SAK - I just don't get the attraction

Used to carry a multitool in the pack because even the LM Juices don't ride well in the pocket, and I am not a marsupial (don't like the pouch). Then I discovered that a good pair of needlenose pliers (Snap-On or Knipex electrician's needlenose) in the pack, plus an SAK in the pocket, is a MUCH better solution for my needs: REAL pliers, with comfortable handles, win every time. My multitools are relegated to my BOBs.
 
spinynorman said:
I discovered that a good pair of needlenose pliers (Snap-On or Knipex electrician's needlenose) in the pack, plus an SAK in the pocket, is a MUCH better solution for my needs: REAL pliers, with comfortable handles, win every time. My multitools are relegated to my BOBs.
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I've said it before and I'll say it again, SAK + pliers = a poor man's multitool! Not as portable as a Leatherman or SwissTool, of course, but for home or the glove box, just as effective (sometimes MORE), and a LOT cheaper.
 
mnblade said:
I've said it before and I'll say it again, SAK + pliers = a poor man's multitool! Not as portable as a Leatherman or SwissTool, of course, but for home or the glove box, just as effective (sometimes MORE), and a LOT cheaper.
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It depends upon which SAK and what pliers you choose.
IT could end up costing more than many of the Leatherman models.
 
mnblade said:
I've said it before and I'll say it again, SAK + pliers = a poor man's multitool! Not as portable as a Leatherman or SwissTool, of course, but for home or the glove box, just as effective (sometimes MORE), and a LOT cheaper.
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Here was the scenario: on the highway in a torrential rain when the driver side windshield wiper suddenly stopped working. Could barely see through sheets of water to pull over to the shoulder, where it would be hazardous to stay long because another blind driver could easily rear end us. Tools were in the wheel well under a load of luggage.

One option was to get out of the car, go to the rear, lift the trunk lid, offload a bunch of stuff into the rain in order to access the tools, find a wrench or pliers, load the cargo back into the trunk to keep it from getting even wetter, then go to work on the wiper. What I did instead was get out and go directly to the wiper, take out my Leatherman tool, tighten the loose nut and get back into the car, all under a minute (got soaked anyway, but...). Ever since then, btw, I have stashed an adjustable crescent wrench, pliers and screwdriver in the glove box, but often I am driving some other car with unknown tools available.

That was one situation among several over the years in which a multi tool solved a problem for me. No matter what tools I had, even close by, sometimes my Leatherman was the best or sometimes only choice. Day to day, almost from the first week I got it in 1997, my Super Tool, and its successors, have been endlessly useful. I have little memory of what life was like before Leatherman, except somehow I managed to have one. Sure spent less time on Bladeforums, though :D .
 
Ya'll are some very bad men....This thread is a conspiracy to get me to spend some more money.....

I've never had a SAK....not in 40 years of knife buyin'.....
So I read this thread to see what the fuss was....

At lunch I ran to Target, just to take a looksee.....
They had a combo pack containing a Spartan and a Classic SD for $19.99....
How could I resist?
I'm sittin' at my desk, checkin' them out as we type....

So far, so interesting.

Bob T.
 
Baatfam said:
Ya'll are some very bad men....This thread is a conspiracy to get me to spend some more money....
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Noooo, we would NEVER do anything to entice you in to buying more Swiss Army knives....

knives008-1.jpg


Wouldn't dream of it....

knives003-1.jpg


Nope, never....

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:D :D :D
 
That same Spartan/Classic pack converted me a few months back, picked up another Classic and a Tinker since then. Coming from a Leatherman follower...they just work. I don't EDC one, but there are a lot of occasions where I'll bring one along. The Classics are great just they're so tiny and people-friendly, the bigger ones for the same reason and because of the corkscrew on the Spartan. Just today I was looking into getting one in GOTD. They're a niche tool, but they do what they do very well.
 
AlexSchira said:
That same Spartan/Classic pack converted me a few months back, picked up another Classic and a Tinker since then.
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Well finally got to Target tonight and I now have my first SAK (still have an Electrician Plus on order - whatever I originally ordered was out of stock - Farmer maybe? It will be here Friday supposedly.). Target had them right on the shelf with the camping gear. I swear I never saw those there before. Must have completely missed them! I went with the Tinker with the extra mini-knife. I told my wife she could take the small one and she didn't disagree. Go figure!

