The mindset of choosing a SAK

[Rangerspencer]

Hey everyone here on BF. I've lurked around these forums for a very long time but I have always been busy with life or work and never had time to register until today. I was actually hospitalized so it forced me to finally register here.

So anyway, one thing I have always been wanting to know from other peoples standpoint is what goes into the thought process when you select a SAK. Do you always stick with just one style of do you switch it up? What tools do you absolutely have to have as opposed to tools you'd care less about?

 

[znapschatz]

Hey everyone here on BF. I've lurked around these forums for a very long time but I have always been busy with life or work and never had time to register until today. I was actually hospitalized so it forced me to finally register here.

So anyway, one thing I have always been wanting to know from other peoples standpoint is what goes into the thought process when you select a SAK. Do you always stick with just one style of do you switch it up? What tools do you absolutely have to have as opposed to tools you'd care less about?

It keeps changing. That's why I have accumulated several SAKs instead of one only (which, in truth, is all you really need.) My first and only for years was a Swisschamp. The reasoning was that since I can't know what I might eventually need it for, might as well be prepared for anything. Sure enough, as time went on I managed to use every implement on the S'champ except for the small screwdriver mounted on the backspring side. But then my lifestyle changed and i found myself using various tools less and less. For example, the excellent 8X magnifier was often deployed when examining color slides and negatives on site (photographer), but got used hardly at all when I switched to digital. Now the only need I have for it is attempting to start a fire (so far without success .) Likewise decreased use for other implements, so I figured why carry the weight? After a bit of test driving, I settled on 4 SAKs that I have now toted for more than a decade; Swisschamp, Tinker, Rambler and for the last 6 years, OH Trekker. Each, IMHO, is the best example of its category and I see no reason to search any further. To get to this point, though, I went through a number of other SAKs, but that's how to learn and have a little fun besides.

 

[Rangerspencer]

Interesting you brought up the Tinker model. I'm actually using a Delux tinker as my edc now. Iv started to fall back in love with SAK's and I really like the simplistic design it has while retaining a large variety of tools.

 

[gadgetgeek]

Hope you get well soon man. I mostly carry a huntsman now when I do carry a SAK. I had the advantage of collecting quite a bag of used SAKs at one point, and used that to sort of figure out what I like. I've since gifted most of them, but I've started to look into getting a few more.

My method is to look for tools I know I'll use, then tools I might find uses for. I don't tend to use nail files at all, so I prefer the smaller pen blade instead. I sharpen it very acutely, and only use it for delicate work, basically a scalpel. I don't use the cork-screw much, since most wine here in Australia is twist-top, but it has come in handy (corkscrews are also less common) and I never run into a screw that will work with the back philips driver.

Scissors are also very important. Since people know that I carry a knife, I often get asked to cut something, and its always nice to be able to hand over a set of scissors for something like a clothing tag, or extra bit of thread, instead of the blade.

Everything else from there lowers in priority, cap-lifter since lots of beer here uses non-twist tops. Can opener is a nice to have, but I don't often need it. (but when you do, you do!)

In my mind, its nice to have several knives and choose what I am likely to need. for example, I don't need a saw most days in an urban environment, so I've been looking for a climber or compact. At work I carry a leatherman so I really only need add scissors, so I also carry a style CS.
Another combo that would work is something like a pioneer or alox soldier, so you get the tough blade and really solid openers, and a smaller SAK like a manager, or classic to get some more delicate tools, eyeglass screwdrivers and the like.

I prefer to carry a couple tools instead of one big one. The huntsman is as big as I would want to carry in the 91mm format, but it has pretty much everything I'd use, so I will often toss it in a pocket if I'm not taking any other tools. (and my no others, I mean except for whats in the bag-o-doom, bk13, swisstech pliers, and micro-widgy)

variety is the spice of life, and since where I live swiss army knives are specifically legal to carry "due to their obvious utility purpose" I'm very happy to carry them.

 

[parkourdude]

When I chose the Farmer as my main edc blade I had a few things going on in my mind. Some points may be quite irrational, but knife nuts are rarely rational when it comes down to knives.

