out with the SAK... in with the lock back!

Magnaminous_G

Magnaminous_G

Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
2,090
I've been carrying a SAK classic on my key-chain for a while now (I work in a place where you can't carry anything bigger), but I don't really use the other tools besides the knife. Now, I've had a problem with the non-locking blade. Maybe I'm just not careful enough, but I have had a scare twice where the blade almost folded over onto my fingers. Once while stropping (so you see where the fear comes from... it's razor sharp!) and another time--today--while using it to cut the wrapping off the top of a water bottle (the big, heavy kind you stick in a water cooler). The blade just kind of did it's thing and slipped down and almost closed on my fingers. Scary. So I said to myself after that, "No more... I'm trading this out for a lock back design."

I just ordered a Buck Nano Bantam. Seems that people generally like it, and it is key-chain-size. Your thoughts?
 
Sounds cool. I saw a couple of reviews on Youtube where people were showing their small Spydercos, they were pretty neat, but I didn't see a lock on them, and they were a lot smaller that that Nano Bantam
 
I have both a Vic Classic and a Spyderco Ladybug ZDP-189 on my keychain. :D
 
I'd also take a look at the Kershaw Chive if you want a small knife with some cutting abilities, comes in a variety of colors for office environments.
 
People have been carrying slip joint pocket knives for hundreds of years. I've had that same little sak on my keyring for several years with no problem. Perhaps you need to take a look at your knife handling and how you maybe a little careless in it. That sak classic is the most produced pocket knife in the world, and has been for many years. Something like 9 to 10 million made every year. Looks like many millions of people don't have a problem with it. Knife accidents are like car accidents; usually operator error.

Carl.
 
I wouldn't jump straight to operator error. Perhaps he's just expecting to much out of something so small with no lock. There is a reason why a fair amount of knives have them after all.
 
jackknife said:
People have been carrying slip joint pocket knives for hundreds of years. I've had that same little sak on my keyring for several years with no problem. Perhaps you need to take a look at your knife handling and how you maybe a little careless in it. That sak classic is the most produced pocket knife in the world, and has been for many years. Something like 9 to 10 million made every year. Looks like many millions of people don't have a problem with it. Knife accidents are like car accidents; usually operator error.

Carl.
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For general light cutting tasks the classic is fine but anything that requires any force I personally don't trust it at all. The spring isn't stiff enough IMO on the classics and when you combine that with the tiny 2 finger hold on the handle it's less then ideal. I have no problem with the full size ones so it's not a user problem. If I wanted a knife in that size I'd go with a Spyderco.
 
jackknife said:
People have been carrying slip joint pocket knives for hundreds of years. I've had that same little sak on my keyring for several years with no problem. Perhaps you need to take a look at your knife handling and how you maybe a little careless in it. That sak classic is the most produced pocket knife in the world, and has been for many years. Something like 9 to 10 million made every year. Looks like many millions of people don't have a problem with it. Knife accidents are like car accidents; usually operator error.

Carl.
Click to expand...

+1

I carry both a slipjoint folder AND a lockblade, since sometimes I too will us a knife more to stab, twist or pry rather than just "cut".
You can cut with all the pressure you want on that SAK and it wont close. It might break, but it wont close until you add pressure that is not against the cutting edge.
 
Slipjoint knives about the size of a schrade 12OT are great. I have a vic soldier, Wich has a Strong, loud snap when closing. It could cut my fingertip off if im not paying attention when closing it.
 
jackknife said:
People have been carrying slip joint pocket knives for hundreds of years. I've had that same little sak on my keyring for several years with no problem. Perhaps you need to take a look at your knife handling and how you maybe a little careless in it. That sak classic is the most produced pocket knife in the world, and has been for many years. Something like 9 to 10 million made every year. Looks like many millions of people don't have a problem with it. Knife accidents are like car accidents; usually operator error.

Carl.
Click to expand...
Hmmm...I don't think so, Carl. There is a reason that they designed, developed, and put locks on blades. Why bother if no slip joint has EVER closed on anybody in the history of the universe? I don't think that is the case. Never had one close on me enough to cut me, but I have had some close calls. Sure, if all you ever do is slice veggies with a chef approved motion; you should be safe. But SAK's are multi-purpose tools that are usually used for one too many purposes. I made sure that the SAK that I gave to my daughter had a blade lock. I much prefer a blade lock myself. Especially on a small knife. Guess that makes me a wimp and/or a mall ninja devoid of knife skills? As a former Marine, I never saw a Marine take a non-locking blade into the field.
 
I'm pretty careful with knives and I do carry a Vic. Classic but I also have arthritic hands, and if I'm cold or tired, a small slipjoint used for anything but cutting thread is asking for trouble.

Why use chipped flint when you can get bronze blades so cheaply? :)
 
The knife you ordered . . .

Isn't that about the same size as the Buck Knight?

The Knight has a blade that's under 2 inches, but it's a serious step up in quality from the Bantam.

