Which Sak to get

I have been rocking a Cadet for the last 4 years of so. Like many I went from pocketing your typical locking folder to a Cadet due to the convenience, comfort, performance for price and just classic cool looks and never looked back. I have lots of different colors. For me its always the same LE Cadet in the small watch pocket with the key ring loop ground off. Honestly cant beat it.
EL4T1Vu

EL4T1Vu
 
Last edited:
Earl,

I don't understand yet if you would prefer a large blade (your Spitfire) combined with a medium sized blade (like a Vic Climber) or combined with a smaller, easier to carry small sized blade (like the Vic Classic).

IMO, if you want to have both scissors and a can opener, you'll end up with the fairly thick Vic Climber, or better, the Evolution 14, which has the old superior Wenger style scissor, which have a much more durable spring assembly.
https://www.victorinox.com/us/en/Pr.../Medium-Pocket-Knives/Evolution-14/p/2.3903.E

I find SAKs in this size range to be more "carry in my pack" in size and less "carry in my front pocket" due to their thickness. One I make that move to that form of carry (I carry a day pack with me daily), I just move up to a mid-sized multi-tool. My EDC "carry in my pack" tool is a Leatherman Juice CS4, which adds pliers.

We are in YMMV territory. Main point here is that IMO, the combination of a can opener and scissors will lead you to a fairly thick tool, that may exceed your pocket carry preference. Or not. Only you can decide that.

You mentioned the desire to open packages for your daughter and the ability to drive screws. My kids are now grown but as a dad, I found that package opening and screws often went together. I'll mention 2 tools, both in the mis-labeled "keychain" category. Mid-labeled because they get much more use if carried in the pocket.

Neither tool has a can opener but they are easy to carry, so that's a trade-off.

The first is the Gerber Dime, which is interesting because it has a specialized clam shell blade. It has the advantage of also having pliers. You mentioned that you are on a budget. The Dime can often be found for under $20 so I think it's a pretty good value.
https://www.gerbergear.com/Activity/EVERYDAY/Tools/Dime-Red_31-001040

The other is the Leatherman Micra. It's scissors are more like mini-shop sheers and are robust enough to cut flashing and zip ties. Another thing I like about the Leatherman products is that they finish their screwdriver blades very sharp, so they are less prone to mess up screw heads.

Quick story... My wife needed the battery in her watch replaced 2 nights ago and I was thinking about this thread. The Micra's mini-screwdriver is fine and sharp enough to cleanly remove the small screws from the back of the watch. (They handle eyeglass screws too.) The ability to open the tool full length more like the size of a normal screwdriver made the task easier for me.

The replacement battery came in a super-child resistant clam shell and the Micra's sheers quickly and cleanly cut through that. This would have defeated most knife scissors and taken more care with a knife blade.

Neither the Dime nor Micra will give you food cable knife blades nor can openers. I think the basic trade-off will be how many tools you want and what you want to deal with in terms of bulk in the pocket. It's a highly personal decision.
 
pinnah said:
Earl,

Do you prefer to use different blades for food prep and cutting back branches? Or are you OK with using the same blade for cutting brush and doing food prep?

The reason I'm asking is this bears on how big of a main blade would be most useful on your second knife. If you prefer to keep your brush blade (your modern folder) and your food blade separate, it would make sense to me for your second knife to be normal 3"-ish traditional with a blade in the 2.5" range, no? On the other hand, if you can deal with your brush knife and food knife to be the same (I'm fine with that but others may not be), then might you be able to deal with a second knife (like the Vic classic) that only has a small pen blade? IMO, this decision on blade size really determine which class of knife will work best for you.

Also, are there specific tools that are super important to you other than scissors? Cap lifter? Screw-drivers?
Click to expand...
I think he wants "small" because he pairs it with another knife. In traditionals, the Case Peanut works well this way too but obviously doesn't have any tools. But it does have two blades. My choice has been the Small Tinker. It has full sized "tools" and a smaller blade. The Bantam is another one that I choose along with line as it is a one layer knife and the cap lifter comes in handy on a regular basis.
 
Last edited:
CaseXX2012PeanutMagentaBone6220RSC.JPG
22-rimfire said:
I think he wants "small" because he pairs it with another knife. In traditionals, the Case Peanut works well this way too but obviously doesn't have any tools. But it does have two blades. My choice has been the Small Tinker. It has full sized "tools" and a smaller blade. The Bantam is another one that I choose along with line as it is a one layer knife and the cap lifter comes in handy on a regular basis.
Click to expand...

I agree that I think he wants small but I don't of a small tool that combines a can opener and scissors.

If all he needs is scissors, Case makes (made?) a variation of the Peanut with scissors.
 
I have a minichamp on my keys and use it for something almost every day. The only disadvantage is that it's got so many little tools, I never can quite remember where they are and end up opening a couple until I find the one I want.
A Rambler is smaller, but I think a pen is more useful than a toothpick, and the little hook tool thingy will zip open clamshell packaging.
83BvhxT.jpg

I say make a list of which tools you want, and go to the SAK website and see which models are closest to your ideal. (wouldn't it be cool if they had a build-your-own custom option?)
 
pinnah said:
Earl,

Do you prefer to use different blades for food prep and cutting back branches? Or are you OK with using the same blade for cutting brush and doing food prep?

