SAKs, Leathermans vs. Single blade folder (like a Spyderco)

E

edb

Joined
Aug 30, 2002
Messages
740
This theme has surfaced before, but maybe thoughts are different now
(years ? later) with a bunch of newer members.

After buying my first Delica in 2001 (which I still have), I've gone through
lots of Spydies. A couple makers, but mostly Spydies. At the same time,
however, I never go anywhere without a Leatherman Wave, and/or a Victorinox
Super Tinker (and a small Inova LED flashlight).

What I'm coming to realize that unless it's a weekend, and I'm going to be outside
(presumably doing some more serious cutting), I don't carry a single blade Spydie.
It seems that my SAK is a much better slicer (even thought it's 6-7 years old, and
has been resharpened quite a few times). Even something as basic as opening a box,
or an envelope, or splitting the pills one of my dogs takes -- is better accomplished
with the SAK.

IF the SAK had pliers, I might even skip carrying the Wave - but I doubt that'll
happen (because the Wave has things like eye glasses screwdriver, etc.).

Anyone else notice that a relatively cheap SAK really does most of what they
need, most of the time? Plus, it never gets the people hassles in public places (or
in the office), either...
 
Yes most of the time i'd agree a SAK will get it done. But where's the fun in that? For me having a small knife collection is nice because everyday just as I choose what shirt I am going to wear I choose what knife I am going to take with me based on the foreseen tasks of the day. I have asked myself the same question many times though. The answer I always come up with is that I simply enjoy folders far more. :)
 
I think of my SAK as more of a just in case thing; I just throw it in my backpack and don't take it out unless I need it. A pocket knife, however, is something I always have on me and is readily accessible. Part of that is probably because the SAK I carry around is the Swisschamp, which is a little too big to carry in the pocket.
 
i'm hooked on a fieldmaster, it takes care of every kind of cutting and screw driving task. i usually have my spyderco as a main blade and keep a small recruit on my keys for the bottle opener and flat heads. but sometimes i double up and carry both saks.
 
I find that if i need to cut something, a leatherman will take much more time to open. i would rather snap the knife out of my pocket, and then cut something than fishing out a leatherma, and then pulling the right blade out. if i am going to do that, then i would rather just rip it or something.
 
edb said:
Anyone else notice that a relatively cheap SAK really does most of what they
need, most of the time?
Click to expand...

True dat. I often carry a multi-tool on my belt, but it rarely gets used since I'm not a "workin' man". Its more of a "just in case" thing. I could do without a Spydie as well, though I keep it for the fast deployment. But you are right that my Explorer Plus could handle just about any of my needs. The blade, drivers, magnifier and tweezers pretty much have me covered. And that thin blade slices better than just about all of my more spendy folders.
 
FOr true EDC, my favorite combination is a Victorinox Classic and a small lockback like a Spyderco Ladybug on my keychain. Before 9/11, that combo never left my side except for courtrooms and showers. They can cut almost anything I needed cut without freaking out the general population.
 
I think it's the "slicing" thing that I notice the most. I can have an expensive
(well, relative to a SAK), that even new, or even sharpened carefully with stones,
a Sharpmaker, etc. so that it slices paper easily, and shaves my forearm - still
doesn't seem to SLICE as easily/quickly as an SAK that's barely been touched up
or barely stropped.

To each their own...

Having said that, I have a funny feeling I'll be picking up another Spydie
before long...:D
 
thegeek574 said:
I find that if i need to cut something, a leatherman will take much more time to open. i would rather snap the knife out of my pocket, and then cut something than fishing out a leatherma, and then pulling the right blade out. if i am going to do that, then i would rather just rip it or something.
Click to expand...

A Leatherman Charge or Wave blade will open as easily as a dedicated folder and cut very well. They are a little clunkier to carry and use, but manageable and can do a whole lot more. Not that I am giving up my Bucks or Spydies anytime soon :D.
 
Which Bucks? I have a couple 110's that are 15+ years old. They're kinda heavy, even compared to a Wave. Are some
of the smaller lighter Bucks ones that you have? I've often considered some of them...
 
