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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Realizing a SAK IS traditional has helped
- Thread starter shopdoc
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Its a curious thing, and I'm not really sure that I can articulate the jist of it. Maybe its an age thing, or a certain mentality that comes from seeking the most efficient item per size and weight balance. Maybe its part of the aging process, where we start to really think about what we are doing and why. I'm not sure.
All I do know is what my own life's experience has been. Growing up in the 1950's, having the particular people I had to look up to and learn from, and the experience of camping, some hunting, lots of fishing, canoeing, travel, army service to include combat experience in Vietnam, and raising a family and trying to impart some of the same values to the kids and grandkids.
As for my life experience, some of that was from being 50% disabled after my army active duty injuries. I was at Walter Reed Army hospital in Washington to learn to walk again on a right foot act was put back together the best they could do. I didn't want to give up backpacking, so I went ultra light backpacking. Literally weighing every singe item that went in the pack. Shaving ounces to save pounds. Single AAA battery flashlight instead of Two AAA batteries. Freeze dried food or even ready to eat that didn't need a stove packed along. Monocular instead of binoculars. Small 5 shot mini .22 revolver instead of a J frame .38 revolver. Small knife instead of the old Randall 14.
After a bit, it bled over into my day to day life. Started looking for the smallest item that would do the same job. I found out that my pants got lighter. Noticeably lighter. I remembered how dad always seems to have the stuff along that let him get by in a very wide variety of situations. Because the much smaller items saved pocket space and weight, thus lets you carry more stuff. Kind of a win-win situation.
In my youth, I carried larger heavier knives, but as I got older, and all these different factors came into play, I started to question things. How much knife did I really need to sharpen a pencil, open my mail, cut a hot dog stick for the kids, cut some jute twine for the tomato plants out back, cut a plastic tag off a new shirt or jeans, or even open the infernal plastic blister packages that were invented to defeat tooth and claw and small charges of C4 ?
The answer was, not much. I remembered all those grown men I grew up around that all carried some little one or two blade penknife that got them through their day. These men were veterans of WW2, and had fought in places like Normandy, Guadalcanal, The Bulge, Saipan, and others. Modest men who didn't talk about the war, but just lived a normal life driving a delivery truck, or working the mechanic shop down the street, or managing a dry cleaning plant. Just everyday working guys doing everyday jobs with a very modest pocket knife in the pocket.
These are some of the factors that fed the drive to downsize. Add in that things change as we get older. We don't do what we used to, and truth be told, most of us don't want to. I haven't backpacked in a few daces. The stuff got sold off at yard sales. If someone asked me now I wanted to go backpacking, I'd say 'been there, done that.' I feel no desire to lug a pack up a mountain trail anymore, but I do like the trip where Karen and I took to Yellowstone, rode the tourist train around to the hot spots, and sat on the veranda of the very nice Yellowstone lodge with cocktails in hand and watched Old Faithful do its thing. Did the same at Yosemite. I now as an aging arthritic septuagenarian I won't see real isolated wilderness again. But heres the thing, I don't want to. Been there, done that.'
I don't kiwi any of this blathering makes any sense at all to you, but to out in all in a nutshell, its a combination of age, experience, and real world needs judged in the harsh light of day that makes for downsizing.
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Doc, don't sell the pioneer!!!!
Of the few knives I kept, my old Wenger SI was one. I find the scout pattern to be a great knife to augment the smaller SAK on occasion. The larger blade is good at times, as is the awl that makes great starter holes for wood screws when mounting shelves and things. Think of the bigger SAK's to be good backups to the executive. Right tools for the job at hand kind of thing.
But your off to a very good start of a great enlightenment. Your experience in Germany with the classic was a good lesson in how much we think we need that we really don't.
Of the few knives I kept, my old Wenger SI was one. I find the scout pattern to be a great knife to augment the smaller SAK on occasion. The larger blade is good at times, as is the awl that makes great starter holes for wood screws when mounting shelves and things. Think of the bigger SAK's to be good backups to the executive. Right tools for the job at hand kind of thing.
But your off to a very good start of a great enlightenment. Your experience in Germany with the classic was a good lesson in how much we think we need that we really don't.
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It is mostly a habit thing. You look at a new knife and judge based on your present experiences or what you have grown comfortable with. Be willing to consider other possibilities when it comes to need. The choice to down size is always yours..... But your off to a very good start of a great enlightenment. Your experience in Germany with the classic was a good lesson in how much we think we need that we really don't.
