Former Yeoman model (91mm) with the following modifications:

1. Linerlock main blade,
2. Add in a wood saw,
3. Add in a straight pin,
4. Replace parcel hook with an awl.

(The knife already has tweezers, toothpick, pen, lanyard ring, scissors, main blade, phillips screwdriver, magnifying glass, combination can / bottle opener / screwdriver / wirestripper, corkscrew, and eyeglass screwdriver)

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
sgtmike,
I like where you're going with this. You might also be interested to know that based on the link you provided in the other SAK thread, I just ordered a Yeoman from Knifepro yesterday.
smile.gif


I think your idea is a fine one. Do you think the "Survival SAK" could be built on a frame similar to the following SAK:

http://www.knifepro.com/victorinox/vn-55602.htm

The frame may need to be widened obviously, but the locking main blade would be automatically accomodated for, and who knows, the grip swell in the middle of the handle might be able to protect a magnifying glass slighter larger (and thus more efficient) than the standard.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
I like it. Maybe we could have both? Like a Weg and Weg Jr.? I hope they can see the benefits here, I've included the links to these threads in my letter.

BTW .. Just in case, I ordered the Yeoman too.

Mike

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
I think taking a Victorinox Rucksack http://www.knifepro.com/victorinox/vn-53661.htm
& adding a philips head screwdriver & magnifing glass would fit your needs pretty closely, with adding only two items that should be simple to place - they could be placed opposite each other & only increase width of handle by one space (they are set up that way on my Victorinoz Explorer SAK).

Sam

[This message has been edited by Flotsam (edited 02-06-2001).]
 
I have considered this a number of times.

And given all the models that Victorinox makes, I imagine that we need to do is get a minimum order in and we can have about anything we want.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye mdpoff@hotmail.com

My website, guided links, talonite/cobalt alloy info, etc....
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff

>>--->Bill Siegle Custom Knives<---<<
-http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives-

"To wait for luck is the same as waiting for death." -Japanese Proverb

"Place you clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark." -Lazarus Long

"We cut things to create things" - James K Mattis
 
A rucksack with a phillips screw driver I would think would be the perfect knife.Why would anyone need a corkscrew?

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Ray
 
Razor, I think you may be looking for the trailmaster. I have the Rucksak and have no complaints but do agree would have liked the phillips screw driver.


[This message has been edited by Colt (edited 02-10-2001).]
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by sgtmike88:
I'm writing Victorinox to suggest a new survival model. Tell me what you think:

Former Yeoman model (91mm) with the following modifications:

1. Linerlock main blade,
2. Add in a wood saw,
3. Add in a straight pin,
4. Replace parcel hook with an awl.

(The knife already has tweezers, toothpick, pen, lanyard ring, scissors, main blade, phillips screwdriver, magnifying glass, combination can / bottle opener / screwdriver / wirestripper, corkscrew, and eyeglass screwdriver)

</font>
Click to expand...

Try the Carpenter (large) or Craftsman (small). Craftsman is my favorite standard size. Has the wood saw, metal saw/metal file and the small pliers that make great large tweezers or to pick up hot objects. I carry a Fisher Space Pen refill in my wallet for emergencies and a magnifing glass in my carry bag....Bob
 
The object here is to acquire a SAK that fits the fare, without having to rely upon other "stuff" tucked in pockets.

Please take note the current Yeoman does have the phillips screwdriver already. It does have a corkscrew - the corkscrew has a number of uses, just search some of the threads here. However, the corkscrew's primary intent on my suggested Survival SAK would be to incorporate the eyeglass scerwdriver OR a small piece of ferrocium rod (ie from the current BSA model firestarter.)

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
Mike,

Great idea. A someone who has carried a SAK for all of my adult life.. I appreciate the project!

Here's what I use regularly on my swiss champ when camping (and remember, the knife you have in your pocket is the best survival tool).

the saw the saw!(that little SAK saw really rips)
main knife (of course)
nail file (it makes a good pokey thing, and is a better awl than the awl)
awl (the reamer on it is good for cutting when one doesn't want the main blade to dull)
can opener. (what's camping without SPAM?)
bottle opener (sometimes the beer bottles don't have twist-off caps particularly as I have some friends with more money than sense who think that the farther beer comes from the better it is, so we can't get rid of that)
pliers, because I do find a use for them from time to time, it's never what one expects, but it is nice to have them there, and that's the reason to carry a SAK, for uses you don't expect.
small blade, I never use it, keep it razor sharp, and wait halfway drooling for the one day that I'm walking down the street and someone falls down, a man rushes up to him and says, 'I'm a surgeon, and this man needs to have his appendix removed IMMEDIATELY, does anyone have a sharp knife?' I'll open that little blade and save the day, and don't y'all tell me you'll be there before me with your Microtech auto SOCOM, it's my fantasy, and I swear I'll cut you if I have to.)
The corkscrew, we can survive without wine, but can we live?

