Which SAK is most versatile?

R

rickf

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Out of the many different models of SAKs available which one do you think is the most versatile for utility purposes? I love my all of my folders but sometimes I need some additional functions such as pair a of scissors, tweezers, etc. Any help would be appreciated since they have about a million different models now. TIA. -Rick
 
Go with the big boy -- the SwissChamp. It's got everything. Sure, it's big, but why give up anything?

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I like the smaller versions;

I carry, everyday, the Executive model, very handy and use the scissors a lot on that one.

The other one I use and carry in my pack to work;

The Super Tinker, this one has the phillips that comes out straight!
The Mechanic, this one has the pliers on it!

Also carry, everyday, in my back pocket,
The Cowboy, which is a large single blade that locks, use it for food...

Of all the ones I've owned, I would ALWAYS replace that Executive if I ever lost it!

G2
 
Actually, the SwissChamp no longer reigns supreme. The new top-of-the-line from Victorinox is the SwissChamp XLT, which I now carry. It is 2" wide. I think it should come with a trailer instead of the traditional sheath. :D

Basically they added all of the features that were introduced on the CyberTool models to the SwissChamp. Bulky but amazingly handy!

--Bob Q
 
I like the Super Tinker. It has a Phillips screw driver in place of the cork screw.

On the other hand, you never know when you may have to open an "emergency" bottle of wine. :D
 
Heads up incoming different opinion here. :p The most versatile SAK is the SWISSTOOL or SWISSTOOL SR. The SR has scissors. If it has pliers I can actually USE then it's already close to being the most versatile. The Wenger Swissgrip is great too if it counts. The mini Swissgrip is O.K. but the pliers are small (you can still use them though). The mini Swissgrip does have tweezers and toothpick though. :D
 
Well, I've had about a zillion SAKs and liked pretty much all of them. At the moment, I'm carrying a Deluxe Tinker, which I like mostly because it has both scissors and reasonably functional pliers. Plus, it's not so big to be unmanageable. I definitely couldn't see myself walking around with a Champ in my pocket. One other model that I truly loved was the one with the aluminum handle, bottle opener, can opener, awl and blade. The awl is sharpened, and I often used as another blade. I don't remember the name of that model, but I had (actually, still have) one with a silver handle, and another, slightly smaller, with a red handle. It's a knife that will withstand all kinds of abuse.
 
I've had a question about SAKs that's been bothering me for years. This looks better than most threads for asking it. Why are Victorinox and Wenger so determined to put a corkscrew on at least 80% (figure out of nowhere) of their models? Is there some other use for corkscrews than the traditional that I'm not grasping? Since I've had to give up drinking -- meds not compatible -- nothing could be more useless for me than a corkscrew on a knife. Even when I did drink wine, it was at "big" dinner occasions. Never considered taking any camping or backpacking. I just don't get it. Is it because I'm not European?
 
Bugs3X, I have heard that drinking wine in Europe is pretty much a way of life. They NEED a corkscrew on all their stuff. Leatherman was having requests in Europe for a corkscrew so they designed the Flair, a tool pretty much developed around a corkscrew with assist. ;)
 
Yep, I can confirm. Wine drinking is definitely a way of life, at least here in Italy where I live. I've used my SAK plenty of times at parties and get - togethers to open bottles of wine. Of course, the SAKs I mentioned in my last post don't have a corkscrew, but it all boils down to the survival factor: you pack what you think you're going to need. And if you happen to be going to a party, you pack a SAK with a corkscrew! At least I do. Of course, wine drinking may be a way of life in this part of Europe, but beer drinking is always going to be near and dear to my heart, which offers another excuse to carry a SAK: just about every model has a bottle opener!
 
Hi Bugs3x,

completely agree with Nathan. Corkscrew is the MUST in Europe, something a gentleman must have. I used to have with me a 'Tourist' (like a 'Spartan', just a little bit smaller, and without a lanyard ring). Perfectly complements my Spyderco's Wegner Jr.

Regards,

Franco
 
I'll cast another vote for the SwissTool as the most versitile, however I like the Ruksak or Firemans models the best, today Its a Tinkerer and Rover. Sometimes small size is a huge virtue.
 
Originally posted by Bugs3x
....to put a corkscrew on at least 80% (figure out of nowhere) of their models? Is there some other use for corkscrews than the traditional that I'm not grasping?....
Click to expand...

I've used my corkscrew when there were things wedged and needed to use the screw portion to twist beneath it to get them out, not as sharp as other methods so it didn't hurt the material, about the only other handy feature is that it holds the mini-screwdriver!

G2
 
I love that neat little eyeglass-screw-size screwdriver that comes with some models. It's worth having a corkscrew for that.
 
I carry a SwissChamp on my keyring. That little screwdriver in the corkscrew is a must-have for woodwind players. Also, the hook remover on the end of the fish scaler is useful if a spring comes loose. I find the most often used tools are the knife blades (duh), bottle and can openers and their respective screwdrivers, scissors, and the Phillips.
 
I keep thinking about getting a huge SAK w/the kitchen & bathroom sinks, but I can't justify even a regular one. There's just nothing I come across that my LM Supertool & LM Micra can't handle. Other than a corkscrew, what do SAK's have that I don't?
 
Oddly enough, I have found that in some cases, the large screwdriver on the combination screwdriver/bottle opener on the Victorinox SAKs works better on some screws than does the large screwdriver on my Leatherman, because the SAK version's is a bit thinner at the edge...one example is the pivot screw on my Emerson folder, my SAK is what I use to adjust it.

I usually carry both a Leatherman Pulse and one or two V-nox SAKs on me. One is a small penknife, such as the Classic or Executive, which are perfect for minor grooming and light chores. The other is a medium-size, such as a Tinker or a Soldier. If I'm in an environment where I may need a small saw, I may switch it for the Hiker or Huntsman, or, if I need a larger outdoor one, I would take the Trailmaster which has a larger wood saw and dual locking liner for the main blade and large screwdriver. I own a SwissChamp, but I find for general urban everyday carry, the Classic and Tinker make a great SAK team.
Jim
 
I would also consider the Victorinox Cyber-Tool. It has a tantalizing array of tiny Torx and Phillips drivers that make it a valuable tool to adjust many pocket knives.:rolleyes:
 
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