Realizing a SAK IS traditional has helped

[22-rimfire]

Happy Easter to all.
What SAK did you slip in your pocket when you got up this fine morning?

With the stay at home order from on high (with teeth$), I'm still in my jammies at 1:00 PM. No point in even getting dressed the way things are right now. I have plenty of food. Don't need to go to the hardware store or a store at all. I do have a couple SAKs sitting on my desk beside me just in case I need to use one.

Can't even drive to a favorite spot and take a hike in the woods (legally). Getting VERY tired of this whole affair.

 

[Pomsbz]

With the stay at home order from on high (with teeth$), I'm still in my jammies at 1:00 PM. No point in even getting dressed the way things are right now. I have plenty of food. Don't need to go to the hardware store or a store at all. I do have a couple SAKs sitting on my desk beside me just in case I need to use one.

Can't even drive to a favorite spot and take a hike in the woods (legally). Getting VERY tired of this whole affair.

Been at home with the 3 kids for over a month now, 70 sq yard apartment, tell me about it!

 

[22-rimfire]

Been at home with the 3 kids for over a month now, 70 sq yard apartment, tell me about it!

That is a pretty small jail cell with three kids. I feel for you!

 

[James Y]

Happy Easter to all.

I finished my once-a-week shopping this morning well before 8:30 a.m., and of course had the same two SAKs (Executive and Spartan) in my pockets. Luckily we have lots of stores in the area, because a couple of the regulars that are usually open early were closed. I didn’t put two and two together until later that it was because it’s Easter! Duh.

I’m just relaxing at home by myself, gonna start cooking dinner soon. The Spartan (or Pioneer) will be seeing plenty of can opener duty then. Otherwise, I’m sitting around relaxing in sweatpants after my relatively easy workout today.

Jim

 

[shopdoc]

Day #16 of carrying only my Executive (CYS Knife). I did carry the Pioneer a couple of times over the previous weekend but did not need it. Most used tools thus far are the blade, scissors, and file. I was just thinking yesterday that I wish the Sportsman had scissors. I cannot live without scissors on my knife. I know a blade can handle most scissor tasks, but not as efficient.

So I think I can safely say at this point that the Executive can handle all of my daily tasks. I've grown to really like it and prefer it to be in my pocket. I'm not giving up my Pioneer and will still carry it at times (with my Executive), but it is felt in the pocket whereas the Executive is not noticed until I need it. That's what I've come to prefer in a knife. I do not want to notice it one bit until it is needed.

Knowing that the Executive will handle 99% of my tasks tells me that a larger SAK will most likely handle 100%. This tells me that a larger one handed folding knife is just not needed. The ONLY time I wish I had one is if one hand is holding a bag of mulch and I don't have two hands free to open my knife. I get that argument and have experienced that downfall. But, I can set the bag down and open my knife. No big deal.

I see posts on facebook from time to time (the last time being this am) asking for a good knife that will handle camping chores and kitchen duty. I see all of these responses recommending giant folders. I just don't get it. If I need something stronger than a SAK for camping chores, it'll be a sheath knife. And the only thing I could see needing that for would be to baton wood for kindling. I know that is controversial... many say use a hatchet. In fact, people I respect say that. I disagree. I find a hatchet heavy to carry if backpacking and more dangerous when making kindling that using a sheath knife. That's just my real world experience. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but that's ok.

 

[DocT]

There are hatchets as light or lighter than many fixed blade knives.

 

[shopdoc]

There are hatchets as light or lighter than many fixed blade knives.

I till say making kindling using a sheath knife is safer than a hatchet. I can do it with a hatchet, but I can see you coming down on a finger much easier than if batoning with a knife. Even for someone with experience. I'm probably in the minority and it's also probably the family doctor/urgent care/ER doc coming out in me. My Ambush Tundra sheath knife isn't very heavy. What hatchet do you like that is also lightweight?

 

[redsparrow]

Catching up on this thread has been enjoyable. Interesting discussions and opinions. Today I thought I'd take the time to throw my two cents into the discussion.

