Which SAK should I get?

D

Da Thurmanator

Joined
Mar 21, 2013
Messages
102
I originally posted this in the SwissBianco forum. I only got one response, it was helpful but I was hoping to get some more opinions. Hopefully you guys can help me out! :D
So here's my question:

I've got a gift card to (large river in South America).com and was thinking about getting a SAK. I have a couple SAKs but I don't have a classic red one. I really like the look of the red. I was thinking about the Deluxe Tinker because I would like to have pliers but I'm worried that it would be too thick for carrying in a pocket. Is it too thick? I can't think of a specific purpose that I'll be using it for, mainly just EDC. Which Victorinox would you guys suggest that I get?
 
I think the deluxe Tinker is a little thick for the pocket. If you are comfortable with that thickness, there are many choices available. I like simple SAKs and prefer the One Handed Trekker (plain edge) or the Adventurer. Both are the larger 110mm size, but still work very well for me in my pocket. Some prefer the middle size like the Soldier or regular Tinker. The regular tinker was the first SAK I ever carried and it was invaluable in when I was in South America although the bull fight bouncers didn't much care for me carrying any knife. The bottle opener is quite useful in SA unless they have gone to aluminum cans for soda's.
 
I'm a big fan of the Alox models. My favorites are the Farmer and the Lumberjack. Of the standard scales I really like the Compact. It is a great office EDC.
 
I've always been a fan of the regular Tinker. I carried one every day for about half a dozen years.
 
What do you want to use it for

A Classic is a great manicure knife
A Farmer is a great field knife
 
I keep a SwissChamp in my pocket and I'm getting a belt sheath for it. After spending time on BladeForums, I am only just discovering that not everyone likes big or heavy things in their pocket...so I'll recommend it to you, because I love it and all its features, and I will also recommend that you get a nice belt sheath to carry it.

Of course, not everyone is willing to do that, which is fine.
 
fieldmaster... my friend for over 20 years and just used it today! And the day before... etc...
 
get the mechanic - my favorite edc sak - if you need the pliers often. 3 layer, comfortable in the pocket.
 
My EDC SAK for many years now has been a Cybertool 29 (and a 41 before that). Granted, it's probably the least "traditional" of SAKs, but the multi-bit driver is just so dang useful.
 
If you can find one the Vic Special or Junior Mechanic sold through Radio Shack in the '90's is a two layer with pliers.

84A53150-1AB4-4E29-8FA6-A1824E5249BE-131-00000001D84F134A_zps80aaf497.jpg


Wish Vic would bring this one back

Pete
 
Personally, the aloxes are my favorite for everyday carry but since you want the classic red I'll keep my suggestions to those only. I've never had a SAK that has had a pliers on it so I can't honestly speak to their functionality but they look pretty small to be very useful. My thought would be if a decent pliers is a must go with a leatherman for edc, they're made for that work. If pliers are not a must then I would suggest the SAK Huntsman, it has most the everyday useful tools you need while maintaining a size decent enough to carry in the pocket without being too obnoxious. It has a main blade, pen blade, saw, scissors, can opener, bottle opener, parcel hook, awl, cork screw, tweezers and toothpick. If you would like it a bit smaller for even better pocket carry you can shed the saw and get the SAK Climber II, or shed the scissors and parcel hook and get the SAK Camper. Hope that helps, happy hunting!!
 
Da Thurmanator said:
I have a couple SAKs but I don't have a classic red one. I really like the look of the red. I was thinking about the Deluxe Tinker because I would like to have pliers but I'm worried that it would be too thick for carrying in a pocket. Is it too thick? I can't think of a specific purpose that I'll be using it for, mainly just EDC. Which Victorinox would you guys suggest that I get?
Click to expand...

Tell us a bit about yourself. What do you wear day in and day out? Jeans or slacks? Are you a 25-year-old moose hunting guide in Montana, or a 65-year-old history professor in a college town? Etc.

-- Mark


PS: With that said, just get an 84mm Tourist and add the little screwdriver that fits into the corkscrew. :)

 
In the op I don't see what environment you will be using this in. A classic vs one with pliers is all over the place. For an urban environment I have found the Midnight Manager is small enough for pocket edc and takes care of most needs. So it depends on the environment, your job, and other factors. Pliers are nice and I have many different leathman tools, but find that I rarely need the extra weight unless working around my house on a day off.
 
I find even the big SAKs miraculously comfortable to use and not too heavy - I have a CT41, and that sat happily in the watchpocket of my jeans, for anyone used to carrying around bone handled traditional, even the big SAKs aren't too heavy. a SwissChamp or CT41 are very usable fat knives. Another alternative is the CT34 - there you get rid of a couple of outdoor tools, and keep the pliers, scissors and multifunction screwdrivers. That's for a more City EDC.
 
I hate to stray from traditional discussion in this forum, but check out a Leatherman Squirt PS4. Small needlenose pliers, scissors, a couple screwdrivers, bottle opener, a file, and of course, a small blade. I prefer the Squirt pliers over the SAK pliers, and the Squirt is very small on a keychain. This way you can free up a spring or 2 on whichever SAK you like to carry something thinner, or carry one with extra tools and keep the size the same.
 
Da Thurmanator said:
I can't think of a specific purpose that I'll be using it for, mainly just EDC. Which Victorinox would you guys suggest that I get?
Click to expand...

Pick one of the following - whichever you like the best - and you will hear angels singing:

- Manager
- Compact
- Super Tinker
- Explorer Plus

Were I picking for you, I'd get you a Super Tinker. All the right tools, and 3 layers for pretty easy pocketability. The Explorer Plus is my fave, but its 4 layers and takes a day or two to get used to in the pocket. After that, you're golden.
 
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