Victorinox dilemma: Small size vs More features

simple test.
Pick up all of your used SAK/SAKs and inspect every bladetool.
Next, take note especially of which bladetools that haven't has so much as a scratch or mark on 'em.
That's sure proof that under "normal conditions" (so far), your life doesn't largely depend on the functions of these bladetools.
It a process of elimination if you want to set a habit of being a minimalist.
But, its safe to assume that you need to at least keep the main large blade sharp!
And the smaller blade does come in as a handy back-up.
Screw driver bladestools always come in the handiest for multifunction options.
Personally I haven't discovered any other everyday use for the Can opener bladetool, besides its fine screwdriver tip.
And that fine idea of undoing knots (to safe cutting ropes or string) with the corkscrew hardly happens everday for me.
Actually, come to think of it a two layer SAK is probably all that's needed for EDC around an urban setting.
 
I've been steadily downsizing my stuff, edc sak's included. Years ago I had a hiker that I loved. Then it was down to my old Wenger SI. From there I went to a cadet II. These days I have found I really like the one layer sak's like the bantam. Main reason is I found out the combo tool realy does replace two tools at one swipe. The combo tool replaces both the conventional can opener with small screwdriver blade as well as the bottle opener/large screwdriver blade.

The other thing I like is to combine two sak's for edc. With a classic on the keyring giving me a small back up blade and sissors and nail file, My main pocket knife can be a little more basic. The one layer bantam does anything a tinker or recruit can, but is lighter, slimmer. It cuts, handles both flat and phillips screws, opens cans and bottles, has tweezers and toothpick. For urban/suburban use thats good enough. You have to look at what tools you really do use.

But then, it still fun to have a few others to alternate for the heck of it. Pocket knives in general, and sak's in particular, are addictive. :D
 
This thread is so timely! I'm going through this thought process right now. I carried a Rambler alone for years and it did everything I really needed...until I was opening a large cardboard box with my father-in-law. I pride myself on always being prepared, but the little pen knife was just not up to the task of cutting the thick cardboard. I bought a Supertinker the next day! After a while, I found it too thick in the pocket. I carried a Leatherman Juice S2 for a long time, which is as useful as a full-size multi, IMO. I hardly ever needed the pliers, though, and a SAK is so sleek and of higher quality. A Sportsman was next and I loved the slimmer, slightly shorter size. It would ride loose or on my keychain (only 2 oz). I really missed the scissors for grooming, though, (I did get by with the tweezers and knife, but it took a lot of concentration). Now I've put the Rambler back on the keychain and am carrying a Camper in the pocket (slightly slimmer and lighter than the Supertinker, but it makes a big difference--plus a saw) and I think all the bases will be covered. Thanks everyone for your input.
Brian
 
Actually I like the soldier with a Leatherman Micra or Squirt. I think that works well and the scissors on the Leatherman models are better IMHO and you still have the tweezers.
 
i you like the recruit,you also would like the cadet,with alox scales.it is much thinner,but has almost the smae tools like the recruit,except of the toothpick and tweezers.and the replacement of the small blade with a nailfile
 
Good question. At the moment I'm usually packing a huntsman when Im working an may upsize to a Ranger. Off work I often carry a Cadet or more recently an Alox Bantam. I usually have a Classic stashed away somewhere. In addition I keep a Spirit handy ,I made a pouch that clips to a belt loop , so it can be attached or removed as needed.
 
i have the soldier model, best sak IMO, small, efficient, durable, all i need in a relatively small package - blade, bottle opener, can opener, screwdriver and awl - perfect :D
for the scissors, i have a swiss card lite, but ive never used the scisors so far, and i have it since last year...guess im not a scissor guy
 
scibeer has added scissors to some cadets, and it worked out great. The problem is that the 84mm scissors are hard to come buy, and the SAKs that have them have become very collectible... And the 84mm factory alox such as Voyageur (Main Blade, combo tool, scissors) fetchess in the range of $250-300.
 
I have a compact knife model. Thin two layer sak that has a main blade, scissors, combo tool, corkscrew(holds fine screwdriver), a pen, a straight pin, parcel hook, tweezers, toothpick and on newer models a fingernail file along the shaft of the parcel hook. I got this sak because it has loads of features and a slim profile.
 
