Which SAK to buy?

R

RedLynx

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Hi guys,

Let me preface this by saying other than knowing them by sight due to their iconic nature, I know nothing at all about SAKs. Shame, I know.

I am sure there are a ton of models with different sizes, tool configurations, etc.

Was chatting with my gf on Skype today, she lives in Poland. She's trying to think of a present for her dad, and was leaning toward a SAK, since he does have one but very old and certain things such as the scissors do not work anymore.

She won't be able to buy an expensive or huge one.

I'd sort of like to surprise her by sending a bigger, beefier model filled with lots of nice tools. I know he'd get a lot of use out of it too, at work and on weekends out in the country.

Again, I know nothing about SAKs so I can't give you a list and ask you which is best, unfortunately.

But if I wanted to buy one of the thicker, beefed up models, which ones would some of you recommend and why?

Thanks all.
 
I would recommend a farmer with Alox scales. It has all the tools you might use but none of the ones you won't! That's my vote anyways
 
xrangerx said:
I would recommend a farmer with Alox scales. It has all the tools you might use but none of the ones you won't! That's my vote anyways
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Thanks ranger,

Question: Found some on eBay, one with silver fluted handles can be had for only $28, but there is another with th Alox scales you mention, blue, for $99. Do you know if the Alox scales are the only reason for the disparity in price? I want to get a really nice one but I probably can't afford a really nice one, it's a a paradox. ;)
 
I think the Huntsman is a good outdoorsy SAK, and the Climber is good for more urban use. Anything bigger than the Huntsman just seems unnecessarily large to me and takes up too much room in my pocket for me to want to carry it. I like the Spartan and the Cadet models also, but they are pretty minimalist as far as SAK's go, and the scissors on the Huntsman and Climber are very useful imo. The Alox versions like the Farmer are nice, but I always get enough use out of the tweezers and toothpick to make the plastic scaled versions more worth it.
 
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I would suggest the Compact. It's a two layer knife, so very thin, but has the Vic combo-tool, large blade and scissors, along with a pen, tweezers and toothpick. I'm never without mine.
 
I would suggest a basic 2 layer knife (so 4 tools /blades). Either an Electrician (2 blades, 2 tools) a pioneer (large blade, awl blade, 2 tools) or a farmer (blade, saw, 2 tools). I would highly recommend the electrician for its 2 PE blades.

As for the price difference, I'm not sure why the one is $99, I know any of the 3 I mentioned are under $30 in silver alox.

Search here for custom's, I know whetstone own's a really nice looking one that he's shared in the PiF threads (#7 or 8 if you want to search) but when you go the custom route you can choose color, blade/tool config and liner material plus you an get a pocket clip. (Not that you can't easily add a pocket clip yourself, that's my biggest complaint)

About a moth ago I carried my pioneer around for a week and it worked out much better than I imagined (I was doing some home winterization that week and the screw driver blade was really helpful to have in my pocket), the only thing that keeps me from carrying it more is a lack of pocket clip.
 
I have been looking for a new SAK for some reason. Maybe its because I saw an email from REI that they had some on sale which usually is not a sale, but this time their prices are decent.

I am not sure what to buy as well and eager to see how this thread develops.
 
Cereal_killer said:
I would suggest a basic 2 layer knife (so 4 tools /blades). Either an Electrician (2 blades, 2 tools) a pioneer (large blade, awl blade, 2 tools) or a farmer (blade, saw, 2 tools). I would highly recommend the electrician for its 2 PE blades.

As for the price difference, I'm not sure why the one is $99, I know any of the 3 I mentioned are under $30 in silver alox.

Search here for custom's, I know whetstone own's a really nice looking one that he's shared in the PiF threads (#7 or 8 if you want to search) but when you go the custom route you can choose color, blade/tool config and liner material plus you an get a pocket clip. (Not that you can't easily add a pocket clip yourself, that's my biggest complaint)

About a moth ago I carried my pioneer around for a week and it worked out much better than I imagined (I was doing some home winterization that week and the screw driver blade was really helpful to have in my pocket), the only thing that keeps me from carrying it more is a lack of pocket clip.
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Thanks Cereal.

Whatever I buy I know he will get a ton of use out of, he's a handyman sort of fellow and is currently helping his daughter (girlfriend's sister) and son-in-law remodel their home, and he does a ton out in the country at their summer house (when I say summer house I don't mean anything like what we imagine summer houses in the States to be, we're talking more log cabin.)
 
Ask your GF to send a pic of the one he has, & get something similar. He obviously like's it.
Getting a beefier one may or may not be a good idea. It will feel different in his pocket. Old guys don't like change's they haven't thought of themselves.

If he were taking up a new pastime, a new SAK to suit would be a good idea.

I found this one useful renovating my house, but no scissors http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/VN...my-Trekker-Multi-Tool-4-38-inch-Black-Handles
 
mtangent said:
Ask your GF to send a pic of the one he has, & get something similar. He obviously like's it.
Getting a beefier one may or may not be a good idea. It will feel different in his pocket. Old guys don't like change's they haven't thought of themselves.

If he were taking up a new pastime, a new SAK to suit would be a good idea.

I found this one useful renovating my house, but no scissors http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/VN...my-Trekker-Multi-Tool-4-38-inch-Black-Handles
Click to expand...

I've had basically the exact same knife with a locking blade, called the Rucksack. I've had it for over two decades now, tough little boogers.
 
I think the medium thickness models are the best SAKs, the SwissChamp and the large CyberTool are just too bulky and for that size and weight I'd rather have a plier based Leatherman tool.

The first thing you need to decide, is if you want alox (anodized aluminum) or cellidor (plastic) handle scales. For a gift, alox SAKs offer the advantage of a little engraving plate on which you can havee initials or a date engraved or laser etched. They are also a bit tougher and IMHO feel nicer. There's very little variety of models in the alox line, though. And none of the full size ones have scissors.

If you go with cellidor, you need to decide wether you want a corkscrew or a phillips screwdriver on the back, there are basically two of each model, one has a corkscrew and the other a phillips. For instance the Super Tinker and the Climber, or the Huntsman and the Fieldmaster.

My favourite and most used are the Farmer, Climber/Super Tinker and Huntsman/Fieldmaster. They pack a few useful tools, aren't huge or heavy and they cost about 30 dollars (perhaps the Farmer is a bit more).
 
Plain red Tinker.

I think when most people imagine a SAK, they're thinking of the red, not the Alox.

The Tinker is the SAK MacGyver most often carried.
 
Freman Bloodglaive said:
I would suggest the Compact. It's a two layer knife, so very thin, but has the Vic combo-tool, large blade and scissors, along with a pen, tweezers and toothpick. I'm never without mine.
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Compact. Best useable option there is for normal life. I carry a Soldier because I like it, but I miss stuff from the Compact. Compact is the better choice. Still, Pioneer or Soldier are great choices.
 
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Image courtesy of Amazon

The explorer plus. I think the image speaks for itself.
 
Does it have to be a SAK? You said he's a handyman of sorts. Have you considered a Leatherman?

A Wingman might be a good entry level. Or go up a notch or two and get him a Sidekick. Either one can be carried on his belt.
 
I recommend an alox farmer, I had a camper in red handles (gave it to girlfriend), after I got the farmer. The saw will come in handy for house renovations for cutting holes in drywall etc. Also a lot stronger feeling than normal Sam's.
 
Maybe a Rambler on the keychain and/or an Explorer Plus in the pocket or on a P-7 clip! Best combo ever! :D
 
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