Have fun with your experiment Doc, April is half over and keep us posted.

As far as the the hatchet discussion goes S shopdoc , I agree they are usually much too heavy, for anything but auto camping. Stick with a fixed blade for most heavy usage around a camp unless the car/truck (donkey, mule ) is right there with you.

The best combo of SAKs I've been able to locate for day-to-day small town life is a Rambler on a key chain and a Victorinox Bushcrafter in pocket. The Rambler has my most used personal (grooming) tools including; nail file, toothpick and tweezers along with scissors, a small phillips screwdriver, bottle opener and small blade. While the Bushcrafter is essentially a Farmer minus the opener layer. The awl, saw and knife blade are my three most used cutting tools in a two layer Alox SAK. So between those two knives they have all the tools I want on hand with zero redundancy.
The Farmer is more readily available and only as thick as a two layer cellidor model. It makes an acceptable substitute for the Bushcrafter but only adds a can opener (that I just don't use) to the mix. I mentioned the Farmer because the Bushcrafter is somewhat rare unless one cares to remove the Farmer's openers to make their own Bushcrafter.

Looking on the Bay a few days ago for an Executive was a surprise. Nearly all that are listed as "New" were less expensive then they were in the past but did not have the small blade or the orange peeler. Basically a 74mm Classic. Good move for Victorinox? I'll let you decide.

Of course the new Farmer X is due out in May but I'll be patiently awaiting the Cadet X.

I don't have a pic of the Bushcrafter by itself and today is not the day to get one. It's been dark and snowing here for past 4-5 hrs. and looks like that will continue for the rest of the day. Here are some two layer alox. The Bushcrafter is the first one on the left. Next to the right are two Electricians then two Pioneers and finally a Soldier.

Rambler pics are also hard to come by today but here's one with keys, flashlight and Farmer from a couple weeks ago.

I may have hit on my perfect favorite combination of tools to EDC but I still enjoy a wide variety of cutlery. SAKs, Cattleman, Trappers, Whittlers, Fixed Blade, Moderns, Large and Small to mention just a few. Some of us are collector/users and that's OK too.

Edit; apparently there is a 65 mm executive selling on the bay and it is without small blade and peeler.

 

[jackknife]

Looking on the Bay a few days ago for an Executive was a surprise. Nearly all that are listed as "New" were less expensive then they were in the past but did not have the small blade or the orange peeler. Basically a 74mm Classic. Good move for Victorinox? I'll let you decide.

Be very careful! It sounds like some unscrupulous eBay dealers are selling classics as executives. Just sounds hinckey. If it doesn't have two knife blades and orange peeler, I don't think its an executive. I saw on amazon that they were listing what looked like classics as executives.

Color me skeptical.

 

[jackknife]

Day #16 of carrying only my Executive (CYS Knife). I did carry the Pioneer a couple of times over the previous weekend but did not need it. Most used tools thus far are the blade, scissors, and file. I was just thinking yesterday that I wish the Sportsman had scissors. I cannot live without scissors on my knife. I know a blade can handle most scissor tasks, but not as efficient.

So I think I can safely say at this point that the Executive can handle all of my daily tasks. I've grown to really like it and prefer it to be in my pocket. I'm not giving up my Pioneer and will still carry it at times (with my Executive), but it is felt in the pocket whereas the Executive is not noticed until I need it. That's what I've come to prefer in a knife. I do not want to notice it one bit until it is needed.

Knowing that the Executive will handle 99% of my tasks tells me that a larger SAK will most likely handle 100%. This tells me that a larger one handed folding knife is just not needed. The ONLY time I wish I had one is if one hand is holding a bag of mulch and I don't have two hands free to open my knife. I get that argument and have experienced that downfall. But, I can set the bag down and open my knife. No big deal.