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I'm not a minimalist either. All you have to do is look in my carry bag what I carry in the woods or how much camera gear I lug around often for no reason at all. My tripod weighs about 6 lbs by itself and I have carried it far and wide in the woods. My latest large lens weighs about 5.5 lbs. You certainly notice the weight and it is not comfortable weight. It is not like carrying a bucket of water or pack you can just sit down casually; you have to always be careful with it as it cost too much.
Doc, don't sell the pioneer!!!!
Of the few knives I kept, my old Wenger SI was one. I find the scout pattern to be a great knife to augment the smaller SAK on occasion. The larger blade is good at times, as is the awl that makes great starter holes for wood screws when mounting shelves and things. Think of the bigger SAK's to be good backups to the executive. Right tools for the job at hand kind of thing.
But your off to a very good start of a great enlightenment. Your experience in Germany with the classic was a good lesson in how much we think we need that we really don't.
Oh don't worry. I didn't mean to insinuate I was selling the Pioneer. Only that I received a new one in the mail and have yet to carry as I want to stick to my self imposed 30 days of CYS knife only. In fact I don't think I'll sell any of my SAKs. Even the large ones I don't see myself carrying. On the chopping block are some slipjoints (not all of them) and most of my one handed modern folders. I want to keep a few of the knives that I most likely won't carry as I have 4 boys and they may want one of them some day.
I have several reasons for wanting to downsize and you covered most of mine in your post. For me, carrying a smaller knife (as long as it serves 99% of my needs, and turns out they do) is because:
A. I dislike things in my pockets. Carrying a smaller knife allows me to also carry my small flashlight, lighter, and buff without notice.
B. It reminds me of my dad and the older men I grew up with. They all carried a small knife and got along just fine.
The older I get, the more I look to my past and try to connect with some of those fond memories.
I still carry a clip knife most days (lately it’s mostly been my Manix 2), in addition to the 2 SAKs I always carry; my Executive and my Spartan (or my Pioneer instead of my Spartan). The SAKs tend to see more use in a daily basis, but my clip knife sees appropriate use, too, just not as often.
IMO carrying the 2 SAKs is perfect, as each has what the other doesn’t. And both are compact and light enough not to feel very noticeable in my pockets. I won’t carry a 3-layer or thicker SAK just to have everything in one package, because it starts to feel like a lump in my pocket, and I don’t want to sheath carry a SAK. I’d rather carry my 2 SAKs in separate pockets than one thicker lump.
Jim
IMO carrying the 2 SAKs is perfect, as each has what the other doesn’t. And both are compact and light enough not to feel very noticeable in my pockets. I won’t carry a 3-layer or thicker SAK just to have everything in one package, because it starts to feel like a lump in my pocket, and I don’t want to sheath carry a SAK. I’d rather carry my 2 SAKs in separate pockets than one thicker lump.
Jim
I really don't know if its a habit or a driven need from exposure to certain exterior input.
I don't know, but I feel theres a psychological thing that is present these forums that drive the need to buy more. People see these posts picturing al the new shiny knives, and feel the need to buy one, even though they have enough knives to last them the rest of this life and the next. It's a driven compulsion. Some kind of psychological thing at work here. I notice that when I stay away from the forums, I feel content wth whatever pocket knife I have on me. It's weird.
Its a habit thing to have a pocket knife on you. Its not a habit thing to just keep on buying knives even though you have a dozen already. Factor in the media like a online forum, and you have a obsession driven compulsion. Hollywood knows this, thats why manufactures pay for product placement in movies. Just look at the general forum, Mark Harmon shows a new knife and 50 people have to have a knife like Gibbs. Understand kids, but when it gets into gown adults, it gets weird.
If Chuck Yeager can go backpacking into the Sierra Nevada mountains with just a Victorinox executive, how much knife do we really need to go to work in a 21st century office? Or camping in a National or state park?
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Maybe that's my disconnect....as a kid none of my role models carried a knife. I had an innate fascination with knives so I carried what appeals to my own sensibilities. Also, I've always carried lots of stuff in my pockets so weight was never an issue. I pocket carried a Swiss Champ for years.