I just carry my swiss champ, but I'm an eagle scout, and we have to be better prepared than ordinary mortals. There aren't any rules on grammer or spelling though, fortunately.

In all seriousness, if Victorinox comes up with a knife that has a fire starter, they have a sale. I wouldn't buy a wenger knife at gunpoint.

all in good fun, except the slur on Wenger

Best
Todd (edgedance)
 
I would like to see one or both of the scales cut out to use as a whistle,so that when you remove the toothpick or tweezers you can blow in its opening and have a loud emergency whistle. They make a Classic with a similar scale already.
 
Great suggestions, gentlemen!
I think adding magnifying glass, eyeglass screwdriver, pen and straight pin to the Outrider model will make a perfect larger survival SAK. (You can see it at http://www.swiss-knife.com )
The Hercules model is similar to the Outrider, but it has also pliers/wire cutter (could be also useful).
Both models have separate can and bottle openers. IMO in a survival SAK a really good can opener is a must. As I see it the hook is not of foremost importance, however if it has the small nail-file part, as on the Compact, it could be more useful.
A built in Photon quality LED light could be even more important.
littleknife
 
Edgedance, you hit it on the spot about the little blade. Made me chuckle.

The Rucksack style, I like for when going on the trail with the children. Nothing too adventurous or far from the well beaten track.

Further afield I prefer more knife, but then always carry the smaller SAK to back them up.

The Huntsman sized and features V-SAK, with: LED light, philips, firelighter, and compass would be unbeatable. (Watch and pencil if they could be made to fit without going big, and bin the toothpick and parcel carrier).
They shouldn't start to compete with the multitools.

We don't get enough sun for the magnifying glass to work.


[This message has been edited by GREENJACKET (edited 02-11-2001).]
 
Why does everyone insist on the phillips screwdriver? I have almost never had occasion to need a phillips, while the straight slot has come in handy many times. Also, the small straight slot on the end of the can opener works acceptably well for phillips screws. Just curious, mind you.

And, I too, am one who would never be without an SAK without a corkscrew. I don't drink a lot of good wine, but when no one else thought to bring a corkscrew to a party or picnic, I can save the day. :~} Not needed for survival, but there's more to life than waiting to be in a plane crash so we can test our gear.

As to the perfect survival SAK, I go with a Rucksack and back it up with a multi-tool. Best of both worlds, as you can then use the pliers to hold a nut while you turn the screw with the SAK. Or use the file to sharpen the awl, etc.. You CAN travel too light.
 
OK, I think we've basically agreed to the most useful tools, but we still need a consensus on base model size.

Let's have a show of hands for 91 or 111mm.

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
The philips because so many modern things have them, electronics especially. The scews are often entrenched, so difficult to get to. (A chisel might surfice). I for one would keep the corkscrew, because that might be the reason I would be carrying it.

My vote: 91mm

I'm not looking for the WorkChamp with a kitchen sink. (I'm not saying that they are not nice though).

[This message has been edited by GREENJACKET (edited 02-12-2001).]
 
I also think, that an inline Phillips and a corkscrew are must. A lot of technical gear nowadays is produced with Phillips head screws. Even the gear turns out to be useless, some parts of it could be useful, and to disassemble, you may need this tool. The small screwdriver on the can opener could be used for smaller Phillips screws but it is not too strong and it is very short.
The corkscrew as survival tool is very useful, wine bottles being the last thing to use on.
The magnifying glass could be used not only and not mainly as a fire starting tool. Useful in some medical emergencies (eye, hand injuries) and to some extent can substitute for some broken eyeglasses.
As for the size, I vote for the 111 mm. Not too bigger than the 91 mm, but still more comfortable. You can have a small blade on it also. In survival situation, under stress, this size is much more comfortable for an adult. You can make somewhat stronger liners and blades/tools (just think about a longer saw). Placing a compass, LED, firelighter would be easier too. Maybe not suited for pocket carry, but I think, this is only a secondary issue.
littleknife
 
well, I'll carry as big a knife as is made, heck I already carry the swiss champ for daily carry.

I do question the maginfying glass as a fire starter. I haven't ever been able to start a fire with it. Maybye it is because I live in the northern lattitudes. I'd prefer a dedicated fire starter, maybe a striker that pulls out like the pen on the champ and strikes off the nail file?

keep those small blades sharp
smile.gif
)

Best,
Todd (edgedance)
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by sgtmike88:
Let's have a show of hands for 91 or 111mm.
</font>
Click to expand...

I guess I don't mind if it's a bit longer, let's just try to keep the weight and thickness down as much as possible.

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
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