I see posts on facebook from time to time (the last time being this am) asking for a good knife that will handle camping chores and kitchen duty. I see all of these responses recommending giant folders. I just don't get it. If I need something stronger than a SAK for camping chores, it'll be a sheath knife. And the only thing I could see needing that for would be to baton wood for kindling. I know that is controversial... many say use a hatchet. In fact, people I respect say that. I disagree. I find a hatchet heavy to carry if backpacking and more dangerous when making kindling that using a sheath knife. That's just my real world experience. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but that's ok.

Totally agree with you on all points, doc!

For me and my lifestyle so far, I've yet to encounter a situation where I died because I couldn't open my knife one handed. This includes construction projects while serving in the U.S. Army Combat Engineers in Ft. Leonard Wood Missouri, a war zone in the Republic Of South Vietnam, (before we lost that one and it became Vietnam) Libya at the old Wheelus Air Force Base (pre-Gadaffi era in 1960's), Texas, and West Germany, (before the reunification.) That pretty much meant building stuff in eastern hardwood forest country, German pine forest, North African desert, and southeast Asian jungle. Most common pocket knife used was the issue U.S. issue 'demo knife' that is a cruder built version of the Victorinox pioneer. Then I went on to teach my kids, then grandkids how to fish and clean what was caught, do harry home owner projects, and a second career as a machinist working in a production machine shop.

Last I checked I was still going, and this includes needing a knife on a ladder when the kids kite got hung upon the gutter. I took out pocket knife with right hand, and while on the ladder, reached over and just opened the knife like always to cut the snarled kite string that was tangled on the gutter end. Never in threat of my life. Just leaned on the ladder and opened my knife. I guess it was a miracle I didn't fall off!

The one hand wonder knife crowd will go to some extreme lengths to justify having a knife with only one single blade and no tools for those situations that you can't open your knife with one hand. Or how you need a folding knife that has a blade lock you can hang barbell weights on, or pry open a Russian tank hatch while yelling "Wolverines!"

I've never found anything car camping, canoe camping, kayak camping, or motorcycles camping that my old Wenger SI couldn't handle. I don't like hatchets and much prefer a folding saw. I've split damp wood with a folding saw and expended much less energy in a safe manner not to mention the saw was very much lighter to carry. I have serious objections to dealing with severed fingers off in the woods.

Sometimes if theres a lot of fish to clean, or food to be processed into dinner in the boonies, my old Buck 102 woodsman gets used just because its easier to cleanup. But the alox SAK's like the pioneer clean up well too.

 

[shopdoc]

Totally agree with you on all points, doc!

For me and my lifestyle so far, I've yet to encounter a situation where I died because I couldn't open my knife one handed. This includes construction projects while serving in the U.S. Army Combat Engineers in Ft. Leonard Wood Missouri, a war zone in the Republic Of South Vietnam, (before we lost that one and it became Vietnam) Libya at the old Wheelus Air Force Base (pre-Gadaffi era in 1960's), Texas, and West Germany, (before the reunification.) That pretty much meant building stuff in eastern hardwood forest country, German pine forest, North African desert, and southeast Asian jungle. Most common pocket knife used was the issue U.S. issue 'demo knife' that is a cruder built version of the Victorinox pioneer. Then I went on to teach my kids, then grandkids how to fish and clean what was caught, do harry home owner projects, and a second career as a machinist working in a production machine shop.

Last I checked I was still going, and this includes needing a knife on a ladder when the kids kite got hung upon the gutter. I took out pocket knife with right hand, and while on the ladder, reached over and just opened the knife like always to cut the snarled kite string that was tangled on the gutter end. Never in threat of my life. Just leaned on the ladder and opened my knife. I guess it was a miracle I didn't fall off!

The one hand wonder knife crowd will go to some extreme lengths to justify having a knife with only one single blade and no tools for those situations that you can't open your knife with one hand. Or how you need a folding knife that has a blade lock you can hang barbell weights on, or pry open a Russian tank hatch while yelling "Wolverines!"

