Two SAK One Handed Styles - Please Give Pros/Cons

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campandtravel

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There seem to be two types of one-handed, large, rubberized swiss army knives. Some have the same tools. For example there is the RangerGrip 178 and also there is the model that is the actual military issue for US and Swiss military (I think, I don't really know.)

It looks like the rangergrip is larger.

I know some of you guys have both styles. Can you compare them, pros and cons, size differences, etc. Is the RangerGrip blade *too* big? Looks huge! Is the grip more comfortable on one than the other?

Etc. Thanks
 
Mate it's personal preference.
The ranger grip is the biggest.
Rangergrip 13cn
Soldier 08 11cm
Rangergrip come in both with one handed & two handed, most with straight edge blade & button lock.
110 series one handed models mostly have combo blades with serrations at the front with liner lock. 2 handed models mostly straight edge, the helmsman has full serrated blade.
It depends what tools you need, you mentioned the soldier, the plain scale version is the trekker.
The 2 handed adventurer is like an extra large tinker.
I have rangerip and soldier, you can't go wrong with either. However saying that you need a pouch for the rangerip or in a pack.
Do a search there are plenty of good models.
Good luck
 
One thing that I personally didn't care for about these models is that the liner locks works in the opposite direction than almost all other liner lock (and frame lock, for that matter) knives...?!?

That is, most liner locks lock to right and you push them left to unlock. These lock to the left and you push them right to unlock?!? It's not that big of a deal, I guess, but why does it work exactly the opposite of what is standard to everything else?
 
rje58 said:
That is, most liner locks lock to right and you lush them left to unlock. These lock to the left and you push them right to unlock?!? It's not that big of a deal, I guess, but why does it work exactly the opposite of what is standard to everything else?
Click to expand...
The Swiss could tell you, but then...you know the rest.
 
On the RangerGrip, using the saw is tricky, the blade's thumb hole digs in hard to my fingers when I try. The OHT is a lot more comfortable. RangerGrip's handle is so thick the blade can't be opened left-handed, either.
 
Hello, I will try to cover the main differences of two knives that I have - Victorinox Ranger Grip 61 and Victorinox Swiss army official knife, I can’t compare saws (it’s present only on SAK), can say that on RG saw is more effective due its length.
1JfrBV0.jpg

1. Overall size - RG is longer and thicker than SAK. In pocket RG fills quite annoying and it’s more preferable to carry in belt pouch or in the bag.
2. Overall ergonomic - RG is more interesting (IMO) due to more space, absent of pronounced liner lock and rounded shape of scales.
3. One handed blade opening. SAK is left handed oriented knife, but you can open and close it with right hand with lower comfort. RG is right hand oriented, you can close it with left hand, but can’t open due to blocking of opening hole by can opener/large screwdriver.
4. Blade length. Blade of the RG is much longer (10mm) but have huge not sharpen portion in the begging of the blade, so cutting length is more or less equal.
5. Cutting edge. RG have standard plane sharpening, quite thin behind the edge, cuts great. SAK have half serrated right hand oriented edge with plane portion in the first quarter of the blade, cuts just amazing and Victorinox specific wave shaped serretion is very easy to maintain. Tip of the RG blade is more pointy than SAK blade.
6. Can openers and awls is equal.
7. Bottle opener/ large flat screwdriver. On SAK it bigger, stronger, have liner lock in fully open position and fixation on 90 degrees for power screwing (can be used as crowbar also). On RG it have fixation only when you apply pressure during screwing, don’t have fixation on 90 degrees.
Zw0USru.jpg

8. SAK have Phillips screwdriver on the spine, RG have corkscrew. Both excellent tools, screwdriver not always convenient due to it’s length and t-shape format.
Well, in general that’s all. Only I need to mention that of course there are available different models of both types with plane and serration blades, corkscrews and screwdrivers on the spine, with different additional tools and scale colours.
Personally I would recommend RG format for outdoor activities, and SAK as a work tool.
I hope this information was helpful.
P.S. Oh, almost forget, RG have standard toothpick and tweezers, SAK as military model don’t have this items.
 
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rje58 said:
One thing that I personally didn't care for about these models is that the liner locks works in the opposite direction than almost all other liner lock (and frame lock, for that matter) knives...?!?

That is, most liner locks lock to right and you push them left to unlock. These lock to the left and you push them right to unlock?!? It's not that big of a deal, I guess, but why does it work exactly the opposite of what is standard to everything else?
Click to expand...

With the RangerGrip you don't have to touch the liner lock. Pushing in on the Victorinox shield releases the lock.
 
rje58 said:
One thing that I personally didn't care for about these models is that the liner locks works in the opposite direction than almost all other liner lock (and frame lock, for that matter) knives...?!?

