Swiss Army Knife: Most Useless

SAKs are for those that like to have a particular tool for everything, though none of them work all that well. I think people have just jumped on the bandwagon pretty hardcore. Let me ask a few questions, if I may. What steel is used for the blade and the other tools? What materials are used for handles? How many pieces make up a Swiss Army Knife? How quickly can it be accessed in an emergency? And is anyone confident that it would stand up to repeated hard usage, keep a strong edge, never fail you when you really need it? I've broken more than I can count just doing everyday tasks without putting strain on the tools. Now, I carry a strong plier-type multitool such as a Leatherman or Gerber because they have been proven many times over. I also carry either a Kershaw Blur or an old style CS Voyager XL, both modded, both serious workhorses that have taken a beating and never let me down.
 
This same question comes-up very often on the Multi-Tools subforum, and the "Parcel hook" is also the most common answer there.

However, every now and then, you'll find someone who loves it because they have saved the day with it.

Personally, I have also used the hook to carry grocery bags and paint cans, but I could easily live without it. The awl and the corkscrew/screwdriver should be the only things on the back of a SAK.

Anyway, I guess that Victorinox just doesn't care about consumer feedback, people have been requesting changes to their "Officer-line" for years now and they don't even seem to make and effort.
 
The only issue I have with the ones I've purchased is that the main blade isn't snappy on all of them (Bantam yes, Pioneer no). Other than that the 1-2 layer SAKs are wonderful, wonderful tools- nice thin blade, good wide flat head, actual philips head (on the ones that have them),... I find the blade and biggest screwdriver on a particular model to be the most useful so I pick models that focus on them. Small Tinker (big one is too mushy on the blade), Bantam, Alox Solo for me!

I'd like to find someone to build me a "large Bantam" out of my Pioneer, except with the somewhat rare other side facing big flathead instead. The combo tool sticks out a bit when closed. I only open a can about once a month and then only in the kitchen!
 
Fish scaler gets my vote. Runners up would be the chisel/scraper.

I've had a Swiss Champ for about 20 years, and while it only sees the odd use now and then when a dedicated tool isn't handy, it has proven its use many a time, and sometimes with tools other folk here have found no particular use for: Can opener, saw, tweezers, even the corkscrew and toothpick.

Sometimes I find myself wishing for a Victorinox configured with just the tools I found myself using most. I don't believe any of the current models hit the mark, though some will come so close, yet so far. A Mechanic that also had a saw would cover a LOT of stuff for me.
 
I had an old Saab that I was driving with cable chains on in the snow more years ago than I care to remember. Long story short, one of the front wheels had the chains bust off and grind me to a halt in the middle of the night miles from home with a blizzard blowing in.

My EDC at the time was a BM AFCK. Was it going to cut the cable chain off of one of my drive wheels? In pitch darkness by feel? Fat chance. The SAK Champ in the glove box did. It ruined the file. I had that tool individually replaced for about five bucks plus mail charges.

I will never part with any of my uncountable SAKs. My sons' first knives were SAKs. We all agree that the fish scaler is a waste of steel and a waste of a spot something better could use.
 
I carry a Super Tinker regularly. I don't think I've ever used the hook. It may be useful to some, but I haven't encountered a situation where I've needed it... yet...
 
flarp said:
I carry a Super Tinker regularly. I don't think I've ever used the hook. It may be useful to some, but I haven't encountered a situation where I've needed it... yet...
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Same here, but I keep an open mind about it, so we'll see.

I think it is funny that people rag on the SAK for having tools that are less good than dedicated tools. That is not the point of a multi tool! The screwdriver in your SAK is always with you, and it works a whole lot better than no driver at all, and better than trying to use a knife blade for removing a screw, or gently prying open a paint can lid, etc.
 
RemyKaze said:
SAKs are for those that like to have a particular tool for everything, though none of them work all that well. I think people have just jumped on the bandwagon pretty hardcore. Let me ask a few questions, if I may. What steel is used for the blade and the other tools? What materials are used for handles? How many pieces make up a Swiss Army Knife? How quickly can it be accessed in an emergency? And is anyone confident that it would stand up to repeated hard usage, keep a strong edge, never fail you when you really need it? I've broken more than I can count just doing everyday tasks without putting strain on the tools. Now, I carry a strong plier-type multitool such as a Leatherman or Gerber because they have been proven many times over. I also carry either a Kershaw Blur or an old style CS Voyager XL, both modded, both serious workhorses that have taken a beating and never let me down.
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was it a swiss made tool or a chinese knock off? I've had SAKs for years and they're not broken because I understand the obvious limitations of a small tool..