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My habit response also related to the kinds of knives and the SIZE we choose because we are comfortable with them whether it be using or fondling them at your desk or kitchen table. I fully agree that in most cases I almost never need a larger knife than what I already carry. But you have to understand I carry a fixed blade too but it has less than a 3 inch blade which is a common folder size for the small to medium ones. But it is a lot stronger.
Most of my outdoor activities center around State and National Parks which is why I am SO BORED right now with the stay at home order. I almost always go by myself.... not going to infect or get infected as a result of going, but they're closed.
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Carl, you hit the nail on the head!!! Up until a few years ago my primary knives were a Victorinox Small Tinker and a Schrade Old Timer 34OT. The SAK was bought in 1989 while in the Marines, to replace a 34 OT I had lost after carrying it exclusively for about 5 years. The SAK was the only knife I carried on a regular basis for a good 10 years until Grandad gave me a used 34OT, then those two spilt pocket time until I came upon this forum, by accident I admit as I wasn’t looking for it.
I did have other knives, but they were for specific reasons like a good belt knife for hunting. Since joining the forum I have accumulated enough knives that everyone in my neighborhood could probably have 2. Some I’ll never carry, others will get carried and used if needed, some will get used regularly based on what I know I’ll be doing on a certain day. But in the end, that 34OT and Small Tinker are really the only pocket knives I’ll ever need.
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Size is important. When I discovered GEC slip joints, I started looking for the "perfect knife" that I would always carry to the exclusion of all others. I was carrying the Vic Adventurer which had about a 3" blade. I ended up after a number of different frame sizes with the #42 frame as the "perfect size" because it was about the same size as my Adventurer. Move forward and I consider it a fairly big slip joint and I seldom carry one this large ever. So, the forum influenced me greatly as did the size of knife I was accustomed to. Why do I prefer the Spyderco Native or Delica.... same reason, size..... but I learned that I don't really need the size and the smaller knife is so much easier to carry day to day.
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Its not just an age thing. I'm only 39 but have been pretty much been using only SAKs for the last 2 years as they offer so much more versatility than just a cutting tool. I know there's lots of shiny things out there,and as long as it not hurting anyone, I'm all for everyone collecting whatever they want, and however many of them they want. I did grow up watching Victorinox's best salesman MacGuyver , so there might be a bias there 
For me as an electrician, whipping out a "switchblade" looking OHO in front of the secretary at an office/homeowner isn't the best look for the company, but a SAK or traditional 2 hand opener raises no eyebrows nor adverse comments. Traditionals tend to have made it to that status by virtue of being efficient at what they do and not breaking the bank. Time has proven the design and people are still buying them.
Interestingly , I was issued a TL29, and a Victorinox Centurion while in the army and carried my own Spartan both here and on overseas service, and didn't feel underknifed. It came out of the pocket, did the job, and went back in, sans fanfare- just like it still does today.
What more could you ask for ?
For me as an electrician, whipping out a "switchblade" looking OHO in front of the secretary at an office/homeowner isn't the best look for the company, but a SAK or traditional 2 hand opener raises no eyebrows nor adverse comments. Traditionals tend to have made it to that status by virtue of being efficient at what they do and not breaking the bank. Time has proven the design and people are still buying them.
Interestingly , I was issued a TL29, and a Victorinox Centurion while in the army and carried my own Spartan both here and on overseas service, and didn't feel underknifed. It came out of the pocket, did the job, and went back in, sans fanfare- just like it still does today.
What more could you ask for ?
I know its the forums!
I've always loved knives, but never had more than a few at any one time. Yes, I did some experiment before I got to the forums, but I'd try a new knife, and if it didn't really work out, I'd give it away. I didn't get a computer until about 2004, and I was a technophobe. Didn't like computers, didnt want anything to do with them, still don't own a smart phone, just my little 39.95 flip phone. But Karen bought me a computer and showed me how to get online as there were gun forums, motorcycle forums, knife forums, and so on. Then from 2004 to about 2010 I ended up with a lot of new knives that I didn't really need or even after the newness, didn't want.
When I started to reduce the time I spent on the forums, my knife thing went way down. Same for the gun thing, tool thing, and so on. On the forums it was all about buying the newest knives. The search for the perfect knife in an imperfect world. I bailed. Now I'm back to the couple of pocket knives, a couple of guns, some basic tools for harry homeowner stuff, and I'm happier. Internet forums are all about buying new stuff. Now that I'm back to pre computer consumer level I'm done. A SAK of some sort in my pocket, a compact handgun in another pocket and I'm ready to go. My entire knife 'collection' can held in one hand.
