SAK with soul

S

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May 26, 2011
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I am a big fan of traditional pocket knives. Especially ones with 1095 carbon steel and nice wood or bone handles. Beautiful nickel silver bolsters. Brass rivets. The works. And I appreciate the art form behind the production of said knives, with men like Bill Howard of Great Eastern Cutlery carrying on the traditions of the turn of the last century.

But my first "real" pocket knife was a Swiss Army Knife that I bought with the money I received for my 12th birthday back in 1986. I have loved and appreciated SAKs ever since. And while most knife enthusiasts will admit that the SAK is tough to beat in practicality, many also claim that the knife just doesn't have the "soul" that a more finely made traditional knife has.

I disagree.

This knife, for one, has a soul.

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It's at least 30 to 40 years old. Whoever its original owner was used it, and used it frequently, but did not abuse it.

This knife was cared for. Maybe even loved.

And I hope I have it in me to carry it another 30 to 40 years.

I would love to hear from those who agree a SAK can have soul. And please post pics of your soulful SAKs. Old. New. Used. Or abused.
 
I love SAKs. Have carried a Tinker for years. You can get a replacement spring for the scissors if you want it.
Rich
 
IMO, SAKs can indeed have "souls". They can develop a "soul" through long carry and personal uses that give each one its own unique "personality". I personally don't buy into the belief that only knives with natural handle materials such as bone, stag, wood, etc., can have "souls". Such knives, if kept in a safe in mint condition, don't necessarily have any more "soul" or personality than a brand new SAK.

Jim
 
I too have always loved the old pattens of the traditional knives. Stockmen, barlows, and peanuts. Especially the peanut. Jigged scales and carbon steel blades that develop a nice below gray patina. But I've always loved the SAK. I have long lost count of how often a SAK helped me out of a jam in some far off place with a tool that was needed.

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This little peanut has cleaned trout by a high mountain lake in the Sierra Nevada's, did duty around a camp fire in the Shenandoah mountains, but the little classic has been with me every single day on my keys. I can't leave e home without it, and the scissors, SD tip on the nail file has done jobs that the blade of the peanut can't begin to do. Does it have 'soul"?
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I think soul comes from becoming an artifact that you have connected with on many occasions. Like my old Wenger SI. It has saved me major inconvenience on many occasions in many places. I love my Northwoods stockman, but it has never been as handy as my SAK. The stockman has never fixed a Vespa motor scooter that conked out in the middle of nowhere. It has never fixed a broken control on a trolling motor at the far end of a very long and twisting lake saving me a very long paddle back. But my SAK has. The SAK has developed 'soul" by saving me from situations, and thus has become a much more dear friend and companion to me than a knife that is just a knife. Soul is gained by deed, and is not an automatic thing. But by those deeds that saved me from a long hike, or a long paddle, these SAK's gained far more soul than any other knife.
 
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Great thread!!! I have many SAKs mostly of the 2 layer alox variation and when I think of soul I have three that possess this quality, and it just so happens they are the 3 that I carry the most. I agree that "soul" originates over time and experiences with the knife. A new traditional with 1095 and wood or bone handles doesn't have soul in my opinion maybe a rustic quality is a better description.
 
Cool thread. And precisely why I prefer colored alox: the passage of time is evident in the buffing of the color.

I stick primarily to an orange Farmer or a blue Farmer, unless traveling (Climber/Explorer).

Here is my orange alox Farmer, buffed silver where one end sticks out of the leather slip:

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I spent 3.5 months living in a tent in the mountains with this in my pocket every day. Great knife that got used for whatever purpose it could serve. It is one of my favorites.
 
Traditional knives have lots of soul until you're in desperate need for a screwdriver and ruin the blades trying to improvise. SAK's are all soul, and can accomplish so much more than traditional knives. I won't consider a pocket knife unless it has at the least a bottle opener/screwdriver combo along with a good blade.
 
My SAKs have soul. They are always with me and ready to serve. In turn I take care of them and keep them sharp. Alox Cadet has been my more or less constant companion since I got it 3 years ago. My Alox Electrician has been commandeered by my wife and I have entrusted her to its keeping. It watches over her and has never failed in its duty. My Alox Farmer has helped with several home improvement projects.

If tools have souls, these do.
 
