Question on SAKs

SilverFoxKnows

SilverFoxKnows

Joined
Sep 25, 2002
Messages
3,179
Why do so many of them have corkcrews and so few have philips screwdrivers? Is the philips screw something you don't see in Europe? If you drank wine often wouldn't have a wine opener handy? Do I have too much free time on my hands to contemplate the Swiss Army Knife?

Frank
 
Perhaps the corkscrew is intended to be a symbol of social status: according to tradition, the red SAK were designed for Army officers - contrary to grey ones, heavier and issued to privates, without a corkscrew. Some Victorinox lockblade SAKs have a Phillips screwdriver instead.
 
A lot of Saks from Vic come in 2 flavors, one with a phillips and one with a cork screw, all the other tools are the same.

Check out Pizzini and click on Swiss Army Knives and then Swiss Knives Standard. He has all the matching models.
 
Originally posted by SilverFoxKnows
Why do so many of them have corkcrews and so few have philips screwdrivers? Is the philips screw something you don't see in Europe? If you drank wine often wouldn't have a wine opener handy? Do I have too much free time on my hands to contemplate the Swiss Army Knife?

Frank
Click to expand...

This is the reason I always buy the Tinker. I have a drawer full of corkscrews. The one I don't get is the little carrying hook. I have asked about this numerous times, but no one has yet answered my question. What is the little hook for and who uses it??
 
It must be simply that SAKs with corkscrews sell more.

To an average person it may seem harder to find a corkscrew when needed than to find a Phillips driver when needed, thus when buying a SAK a corkscrew may seem better, also the corkscrew may have a higher gadget factor.

I drink wine every day and I carry a SAK every day, but I rarely use the SAK to open wine, I stopped carrying a SAK with a Phillips driver when I got my Leatherman, the corkscrew holds the mini-screwdriver and heps untying knots, clean fingernails and other odd things.

ichor,

I too, like many others, have wondered about the hook, I´ve seen an illustration of a package tied with string, hooked to use the SAK as a handle to carry it.
It seems to me that the designers found a place to put something and had to put something there, they just couldn´t think of anything better.
 
If you ski or snowboard, the hook is good for getting the laces on your boots nice and tight.
 
It does not need to be Either/Or -
there are SAKs with both corkscrew (make you very popular at parties and picnics) and Phillips screwdriver (I agree, essential).

eg: My EDC Victorinox Scientist model (customized)
Feb/1993 - present (with SackUp pouch).
fc6e2d3b.jpg


Extracted from (link):

Minimalist SAKs

Phillips with Corkscrew - now that's another question.
One could get away with the
Spartan/Standard model:
fbfd36d3.jpg

shown is the 1997 100 year SAK Spartan/Standard model (the only version I have)
spartan US Model # 53151 - low price ~$16
size:91 mm | 3 1/2 inch
Large blade
Small blade
Can opener with small screwdriver
Bottle opener with large screwdriver & wire stripper
Reamer with sewing eye
Corkscrew
Toothpick
Tweezers
Key ring

Phillips? - well, the small screwdriver on the can-opener tool is supposed to fit #1 & 2 Phillips......
that's why I said: "get away with".

But a real Phillips driver with corkscrew means this model:
Scientist
fc1bead1.jpg


from a Victorinox sheet (circa 1992/3)
fc1a8f3d.jpg


This model (now very sought after) has been my EDC since 1988.

The current thinnest model with BOTH corkscrew and Phillips is the Explorer -
53791_l.jpg

but it is 4 layers/backsprings thick - a bit too thick for my taste.

Welcome back is the Champion Plus model - but that's even thicker.
 
Phillips-head screwdrivers are mostly an american thing, and I do indeed share your frustration, fortunately there are still plenty of models that will offer everything for your screwdriving needs (in my case, my choice is a Deluxe Tinker)
 
I use the corkscrew all the time. I do have corkscrews around the house, but my Climber is always in my pocket, so when a bottle needs to be opened it just saves time to use my SAK. Great at friends places or on holidays. Its also great just to have to keep the small screwdriver in.

I guess I like it because it is hard to open a bottle of wine w/out one, and at a pinch the flat head driver can be used as a substitute for the phillips driver.

Another note on the hook; when camping, I've used the hook to lift boiling water pots off the fire. Even used it as a sort of emergency coathanger at a hotel (hung hook from wire, then hung shirt from SAK). Not pretty, but at least I found a use for the hook!
 
You know, Victorinox IS made in Europe, where:
1. Wine is cheap. One can get drinkable table wine for the equivalent of a dollar a liter.
2. Packages are commonly tied with twine. It hurts to carry a package via the twine. Hooks are nice.
Just got back from Europe, where I enjoyed the wine and used the twine.
 
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