First I wanted a good knife with tools. Not a multitool with a knife. The normal 91mm blades were too thin and the blades on my folders were too thick. The 93mm sak blades are just about perfect with just the right amount of belly, awesome grind, shape and steel.


Secondly I wanted the knife to be something that lasts. This meant scales that didn't crack/pop off. The knife had to have no screws to loosen untimely, ages well (alox ages spectacularly) and the beefier tools on the 93mm were a major plus.


Thirdly I wanted it to be that one knife you would carry everywhere regardless of attire until I either lost it or broke it somehow. This meant it had to be reasonably thin, no thicker than a 2 layer 91mm. I also wanted it to have the most versatile set of tools because I would be carrying this everywhere from the office to the woods to DIY projects at home.


These main 3 points lead me to a Pioneer. Then I saw the Farmer (which is a Pioneer with a saw) and I was sold. Due to the saw layer being so thin, it wasn't much thicker than the Pioneer and I found it to fill my hand a little better. A sak is much easier to explain to the authorities than a folder. The alox scales are not only tank-like but are also quite elegant and aesthetic, and thanks to the alox scales the 3 layer Farmer is the same thickness as a 2 layer sak. A win-win situation really.


So now I carry just a farmer, have sold almost all my knives and then used some of that money to buy farmer back-ups.

 

[SAK Guy]

I'm philosophical.....

They exist therefore I buy them.

I Like 93mm ALOX best for EDC but use cellidor models as well particularly on trips, etc. where I might not have every tool I need at hand. Cellidor SAKs like Swiss Champ, Explorer etc are more of a "support" tool set.

I used to EDC a Pioneer and had a Champion in my camera bag. Combo worked well the better part of 25 years.

 

[jackknife]

Like gagetgeek, I pick SAK's one which tools that I now I will use on a regular basis. This is why I tend to carry only one and two layer SAK's. I don't like to carry anything I can't remember using, or used "sometime last year." I do need a screw driver often, and I do run into phillips screws, and once in a while an awl comes in handy. Scissors is nice, and I use the ones on my classic very often. But I like minimalism too much to carry a big SAK just for the factor of a tool that I may need sometime next year.

Two layer for my mindset.

 

[Harayasu]

I buy SAKs because I like them and mostly buy a model which isn't in my collection and which I like. I don't collect all SAKs, mostly restricted to the alox models or special models. On a daily base I choose the SAK that I think has the tools I need that day. On office days I tend to select one of my alox SAKs. When I go canoeing or camping, I make sure to have a saw on it and often take the new Soldier with me.

 

[Ford1911]

I have just recently got into SAK's. For the last 15 years or so I have carried some sort of quality lock blade knife with a 3.5" to 4" blade
.
I frequently used the gerber multi-tool I keep in my truck for small little every day tasks at work and when I am out and about. I used the tools as much as the blade.

As much as it pains me to say the knife I was EDC'ing with 4" blade with the latest super steel and a lock an elephant could stand on was normally overkill for what I would use a knife for.

Although Multi-tools are handy they just don't do much for me. So I started to really check out the different models of Swiss Army Knives. Must have tools for me are the bottle opener for my wife's favorite beer, can opener mainly for the screw driver tip, cork screw - one of our favorite wines still uses a cork and more importantly for the mini-screw driver so I can repair my glasses if needed.
I also really like the scissors and saw. I do have a deluxe tinker that has the pliers but of the 3 I find the scissors and saw more useful on a SAK.

I have only been EDC'ing my SAK for a couple weeks. I have already used about every tool in it for something without even trying. I have the huntsman plus model and love it. I just ordered an Outrider with the locking blade. I would kind of like the locking blade but it's going to be hard to get the huntsman plus out of my pocket. I have already had to use that little ball point pen more than I would have imagined.

I see myself carrying a SAK for a while now as my only EDC. Until hunting season or I'm out in the woods and I have a fixed blade or my Benchmade Adamas on me as well.

