SAK vs Multitool

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VorpelSword

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In the past (1980s) I worked overseas in remote areas and in industrial settings as a "mud man" on oil drilling rigs.

I wore a Buck 110 in a belt pouch and had an SAK in my pocke. I dont recall what model SAk, but it had small gripping pliers, scissors and a Phillips screwdriver, along with the four basic b lades found on a Boy Scout k ife. Both worked well enough for me at the time.

If I were in the same circumstances today, I might have a different folder, but don't really know which one as there are so many good ones out now at every price point. Back in the early 1980s, the field was limited to Schrade and Buck for an affordable, hefty locking folder.

However, I would, for sure, have replaced the SAK with a multitool. I find that a multi tool from Gerber, Real Avid, Leatherman . . .or about anyone else, is more versatile and capable than my SAK was back then. I believe that is still true today.

I know that there SAK fans who think that the only knife to mown must have a cross stamped on red handles. Their brand loyalty is right up there with Randall owners. To be sure, these are good-to-great knives in terms of quality of materials and manufacture. I offer an apology to them as ity is not my intention to insult them or their favored brand.

I just feel that the right multitool from a quality manufacturer. rather than an SAK pocket knife, would better fit the needs I had in the places I worked back then . . .or even now.
 
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My first knife was a SAK from the 50’s. I was Magyver before the show came out. Then I got a Champion I carried it until I got my Buck110.

Buck 110 exclusively for 20+years. I received a Leatherman Wave as a present and used it for a while. It is definitely more useful to me than any SAK ever could be.

But I missed my 110, and the tools on the wave are great for quick things, but not for long jobs.


In my opnion a Buck 110, 6inch Channelocks and a 6way driver. Are the best set up.

I still have a nostalgic respect for Victotinox and the SAK, But the only one I’d carry these days is the little keychain one. Tiny sharp blade file scissors tweezers and tooth pick. A lot of useful in a small package.
 
Victorinox also makes multitools, if you like the brand and want to continue with it. Two main models, the large one is similar in size and strength to the LM300

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eveled said:
My first knife was a SAK from the 50’s. I was Magyver before the show came out. Then I got a Champion I carried it until I got my Buck110.

Buck 110 exclusively for 20+years. I received a Leatherman Wave as a present and used it for a while. It is definitely more useful to me than any SAK ever could be.

But I missed my 110, and the tools on the wave are great for quick things, but not for long jobs.


In my opnion a Buck 110, 6inch Channelocks and a 6way driver. Are the best set up.

I still have a nostalgic respect for Victotinox and the SAK, But the only one I’d carry these days is the little keychain one. Tiny sharp blade file scissors tweezers and tooth pick. A lot of useful in a small package.
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I agree that while I love the idea of a pliers based multitool and they are definitely handy to have in a pinch, but in my opinion they are always a compromise and never as good as a purpose built tool.
The knives are never as good as a good pocket knife, the screwdrivers will not reach or work as well as a good Klein 6 way, and the pliers will not work as well as a good pair of Channellocks or Knipex.
I guess this is why I do not carry one every day, and for someone who doesn't really use the pliers much then I would say the tools on a good SAK are probably better than what you will find on most other multitools.
The multitool shines in areas where you are traveling, or out in the field, on a boat, military deployments, etc. Then it is nice to have the added functionality without the weight.
I have looked at those Victorinox pliers based multitools for a long time, and think they look amazing but cannot bring myself to pay the price because I am a cheapskate. 🤣
 
I'd agree right tool for the job. I do too much and am used to what I can get done with my leatherman surge. I have a couple Saks and they stay in my wife's car for an emergency tool. I more need a tool that I can take out and hold a 5/8 (15/16" wrench) nut that's spinning while I tighten down the bolt. Not ideal but I've had to do it and a sak wouldn't cut it for me on a day to day basis. I use the pliers to pull, squeeze, bend, cut etc way too much. The can openers could be comparable. I use the file alot and it's nice it comes off to. One handed operation with my leathermans a nice thing too. Alot of the times your actively holding a thing needing something done to it when you realize you need a tool. A Sak would be nice for dress pants like a wedding. But knowing me, I'd still have my leatherman.

