SAK - Purchase Rationale

U

UnknownVT

Joined
Feb 15, 2003
Messages
2,575
There are approximately 100 different current SAK models from Victorinox alone.

So how does one choose the right one to purchase?

Begging the question is there a "Right" one? Surely it's just down to personal taste?

Sometimes like greatness, a SAK is thrust upon us -
a SAK received as a gift -
and henceforth we're stricken with several disorders like not being able to pass by a store that has SAKs, studying and poring over catalogs, being obessesive about minor changes in tool designs -
why? because we're always looking for a model that's better than the SAK(s) we already have.......

So what's that symptomatic of?

A mental illness (that's already a given :D :p )

and high probability of one's "best" SAK not being quite the "best" -
since we're looking for something posssibly "better"......

OK is there a more rational way to buying SAKs?

As a person stricken with this afflication -
of course there is -
how else can I justify my SAK purchases?

One approach - come here and ask advice - and buy every SAK suggested -
Advantage - you'll have an instant and very large collection of SAKs - that somebody likes
Disadvantage - that somebody might not necessarily be you - and you might have to speak to your bank manager (or wife....
same thing :p )

I doubt if anyone took that one seriously (you did?......
in which case please send a check for a very large sum to me c/o....)

Here's one approach that at least make you think it might be "rational" - study the tools in the respective "flagship models" - for Victorinox that's the SwissChamp and for Wenger the Tool Chest Plus (yes, there are even bigger models than those - but they have less common tools)

Victorinox SwissChamp & Wenger tools layout
Vic_95_SC3_S.jpg
Weng_lstP_S.jpg


Pick the tools wanted - this probably results in a model that either does not exist in that configuration, and more than likely one that's probably pretty thick as there will be lots of/too many tools.

So one has to par this down to something more practical - that is the essential tools wanted/needed - somewhat like the "minimalist" approach - in terms of:

what can I get away with? or
what's the least I can do with?

This kind of approach has been discussed in quite a lot of detail in:

Minimalist SAKs

My EDC Story - Victorinox Combo Tool Story

Our opionions and tastes requirements change -
so doing this "analysis" will either turn up more requirements
or affirm that one's current choice/EDC is the right one.

That takes care of the first SAK.

What then should be the next purchase?
(and is it going to be as long winded? :o )

No, buy the flagship model -
why?
they are really good value for money - for example the Victorinox SwissChamp is low priced about $40, and I've just seen the Wenger Tool Chest Plus at under $50......

and having all the common tools means you'll have something really handy -

plus the study of those tools will fuel your affliction about the next SAK you want to buy with the combination of the tools you have experience of........

Incredible isn't it?
how I can rationalize my affliction......

Can you?

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
 
Buy the most expensive one first, than the cheapest one next, than spend the 1st marriage trying to fill the gap in between.:D

Than start on the black handled ones and hopefully finish before the 2nd divorce.:(

And if your really unlucky, your spouse will wind up with your collection just outa spite.:mad:
 
I pick my sak's based on tool needs. I like to carry a leatherman/Sak combo. The Super tool 200 and the Sak Outrider, I have scissors and a small phillips on the Sak that I don't have on the Leatherman so they help take up the slack of each other. If I have both of these on me I think I can take on most small problems that will come my way.
 
I wish they would offer tailor-made models - you decide which tools you want and they build it. Even if such "custom" SAKs were priced noticably higher than the regular line, I think it would still be a very popular option.
 
It depends on the conditions I'm carrying it in. Four models fill my needs....
Bantam...Has replaced the Secretary for dress wear. You just never know when a bottle opener will be needed.
Settler...My EDC. It goes practically everywhere. Love the small blade. A very servicable whittler.
Electrician...The one I don't have yet. A great combo of useful tools in a very compact package.
Harvester...This one goes to the woods with me. The saw and hawkbill come in very handy.

You will notice that none of these have tools in the back of the knife and all have alox scales. That's just a personal preference.
I have others that see use on occasion, but these four are permanently in the rotation.

Paul
 
Get a fat SAK, or several smaller ones, or use some old worn ones, pry off the handles, file down the brass pins, take the whole thing apart, select which tools you want, put together a customized version of your own (you may have to get some brass rod for pins if you ended up with a very thick knife) you can even put two of the same tool in a single knife just to make it unique, epoxy the handles back on.

I have a Wenger fisherman with saw instead of scaler (and jigged handles), and another one that is just scissors (not a knife, just a single spring with scissors).

Since I allways carry a stockman knife for cutting I´m thinking of building a SAK with no cutting blades.
 
I wish I could say that my choices were rational, but hey. I see one and think "what if I need that particular implement and don't have it", so I buy it. In two weeks, another favorite comes along. I think that I am just like a crow and am attracted to shiny objects. I really love a good display when all of the tools are opened.
 
Originally posted by APS
I think that I am just like a crow and am attracted to shiny objects. I really love a good display when all of the tools are opened.
Click to expand...

Isn't that a magpie that collects shiney objects?

Have you opened to display all the tools on larger SAKs like the SwissChamp?

One needs to proceed with caution - because having some tools open prevents the easy access to others, and the positioning of some tools (and even holding onto the SAK opened for display) need a lot of care for the danger of the sharp tools snapping shut. Plus some of the spring tension increases when the other tools are already partially open on that same backspring

Even closing the tools needs a little thinking about first.

