opinion on 'one handed' SAKs

Monofletch

Monofletch

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Jan 14, 2010
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I have been looking at some larger SAKs. Mostly the one handed Trekker, Soldier, and, Ranger. Can you SAK veterans give me the good, bad, and ugly on these knives? Are they worth the $$$?
Thx
 
I have 111's (Trekkers) and recently 130's (Vic Delemont)!!! Very robust and def worth the money if you want/ need a big multifunction outdoor knife that you can deploy one handed. I really like them and will be adding more to my collection.

My most recent..

Giant%20Delemonts%2061%20and%20178CC_zpszkjyfe1r.jpg
 
On the other hand: I also have both but don't carry either. Just too big for me. I wish Vic would make a OHO in the 91 mm range.
My EDCs are a standard 91mm Tinker or 91mm Deluxe Tinker.
Rich
 
I edc a new soldier and I love it. The serrated blade is great for cutting man made stuff like vinal rubber ect. But still able to do most camping and bush crafty type stuff. For the money I don't think there's a better lock blade on the market.

If I have anything negative to say about it would be the last knife to use to dress most game. It would work but it would be harder to do.
 
I carry my Trekker a lot. I find the toolset very useful. I even bought my daughter one.
 
I always edc a Alox Pioneer/Farmer plus a Spyderco. The 111mm's are good affordable larger options, but they are bag carry/ emergency knives for me.

The 111mm Soldier's one-hand open action is NOT as easy as any of my Spydies. You have to fight the backspring tension and the opening hole is not ideally positioned, but it is possible to open with one hand. Another thing to consider is that the liner lock is reversed/left handed, so it's not a one hand close knife...

Mine lives in the sheath's util pouch of my outdoors blade...
20150324_071151-small_zpsr2stpawn.jpg
 
Love em.

I carried my one hand Trekker all day yesterday. Its a good combo of tools and modern knife. The blade is sharp and a little beefier than your average Victorinox blade. I normally carry a Benchamde along with my Tinker or Farmer, but sometimes its nice to have something that feels like a convo of a dedicated knife and a toolset.

Its not for everyday though, atleast for me, pocket carry isn't conformable its definitely a sheath knife in my opinion. Its pretty thick and its very heavy.

It makes a great backup to a small fixed blade when camping or hiking. It could also be a great primary knife for backpacking.

I got mine with the non serrated blade. Like all Victorinox knives its super easy to sharpen on most any stone you have. I didn't see benefit of a chisel edge/serrated combo blade for my purposes.
 
The Vic (and Wenger) Delemont's unlock by pushing on the shield button, not the liner lock making it very easy to close one handed.
 
I have the one hand trekker and tend to carry it on hikes and around camp but rarely carry it otherwise.
-It is a bit big and heavy in the pocket compared to the smaller SAKS, but not to the point where it is a huge burden. Still easier to pocket carry than most leathermans.
-The blade itself is a good slicer, used it as a steak knife on my last camping trip. Same steel as other SAKS- really easy to get very sharp and highly corrosion resistant. The tip of the blade is not pointy...id say that is the worst aspect of it... not sure why they didn't make it pointy...makes it harder than it should be to even puncture a hot dog package...
-The liner lock works the opposite of most knives, seems more suited for a lefty. But it is easy enough to be able to close it one handed still.
-The saw is as great as other vic SAKs, but longer than that of the 91/93mm SAKs, and therefore a bit more useful.
-Another plus, it costs <$40 and the steel is pretty water resistant... being able to go ahead and wade down a stream with no major worries, yet still being well-equipped is a nice thing.

However, like Rich S, I too dream of a 91mm one hand opener...
 
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OH TREKKERS

The Good; They have a well sorted tool selection and a comfortable handle design making them a top choice as a folding camp or emergency use knife.

The Bad; As an EDC the Trekker most often gets edged out by the Farmer's similar tool selection (smaller and minus toothpick and tweezers) in a more manageable size.

The Ugly; Intended use and personal preferences ultimately will determine a person's satisfaction with any product.

The conclusion; Vic's OH Trekkers are excellent knives easily worth $40.
 
collim1 said:
How does that pouch fit the Trekker? I LOATHE pouches that do not fit near perfectly, and Victorinox makes me nuts with the wide range of knives they claim fit their pouches.
Click to expand...

That same pouch fits the 130's so......you will probably hate it. Some of their black nylon pouches fit it much better. That knife actually rides in one of those black pouches now as I needed the MOLLE ones for the 130's. They make a zermatt pouch for the 111mm's but I have no experience with it.
 
I normally wear Cabela's 7-pocket khakis, which have big pockets so I have had no trouble with carrying a OH Trekker in my right front pocket , on a lanyard along with a small Eagle wallet (?) that I use to carry business cards in since I got it in 2001. I have a big hand so the OH fits me better, than some of the smaller SAK's. Overseas when on vacation I carry an older Camper, as some countries have laws against one hand opening knives. John
 
I love mine! Its a great knife, everybody says "outdoors knife" but I like how big and sturdy the tools are on them, for me its great any time! I need to get the pocket clip scales for it, but for now I just pull it out by the lanyard or carry it in a generic belt sheath. I'd like a Trekker with pliers, but it would make it much thicker so I'm willing to forgive it on that note. The linerlock makes it a much safer feeling knife, not that I've ever had a blade close on me while being stupid.. :rolleyes: Also it does close one handed, even if it is a little backwards. The bottle opener on the Trekker locks too, which means it won't close while prying/turning screws.

Overall they're great knives. Absolutely no complaints.

 
Monofletch said:
You guys have convinced me to get one. Thanks for all your replies.
Click to expand...
And its a hole in one!
it's size, lock and easy one hand operation
Is what makes it different from the standard saks.
Once you're hooked
Wouldn't have it any other way.
 
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