I also have a 11oz victorinox swisstool which is a beast.
 
Dont know if its been posted already but I do believe that hook is also intended to be an orange peeler. Works pretty well.
I love my swiss champ, least used tool is the small chisel or corkscrew.
 
I thought the hook was useless, too, until I read the manual. Then I saw that I could use it to mount the chain on my bike when it slips off the gears without getting grease all over my hands. Now I think it's a great feature.

That awl, though, I can't figure out. It seems to be on every damn knife they sell, but who really uses it?
 
Tsujigiri said:
I thought the hook was useless, too, until I read the manual. Then I saw that I could use it to mount the chain on my bike when it slips off the gears without getting grease all over my hands. Now I think it's a great feature.

That awl, though, I can't figure out. It seems to be on every damn knife they sell, but who really uses it?
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the awl is good at making a clean small hole in plastic, leather, etc. i've used mine a couple times
 
Tsujigiri said:
I thought the hook was useless, too, until I read the manual. Then I saw that I could use it to mount the chain on my bike when it slips off the gears without getting grease all over my hands. Now I think it's a great feature.

That awl, though, I can't figure out. It seems to be on every damn knife they sell, but who really uses it?
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I use the awl constantly for making holes in soft stuff, for reaming out holes in wood, for cleaning my nails, etc.
 
monger4142 said:
was it a swiss made tool or a chinese knock off? I've had SAKs for years and they're not broken because I understand the obvious limitations of a small tool..

I also have a 11oz victorinox swisstool which is a beast.
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"SAKs are for those that like to have a particular tool for everything, though none of them work all that well." How many pieces make up a Swiss Army Knife? I've broken more than I can count just doing everyday tasks without putting strain on the tools."

Definitely a SAK, and only exposed to tasks intended for thin blades and mediocre "in-a-pinch" tools. All the extra bits and pieces really compromise stability. I used a Gerber Scout to take off a radiator cap. Also used it as a hammer, and safely stripped wires with it. I used the blade to lightly pry a couple times, knowing it was just thick enough for it. Also that whole flick thing had the tools ready to go without fumbling to fit my thumbnail into a groove. Couldn't even feel it while wearing it. And we all know Gerber isn't at the top of the food chain. :p
 
res1cue said:
To be honest, the least used tool on my SAK is usually the blade itself! Since I have other dedicated cutters on me at all times
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Myself as well. Honestly, I'd prefer my Cybertool 29 without the knife blades if I could have it that way, just so it'd be that much thinner. OTOH, since I never used them, they're kept extremely sharp (in case i need to perform emergency surgery or shave without a razor or something).

The "parcel carrier" I've found to be pretty useless. Some use it to undo knots, but I've found the corkscrew to work better (and I've used it to open a few wine bottles too). The "chisel" on my Cybertool 41 is pretty damn useless too. Too small, too awkward to use. As for the toothpick, I've found that the most useful thing it does is fill the gap in the scale for the toothpick (I never use it, but it'd irritate me if I lost it because of the hole left behind). I've never had a SAK with a fish scaler. Nor have I ever even been fishing. So I can't comment on how useful it is, but if I had one, it'd be useless to me.
 
I think the hook and fish scaler are the least used items on my SAKs. A SAK is always part of my EDC, it's just too handy to have a few tools like scissors and screw drivers in your pocket. Of course they can't compete with a heavy duty multitool or dedicated tools, but for their size and price they're great.
 
The corkscrew! My wine either has a scewcap or comes in a box. Okay, so I don't drink wine. To untie a knot - use the blade - knot be gone.

Favorite SAK depends on use. If I still had a sailboat, the Vic 'Skipper', below left, would be indispensable. Of course, I sold my last sailboat during Clinton's early reign - didn't get a marine knife until the last seven years. Timing.
It's skeletonized Marlinspike is pretty good at picking apart knots in rope. For land use, I generally prefer something with scissors - but the Farmer, below right in blue ALOX, is a great woods accompaniment.

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Stainz
 
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