Which SAK?

It's hard to go wrong with the basic SAKs. The Soldier...The actual issue knife to the Swiss Army. The Spartan...The basic "Officer's knife. The Tinker...If you really have to have the phillips instead of the corkscrew.

My favorite Victorinox is the Settler. It just has the large and small blades, no other tools.

Paul
 
Everyone see that SAK with the lighter built into it? It says it's not available in the US. That's a bummer as that would be a cool feature, especially for starting camp fires, or what not. I wonder why they can't sell them here. They think we're going to try and hijack a plane with it or something?

I just picked up the VN53857 Swiss Army Midnight Manager II w/ Light/ Sapphire Translucent Handle (yeah I copied and pasted that one) to replace a smaller SAK I had attached to my key ring. The one I had only had a pen blade, nail file with screw driver, tooth pick and tweezers. It was a free gift from Nikon cameras as I managed a pro camera shop at one time (still do 1 day a week for fun). So anyway, the Minight Manager gives me small scissors, a can opener, a philips screw driver, a ball point pen and a little red LED light. So now I can open a beer without asking "Where's the bottle opener?", write down a number, IN THE DARK, find the keyhole on my truck door, or house door when the outside light isn't on, etc. It covers most of those little annoying things you are never prepared for if you don't have anything on you.
 
The best way to pick one is to decide on what features you really want. If you intend to carry it in your pocket, I would suggest staying with 3 springs in width (definitely no more than 4).

Personally I like to have a wood saw, so I like the Hiker (3 springs) and the Fieldmaster (4 springs) with scissors. These two are also available with cork screws instead of Phillips screw drivers as the Camper and Huntsman.

I also like the Alox handled Farmer and the large locking blade Hunter and One-Handed Trailmaster.





- Frank
 
It depends on what your needs are but I find a simple Alox Soldier is perfect for my needs. Slim, strong, elegant, cheap, relatively easy to get hold of and with a basic but reliable set of tools. I also have a SwissTool in my bag as backup.

Good luck in your search for a 'suitable SAK' !
 
My choice is:

SAK Classic - one on every keyring.

Cybertool - Office duty.

SAK Trailmaster - Outdoors.

I've got quite a few SAK's but these are the ones that get the most use by far. Plus a Swisstool is handy to have in the car and home.
 
For outdoor work, my favorite is the Huntsman, followed closely by the more compact Camper. I carry a Cybertool 34 in urban settings.
 
Moon , I see your in NY . If your going to the Vic store in the Westchester you will see they have every Vic made :cool: . Make your decision there and bring some extra $$$ :D .
 
and choice is such an individual/personal thing...........

but please click on these threads (linked) for more detailed discussions that might help -

SAK - Purchase Rationale

Minimalist SAKs

I've EDC'd a Victorinox Scientist for over 15 years -
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Another model worth considering - especially if you want scissors - is the Yeoman:
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Unfortunately both these models have been discontinued for some time now - but are still occassionally available - albeit very sparsely.
 
Originally posted by cgd160
Moon , I see your in NY . If your going to the Vic store in the Westchester you will see they have every Vic made :cool: . Make your decision there and bring some extra $$$ :D .
Click to expand...

Yup that's were Im going! I havent been yet because I just found out about it. It probaly won't be for a few months though, I can't afford it right now. Im just trying to get some ideas. :)
 
Originally posted by Moon
It probably won't be for a few months though, I can't afford it right now.
Click to expand...
If you have a $20, head to Target or Wal Mart and pick up a Soldier, Tinker or Spartan. All three of these are 2 backsprings wide so they are easy to carry in your pocket. They all have a good basic selection of tools without the unnecessary, unused ones. If you decide at a later date that you want a bigger one, you will have a backup or glove box knife. Going to a Victorinox store now may overwhelm you with choices.
 
Oh man , are you in trouble ;) . My first time there I felt like a kid in a candy store . You might want to go and just have a look around , they carry a lot more than just Vics .
 
Originally posted by cgd160
Oh man , are you in trouble ;) . My first time there I felt like a kid in a candy store . You might want to go and just have a look around , they carry a lot more than just Vics .
Click to expand...
Yeah I heard they have quite a selection and plenty of Spyderco's :D
I think i'll start off with a small SAC for my keys. I would like one with a knife, scissors, bottle/can opener and a light and a pen. That list was much shorter when I just started typing it :eek:
 
Originally posted by Moon
I think i'll start off with a small SAC for my keys. I would like one with a knife, scissors, bottle/can opener and a light and a pen. That list was much shorter when I just started typing it :eek: [/B]
Click to expand...

Aha! That's just what I got for my key chain, the knife I talked about in my above post. Fits your description perfectly.

VN53857 Swiss Army Midnight Manager II w/ Light

It's very small.
 
Originally posted by golok
If you only want one good SAK. Buy The Champ. You won't regret it.
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100% right!!!

I couldn't choose, so I picked up the biggest at the time (the Swisschamp). It's not that much bigger than the others, and I carry it in a belt pouch, right next to my cell phone. It's been with me for 7 years. The only thing that could possibly be better is the Swisstool, but even then, I'm not sure I could live without my champ...

Guy
 
Originally posted by Denix
The only thing that could possibly be better is the Swisstool, but even then, I'm not sure I could live without my champ...
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Guy, keep the Swisschamp and get a small Vice-Grip to go with it :D
 
I have two fav's:

Urban EDC: Victorinox Tinker (Red)

Outdoors: Victorinox Trailmaster

The Tinker just dissappears in my pocket and is a great 'sheeple' friendly utility knife. Makes a great supliment to my other EDC gear.

The Trailmaster has most of the most important bases covered for most outdoor uses.


-John
 
Originally posted by Denix
100% right!!!

I couldn't choose, so I picked up the biggest at the time (the Swisschamp). It's not that much bigger than the others, and I carry it in a belt pouch, right next to my cell phone. It's been with me for 7 years. The only thing that could possibly be better is the Swisstool, but even then, I'm not sure I could live without my champ...

Guy
Click to expand...

Let's not forget about the Swisschamp XLT! :) I rarely use mine for actual work because it's more of a conversation piece than something I would use as an EDC, as it's to darn big! :) It's almost like putting two Swisschamps together side by side.
 
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