One handed SAK options

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manowar669

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Oct 1, 2002
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I want to carry just one knife. I now carry three. If there was a one hand open SAK, I could do it. The one-hand trekker seems so big and fat. Something like my Alox Soldier with a thumbstud would be great. Is there anything smaller than the OHT. I don't really want to get a full-blown multi-tool, but I would consider it.

Is the Trekker really as big as it seems in vids/pics, or is it something you can realistically EDC? I haven't handled one, and I don't know of anywhere I might be able to.
 
Where are you located? The local ACE hardware stores in my area carry them. Check out ACE, True Value, any hardware stores, any any sporting goods stores in your area.
 
I'm in PA. I'll check the hardware stores. They're probably in blister packs if they have them, so handling might not be possible. Only local sporting goods store I haven't checked is Gander Mountain.
 
manowar669 said:
I'm in PA. I'll check the hardware stores. They're probably in blister packs if they have them, so handling might not be possible. Only local sporting goods store I haven't checked is Gander Mountain.
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The only Gander Mountain I know of is in York, PA. Last time I was there, was in December, I don't think they have any OHT's. There must be more other than one, but if you're in York, check out the local hardware stores. If you can make it to Edgeworks in Frederick, MD, or Country Knives in Lancaster, PA. York gun show is coming up soon too.

Check out the new Soldier model, feels much better in the hands. My only problem with the OHT and Soldier, is the fact that the liner lock is set up for left handed closing, or two handed closing. You can easily manipulate it for right hand closing though.
 
I'm in York. Gunshow next weekend is probably my best chance to handle one, if I can go in. Country Knives is huge, good place to check stuff out, but probably can't spare the time for the drive over. They charge MSRP too.
If not too big, I will probably look for the GAK version, since I would rather have a military model.
 
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manowar669 said:
If not too big, I will probably look for the GAK version, since I would rather have a military model.
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The Soldier of course is also a military model. The Soldier and GAK don't have toothpick or tweezers, the OHT does - if that makes any difference to you.

I can pretty easily edc the new Soldier vertically in my right front pocket next to my wallet. The wallet keeps it vertical. I hardly notice the knife when carried that way. If I carry it w/o the wallet and the knife lays horizontal in the pocket then it seems a little too large and I'm more aware of it being there. YMMV.

Target stores sell the OHT in the blister pack. You could always buy one, take it home and see how it fits, and if you don't like it return it for your money back. ;)
 
Is the Soldier or GAK slimmer than the Trekker because of the different scales?
I'm not too worried about the toothpick and tweezers. I have a Vic Rambler on the keychain, which has them, as well as a great selection of tools for such a small knife. I'll probably keep carrying it. So I might be able to get my EDC down to two knives.

coyote711 said:
Target stores sell the OHT in the blister pack. You could always buy one, take it home and see how it fits, and if you don't like it return it for your money back. ;)
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That's a good idea. If I can't find one at the Gunshow next weekend, I might give that a try.
 
I think Dicks Sporting Goods sells the one bladed Wenger OHT style, but they might have a similar multi function model. The Soldier is much beefier than the OHT and GAK I had, but it rides comfortably in the pocket. Hope to get up to the York show next weekend after work.
 
manowar669 said:
Is the Soldier or GAK slimmer than the Trekker because of the different scales?
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Not really - info I found has Soldier as 17.7 mm wide, and the OHT as 17.8 mm. Wouldn't think that would be noticeable. The grip on the Soldier is a different material than the OHT or GAK - better IMHO.

OHT, GAK, Soldier -- these are excellent knives. I urge you to try one my friend - I don't think you'll be sorry. Very easy one hand opening and with a little experimenting & practice easy to close one handed using your index finger to release the liner lock and your thumb to move the blade. Check out post #4 on this link:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=742760

As a side note, the only thing I don't like as well is the awl - not as handy or as safe as the alox ones.
 
coyote711 said:
Not really - info I found has Soldier as 17.7 mm wide, and the OHT as 17.8 mm. Wouldn't think that would be noticeable. The grip on the Soldier is a different material than the OHT or GAK - better IMHO.

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Maybe the Soldier just feels beefier. You're right, much better grip than the OHT or GAK.
 
So the Soldier and GAK are different scale materials? Pics look same or similar online, but you can't tell much from pics. I like the German Eagle crest. And I'm of German ancestry, so that's why I was favoring the GAK over the Soldier. I guess I'll just have to look for them both, and give them a feel. As for size, they're all identical, correct?
 
manowar669 said:
So the Soldier and GAK are different scale materials? Pics look same or similar online, but you can't tell much from pics. I like the German Eagle crest. And I'm of German ancestry, so that's why I was favoring the GAK over the Soldier. I guess I'll just have to look for them both, and give them a feel. As for size, they're all identical, correct?
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I believe the OHT and the GAK use nylon for the scales. The Soldier uses some type of injection molded "dual density" material - I believe the same as Bill H referenced above.

As for size, the Soldier and the GAK are the same.

Check out this link: http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Soldier+111mm ..... (not shilling for sakwiki, but sometimes the info/pics on the site show more than the Victorinox site).
 
I find GAK's ,Soldiers , and Trekkers ok for pocket carry , at least in casual wear . The GAK's and OH Soldiers are usually pouch carried in their respective armies . To put things in perspective , the master blade is only 31/8" long .

They are rapidly becoming my favorite folders . The GAK has groovier graphics , the new OH Soldier has a nicer grip/hand feel .

Chris
 
Other options? At 4+ ounces, these things are pretty heavy. Any non-Victorinox SAK type knife? Are there any 1 hand MTs that are lighter/smaller? A MT that is primarilly a 1-hand knife, with some tools. I figure while I'm browsing the knife dealers, I can look at several options, if I just don't like the Trekkers.
 
Manowar, I'm enjoying this conundrum you're dealing with ..... now carrying 3 knives, would like to get down to 1, but may end up carrying 2 ..... I say "enjoying" not because I'm making fun of you, but because I've went through it myself. The simplicity and "back to basics" nature of carrying one knife has a great deal of appeal.

I don't think there's a one hand opening SAK that's smaller than the OHT/GAK. And in my experience that size knife is too large to be the only knife to carry ..... there are too many instances where a smaller blade is better. The Vic Classic/Rambler fills that need well, but may be too small to serve as the only knife. And there's the "middle ground" - alox Soldier, Electrician, Farmer, etc.

I gave up trying to get it down to one knife - in theory I like the idea, but just couldn't figure out one knife to meet all my varying needs. That's not to say you or others can't ..... just depends on your lifestyle and particular needs - as always.

Good luck and let us know if you figure out anything!
 
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