The eternal irony of SAKs and multi-tools is that the more useful they are, the less useful they are. Meaning that the more tools they have, the bulkier and more unwieldy they become, and the less likely you are to carry it.

If you were going to replace a normal folder with a SAK/MT, I think the Leatherman Wave or Charge would be the best, since they can have a pocket clip, 1-hand opening blades, and the main blade is of high quality steel (154CM or S30V). Even then, carrying it in a belt sheath simply because of the size and weight. When I got my Charge (which was stolen and never replaced), I was ecstatic about finally having a Leatherman with a pocket clip and good steel. I proceeded to never carry it in my pocket because of the bulk and weight.

My pockets these days have a main folding knife (or 2 or 3), with my Cybertool 29 and a LM Squirt PS4. With this combination I have a variety of blades, screwdrivers and other bits of every size I can reasonably expect to encounter, bottleopener, tweezers, a pen, scissors, and small needlenose pliers. Occasionally (rarely) I find myself wishing I had some larger pliers, but I've made do without.

If only they made SAKs with better blade steel...
 
SAKs and Multis are great but they fall flat on handle ergonomics and ease of activation. This issue rarely comes up but outside of cities and sunny days these failings can be severe detriments.

That said, I carried a single blade folder every day for 7+ years but switched over to just a Swisstool Spirit last summer. Since them I've rarely carried my RAM, only doing so when going into harsh environments where a grippy ergonomic handle and one hand opening would be extremely beneficial.

So you could say that my personal opinion has changed. EDCing a folder + multi doesn't make any sense to me, nor does carrying just a folder when a multi will be generally much more useful.

Nothing wrong with either choice though, carrying any sort of knife is a good idea. :thumbup:
 
I usually carry both if I can. For cutting tasks that require quick access I will either use my Kershaw Skyline or Spyderco Delica. For all the other things I encounter I have either a Victorinox Compact (work edc), or Victorinox Lumberjack. The locking folder is clipped in my front right pocket & the SAK is on a Dangler Clip by Munroe Design in my left front pocket.
 
At my job (plant nursery) I carry my supertool 300(needed huge pliers) everyday , my fixed boss street everyday ,then I have a large assortment of folders I alternate threw per day.
 
edb said:
I think it's the "slicing" thing that I notice the most. I can have an expensive
(well, relative to a SAK), that even new, or even sharpened carefully with stones,
a Sharpmaker, etc. so that it slices paper easily, and shaves my forearm - still
doesn't seem to SLICE as easily/quickly as an SAK that's barely been touched up
or barely stropped.

To each their own...

Having said that, I have a funny feeling I'll be picking up another Spydie
before long...:D
Click to expand...

I wonder if that has to do with the overall thickness of the blade though? You often find that Spyderco blades, Kershaw blades, Benchmade blades etc are much thicker than your typical SAK blade. This makes the SAK blade better for slicing, but has a few weaknesses related to it.
 
Planterz said:
The eternal irony of SAKs and multi-tools is that the more useful they are, the less useful they are. Meaning that the more tools they have, the bulkier and more unwieldy they become, and the less likely you are to carry it.
Click to expand...

Quoted for truth!

Each additional tool decreases the practical effectiveness of all the other tools. Eventually resulting in something that's more practical as a paperweight than a tool.

Oddly enough i wouldn't mind a leatherman style multi-tool without blades.If you need a blade for anything that takes more than about 10 seconds you'll probably be wishing you had a dedicated folder or fixed blade.
 
Yeah, I'd love to have a Cybertool 29 without the blades to make it just a tad thinner, or maybe with the blades replaced with a saw or file. Since I carry a "proper" knife or 3, the blades on the SAK are superfluous and practically unused.
 
Got a nice Leatherman - never gets used.
Got a nice Swiss Champ - sometimes gets used.
Got a nice selection of folders - always get used.

For my day to day needs, a folder is the fastest and easiest.
 
I carry daily a folder and a multi-tool. The tool goes on my man purse and I use it many many times, specially for helping other people!
A SAK with saw is really good in the woods, when you're just hiking, and don't need all those screwdrivers the multi-tools have, so it's a good lighter weight option.
 
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