Just sayin'.

 
Magnaminous_G said:
I've been carrying a SAK classic on my key-chain for a while now (I work in a place where you can't carry anything bigger), but I don't really use the other tools besides the knife. Now, I've had a problem with the non-locking blade. Maybe I'm just not careful enough, but I have had a scare twice where the blade almost folded over onto my fingers. Once while stropping (so you see where the fear comes from... it's razor sharp!) and another time--today--while using it to cut the wrapping off the top of a water bottle (the big, heavy kind you stick in a water cooler). The blade just kind of did it's thing and slipped down and almost closed on my fingers. Scary. So I said to myself after that, "No more... I'm trading this out for a lock back design."

I just ordered a Buck Nano Bantam. Seems that people generally like it, and it is key-chain-size. Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

I would forgo the nano bantam. I don't care for the 420J2 steel.

Like you, I work for a corporation with strict limitations on what is allowed.
2" blade and 4 1/2" overall opened length. That overall length is hard to meet. Sometimes I cheat a bit on that one.

I carry a Vic Classic on my keyring for the toothpick and the nailfile/screwdriver.
But I don't much care for it for cutting. The thing I find about small knives is that it is hard for me to hold them to use them. I don't have that large of hands. I just find it hard to manipulate a miniature knife. So what I've been seeking is a knife with a handle that meets the length requirements and still gives me a secure grip.

My thoughts on a couple of knives I've tried.
Spyderco Ladybug in VG 10. Blade shape wasn't good for me. Hard to hold. Outstanding steel.
Buck Colleague - very nicely made, excellent blade shape, Steel at 58HRC, no key ring hole.

For a lockback, I've settled in on a Boker Subcom. That wide handle really gives me something to grab. Very useful little fella.

But the knife I end up using the most is a Case Tiny Wharncliffe Trapper. The handle is thick enough to give me a good grip. Peels an apple quite nicely. And the Wharncliffe blade is great for packages. I think the Tiny Trappers are out of production, but some of the online stores still have some. Recommended.
 
id suggest a spyderco ladybug 3 in SS. you can open it with one hand and it locks up nicely like a rock. sharp as hell and great steel. classy as hell too and very nice.
 
Boker Keycom is also nice and small.

I use a keychain-size Vic most of the time. It's good enough for most urban tasks like opening envelopes, snack bags, taped boxes, etc. However I switch to a locking tool when dealing with thicker / tougher material just for added convenience and safety. The sharp corner on the Vic Spirit's chisel works surprisingly well on clamshell packaging.
 
Thanks for all of the insightful comments, guys. I decided to go ahead and order the Spyderco Ladybug 3 in VG10, per your many suggestions, after doing a bit of research and looking at pictures to get a good sense of the size and ergonomics. It definitely looks like it's key ring-size and appears to be of higher quality than the Buck Nano Bantam, at least in terms of materials. I did consider the Boker Subcom and Buck Knight as some of you suggested, but the Knight doesn't have a key ring hole, and the Subcom is larger than something I would want hanging off of my key ring.

As always, you guys rock
 
jackknife said:
People have been carrying slip joint pocket knives for hundreds of years. I've had that same little sak on my keyring for several years with no problem. Perhaps you need to take a look at your knife handling and how you maybe a little careless in it. That sak classic is the most produced pocket knife in the world, and has been for many years. Something like 9 to 10 million made every year. Looks like many millions of people don't have a problem with it. Knife accidents are like car accidents; usually operator error.

Carl.
Click to expand...
Couldn't have said it better. At least I certainly couldn't, without sounding like a jerk. Carl's exactly right; locking knives are not necessary, they're merely a convenience. And, if you're using your knife properly, it shouldn't close on you, regardless of whether it locks or not.
 
puukkoman said:
Couldn't have said it better. At least I certainly couldn't, without sounding like a jerk. Carl's exactly right; locking knives are not necessary, they're merely a convenience. And, if you're using your knife properly, it shouldn't close on you, regardless of whether it locks or not.
Click to expand...

I've had a lock fail using my knife for it's intended purpose. I was cutting a mooring line to release a vessel that was beating against another boat in the middle of a hurricane. The spine got hit pretty hard by the boat when I reached out to cut the line and it disengaged the lock and cut me pretty good.

What you posted may be true for sitting still or working at a bench but in the real world knives can fold on you while you are working. Accidentally or otherwise to say differently demonstrates little experience.
 
Another great example of the need for a fixed blade or locking blade knife is when diving. Cutting yourself out of monofilament wrapped around your tank valves can be quite a bit of fun. You can't see what you are doing so everything is done by feel. You certainly don't want to reach back with a slip joint and have it catch on something and close on you. This is also the correct use for a knife. A knife with a lock blade or even a fixed blade.
 
I work on boats as well, and my response would be: should have been using the right tool for the job (a fixed blade, in that case). To call someone's experience into question is unnecessary, in this case, and insulting (although it's possible that wasn't your intention).
 
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