Which Sak to get

[pinnah]

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?

What you missed was me asking the OP if he was open to alternatives other than SAKs (he is).

 

[Pilsner]

I think the can openers are handy for cookouts with opening beams chili outsude. In a pinch the screwdriver could come in handy. I have a buck 301 I am carrying right now, which is why I wanted a smaller thinner knife for days when I don't wanna carry a bigger folder. Gotta get my edc rotation built back after selling just about al the knives I had recently. I always carry 2 knives like I said one for food.and one for everything else . Then the most important reason is if I lose one I still have a backup. I use my pocketknives at least a couple times a day many days much more often. Just can't stand to be without one

Okay, here’s a use for the can opener that I found yesterday evening, camping in Snowdonia on a mountainside. The plastic handle on the gaz stove was spinning around the valve release. I ripped it off and used the SAK can opener (Huntsman) with lateral torque on the screw. No problem at all. Cut a plaster to size for my son on the descent this morning with the scissors. Sorted the food out last night with the blade. Cannot fault these, the value is extraordinary. Cheaper for me in the UK

 

[sabre cat]

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

I have a P-38 can opener on my keyring and use it quite often. So much so, I prefer it to a regular can opener. Can openers on a SAK and a multi-tool both take a back seat to a P-38.

 

[Quiet]

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.

Hmmmm....talks about thickness being an issue for pocket tools, yet carries an Opinel. Yeah, because that checks out.

Also, every tool you mention can be found on comparable SAKs, which are better finished, and have a much wider variety of choices for the consumer. The Micras are a dinky, unergonomic, poorly finished product. Secondly, earlier you mentioned that you had found your Micra to be more durable than a SAK. Care to share with the class what task you were performing that the Micra handled and no possible SAK product could have handled?

 

[pinnah]

Hmmmm....talks about thickness being an issue for pocket tools, yet carries an Opinel. Yeah, because that checks out.

Hello Quiet,

The Opinel #9 is one of several large traditional patterns that I prefer. Others include the Buck 110 and Case (full-sized) Sodbuster. For my preference, all of these knives are too long and too thick to be carried in my front pocket. I run a seam up the side of my right pocket and carry my main carry knife there. Note, one of the few large-ish traditionals I'll carry in my front pocket is the Buck 500 (Duke). For my preference, it carries well in the front pocket on account of its thin profile. Mostly I carry that knife in my rear pocket like most others.

Also, every tool you mention can be found on comparable SAKs, which are better finished, and have a much wider variety of choices for the consumer.

What you consider "better finished", I considered overly polished and ruined from the factory (with respect to the screw driver blades). I prefer the more sharply finished tools on Leatherman products because they don't muck up screw heads as often. If I had to live with Victorinox screw driver blades, I would need to sharpen them up on a stone.

The Micras are a dinky, unergonomic, poorly finished product.

The Micra has a very industrial look that is not everybody's taste. That's OK. We might drink different beers too.

I have XL sized hands and actually find the Micra's ergonomics for small tasks to be better. When I recently replaced a watch battery with the Micra, I was able to open the tool up full length, which approximates a full sized screw driver. I find that much easier to manipulate than those tiny and prone being lost mini screw drivers on some SAKs and better than using a small slip joint frame. YMMV, obviously.

Also, the Micra (and any butterfly style tool) can be opened up with one are at 90 degrees to the screwdriver, forming a functional T-handle. I'll be swapping screens for windows on my porch soon and will need to turn some large screws to do the swap. The Micra opened up in this way can handle that task. I can't get enough of a grip on a comparably sized SAK to deliver the torque the screws.

Lastly and most obviously, the ergonomics of the Micra as a set of sheers is better for my hand. I can power a Micra through material like flashing that I can't cut with thumb-style scissors found on Victorinox (and many Leatherman) products.

Secondly, earlier you mentioned that you had found your Micra to be more durable than a SAK. Care to share with the class what task you were performing that the Micra handled and no possible SAK product could have handled?

Sure. Mostly driving screws as described above. Any tool can be broken, including a Micra. But I've busted several SAKs (and Ulster) knives by pushing them too hard on screws. I regularly push the Micra (and my other Leatherman tools) much harder in terms of driving screws and prying with the tools and have never managed to loosen a joint or break one. Maybe I've just had back luck with SAKs. But that's my experience.

Less important but annoying to me, I've had numerous Vic Classics on which the scissors spring busted with use. The Vic Classic used to be my primary first aid/repair tool for backpacking and they just wear out. This is why I recommend that people set on an SAK with scissors get the Wenger style patterns if they want scissors, as I think the Wenger scissor spring is more durable.

