Small Blade vs Nail File

Small Blade vs Nail File

  • Small Blade

    Votes: 15 48.4%

  • Nail File

    Votes: 16 51.6%
  • Total voters
    31
S

SteeleJ1976

Joined
Jan 24, 2020
Messages
214
I usually carry a Recruit or Tinker but occasionally I will carry a Cadet. I find I like the small blade more then having a nail file on the SAK. I use the small blade all the time as a utility knife and it is my workhorse blade. Which do you prefer Small Blade or Nail File and why?
 
On the cadet I like the nail file. I don't need a second blade usually, and the cadet nail file tip makes a very good tiny screw driver for those little Phillips they use on electronics. I file a tent flat on the tip, so it gets down in the small Phillips screw heads. The file has come on handy on plastics that have a bit of over mould making a sharp corner that needs de-buring. Or smoothing out a rough spot or nob poking out on a rustic walking stick. I've also used the file tip as a general poking and prodding tool, and knot untangling tool.

Now, if only they would make the cadet X. Scissors would make it perfect!
 
I have a current issue Cadet and prefer the file (the older one sucked, and I think Vic needs to upgrade nail files to this pattern across the entire line). Even when I carried a Tinker Small (now sadly discontinued), I never found much use for the small blade.
 
I much prefer a second smaller blade. I use the main blade for everyday stuff that needs cutting and the second smaller blade for finesse cuts and also for whittling.
 
Tafkaag said:
I have a current issue Cadet and prefer the file (the older one sucked, and I think Vic needs to upgrade nail files to this pattern across the entire line). Even when I carried a Tinker Small (now sadly discontinued), I never found much use for the small blade.
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A Rambler with that style nail file would be perfect. I much prefer the file from the new cadet and old executive model than the textured one.
 
I really wish the cadet had a pen blade, or better yet a sheeps foot of the same size.
I've gotten used to the nail cleaner, but would rather have an awl if it's not going to be a smaller secondary blade.
 
One can "file" one's fingernails with the edge of a knife, so...
 
I don't use the small blade. I just think of it as an emergency backup, and I never really had an occasion to use it for that.

I do use nail files all the time. I trim my nails with SAK scissors and then I file them. It's also good for taking sharp edges off of plastic. Mainly zip ties, but other things as well.
 
My real answer is a scissors, I'd really like to replace that small blade on the Tinker with a scissors.
Now my purpose in carrying a MT is having tools and I'd rather have more tools than having a somewhat redundant one. Sure it's easier to use a smaller blade for precision, but a MT is meant to be a handy tool, not the best tool
So I picked file (Cadet) but I wish one side was a double cut file and the other diamond.
 
I prefer the small blade over the nail file, but on a SAK like the Cadet (without back tools), I’d really rather have an inline awl.
 
afishhunter said:
small blade.
I R a guy. I never have, and likely never will use a nail file. Whats left by the clippers is "good enuf". 🤨
Besides, clipper trimmings is vile/gross/disgusting 🤢 enuf.
IMHO nail DUST 🤮 is infinately worse ... and much more difficult to get in the trash.
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Language, young man! There's only one of you, so you is a guy!
 
sonofwilfred said:
I carry both the small blade and nail file with me everyday on the farm. I would use the nail file 50 times for every one time I use the small blade. If I lived in a fantasy world, I'd like a nail file on my Huntsman instead of the small blade and that would be you beaut handy.


https://imgur.com/mItq9bq

I mainly light fires with the nail file.

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I love the wear on that Huntsman, it is cool to see a SAK that gets used and that is not a shelf Queen. I hear what you are saying about the nail file but I still see value in the small blade. When I open packages it is almost exclusively with the small blade and I find it great for small precise cuts that while the big blade could do the small one just does it better.
 
Almost never use the nail file on the cadet. The tiny screw driver at the end is very handy though.
 
I prefer the nail file blade. One of those and tweezers were why I got into the small SAKs for EDC. The tragedy of losing the 74mm Executive was it had two blades, a great nail file, scissors, tweezers and toothpick, plus the ever-so-popular orange peeler. Glad I bought three when they were in the line up and cheap.
 
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