Which SAK for backpacking?

[GRIM 62]

The Huntsman is a great SAK,easily one of the best for woods bummin'.I carry mine in a sheath.

 

[Shotgun]

you can purchase the SAK scissors as stand alone (as well as the tweezers)- I carry the scissors, tweezers and a small fixed blade (much the same size as the W&SS knife)- I've never felt wanting in all the backpacking trips I've done

What's funny is when I hear a light load for serious mountain hiking I think of mtwarden's setup because I know he's walked the walk. I'd take his advice pretty seriously.
You could also get a SAK classic which would fill the bill of tweezers, scissors, and screwdriver and then add a small fixed.

Edit: Looks like I'm late to the show. One thing I do find ineresting though is what people "need" compared to others. The OP's first requirement was a pair of scissors, one piece of gear I've never used in the woods.

 

[bulgron]

Edit: Looks like I'm late to the show. One thing I do find ineresting though is what people "need" compared to others. The OP's first requirement was a pair of scissors, one piece of gear I've never used in the woods.

How do you cut moleskin? Or don't you ever need it?

I also use scissors for trimming nails, and trimming fishing line. But mostly it's about moleskin.

 

[Shotgun]

Ahh I thought that was the reason. I use duct tape. Best to catch the blisters before they start. If I feel a hot spot on my foot I'll put a length of tape over it and works perfectly.

 

[Guyon]

I've used scissors to trim nose hair, clip a skin tag, shape moleskin, cut off panties, open food packets, trim fishing line, and so on.
Me likey the Vic Outdoorsman. Me likey it a lot. I think I'm up to 8 of them. You know... just in case.

 

[jw2n]

For me, personally, I would rather trim the ounces from somewhere else. I carried a Champ for 30 years and a XLT for the past two. I also like the 108mm series and have all with the exception of the Solo Plus, Mauser, and Walther. Also, the Workchamp series is a serious piece of equipment. Have you considered any of the Wenger models. If scissors are vital than you may look at a dedicated pair. Some of the finest I own are designed for cutting polycarbonate and are made by Kyosho. They are curled so work great for cutting moleskin or nails. Just another suggestion.

 

[bulgron]

I've used scissors to trim nose hair, clip a skin tag, shape moleskin, cut off panties, open food packets, trim fishing line, and so on.
[/IMG]

Hmm... There's got to be a good story in there, but maybe not for this forum, yeah?

 

[Gadgetaholic]

I think the Ranger has all of that, and then some. But is the file on a SAK really good enough for sharpening an axe?

I have a Ranger - great camping SAK with Saw, 2 blades, scissors, file, chisel, can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew, toothpick, tweezers, awl and a few other tools. The file works on metal, but I don't know about hardened steel like on a knife or axe.

I would take my DMT aligner along (or at least the holder and a course hone) and use that instead or my convex sharpening kit (with several grades of wet/dry sandpaper.

 

[Gadgetaholic]

I've used scissors to trim nose hair, clip a skin tag, shape moleskin, cut off panties, open food packets, trim fishing line, and so on.

My normal EDC includes 3 pairs of scissors (Vic Cybertool 34, Vic SwissTool X, LM Squirt S4) - it's good to have a backup.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

It used to be the Rucksack, and then I thought, "This has everything I want, except for scissors (surprisingly enough, one of my most used items)".

Then came the Outrider. It has everything I need: longer blade and saw (saw is a BIG improvement), scissors, etc. I added the SAK screwdriver that fits the corkscrew. Tweezers and toothpick in handle. Yep, nothing not to like. If I need pliers, I carry a small set of needle-nose with me. I don't even carry a multitool anymore. Having everythin in one package is great until you need to hold something with the pliers and use one of the other tools on it. . .

 

[Modoc ED]

Either the Fieldmaster or Huntsman would be a good SAK to take along. The only difference between the two is that the Fieldmaster has a Philips screwdriver while the Huntsman has a cork screw in it's place.

Fieldmaster

Huntsman

Do yourself a favor and take your Leatherman along too. The weight of it will be unnoticeable.

 

[RescueRiley]

I use a Sak ALLOT!! Ive spent allot of woods time with a heavy cuttng tool and a sak as my blade set up I primarily use
the forrester
the trekker
or the rucksack
they are interchangable in my mind as they all have primarily the same setup.
I don;t use scissors much or have I ever used moleskin for that matter..
but that;s just me

 

[Tuxdad]

the venerable Farmer @ ~ 3.0 oz

I'm growing rather fond of my GAK @ 2.9 oz

I just picked up one of those this weekend.. The blade was duller than a bowling ball.. Took me just about most of the day to work up a decent edge on it(the blade).. Hopefully it'll hold it a good long while..lol

 

[mtwarden]

I just picked up one of those this weekend.. The blade was duller than a bowling ball.. Took me just about most of the day to work up a decent edge on it(the blade).. Hopefully it'll hold it a good long while..lol

mine was rather dull as well, no problems now though- pops hair pretty well

 

[Tuxdad]

Haven't gotten mine that sharp yet...lol May take a few days before I get to that level...lol How long have you had yours, and how much have you had to touch up the edge ?

 

[stewey1]

I carry and love a sak one handed trekker, plain edge or a sak climber

 

[Carolina River Rat]

The One-hand Trekker and Classic would be a combo to consider. OHT has a stout locking blade, saw, awl, flat and phillips screwdrivers. Classic has scissors and that tiny little blade that's good for trimming fingernails and digging out splinters. Both very handy to have around.

 

[mtwarden]

Haven't gotten mine that sharp yet...lol May take a few days before I get to that level...lol How long have you had yours, and how much have you had to touch up the edge ?

got it on a trade here about a year ago, mine wasn't bowling ball dull though , but I put it to work on some sandpaper and then stropped it (black, then green) and now it's a "popper"

 

[jw2n]

I have a Vic GAK (old style) and several of the subcontracted 108s. Some have been super beat up, but I dont understand the time described to sharpen one. With a Smith diamond set-up I can grind a new bevel and get one laser sharp in 10 minutes. Now, if you are talking about getting heavy scratches out of the flats than I can understand.

 

[Tuxdad]

No this beasty was just that dull and I was using a regular smith's stone rather than a diamond stone.. There was quite literally no edge at all on this thing.. I still like it for $15 and finally got it to a breath away from "hair popping".. Getting to that last stage usually takes me a while as I try and make sure the entire edge(including the point, which is hardest for me) is to that stage... I'm still a bit of a rooky at sharpening but I get there still..in time..