Anyhow, these things do have an oddly solid feel about them that I didn't expect. There really is more to them. Even the scissors on the mini knife impressed me. I'll be playing around with the Tinker - it will be an EDC for me for now. I'll let everyone know what I think in a few days!
 
Baatfam said:
Ya'll are some very bad men....This thread is a conspiracy to get me to spend some more money.....

I've never had a SAK....not in 40 years of knife buyin'.....
So I read this thread to see what the fuss was....

At lunch I ran to Target, just to take a looksee.....
They had a combo pack containing a Spartan and a Classic SD for $19.99....
How could I resist?
I'm sittin' at my desk, checkin' them out as we type....

So far, so interesting.

Bob T.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the SAK side (I hope). :cool:
 
those who havent tried a Sak should really try one. Its construction is good and the blade is very rust resistant. I had one for a few years and its gets a lot of rough use by the sea. Sometimes i soak it for a few days after using it at sea to remove all the dried dirts and had no problems at all. I am talking about soaking in freshwater + detergent for a few days. Its was just placed at the side of the sink to dry. It just keeps on going. I finally lost it to the sea. The only problem i find with it is that it doesnt float. :)

Its blade is easy to sharpen and really resistant to neglect, some knives that cost more may not be able to handle such abuse and neglect. I think if you want a user and do not like to baby your knife, the sak is an excellent choice.
 
Ultraman said:
Welcome to the SAK side (I hope). :cool:
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Well.....The Classic fits real nice in the change pocket of my jeans and the scissors in it are perfect for controlling the occasional crazed mustache hair....:thumbup:

The Spartan is a nice piece....I like it!
It is just a little to big, for me, riding at the bottom of my pocket....
My normal EDC is a Kershaw Scallion or SOG Twitch II clipped in my front pocket....

I'm gonna keep my eye out for a SAK that's slightly smaller than the Spartan....
Or a SAK with a clip...if they have one.

I hate to spend more money on another knife....:D

Later,
Bob T.
 
Baatfam said:
Well.....The Classic fits real nice in the change pocket of my jeans and the scissors in it are perfect for controlling the occasional crazed mustache hair....:thumbup:

The Spartan is a nice piece....I like it!
It is just a little to big, for me, riding at the bottom of my pocket....
My normal EDC is a Kershaw Scallion or SOG Twitch II clipped in my front pocket....

I'm gonna keep my eye out for a SAK that's slightly smaller than the Spartan....
Or a SAK with a clip...if they have one.

I hate to spend more money on another knife....:D

Later,
Bob T.
Click to expand...

Attach a lanyard about 6 inches long to the sak. Drop the sak into the pocket and then shove the end knot on the lanyard under your belt and pull it up to where the sak is suspended just above the bottom of the pocket. It you play with the placement of the knot on the lanyard end, it is a very comfortable way to carry a sak without it laying in the bottom of the pocket. the lanyard also makes it unnessary to dig around for the knife.

I've also carried a sak in a nylon and velcro belt pouch wide enough to fit side by side with a small dorcy AAA pocket light. The sak and a small LED flashlight make a good belt pouch team.
 
jackknife said:
Attach a lanyard about 6 inches long to the sak. Drop the sak into the pocket and then shove the end knot on the lanyard under your belt and pull it up to where the sak is suspended just above the bottom of the pocket. It you play with the placement of the knot on the lanyard end, it is a very comfortable way to carry a sak without it laying in the bottom of the pocket. the lanyard also makes it unnessary to dig around for the knife.

I've also carried a sak in a nylon and velcro belt pouch wide enough to fit side by side with a small dorcy AAA pocket light. The sak and a small LED flashlight make a good belt pouch team.
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Nice tip, thanks!:thumbup:
I'll give the lanyard a try....and I'm sure I've got a couple of extra belt pouches around if I don't like that...
 
One of my favorites is the Sportsman. You used to be able to get them at Walgreens for $5.99, a steal. The most handy one is the Manager 2. In the woods, the Huntsman.

I'm starting to really like the looks of the Farmer, though. Do they come in anything else? I'm not big on Alox.
 
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