Point me at the SAK for me

Z

zhyla

Joined
Sep 11, 2011
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That Nick Shabazz SAK thread reminded me... I still haven't found a multitool that really does it for me. What I want is a small SAK that has pliers. All of the small SAK's I've seen have tiny scissors and tiny blades. Since I EDC a normal sized folder everywhere I go I have no use for tiny blades. And I'm not sure I can conceive of a use for tiny scissors. I certainly never used scissors when all I carried was a SAK.

Wire cutters/strippers would be my next most desired tool.

Does such a thing exist?

I've got a Gerber Dime and there are things I like about that, but the crappy soft steel on the pliers makes it barely worth pocket space.
 
SAK Deluxe Tinker if you want a SAK specifically, but I'd go with a Leatherman ES4.
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Leatherman-Squirt-ES4-Multi-Tool-w--9289
leatherman-squirt-es4-black-831204.jpg
 
Leatherman Squirt might do it for you.

The Squirt PS4 has spring loaded pliers and a great set of tools in a really easy to carry package.

The Squirt ES4 has wire cutters/strippers as the primary plier tool. Still a great assortment of tools on board.

Check both of these out, I'll bet one of them fits your needs.
 
I carry 5" knipex lock Jaws at work and around the farm. Much better than any multitool pliers. The 7" is still pockatable if you find yourself really getting after it!
 
Leatherman makes a small multi tool (Style PS). It's small enough to put on a key ring. Another plus is that it has no knife blade, so you can carry it during air travel.

I had mine with me and TSA flagged my carry on when I was going thru security. So when they told me that they wanted to look in my bag, I made the comment "oh, you probably want to see the multi tool." The guy was pretty cool. I pulled it out for him and told him it was TSA safe and had no blade. He had never seen one of them before and was genuinely interested in it. I got to show him all the tools on and give him some info about it. Anyhow it has pliers.

Ric
 
Thinker, Super thinker, handyman and angler have plyers

but if you need plyers I would rather look at leathean
 
zhyla said:
I'm not sure I can conceive of a use for tiny scissors.
Click to expand...
The tiny SAK sissors are great for the odd loose thread(s) and that/those occational wild eyebrows, nose, ear, sideburns, beard, and/or mustache hair(s) and split ends. :)

EDIT:
The tiny sissors are also handy for trimming fingernails. :)
 
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I am used to carry a knife and a SAK
Actually the Victorinox rambler on my keychain is my real EDC
It packs a lot of useful tools in a small package when you live in an urban environment
Even the very small blade has got some use when there was sheeple around
 
That little tiny SAK is the only one I have any use for. It goes in my watch pocket. I love the scissors, but that little blade tweezers toothpick nail file. All get used.

My primary carry is a BUCK 110 on my belt.

I always have a 6” channel lock pliers and 6 way screwdriver handy. If I need to use a tool I need a tool not a gimmick.

if you have to have a multi tool with pliers LEATHERMAN is the best way to go.
 
I carry a Deluxe Tinker in a belt pouch when out and about. At home just a Tinker in my pocket as I have access to my regular tools. I don't care for "knives" that I have to unfold six ways to use.
Rich
 
The Leatherman Squirt ES4 might actually be ideal. Thanks for the suggestions guys!

I really wish there were more options that lacked blades. The Style PS4 is nice in that regard.
 
Victorinox allows you to compose your multitool knife to your liking. Within limits, of course : you can't choose pliers in place of tweezers, as far as my mechanical understanding applies. If you like the Victorinox style, this could be worth digging into.
 
I've had SAKs most of my life.

Last week I got a Boker Tech Tool 7. Love it - feels very similar to a SAK but much better technically: G10 scales, torx screws for cleaning, Sandvik 12C27 @58-60 HRC, has a clip and a glass breaker. A little like a SAK coming out of SAKmodder's workshop. I have high hopes that this knife won't look as beaten as my SAKs do after a couple of years.

If it has to be a SAK I understand. If not, might want to check out the Boker Tech Tool 4 or 5 for pliers.

And on a practical side note, the scissors are very practical. Try to cut your fingernails with a knife :)
 
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Henry nailed it. The tiny Channel Locks are about $6-8 bucks and are much better than victorinox pliers, and you'll still come in lighter and cheaper with a good SAK and the pocket pliers than you would with a plier based 'not-a-knife'. And the scissors are great for paper, nails, and mustache hairs.
 
Cereal_killer said:
I carry 5" knipex lock Jaws at work and around the farm. Much better than any multitool pliers. The 7" is still pockatable if you find yourself really getting after it!
Click to expand...

For my money, Knipex is the gold standard in locking pliers. Their jaws are shaped to work better on hex nuts. I carry them in my motorcycle tool kits. I prefer the much smaller ChannelLocks for my pocket. They are shown here next to some 5” Tektons, which are close to the Knipex in size.

If you are on a tight budget, the Tektons are quite a bit cheaper than the Channellocks, sometimes as little as half the price. The Knipex will cost two to three times the price of the Channellocks, well worth it if you have to do a repair on a dark roadside. For everyday, the blue ones are plenty good enough, and small enough to disappear in the pocket, even sharing the space with a few small knives.

99921E19-D5A2-4013-887F-767D7B5B0396.jpeg
 
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I think if you use a pliers fairly often, it's worth it to carry a small set of Channel Locks. Years ago.... like 40 years ago now, my boss carried a small pliers with him in his pocket all the time and he demonstrated just how useful it can be. I bought a PROTO pliers (230 model if it means anything now) and it was a life saver once when my pickup broke down. The Proto is smaller than the Channel Lock vice grip version which I have too. The Crescent branded RT24 small pliers is about the same size as the Proto. It is very easily pocketable.

I use a pliers far more than a scissors. I do have the Leatherman Ps4 on my key chain also. The Style PS is a great little tool as I never use the little blades on these things anyway. A knife works better.

I have never used a pliers that comes on some SAK knives.
 
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