Outdoor SAK, Handyman or Workchamp?

B

bullfrog99

Joined
Sep 4, 2002
Messages
77
From what I gather, essentially both models have the same tools, The Workchamp has extra screwdrivers wheras the Handyman has a second blade and the extra tools on the bottom. I'm essentially looking for an EDC which will be suspended by a lanyard attached to my belt in my pocket, so weight isn't as much of an issue as bulk is, but i'm guessing both of these are pretty hefty knives. I like the looks of the smaller handyman more, but respect the locking blade and larger tools of the Workchamp. Besides EDC, i'm hoping to be able to use this as my small woods knife (currently a multitool) - it will accompany a 7" fixed blade and do all the tasks the larger knife would be unsuitable for. Which model do you think I should get?
 
I haven't handled a Handyman, but used to have a Workchamp. I really liked the tool loadout of the 'Champ, as it had everything I needed/wanted in a single knife. The problem was the pliers. They stuck up in such a way that made the grip uncomfortable when using the main blade. The pliers would form a "hump" right in the middle of my palm, makng it difficult to exert much pressure on the main blade while whittling/cutting.

The smaller Handyman-sized SAK's suffer from being too short in the hand, while (if over 4 or 5 layers ) also being too fat. It's possible to use them, and I love my Ranger (5 layers) for the tools it provided, but recently went back to my Mauser (3 layers, and longer) for the more comfortable grip. I plan to make up for its lack of tools by carrying a Leatherman PST, as I found it's a better compromise to add the second "knife" than to put up with the uncomfortable ergonomics of the Ranger.

Good alternatives for your use would be the Farmer (3 layers, non-locking but longer/thicker more robust blades than the red handled SAK's) or one of the 111mm locking models with no more than 4 layers, staying away from the pliers to avoid the "hump" of the Workchamp. Another advantage of the Famer (and all the Alox handled SAK's) besides the more robust blades is the stronger backspring. While they don't lock, they do "snap" better than the red handled SAK's, requiring more force to close. That makes them a "bit" safer than the other non-locking models.
 
bullfrog99 said:
From what I gather, essentially both models have the same tools, The Workchamp has extra screwdrivers wheras the Handyman has a second blade and the extra tools on the bottom. I'm essentially looking for an EDC which will be suspended by a lanyard attached to my belt in my pocket, so weight isn't as much of an issue as bulk is, but i'm guessing both of these are pretty hefty knives. I like the looks of the smaller handyman more, but respect the locking blade and larger tools of the Workchamp. Besides EDC, i'm hoping to be able to use this as my small woods knife (currently a multitool) - it will accompany a 7" fixed blade and do all the tasks the larger knife would be unsuitable for. Which model do you think I should get?
Click to expand...

I went through this same exercise with these same knives not too long ago. Besides the obvious answer (buy both :D ), I ended up choosing the Handyman. When I looked at the size of the Workchamp and the tools on it, I decided that if I was going to go that big, I'd simply use a multitool instead. I have the LM Charge, which gives me the tools I'd use on a regular basis. As much as I like my SAKs, the pliers on them don't compare to a decent multitool.

With either the Charge or the Handyman, I use a pouch carry (the largest knife I can carry in my pocket without driving myself to distraction is the Spartan Lite). I can keep an Arc AAA light in the Victorinox nylon pouch along with the Handyman. I can carry extra bits and some firestarting material in the LM nylon pouch.

Depending on why I'm in the woods, I may carry just the Handyman, or any combination of Handyman or Charge and a fixed blade. I also almost always have a thinner SAK in my pocket regardless of what else I'm carrying anyways.
 
I use the Vic Handyman, and find it very good. There seems to be enough screwdrivers on it, & I often use the little chisel-type blade (on the bottom near the corkscrew, which I'll NEVER use!)
A bit big for pocket carry, IMHO, so mine lives in my EDC bag (a Maxpedition Devildog)
 
Thank you for the replies. I think I'm going to go with the Handyman

then again there is always the Juice XE6...

Thanks again
 
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