SAK saws

B

barber oregon

Joined
Nov 19, 2000
Messages
234
I'm trying to whittle down the weight of the things that I carry everyday--how reasonable is it to have a saw on a SAK for urban carry? I carry this in my pocket (Victorinox Camper) as part of my EDC "bug out" equipment.

The saw comes in really handy when I do yard work; I've cut branches up to 1-1/4" easily. However, in an urban survival situation would the saw be useful for cutting things like say, 2X4's or even wooden doors? Has anyone here cut anything besides branches or wild game bone with these saws?
 
I cannot answer the first question, I generally find that anything thicker than a one bladed knife is more than I will often carry. Of course the Bantam SAK with alox handles has the blade and combination tool and is thinner than many of my single blades, but does not have a saw. The Farmer model Victorinox with Alox handles is not too thick if you want a saw, at about 1/2" thick. Some of the most compact SAK threads discuss what model is the thinnest that still has a certain feature, not sure if one was the saw.

If you want small, light, probably meets almost any length laws (about 2 inch blade, 2 1/4 if you count the unsharpened ricasso), and looks very inoffensive, as it does not have a point, there is a knife for you. Guess what it is! :D It is the "My 1st Victorinox 53565." At least that is the number on the box label, there is a typo or space limitation, so there is not second "o" on the box, but I am reasonably certain they usually use Victorin"o"x if you go to the web site ;-) . There is a model without the saw, so make sure you specify, if you want it. Last I saw, it was not on the Smokey Mountain Knife Works web site, but they had it. Item number V53565 for $8.99. Toothpick, tweezers, combination tool (yes it WILL open a can), saw, and a blade with a rounded end. Nylon handles, same texture as the Rucksack. Just a hair thinner than the Farmer, although the 1st is only two backsprings to the Farmer's three. You don't get the awl, but you do get the tweezers and toothpick.

Perfect for spreading edibles, or you could actually sharpen it for skinning alá some European pocket knives for hunters. It might be the perfect "survival" knife for England, if you are going to combine some hiking and sightseeing, IF they don't get even more restrictive re edged tools.

With respect to the second question, I got tired of my office door not latching properly in an office I was in for a while. I took out my Leatherman Wave---from my desk drawer---removed the latch plate and then used the saw to enlarge the hole, repositioned the latch plate, and my door would latch after that. Not a SAK, but close for purposes of your question, but note I was not really "carrying" it, and around 8 ounces if my memory serves correctly, not really light enough for comfortable, contiuous pocket carry for me.

Occasionally a saw can come in handy for harvesting a piece of wood from a branch that has been trimmed and left in a pile. I could probably think of other scenarios, but not sure if they would justify carry.

Meanwhile, after going on about the 1st, I think I will give it some carry time. My daughter missed her chance, when I offered it to her. If she changes her mind, she can have it slighty used, or I'll spring for another one. Remember this is the shorter 84 mm line and at 59 grams should not weigh the pocket down too much. OK, I cheated, and went here to check the weight My First Victorinox a post I made on 09/05/02...if you are not a member of SOSAK you might not be able to follow the link...sorry. :p ....after all the first "S" stands for secret!
 
Ahem... A piece of plastic about a foot long on a radiator... bout a 1/4 inch thick. Course it was a leatherman saw... but close enough for gov work. The hack saw blades were bending on the stuff! :D
 
I really like the SAK saw, it adds a lot to the rnage of tasks envelope of the knife.

For making notches, trimming branches, cuttinh hard palstic, etc they are excellent. I don't buy SAKS without saws anymore.
 
I wear jeans to work -- in the food R&D lab I manage, I always have a V. Fieldmaster in my pocket. It is "four tools thick" which is not too thick for me -- and it has a saw.

That little saw is great for splitting the rib cage or pelvis on most animals -- especially deer! It works as well as the meat saw I used when professionally processing game animals into little paper packages! It won't split a carcass down the spine but someone who knows their anatomy, or has a little meat cutting experience can make very good use of one -- and they are small!

Bruce
 
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