sak experience

P

paulwesley

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
655
when i was young i pumped gas at our airport here in austin. this rather eccentric guy fro new zealand used to pick up brand new mooneys in kerville, fly them to austin, install a couple of 50 gal drums and fly them the
north atlantic route to europe for delivery to their owners. He always carried a sak and freaked out whenever he misplaced it. He said that little knive saved his life so many times over the atlantic at night when something would go wrong. Well i was very impressionable and went out and bought me one and started helping him tank the planes and get ready for the long flight to switzerland or wherever. That started my love affair with saks. I havent owned one in a while becausei got on that tactical bla bla bla thing but wound up being a spyderco junkie which is fine to me, but, with all the sak talk lately im going to buy another this weekend and dont know which one to get. I like the one handed trekker but not really enough gadgets. anyone got any good ideas for a good mid range (not eraser sized) sak...and thanks for the help i am relatively new but you guys are great. I wouldnt buy anything without throwing it out here first....thx/paul
 
I love my Swiss Champ, it's got plenty of tools, and only one or two things you don't really need (I still don't know what that hook is for...) It might be a tad to big for some people to carry every day, but I find the weight comforting.
 
SAK's are great. If you don't mind a little thickness go with a Victorinox Ranger. The Huntsman is 1 layer thinner. I think the Huntsman and the Explorer are great and they are both 4 layer SAK's. The Ranger is a 5 layer SAK.

Check out www.sosakonline.com . Some good articles there and you just may well get converted if you stay there for a while :)

Cheers :D
 
I would give the OH Trekker a try.
It was my EDC for the last two years until recently losing it.
I've replaced it with the Picnicker for now because of the corkscrew.
The OH Fireman adds the seat belt cutter if you want another "gadget". It might be a bit thick for pocket carry though.
I think the Huntsman is a good choice as well.
 
Stubby said:
I still don't know what that hook is for...
Click to expand...

It's to pick up string tied bundles so you don't cut your fingers off (with the string). That's why it opens in the center of the knife... makes a nice handle.
 
I'm expecting a new SAK within a couple of days, the 111mm Outrider. :thumbup: :eek:

I highly suggest either the Climber or Explorer, they've got most everything you'll need :cool:

Good luck!

And remember: think minimum! I, personally, can't carry a knife if I feel it's got a completely unecessary tool on it.
 
I would think the hook would be fading out with the post office not allowing string tied packages anymore. It was always cool growing up and getting all those string tied boxes in the mail with Christmas presents inside. I haven't use the hook on mine in years, still need that blade to cut the tape though.;) If I were going to get a new SAK, I'd get the Swiss Army Voyager.
 
If you want more gadgets than the One-Handed Trekker, take a look at the Deluxe Tinker and the Craftsman. I think those are the "sweet spots" in between the thinner models and the maxed-out models like the SwissChamp.

Also, check out the SAK Selector. You can select the features you want and view comparisons of the various models that meet your requirements.

--Bob Q
 
Stormdrane said:
I would think the hook would be fading out with the post office not allowing string tied packages anymore.
Click to expand...

I didn't know that. I was thinking more along the lines of newspaper bundles. They can get pretty heavy... at least too heavy to carry long distances with fingers and string.
 
New Zealanders are freaks. But I'm happy he had a good lasting impression on you.:D

In any case, I carry quite a few knives as edc, but one of them is a German army issued Victorinox SAK, ofcourse with green handles and the Bundeswehr eagle on it. I bought it in great condition from an army surplus store in Auckland a few months ago.

Works for me.
 
I've had a Huntsman for 25 years. It still looks new and works great. Been through a lot with me. Not to big, not too small, with enough features to keep you going.

What kind of problems did this guy have ferrying Mooneys over the ocean that a SAK could fix? A little tenous flying over water, relying on a SAK to save your *ss. BTDT, but carry a Leatherman instead and that has come in handy a few times, but on the ground.

What type of steel do the Victrinox SAKs use?
 
What type of steel do the Victrinox SAKs use?
Click to expand...

Some nondescript stainless steel. But if I were to guess based on performance, I would say something similar to 440A.
I don't know for sure though.
 
Here's some blade/tool info:

Blades – Stainless chrome molybdenum steel, mixed from carbon, chrome, molybdenum, manganese & silicum.
Blade Hardening – 1,900 degrees F. (and annealing temperature of 140 degrees). RC 56.
Wood saw, scissors and nail files – RC 53.
Screwdrivers, tin openers and awls – RC 52.
Corkscrew and springs – RC 49.
Separators – Nickel silver until 1951; Alox since 1951.
Rivets – Brass.
Scales – Cellidor.
Click to expand...

I now hope they do not phase out the hook. The new hooks have a nail file on the back, and a nail file isn't useless. Plus I have used the hooks probably once or twice :D
 
I have had my SAK for many, many years!! It is just a great little knife. Tyhe one I have now, is the one my Mom got me when I flew out to WA. from NJ. to go camping and mountaim climbing with my Uncle. I love the little thing. ALthough, I haven't carried it in many years. It just has a special place in my heart!
 
I have used the hook many times to get knots undone. It's smooth surface makes it easy to work it into a to tight knot. I didn't know the new hooks came with a file on the back. I just bought an Explorer, it has no file. I'm kinda bummed.
 
I have settled on the Huntsman because I want saw, scissors and corkscrew for sure among the other features.

I just recently nabbed a brand new Huntsman Lite on eBay for $28. I don't know why they priced it so low, but nobody else bid on in and it's perfect except for a few tiny scratches on one ruby red handle.

It's thicker than the old Huntsman, but the light is a great feature that I use a lot.
 
paulwesley said:
anyone got any good ideas for a good mid range (not eraser sized) sak...
Click to expand...

No matter how sincere, everyone is likely to give you some different suggestion - as evidenced by the replies so far......

it's probably better to form your own "strategy" -

please take a look at these threads -

Minimalist SAKs

SAK - Purchase Rationale

"OK is there a more rational way to buying SAKs?

One approach - come here and ask advice - and buy every SAK suggested -
Advantage - you'll have an instant and very large collection of SAKs - that somebody likes
Disadvantage - that somebody might not necessarily be you - and you might have to speak to your bank manager (or wife....
same thing :p )

I doubt if anyone took that one seriously (you did?......
in which case please send a check for a very large sum to me c/o....)"


--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
 
Oh yeah......the Hiker is a great knife and slightly smaller than the Huntsman. Lacks the corkscrew and scissors, but has plenty of features and is much smaller and still has the saw (which I find I use fairly often).

I picked a used one in excellent condition on e-Bay for $7.00......can't beat that.
 
so far ive got the workchamp,craftsman,deluxe tinker,mechanic,hiker and oh trekker to look at. ill probably get the trekker anywaybecause i like the hole and the lock. the others all have phillips screw drivers and i have i have one of those. ill have to go look at them all first.thanks for the help...i know i can always depend on yall....paul
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top