SAK Evo Grip 11 / 18 - questions

[Danny Linguini]

So I’m looking around, and looking around some more, trying to decide what I need want next. I’m going to hold off on splurging on another good quality folder until I know and find exactly what I want in one, so I’m looking at augmenting my very modest collection of multi-tool knives. I did take a close look at a Leatherman Free T4, and almost pulled the trigger because it has most of the tools I want (with a few I don’t), and is very different from anything I already have. But … it’s very wide, and twice as heavy as the SAK I’m looking at, which also has the better selection of tools I want, and that’s the Evolution Grip 11. I’m guessing it’s out of production, because it’s not on the Vic site anywhere, but there are a bunch of sellers who still list it.

I love the look and color schemes of the Evogrips, and the 11 has about my perfect choice of tools with none of what I never use in my other SAKs. What is difficult to tell from pictures and specs is the exact size of this piece. Since this knife will likely assume the role of my primary carry, I have a few questions for anybody who has one of the medium Evogrip knives:
1 - How does the length compare to the ‘standard’ medium SAK?
2 - How does the shape and grip material feel using the main blade? I’ve seen mixed reviews on this.
3 - I’ve read in a few places that some of the tools have a lock, and a few people have complained about them being difficult to disengage, some saying it requires an uncomfortably firm press. Is this anything I should be leery of before buying?

Thanks in advance …

EDIT: Now also considering the a Evogrip 18.

 

[afishhunter]

I have the Evo Grip 10 and 14. (14 adds scissors. The 10 has the same top tools as the Cadet, I believe) Both are 85mm closed, a little shorter than the Vic 91/93.
Neither of mine have a blade lock, so I can't comment on that. They both feel good in hand when using the main blade - or any of the other blades/tools. To me they feel better than the standard SAK in use.
The only locking blade on mine is the large screwdriver. It locks in use (depending on how hard you press) and automatically unlocks when your not pressing down hard on the screw.

 

[Old Biker]

So I’m looking around, and looking around some more, trying to decide what I need want next. I’m going to hold off on splurging on another good quality folder until I know and find exactly what I want in one, so I’m looking at augmenting my very modest collection of multi-tool knives. I did take a close look at a Leatherman Free T4, and almost pulled the trigger because it has most of the tools I want (with a few I don’t), and is very different from anything I already have. But … it’s very wide, and twice as heavy as the SAK I’m looking at, which also has the better selection of tools I want, and that’s the Evolution Grip 11. I’m guessing it’s out of production, because it’s not on the Vic site anywhere, but there are a bunch of sellers who still list it.

I love the look and color schemes of the Evogrips, and the 11 has about my perfect choice of tools with none of what I never use in my other SAKs. What is difficult to tell from pictures and specs is the exact size of this piece. Since this knife will likely assume the role of my primary carry, I have a few questions for anybody who has one of the medium Evogrip knives:
1 - How does the length compare to the ‘standard’ medium SAK?
2 - How does the shape and grip material feel using the main blade? I’ve seen mixed reviews on this.
3 - I’ve read in a few places that some of the tools have a lock, and a few people have complained about them being difficult to disengage, some saying it requires an uncomfortably firm press. Is this anything I should be leery of before buying?

Thanks in advance …

1. They are 85 mm or about 3 3/8 inches with a 2 1/2 inch main blade. Compared to the 91 mm Victorinox, which is about 3 5/8 inches with a 2 3/4 inch main blade.

2. I have some evolution models, but not the evogrip model. For me the contoured scales are a non issue. I don't really care if they have it or not. I don't know whether I would like the rubber grip pads on the evogrip or not.

3. Nothing to worry about. The pressure is reacquired to engage the lock, not to disengage it. Here is a quote from SAKWIKI on how it works.
"The modern Wenger knives feature a locking screwdriver on their cap-lifter using what is sometimes known as the Padlock system.
This design uses a unique spring mechanism on the tool:
When pressure is applied along the length of the knife, the tool is pushed slightly into the knife body so that a catch on the tang of the tool latches into a notch in the spring, which means that the tool cannot fold in, until the pressure is released. This works as very practical safety-lock when having to use more force on the screwdriver, to loosen or tighten a screw. "

O.B.

