Picking my first SAK

L

Locust

Joined
Sep 30, 2008
Messages
539
Well I have had multitools before but never a SAK and I think it's about time I got one. I'm looking for one that would be good inside and out and have narrowed the choices down to the Huntsman and Fieldmaster.
They seem virtually identical except the Huntsman has a corkscrew and the Fieldmaster has a phillupshead. I don't drink wine but the corkscrew still seems useful for some reason. How well does the phillups work on most screw sizes? Also I usually carry a BCB creditcard multi-tool with me as well. It has a flathead that can fit in phillups as well. Does anyone know if it covers the same sizes as the phillups on the Fieldmaster? Thanks.
 
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I would take the huntsman , the corkscrew can hold a nifty little mini driver , usefull for eyeglass and personal electronics repairs . It's also handy for undoing knots , and can be used as an emergency coat hook on resturant bathroom doors where a hook has been torn off . Backspring philips drivers are very nearly useless , only the in line ones are worth anything . They are basically an invite to skinned knuckles , and cammed out screws .

The can opener blade works pretty well in #2 philips screws , assuming a medium/low torque application .

Even if you don't drink wine , it's handy to have a corkscrew at parties , picnics an such .

Chris
 
Hey thanks for the info. I never even thought about the angle of the screwdriver before. That would be useless in a narrow space. How well does it ride in the pocket? I don't want to have to put it in a sheath.
 
Four-layer Swiss Army Knives can feel a bit big in your pocket. I prefer to have less tools than more. It's impossible to carry everything around, but I use screwdrivers to screw, unscrew, and pry all the time, so the phillips driver, bottle opener, and can opener blades on a Tinker are all pretty invaluable. The knife blades are, ironically, the least used. I can get by without scissors, and whenever I'm camping, I find that any wood that I'd bother cutting with a ~90 millimeter saw could be easily snapped against a rock, on my knee, or by standing on it on top of a fulcrum.

I totally disagree about the backspring phillips drivers, though. I've damaged the can opener blade by having to unscrew things that were medium/heavily torqued, because as cdf says, it's not great for the screw or the driver to use a regular blade on tighter screws. I find that I need to first break screws loose first with backspring phillips, then use the more comfortable can opener to finish the job. That situation comes up a lot more than wine bottles with no bottle openers around or tiny screws that can't be undone with one arm of the tweezers.
 
I EDC a huntsman in the pocket , don't find it too bad . You can always use a dummy cord and clip , that way the knife hangs in the pocket rather than resting in the bottom of the pocket . The weight being taken by the belt .

My view on the backspring philips is a bit colored by the fact that I also carry a Multitool ( Vic. Spirit + an oldskool Leatherman universal tool adapter + bits ) on or very near my person ( in the EDC bag ) . I would rather screwup a 1/4" hex bit than screw up an impliment on a SAK . I can exert a lot of torque with this system .

In all the years I packed a SAK I have never used a backspring philips , the corkscrew has saved the day lottsa times . This is one of the lingering and enduring arguments in the SAK world .

Chris
 
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My two favorite saks. I have one of each and carry one or the other everyday. I can't tell you which one is better for you, but I will pass on some of my general observations.
It is true that the can opener works well on Phillips screws and it is the tool that I most often use for that job regardless of which one I am carrying. The back mounted Phillips works better for screws that are really tight or when I need to apply a lot of torque.
The corkscrew is great for working knots out. I have never used it for carrying the mini screw driver but that might be useful to you if you wear eye glasses.
I do sometimes pocket carry them but my preferred method of carry is in a Vic nylon sheath with the Velcro closure. I am not crazy about belt carry in most cases but this sheath is very comfortable and rides well. They are not very expensive and you might want to give one a try.
Either way you will have a very useful sak. Good luck and let us know which one you choose.
Jim
 
Thanks for the advice. How exactly do you untie a knot with a corkscrew? Everyone is making very good points. Some times less is more, but then again I would like a few options. The only thing these two are missing is pliers. Those will be hard for me to get used to not having on a multi-tool, but the ones that have them are really stripped down like the mechanic or massive like the handyman and swisschamp.
 
