SAK choices

N

Nick Hyle

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Mar 13, 2000
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I'm thinking of picking up another SAK for the two weeks Sarah and I will be spending in the British Isles this summer. :cool: It can't be a lockback (Britain), but I want it to be something I'll actually use when I come back. On the other hand I have five or six perfectly decent moden multitools (a couple different Leathermen and Schrades, a Kershaw, etc), so I don't need to pay for more SAK than I'll use. So far I'm looking at Victorinox, and what's looking nice to me are the Compact, Recruit, Spartain, or the Alox Soldier. Blade, canopener, caplifter, maybe a corkscrew, awl, saw, and tweezers.

Thoughts? Things I'm missing? Wengers? I'm presuming the Alox line are stronger than the internal rivetted plastic handles - am I right?

The flipside is I'm thinking of just getting an inexpensive sodbuster or mini-trapper, say at Walmart, for the trip and getting a locking SAK like a Rucksack later.
 
Nick Hyle said:
I'm thinking of picking up another SAK for the two weeks Sarah and I will be spending in the British Isles this summer. :cool: It can't be a lockback (Britain), but I want it to be something I'll actually use when I come back. On the other hand I have five or six perfectly decent moden multitools (a couple different Leathermen and Schrades, a Kershaw, etc), so I don't need to pay for more SAK than I'll use. So far I'm looking at Victorinox, and what's looking nice to me are the Compact, Recruit, Spartain, or the Alox Soldier. Blade, canopener, caplifter, maybe a corkscrew, awl, saw, and tweezers.

Thoughts? Things I'm missing? Wengers? I'm presuming the Alox line are stronger than the internal rivetted plastic handles - am I right?

The flipside is I'm thinking of just getting an inexpensive sodbuster or mini-trapper, say at Walmart, for the trip and getting a locking SAK like a Rucksack later.
Click to expand...

Take a serious look at the Fieldmaster model. This is one of my favorite models. I had trouble finding a picture, but it is the same as this "Huntsman" model, except it has a philips screwdriver instead of a corkscrew.

http://www.victorinox.ch/newsite/en/produkte/produktdetails/detail.cfm?pid=1-3713
 
I agree, if you're going for the plastic scaled SAKs, then the Fieldmaster is my favorite.

But if you're going for an alox SAK, then I recommend the Pioneer Harvester.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
You are right, the alox models are stronger than the plastic scaled models.
If you really want the cork screw, tooth pick, and tweezer, you are limited to the plastic scales.

At this time you will have to go at least 3 layers thick to get a saw blade in either handle material. The Pioneer Farmer in alox and the Camper in cellidor are both very well regarded.

For 2 layered models, the Soldier, Spartan, and Compact are all excellent choices, with the Compact giving you the most features.

The Huntsman is one of the most useful models there is at 4 layers.

Paul
 
Nick Hyle said:
Blade, canopener, caplifter, maybe a corkscrew, awl, saw, and tweezers.
I'm presuming the Alox line are stronger than the internal rivetted plastic handles
The flipside is I'm thinking of just getting an inexpensive sodbuster or mini-trapper
Click to expand...
The slimmest Victorinox SAK with all those features is the Camper (US model #53301 in red or #53303 in black) -
53301_l.jpg

at only 3 layers thick it should ride very easily and comfortably in the pocket,
and can be found for under $16....
so why even consider getting anything of lesser quality?

Re: Alox vs. cellidor/plastic strength -
although it may seem the Alox handles should be stronger - in all practicality - it's the rivet/pin strength that counts in a folder - and as far as I know they are about the same - the plastic may well give better shock absorbancy - although they are easily scratched and marred - they are equally easy to polish up or replace - so a plastic handled SAK can be made to look as new with either polishing (car polish) or simply replacing the scales - whereas once Alox handles are marred then they are scarred for life......

Sure people may well argue that a marred handle shows use and are proud of it - then why doesn't that apply to the plastic handles - which now all of a sudden has the "advantage" of being more easily marred? :confused:

Anyway going where you're going - there is a HUGE advantage of the standard Red plastic handles on a SAK - because it is just about universally recognized, and very UNlikely to be mistaken for a "weapon".......
and wasn't that the whole point of your post?

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
My advice would be a Huntsman or a Huntsman Plus (which includes a pressurized ball point pen, a straight pin and a mini screwdriver inside the corkscrew). I recently bought one of those myself.

gunther-gifts_1837_11786424
 
Thanks, guys!

