I have always had a SAK classic on my keychain and that thing is great. Its cut alot of stuff that I really needed a bigger knife for but thats all I had. I was at Wal-Mart today getting some camping stuff and noticed they had SAKs there. I had never noticed them there display was out of the way and had half the cash register blocking it. Anyway I bought a SAK super tinker today for $19. I like it. I just put it on my keychain to replace the SAK classic.
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SAK vs. Branded Folders
- Thread starter keluangus
- Start date
I like Swiss Army knives alot, and I have quite a collection of them too.
But my main complaint is the cheapie scales on SAKs.
They scuff, they crack, they pop off the knife when dropped, and they look and feel cheap.
Why can't Victorinox make scales like the delrin used on those old Schrade Old Timers?
Or the (delrin?) scales that Buck and Case use?
And surely there must be a better method of attaching the scales so they don't pop off so easily.
And now that I'm thinking of it, stainless steel or brass liners would be be a nice feature too, rather than the soft aluminum ones that chip and ding so easily.
And why not go all the way and use a better blade-steel as well?
The thin-edged SAKs cut rather effectively but they sure dull quickly too.
S20V would be really nice!
But my main complaint is the cheapie scales on SAKs.
They scuff, they crack, they pop off the knife when dropped, and they look and feel cheap.
Why can't Victorinox make scales like the delrin used on those old Schrade Old Timers?
Or the (delrin?) scales that Buck and Case use?
And surely there must be a better method of attaching the scales so they don't pop off so easily.
And now that I'm thinking of it, stainless steel or brass liners would be be a nice feature too, rather than the soft aluminum ones that chip and ding so easily.
And why not go all the way and use a better blade-steel as well?
The thin-edged SAKs cut rather effectively but they sure dull quickly too.
S20V would be really nice!
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2005
- Messages
- 2,792
allenC said:
This would indeed be excellent. And to think! All at the same price!
Yeah, I have several alox models (Soldier, Electrician, Pioneer, Pioneer Harvester, and Cadet), but you don't get the variety of configurations that you get with the plastic scaled models.
Besides, I like the toothpick and tweezers too.
And another drawback to the alox models is that I find them to be rather slippery, even moreso when wet.
So far I think the best scales are the nylon ones found on the Rucksack and similar models.
And my StayGlow nylon scales are okay too.
Besides, I like the toothpick and tweezers too.
And another drawback to the alox models is that I find them to be rather slippery, even moreso when wet.
So far I think the best scales are the nylon ones found on the Rucksack and similar models.
And my StayGlow nylon scales are okay too.
Maybe you are looking for this:
I got these pictures from their catalogue. I really think they look neat.
And isn't this the most sensible knife ever? At last a knife with the serrations in the right place. At the tip where you need them and a plain edge at the end of the blade near the handle for ultimate controle.
Sorry the pics don't work.
Have a look your self in their catalogue.
http://www.victorinox.com/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=459&lang=E
I got these pictures from their catalogue. I really think they look neat.
And isn't this the most sensible knife ever? At last a knife with the serrations in the right place. At the tip where you need them and a plain edge at the end of the blade near the handle for ultimate controle.
Sorry the pics don't work.
Have a look your self in their catalogue.
http://www.victorinox.com/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=459&lang=E
I think I got it right now. Sorry 
Maybe you are looking for this:
I got these pictures from their catalogue. I really think they look neat.
And isn't this the most sensible knife ever? At last a knife with the serrations in the right place. At the tip where you need them and a plain edge at the end of the blade near the handle for ultimate controle.
Maybe you are looking for this:
I got these pictures from their catalogue. I really think they look neat.
And isn't this the most sensible knife ever? At last a knife with the serrations in the right place. At the tip where you need them and a plain edge at the end of the blade near the handle for ultimate controle.
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2005
- Messages
- 2,792
crispy said:
Seems that way, but is it actually? Has anyone compared relative sturdiness in practice? Personally, I've never busted either type.
The only time I've had a scale problem was with my classic on my keyring. After about 10 years of being beat up by the keys and stuff the silver emblam came off. Then about a year later the scale came off. It was so worn thin by the years of rubbing and banging the keys there was hardly any thickness of material left. I spent two dollars to mail it back to Vic, and they put new scales on it. Its back on my keyring.