I've never found anything car camping, canoe camping, kayak camping, or motorcycles camping that my old Wenger SI couldn't handle. I don't like hatchets and much prefer a folding saw. I've split damp wood with a folding saw and expended much less energy in a safe manner not to mention the saw was very much lighter to carry. I have serious objections to dealing with severed fingers off in the woods.

Sometimes if theres a lot of fish to clean, or food to be processed into dinner in the boonies, my old Buck 102 woodsman gets used just because its easier to cleanup. But the alox SAK's like the pioneer clean up well too.

I’ve not used a folding saw yet, but I see their appeal. In fact, I bought one a few weeks ago. Just haven’t had a chance to use it yet. You can bet it’ll be in my pack on my next trip if I plan on making a fire.

You’ve had a lot more experience than me. I grew up hunting and fishing some. In my 20s I spent most of my time in a library or the hospital. 30s getting a career started. Now Im trying to get back into the outdoors. Hunting is hard around here nowadays if you don’t know a farmer whose land you can hunt ,so I’m going to focus on fishing/backpacking/camping. Even just taking a walk in the woods with the boys is nice.

Last week I told my 13 year old “I need to get you a nice Swiss Army Knife”.
His response, “I already have a nice Swiss Army Knife”. Referring to the SAK Classic I bought him last year. I guess he’s a few decades ahead of me in realizing it doesn’t have to be a big knife to do the job.

 

[jackknife]

I’ve not used a folding saw yet, but I see their appeal. In fact, I bought one a few weeks ago. Just haven’t had a chance to use it yet. You can bet it’ll be in my pack on my next trip if I plan on making a fire.

You’ve had a lot more experience than me. I grew up hunting and fishing some. In my 20s I spent most of my time in a library or the hospital. 30s getting a career started. Now Im trying to get back into the outdoors. Hunting is hard around here nowadays if you don’t know a farmer whose land you can hunt ,so I’m going to focus on fishing/backpacking/camping. Even just taking a walk in the woods with the boys is nice.

Last week I told my 13 year old “I need to get you a nice Swiss Army Knife”.
His response, “I already have a nice Swiss Army Knife”. Referring to the SAK Classic I bought him last year. I guess he’s a few decades ahead of me in realizing it doesn’t have to be a big knife to do the job.

A folding saw is the perfect companion to the SAK in the pocket. Theres lottos youtube vids on using a folding saw to split wood, and its such a neat ay to deal with wood. No chopping, no idiotic battening, just a clean piece of work. Any folding saw will do, and we've used the sliding blade Gerber/Fiskars for years now to good effect. Both Karen and I have one in each of our daypacks. I've also used an Opinel saw of all things and its good too. Then theres Silky, Corona and other store brands from Home Depot and Lower, all work very well. All of them reprised very modestly, and have way more utility than a hatchet.

Mankind invented saws for a reason. Use them if any wood has to be cut. But on the pain of sounding sacrilegious, I don't bother owning a SAK with a saw anymore. Just too short to be really effective in the woods. Spend too much time going back and forth with an inch or so travel. Give me a real saw.

 

[22-rimfire]

A folding saw is the perfect companion to the SAK in the pocket. Theres lottos youtube vids on using a folding saw to split wood, and its such a neat ay to deal with wood. No chopping, no idiotic battening, just a clean piece of work. Any folding saw will do, and we've used the sliding blade Gerber/Fiskars for years now to good effect. Both Karen and I have one in each of our daypacks. I've also used an Opinel saw of all things and its good too. Then theres Silky, Corona and other store brands from Home Depot and Lower, all work very well. All of them reprised very modestly, and have way more utility than a hatchet.

Mankind invented saws for a reason. Use them if any wood has to be cut. But on the pain of sounding sacrilegious, I don't bother owning a SAK with a saw anymore. Just too short to be really effective in the woods. Spend too much time going back and forth with an inch or so travel. Give me a real saw.