I am grateful for the forums for one thing; looking at all the pics of dozens of huge accumulations of knives that some people have bought, made me realize how obsessive it can become. All the pics of people with more knives than they can ever use, helped me realize how obsessive my accumulation had b become. Like a drunk seeing another falling down drunk and realizing he didn't want to be that. Its a trap 315, run like hell. That small tinker and Old Timer will do you well for the rest of your life. Beware the excess accumulation trap.
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Ahhh.... some excess is fun! But there is a point when you simply tell yourself that enough is enough and/or severely restrict the knife buying to much more measured decisions versus impulse buys. I am at that point. I do enjoy impulse buys and it is not just knives. Home centers.... lots of impulses. 
SAKs are good impulse buys as they are so useful. Trying a different model out generally does not break the bank.
SAKs are good impulse buys as they are so useful. Trying a different model out generally does not break the bank.
Buying a new knife definitely stimulates that pleasure center in the brain. Lasts a few days and then on to the next knife. I think anything in moderation is ok. In moderation. I was spending way too much money on knives. Youtube was the downfall for me. Watching too many knife reviews. Trying to find the best knife for X circumstances. I felt like the knife I had on me should satisfy my daily activities as well as if I found myself lost in the woods, we suffered a foreign incursion of some sort, and if I was lost at sea even though I live in Ohio. I realized no such knife exists and I don't like too many things in my pocket. Many times I had to switch based on what I'm wearing. A knife that feels find in my jeans, does not feel fine with dress pants or scrubs. Realizing that the perfect knife for all conditions does not exist and that a smaller knife satisfies all of my realistic needs was liberating.
I'm not knocking what anyone carries mind you. If you carry it, I've probably been there and done that.
I agree with rimfire. At least you can try multiple SAKs, know that the QC will always be fantastic and it does not break the bank.
One of my dream vacations would be to take a tour of both the Opinel and the Victorinox factories! Add in a little backpacking in the areas maybe.
I'm not knocking what anyone carries mind you. If you carry it, I've probably been there and done that.
I agree with rimfire. At least you can try multiple SAKs, know that the QC will always be fantastic and it does not break the bank.
One of my dream vacations would be to take a tour of both the Opinel and the Victorinox factories! Add in a little backpacking in the areas maybe.
I still buy a knife once in a while. But I’ve become extremely picky. And if I feel like a knife has caught my interest, I’ll wait a month (or 3 or 6), and most of the time by then, I’ll wonder why I ever wanted it in the first place. That strategy has saved me a lot of money.
Many years ago, I used to impulse buy knives. Sometimes two a month. But once that new knife thrill is over (pretty quickly), I usually found myself not carrying or using them. Ergo, the effective strategy I mentioned above.
As far as SAKs go, I’ve found what I like: Executive, Spartan and Pioneer. I have others (admittedly, many others
), but those 3 are “my” SAKs that I am willing to carry and that cover my day-to-day uses (the Spartan and Pioneer are alternated, depending on how I feel). This may sound weird, but I don’t like carrying an SAK that has an implement I don’t use at all, other than maybe the keyring. Maybe it’s a type of OCD (which I do have concerning some other things). For me, an implement on an SAK that serves no purpose (even an alternate purpose) for me is extra baggage, and most likely an extra layer of thickness I don’t want.
Jim
Many years ago, I used to impulse buy knives. Sometimes two a month. But once that new knife thrill is over (pretty quickly), I usually found myself not carrying or using them. Ergo, the effective strategy I mentioned above.
As far as SAKs go, I’ve found what I like: Executive, Spartan and Pioneer. I have others (admittedly, many others
), but those 3 are “my” SAKs that I am willing to carry and that cover my day-to-day uses (the Spartan and Pioneer are alternated, depending on how I feel). This may sound weird, but I don’t like carrying an SAK that has an implement I don’t use at all, other than maybe the keyring. Maybe it’s a type of OCD (which I do have concerning some other things). For me, an implement on an SAK that serves no purpose (even an alternate purpose) for me is extra baggage, and most likely an extra layer of thickness I don’t want.Jim