Who loves their SAK?

If you must have a lockblade, the 111mm versions are the only way to go. However, the Farmer, as mentioned, has the basic tool loadout that works best in the bush, and has a stronger backspring than the non-locking, red handled SAK's. Also, the awl (for size and position) on the Farmer is the best of the lot; I really like having a good awl on my SAK.

However, if you want a knife that has a good tool loadout that will allow you to improvise with scrounged materials, while not being super bulky, I'd suggest the Ranger. I've tried a number of different SAK's over the years, and decided that the Ranger was the best compromise. It has all the tools of the Farmer, plus a small blade (kept razor sharp for emergency use), and other handy tools like a file and scissors; on the back there's a small screwdriver, plus a small wood chisel that I've used many times. The Ranger is a great knife for most any outdoor use.
 
V,

It's funny that you mention the small blade on the Ranger. If I could change one thing about my beloved Farmer It would be to add a small secondary blade (without adding another took layer of course). As a result I have often considered switching to the Electrician, though I haven't yet.

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I've looked at the electrician for exactly the same reason. For a small,, but still robust, knife the Farmer is hard to beat. So loong as you had a multi-tool to cover the tools *lost* from the Ranger, the Elec. or Farmer would be great. But there is a drawback to the Elec.: no can opener. If given the choice between a can opener or bottle opener, I'd take the can opener. Why Vic didn't use their "multi-blade" that has a can/bottle opener and screwdriver, I'll never know. Of course, I suppose you could just sharpen the inner edge of the bottle opener to open cans instead. And having the secondary blade be a sheepsfoot would be handy in itself.
 
I like my Rucksack and in the past only carried it in my pack when i went hiking. I've used it for all sorts of fun stuff. Just carving stuff up, has a saw for cutting notches, bone, and branches. Opening mail and boxes. Cleaning squirrels and fish. Seemed to work well enough for everything.
The rucksack has saw blade, corkscrew, awl, can opener/flat head screwdriver, bottle opener/screwdriver, tweezers, locking main blade, and the ever-so important toothpick.

I will be able to carry it comfortably daily on my new neck sheath from Eric at On Scene Tactical. I highly recommended checking his stuff out if you are looking for sheath work.
 
wade said:
I actually dont own one and never have:( However, I am going to buy one I just want some opinions on them. What is your favorite and what one would serve best for survival/outdoor uses. Building traps, skining/cleaning game, food prep, ect.... you get the point. So, which one? Thanks
Wade
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Well I love Victorinox's but I think you should consider something like a Leatherman Ti because the tools are more rugged and the steel is much better! Further more, they almost have the same things
 
The downside with the Leatherman is IIRC it's almost 10oz. I have a Wave with a pocket clip and I have to tighten my belt a notch to keep my pants up when it's clipped to my pocket. ;)
 
I second the vote for the Explorer. It's been my EDC for more years than I can count. I carried a similar version, don't remeber the exact model, in Viet Nam and wouldn't be without since.

Chris:) :) :)
 
I love all of my SAKs to the point I feel naked when I'm not permitted to carry them. Case in point: Jury duty and air travel.

My favorites are (1) the SwissChamp, for its overall capacity to handle lots of situations via its large number of implements, and (2) the MiniChamp, for its ability to handle many situations and still ride comfortably in dress trousers.
 
Also guilty; I have a Soldier with the ALOX handle in my truck, mounted to the dash thanks to some velcro tape. I have a second Soldier in my toolbox, a Ranger in my work area, and just bought another for my first-aid kit. I love how their blades stay sharp, yet they are so cheap to purchase.
 
I just recently siwtched back to my Vic Mauser. I also made a pouch kit that holds my Leatherman PST and a tiny Wenger Executive model. The PST and Wenger make up the tools that I had on my Ranger, which I find handy. If you can find one the Mauser is a great knife for outdoors use. As I said, it doesn't have all the tools a Ranger does, but it covers the basics nicely with a combo blade that's a saw, can and bottle opener and straightslot screwdriver. What really sets the Mauser apart is that it had *2* full size blades, one a spearpooint and the other a clip point. The Mauser is also about the size of the Farmer, giving it a good handle length without being bulky which is the Ranger's one downfall.

