SAKs just aren't what they used to be

[Gautier]

Now that I have your attention. They're better All kidding aside, I had a few SAKs growing up in various models, and they held up to tons of adolescent abuse. So, feeling a little nostalgic today, I bought a Vic Super Tinker, and I have to say, I've been bitten by the SAK bug again. Maybe my memory is fading, but this knife seems a cut above the ones I previously owned(pun intended).I seem to recall the blades being much thicker in geometry back then though, am I imagining this, or have they really thinned out? Can anyone confirm/deny this?

Regardless, I think it's safe to say that it's the best 20 bucks I've spent in quite some time, and it's going on my week long camping trip tomorrow.:thumbup:

Gautier

 

[lotoblades]

Gautier,from what I've seen your right,the blades have thined down a little,mostly in the bladetang,but not enough to really make a difference to me.

Another thing I've noticed is that the newer models,2005+ I think, with the newer stamp,seem to have more solid handles than the older models.Just about every sak I've used hard has had the cases work loose,not fall off but develope a little play in them,but I've really used a few of the newer ones with out this hapening.So maybe they really are making them better now than ever:thumbup:

Enjoy the new SAK,
loto

 

[jscalia]

Over the past couple of years I have been buying a lot of knives and multitools and I have to say that Victorinox products are of exceptional quality...so much so that I am in the process of selling off all my non-Swiss knives and multitools because they seem so primative in comparison.

 

[znapschatz]

Over the past couple of years I have been buying a lot of knives and multitools and I have to say that Victorinox products are of exceptional quality...so much so that I am in the process of selling off all my non-Swiss knives and multitools because they seem so primative in comparison.

Dunno. A big fan of both Victorinox and Leatherman, I've been thinking about this for some time and find the issue not so clear. No question, Leathermen are "apparently" (of this more later) not up to the fit and finish of Vics. OTOH, as tools they may be equal or better. I own both a Core and Swisstool, comparable multi-tools and a good sample for comparison.

On the Core, I find implements easier to access, even with the flat of my thumb or with gloves on, and screwdrivers longer with a better non-slip fit in screw heads. Swisstool implements, although accessible without opening the pliers, require more attention to use the nail nicks, pulling them out against tension all the way. For occasional use, it doesn't much matter, but if the tool comes to hand often in a day, my thumb feels the effects of the Swisstool's tight fit. After many months of switching off, my conclusion is that Swisstool is the better product, Core is the better tool.

On the question of build quality, a certain level is necessary to ensure a tool is strong enough for the job. Beyond that has its benefits, such as the highly polished Vic finish which makes it so rust resistant, but there is a downside because it results in rounded screwdriver edges. All Leatheren I have owned have been up to all demands on them. That and the warranties for both are good enough for me.

BTW, although I am aware it happens, in ten years I have never broken (well, once, but it was my fault) nor had rust on any of my Leatherman tools.

Some models, like the Juice CS4, have no Vic counterparts. I wish there were, because I love Vic SAKs. In the old "which one would you keep" scenario, it would be a Swisschamp, followed by a very long period of remorse.