I like to EDC the Huntsman. I find no use for the corkscrew and don't miss it. I use the tweezer, phillips and other tools much more than the blades. The phillips makes a suitable fid for untieing knots, much better than the corkscrew was. I also EDC an old Leatherman PST for heavier work. Look for the sak that has the functions you need but no more and get it. Don't worry about how big it is, you'll get used to it. If it's uncomfortable in your pocket, get a belt sheath.
 
I've settled on the Hiker as my EDC, and it has served me well for several years. That is until the other night when I needed a corkscrew and didnt have one,lol. Now if it just had the Wenger cigar cutter on it, it'd be perfect. How cool would it be to have "options" on Vic knives?
Even the 4 layer SAK's are smaller and lighter than what a lot of folks carry as their EDC (plus of course it's much more useful).
 
I became addicted to SAKs fairly recently. Since Christmas I've been carrying a Vic Swiss Champ. It started out in a belt pouch, but quickly moved into a side pocket. It's a little thick for a pocket knife, but it has a tool set comparable to my regular multi-tools, and is still much easier to carry than my Leatherman, Gerber, SOG multi-tools. I also find the magnifying glass, and pen very useful, and they are two things not available on any pliers based multi-tool that I know of. The pliers aren't as good as the others I mentioned, but they do okay. Otherwise, I think it is as good as the others, in a much nicer package.
 
Simplicity. I started with a Recruit, worked up through several models to the Outrider, and back down to the Recruit. I do like the Hiker, but it's really just an oversized Recruit with an awl, dedicated Phillips head and saw. Since I rarely use those things, the Recruit is the only SAK I regularly carry away from work.
I actually use the Classic on my keyring most of all-scissors, blade, and tweezers, but don't really consider it a "knife".
 
GarageBoy said:
So, stuff or simplicity?
Click to expand...
Personally, if I am carrying it in a belt sheath, I figure I might as well carry the larger one with more tools. Maybe I won't need most of them most of the time, but for belt carry the difference between the medium and large versions of Victorinox multi-tools doesn't make any difference in ease of carry, so I can indulge my love for gadgets. :D

Now, if you want to pocket carry that is different, and its worth chosing the smallest model that includes the tools you think you really need on a regular basis. Even a little bigger in the pocket can make a difference between comfortable carry and annoying. ;)
 
Ah the joys of decision making. I've now got to the point where my collection of SAKs gives me daily options. So even if I haven't got the perfect SAK in my pocket I at least have a SAK with me.
Of course, I still have some opinions. In particular I use the littel screwdriver a lot so a corkscrew is a plus in order to carry it. And it's not just that it is a small screwdriver, the ergonomics are nice for twiddling and the similar sized driver on my Wave isn't as easy to use for little jobs. Also, I'm never sure that I need two blades and consider them a waste of space. One is enough. Or more to the point, the blades on twin blade SAKs are too close to each other in size. There are little jobs that a Classic blade is good for, and big jobs that I reach for my OHT for. I'm not seeing those two size blades on the same knife.
 
I´ve carried SAKs for many years and I´ve been through them all. I´ve got the SwissChamp, Explorer, Huntsman, Climber, OHT, Locksmith, Clmber etc etc But now I carry a Leatherman Skeletool and a small Classic. Then I get a full set of pliers (really good), a sturdy knife, screwdrivers that actually work an the Classic provides me with scissors, toothpic etc. A really nice combo that disapears in your pockets.
 
I like to carry a Spirit on my belt if I'm dressed casually. Otherwise, I carry a Case peanut or Wenger SI. As for the handy scissors, there's one of those Swisscards in my wallet; better than nothing in a pinch.

I'd like to try one of those Ramblers though.
 
"...So, stuff or simplicity?..."
-GarageBoy
Quite honestly, it depends on the ocassion and mindset of the individual SAK user.
Also I admit that I do get rather bored with just a single or two layered SAK (its doubles up as my favorite pocket "toy"!); even though I know for a fact that I certainly wouldn't be using any of the other extra bladetools except for instances when I least expect it (shades of murphy's law?!). If we go about like Boy Scouts, it's inevitable that we will find more reasons to pack the thick 'n heavy. "Just in case" is a pretty good reason to automatically convince one's self to buy things that we won't necessarily be needing.
 
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