And of course, I've had numerous SAKs that, upon being dropped, end up with broken scales. I know that Victorinox will replace the springs and scales (just like Buck will replace a plastic framed lock back that develops play), but I don't have enough time to deal with that. I'd rather have tools that aren't that frail. In this light, I think it's a good thing that Victorinox borrowed the design of the US military "demo" knife with its metal scales.

My sense is that Earl will probably prefer to have an actual SAK in his pocket for (entirely valid) aesthetic reasons. He's shared his love for traditional patterns but he's also move to a modern style knife (Buck Spitfire) for his larger main blade. I get my traditional "fix" with my large folders (today its the Sodbuster), so I don't mind the industrial look of the Micra. If I carried a modern main knife, I would probably have a jones for a more traditional tool for my front pocket.

 

[James Y]

I have a P-38 can opener on my keyring and use it quite often. So much so, I prefer it to a regular can opener. Can openers on a SAK and a multi-tool both take a back seat to a P-38.

I've been reading about the P-38 in the forums for years but have never tried one. I plan to try one out eventually.

The thing I like about the Vic can opener is that it's right there in my pocketknife. I also like that it cuts going forward, as opposed to backward like some other multi-tool can openers.

Jim

 

[jackknife]

I've been reading about the P-38 in the forums for years but have never tried one. I plan to try one out eventually.

The thing I like about the Vic can opener is that it's right there in my pocketknife. I also like that it cuts going forward, as opposed to backward like some other multi-tool can openers.

Jim

Jim, if you get a P-38, try to make sure it's marked 'U.S. SPEAKER" on it. they seem to hold up better than the 'Shelby" marked ones, and I suspect there's a lot of fake P-38's out there. I've found a P-38 and a Sear's 4 way keychain screw driver in the wallet eliminated a while layer of the SAK. It's amazing how much utility a couple little flat pieces of gear in a wallet gives you. It also makes it possible to carry a dedicated knife like a Buck 303 cadet, Case peanut or mini copperhead, or even the Victorinox executive, and still have some basic tool functions on hand. The Victorinx quatro can stand in for the Sear's 4-way screw driver as it has better more refined driver bits.

 

[James Y]

Jim, if you get a P-38, try to make sure it's marked 'U.S. SPEAKER" on it. they seem to hold up better than the 'Shelby" marked ones, and I suspect there's a lot of fake P-38's out there. I've found a P-38 and a Sear's 4 way keychain screw driver in the wallet eliminated a while layer of the SAK. It's amazing how much utility a couple little flat pieces of gear in a wallet gives you. It also makes it possible to carry a dedicated knife like a Buck 303 cadet, Case peanut or mini copperhead, or even the Victorinox executive, and still have some basic tool functions on hand. The Victorinx quatro can stand in for the Sear's 4-way screw driver as it has better more refined driver bits.

Thanks for the info, jackknife!

Jim

 

[Earl1]

I wanted to let everyone know I've got an electrician on the way. It was a good deal I couldn't pass up.

 

[Planterz]

I wanted to let everyone know I've got an electrician on the way. It was a good deal I couldn't pass up.

Good choice. I'm partial to the Pioneer Rancher myself, which has a hawkbill blade (the bane of clamshell packaging) instead of the electrician's sheepsfoot. But it's discontinued and hard to find without paying a premium. Love the awl - I wish all SAKs had them instead of the crap one they put on the cellidor models.

 

[Parky]

I found.a good deal on a spartan. It looks close to the tinker anyone have these and like them

I have carried a Spartan for more years than I care to remember ! The perfect EDC for my needs. I have only recently become more interested in knives in general and want all kinds of interesting knives now, but have to ask myself "do I need anything other than a Spartan"

 

[Earl1]

I have carried a Spartan for more years than I care to remember ! The perfect EDC for my needs. I have only recently become more interested in knives in general and want all kinds of interesting knives now, but have to ask myself "do I need anything other than a Spartan"

There isn't anything wrong with wanting a few knives. Just be careful it can become an addiction quickly lol

 

[Earl1]

The electrician arrived today
I really like it. It disappears in my pocket. I will still have to get a cadet and pioneer when the funds allow. Thanks for all the input and advice. I'm sure I'll be buying more

 

[22-rimfire]

The Electrician is a good well balanced knife. It has two blades which can be handy. But it does not have a can opener. I have one that I bought earlier this year. This size and two layers ride very comfortably in the pocket for me.

 

[Bluerocker]

There all good but the tools on the hiker seem to fit me better