sak thoughts

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
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I've recently switched to carrying exclusively saks except for the mora clipper in my bag. for edc in the city I carry a vic super tinker and in the woods its a vic rucksack for the past couple of weeks. I feel that they are just so compact and handy and I really like the spear point blades... and the sheeple friendly factor I was curious to see if longterm sak users would deem these knives up to primary carry in the woods (accompanied by a heavy cutting tool axe, or large blade) for tasks such as food prep and whittling and basic slicing chores, small game work etc. I know any knife will suffice for most of these things but just looking for some positive (or negative reinforcement) ... thanks.
 
RescueRiley said:
I was curious to see if longterm sak users would deem these knives up to primary carry in the woods (accompanied by a heavy cutting tool axe, or large blade) for tasks such as food prep and whittling and basic slicing chores, small game work etc
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My Rucksack? Absolutely! Have done so many, many times. Even without a big chopper.
 
Brian, what kind of maintenace do you do to upkeep the joints and such, and how often, The rucksack is awesome I just keep opening and closing it for no reason.
 
I carry a SAK in the woods for small camp chores. My one gripe about a multi-blade-tool folder like a SAK is when you skin an animal or prepare food they can get gunked up and are harder to clean. I carry a small fixed blade for these chores, a mora or small Knives of Alaska Cub. Otherwise I love my farmer or cadet.
 
i know folks that use them as their hunting blade, and you can skin and field dress deer and caribou with a sak sized knife easily some like the german army knife for this- made by victorinox, i dont feel underknived when i have my trekker with me for most trips in the woods. its all about what you know you can do with the tools you have. it is lighter than a multitool, and will get your basics done for you. 100 years of design goes into that knife used by outdoorsmen has to count for something, for me they have distilled what you need in a knife for woods travel. no rambo blades no fluff.

alex
 
Yep, My one hand fireman is my favorite woods carry knife (I have 3 :eek:). It gives you the added bonus of a saw, can opener and awl all of which get alot of use in the bush. Vics are practically maintainance free and can be easily sharpened with a rock. I don't usually carry F.Bs or hachets unless Ill be gone for more than a day. An sak will do whatever your average folder can.
 
LOL. Just keep it clear of grit and such, to keep it from corroding or not locking up properly. It's pretty much a worry-free blade for me.

Obviously not a prybar or anything, but it skins deer and slices like a scalpel for any tasks I need it for. Plus the saw is great for many tasks, including bone when cleaning and butchering. The awl works as a wood and bone drill or for sewing/repairing material using paracord inner strands. The corkscrew I've used to clear pistol and rifle jams, as well as a mini bore brush holder, although obviously you can't go too far in with it (and THEN celebrate my success by opening a bottle of wine :)).

Often time, if I need firewood, I'll either burn the logs in half, then half again etc, or if I need to cut bigger logs, etc, for shelter, fire works for that too. Or I can snap a log by leveraging it between two upstanding trees. So, a lot of large woodwork can be accomplished without a chopper. I usually have a chopper for when I need it, but it costs a lot of calories to chop away, so I try to minimize it.
 
Thanks for the feedback so far guys, the reason I ask is that although I havn't used this knife much I open and close it alot...just because it's cool I guess. but I notice a small amount of rub developing on the last part of the opening process I put a small dab of olive oil there to keep loosen it up,
 
Get used to it. Opening and closing my Ruckscak is my favorite fidget. LOL!

I'm pefectly comfortable going into the wilderness with nothing but my Rucksack and the clothes on my back, and knowing I could trust it to meet my needs. I can use it to build bigger tools if I need them (stone axe,etc.)
 
I had a rub problemn with an old farmer I had and the action got stupid tight even grinding out tiny bits of steel. I attributed to possibly getting something from my pocket lodeged in there, since than all saks have been carried in a sheath or a slip, just don't want this t develop the same issue. Thanks for your help and advice,,it's nice to have such a proactive and interactive member of the administration around..Cheers for doing a good job.
 
My favorite camping buddy is my locksmith. As a large SAK it fills many choirs around the campsite. Along with my craftman hatchet and Reeve project 1. Of the three the locksmith is used most of the time only preparing fire wood and digging a fire pit time I reach for the others.
 
I too am a Victorinox nut. I carry the Vic. Farmer everyday and all day long. Sometimes, I like to carry the solo in alox too, just because. I too feel comfortable goin out with just my vic farmer.

I use Q-tips and 3in1 oil to clean the inside and lubricate the hinges. I also like to ust the computer spray air (for cleaning keyboards, dusting, etc), on the inside of the handle and layers, and around the hinges (this blows the remaining pocket lint and grime out of the knife.
 
RescueRiley said:
Thanks for the feedback so far guys, the reason I ask is that although I havn't used this knife much I open and close it alot...just because it's cool I guess. but I notice a small amount of rub developing on the last part of the opening process I put a small dab of olive oil there to keep loosen it up,
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You might want to try mineral oil instead of olive oil. Vegetable oils can go rancid and/or gum up over time. If you're using it pretty regularly it's probably not going to be any real trouble, but you may still end up with some goo down inside the knife.

I wouldn't have any problem going out in the woods with just a SAK and a hatchet, but I've got so many other blades that I like to play with that I probably will never do so. ;)
 
I find that a sak handles most of what I need done, throw in a hatchet and or a fixed blade and I'm good. I agree that they can get gritted up hard to open etc. I find the more oil I use the worse it gets, I like a dry lube on my folders that doesn't attract grit.

As for opening and closing the blade, it's hard not to when they have such great snap! I usually edc a tinker when I'm not in the woods, and when I get bored often open and close the can opener using my thumb, but this week I've been carrying my new pioneer harvester, which has a pruner blade in place of the opener, and have came close to laying my thumb open a couple times... It's a strong habit lol
 
Well then, group therapy it is.

Hello everyone I'm Bradd, and I'm a SAK-aholic.

I never leave the house, without a farmer in my pocket. It comes in handy everywhere I go, and I'd be quite comfortable on a short walk in the woods just bringing it along.

And yes, I am cursed with Fiddler's disease. Opening and closing the can opener helps soothe my soul.

And is it so wrong that I think my tiny little red classic is, dare I say, cute?

NO!

*storms out of therapy group.

-;) Cluckey
 
I carry an Explorer every day, with an attached lighter. I'd feel fine in the woods with just the knife.

For long term I'd rather have my R&S Swiss multi tool and an axe, but that's for longer outing.
 
RescueRiley said:
Thanks for your help and advice,,it's nice to have such a proactive and interactive member of the administration around..Cheers for doing a good job.
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Aw, shucks, you're welcome. I'm just a member who suggested this forum, and Spark said, "Here're the keys to the car!":)
 
About 35-38 years ago, I bought a SAK at a Garage sale for 50 cents. I don't recall which model it was but it was much like the Tinker. A year or two later I lost it while fishing and soon picked up a Tinker. A few years later I bought my first Explorer and have carried it every day for the last 25-30 years. I am on my third one but still have the other two. The main blade is about gone on the first two. I now have many SAK's and was just thinking today, How many things can you buy that are as dependable and just plain work as well as the Vic SAK's. I don't know of another product that I have as much faith in as the Vic SAK's I would go into the wood in a heart beat with just the Hunter or Fireman or Rucksack or outrider or trekker. All of which as have. I would include the Farmer or any of the others with a saw blade. IMO only electricity and running water come close to the invention of the SAK.


PS I love the darn things and they would be the dead last knives I would ever part with.:D Give me a SAK and a Edge Maker and I will cut forever.
 
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