SAK Maximus versus Minimus....

F

Fool4Blades

Joined
Sep 3, 2004
Messages
325
Am I the only one, or have you ever found yourself going back and forth for EDC between a BIG SAK like the Swisschamp, to a minimal version like the Soldier? :confused:

I find myself these days having a hard time deciding if I need all the stuff on my Swisschamp, or if I can really make do with ONLY the few tools on a Soldier...

I know they both have their advantages and disadvantages, just wondering if anyone else here has ever had this problem.

Thanks in advance! :)
 
I've always been sort of a minimalist. The bigest sak I ever had was an old Huntsman in the 70's, and I gave it away to a friend. Just too big for a pocket. Since then I have a hiker, but rarely carry it.when not on a camping trip. My usual sak is an old red pioneer, or an old soldier. It is a good compromise between a decent selection of tools and a good blade. There is always a classic on my keyring on a quick detach link. The classic gets more use than you would think. I find the soldier and classic make a good edc combo.
 
I'm having the same 'problem.' I carried a Swisschamp for years. Lately, I'm trying to find a smaller, lighter SAK (going minimalist). I've gotten a Spartan and it works great for general duty. But, for those other implements (such as pliers, mag glass, or metal file) I always go back to the 'Champ.

I keep trying different SAKS, or combinations of SAK's, to get a useful EDC set.

Today, I either carry a Mountaineer for light EDC and the 'Champ comes out for those days of when I don't know what to expect. Surprisingly, I've seen that the 'SAK minimalist' works well for me and the 'Champ comes out less and less.
 
I never cared for the bigger SAKs but I did carry a CyberTool back when I was in the computer biz. Until recently I carried an Explorer which I found to be too big for EDC. Happily I was able to finally acquire a Scientist and that two-layer design is perfect for me.
 
I've had this problem, though with more brands. My first multitool/SAK type knife was produced by SeberTech. I don't remember the model but it had pliers, screwdrivers, a knife blade, file, and tweezers. It was a small tool and could compete with a Leatherman P4. From there, I went in the opposite direction and got a Leatherman Wave (pre 04) and carried that every where. Then a Cybertool 41 which is still a bigger tool but smaller than the wave. I shrank my carry down by going with a SAK Soldier and now I typically edc a Leatherman Juice CS4 which is kind of in the middle. Point being, I have the same problem you do but perpetually fluctuating between what tool I carry.
 
I have the same situation, wanting to carry a bigger SAK to have more tools handy, but also wanting to go "minimalist" in order to not have to have something like Batman's utility belt on all the time.

My solution is to EDC an Executive in my left front pocket and my Senior Mechanic (think Scientist with pliers added) in my right rear pocket, riding vertically alongside the outboard edge of my wallet.

That way I have a pretty decent assortment of the tools that I'm most likely to need while still having minimal bulk. For what it's worth, I always have a SwissChamp in my desk at work and at home, and an XLT in the glove compartment in my car.

- Tim
 
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