SAK Hook

I don't think I've ever used the hook. I think it should be retired for something more useful.
 
I have a swiss champ that has all the SAK spine located tools. Other than the corkscrew i don't find any of the tools on the SAK spine that useful. The awl is occasionally useful but i like it better as a regular fold out "blade" (like on the Alox SAKs) than on the spine.
 
I'd probably say the exact opposite of tholiver re the corkscrew - it's the one thing I dont find useful except as a way of holding the tiny screwdriver. Probably the hook could be put to more uses if it was the length of the longest blade - i like it as a general purpose thingy, which in many ways is what saks are all about.
 
i've used it a few times, but i can't really remember what it was for, exactly

it works fairly well for picking up something heavyish that you would have to carry with something really narrow, like a paint can or bale of hay or something

my buddy says you can use it to tighten boot laces when you are wearing gloves, i've never needed to do it, so i'm not really sure
 
Yeah 50% of the reason i like the corkscrew is that it houses the precision screwdriver! However when you really need a corkscrew nothing else will do! lol. However realistically the ratio of cans i've opened with the SAK compared to wine bottles is about 50-1.
Actually come to think of it the canopener blade can function as a hook almost as well as the hook on the spine.
i really have no objection to any of the tools on the spine as the space is there so they might as well use it!
:)
 
since i started using the corkscrew to untie knots, it's gained a lot of ground in my book

that, and holding the little screwdriver is probably enough to keep it around for more than wine duty
 
I actually use the hook in my super tinker more than youd think for extra leverage or as somebody said, to pick up things every once in a while. Its pretty strong so i dont worry about breaking it.
 
I have used the hook several times to pick up wire bailed straw, also leaflets, newspaper and other printed matter tightly bound with twine. Acting on a tip from someone who posted here, I have also used it as an improvised hanger when I could find something thin enough for the hook to fit. The only implement I haven't used on my 13 year old Swisschamp is the small backspring mounted screwdriver.
 
I also use it to pull nails, tacks or screws.Pick knots out of shoes or anything else that you cant afford to cut but your fingers cant get apart. I have the super tinker from the 1990's with the adjustable scissors (screw instead of a rivet to adjust scissors).
 
tholiver said:
I have a swiss champ that has all the SAK spine located tools. Other than the corkscrew i don't find any of the tools on the SAK spine that useful. The awl is occasionally useful but i like it better as a regular fold out "blade" (like on the Alox SAKs) than on the spine.
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I think the awl could be used as a self defense weapon :-D
 
Suzukigsx1300r08 said:
I think the awl could be used as a self defense weapon :-D
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If it wasn't a non-locking tool i think alot of folks would use it for nasty buisness. But i'd be worried about having the semi-sharp edge snap down on a finger since it's lock-less.

I've seen SAKs used as fistloads in highschool. For defense though... it takes two hands and a little while to open it, so it's not too handy unless you wander into a bad neighborhood and have it open and in your fist already. I often stroll about with my hands in my pockets or jacket though, and know my areas. :p But i'd rather just bash folks with the ass end of it, if it's long enough and alox.

I can't really see a use for the hook though. The hook just doesn't sit well with me. I pick my SAKs tool by tool, if it has anything i don't think i'll ever need, i won't spend the cash. The only tool on a SAK i really think i'll never need is the hook. I wear boots too, tall ones, and i can't even see how it would be useful for those. For heavy items tied up with string i think it would be perfect, but i just never run into them.

I ramble sometimes, sorry for the long-ish post.
 
Suzukigsx1300r08 said:
I think the awl could be used as a self defense weapon :-D
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SAK awls were used as a non lethal weapon by GIs in Vietnam. While on leave in Saigon or other "secure" towns, US service personnel were not allowed to carry firearms or "tactical" knives, but SAKs were okay. Often targeted by motor-scooter mounted thieves looking to boost cameras, wristwatches and other likely valuables, troops countered by carrying SAKs with open back-spring mounted awls in their fists, the point sticking out between their fingers. Easy and unobtrusive, but anyone trying to swipe their goods risked a painful but not fatal gash.
 
I haven't used the hook, but I can easily see how useful it could be. I suspect I forget it's there, thus it never gets used.

The thing about the awl is it frequently has a sharpened edge, that, and the possibility of closing might be a concern. Just speculating :)
 
Ultraman said:
I haven't used the hook, but I can easily see how useful it could be. I suspect I forget it's there, thus it never gets used.

The thing about the awl is it frequently has a sharpened edge, that, and the possibility of closing might be a concern. Just speculating :)
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Yeah on a Vic SAK the awl is kinda sharp. I generally prefer Vics to Wengers,my Vics outnumber my wengers 10-1, but in this instance (self defense) the unsharpened Wenger awl would be better. Or you could just dull down the Vic awl. Also while I usually loathe the spine mounted Philips it also has good defensive potential.
 
Suzukigsx1300r08 said:
I will only buy vics, i dont like wengers at all.
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I prefer Vics (by about 10-1) but also i have a couple of older Wengers which are o.k. The Wenger blades are a little thinner but overall they seem to be generally sturdy.
The new Evo's look interesting but i haven't given in and bought one yet.The strange thing is that Wengers used to cost substantially less than Vics but now they seem to cost as much or more than Victorinox!
Overall i think Vics are the best bang for the buck in the pocketknife world.
 
Fit and finish is better, the tools seem to be better and the vics dont feel chinsy, to me wenger knives are just a waste of money.
 
Suzukigsx1300r08 said:
Fit and finish is better, the tools seem to be better and the vics dont feel chinsy, to me wenger knives are just a waste of money.
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My first SAK was a Wenger (ack! 1969!), I don't remember the model. I liked it a lot, but that was because my previous knife was a Kamp King boy scout, and the Wenger was a definite upgrade. Once introduced into the world of SAK, however, I began to pay closer attention, and it seemed to me that the Victorinox line was better designed, and maybe somewhat better made. Only 7 years later, the Wenger fell apart. Rather than sending it back for repair, I replaced it with a Vic, and haven't looked back.

Since Vic took over Wenger, I have heard quality has improved. If so, that would be a good thing.
 
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