Which SAK to start with?

steve-in-kville

steve-in-kville

Joined
Dec 25, 2001
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1,139
Gonna place another order for some knives this weekend and a SAK is on my wish list. What should a SAK collector's starter kit look like?
 
Hi Steve it's a bit of a hard question I suppose it depends on what type of tools you will want on a Swiss army knife . I.e what is more useful to you . you can also have the alox that come in different colours or even wooded scales . sorry its not much help but its down to personal choice:)
 
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I have gone full circle from carrying a sak years ago all the way up through full custom tactical folders. On a whim the other day I bought an ALOX Cadet. Its awesome. Thin, sturdy and unobtrusive. I like it so much I went and ordered an ALOX electrician and pioneer.
 
It's sure hard to beat a Pioneer in Alox, I have two of them and love the Pioneer. The Farmer is another good one - same as the Pioneer but has a wood saw if you think that would be a good thing to have.
 
R.c.s said:
sorry its not much help but its down to personal choice:)
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This +1.

With the sheer amount of Saks available straight from victorinox the amount of models to choose between are ridiculous, now factor in the swissbianco and modded models and other older versions and it becomes mind boggling.

But, that being said I like an alox/elinox secretary or bread knife for wallet carry and an alox cadet for keyring. But my choice sak is one of the 93mm models, be it swisssbianco or standard.
 
arizonaranchman said:
It's sure hard to beat a Pioneer in Alox, I have two of them and love the Pioneer. The Farmer is another good one - same as the Pioneer but has a wood saw if you think that would be a good thing to have.
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+1 on Pioneer but esp a Farmer if you like knocking around the woods. Add a Climber/Explorer and later maybe a Swiss Champ and you have a great start. A Classic for your key ring is a good first step too if this is your first SAK to explore the quality/versatility of the brand.
 
I bought the little SD just on a whim and tossed it in my pocket. Now I find myself using it more than the Delica clipped to my pocket. I had no idea how handy a sharp pair of mini siccors would be. Plus, people never even give it a second look like they do other more "scary" knives.
 
My top picks for a starter SAK collection would be a Classic, Pioneer, Cadet, Swisschamp and Tinker. After you have those, you'll know which direction you want to go. And don't be afraid to buy used (but buy a fresh toothpick because ewwwwww).
 
Alox.... Preferably a colored one. Farmer, Pioneer, Cadet are great ones.... First two are camp knives, the Cadet is the gentleman version of the first two.
 
The Cadet is a little smaller than the Electrician, Pioneer and Farmer, but still a pretty serious cutting tool (for a pocket knife). In alox they are slim and light, and come in a variety of colors that won't break the bank. Because of the sheepfoot blade, the Electrician is my favorite, but the Cadet is close behind. I'd start with one or both of those.

The Cadet in olive drab, easily works on a keyring.
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An older Electrician showing the spear and sheepfoot blades.
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Rambler
Alox Cadet
Alox Electrician and/or Pioneer
Alox Farmer (only if you think you might need the saw - otherwise, Pioneer).

I prefer alox over cellidor. I like the look, I like the texture, I like the thinness. Only thing is that you lose the scale tools (toothpick, tweezers) if those are important to you. In the small keychain size, I prefer the Rambler over the Classic SD. It's a little thicker, but the phllips/caplifter tool is worth it to me.

I carry a silver Alox Cadet every day. My wife carries and uses the silver Alox Electrician.

There are so many choices of tools and sizes, that you'll need to decide what you need. I don't ever need a corkscrew on a pocket knife but you might find them indispensable, for example. The good news is, most basic SAKs are pretty inexpensive and make great gifts in case you get one that just isn't right for you the first time.
 
jc57 said:
In the small keychain size, I prefer the Rambler over the Classic SD. It's a little thicker, but the phllips/caplifter tool is worth it to me.
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There is also the Rally which is similar to the classic but has the caplifter/phillips piece instead of scissors.
 
If you want a 58mm I would go with a Vagabond over the rambler and rally, and most other 58s...
 
Alox is nice if you can afford one. The Tinker and Super Tinker are both basic models, Huntsman is great too and if you want both saw and scissors then the Fieldmaster is my pref but will set you back about $50. If you want a locking SAK then your selection is a bit more limited.
 
Pokerchip said:
I bought the little SD just on a whim and tossed it in my pocket. Now I find myself using it more than the Delica clipped to my pocket. I had no idea how handy a sharp pair of mini siccors would be. Plus, people never even give it a second look like they do other more "scary" knives.
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My experience is very similar to Pokerchip's. I use the scissors of my Classic (I've actually "upgraded" to a Minichamp) more frequently than I use any other blade of any other knife (not counting cutting blades used for food prep and whittling). I started with a Classic and a Tinker and had no regrets, although I keep buying more SAKs! I have a lot of respect for the basic Recruit, and, as many others have noted, the Alox models are very useful, attractive, and addictive. (Alox Pox is a common, and incurable, disease among BF members.) I carry a silver Alox Electrician every day, and certainly enjoy periodically carrying (or just looking at and fondling :o) my black Pioneer, green Farmer, and Red Cadet.
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- GT
 
I´m not a big fan of the Cadet, but that´s personal preference.

I can recommend the Vic Pioneer and Electrician for EDC tasks - it depends on your needs. Alox is tough stuff, without any question and I use carry them frequently.

But one of my REAL EDCs is my trusty Climber or Super Tinker that I use to carry in my cell phone pocket of my vest or jacket during work. Here in Germany the Huntsman seems to be the most popular Victorinox, imo.

If your are once on the Path Of The Mighty SAK your collection will rise rather fast. :) ;)
 
SirJames said:
Alox is nice if you can afford one. The Tinker and Super Tinker are both basic models, Huntsman is great too and if you want both saw and scissors then the Fieldmaster is my pref but will set you back about $50. If you want a locking SAK then your selection is a bit more limited.
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These are all great recommendations, although I just checked my usual online SAK vendor, and they have the Fieldmaster for about $27.

- GT
 
5K Qs, awesome farmer!

Humpa, I really frowned on the Cadet because I'd way rather have an awl over a nail file..... But it is so thin, and has a bottle opener. That nail file works well on tight knots.... It's like the gentleman version of the Pioneer.
 
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