SAK for edc?

For me a SAK doesn't quite cut it for EDC at work , it just doesn't have the tools or size compared to my beloved Surge .
But the second I get back to camp or at home on the weekends it is immediately SAK time :)


Ken
 
I use to carry a SAK wherever I go. I carry such a tool since about I´m eight years old. That makes 23 years of SAK-madness for me :o :loyal:
 
I've carried a SAK since I was eight too. That makes nearly forty years for me!

My first was a cheap SAK-alike for my eighth birthday. A remarkably close copy of the SwissChamp. We couldn't afford the real thing in those days.

I lost it when I was about ten, and asked for another that Christmas. That one lasted until I was fourteen, when I think a 'friend' stole it.

Fortunately, by that time I had saved enough money from presents and a little work to be able to buy a real SwissChamp!

Still have that one. I've hardly been without a SAK since then, especially after the law changes made anything with a longer or locking blade illegal to carry without a specific need.

In my EDC belt pouch is a Mountaineer. That gets changed when going hillwalking to a pouch with a Huntsman. I figure the metal saw is more likely useful around town, and the wood saw when on a hillside.

In the car is my SwissChamp, my fire kits have Rucksacks or Treckers (with the big screwdriver filed sharp on the side for a ferrorod scraper) and most of my 'survival' kits and first aid kits have whatever else I've picked up over the years.

If for some reason I'm not carrying my EDC pouch, I slip a red alox Farmer in my pocket.
 
Regardless of what other knife I have clipped to my pocket I always have my Alox cadet.
 
I have knives that cost 3 to 4x as much as my SAK's and hardly get carried anymore. The versatility is hard to beat. I usually carry a Huntsman plus, OH Trekker or Rangergrip. I use my Alox models as a gentlemans knife.
 
I've been carrying a 93 mm Alox SAK as my sole EDC for a month or two now and I haven't looked back at my tactical folders. They cover just about everything you need on a day to day basis and then some. This is what I have with me today and it pretty much covers everything that I need a SAK for:

 
Lately my EDC is very minimal.
I run my own business and visit a lot of clients. I have dedicated tools always in a suitcase where I have technical products samples that need tool for adjustment etc.
Always on my keychain there is a Rambler that is very useful. The small in-line magnetic tip philips is super.
However I don´t always carry my key-chain in for example suit trousers.
For a minimal extremely friendly EDC I have lately used a 74mm alox ambassador. The blade is more useful and especially the scissors are much more substantial. The ultrathin profile doesn´t print even in thin slacks and it is very friendly looking even in business-office setting. 58,74 and 84mm
20141108165613-213.113.76.108.jpg



For weekends or jeans days I normally gear up a little. Jeans 5th pocket I find ideal for 84mm SAK carry. Usually a small Tinker or Cadet. It´s a pity there is not so many choices as there is for 91mm. I would love 84mm Compact, Climber or Mechanic.
 
Gima Nord said:
It´s a pity there is not so many choices as there is for 91mm. I would love 84mm Compact, Climber or Mechanic.
Click to expand...

Absolutely totally agree!!! I love the 84mm's, and they are a much better choice for knife sensitive places like Boston and Chicago, not to mention my old Hometown of Washington D.C.
 
Among the Vic knives I had never used was a Sportsman II. The sole reason I had it at all was finding a super cheap clearance price on them several years ago. I thought it could make a good present for a deserving friend or relative, or maybe sold at a profit. By lately, I hadn't got around to either, but 10 days ago, our dedicated corkscrew contraption broke. That left me with two options; first, I used the blade on my TTi, which worked smoothly two times out of four but a hassle on the others, then I went to my SAKs. Only two of mine have corkscrews, a well used Swisschamp and my as yet unused Sportsman II. Just because the S'champ seemed somewhat overkill for the job, I broke out the 84mm alternative and used it to open a bottle of wine. The corkscrew worked so well that I haven't got around to getting a replacement for our busted one yet. Meanwhile, I put it in my pocket. It has grown on me. We'll see where this goes, but it looks like I have something else to be happy about.:D
 
I carry the SD and the Fieldmaster for my EDC work. But I don't rely on them exclusively, and instead treat them as a part of an entire system. They serve their roles, the other tools/knives serve other roles.
 
