SAK - I just don't get the attraction

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kc2kth

Joined
May 13, 2007
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From the looks of this board, I'm probably the only one. However, I just don't get the appeal of the SAK. Any of them. I have to admit I've never played with one up close, but they give me the impression of being a low quality toy more than a knife. The blades don't seem very impressive and everything else on there - scissors, pliers, and whatever else - seems very cheaply made and doesn't look like it would do the intended job very well at all.

I don't mean to get anyone uppity at me for disrespecting the SAK, but could anyone fill me in on the appeal? I'm just wondering if I'm completely off base or if others here actually agree with me.

I'm going to hide behind my desk now as I don't want to get hit with any flying debris!

Thanks in advance for understanding!
 
kc2kth said:
I have to admit I've never played with one up close, but they give me the impression of being a low quality toy more than a knife.
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This is why. For their price, they're a fantastic value. You cannot appreciate them until you carry one and find out that it helps you with day-to-day problems that you'd otherwise have scrambled to find another tool or solution to solve.

The gentlemen here will be able to clarify further.

I highly recommend picking a SAK up to EDC. You won't be disappointed, and will find yourself using it all the time.
 
I have used Victorinox Swiss Army Knives for many years (more than I care to remember). I use the can opener more than I use my manual canopener(when I can find it), and can open a can faster than the manual can opener.
SAK blades are cutters because of their flat grind. While they mey not hole an edge as well as some "premium" steels, they are easy to sharpen. I use a Gatco crockstick (?spelling) and I cna get a razor edge on my SAK and it does last for some time. I can't say I have had the same success with other makers and other steels (I am not knocking these BTW). I just find that the SAK I have chosen have the tools I need and perform for the activities I use them for. They are not "destruct proof" knives but I have not had one fail me yet.
Hope this helps. I would be happy to discuss ffurther if you have more questions.
Sincerely,
Neil
 
kc2kth said:
From the looks of this board, I'm probably the only one. However, I just don't get the appeal of the SAK. Any of them. I have to admit I've never played with one up close, but they give me the impression of being a low quality toy more than a knife. The blades don't seem very impressive and everything else on there - scissors, pliers, and whatever else - seems very cheaply made and doesn't look like it would do the intended job very well at all.

I don't mean to get anyone uppity at me for disrespecting the SAK, but could anyone fill me in on the appeal? I'm just wondering if I'm completely off base or if others here actually agree with me.

I'm going to hide behind my desk now as I don't want to get hit with any flying debris!

Thanks in advance for understanding!
Click to expand...

Don't doubt the effectiveness of the tools until you have tried them. They work.

Ditto on the seeming cheapness. They work and keep working. Very robust.

Blades hold an edge acceptably well. Blade geometry works.

To quote the old commercial "Try it, you'll like it."
 
kc2kth said:
...I don't mean to get anyone uppity at me for disrespecting the SAK, but could anyone fill me in on the appeal? I'm just wondering if I'm completely off base or if others here actually agree with me...
Click to expand...

No problem. No problem and no problem.

They're not as low quality as they look... allow me to rephrase that. Victorinox SAKs are not low quality. Handle a VICTORINOX in person. They REEK of quality.
(Wenger is borderline.)

There are a lot of SAK rip-offs available. They're not even close.

The Victorinox models are tough, have nice snap to them, are assembled straight and don't break as easily as you would think.

It's true that all the SAK companies polish the heck out of all their parts so the corners of all the screwdrivers are rounded, etc. Everyone knows that. It's the one drawback.

The ATTRACTION is finding the model that serves YOUR purposes.

I highly recommend the CyberTool. Specifically the one I attached.
It has bits to work on your other knives! Additionally, it contains tools one would use in an URBAN and/or office environment. (I've tried to use it for it's intended purpose for working on computers and found it lacking. However, I have found it to be VERY useful in my daily life.)

The bigger ones, like the other photo I've attached are great for the suitcase for week-long, or longer, vacations.

In short, they're handy.

Reply with questions and I'll try to be more specific.
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Let's see, you've never seen or handled one "up close" and yet you think that they are cheaply made and are more of a toy.

I've carried a Victorinox Executive everyday for more than 25 years and have used it every single day for one thing or another. I carried the same one for 15 years before I lost it.

I think that you should at least CLOSELY examine one before you make such pronouncements.

To state the obvious : People like them and carry them because they perform their intended purpose and do it very well. Enough said!

And Yes, you are WAY off base!
 
My SAK is always at hand. The thing never rusts, takes a good edge and is light enough to carry the entire day. Somebody said that NASA sent one into space with the Apollo crew...that is a raving endorsement. When you need a pair of tweezers, you've got one. The Swiss are well acquainted with the champion of 'all round' knives.
 