The reason I'm asking is this bears on how big of a main blade would be most useful on your second knife. If you prefer to keep your brush blade (your modern folder) and your food blade separate, it would make sense to me for your second knife to be normal 3"-ish traditional with a blade in the 2.5" range, no? On the other hand, if you can deal with your brush knife and food knife to be the same (I'm fine with that but others may not be), then might you be able to deal with a second knife (like the Vic classic) that only has a small pen blade? IMO, this decision on blade size really determine which class of knife will work best for you.

Also, are there specific tools that are super important to you other than scissors? Cap lifter? Screw-drivers?
Click to expand...
My email address is earle1272@yahoo.com
I couldn't figure out how to send a pm
 
r8shell said:
I say make a list of which tools you want, and go to the SAK website and see which models are closest to your ideal. (wouldn't it be cool if they had a build-your-own custom option?)
Click to expand...
This exactly. There are so many models, I have no doubt in getting just about everything I want out of a SAK. Even with discontinued stuff you can find them for cheap online. The amount of SAKs that are "given up" to the TSA is shocking. I think I've only ever paid for an unused SAK once, and I've bought 20 or so (given away many).

I would like a build your own option though. It would be worth the price for sure.
 
pinnah said:
I agree that I think he wants small but I don't of a small tool that combines a can opener and scissors.
Click to expand...

He said he wants a can opener.

Victorinox compact. It has combo tool that is a very good can opener, and scissors, and the corkscrew that contains the little eye glass screw driver that works on either tiny flat or Phillips screws.

If the can opener is not that important, the Victorinox executive has two knife blades, small screw driver and scissors. The spear shaped end pf the nail file works well on very small Phillips screws. The dumb looking serrated edge orange peeler is a great plastic blister package opener. The executive is a peanut sized knife and is flat enough that it practically disappears in a jeans watch pocket.
 
r8shell said:
I have a minichamp on my keys and use it for something almost every day. The only disadvantage is that it's got so many little tools, I never can quite remember where they are and end up opening a couple until I find the one I want.
A Rambler is smaller, but I think a pen is more useful than a toothpick, and the little hook tool thingy will zip open clamshell packaging.
83BvhxT.jpg

I say make a list of which tools you want, and go to the SAK website and see which models are closest to your ideal. (wouldn't it be cool if they had a build-your-own custom option?)
Click to expand...

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Those little SAK's have so much real world capability in them. But I have to ask, have you found a real use for the coke spoon yet?

Oh wait, that's the 'cuticle pusher, right?
:D
 
jackknife said:
He said he wants a can opener.

Victorinox compact. It has combo tool that is a very good can opener, and scissors, and the corkscrew that contains the little eye glass screw driver that works on either tiny flat or Phillips screws.
Click to expand...

That's one I missed on my search of their site and a very good suggestion.
 
jackknife said:
:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Those little SAK's have so much real world capability in them. But I have to ask, have you found a real use for the coke spoon yet?

Oh wait, that's the 'cuticle pusher, right?
:D
Click to expand...
:D Ha!
I 'just say no' to pushing cuticles. Stubbornly determined to use every tool at least once, I tried using it as a burnisher to transfer a penciled design onto a craft project. May have pried lightly with it a few times. Meh.
 
Small Tinker (two layer) has a regular sized can opener. I have never used the can opener in 30+ years of owning SAKs.
 
22-rimfire said:
Small Tinker (two layer) has a regular sized can opener. I have never used the can opener in 30+ years of owning SAKs.
Click to expand...

I use the can opener on mine all the time. The Vic SAK can openers are the only can openers I use. They work very well. While many cans nowadays have pull-off tops, many do not. Using an SAK, I can open a regular-sized can cleanly in about 15-17 seconds. I have a mechanical can opener, but I never use it. The SAK's is much cleaner to use.

Jim
 
May have to give using it a whirl next time at home. I can always switch to a regular can opener if I have problems.
 
I've used the can opener on a leatherman or Gerber alot over the years while hunting and fishing. Always good to have something with a can opener if you fish for trout with corn,I use spinners but have rum access many people who didn't have one and were using corn. I've used them when the power went out and the electric opener wouldn't work
.just handy to have with ya
I'm sure nobody else has ever done this but I've used them more than once a pry tool to pop things lol
 
pinnah said:
I prefer the Leatherman Micra as a pocket companion for a larger EDC knife. I prefer the more robust shears which easily cut through zip ties. I also like that it can be opened full length when using the knife blade or screw driver blades. Easier for me to handle with my XL sized hands. I also have found the Micra to be more durable than any of the Victorinox products I've owned.
Click to expand...
Wow I'm gonna have to check out the Leatherman Micra Swiss Army Knife! I must have missed the news that they teamed up to make a more robust SAK. Do you have a link to a BF supporting dealer so I can get one?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top