That is, most liner locks lock to right and you push them left to unlock. These lock to the left and you push them right to unlock?!? It's not that big of a deal, I guess, but why does it work exactly the opposite of what is standard to everything else?
Click to expand...
Is it more secure that way?
 
Kabancheck said:
ello, I will try to cover the main differences of two knives that I have - Victorinox Ranger Grip 61 and Victorinox Swiss army official knife, I can’t compare saws (it’s present only on SAK), can say that on RG saw is more effective due its length.
1JfrBV0.jpg

1. Overall size - RG is longer and thicker than SAK. In pocket RG fills quite annoying and it’s more preferable to carry in belt pouch or in the bag.
2. Overall ergonomic - RG is more interesting (IMO) due to more space, absent of pronounced liner lock and rounded shape of scales.
3. One handed blade opening. SAK is left handed oriented knife, but you can open and close it with right hand with lower comfort. RG is right hand oriented, you can close it with left hand, but can’t open due to blocking of opening hole by can opener/large screwdriver.
4. Blade length. Blade of the RG is much longer (10mm) but have huge not sharpen portion in the begging of the blade, so cutting length is more or less equal.
5. Cutting edge. RG have standard plane sharpening, quite thin behind the edge, cuts great. SAK have half serrated right hand oriented edge with plane portion in the first quarter of the blade, cuts just amazing and Victorinox specific wave shaped serretion is very easy to maintain. Tip of the RG blade is more pointy than SAK blade.
6. Can openers and awls is equal.
7. Bottle opener/ large flat screwdriver. On SAK it bigger, stronger, have liner lock in fully open position and fixation on 90 degrees for power screwing (can be used as crowbar also). On RG it have fixation only when you apply pressure during screwing, don’t have fixation on 90 degrees.
Zw0USru.jpg

8. SAK have Phillips screwdriver on the spine, RG have corkscrew. Both excellent tools, screwdriver not always convenient due to it’s length and t-shape format.
Well, in general that’s all. Only I need to mention that of course there are available different models of both types with plane and serration blades, corkscrews and screwdrivers on the spine, with different additional tools and scale colours.
Personally I would recommend RG format for outdoor activities, and SAK as a work tool.

Kabancheck said:
very easy to maintain
Click to expand...
I hope this information was helpful.
P.S. Oh, almost forget, RG have standard toothpick and tweezers, SAK as military model don’t have this items.
Click to expand...
Super helpful, thank you!

Why exactly would you say the RG is better for outdoor?

Is the tip of the RG *very* thin and weak?

What do you use to maintain the serrations on the SAK?

Why the hell did they get rid of the toothpick and tweezers?

How important is the rubberized grip on the SAK? I see they make these with the regular plastic and those have the toothpick and tweezers. Maybe that's better?

How useful is the one-handed opening on the SAK? Maybe a standard 111 model would suit better if the one handedness isn't really easy to use.

What size hands do you have?
 
Hi, nice questions
About RG, it’s quite bulky and not very convenient to carry daily, but in outdoor you can attach its pouch somewhere on your gear. Also RG models have longes saws and this can be useful for camping. There no big difference between RG and SAK tips, but yes on RG it’s a bit more delicate, and tip of the SAK is almost dull, for emergency use I think.
Now about SAK, for serrations I use my Spyderco triangle sharpener. Just set up on 40 degrees the corner sides of the stones and take 5-8 touches from serrated side then one from flat side to remove the burr and again. Couple minutes and it’s crazy sharp.
There is no tweezers and toothpick because it’s military issued knife, so it’s need to be fully equipped at every inspection, and military guys don’t want to concentrate on such small items in case it will be lost. Also it’s matter of hygiene, if you use dirty toothpick as civilian person that’s your problem, but if you are recruited solder it’s government problem :) By same reason SAK have screwdriver instead of corkscrew, nobody like drunk young solders accept young drunk solders :) In the beginning corkscrew was the main difference between Victorinox solders knife and officers knife.
Rubberised grips are nice, but its only a matter of design for me, regular “civilian” scales are great and comfortable without no doubt.
Onehand opening on SAK is great, especially for me, I am southpaw guy :) But there is one thing, when you use all other tools that huge hump is very annoying and I would think twice do I really need it on this knife. I use this knife a lot some years ago during my work as a brewer, that was ideal place for this knife - opening boxes and bags, cutting hoses, screwing, tighten up everything that loosen, don’t worry about corrosion and sharpening. When I left this position I gifted my SAK to buddy and it still serving, indestructible knife ))))) Current SAK I bought because of a sense of nostalgia for those times.
So if you ask me about actual recommendation about exact model of one large Victorinox my advice will be plane, two handed opening, two layers Nomad (nowadays it named Picnicker sometimes), or if you want to have saw in it - two handed, plane Forester. Great knives.
This is my beloved workhorse Nomad
9nJiSYZ.jpg

Oh, about hand size, quite big :) RG
KSIyuzz.jpg

SAK
HBR3Rg3.jpg
 
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Advantage to the 111mm: the screwdriver/cap lifter locks.