The reason that the 2 blades of the Mauser are so handy is that I can keep the clip point blade sharpened with a coarser edge, excelent for processing game, while the spearpoint is kept with a super-sharp, polished edge for woodworking. Also, the mauser has an even better awl than the Farmer, although it does come out the back instead of the front.

They're hard t find, but the Mauser is worth looking for. Another very similar knife, also made by Victorinox (and others as well) is the older issue German Army pocketknife. It's the exact same as the Mauser, except it has just the spearpoint blade, but not the clip. Like the Mauser it has an strong, excellent backspring. Unlike the Mauser, the GAK is a bit easier to find and cheaper as a result. Sportsmans Guide, among others, occasionally carries them.
 
I have a Mauser, which I purchased back in 1985. Great knife, it's still going strong. My only nit - picky criticism is that it doesn't have the toothpick and the tweezers featured on most other Victorinox models.
 
I went out and bought a Victorinox SAK for the very same reasons, about 6 months ago. I wanted something for camping/survival. I did want one without alot of the extra's (corkscrew etc.). I finally settled on one that I think has been largely overlooked by these forums: The LOCKSMITH!! 1 Large Blade (I even think I read somewhere that this paticular model is just a bit longer than some of the other locking blade SAK's), 1 Wood Saw (which is excellent), 1 File/metal saw, 1 bottle opener, 1 can opener, 1 phillips screwdriver, and 1 Awl (Hole Puncher). Its a bit large for someones EDC but it is a perfect sidekick to a good fixed blade (like attached to the sheath). The final thing that I liked about it was that it is made with black plastic instead of the traditional red. P.S. Vic needs to make a model just like the LOCKSMITH but add a magnifying glass (as it stands, magnifying glasses are only offered on the models that are HUGE, I do not like SAK's once they get to be a certain width). A magnifying glass is one of the easiest methods of starting a fire.

One more thing, they need to start doing diamond coated file's.
 
Brian6244 said:
The downside with the Leatherman is IIRC it's almost 10oz. I have a Wave with a pocket clip and I have to tighten my belt a notch to keep my pants up when it's clipped to my pocket. ;)
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I use the Leatherman Blast which is 6.9 ounces. It's heavy, but not nearly as heavy as my Mountaineer II which really does pull on my belt.

What does a SAK like a farmer weigh anyway?
 
I have the VIC Farmer too. It does have a nice set of tools. It has a few problems: the blades do not lock and if your hands are cold it is hard to open. I think it is a fair weather friend!

I carry a Leatherman Charge Ti and a fixed blade knife. For big jobs I also carry a Gerber Sportsman's saw. They can all be used one handed.
 
crawfordew said:
I EDC a Vic Farmer, a Vic Rucksack lives in my BOB and I have other SAKs scattered around in my bicycle bags, my truck etc. The Farmer is probably my favorite, I like the Alox scales. JMHO
Gene :D
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I'm with ya on the VIC Farmer. It has the "Alox" scales instead of plastic. All the essential tools (blade, awl, saw, can and bottle opener) Not to big, and not to small. I always carry this one in my pocket when out in the woods. I also EDC it almost every day.
 
wade said:
I want one with a large plane blade, large wood saw, can and bottle opener, awl, and maybe a smaller blade. I would like the larger balde to lock open. So, I guess the hunter model looks good.
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I've got a Victorinox Rucksack. It's part of my EDC. It has:

3" locking blade
3" wood saw
can opener/small screwdriver
bottle opener/large screwdriver/wire stripper
awl
corkscrew
toothpick
tweezers

But if you want something real cool, CountyComm is selling the current Bundeswehr issue SAK, by Victorinox: http://www.countycomm.com/swiss.htm
 
bulgron
The Vic Farmer weighs exactly 3 oz. and if you don't need the can opener ya might want to check out the Vic Electrician Plus, the little wharncliff blade on it is supurb.
 
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