 

[Danny Linguini]

Thanks for the info! Now, as a testament to my impulsiveness, I may be having a slight change of heart. I’m away on vacation this week, so I did manage to keep myself from ordering anything else that might be delivered while I’m not home. While I’m away, I did have an opportunity to use the scissors on my SAK nail clip, which is the first time I’ve actually had to use that tool. Which got me to rethinking excluding it from my must-have list. So now I’m seriously considering stepping up to the Evogrip 18, which is everything in the 11 plus scissors and a saw blade. 18 looks like it’s only about 1/4” wider than the 11, so that’s a perfectly reasonable difference. It’s also a current model (1a is discontinued), for whatever that’s worth.

So any similar observation on the lightly larger Evogrip models?

 

[afishhunter]

My Evo Grip 10 (corkscrew instead of phillips) is 9/16 or 13 ~ 13.5mm wide. My Evo Grip 14 (scissors but no saw) is roughly 11/16 or 15mm wide, best I can tell using my ruler.
The saw (with 2 liners) is 1/8 inch or 4mm outside to outside of the liners.The liners look to be a hare under 1mm each on my S51. The tang of the saw blade is 2mm.
Presuming the saw adds one liner, call it 18mm or around 3/4 inch wide for the Evo Grip 17 and 18.

The 17 is on my short list to get. I use the multipurpose corkscrew more than a number 2 philips these days.

 

[Hashishiin]

You know you want that 18.

 

[Danny Linguini]

And … I lucked into an 18 in a local sports shop up here in NH. It’s like the only mid-size SAK they had in the case, everything else was a large, or a Leatherman multi tool. They also had a couple of Gerber manual opens, one of which was very tempting. For whatever reason this one doesn’t have a saw, but I’m ok with that. I further lucked out in that they had exactly two left, so I grabbed em both - one for me, and one for my son-in-law who’s taking care of the dogs while we’re away. No idea if he even wants one, but hey, I didn’t know I wanted one when I was given my first.

 

[Sawl Goodman]

Congrats on your purchase - hope it serves you well.

I wanted a knife with the same toolset as the Vic Spartan & Tourist, but with wider scales to accommodate an arthritic finger. The Delemont S101 fit the bill & I got one. The scales make for a good grip, but are ugly IMO - red with black grips is the only option - & I wish they were walnut like the Evolution Wood knives.

I could also do without the large blade lock. It’s easy to unlock but the lever is troublesome in the pocket, & I don’t like blade locks anyway. Again, it’s the only option & the knife is what it is.

 

[afishhunter]

And … I lucked into an 18 in a local sports shop up here in NH. It’s like the only mid-size SAK they had in the case, everything else was a large, or a Leatherman multi tool. They also had a couple of Gerber manual opens, one of which was very tempting. For whatever reason this one doesn’t have a saw, but I’m ok with that. I further lucked out in that they had exactly two left, so I grabbed em both - one for me, and one for my son-in-law who’s taking care of the dogs while we’re away. No idea if he even wants one, but hey, I didn’t know I wanted one when I was given my first.

Nice find. I like the easy to find if set down/dropped yellow and black covers.
Question though, please forgive me.
That has the same top side tool set as my 14. The bottom tool set's only difference is the philips screwdriver. (The 14 has the multi purpose corkscrew.) Isn't your's an Evo Grip 15?
My understanding is the 17/18 adds the saw blade to the 14/15.

 

[Danny Linguini]

Nice find. I like the easy to find if set down/dropped yellow and black covers.
Question though, please forgive me.
That has the same top side tool set as my 14. The bottom tool set's only difference is the philips screwdriver. (The 14 has the multi purpose corkscrew.) Isn't your's an Evo Grip 15?
My understanding is the 17/18 adds the saw blade to the 14/15.

I was wondering that myself, if it was maybe a different model. But the box it came in was sealed and labeled EvoGrip 18, and I’m looking at a pic of a 15 that also has a saw blade. Actually, it looks more like a discontinued 16, according to this pic, except mine has a toothpick and tweezer, so I don’t know. Whatever it is, it works out for me, cos I didn’t really want a saw blade anyway.

 

[Danny Linguini]

I am an idiot. Look what I found in my Evogrip 18 - the saw blade that was always there. It actually took my son-in-law to go digging in the twin to mine that I just gave him (and he loves, btw) to find it. The saw blade is so well seated in there, I thought it was part of the frame. Anyway, mystery solved - it’s definitely an 18.