That is the synopsis of the folding saw discussion. But the reason I quoted this contribution is the last paragraph. The saw thing on a SAK is for traveling light where you really don't use a saw much at all. Maybe cut a sapling for a walking stick with nice square ends, a tent stake or whatever. I use them in the woods for trimming distracting growth around plants I am trying to take a picture of. I usually fail as I get in a hurry and miss all the other clutter and end up with a trashy busy photo. But the little saw works (as would a folding saw, just smaller).

The hatchet versus knife thing is a matter of preference and scale. I think a larger knife is easier to carry, but I tend to leave those knives at home or in my pickup. Really small hatchets are not very effective in cutting hatchet sized stuff, but are good for splitting wood. The only time I can see the batoning thing as really important is in an extremely wet woods (days of rain) and a practical way to find dry wood to start a fire. But my use is so rare, that I choose a small Silky folding saw if I carry a saw other than the SAK. Most places I go I question whether I need a fire at all. But if I am camping, there is something very comforting about having a modest fire going even if you don't need it for warmth.

It seems that scissors are a favored tool on SAKs. I seldom ever use one on saks. But if you listen to our wives, scissors are more efficient in cutting things like paper, string, a wayward hair, or a thread. I have one on my Leatherman Squirt, but never use it; not even once. But I do use normal sized ones around my desk and God forbid, I've even opened bags of cat food or litter with one. So, I have the bases covered even if my SAKs don't normally have a scissors.

 

[paulhilborn]

The saw on the 91/84mm are of course limited due to their size but pound for pound they punch well above their weight class. I have used them a lot when camping or woods walking but extensively in the trades, on sheet rock, pvc and wood (trimming/notching) and are AMAZING saws for their size

Of course, if' cutting is the main objective (wood or plastic pipe), I'll grab a full size saw but in a pinch, I know of none better.

 

[jackknife]

That is the synopsis of the folding saw discussion. But the reason I quoted this contribution is the last paragraph. The saw thing on a SAK is for traveling light where you really don't use a saw much at all. Maybe cut a sapling for a walking stick with nice square ends, a tent stake or whatever. I use them in the woods for trimming distracting growth around plants I am trying to take a picture of. I usually fail as I get in a hurry and miss all the other clutter and end up with a trashy busy photo. But the little saw works (as would a folding saw, just smaller).

Typical YMMV thing. Some swear by the saw, others like me don't. YMMV. I've found from trial and error experience that I can cut down a hiking stick size sapling as fast with a plain old pioneer as with a saw. I did it when I needed a fast shelter for the girl Suzy and me, and the knife of the day wa my old pioneer. It just took a V notch cut around the base and reaching and snapping the sapling off at the stress line, then doing the same at the other end. A minute to clean off the branches and I had a 7 or 8 foot sapling to use as a ridge pole for our poncho shelter. I cut tent pegs from the branches I cut off with the pioneer. YMMV.

My first two SAK's I ever owned had saws on the them, but they were so seldom used, and when I did use one, it took too long with the short travel. My next SAKs were sawless. But I do require scissors. Scissors are a tool that I use very often compared to a saw, that I won't compromise on that. For 20 years I carried two SAK's, my old Wenger SI or a pioneer, and a classic to make sure I had scissors. Haven't missed a saw at all. If we go in the woods, both Karen and I have a decent size saw in the daypack, so that takes care of any wood that gets cut.

For my urban/suburban everyday SAK in my pocket, I want only the tools that are really used in the environment I actually live and travel in. YMMV.

 

[pa knifeguy]

I think Victorinox may call the former Wegner version of the classic the executive, or it might be a Vic ambassador being listed as an executive

 

[22-rimfire]

Typical YMMV thing. Some swear by the saw, others like me don't. YMMV.<snip>

My first two SAK's I ever owned had saws on the them, but they were so seldom used, and when I did use one, it took too long with the short travel. My next SAKs were sawless. But I do require scissors. Scissors are a tool that I use very often compared to a saw, that I won't compromise on that. For 20 years I carried two SAK's, my old Wenger SI or a pioneer, and a classic to make sure I had scissors. Haven't missed a saw at all. If we go in the woods, both Karen and I have a decent size saw in the daypack, so that takes care of any wood that gets cut.

