SAK - I just don't get the attraction

If it's the Cellidor (plastic) handles that turn you off, try one with Alox (ribbed aluminum) handles. My favorite is the Alox Farmer but the Soldier (same but minus the saw) is also excellent for EDC. I prefer near-minimalist in SAKs and these fit the bill. So too does the Compact among the Cellidor-scaled models.

Victorinox sets the high-water mark for QC -- and no you don't need to be a knife snob to see. Higher QC than you'll find in even Spyderco, Benchmade and the like. QC alone -- not materials, etc. -- you get Chris Reeve quality in a $20-$30 knife that you'll actually use.

If you want to check out another "cheap" knife that you have to handle to appreciate its quality, pick up an Opinel OP-8 (carbon or stainless) when you buy a SAK. You can usually find them at the same vendor.

Excellent knives; they just happen to be affordable. That's why people who appreciate quality, knifeknuts or otherwise, carry them EVERYWHERE in the world.

And finally, kc2kth, never EVER hide behind your desk without a Victorinox SAK! ;)

Cheers,
Glen
 
storyville said:
If it's the Cellidor (plastic) handles that turn you off, try one with Alox (ribbed aluminum) handles. My favorite is the Alox Farmer but the Soldier (same but minus the saw) is also excellent for EDC. I prefer near-minimalist in SAKs and these fit the bill. So too does the Compact among the Cellidor-scaled models.

Victorinox sets the high-water mark for QC -- and no you don't need to be a knife snob to see. Higher QC than you'll find in even Spyderco, Benchmade and the like. QC alone -- not materials, etc. -- you get Chris Reeve quality in a $20-$30 knife that you'll actually use.

If you want to check out another "cheap" knife that you have to handle to appreciate its quality, pick up an Opinel OP-8 (carbon or stainless) when you buy a SAK. You can usually find them at the same vendor.

Excellent knives; they just happen to be affordable. That's why people who appreciate quality, knifeknuts or otherwise, carry them EVERYWHERE in the world.

And finally, kc2kth, never EVER hide behind your desk without a Victorinox SAK! ;)

Cheers,
Glen
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The QC of Victorinox is amazing, I just don't get how they can make so many models, keep the price down, AND have amazing quality. :confused: :cool:
 
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!
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Having admitted to never handling one.. then calling it cheaply made.. ok.
 
You better watch out, and make sure that you NEVER diss a SAK with a Secret Order of Swiss Army Knives member around, there have been several posts about a SOSAK hitman. You better watch out.
 
Great info from a lot of you, so thanks a bunch! Sorry I did manage to get a few of you defensive. I figured that post would, but I wanted some feedback and boy did I get it!

The posts answered a few other questions for me that I didn't include in my (more general) original post. Basically I believe Wenger vs Victorinix is answered - everyone seems to mention the high QC of the Vic's. I was curious about that as well. You all also suggested a few specific models to check out - much appreciated.

I'm still not ready to run out and buy one (or more), but since everyone spoke so highly of them I'll at least read up on them and see if I can't find a few of the models mentioned locally to check out (kind of tough to find knives locally here in NJ it seems).
 
kc2kth said:
Great info from a lot of you, so thanks a bunch! Sorry I did manage to get a few of you defensive. I figured that post would, but I wanted some feedback and boy did I get it!

The posts answered a few other questions for me that I didn't include in my (more general) original post. Basically I believe Wenger vs Victorinix is answered - everyone seems to mention the high QC of the Vic's. I was curious about that as well. You all also suggested a few specific models to check out - much appreciated.

I'm still not ready to run out and buy one (or more), but since everyone spoke so highly of them I'll at least read up on them and see if I can't find a few of the models mentioned locally to check out (kind of tough to find knives locally here in NJ it seems).
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What do you normally carry?
 
kc2kth said:
Great info from a lot of you, so thanks a bunch! Sorry I did manage to get a few of you defensive. I figured that post would, but I wanted some feedback and boy did I get it!

The posts answered a few other questions for me that I didn't include in my (more general) original post. Basically I believe Wenger vs Victorinix is answered - everyone seems to mention the high QC of the Vic's. I was curious about that as well. You all also suggested a few specific models to check out - much appreciated.

I'm still not ready to run out and buy one (or more), but since everyone spoke so highly of them I'll at least read up on them and see if I can't find a few of the models mentioned locally to check out (kind of tough to find knives locally here in NJ it seems).
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Keith- Email me your address (click on the send an email link in my profile). I have a used Vic Spartan that's been sitting around that you can have if you want to try an SAK out. Free of charge. The only catch is, if after 14 days you don't like it, you need to send it back to me- that'll cost you like a dollar or so. If I don't get it back, which I hope I don't, that means you liked the knife, and are keeping it for yourself.
 
Had there been an actual poster thinking that SAKs were not good, the forum would have immediately ceased and you would have been directed to the Emergency Broadcast Network.

Not only that, but mountains would have tumbled and continents collided and life would have ceased to exist as the sun went "red giant" in the END OF DAYS!

however........ Victorinox is NOT the only SAK. I have plenty of Vics but when I found the Wenger HANDYMAN..... I was .... CHANGED!
:) :) :)

SAK, the KING of knives! All hail.
 