different strokes for different folks. Its obvious alot of folks love Saks too
 
I also have a buck 110. It stays in my wife's car next to the Saks. I'd bet you'd also have benefited from a one hand opening knife. It's a nice nostalgia piece to me. To use every blue moon, remember the friend who gave it to me and what it mustve been like back then when this was the bees knees of knives. But I'm definitely a get things done person so I put it back and rotate a one hand opening folder of some sort for my daily use needs.
 
I almost always carry a Buck knife on my belt & an Alox SAK in my pocket. I have several Leathermans, and Gerber multi-tools, but they're all riding in the center consoles of our vehicles, and beside my easy chair in the living room. And they're really only there because sometimes I'm just too lazy to get up & walk a few steps to get a real tool.

The multi-tools are absolutely more useful than an SAK, but the truth is they're kind of redundant for me, because I'm never far away from a real tool box. There are well stocked tool boxes in the Jeep, the truck, the tractor, garage, basement, some tools in the drawers in the kitchen & living room, etc. I just find the SAK more convenient to carry, and it handles minor screw tightening, prying, etc just fine.

It all comes down to whatever works for you.
 
VorpelSword said:
In the past (1980s) I worked overseas in remote areas and in industrial settings as a "mud man" on oil drilling rigs.

I wore a Buck 110 in a belt pouch and had an SAK in my pocke. I dont recall what model SAk, but it had small gripping pliers, scissors and a Phillips screwdriver, along with the four basic b lades found on a Boy Scout k ife. Both worked well enough for me at the time.

If I were in the same circumstances today, I might have a different folder, but don't really know which one as there are so many good ones out now at every price point. Back in the early 1980s, the field was limited to Schrade and Buck for an affordable, hefty locking folder.

However, I would, for sure, have replaced the SAK with a multitool. I find that a multi tool from Gerber, Real Avid, Leatherman . . .or about anyone else, is more versatile and capable than my SAK was back then. I believe that is still true today.

I know that there SAK fans who think that the only knife to mown must have a cross stamped on red handles. Their brand loyalty is right up there with Randall owners. To be sure, these are good-to-great knives in terms of quality of materials and manufacture. I offer an apology to them as ity is not my intention to insult them or their favored brand.

I just feel that the right multitool from a quality manufacturer. rather than an SAK pocket knife, would better fit the needs I had in the places I worked back then . . .or even now.
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Victorinox makes the best multitool. I have had them all and the Swisstool is best.
 
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I keep a large multitool kit belt pouch ,with a bit set, in my "trouble bag" ; but don't use it enough to carry around on belt or pocket .

My large Ranger Grip SAK is much easier to pocket carry and use , but has many fewer tools .

So that's the trade-off for me .
 
I agree with your assessment of multi tools and having a good primary knife. Several times my Leathermans have saved the day for me and saved me a lot of time and money so they have paid for themselves many times over. My newest one is the Arc and it was a chunk of money but it too has paid for itself.

As has been said, they aren’t meant for a primary tool but for when you don’t have a toolbox with you and you’re in a pinch. I’ve been out far from the house on my four wheeler and broke down and my Leatherman got me going again and saved me a long 5 mile walk over rough terrain in 100 degree temps. And many other times when I was in a jam.

I have had a few Saks over the years and they did have some useful value but for me they were sorely lacking in robust design for heavier duty tasks that I ran into and they failed. I also had a few of the cheaper multi tools that were similar to a leatherman but just not the quality and they too failed.

I think it depends on what your personal needs are and what lifestyle you’re involved in rather it’s light duty around the house and office or more rugged use such as working in the oil field or on a farm or ranch or other outdoor activities.
 