BTW - APS how have you found that SAK Collector's Companion book (by Derek Jackson)? Has it been helpful in dating, identifying Vic models - like the stuff we end up talking about here?
 
UnknownVT,

Do you know where I can find SackUps for holding a Soldier ?

Or maybe other suggestions. Maybe you have a template for making your own maybe. I seem to remember you made one out of a chamois leather or something ??

Sorry for posting this here - I couldn't get your email or PM you.

Thanks for your help

Tardis
 
Originally posted by tardis
Do you know where I can find SackUps for holding a Soldier ?
<snip> Maybe you have a template for making your own maybe.
Click to expand...

Tardis,

I use the SackUps model 805 Knife Pouch
comes as 6x 4" Pouches Plain Grey
UPC 0-35577-00805-0

http://www.sackups.com/knife_protectors.htm

The Vic Soldier is a 91mm or 3.5" model so should fit the 805 4" pouches nicely.

I did a Yahoo search of:
+sackups +knife +pouch
and got 4 hits including the one above

Doing a Froogle search of
SackUps 805
got these two vendors @ US$7.50 for pack of 6x 4" pouches -
http://www.theknifestore.com/sackups.html
http://www.knivesinc.com/sackups.html

As for making one's own pouch -
that's pretty easy, use the actual kife as a template -
fold the material inside out to wrap the knife, trim to leave about 1/2" border at the bottom and side, and allow whatever extra you want at the top opening - (optional step - you can staple or pin the material temporarily) now sew up the two sides with the knife in the material - trim the material closer to the seam -
and turn rightside out - and there you have a pouch.
Chamoise leather - like for washing cars, and soft leathers, suedes are good, and easy to use.
 
Fantastic !!

Thanks for your time UnknownVT. I'm much obliged to you.

I'll try and make my own I think. Sounds pretty straight forward :)
 
Originally posted by tardis
I'll try and make my own I think.
Click to expand...

If you do - please show us a pic of your work :)

If you do fancy stitching or use fancy thread/leather - you can make the pouch with the sewing showing on the outside - so wrap the (template) knife with the material rightside out and sew around it (pin the material - trim the material before stitching/sewing) -
that way the fancy stitching/thread will show.

Obviously the pouch can be decorated -
you don't do embroidery as well, do you?? :p :D :D
 
Originally posted by Quiet Storm
I wish they would offer tailor-made models - you decide which tools you want and they build it. Even if such "custom" SAKs were priced noticably higher than the regular line, I think it would still be a very popular option.
Click to expand...

This could be a business for a custom knifemaker, as PCKS does with Bucks.

You'd want to get the backsprings, spacers, and most of the tools from Victorinox (or Wenger). But the knife blade should be a bit higher-grade and the scissors could use a ceramic coating (or serrations). Scales could be G-10 (didn't we talk about this just a few days ago?)

Yeah, that would be pretty sweet. :)
 
It would be great if you could pick and choose the tools you want on your SAK; I'd love to have a Pioneer with scissors, for example. Unfortunately, that's not possible, but the nice thing about SAKs is that they're cheap enough that you can buy a bunch of 'em without breaking the bank. So I have, umm ... eleven ... I think. Maybe more. Which I just cycle in along with my other EDCs, according to what I think I'll need on any given day.
 
UnknownVT,

Yes, I have opened all of the tools up on my Swiss Champ. It's very difficult with some of the tools.
The book that you mention, yes I have that one. It is good for dating. Have you noticed that some of the older models have clip point small blades? I wonder why they went to the spear point (pen) small blades. Perhaps to distinquish themselves from Wenger who still use the clip point. In all, I prefer the lower tip of the pen blade for detail cutting.
 
Originally posted by APS
Have you noticed that some of the older models have clip point small blades? I wonder why they went to the spear point (pen) small blades. Perhaps to distinquish themselves from Wenger who still use the clip point. In all, I prefer the lower tip of the pen blade for detail cutting.
Click to expand...

APS, yes, I have noticed that - pumaonly sent me some photocopies of SAK pages from his catalogs - see this thread (linked):
Knife Catalogs

The Champion model changed from the 1967 catalog with the small clip blade to the small pen blade in the 1976 catalog.

But the 84mm Tinkers had the small clip blade in all three catalogs 1967, '76 and '82.

My 1987/88 Forschner (US) catalog shows a line drawing of the Tinker with the small clip blade, but the 1987/88 Victorinox (Swiss/intenational) catalog showed the small pen blade in its photo.

I would guess that the change to the small pen blade was more for the reason of better functionality in detailed cutting, which is what a small blade is intended for.

Does your SAK Collector's Companion book (I have one on order) say anything about the small blade and its introduction and/or changeover?
 
UnknownVT,

Nope, nothing in my book regarding dates for the small blades. There are a number of pictures that show the clip point small blades in their knives.

You mentioned the Champion. I thought that model was discontinued but I have seen in two Virginia Walmarts a model called the Champion Plus. It has the standard Champion tools in addition to the pen/pin. Pretty neat but I could do without the fish scaler.

I love the odd models that they made for Marlboro and you can find them on eBay occationally. They had one that was like the Compact but it also included the long metal file/saw. They also had one that was the Explorer but with the small screwdriver on the corkscrew side. I picked up one a couple of months back that was like the Handyman but without the woodsaw or bottom side small screwdriver.
 
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