SAK One-Hand Fireman & Parachutist

Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
75
Hi,

Long time lurker first time poster here.
A few months back I picked up a SAK One handed Trekker (Trailmaster) for my new EDC.
Great knife/tool for the price.
And I don't mind the serrations as some have mentioned.
Any way my main wish was that it had a cork screw.
While surfing the www.swissarmy.com site I stumbled across a couple of other one handed openers.

The one-hand Fireman which has a corkscrew http://www.swissarmy.com/webstore/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=3924&category=35

and
The one-hand Parachutist http://www.swissarmy.com/webstore/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=3923&category=40

Anyway I haven't seen these two mentioned in the forums before and I thought I'd pass the info along in case someone was considering a Trekker/Trailmaster but wanted a corkscrew like me.
 
If I remember correctly, when I held a one-hand SAK Fireman, it looked like it was a left-hander. By that I mean a righty like me would have to push up on the Walker-lock mechanism to disengage the blade. I thought it very strange and so did the clerk at the store.
 
I had a green handled SAk but without the "one hand opener hole"

I sold it because the liner lock worked for a left handed person but not for a right handed person like myself...I don't know why Victorinox did this :confused:

I still have a rucksak model with corkscrew but I hardly use it anymore. I like the corkscrew and could have used it today but I forgot to bring it on our picnic...luckily someone else brought a corkscrew so we did get to have the wine.

I prefer to use my Opinel No. 8 for the same uses I used to use the rucksak for. if I'm going hiking I'll bring my Soldier or Pioneer but they ride in my pack and my No. 8 is in my front pocket. It's so light, cuts very well and the handle is just the right size...it's one of my favorite's.

An Opinel No. 8 with a corkscrew...that would be the perfect picnic knife!

Collecter
 
Johnny,
That one-hand Fireman you looked at, was it getting kind of "thick" and bulky. After looking at it closer I noticed that it has 4 tools on the one side (lock blade, saw, seat belt cutter and can opener). My Trekker has 3 (no seat belt cutter) and I wouldn't want it any thicker.
I agree on the lock mechanism it does take a bit getting used to for one handed closing.

Sam,
I was looking at getting a Rucksack.

When I started my quest for a new EDC I was almost set on getting a Spyderco Delica but then I started to pay closer attention to what my EDC needs were. I had been carrying a Kershaw Vapor for the past two years and I found that I was either reaching for my SAK on my key chain or looking for a screw driver etc. But I liked the one handed opening and lock blade offered on the Vapor. So when I found the Trekker it was the best fit for me.
Probably a one hand Rucksack or Picnicker with the corkscrew would be better but I do find myself using the Phillips screw driver too ( oh well can't have everything).
Also be warned that the SAK one handers ARE NOT "FLICK" open blades. You have to push open the blade completely into it's locked position.
BTW I did end up getting a Spyderco. Just not for EDC. For camping I purchased a FB-02 Drop Point Moran. :)
My knife budget is done for a few months. :grumpy:
 
Try using the tip of the can opener on phillips heads. It works pretty good.

Paul
 
I agree, the tip of the can opener fits most philips head screws very nicely. I recently bought a one hand trekker and added a pocket clip, hoping to create a nice all in one EDC. Strangely enough, less than a week later, I'm back to carrying my Farmer, Pack Pal and Swisstool. I also still prefer the Rucksack for woods carry too. I'm just not a fan of the way they've adjusted the one handed blades; there's more play, no half stop, no real walk and talk like the regular 111mm blades have. I also find the slide lock easier and safer to operate, and it's practically made for left hand use...
 
numberthree said:
I agree, the tip of the can opener fits most philips head screws very nicely. I recently bought a one hand trekker and added a pocket clip, hoping to create a nice all in one EDC. Strangely enough, less than a week later, I'm back to carrying my Farmer, Pack Pal and Swisstool. I also still prefer the Rucksack for woods carry too. I'm just not a fan of the way they've adjusted the one handed blades; there's more play, no half stop, no real walk and talk like the regular 111mm blades have. I also find the slide lock easier and safer to operate, and it's practically made for left hand use...

Which Pack Pal are you carrying? Do you find the Swisstool a little heavy to carry on hikes. I have the one-handed Trekker and really like it. I also carry a Leatherman Squirt P4, love those pliars! A Rat-7 is the Backpack/brief case emergency knife. If heavy brush. RTAK comes strapped to my pack. And finally a GB mini is likely to be in the pack too. Take care, Peter
 
Back
Top