Don't knock them til you try them. And do purchase genuine Victorinox, the cheap knock-offs are what gives people the wrong idea. The Vic Soldier is a tool every person should keep handy for so many reasons.
 
I almost always have a SAK near at hand and I find them to be very useful tools. If you carry one for awhile you will find them to be so as well.
 
Agree with everything folks have said; the Victorinox is a great product for the money. In the watch world, I'd liken the typical SAK to something like a Timex Ironman. They are extremely effective at the task for which they were designed -- nothing fancy, very reasonable durability (but cosmetically, shows wear easily), and reliable under normal use. I might add a comment about service. I imagine that few people test the warranty. Most just shrug off breakage and buy a new one. I, however, like to test the integrity of a company's word when the opportunity arises. 'Bout 20 years ago, I broke the plastic scales off of my deluxe tinker and broke one of the tips off of a blade. The knife was repaired with absolutely no hassles.
 
I love my SAK, but honestly, I could do without the knife blades. I carry it (a Cybertool 29) because of all the other little doodads. Particularly the bit driver and various bits, but they've all found uses. The jewelers screwdriver has been immensely useful, the hidden pin too. I've even used the corkscrew to open wine bottles (I don't actually own a real corkscrew) and once took an entire latin exam with the pen because I forgot a regular one. I don't use the blades, so they're kept extremely sharp in case I need to a tracheotomy or something. About the only thing I don't use is the toothpick.

Yes, all the tools on a SAK, Leatherman, or any sort of combination are never as good, useful, or easy to use as the real thing, but they all get the job done, and you can cram a ton of them into a pocket-friendly package. Beats carrying 20 pounds of "real" tools in your pants. The allure of the SAK isn't hard to understand.
 
Like everyone says, you really have to handle and use one before you can appreciate what a great value and how useful they are

There's a reason why they've been around for so long and so many people swear by them
 
I've still got the swisschamp I bought almost 16 years ago, in that time it has opened vcrs so I could clean and fix them, skinned a rabbit and helped build the trap that killed him, the pliers pulled cactus thorns out of my boots and my leg, sawed limbs to make a temporary shelter, opened countless packages, helped jimmy open a desk, the tiny screwdriver helped me with my glasses and the can opener has been used on a few occasions also. In all those years of use it hasnt let me down it was my first quality knife purchase and even tho the scales are cracked and the blades once polished surface is scuffed and scratched it still ready and willing to go on another adventure deep in the woods or just on a milk run down to the store. I have many diffrent knives some with super steels and built like tanks but I still love my swisschamp it's alway been there for me and it will always have a spot of honor in my collection.
 
You should just handle a Victorinox first then decide if it's poor quality or not. SAKs are elegant tools made affordable to everyone. They're not like the no-name pocketknives you can commonly find that uses poor quality steel and exhibits poor construction. Their QC is tops, and the superlative walk and talk of these knives is readily apparent. They're one of the most recognizable icons around! :) Heck, just like the Japanese tanto and American Bowie knife, people associate these knives' origin with a country, making it a source of national pride for Switzerland! (I would think so at least).

Believe me, the appeal just gets stronger when the time comes to open something, fasten objects or if you need to cut something. Then, you'll be glad you have it and will start thinking of what kind of SAK best fits your needs. Then because of carrying preferences, you'll start to look at different models with an eye toward weight or bulk, or the number or type of tools you want, the types of scales, and appropriate thicknesses or layers. Or you'll want something that suits your aesthetics and personal style, such as custom scales or unique designs.

Look at a display case of SAKs, handle a few, then you'll see the appeal :)

Edit: One more thing is there have been some OUTSTANDING posts in Bladeforums on SAKs. You'll get swept away. Do a search on "minimalist SAKs" and check out UnknownVT's posts, for starters. There are more but if I had to start a program of brainwashing to get you on our side I would start with this :)
 
I have about 2 dozen knives, but the one that's always with me is my SAK Handyman. I find that the tools come in handy exponentially more often than the blade. And Fooj, my watch is a Timex Ironman, the SAK of watches!
 
kc2kth,
I was of the exact same school of thought, that is until I spent some serious time on these (BF) boards. I was into tacti-cool knives and came here looking for information about them. Never in my wildest dreams did I see myself buying, carrying, and using Opinels, Moras, traditional knives, and SAKs, but that is exactly what I have been doing as of late. The more you read and learn here, the more I suspect you'll discover the reason for the attraction that you don't yet see. Good luck, my friend. It will be a most enjoyable journey.

Regards,
3G
 
For its usefulness, size, weight, bulk, and cost nothing else even comes close in the world of knives.

And just to echo what others have said...get a VICTORINOX.
Wenger is not bad (in fact Victorinox now owns Wenger IIRC), but I think the Vics cut better.

Good luck,
Allen
 
Try one, it will turn you into Macgyver :D

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