SAK Conundrum

M

Major Chord

Joined
Feb 3, 2011
Messages
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I'll be making a rather large book purchase from Amazon soon, and I figured I'd treat myself to a new knife while I'm at it. Since I don't own any Victorinox SAKs, I figured I'd throw one into the cart. I've set myself to around $25 max, and thus far, I have found 3 different products that tickle my fancy.

First, the Cadet in Silver Alox...I think it's a gorgeous knife, and has the tools that I use most in my current EDC MT (a Gerber Mini suspension-S), especially the nail file. Comes in at around $23.

Second, I saw a listing for both the Tinker and Classic together, for the same price. While I like that I'm getting two tools for the same price as the Cadet, I doubt I'll carry both at the same time...and the Classic has 3 of the 4 most used tools of the Suspension...the scissors, blade, and nail cleaner, while all the Tinker really has going for it (for my use at least) is the larger blade and flat head driver.

Thirdly, I found a the Sportsman II, which from what I can tell is basically the Cadet with plastic scales, and the addition of an awl and cork screw. Those are two tools that I really have no use for in my every day life as a student. The good news is that it comes in at $12.

I guess that I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Cadet and the Sportsman by myself (but, I'm keeping the Classic/tinker combo open as a possibility). Basically the same tool sets...I'll admit that the Cadet is a tad more attractive looking, and probably thinner to carry in the pocket, but that doesn't really concern me. Either one will probably take about as much pocket space as my Gerber.

So...any words of advice from those who have more experience with SAKs than I do?
 
Those are all good choices. I'm a fan of the Tinker but I also have a Cadet and it is very nice.
You might want to look at the Compact also. It's still only two layers but has the large blade, scissors, nail file, and a combo tool (bottle/can opener/screwdriver). It also has a corkscrew and it comes with a pen in the handle. I carry a compact when I'm travelling.

Edit: it also comes with a micro eyeglass screwdriver in the corkscrew (I removed mine so I forgot about it ;).)
 
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I used to own a Sportsman and still have more than one Cadet. The blades& tools are identical as far as I recall between the Cadet, Recruit, and Sportsman. I went so far as to measure them, but would not want to guarantee that there is not some subtle difference.

The Cadet is thinner & easier/more comfortable to carry.

The less expensive Sportsman is thicker & more comfortable to use, the corkscrew is good for untying knots, and the awl will save your blade if you want to punch a hole in some thin metal (I had to improvise a coffee cone holder this morning doing just that, but I used a Spartan, not a Sportsman.)

Despite the nice things I have to say about the Sportsman, I would get the Cadet. It is one of my favorites & I bet you will not be disappointed.
 
All good choices, depending on your usage. For me, sportsman = great when I add eyeglass screwdriver (important for me). BUT... Cadet (city) and Farmer (outdoors) are my two absolute favorites, so I would vote Cadet. (but then I always have a 58mm on my keychain for toothpick and tweezers).

Cant go wrong - good luck!
Fred
 
Thanks for the replies guys. Since they're so similar, I guess I'll see how much my books come to and go from there. Depending on how much I have left, I may get the Sportsman, and then pick up the Cadet in the future. I must say though, since this SAK will be replacing my Suspension in my pocket...having tweezers (which the Gerber also has, albeit horrible ones) may be nice. Can the Toothpick or Tweezers be replaced with the Pen insert that I've seen floating around?
 
Major Chord said:
Can the Toothpick or Tweezers be replaced with the Pen insert that I've seen floating around?
Click to expand...

Yes, the toothpick, tweezers and pen are all replaceable.

The Compact is where it's at! :D

couteau-suisse-victorinox-compact-1-3405.jpg
 
canook said:
Yes, the toothpick, tweezers and pen are all replaceable.
Click to expand...

All are replaceable, but I think the question was will the pen fit in the toothpick or tweezers slot of the Sportsman II. I don't see how it could unless the handles are modified or replaced, but despite owning quite a few swiss army knives, I have never even handled one with a pen so don't really know.
 
guyfalks said:
All are replaceable, but I think the question was will the pen fit in the toothpick or tweezers slot of the Sportsman II. I don't see how it could unless the handles are modified or replaced, but despite owning quite a few swiss army knives, I have never even handled one with a pen so don't really know.
Click to expand...

Oh, if that's what he was asking than your right. The pen will only fit in the pen slot on the Plus scales (like the Compact ;)). The pins are in the way on the other slots and the pen is thicker than the toothpick and tweezers.
 
^Ah, thank you. This answers my question. I hardly ever go anywhere without a pen anyway..so it's not a big issue. If this does get me hooked on SAKs though...I'll keep this in mind. Just another tool to add to the collection.

I think I'll go with the Sportsman...for now. I may pick up the Cadet at a later date if I fall in love with the tool set. Thanks for the input guys! Hopefully SAKs are less addicting than some of the other knives I own...
 
Major Chord said:
^Ah, thank you. This answers my question. I hardly ever go anywhere without a pen anyway..so it's not a big issue. If this does get me hooked on SAKs though...I'll keep this in mind. Just another tool to add to the collection.

I think I'll go with the Sportsman...for now. I may pick up the Cadet at a later date if I fall in love with the tool set. Thanks for the input guys! Hopefully SAKs are less addicting than some of the other knives I own...
Click to expand...

omg they are very addicting! like stated because of the price and for their versatility, your a goner! :p

if you need/use a pen often, it's really nice to have that backup in there, so many times I forgot my pen or someone "borrowed it" and I remember; "hey I have a pen in my SAK!"

all good choices and you might as well get em all now and save on shipping, your going to get them later anyway lol

let us know what you think after using it/them :thumbup:
 
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The Sportsman is a very under-rated knife in the Vic line-up. I'm glad to see it getting some love. Personally I like the nail file in place of a 2nd blade, which most in this line have. I also prefer the corksrew over the rear phillips. While I love Alox as much as the next guy if you are only going to carry one SAK (heaven forbid) then get a cellidor model with the scale tools.

All that being said, since you don't already have a Classic on your key ring I would have went for the Tinker/Classic combo. As you add more SAKs later, (and you will) then the Classic pairs nicely with many other models.

Truly, all of the choices you listed are good. You will be happy with any of them.
 
^A Classic is on my list of things to get. Thankfully I can get them at Walmart at my leisure. Or I may look for on of those TSA Seizure auctions on eBay.

The lack of a nail file is why I went with the Sportsman...since that's probably them ost used tool in the MT it's replacing, it would be nice to have. Scissors would be nice, but I think I can live without them for now.

I'm placing the order today, and thanks to Amazon Prime, it should arrive by Wednesday. I'll let y'all know what I think of it! Also, since I do have the Prime subscription, I can get free shipping on pretty much any other SAK I want...so return visits will be much les painful to the wallet. :D
 
SAKs are very addicting. They're very affordable and come in a lot of variations. I think there are many like me who have a SAK for specific purposes. For example: in daily life I almost never carry a SAK with a saw, but I don't go camping in the woods without one.
 
You can order a hiker for thirteen dollars. If you want to know where Ill PM you.

edited ,its fifteen dollars and out of stock.
 
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Good choice IMO. I'm a big fan of 84mm SAKs like the Sportsman, Waiter, Recruit, Cadet etc. Of these though the Sportsman is my favourite.
 
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