 

[allenC]

I love all kinds of knives and multi-tools, but the one that I keep coming back to is the Victorinox large lock-blade Hunter.
This one: http://www.victorinox.com/us/product/Swiss-Army-Knives/Category/Hunting/Hunter/53641

Here's why:

It has a long locking blade.
The longer blade makes for easier cutting through things like grapefruit, bread, fish, etc...
And I think a locking blade is a bit more forgiving of human error.

I also like how the blade unlocks via a sliding lever on the side of the handle. Very easy to intentionally unlock, but nearly impossible to accidentally unlock.

The nylon handle scales are the traditional Swiss Army Knife red, which makes it easier to find when dropped on the ground.

The wood saw really works and is great for cutting wood or polymer to exact lengths. or for cutting through thick pieces of wood or plastic.

The curved serrated gutting blade is great for cutting tough things like nylon zip-ties or thick cloth, saving the edge of the main blade.
It might be good for actually gutting animals, but I wouldn't know...I prefer fishing over hunting.

The corkscrew is a "must have" for me because of my wine habit, and the corkscrew holds the micro-screwdriver (a handy item itself).

The awl is good for making holes in things and for reaming pipes and such, or for scraping battery terminals and other nasty jobs that you wouldn't want to perform with the main blade.

And the combo tool (bottle cap lifter, screwdriver) is very useful too for the usual reasons.


The only real negatives that I see are...

1) It's a bit large for pocket-carry.
Not a problem for me since I carry mine in a belt pouch.

2) It has the traditional nail-nicks for opening the blades.
Again, not really a problem unless one-hand-opening is a must.

 

[Mora2013]

I'm philosophical.....

They exist therefore I buy them.

I'm kinda in agreement with this. If you carry the knife, and it has a tool. You will use it.

Even something as simple as the classic sd. I thought id never use the nail file, toothpick, and tweezers because 'I never needed them before.' well, once you have them, you're like, 'heck, this is useful'.

On the other hand I qualified my statement by saying 'if you carry the knife'. I also have a SAK climber, and a leatherman wave. Those two multitools are too big for my edc. Therefore I don't carry them unless I have a project that needs them. Therefore, there are many tools on those knives I've never touched.

 

[billlip]

For me all i need is a blade and a bottle opener (i like my beer, no twist offs). Newest edc a standard. No slide in tools no key ring 91mm. A $5 antique shop buy. Want a waiter. Have a few like my bantams also. Anything over 2 layers feels like a chunk of 2x4 in my pocket. Don't need other stuff, have a tool box and don't use tools at work. Now for me it's about handles not tools.

 

[Joe58]

Alox Electrician, as the second blade is more useful to me, and a Minichamp on a AAA light. Have been using this combo for years. Now days I do switch it up with a different traditional, or even non-traditional folder on occasion but always have a Minichamp. That little setup is amazing with what you can do with it.

 

[mg357]

Tinker because it has two cutting blades which I use regularly and I use the screwdrivers for various repairs and I use it for wheelchair repairs regularly.

 

[dogstar]

No matter what, I always have a Classic on me.

 

[Bob W]

So anyway, one thing I have always been wanting to know from other peoples standpoint is what goes into the thought process when you select a SAK. Do you always stick with just one style of do you switch it up? What tools do you absolutely have to have as opposed to tools you'd care less about?

I mostly buy them to accumulate rather than use, nor am I a serious collector. So I'm on the lookout for unique or interesting models, discontinued models, or models with novel tools. The primary selection factor though, "Is it on sale?"

 

[Gima Nord]

My purchasing pattern seems to be the never ending search for the elusive wholy grail thet will end the search.
The perfect set of tools that will never leave you without solution to demsnd and never wear to heavy in the pocket.
Always seem to be just around the corner.......

 

[GIRLYmann]

,,,,what goes into the thought process when you select a SAK.

budget preparation first, tool requirement second, never quite satisfied the wants though...