The corkscrew/tweezers are basically bonuses if I go plastic, in my thought. Since I've got a Leatherman Wave, Kershaw multitool, etc here in the US where I can carry lockblades :rolleyes: , I'm thinking about going fairly minimal with this travel SAK (ie containing cost).

Pioneer Harvester looks like no canopener? In a travelling SAK I've found a canopener to be one of my best friends.

Hmmm, if I'm looking at just a blade, awl, canopener, caplifter, I should be able to think about those US military utility knives with the rivetted stainless scales, too.

The Fieldmaster/Huntsman does look nice if I want to spend a couple more bucks. For two weeks in Europe I might even prefer the corkscrew. :)

No Wenger fans?

What's the best/easiest site to look at a lot of SAKs? Browsing sounds like a good idea.

Anything else I should definitely look at? Who makes those SAK-alikes that Target carries - I think they're branded as Eddie Bauer?

Vincent, you make some very good points, thanks! My main thought looking at the Alox models was the rivets look like they go all the way out through the scales, so you'd get the strength of the stainless liners PLUS the aluminum scales as one mechanical unit, whereas the plastic scales models are only as strong as the internal liner structure alone - do I have that right?

Not that I tend to abuse my toys or anything. :D
 
The liners in a SAK are aluminum. When i said that alox is stronger than the cellidor, I meant the blades. The alox models have thicker blades than the plastic scaled models. I've never found the cellidor (or nylon) scales to be weak, plus, they give you more features. Also keep in mind that the screwdriver tip of the can opener works equally well for #1 and #2 phillips. The corner of the combo can/bottle opener on the Compact is also a servicable phillips driver...not meant for it, but it will do in a pinch.

My recomendations for a "travel" SAK....If you want the woodsaw, go with the Camper. If you can live without it, the Compact.

Wenger vs. Victorinox......Stay with Victorinox.

You can see a large selection of both Victorinox and Wenger at www.swiss-knife.com

Paul
 
Nick Hyle said:
Hmmm, if I'm looking at just a blade, awl, canopener, caplifter, I should be able to think about those US military utility knives with the rivetted stainless scales, too.
Click to expand...
changing the goal posts changes the choice - the minimalist SAK with those features is (you'll like this) -
Victorinox Soldier -
53929_l.jpg

with the "stronger" Alox handles.... :D
I've seen it priced as low as $14.......

Seriously compare the Victorinox Soldier with the USMC folder side by side - and you'll IMMEDIATELY notice the difference in quality, and the USMC folder is no cheaper as far as I can tell.....

BUT I'd still recommend the
Victorinox Spartan
53151_l.jpg

so as not to lose sight of the original intent -
of universal recognizability and being an NON-weapon in the UK.

At the same price and the same two layers thickness -
the Spartan gains the functions of - corkscrew, small knife blade, toothpick and tweezers and a keyring over the very questionable/dubious "strength" comparison.

Nick Hyle said:
No Wenger fans?
Click to expand...
UNBELIEVABLE!!! SAK Quality....
(of course it might not happen to your Wenger -
but it did to 3 of mine, so it's NOT just an isolated incident)

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
 
I have been carrying the same Camper model for over a decade, it is still going strong. I have probably 20 other SAKS, but the camper getss carried the most by far.

Other than that, the Pioneer (Farmer) is a good choice, though it is a tad heavier than the plastic handled model
 
I have a Victorinox waiter and it is perfect for me. It has a :

1) corkscrew
2) cap lifter/ screwdriver
3) blade for removing wine bottle wrappers

all in a low cost, convenient lightweight package. Here's lookn' at you mate!
 
Have you considered a small multi-tool like the Leatherman Juice/Squirt? They tend to be more 'spensive but handy. I recently bought a Juice CS4: Pliers, scissors, corkscrew (WITH assist), saw, awl, blade, various screwdrivers. Comes in nifty colors too.

Just a thought.
 
Just want to repeat what PWork said, the alox models have thicker stock main blades, also their awls/ reamers are stronger ( altho Victorinox does not put a threading hole in them, too bad). I like the HARVESTER mentioned before because it has a small hook or hawksbill blade I find useful, however for travel the FARMER is good because can opener is probably more useful then hook blade, also it has a lanyard ring which Harvester and some other Alox models don't (again I don't know why not, silly to not have it).
Martin
 
Johnny_Z said:
I recently bought a Juice CS4:...... corkscrew (WITH assist).
Click to expand...

I don't have a Juice with a corkscrew, but I have heard people that do complain the assist chips and breaks pieces of glass off the neck of a wine bottle in some cases. Also the corkscrew on a Juice seems to be thinner and more flimsy than those on a SAK.
 
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