SAKs vs Multi-tools

A

allenC

Joined
Jun 18, 2000
Messages
10,761
Will multi-tools replace the venerable swiss army knife someday?
Every since I got a Gerber Pro-scout I have not been using my larger Swiss knives so much. I think the major factor is that all the tools lock on the Pro-scout.
I have recently started using the Victorinox Cadet but about 50% of the time I will use the Leatherman Micra instead.
As much as I love swiss knives it is hard not to "give in" to the multi-tool urge.
What do you guys think?
And do you use multi-tools, SAKs, or both?
 
I for one, haven't fallen "victim" of the multitool craze. I personally don't like them. I think they're overweight and overrated. I have a few different SAK's that seem to fulfill my needs on a daily basis. If I need other tools, I go to the toolbox. It would appear to me that the only thing to replace my SAK's will be another SAK.

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It's not the pace of life that concerns me, It's the sudden stop at the end.
 
I have rarely carried my SAK since I got a LM Supertool. I see multi-tools as the next development of the SAK. I like multi-tools much better.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"To give is a need, to receive is mercy." - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
 
I think there is definetly a place for both SAKS and multi-tools (which are the same thing by my definition).I run around an apartment building all day fixing and tweaking stuff so my multi-tool is drawn many times.For a camper or week-end do-it-yourselfer a SAK can work just as well.IMO it depends on preference and application.

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"Just me and my multi-tools."
 
About the only thing I use my Leatherman Side-Clip for is fishing. I just don't care for them. They will never replace my SAKs.

Paul
 
I carry both.

I work in a business office where whipping out my Leatherman Wave might just raise some eyebrows and get me in hot water.

I also have been carrying my recently acquired Victorinox Executive, which is just the right size to handle most tasks encountered in the office and elsewhere without looking like a weapon.

I have always been a SAK afficionado and will always be. Both SAKs and multitools have their place. I am never far from either one.
 
I have a few multi-tools but many more SAKs.
I find for daily duty the SAK fits my requirements. The Multi-tool is stored away in a brief case or car in the event that it's tools (Plieres) are needed. The SAK seems more socially acceptable in an office enviroment.
 
I want my knife to be primarily a "knife". I have not been impressed by the knife blades on multitools and the overall design makes knife blade use relatively clumsy. I generally live without the pliers and prefer the way my other SAK blades work.

BTW I carry the locksmith model SAK with locking 3.4" blade.
 
For me they complement each other and do not compete. Most of the time I use the knife blades and the bottle opener on the SAKs, and they are way more comfortable than those on any multitool. For real tinkering you probably reach out to the multitols or better to the toolbox.
 
For me they just complement each other. Most of the time I use the knife blades and the bottle opener on the SAKs, and they are way more comfortable than those on any multitool. Quite frequently I use the tweezers and they are better on the SAKs than say those on the Micra. No question about the can opener: Victorinox is a clear winner! For real tinkering you probably reach out to multitools or better to the toolbox. I know some professions require daily use of a bunch of tools, in those cases the logical answer is a multitool.
 
Have both,use sak the most.Don't like to carry things on my belt for one thing.I have found that for me its just as easy to carry real tools instead of my multi,for instance was carring it on the job as a firefighter,but found it worked better to simply put a visegrip and a couple of screwdrivers in my bunkers.Like to bring one along when on vacation (when flying)to have some tools with me.
 
I carry both.
I find that I actually use the SAKs a lot more. They are more convenient to just take out, open up and but back in my pocket that taking out a multi-tool and opening the pliers just to get at another tool.

However, I always have my Leatherman Pulse with me in case I need something a bit beefier (i.e., the pliers). I think the Leatherman tools are great, but they will never replace my SAKs. I think each can compliment the other. While some things are better on the Leatherman, a lot of things are also better on the Victorinox SAK, one example being the can opener. I also like the Victorinox wood saws better.
Jim
 
That is so WIERD!! I have a terrible time with the SAk can opener. The leatherman one is OK but I like a good old P-38 the best. I have a SAK cause I got one cheap but like the leatherman better. I carry both in my purse cause the SAK has some useful features on it. When I'm without a purse I have my leatherman on my belt.
 
Gitarmac, what kind of SAK was that? Wenger's can opener is not too good except the one on their Soldier model because this is actually the Victorinox patented one (because of the Swiss goverment specifications both companies produce almost the same Soldier model). The Victorinox can opener is the best, much better than the ones on any other knives or multitools or even the P-38. But you have to cut with it FORWARDS, just the opposite way as with the P-38. It takes much less effort and leaves less toothy edges.
 
Personally I own and use both SAKs and multi-tools.

Daily I carry a Leatherman Micra and a SwissBuck TaskMate II.

I also own several other models and makes of SAK and Leathermans. I also own a Gerber MultiPlier (an older model).

I plan on getting a Gerber Pro-Scout.

I tend to use the larger multitools for heavier tasks and the SAK for lighter smaller tasks. I nearly always carry more than one type of knife/tool.

My favorite multitools are the Leatherman Micra and PST II. My favorite SAK are the SwissBuck TaskMate II and the Victorinox or Wenger Soldier (official Swiss Army Issue) SAK. The ones with 4 blades and silver colored aluminim handles) similar to our Scout knives

You mention the Gerber Pro-Scout - how is it - how do you rate it. I can only find it with forest green or dark blue paint - is it available in all plain stainless steel?

