Sell me on a Swiss Army Knife

As I remember they have a web-site where you can list all the things you want and click there one is! Worked for me; previously I just had the little keychain ones; do I carry it ? Not often but it is a helluva a knife(Farmer).
 
I've had a Victorinox since 1967. I now have 10 or so. Wengers are supposed to be just as good, but even if they are, the little screwdriver on the can-opener of the Vic would make the difference to me.
I always carry a 3.25 " suisse officier, which is basically a boy-scout knife with a corkscrew. I just reach for that awl to start screws and the screwdrivers too often to leave it behind. It's been my EDC for 15 years or so, and I've only just managed to give the handle a cosmetic flaw.
But the scissors on that little one come in handy more often than a knife guy would think.
 
If that sak fits your needs then it is perfect for you! I just pulled my Huntsman out of my pocket and looked at it. I've used every implement on it at least a couple of times a year except for the saw. When I've used the saw it has saved me a little time. But I have only used it occaisionally over the last 30+ years. The only complaint I have is the softness of the blades. The multitools excell over a sak if you you need pliers or if you are cutting wire but tend to be bulkier and heavier.
 
I haven't met a folding knife I like as much as any of my SAKs! My favorite is the small Tinker (I have a few here and there), but I also like the Alox Bantam (plastic is too close in size to the small Tinker to not carry the Tinker) and the Alox Solo. I have a Pioneer I wanted to like but the main blade is just too mushy for me. I had a large/regular Tinker but that's getting a bit big for a slipjoint for me. The 84mm ones work fine even with my giant hands. I always have an Alox Bantam in my wallet and usually a small Tinker on my key carabiner. I also have a Recruit I never carry, again same size as the small Tinker but not quite as useful.

I'd really like a blade only Alox 84mm and an Alox Solo with a flathead/bottle opener!
 
Skip the SAK and get a leatherman charge. The leatherman has more tools, in a better compact design, and has a Pocket Clip. Also the blade steel on SAK's is soft and gets dull real quick. I have both, and the SAK sits in the drawer while the leatherman goes with me and gets used all the time.
 
Honestly, I've never been a fan of most Leatherman tools, with a few exceptions (like the Squirt PS4) but LOVE the Victorinox Swiss Spirit.
 
SOC_MRN_Leon said:
I was leaning a little towards this one but what do you guys think?
http://www.gpknives.com/victorinox-classic-sd-black.html?osCsid=2464edbbb9e9a23898aa9853e6c1e74a
Click to expand...

First a caveat -
I am a SAKnut - so what I say can be regarded as biased.

Only 2 manufacturers can legally call theirs Swiss Army Knives -

Victorinox - the Original SAK
and
Wenger - the Genuine SAK

Then Victorinox acquired Wenger - so they all in effect are Victorinox -
BUT Wenger (now officially a Victorinox subsidiary) were given some autonomy.

Most people in the USA prefer Victorinox (also my preference)
due to earlier sterling marketing by RH Forschner the original official and sole US importers of Victorinox
but I believe there are lots of supporters of Wenger.

The knife that you linked to is probably one of Victorinox's best sellers - the Classic - but you should be aware that it is pretty small - really a keyring knife (2 1/4").

Here's a photo comparing the sizes with a "standard" sized 91mm Victorinox and 85mm Wenger
VicClassicSz120612x.jpg

AA battery included for size comparison only
(no, none of the knives need a battery :p)

As long as you are aware of the size then the tools are very useful and because it is so small and a keyring carry that knife can be a real EDC, it also can be a supplement to any other knife/tool you wish to carry.

However if you are interested in a "full sized" SAK then the Victorinox Compact 54941 is a very nice knife that has the functions of the Classic -and a lot more including a pen -
VicCompact54941.jpg


But if 3 1/2" is too big - then perhaps a compromise size at 3" might help -
Vic Executive 53401
VicExecutive53401.jpg


But the main joy of SAKs is the ability to choose what's best for oneself - by studying the tools available and coming up with one's own ideal combination - bearing in mind the weight and thickness - then seeing if a model or close to it exists.....

To help I had an old review comparing tool by tool the flagship models from Victorinox and Wenger -

SAKs - Victorinox or Wenger (link)

Hope that helps -

--
Vincent

http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent?showall=true
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.multiply.com/photos
 
i love the tinker, super tinker, cadet, rectuit etc..... i have a classic on all of my keys.the classic an extremely small knife so for your first sak i would recomend the tinker or super tinker. i carry mine in my opsite pocket of my edc knife. it is a small knife i can pull out in public that wont scare anybody and i always have a few screwdrivers on me along with the tooth pick and tewezers. you will use it as much as your main edc knife and it is just cool to have an old school knife on you. just buy one. throw it in your pocket and tell us we are right. i spent $25 on my current edc SAK which is the tinker and it has not left my pocket in about 4 months. you will love it! no doubt about it
 
I'm not a fan of the Classic SD sized Swiss Army Knives, just too small. I do carry and use one often though, because the stylus tool was never offered on a larger frame.

Instead, I'd recommend getting one of the basic regular-sized models. I recently picked up a Recruit (or similar) for $13 at a large home improvement chain store. I doubt there's a better knife value anywhere.
 
+100 on the compact.

After years using 3 and 4 layers I went to the compact at the end of last year and it is sweet. All what I need for my adventures in the urban jungle...!!!

Best Regards
 
I lean toward the Wenger line.

They are, in most respects, completely the equivalent of the Victorinox, the sole real exception being the can opener.

I learned the "hook style" can opener early on in life (it's the one you will see on all the old US Boy Scout knives and military "demo" knives).

I've never mastered the Victorinox can opener -- never had to, since I always have the hook style on mine.

Consequently, my favor runs to the Wenger series.

Your mileage, of course, will vary.

 
I really like the Alox models, they're lots of fun. Never leave home without my Cadet.. really interested in acquiring a Farmer.

994f1d93.jpg
 
I think everybody should have a Farmer in their collection. Leatherman tools are a bit more useful for me, but SAKs are much better camp knives.
 
SOC_MRN_Leon said:
That Camper model looks really nice! I actually might have to get 2 SAK's to get a feel for them. I prefer black instead of red but white looks nice too. I think i'm gonna settle for a black classic and a black camper model! Thanks for all the feedback you guys! Really, really appreciate it!
Click to expand...

You can always change out the scale colors later. There are plenty of websites that sell the scales. It's as simple as popping one off and snapping the new one in place for most models.

Hopefully that opens up options for you.
 
I like all the SAKs. That said, I recommend the Farmer. I also like the Hiker. If you're a deer hunter, you must go with the Hunter XT.

Joe
 
I'll carry a Vic Classic/Rally/Rambler or Recruit to supplement my EDC. As I said in the thread about lending out your knife, I feel more comfortable lending out my SAK than my Paramilitary 2 from the standpoint of it is more "sheeple friendly" and because I don't want my Paramilitary 2 used as a screwdriver or prybar.

But I also carry 91mm or larger SAK's in place of my typical folder on occasion like the Alox Pioneer, Electrician or Farmer. They are quite capable of cutting things and have some handy other tools.
 
I actually got an Alox Farmer modified to include the scissors, recently went on the ESEE Jungle 2012 trip and performed great, used the saw, awl and blade and not a spot of rust in sight, despite being wet 24/7.

They're so useful. once you own one, most people don't look back. I use mine almost daily in my work as an outdoor instructor and regularly get asked by others to use the knife, perhaps they should all get one and leave mine alone!
 
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