Locust said:
Thanks for the advice. How exactly do you untie a knot with a corkscrew? Everyone is making very good points. Some times less is more, but then again I would like a few options. The only thing these two are missing is pliers. Those will be hard for me to get used to not having on a multi-tool, but the ones that have them are really stripped down like the mechanic or massive like the handyman and swisschamp.
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The sharp but smooth edge of the corkscrew is easy to slide between the layers of rope in the knot, given its shape it has a nice hook to it that helps loosen the knot, instead of picking at it with your nails or whatever, not as useful to me as a Philips but comes in handy at times. I find the back mounted philips to be useful, not in every situaition but unless its a vic that has a in line Philips, I generally take the driver over the corkscrew, but that's just me:D
 
Just wondering how good are the pliers on SAKS? I wouldn't expect them to be as good as ones on a leatherman, swisstool, Powerlock, etc... but do they feel functional or more like a novelty?
 
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Locust said:
Just wondering how good are the pliers on SAKS? I wouldn't expect them to be as good as ones on a leatherman, swisstool, Powerlock, etc... but do they feel functional or more like a novelty?
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Functional on small things. I've used them to cut thin enough electrical or picture hanging wire, for instance, but no way do they substitute for pliers on even a Leatherman Juice, which are the smallest I consider useful in a multitool. Think of SAK pliers, instead, as monster tweezers. Then you will be happy. :)
 
Like some of the others have said, I think you'll find a SAK with an in-line phillips more useful. If I had to choose between the models you mention, I'd choose the one with the screwdriver (Fieldmaster). The only thing I find useful about the corkscrew models, is that they can hold a very useful little mini-screwdriver. That said, my EDC SAK is an Explorer Plus. It has the in-line phillips, and a corkscrew with a mini-driver. I find the Explorer to be more useful on an EDC basis than my Deluxe Tinker which has the back spring phillips, and pliers. Neither have a saw, but in truth I've only ever used the saw on my Swiss Champ a couple of times (I also have a Hiker model if I want a saw). The phillips screwdriver, followed by the regular screwdriver, scissors, magnifying glass, mini-screwdriver and the pen are the tools I use most frequently. I've been using my Case/Bucks for a blade, while the SAK does multi-tool duty. You could go for the gold, and get the Swiss Champ, and then you'd have it all.;) Regardless, for me the everyday utility of a good SAK-Case combo, has all but ended Benchmade and Spyderco's tenure as an EDC.

In regard to the pliers, I think znapschatz summed it up very well. Brace yourself, choosing the perfect SAK is near impossible, and before you know it you'll own a bunch.
 
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Thanks for all the advice all of you. I have reached a decision, and it is not one of the two I originally was looking at. Even before I saw Doug S's post I settled on an Explorer (original model). I'm getting this to be my edc in my new job in an office. First time working in one so I'm trying to figure out what I need. I realized that the saw on the other models was not only unneeded but also redundant since I always have one in my wallet. The Explorer seems to have the right combination of useful tools and ones that I think are just plain neat. I agree picking a SAK is tough and I have known from the start it's just my first and definitely not the last.
 
There are no bad choices in SAKville ! The explorer has a strong and devoted following .

Chris
 
I would go for the Huntsman, but the Explorer is a very good SAK too. I have a feeling that this will not be the last SAK you will buy.
 
Grateful said:
The corkscrew is great for working knots out. I have never used it for carrying the mini screw driver but that might be useful to you if you wear eye glasses.
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Definitely make the "investment" in one of those little screwdrivers. It's a couple bucks very well spent, IMO.
 
mnblade said:
Definitely make the "investment" in one of those little screwdrivers. It's a couple bucks very well spent, IMO.
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It is on the short list. I want to get one for my huntsman and maybe one for my sportsman as well.
Also congratulations to Locust on choosing a sak. I am sure that it will serve you well and that it is money well spent.
 
I was going to suggest the Explorer, but I see you already came to that conclusion. The only thing I don't like about it is it's 4 layer. My personal choices are the Yeoman and "custom" Yeoman variants. Unfortunately, Vic discontinued the Yeoman about 8-10 years ago. They are in high demand from both the user and collector contingents.
 
Definitely make the "investment" in one of those little screwdrivers. It's a couple bucks very well spent, IMO.
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I don't wear glasses either but I can see the appeal to an extra tool that doesn't take up extra space and barely any weight. I haven't put my order in yet so I might toss one in.

I have a feeling that this will not be the last SAK you will buy.
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I know it won't be my last. I'll definitely get a Farmer at some point and the Swisschamp looks so cool.
 
I don't wear glasses either but I can see the appeal to an extra tool that doesn't take up extra space and barely any weight.
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I don't wear glasses either. What I end up using it for the most, is to stick it in the small groove on the back of my Freedom Photon Micro Light to pop of the back, and change the batteries. Also, my wife does have glasses, and she's used it a time or two. The Explorer really does provide a nice selection of useful tools.
 
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