For my urban/suburban everyday SAK in my pocket, I want only the tools that are really used in the environment I actually live and travel in. YMMV.

I am not a SAK saw guy at all. I like two layer SAKs and they normally don't include a saw. Some have scissors but often they are three layer SAKs that I find uncomfortable in the pocket. In the woods wandering, I normally don't have a saw and have cut many saplings the way you described. Pretty standard to be honest about it. IF I remember, I tuck a Trekker in my day pack/carry bag if I am in the woods simply for the versatility. I almost always have a camera with me. The question is generally not IF I have a camera with me, but how many lenses are carried as well. They get heavy, so I try to anticipate the kinds of pictures I might take. I still normally will have a fixed blade knife and my little Small Tinker with me. That's why I often forget the Trekker as I have plenty of knives with me normally. The Silky is for longer hikes. But frankly it doesn't get carried much and used less even when I have it with me. There is a limit to how much junk I lug around with me..... bandaides, a couple zip lock bags (mostly for protecting small lenses if it rains), the Trekker if I remember it, a small compass, occasionally a cup and water filtration kit, some twine, rain gear if there is a hint of a possible shower.... then comes the camera gear. Guns are secondary as I have only needed a gun one time in the woods when I wasn't hunting. However the little Ruger LCR in 22 is really easy to carry and light.

I don't do the hatchet or axe thing in the woods other than car camping. Tried to carry a larger knife in the woods and never used it for anything. So, that is not included either unless I am staying over night which is not common.

This Covid-19 is really limiting my outdoor activities. The state mandate is for ESSENTIAL travel only and wandering around the woods is not essential. Getting really tired of hanging around the house even though I am very comfortable.

 

[jmh33]

I travel any where from 1/2hr to 2hrs to go hiking now at least 2-3 times a week.. It is essential that I maintain my mental well being.. You CAN NOT get in any kind of trouble for traveling anywhere no matter what is mandated..
John

 

[jackknife]

Soooo doc, day 18 with the Chuck Yeager Sierra knife, and we need a report.

Curiosity is swirling with speculation.

 

[shopdoc]

Soooo doc, day 18 with the Chuck Yeager Sierra knife, and we need a report.

Curiosity is swirling with speculation.

Somehow I missed this. Covid has my world turned upside down. Trying to change processes at work and incorporate telemedicine for my patients. Kids learning from home for the rest of the school year. College visits cancelled so trying to figure that out without a formal tour. I will adapt as will we all, but I'm not good with change. Knife talk does help relax me.

So, the Executive has become a permanent fixture in my pocket. I'll admit that one day I decided to carry my Pioneer and thought I would be fine just adding my Rambler in the watch pocket. It just didn't feel right. I quickly switched back to the Executive.

While tinkering around in the garage this afternoon and examining the various tools on my SAKs, I decided something. If I carry any other knife with my Executive, it's the Pioneer. I realized that I do not really need the can opener/small phillips tool. I really do not need a can opener in my day to day life, but have always needed this tool because of the small phillips head...use that all the time. However, now that I have the Executive, I do not need the phillips on the can opener anymore. Soooo, I grabbed my electrician and threw that in the pocket instead. The sheepsfoot blade is fantastic (wish it did not have the wire scraper, but that's ok). It was the floral knife that made me think of this. I was using it to tear down some cardboard boxes. My wife and I travelled to a local meat processing store to pick up around 200lbs of beef from 1/4 steer we split with 3 other families and there were several boxes that needed cut up. Man, that floral knife has just blown me away! I would like to carry the floral sak with my Executive (when I'm in the mood to carry a second SAK), but what has kept me carrying the Pioneer, and now the Electrician, is that I like having a heavier duty pry tool. The awl also comes in handy when I want to start a screw or hole to drill.

All the above being said, I know I can get by 99% of the time with my Executive. When the Executive is not enough, I have whatever other tool I need nearby. I might just have to walk into the next room is all.