Thanks.

QUOTE]Originally posted by allenC:
Will multi-tools replace the venerable swiss army knife someday?
Every since I got a Gerber Pro-scout I have not been using my larger Swiss knives so much. I think the major factor is that all the tools lock on the Pro-scout.
I have recently started using the Victorinox Cadet but about 50% of the time I will use the Leatherman Micra instead.
As much as I love swiss knives it is hard not to "give in" to the multi-tool urge.
What do you guys think?
And do you use multi-tools, SAKs, or both?[/QUOTE]



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Your survival knife is the knife you have on you when a survival situation arises.
 
I like both.

I carry a Victorinox Swiss Tool all the time, goes perfectly in the Benchmade Horizontal Sheath, I forget it is there.

I also like the aluminum handled SAK's, lighter, easier to throw in a pocket, less dirty looks.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye mdpoff@hotmail.com

My website, guided links, talonite/cobalt alloy info, etc....
http://www.geocities.com/mdpoff

>>--->Bill Siegle Custom Knives<---<<
-http://www.geocities.com/siegleknives-

"To wait for luck is the same as waiting for death." -Japanese Proverb

"Place you clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark." -Lazarus Long

"We cut things to create things" - James K Mattis
 
I carry a Leatherman in my briefcase, along with a small SAK. I can't see carrying around a multitool or SAK that doesn't have pliers, as I end up needing these from time to time. That means if I carry a SAK it's the Swisschamp, and the that's just as bulky as a multitool (or more, depending on the model). Even though it has all the bells and whistles, the pliers on a Leatherman are stronger. So my big SAKs end up staying in the toolbox, the little one rides in my briefcase, and the Leatherman gets all the work.

-Razor

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AKTI #A000845
And tomorrow when you wake up it will be worse.
 
Rick, I like the Pro-scout very much overall.
Pros:
Every tool locks.
The locks are very easy and quick to unlock.
Gerber still has the fastest method of getting to the pliers (flick...click!).
The handles are very comfortable to use.
The Fiskars scissors are very good.
The file works great (I first used it to file off the key-ring part of my Victorinox Cadet).
Bottle-opener/screwdriver works fine.
The sheath is well made.
Having the ability to change saw blades is really nice. I have a Sears Craftsman wood saw blade in it right now.
The factory edge on the blade is very sharp.
It feels like one of the strongest multi-tools I have used.

Cons:
Painted! Mine's red and I have not seen the plain unpainted one.
You have to extend the pliers to get to other tools.
The can-opener could be alot better.
The phillips screwdriver should be just slightly sharper.
The changable saw blades are loose but secure (but it does not affect their cutting ability--still it's alittle annoying).
The blade is 1/2 serrated (good if you like that, bad if you don't).
The can-opener is also hard to pull out.
I'm not sure what the RemGrit blade that comes with it is for? Metal?

I actually have not used the wire-cutters or crimper yet, but the Craftsman saw blade works maybe even better than my SAK wood-saw.

Check it out yourself before making a decision. I like it but I'm still considering other multi-tools.

 
Thanks for the feedback on the Gerber Pro-Scout. I have an older Gerber multiplier but the Scout has some features I like - like the scissors.

I normally use my Gerber when camping - very handy. They are about worthless for fishing though - the pliers are not long enough. But I just bought a Coast Fishing tool at Wal-Mart that has a pare of long nosed curved plier on it. Very nice for fishing and only $20.

I would prefer a Scout model that is unpainted. Has the paint started to wear off yours? And I have only seen Green or Blue ones - at Target.I think the cost is about $40 - not bad. Unfortunately they are in sealed packages so I have not been able to handle them.

Thanks for the feedback though.


<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by allenC:
Rick, I like the Pro-scout very much overall.
Pros:
Every tool locks.
The locks are very easy and quick to unlock.
Gerber still has the fastest method of getting to the pliers (flick...click!).
The handles are very comfortable to use.
The Fiskars scissors are very good.
The file works great (I first used it to file off the key-ring part of my Victorinox Cadet).
Bottle-opener/screwdriver works fine.
The sheath is well made.
Having the ability to change saw blades is really nice. I have a Sears Craftsman wood saw blade in it right now.
The factory edge on the blade is very sharp.
It feels like one of the strongest multi-tools I have used.

Cons:
Painted! Mine's red and I have not seen the plain unpainted one.
You have to extend the pliers to get to other tools.
The can-opener could be alot better.
The phillips screwdriver should be just slightly sharper.
The changable saw blades are loose but secure (but it does not affect their cutting ability--still it's alittle annoying).
The blade is 1/2 serrated (good if you like that, bad if you don't).
The can-opener is also hard to pull out.
I'm not sure what the RemGrit blade that comes with it is for? Metal?

I actually have not used the wire-cutters or crimper yet, but the Craftsman saw blade works maybe even better than my SAK wood-saw.

Check it out yourself before making a decision. I like it but I'm still considering other multi-tools.

</font>
Click to expand...



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Your survival knife is the knife you have on you when a survival situation arises.
 
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