UnknownVT said:
NJ doesn't have WalMart or Target?
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We've got plenty of both, however the stock in stores varies by state. In NJ you won't find firearms or many decent knives in Walmart. Back in the 80's I visited a Colorado KMart and was amazed at the range of rifles and shotguns. Even in NY, where I was living at the time, you wouldn't find more than a 22 or a 30-06 in the rifle line and maybe a 16 or 20 ga shotgun - no 12's or better - in department stores. NJ is even more conservative with "weapon" laws and what can and can't be sold. Most people I know shopping for firearms drive down to DE to buy.

I'm going to check again, but I've looked at the various knives carried in the local Walmart (Target has nothing of the sort), and I don't recall seeing SAK's there. I think the only thing I recognised as "quality" was a Buck 55 last time I was there.
 
Applejacks said:
What do you normally carry?
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Short answer is I used to carry a Buck 110. I've had that for probably 15 or 20 years now. I stopped carrying it about 10 years ago because it was large and I wasn't in a profession where I could carry something like that and longer (walk into a board room with a 110 strapped to your side and that will be your last trip to the board room, probably to that office! It was different when I worked in a warehouse.). I ended up on this board looking for something smaller I could throw in my pocket (I learned that's called "EDC" here!) and pretty much got bit by the knife bug. Once I realized how much there is to know and how many quality knife makers exist, it really got my interest.
 
Definitely not cheap! There's just something about them that is so attractive. I'd had an old classic since I was a kid and lost track of it a few years back, so I decided to pick up the One handed trekker and try vic again. Well after I bought that in the following weeks I also bought a swiss card, a swiss champ, and a swiss champ XLT. All because that one 32.00 Trekker reaffirmed the quality I'd seen in my first classic. I LOVE these knives!

I EDC my swisschamp XLT now. It's a beast but I have it on a pocket hanger and I don't even feel it. I can't even begin to tell you how many times a day I have that thing out messing with something.

Try one, you won't regret it. The tone of your post seems almost as if you're HOPING these aren't cheap because you like them. C'mon, everyone likes them lol.

Models I would reccomend:

Cyber tool 41
SwissChamp
Swisschamp XLT
Workchamp
Mini Champ
One Handed Trekker
And if you're crazy Swisschamp XAVT
 
mp510 said:
Keith- Email me your address (click on the send an email link in my profile). I have a used Vic Spartan that's been sitting around that you can have if you want to try an SAK out. Free of charge. The only catch is, if after 14 days you don't like it, you need to send it back to me- that'll cost you like a dollar or so. If I don't get it back, which I hope I don't, that means you liked the knife, and are keeping it for yourself.
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Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass since I'm not really in need right now. I'll take my time and check these out myself. I do appreciate you offering though.

By the way, "kc2kth" is my amateur call sign (www.arrl.net for info), not a wierd spelling for Keith. First name is John actually. I use the call sign as a user name on boards since it is always unique!
 
SAKs are a great little knife, but as a dissenting minority here, I could never get used to carrying one. I find that a multi-tool and a one handed opening folder fit my needs much better. Victorinox SAKs are definitely well made (my mulit-tool is a Victorinox) with excellent QC and service. They're not for everyone and they fit into the same category for me as Spydercos. Basically great knives, well worth the money, but just not for me. BUT, like Spyderco's, they are more than worth spending the money to find out if they're what you need.
 
can a man walk barefoot? yes, can he walk better with shoes? absolutely.
can a man get through the day without a sak? yes. can he get through the day better with a sak, absolutely.
 
kc2kth said:
We've got plenty of both, however the stock in stores varies by state. In NJ you won't find firearms or many decent knives in Walmart. Back in the 80's I visited a Colorado KMart and was amazed at the range of rifles and shotguns. Even in NY, where I was living at the time, you wouldn't find more than a 22 or a 30-06 in the rifle line and maybe a 16 or 20 ga shotgun - no 12's or better - in department stores. NJ is even more conservative with "weapon" laws and what can and can't be sold. Most people I know shopping for firearms drive down to DE to buy.

I'm going to check again, but I've looked at the various knives carried in the local Walmart (Target has nothing of the sort), and I don't recall seeing SAK's there. I think the only thing I recognised as "quality" was a Buck 55 last time I was there.
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You in South Jersey? Cause by me there are NO walmarts. And no Target stocks knives except a few saks in plastic cases.
 
Just a note to the New Jersey guys: we have a New Jersey Knife Collectors Association. We generally meet on the third Sunday of each month, at 1:00 PM. (June's meeting will be on the 4th Sunday to miss Father's Day.)

Click the link in my signature line, or email me for more information at ebhausman (at) gmail (dot) com.

If you can make a meeting, let us know what you'd like to see and we may be able to bring a few for you to play with. I've got a few SAKs myself. :)
 
Today I got a Case Sodbuster in Lowe's for around $18. Very stiff, one blade only. While I will enjoy using this knife, try and compare it to a Huntsman or other SAK for a very little bit more. No comparison, the SAK is *far* more functional. It makes the sodbuster seem like waste of pocket space...
 
A SAK was the first knife I ever owned. It was given to me by a family friend when I was 8 or 9. I've carried it all over the place, and used it for a million things. That friend of the family has since died, so I stopped carrying it. It sits in a desk drawer and still gets used. I just don't want to lose it. I replaced it with a little Gerber multitool (shortcut) and assorted folders. I don't like the Gerber as much as the SAK. I'm going to pick up a small SAK and put it on my keychain. they're just so useful.
 
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