Not to be a jerk, but why are SAKs so popular?

The blade of SAK's is of excellent quality and geometry, and does very nicely at a wide range of tasks. It is easily touched up by those with even only very basic skill, and they commonly provide a range of other useful tools for many of the functions the typical individual would be tempted to misuse their knife for (can opener, saw, screwdrivers, etc) The are, quite simply, the People's Knife.
 
endurasak01.jpg
 
bdmicarta said:
I carry one of these every day in addition to everything else that I carry. It has real tools in it, they are actually heat treated and will work for their intended function, it is made for more than to just look cute. Compare this to any SAK and you will throw the SAK in the trash can.
Click to expand...

Actually, I got one of those two but despite it being the smallest leatherman with decent pliers, it's still weighs twice as much as the 2 layers SAKS and I found the blade shape on it odd and not as useful as the SAK blade. I like it and still have it but don't need pliers in my pocket enough to justify the weight. I went with the more useful full size plier-based multitool in my briefcase. And I've always been a Leatherman guy since my dad gave me an original PST what seems like 20 years ago or so. When I figured out that my daily needs didn't require pliers in my pocket, then it was much more comfortable carrying a 2, 3 or even 4 layer SAK and leaving the plier-based tool in my breifcase. The Leatherman Charge gets more use on the weekend and the Juice might be a backup in a hiking kit.

Let's all keep in mind that everyone has different edc needs. It's already been mentioned a few times here but the OP was comparing the SAK knife to other knives and saying it wasn't as good but that comparison is where the problem starts. SAKs are multitools. If you feel the need to carry a multitool, then everyone has opinions and preferences and there is not right answer.
 
klute said:
Yes i am, and so was bladechick who i was originally responding to.
Click to expand...

She did use the word "knife" for sure but you'll also notice she talked about the various options of tools etc. She may have typed "knife" but she was talking about multi-tools.
 
I love them for their value, size, their functionality and their capabilities. They are of high quality and fit & finish. Sure I could dig out my LM Wave or Vic SwissTool Spirit out of my backpack to tighten a screw but why when I can just reach in my pocket and use my SAK. Their size makes it convenient to carry in your pocket and with all the tool combinations available, find one that suits you needs and it will probably be your most used item in your EDC. It is for me and I have a Paramilitary 2 clipped in my pocket and a SwissTool Spirit or LM Wave in my backpack.

Also, I would never loan out my main EDC blade to anyone but I will loan out a SAK Classic, Cadet or whatever SAK I have. If they mess it up or lose it, they are inexpensive enough to replace. The blade(s) are sharp enough and easy to sharpen.

I don't think I could go without a SAK or 2 in my pockets. The toothpick, tweezers and scissors get used ALL the time by me. I love SAK's!!!
 
Last edited:
They do make some models that are only knives--don't forget that.
 
Ah, Grasshopper, all knifemakers and styles have their detractors. It is often from inexperience - or ignorance. I didn't understand the reason folks would pay four hundred dollars plus for a CRK Sebbie or 'zaan... I do now. There was a time when I thoight nothing was more universal than a SAK... then I discovered the Buck 110. I couldn't imagine a better knife than a 110... then I found some really neat Benchmades, Bokers, Kershaw/ZT's, etc. Experience a decent SAK - it'll find a happy place in your pocket!

Stainz

PS If I had only stopped with an SAK and a 110...
 
Show me another product as small as the SAK Classic (available in a multitude of groovy colors) that has a small blade, scissors, tweezers, toothpick, nail file, and flat head screw driver.
 
OK, yes, and OK but is a basic Nokia [which actually works better as a phone than a smartphone] a smartphone? I know i am arguing semantics at this point but i think i am being clear.

Yep, clarity on the internet.
 
Crazy ol pootnanny said:
Better multi-tools exist. Better knives exist. Better small knives exist, and I don't understand why SAKs have such a high rep on a forum built around knife-owners who know more than the average sheeple. Why are they so popular when I see no reason for them not to be replaced by a higher quality substitute that can get the jobs done better? :confused:
Click to expand...

Since Victorinox has been in business since 1890, and still makes over 35 million knives a year, which is more knives than Buck, Benchmade, and Spyderco all put together, has it occurred to you that you may be wrong?

There's a reason so many carry and defend their choice of a SAK for a very good reason. They work. A SAK will do far more than any other folding knife. I have fixed an electric trolling motor in the middle of a very long and wide lake with a SAK, as well as fixed a stalled out Vespa motor scooter miles from anywhere on a dirt road with a SAK. I've lost track of things I've actually fixed with a SAK, when the few tools on it were all that was needed to get into something to find a loose connection.

There's a reason that SAK's have been to the highest peaks in the world as well as into space on the shuttle. Sometimes you don't need a whole tool kit, but just a few tools. A SAK is available in so many different combinations, it's impossible to not find one that fits your lifestyle. Unless of course your a closed minded individual that fails to see the usefulness of an item because it lacks a "cool factor".

Just look at, how on a knife forum, how many knife lovers have come forward to defend the SAK. Saying that there is better does no mean the item is not good. That would be like saying since a Ferrari is great, a Honda must be junk. You need to do some self examination.
 
When it comes to the SAK, they may not "DO ANYTHING TO ME", but the right one (Vic Huntsman, Farmer, or Safari) will pretty much DO EVERYTHING FOR ME, within common sense, of course. And I usually have an appropriate fixed blade along just in case.

Plus if I lose or forget one, it's not like I'm out a lot of bucks. Easy to replace just about anywhere I travel. Now if TSA tried to take away a William Henry. . .
 
Last edited:
They were fairly original when they first came, weren't they? Not exactly unique, but fairly significant with the red handle and all. Good, precise Swiss quality in the construction too and not the most high performance steel, but good enough for the purpose and good against rust. Concerning multitools, those are probably more usable than a Swiss Army Knife and great for the wilderness, but SAKs are just more comfortable to carry in your pocket and really do contain all the things you usually need for general urban usage. IMO, they just feel very natural to carry and highly usable. They don't cost that much neither. A high end practical folder (IMC Spyderco) together with a fairly moderate SAK and a mid size aluminum flashlight is a great combo and the things that are always in my pocket (when the law permits).
 
bdmicarta said:
Same here. I have a collection of Leathermen that I choose from for EDC. Leatherman products are well made, use good materials, and are strong enough for real use. I get the impression that people that buy SAK's are the people that don't believe in carry of real knives.
Click to expand...

Wow. I buy SAKs. I'm carrying one now. Are you saying I don't know a real knife? That I'm not a "real knife user"?
 
marcinek, all these detractors are just scared. They know in their heart of hearts all anyone needs is a SAK, Mora and Estwing bush axe.

:D
 
silenthunterstudios said:
marcinek, all these detractors are just scared. They know in their heart of hearts all anyone needs is a SAK, Mora and Estwing bush axe.

:D
Click to expand...

The fact that I find that all I really need is a SAK or 2 saddens me a bit because, let's face it, they aren't very sexy and having only one or two knives is no fun at all.

Of course one does not have to like them, and one is free to prefer a Leatherman to a SAK, but I do find poking one's head in here, saying "SAKs suck!", and then running away kinda lame.

While I strongly disagree with klute's take on SAKs, at least klute has been here making an argument for his opinion. Unlike crazy hootenanny or whatever the heck his name was.
 
Morrow said:
Of course you're correct but the quintessential SAK is a multi-tool.
Click to expand...

Agreed--just pointing out that they do make some models that can be used as a direct knife-to-knife comparison to gauge their value as compared to a multitool-to-knife comparison. Gotta' use matching metrics. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top