Advantages to the Rangergrip: longer blade, longer saw (the latter is a bigger advantage).

I prefer the non-one hand versions, by the way. There is no opening hold hump when the blade is closed and you're using a different tool.
 
Campandtravel:
The Ranger grip is usually larger than what I need. If I know I'll be doing some sawing I carry it but other than that it stays home. I like the large locking screwdriver on the soldier...the 78's version isn't as good. I got the clip from SwissBianco. Roger, who owns that site doesn't sell them anymore. I wanted to get another and he doesn't answer inquiries. Too bad. It works well.
 
I use scissors much more often than I use my main blade.
Removing hangtags from clothing, cutting fishing line, tape, packing paper, fingernails and hangnails, hair (mustache, ear hair, nose hair, eyebrows, etc...), trimming plants and herbs, cutting open plastic packaging, removing clothing from a patient (I work in a large ER).
Some cutting tasks are just easier with scissors.
With a knife you will often need to hold tension on a line to make a precision cut. But with scissors you don't need to hold tension on the line...just snip!
I can do just about all my cutting with just a blade (except trim my nose hair), but whenever I'm carrying just a single blade folder, or a fixed blade knife, I almost aways find myself missing my scissors.
 
campandtravel said:
There seem to be two types of one-handed, large, rubberized swiss army knives. Some have the same tools. For example there is the RangerGrip 178 and also there is the model that is the actual military issue for US and Swiss military (I think, I don't really know.)

It looks like the rangergrip is larger.

I know some of you guys have both styles. Can you compare them, pros and cons, size differences, etc. Is the RangerGrip blade *too* big? Looks huge! Is the grip more comfortable on one than the other?

Etc. Thanks
Click to expand...
My 2d. :

*It's easier to thumb open the Soldier/Trekker (Victorinox pattern) OHO than the Ranger (Wenger pattern) OHO, especially with gloves on.

*I do missing having scissors on the Trekker (which started life as a German Army Knife with the olive drab scales and the Bundeswehr eagle, but got a wardrobe change so baggage inspectors in Europe would recognize it as an SAK and so I could find it more easily when dropped), but I use it outdoors on the farm and get more use out of the Phillips head driver on the spine most of the time.

*The difference in blade length is not a big deal for me. Contrasting these two knives the difference is minor and will not effect their cutting potential. They have rather different grinds, but I have reground my Trekker to have a bevel on both sides, something anyone with an emery board and a leather strop can accomplish given the softness of SAK steel. I have learned to appreciate the serrations on the distal end of the Trekker, too. I do not normally like combination edges, but this one works for me.

*The "lefty liner lock" on the Trekker is odd, I must admit, but I have gotten used to it. Neither it nor the right-handed lock on the Ranger is particularly swift or crisp, so holding them up against one another as a make-or-break feature should not sway you. I deactivate the Trekker liner lock with my right thumb and sweep the blade spine against my leg to close it. I have cut myself with many a knife, but never this one, so the technique works.

*Regarding the toothpick and tweezers: If you want them on the Soldier model, you can either replace the scales with red scales that have cutouts, or you can remove the green scales and turn them over to find the channels and cut out their ends. Yep, the channels for the tools are in there, but the ends have been sealed over so you cannot access them. I discovered this when replacing my GAK scales before my last trip overseas. And you can, of course, purchase the tools online separate from a knife.

*Plus one on the locking slotted screwdriver. It has a lot of uses and it makes a terrific scraper and pry tool because of the locking feature.

Finally, have a look at the YouTube page of one Felix Immler, a Swiss man who is an amazing craftsman and expert on using the wide array of Swiss Army Knives. He may have a video comparing these knives that will give you some more insight. Let us know what you choose!

Zieg

XRJH14n.jpeg
 
The Zieg said:
ou can remove the green scales and turn them over to find the channels and cut out their ends.
Click to expand...
Zieg, great reply thank you.

To the point about removing the scales, I have two questions.

first, do you know if these grooves also exist on the red soft/rubber grips on the one handed 111 models?

second, when you remove the scales, I thought they could not go back on again? Like a bumblebee, they're good for one sting. Am I wrong?
 
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