For a long time, I only carried one-handed opening knives (mostly Spyderco). Still do. But about 6 months ago, I picked up a Farmer. Even though I don't need it (I carry 2 Delicas and a Swisstool) for the tools it has, it's just too darn handy to leave at home. And all this is in addition to the Classic I've had on my keychain forever.
 
baliflipper02 said:
What are your opinions on SAKS for edc? i personally love them!!:thumbup::cool:
Click to expand...

They don't quite work for me.

I have XL sized hands and prefer a larger single blade knife. But, I like the functionality of tools for EDC. My solution is to carry a Leatherman Micra in my LFP along with my money clip. The Micra gives me just the set of tools I need most often and I get the better (for me) ergos of a larger knife. Also get the freedom of carrying different EDC knives as my fancy changes.


EDC Pair by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
I have an alox Vic Classic onboard today, plus the Wenger Standard Issue (also alox). Some Classic or other in the pocket everyday; the #2 is something else.

Often, it's the Wenger SI, but US Schrade Uncle Henry LB5 is sometimes there, as may be a US Schrade 5OT (like that size, I do, definitely). Others may be a Buck (110 or 112 or 500) or who knows what else.

But the Classic is a standby. Small, but very useful — if not terrifically robust.
 
Worked for me for a year or so. Many people claim that they "need" something like a ZT but the humble sak works fine for me and unless you want to baton down a tree it will work fine for all your jobs too. Not to mention if you get a 91mm then the tweezers rock for getting rid of splinters
 
Student762 said:
Worked for me for a year or so. Many people claim that they "need" something like a ZT but the humble sak works fine for me and unless you want to baton down a tree it will work fine for all your jobs too. Not to mention if you get a 91mm then the tweezers rock for getting rid of splinters
Click to expand...

No, it works for you and that is wonderful. It may work for others. Or it may not.


My son and I went to the Revs game last night (beat Columbus) with my nephew and we stopped to get a sub before the game. The sandwich was fat and messy and not cut and there were no plastic knives in the sub shop. I could have mucked around with a smaller knife blade but that would have been a mess getting food and gunk in the joint. The larger blade of the Opinel 9 allowed me to deal with food prep much better than a shorter blade does. I've had and carried SAK style campers for nearly 50 years and they have their place and I'm thrilled people enjoy them. Just please refrain in making it into some sort of universal that I should comply with. Other solutions work better for me and that's just as OK, OK?
 
AreBeeBee said:
But the Classic is a standby. Small, but very useful — if not terrifically robust.
Click to expand...

I found the Classic to be *better* than the Micra for key ring carry due to the light weight. Ultimately though, I found key ring carry to be annoying.

I've found the Micra to be more useful in every way compared to the Classic. Only thing it gives up is the toothpick, which I never found useful (for me and my teeth). More durable, better scissors (for my uses), better selection of tools. The Micras is as ugly as Vulcan artwork, but it's more than earned it keep in my pocket.
 
I find it interesting pinnah that you find SAK's (whichever model that may be) unworkable for you due to "I have XL sized hands", and yet you find the Leatherman Micra to be everything you need in a EDC MT; inspite of your XL hands.:confused:
 
Alnamvet68 said:
I find it interesting pinnah that you find SAK's (whichever model that may be) unworkable for you due to "I have XL sized hands", and yet you find the Leatherman Micra to be everything you need in a EDC MT; inspite of your XL hands.:confused:
Click to expand...

Why?

It alllows me to carry a larger EDC knife. Today, it's a Buck 500 (script).

The small size of the Micra (like other key ring sized tools) makes adding to my off pocket a breeze. Really no down side. And for light tasks (similar to what I would use my BSA camper knife for), the Micra is just fine. Remember, for large jobs, I go to my pack and get the full sized MT that rides there (today, like most days, a Blast).

When I'm whittling and in need of a good pen type blade, I open up my Micra full length and this give decent (not excellent but decent) control. Certainly a lot better than can be done with a Classic type knife/tool.

EDC Pair Open by Pinnah, on Flickr


Edited to Emphasize: the fact that SAKs don't work for me, shouldn't be seen as a negative to those for whom they work. Plenty of room for different solutions for different tastes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top