SAKs - new appreciation

calyth

calyth

#!/bin/sh of a man
Joined
Feb 23, 2002
Messages
3,574
I personally don't really like SAKs myself. I generally prefer multitools over SAK when it comes to multi-function tools.
Anyways, I got the Victorinox Driver.
First thought - Not bad for a knife for $15CDN. Probably the best value you can get that would fit in your pocket. Also there should be no complains about how the blade is menacing.
The blade wasn't as sharp as I thought it would be. It would cut, but it wouldn't even cut hair on my arm (mind you my arm hair is fairly thin) A couple of passes on the 204 fixed it very quickly. 40 degrees seems to meet very well on the original edge. Touching up didn't even take more than 10 strokes before better performance can be gained.
I know the can openers in the Victorinox models work well, and a quick test on a can proves it. I've yet to try the bottle opener, thus, I need to go grab some bottled beer ;):D
The two little tools are the toothpicks and tweezers. The toothpicks are handy because I need to kee my gums well (my teeth are prone to have cavities), and the tweezer sure comes in handy with the jumpers on a computer.
I suppose now that I'll carry a SAK in conjunction a multitool whenever I go out.
Now the question is, which SAK that's not too thick, have a real phillips screwdriver, and preferably, not red scales?
 
The well known red scales make this knife probably the most sheeple friendly knife ever.... ;) If the scales would be tactical black (or OD green like an East German SAK copy I have) this would be quite different I think.
 
I've seen the Victorinox Classic in several different colors. I know they come in Yellow, Blue, Black, Red, White, Grey, Pink, Transparent Ruby, and Transparent Sapphire. There are probably others, but I can't remember offhand.

Mike
 
My hands down favorite SAK is the Electrician.

3.5" closed
Main Blade
Spey Blade with arched chisel ground wire stripper
Screw Driver/Can opener
Awl

Silver Alox handles (aluminum)

Sorry no phillips, but this combo has proven very effective as my secondary knife.


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There are soooo many variations on SAKS, you should look at a whole bunch and choose your features, I recommend you do a search for SAK on the traditional forum, you´ll find good comments and links to best sites to buy from, you might also get good answers to specific questions there.

Many SAKS are offered in two versions, with corkscrew or phillips driver so if you find one that you like with corkscrew (most common) ask for the equivalent model with the phillips.

Plastic handles can be had in several colors and in some places you can get replacements (you can even put diferent colors on each side) the pioneer models with alox handles are much stronger but don´t have as many tools, some SAKs can be found in wood and even stag.

If you work with computers you may like the cybertool, my favorite SAK is the hunter, with corkscrew, but as I mentioned, there´s a version with phillips.
 
The best smaller SAK with a real phillips SD is the Tinker, which is available in several colors. My personal choice using your criteria would be the Hiker, which is the same as the tinker, but adds the stellar SAK wood saw....
 
Thanks for all the help.
However, I don't think I'd prefer the cybertool because it's too big. When I get my powerlock from Normark, I think it would take too much space.
I'd probably consider the tinker/hiker.
 
Originally posted by numberthree
The best smaller SAK with a real phillips SD is the Tinker, which is available in several colors. My personal choice using your criteria would be the Hiker, which is the same as the tinker, but adds the stellar SAK wood saw....
Click to expand...


The tinker is my favorite (who needs a corkscrew anymore?) The Hiker is best if you can stand it a little thicker in the pocket. And both have a primary blade, for general utility, and a smaller blade, which I keep very sharp and don't use unless I need the added sharpness. I'm not sure how often I'd need a wood saw, but it looks as if it would work very well, for it's size, compared to others I've seen.
 
Calyth,

How about the Centurian? It is the same as the Tinker except it is larger, the blade locks, it only has one blade instead of 2, and it comes in black. You get the Phillips screwdriver, it is not too thick and no red scales.

--SAK
 
How about the one-hand-open Trailmaster? It has black scales, a real philips on the back side and a large, locking main blade with a big thumb hole. I'd be impressed if you could flick it open, but it does open with one hand.
 
>"The best smaller SAK with a real phillips SD is the Tinker ..."

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Don't forget, there's a Tinker that's smaller than the Tinker: namely, the 84mm Tinker.
 
hey a mini tinker....I've never seen one of those before! That's the same size as the 'plumber' which I have and enjoy. It's what I consider the minimum SAK that's still useable: it's got a main blade, a woodsaw and the combo can/bottle opener screwdriver thingy...oh and tweezers and toothpick of course...
 
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Don't forget, there's a Tinker that's smaller than the Tinker: namely, the 84mm Tinker. [/B][/QUOTE]

Wow, I've been carrying the Tinker (and giving it as a gift to friends) for years. I'd love to have a few of these "mini" Tinkers. I can't quite figure what the shipping rate is to the U.S. Do you know of any U.S companies selling this model?
 
I see Victorinox is still advertising the Tinker as an 84 mm but the ones I've seen lately are all 91 mm. I haven't seen any 84mm in the new model boxes. I think Victorinox switched the Tinker to the more common 91mm frame.
 
I'd go for the Explorer - it has an "end-on" philips S/D, instead of the "side-on" ones, which can be awkward to use.
 
Slightly O/T - i saw this hunting knife labelled Victorinox. is it the same factory doing SAK and what is the steel used? is it full tang? tried searching the web can't find any clue.

thanks,

(edited to add: it is a fixed blade)
 
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