What did you use your SAK for today?

[Alburyscott]

Today I used my new pioneer x to make a lanyard for itself!!

 

[sonofwilfred]

An early 80s SPARTAN today used to cut loose threads while sewing on my industrial sew machine

 

[sonofwilfred]

Today and other days, I regularly use the corkscrew to open the catch on my New Holland T6.150 bonnet.

 

[paulhilborn]

Cellidor Camper today, it's already been extremely useful, replaced battery on bike computer and dug out broken key shaft on store door today

 

[redsparrow]

First time poster, but I was rather happy today to use the reamer on my new hiker to clean out the nozzle on our hand sanitizer at work (it was shooting out at a right angle, and wasting the precious liquid).

Today I used my new pioneer x to make a lanyard for itself!!

First, even though I may be late, let me say "Welcome to the forum" and then, "It sounds like you're getting some good use out of your SAKS, hope to hear more from you before long."

It's a bit late in the day (530pm) and we are trying to start a fire with the explorer. We will give it another go tomorrow, in the mid day Australian sun

Let us know how you make out. I bought an explorer to use it's mag-glass as a back up fire starter in a hiking pack. I've tried twice but so far it's only made smoke.

 

[Alburyscott]

https://flic.kr/p/2iKmMgb

 

[sonofwilfred]

First, even though I may be late, let me say "Welcome to the forum" and then, "It sounds like you're getting some good use out of your SAKS, hope to hear more from you before long."



Let us know how you make out. I bought an explorer to use it's mag-glass as a back up fire starter in a hiking pack. I've tried twice but so far it's only made smoke.

Same mate just smoke. But I'm determined to get it right. I just need to find the best tinder. Char cloth is my next step after our bad weather this week I will definitely let you know how we go

 

[Pomsbz]

Yesterday I did something somewhat different, used the pen blade on my SAK to scrape ink off a sheet of paper. Couldn't find any white out or similar to cover up a mistake. It's how it was done in the olden days...

 

[sonofwilfred]

My lanyard is just the right length to undo tight oil drum lids.

 

[mitch13]

Last night I used 09 soldier saw to take a cm off a walking stick and used the file on my handyman to smooth it off.

 

[znapschatz]

Let us know how you make out. I bought an explorer to use it's mag-glass as a back up fire starter in a hiking pack. I've tried twice but so far it's only made smoke.

But I'm determined to get it right. I just need to find the best tinder. Char cloth is my next step after our bad weather this week I will definitely let you know how we go

I have been trying for decades to start a fire using my Swisschamp magnifier with the exact same result. Only after last summer's attempt, I got some helpful advice on how to do it. This coming summer I'll try it out and let everyone know if it was successful (I hope, fingers crossed).

 

[redsparrow]

At first I thought it was just me or it was because I had the lower power new style mag-glass. Years later I tried an old style (higher magnification) and it too was unable to start a fire. With the right starter medium it should be possible but I wanted to use only natural material that could be found on the ground around here. Today I'm going to try the old style, a new style and a desk glass for comparison with different kindlings, I'll post the results. I'd be grateful to hear of your findings.

 

[paulhilborn]

I have been trying for decades to start a fire using my Swisschamp magnifier with the exact same result. Only after last summer's attempt, I got some helpful advice on how to do it. This coming summer I'll try it out and let everyone know if it was successful (I hope, fingers crossed).

At first I thought it was just me or it was because I had the lower power new style mag-glass. Years later I tried an old style (higher magnification) and it too was unable to start a fire. With the right starter medium it should be possible but I wanted to use only natural material that could be found on the ground around here. Today I'm going to try the old style, a new style and a desk glass for comparison with different kindlings, I'll post the results. I'd be grateful to hear of your findings.