I used to carry a Swisstool (yes, the best IMO) daily, now I always have one near and carry one whenever I'm doing the type of work where I might need one. I carry SAK's not only because I find them useful, but because I like them. I do believe in the right tool for the job, but I've been around enough to realize that sometimes the right tool is the one you can grab quickly (on a ladder with one hand full for instance).

Here, next to my tool bag, is what I currently carry in my pocket when I'm doing work (along with an SE Dragonfly). I find all of these items useful on a regular basis.

ETA: I've found that pants with dedicated "knife pockets" (like the Tru-Spec 24/7 or Vertx Delta) are ideal for carrying a multi-tool without being cumbersome. Good for flashlights too. I still clip my knife in the regular pocket.

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Monofletch said:
It’s the right tool for the job. The Army issued us Leatherman Supertool 300. They were great for breaking down .50 cals and 240s. A SAK just wouldn’t work for that.
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Good to hear. In WW-II the Army, Navy and Marines got not much more than the equivalent of a four tool Boy Scout pocket knife. I have heard that a very few knives with an additional Phillips head screwdriver went to part of the Tenth Mountain Division for their ski bindings.

Like others here, I like the SAK but I only ever carry the little Key Chai version with tooth pick and tweezers when wearing a suit. I am convinced that a modern day MacGyver would have a multi tool in his pocket not an SAK.
 
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I have never really warmed up to carrying leathermen. I keep one in the car, but a multi-tool isn't much use unless you have it on you. Multi-tools are heavy and bulky.
If I need tools, I usually have the right tool with me, so the leatherman isn't much use.

The SAK just drops in the pocket. I have an MKM M390 SAK style knife that I don't carry because it is too heavy. The only Leatherman I have carried regularly is a Leatherman CS4.
It's still heavy, but has pliers and a knife.
 
I carry a Victorinox Super Tinkerer and Leatherman Wingman, but which one gets used depends on the job to do.
  • Need to open a plastic pack? The Wingman comes out with its package cutting blade.
  • Have to punch a small hole in something? The Super Tinkerer awl gets deployed.
  • Have to pop open something small? The Super Tinkerer bottle opener gets used as a flat bladed screwdriver.
  • Need to grab and turn something to loosen it? The Wingman pliers come out.
They both have their uses each day.
 
I've carried a lot of different multies and SAKs depending on my needs. I've rolled up to jobs where no having a multi on your belt was a decent way to get sent home. You carry the tools you need for the job. Sometime you know ahead of time (I've got a Pelican 1500 case that will solve many small electrical problems) but sometimes you don't know what you need (My pelican is cool, but it's not near my old man's 3-section snap-on monster). I think the game of "what's best" is a fool's errand. IF I knew ahead of time I needed a full socket set, and didn't have it, then I'm out of luck. But if I don't think I'll need much for tools, but you just never quite know, well, then carry something that has a shot at being "good enough" while being portable. When I worked in the factory, it was LM Surge, when I did lights and sound it was LM rebar, when I worked where I could open an electrical plug, it was SOG powerplier with custom loadout including a Robbie driver. All of those choices were in the "might not need, but if I do I'll have..." because in all cases, better tools were available. A mostly good tool in the hand is better than a perfect one back at the workbench.
That and I currently live in a place where a SAK is almost always legal for carry with no other reason than "It might be useful".
 
I'm a rebel. Back in the late 70's, early 80's when everybody was wearing the 110 Buck, I wore an LB7. So, I got used to a sheath. I started wearing an SOG Paratool in the mid 90's, still laboring but about ready to transition to less labor/more brain.

Being a redneck, I could always swap out knives, but I haven't been without a multi-tool in 3 decades. From the Paratool to the Powerlock to the Arc.

I keep a SAK in my truck door, but can't get by without pliers, so it never gets used. It's simply more convenient to have everything in one unit on my belt and not have a Channellock, and a knife, and yet another knife....

I vote multi-tool.
 
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