What it took me a long time to learn

I carried a Buck 110 type knife (Schrade 250T in my case) for years starting in the mid-70's when I learned about this kind of belt knife. It was my primary work knife, hunting knife, and hiking knife for years. Gradually I shifted it to mostly a work knife as I would carry a smaller folder hunting along with a fixed blade. It was too big for an everyday knife unless all you did was work outdoors (you might say "ranch type use").

I feel sure that later carrying a SAK had some impact on the choice not to carry the knife except for work where the longer blade was quite useful.
 
jackknife said:
[...] Packages arriving at the door didn't have tear open pull tabs like today, but they were encased on brown wrapping paper and sealed in with that brown packing tape that went on wet and dried like the outer casing of a mummy. [...]
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I completely forgot about that tape, haven't seen it in so many years, I can't remember when!

I'm sentimental to the SAK, it was my first knife, my Dad (who also stormed Omaha Beach) bought me in Germany in 1972. Still have it. Have his TL-29 also.
 
sodak said:
I completely forgot about that tape, haven't seen it in so many years, I can't remember when!

I'm sentimental to the SAK, it was my first knife, my Dad (who also stormed Omaha Beach) bought me in Germany in 1972. Still have it. Have his TL-29 also.
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I used to work in a warehouse where we were packing things for shipment. Used that tape many many times (it had a heated glue or liquid reservoir). Always worked really well. Now they have this tape with a filament/fiber embedded in it to prevent tearing. Often requires a blade to open from a practical point of view. I don't remember ever using a utility knife back then.

Not that many packages have the pull tabs except Fedex packaging and generally their smaller pouches. SAK works well.
 
I EDC a Leatherman Wave with the Bit Kit and Extender for work. After work and on the weekends I EDC a SAK Super Tinker or Camper with a classic on my keychain. Maybe it is because I am getting older but a tactical knife or even a traditional just doesn't seem necessary for me. Nothing against the tactical knives/traditional knives I love looking at them but SAKs provide me some useful additional tools without much added weight and I get the nostalgia from when I was a kid watching Macgyver use the old Red Handle SAKs.

The OP is right the Alox are more durable but the Cellidor are durable enough for me and even in most emergencies I think will be up to the task. If I need something even more durable I am going with a fixed blade knife or my Leatherman Wave.
 
CSG said:
I've carried a little SAK for more than 45 years now - Classic for most of that time. Later, an Ambassador but recently, the Executive, which I was made aware of on this site. Along with the SAK, I carried some sort of more serious folder - Buck 110 at first (I was in law enforcement and that's what the guys in my department carried in the 70's) but moved to the smaller 501 around 1980 (one of my all time favorite knives). When I discovered the Griptilian line about 10- years ago and its one-hand opening, I started carrying the Mini-Grip but recently moved to the Bugout 535BK2 (lighter than the Mini but with a larger blade and better fit in my hand). I have a few other fixed blade knives and folders as well. While my habit of carrying a small SAK and a larger folder is too ingrained to stop now, it's the little SAK that gets 99% of the daily use. I'd feel undressed without the larger folder so I carry one even though it's so rarely used or needed.
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It took me a long time to really appreciate how effective the smaller SAK's were. I have carried the 'bigger' SAK's like the tinker and Wenger SI since 1969, but it took until 1995 and my better half to make me realize that the little SAK's were not a joke. Since then, my SAK size has shrunk and n ow the 58's and 74's are my main choice. If I need more blade, then thats what my Buck woodsman or Finish Puuko is for.
 
People sometimes seem to forget that even if the plastic scales break in the ”ultimate survival situation”, the knife is still functional. And you can buy new scales and install them yourself, or even try other color for a fresh breeze.
 
I just recently ordered two Ambassadors...one for me and one for my beautiful bride.
We both love the Classic, but the slightly longer handle (and longer blade and larger scissors) seems like it might be the sweet spot.
I'm getting used to the size because I'm already carrying a Vic Money Clip Alox at work in my hospital scrubs.
The money clip is an excellent pocket or waistband clip. ;)

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I was once on a turkey hunt in the Texas Hill Country. The ranch hands dropped me off at a blind for a couple hours. As it turned out I shot my bird quickly and it was super hot that day. All I had in my pockets was an SAK and a Leatherman.

I used the Leatherman to clip a six-inch piece of wire from a nearby fence and used that to hang the bird in a tree. The SAK made quick work to field dress the carcass to cool it down.

When the ranch hands came back they were surprised and maybe a bit embarrassed.

I always thought I needed a big knife with me in the field. That experience showed me otherwise.
 
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Allen, I'm betting that you and your bride are going to get a boatload of use out of those little SAK's. :thumbsup:

As I've gotten 'older' I've come to realize that in the 21st century suburbia, the smaller SAK's just make sense. They work at a very surprisingly wide array of tasks, and punch above their weight class. Yet are soooooo easy to just have on hand. That little pointy nail file will work well on those very small Phillips screws and as a general poky tool. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
marchone said:
All I had in my pockets was an SAK and a Leatherman.
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That's a good combination. You were well-prepared, and it paid off. And the diamond file on the Wave was there in case you needed to touch up the edge on the SAK. Having the knowledge and experience to pack an appropriate set of tools and put them to good use in less-than-ideal circumstances is good for two extra points! Well done! T-A
 
marchone said:
I was once on a turkey hunt in the Texas Hill Country. The ranch hands dropped me off at a blind for a couple hours. As it turned out I shot my bird quickly and it was super hot that day. All I had in my pockets was an SAK and a Leatherman.

I used the Leatherman to clip a six-inch piece of wire from a nearby fence and used that to hang the bird in a tree. The SAK made quick work to field dress the carcass to cool it down.

When the ranch hands came back they were surprised and maybe a bit embarrassed.

I always thought I needed a big knife with me in the field. That experience showed me otherwise.
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Its always surprising how far you can go with a pocket knife and a few tools.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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