Do you always stick with just one style of do you switch it up?

when buying, would try not to replicate existing blade tools besides the primary main blade, reamer, screwdrivers

What tools do you absolutely have to have as opposed to tools you'd care less about?

saw, scissors, file

 

[comis]

I collect SAKs, so it is difficult to justify each buy since most are not users.

I think my mindset of choosing a SAK is the benefit of choosing from vast selection of tools and good price/performance ratio. Some people like to always stick with the familiar, while others like to switch it up for spice, but regardless, there are so many tools combination that one of the SAKs bound to be right for you.

I think for EDC, the basic Tinker/Spartan is the minimum of tools I'd like to have.

 

[pinnah]

Hey everyone here on BF. I've lurked around these forums for a very long time but I have always been busy with life or work and never had time to register until today. I was actually hospitalized so it forced me to finally register here.

So anyway, one thing I have always been wanting to know from other peoples standpoint is what goes into the thought process when you select a SAK. Do you always stick with just one style of do you switch it up? What tools do you absolutely have to have as opposed to tools you'd care less about?

First, I hope you get out of the hospital and get busy enough again soon!

I'm going to generalize to multi-function tools... this all applies to SAKs I think. Mostly I'm recounting my journey...

The short version is that I tried a lot of options before I found a combo that worked for me. And what works for me may not work for you. In hindsight, here are some of the things that matter to me...

CARRY OPTIONS - I think there are 4 main options for carry: in a pack, on a belt holster, in the pocket, and on a key ring.

I almost always have a backpack of some sort on me or nearby (like in the car). For me, this is a fine place for me to carry a full sized MT. Knowing that I have a full sized MT nearby, reduces the set of tools I need to have on my person. I feel no need to carry pliers in my day to day life and when I do, I put an MT on my belt like working on my property.

In general, I hate belt carry for EDC but can live with it for a day working outside. I just hate being in a car with a holster on my belt.

Opinions on pocket carry vary widely based on taste and what people wear for pants. I prefer tools that are thin in profile as they carry better. I can handle round tools if they are very light (like an Opinel) and I can handle a heavier tool if it is very thin (like a Buck 500). I've come not prefer carrying many traditional multi-blade slip joints as I find them to be more noticeable in my pocket but I know I'm in the minority on this. This is YMMV territory. I can handle the 2 spring width SAKs but above that, they get to be too much for my taste. Ditto the Leatherman Juice line. It's just too much for pocket preference.

I went through many years, more than a decade, with key ring tools. I don't carry my keys on my person as I generally have a pack with me, so the key ring option, for me, was a bust in 2 ways. I had to walk to get it during the day and when I tried to use the tool, I had keys flopping around. A work mate suggested I move my key ring tool into my pocket. This really changed my view point on my primary EDC knife. I no longer felt the need to try to stuff extra tools on my EDC knive, as the key ring tool covered the EDC tools (and the heavy tools are covered by my large MT in my pack).

Bottom line here.... for me... I carry a very small light multi-purpose tool as a companion to larger EDC knife, both of which are backed up by a large MT in my pack.


ERGONOMICS - I have very large hands. When I'm cutting wood or using my knife for food prep, I get frustrated by normal sized slip joints. This includes most normal SAKs. I could see carrying an SAK as my small tool if it had the right tool combo. But for me, I prefer the ergonomics of a larger, single blade knife. So again, separating the tools from the main EDC carry has been a big win for me. Again, I recognize I'm in the minority on this. Many people get by just fine on a 3 3/4" or smaller slip joint. Hugely YMMV.

TOOL SELECTION - Scissors, small pen blade (as back up to large main blade on my EDC knife), nail file, phillips head driver, standard sized driver, small driver. I use all of these tools frequently and would be bummed if I had to walk to my pack every time I needed them. I don't need pliers in my day to day life, but I do when I'm working in my yard or in my shop. I have an MT in a clip on sheath for that.


With all of this... here is my "SAK"... it's the Leatherman Micra.
EDC Pair by Pinnah, on Flickr

If I had to replace it with a Victorinox product, I would look closely at the Mini Champ.