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SubSpace said:
This knife, for one, has a soul.

IMG_2330.jpg


It's at least 30 to 40 years old. Whoever its original owner was used it, and used it frequently, but did not abuse it.

This knife was cared for. Maybe even loved.
Click to expand...

I think you hit on a key factor that influences how well pocket knife of any kind holds up. You simply care for it. I think of the phrase "used but not abused" in this case. The person who had this knife obviously cared for it as an old friend, and did not ask more of it that it was capable of giving.

Look at all those old Sheffield lobster patterns with pearl handles and scissors and nail files and opposing blades. They were carried much, judging by the patina and pocket worn looks, but you see few with broken blades. They were carried for as daily companions that were valued by their owner.

Any knife as well made as a SAK, should last a lifetime if carried for.
 
I think Jackknife, as usual, hit the proverbial nail on the head.
Soul comes from using the knife.
Perhaps the knife earns its soul over time.
(I know these are inanimate objects and, at the end of the day, are just tools. But sentimental value, I believe, counts for something).
Great replies, all.
 
Soul is memories. And if you've ever camped on a beautiful meadow next to a stream and -- once the sun went down and the fire was crackling -- used a SAK to pull the cork on a nice bottle of wine to be shared with the lovely lady sharing your tent ...... well you know, that knife is gonna bring to mind some pretty great memories. Soul.
 
I LOVE SAK's. I have since I was a little girl. They will always have a special place in my heart. I have great memoreis, and fondness associated with SAK's. Yes, SAK's have soul.
 
I've carried a SAK Spartan for 50 years. I never realized how intimate the relationship with one is until my first one was stolen while back-packing through Venezuela and Colombia 35 years ago. Suddenly I became helpless when it came to cutting lines and ropes, opening packages, cans and bottles, tightening screws, prying lids, pulling splinters and a thousand other things that they're indispensable for over and above merely having two sharp blades. Ever since then I've kept a spare somewhere nearby. Purchase price has never been an obstacle but immediate availability sure is. The knives themselves have no sentimental value for me (I've worn out, broken or lost about a dozen) but the psychological effect of feeling the presence of one in a pocket has always been very comforting.
These knives aren't perfect (don't ever throw a plastic-scaled one in boiling water to sterilize it) but they're pretty darn close! I'd have bought into Alox versions years ago had the awl and corkscrew/tweezer and tooth pick features been included.
 
Is the copper handled sak's solid through and through, or is that just the color..., I have a black alox cadet and have always wondered about the copper ones..?
 
I just moved a few old SAKs on to new homes. It didn't seem right to just leave them in a box. Some of them certainly had stories to tell.
 
Classic Limited Edition 2012

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You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back,
Where there is love, I'll be there

I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll have faith in all you do.
Just call my name and I'll be there

I'll be there to comfort you,
Build my world of dreams around you,
I'm so glad that I found you

Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter,
I'll be there, I'll be there
Just call my name, I'll be there
Click to expand...

No music video . . . Michael was a dancing fool but I couldn't stand his music . . . it took an SAK to make me appreciate this lyric.

Classic1.jpgClassic2.jpgClassic3.jpgClassic4.jpg
 
SubSpace said:
I am a big fan of traditional pocket knives. Especially ones with 1095 carbon steel and nice wood or bone handles. Beautiful nickel silver bolsters. Brass rivets. The works. And I appreciate the art form behind the production of said knives, with men like Bill Howard of Great Eastern Cutlery carrying on the traditions of the turn of the last century.

But my first "real" pocket knife was a Swiss Army Knife that I bought with the money I received for my 12th birthday back in 1986. I have loved and appreciated SAKs ever since. And while most knife enthusiasts will admit that the SAK is tough to beat in practicality, many also claim that the knife just doesn't have the "soul" that a more finely made traditional knife has.

I disagree.

This knife, for one, has a soul.

IMG_2330.jpg


It's at least 30 to 40 years old. Whoever its original owner was used it, and used it frequently, but did not abuse it.

This knife was cared for. Maybe even loved.

And I hope I have it in me to carry it another 30 to 40 years.

I would love to hear from those who agree a SAK can have soul. And please post pics of your soulful SAKs. Old. New. Used. Or abused.
Click to expand...



Hey bud, what model is this one?
 
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