The alox handle saks are completely bomb proof.
The alox handle saks are completely bomb proof.
SAKS are what most people who grew up with in the third world and could afford it would buy. The models with locking blades are underrated. I've carried mine through 4 continents now and it is the only knife to consistently pass customs with ease and handle a whole range chores (not just the cutting ones) while being easy to maintain. They can't really compare in terms of robustness to fixed blades but then they still take a surprising amount of abuse before giving way.
I think we gotta give credit where it is due and acknowledge that Victorinox has set the bar high in terms of consistent quality at an affordable price. And all that for a company that has not fired a single worker in 70 years -- they get my money just for doing things the old-fashioned way.
I think we gotta give credit where it is due and acknowledge that Victorinox has set the bar high in terms of consistent quality at an affordable price. And all that for a company that has not fired a single worker in 70 years -- they get my money just for doing things the old-fashioned way.
I admit to owning and carrying one-hander knives and I also own/carry Victorinox SAKs. I do so because I like the feature of one-hand opening and just the knives themselves.
That said, years ago I lived in Taiwan for several years, and my only knife was a Victorinox Spartan; it was a version with the red plastic handle but without the toothpick/tweezers. I ended up using and carrying that knife for well over ten years. In fact, it had been used before I got it; my father had used it about 7 years before that. It held up several more years after returning Stateside, and with very little maintenance. I've now retired it, but it is still fully functional, though somewhat beat up and ugly-looking now.
Nowadays, I often carry a Vic Pioneer with red Alox handles, and either a red Classic or a black Executive, along with whatever else I carry. As much as I love my one-handers, probably the majority of my daily uses involve one of my SAKs. My dad grew up on a farm, and used to carry small carbon-steel Camillus knives made decades ago, using/sharpening them until the blades resembles dark-brown toothpicks. He sure got lots of hard use out of those. IMO, it's really the skill and experience of the user that can outdo super-steels and ultra-modern designs, though once again, I'll say I do like a lot of the modern knives, too.
Jim
That said, years ago I lived in Taiwan for several years, and my only knife was a Victorinox Spartan; it was a version with the red plastic handle but without the toothpick/tweezers. I ended up using and carrying that knife for well over ten years. In fact, it had been used before I got it; my father had used it about 7 years before that. It held up several more years after returning Stateside, and with very little maintenance. I've now retired it, but it is still fully functional, though somewhat beat up and ugly-looking now.
Nowadays, I often carry a Vic Pioneer with red Alox handles, and either a red Classic or a black Executive, along with whatever else I carry. As much as I love my one-handers, probably the majority of my daily uses involve one of my SAKs. My dad grew up on a farm, and used to carry small carbon-steel Camillus knives made decades ago, using/sharpening them until the blades resembles dark-brown toothpicks. He sure got lots of hard use out of those. IMO, it's really the skill and experience of the user that can outdo super-steels and ultra-modern designs, though once again, I'll say I do like a lot of the modern knives, too.
Jim
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2001
- Messages
- 932
I love SAK's. I've carried one type or another for thirty years and have had almost no problems. (Scales came off a couple.) Having said that, I've also carried a Spyderco Delica for about ten years. The real difference is in the steel. I actually do use my knives. Sometimes really hard. I've never had either knife fail but the Delica will hold an edge much much longer than the SAK. To me that's worth the difference in money.
As far as more expensive knives. I own a couple of William Henry, Chris Reeve and Emerson Knives. I'll admit that that are probably over priced but all but the William Henrys have seen pretty hard use and held up very well. They may not be worth the difference to some but I have the money and enjoy buying them. At least it's less expensive than collecting antique cars.
As far as more expensive knives. I own a couple of William Henry, Chris Reeve and Emerson Knives. I'll admit that that are probably over priced but all but the William Henrys have seen pretty hard use and held up very well. They may not be worth the difference to some but I have the money and enjoy buying them. At least it's less expensive than collecting antique cars.
I respect SAK's. I have 9, soon to be ten. To me they are more utilitarian than the standard pocket knife. My SAK's ride in briefcases, center consules, hunting packs, shaving kits, etc... However, a nice traditional slip joint is my constant. I always carry one. All other knives, are in addition to...
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