Eager to hear results as well, I have never even attempted before

 

[redsparrow]

Fire Making Attempt - Vic Explorers or What Else Ya Gonna Do During Quarantine?

season; early spring
time; noon
location; southern MI.
conditions; in direct bright sunlight, under a clear sky
the medium; dried leaves, drier lint, note paper
the culprits; old style explorer, hand held mag-glass, new style explorer

results;
-no combination of glass and medium produced fire
-desk glass showed most promise by producing smoke from all three materials as soon as focus was achieved
-both explorers were much slower to produce smoke then the desk glass and neither made smoke in the drier lint

Supposition;
-the diameter of the glass makes a substantial difference, with the larger glass concentrating more sunlight
-with a greater need and a lot more patience the desk glass may have produced fire
-the greatest possibility of producing fire was with the desk glass and drier lint combo
-under these conditions the explorers most likely could never make fire

photo taken at approximately the mid point of efforts

 

[paulhilborn]

Fire Making Attempt - Vic Explorers or What Else Ya Gonna Do During Quarantine?

season; early spring
time; noon
location; southern MI.
conditions; in direct bright sunlight, under a clear sky
the medium; dried leaves, drier lint, note paper
the culprits; old style explorer, hand held mag-glass, new style explorer

results;
-no combination of glass and medium produced fire
-desk glass showed most promise by producing smoke from all three materials as soon as focus was achieved
-both explorers were much slower to produce smoke then the desk glass and neither made smoke in the drier lint

Supposition;
-the diameter of the glass makes a substantial difference, with the larger glass concentrating more sunlight
-with a greater need and a lot more patience the desk glass may have produced fire
-the greatest possibility of producing fire was with the desk glass and drier lint combo
-under these conditions the explorers most likely could never make fire

photo taken at approximately the mid point of efforts

Interesting James, like I mentioned above, I've never tried this with a SAK. With a glass magnifying glass I have but it was so long ago I can't remember the results, but am pretty sure if I had success I'd recall? what puzzles me though is MacGyver never had this problem

 

[redsparrow]

Today was an eye opener for me. I was under the impression that starting a fire with a magnifying glass would be fairly easy and I'm betting it is for MacGyver.
I'm going to reconfigure my emergency pack to include a SAK with pliers and a couple .22 cartridges for their powder.

 

[paulhilborn]

Today was an eye opener for me. I was under the impression that starting a fire with a magnifying glass would be fairly easy and I'm betting it is for MacGyver.
I'm going to reconfigure my emergency pack to include a SAK with pliers and a couple .22 cartridges for their powder.

James, I really like those firefly ferro inserts, they spark very well. I just ordered another 8 pack

Stay safe James

 

[sonofwilfred]

Today was an eye opener for me. I was under the impression that starting a fire with a magnifying glass would be fairly easy and I'm betting it is for MacGyver.
I'm going to reconfigure my emergency pack to include a SAK with pliers and a couple .22 cartridges for their powder.

Another partly cloudy day here 430pm. I did get a promising result with a leaf folded around a natural ball of cotton. I got a small ignition but with the surprise of something actually happening I didn't get it into my tinder bundle in time. I do promise to have another go in the midday sun when the conditions are right. Sadly I think the sak magnifying glass is not a reliable fire starter.

 

[redsparrow]

James, I really like those firefly ferro inserts, they spark very well. I just ordered another 8 pack

Stay safe James

Good suggestion Paul. I'd forgotten about the fireflys.
We're being as cautious as reasonably possible and pray often. You stay safe as well my friend.

Another partly cloudy day here 430pm. I did get a promising result with a leaf folded around a natural ball of cotton. I got a small ignition but with the surprise of something actually happening I didn't get it into my tinder bundle in time. I do promise to have another go in the midday sun when the conditions are right. Sadly I think the sak magnifying glass is not a reliable fire starter.

That sounds promising. Maybe it's just going to take some practice. Still... it's probably best keeping a Bic handy. Good luck mate, keep us posted.

 

[paulhilborn]

Good suggestion Paul. I'd forgotten about the fireflys.
We're being as cautious as reasonably possible and pray often. You stay safe as well my friend.

That sounds promising. Maybe it's just going to take some practice. Still... it's probably best keeping a Bic handy. Good luck mate, keep us posted.

Caution is the norm here of late also James and nothing as powerful as prayer