Why use a SAK?

Mitchell Knives · Oct 14, 2005

Unless you really need pliers, I think a SAK is an overall better choice. Besides, a SAK will likely out cut the majority of multi tools.

JDemond · Jan 16, 2006

I have carried a SAK long before the leatherman hit the market, and don't plan to change my standard now.

Victorinox, the original multi-tool!

atomd · Jan 16, 2006

I love both and used to be a 100% sak kinda guy. If I could only take one tool with me it would be my sak. Since I can carry more than one tool on me every day, I don't carry my sak often anymore. I carry a leatherman squirt p4 along with a larger folder. I don't mind that the blade on the squirt is inferior because I have a bigger and better blade on me anyways. If you don't count the blade, most multi-tools are better for my use. I gotta have my pliers! I'm suprised how well the TINY squirt has held up. It's definately not super-hard-use but for EDC it's outstanding.

Fisher of Men · Jan 16, 2006

I have no use for a pair of pliers on a daily basis. I have no idea why anyone would really. I'm kind of dumb founded by the fact that so many people buy up the multi-tools based on a pair of needle nose pliers. I like SAK's because they do the job, been around forever, and are quality tools. Do people really need pliers that much on a daily basis?

There's never a substitute for the right tool so I don't use my SAK for everything.

A SAK and a Multi-Tool are both jacks of all trades and masters of none. I use my SAK only in a pinch.

atomd · Jan 16, 2006

Fisher of Men said:
I have no use for a pair of pliers on a daily basis. I have no idea why anyone would really. I'm kind of dumb founded by the fact that so many people buy up the multi-tools based on a pair of needle nose pliers. I like SAK's because they do the job, been around forever, and are quality tools. Do people really need pliers that much on a daily basis?

You seriously have no idea why anyone would use a pair of pliers on a daily basis? I always thought they were a very common tool. If I were to put together a tool box, they would definately be on the "must" list. I have one on me (usually a small pair or on a multi-tool) and at least one full size needle nose along with a larger pair of pliers in my tool box which is within reach most of the day. Dumb founded by pliers? Maybe not everyone does exactly what you do on a daily basis? I find them extremely useful myself. If I worked in say...a toll booth....I could probably due without them on a daily basis (except for those people who have a very strong grip on those quarters).

Ok..enough sarcasm. I think you should really take into consideration that some of the people on the forums are mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, etc etc. If there's a tool that you use once or twice per day....it's better to have it on a multi-tool than adding to the weight of your belt all day long.

Fisher of Men · Jan 17, 2006

atomd said:
You seriously have no idea why anyone would use a pair of pliers on a daily basis? I always thought they were a very common tool. If I were to put together a tool box, they would definately be on the "must" list. I have one on me (usually a small pair or on a multi-tool) and at least one full size needle nose along with a larger pair of pliers in my tool box which is within reach most of the day. Dumb founded by pliers? Maybe not everyone does exactly what you do on a daily basis? I find them extremely useful myself. If I worked in say...a toll booth....I could probably due without them on a daily basis (except for those people who have a very strong grip on those quarters).

Ok..enough sarcasm. I think you should really take into consideration that some of the people on the forums are mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, etc etc. If there's a tool that you use once or twice per day....it's better to have it on a multi-tool than adding to the weight of your belt all day long.

I have a plumbing/construction background.

I have no want to use "jack of all trades" tools. I use a pair of slip joint pliers when I need them as they are in my toolbox. I use a nice Craftsman #2 phillips when I need it. I use a real 3/4" wood chisel when I need it. I have a use for carrying a knife in my pocket. When I need all that other crap I open my toolbox. It's that simple.

Plus....needle nose pliers are never as usefull to me as a pair of Chan-L-locks.

SpyderNoir_JHA · Jan 17, 2006

Gryffin said:
True, that's what they issue now, but when I was a kid, I'm pretty sure the standard military issue had cellidor scales and a corkscrew, basically a Vic Spartan. Or at least, that's what I was told...

Actually, the Vic Soldier hasn't changed much since it was first produced and it never had a corkscrew. Why? Because the knife Karl Elsener tried to convince the Swiss Army to adopt as an "Officer's Knife" had a corkscrew. That's the difference between being a solider and an officer.

Sword and Shield · Jan 17, 2006

That's also why the cellidor models have "Officier Suisse" on the pile side of the blade, while alox versions have nothing or a year.

atomd · Jan 17, 2006

Fisher of Men said:
I have a plumbing/construction background.

I have no want to use "jack of all trades" tools. I use a pair of slip joint pliers when I need them as they are in my toolbox. I use a nice Craftsman #2 phillips when I need it. I use a real 3/4" wood chisel when I need it. I have a use for carrying a knife in my pocket. When I need all that other crap I open my toolbox. It's that simple. Plus....needle nose pliers are never as usefull to me as a pair of Chan-L-locks.

All those tools you mention are far better than a multi-tool for their specific use. The only problem is if you are on a ladder, under a sink, in a crawl space...didn't feel like lugging your box somewhere because you thought you wouldn't need it but now you suddenly do....out on a weekend without your tool box...etc etc etc. It's the same deal with an adjustable wrench. We all know they aren't NEARLY as good as having the correct wrench for the job...but if you could only carry one wrench on you for all situations...which would you carry? We're talking about a tool that would take the place of a sak here....an entire tool box doesn't quite fit the bill.

mnblade · Jan 17, 2006

I carry a SAK far more often than my Wave. Personal choice, really -- I don't like wearing a sheath on my belt and all the SAKs I have just melt away into my pocket. I WILL strap on the Wave if I'm going to be doing a lot of work around the house, or throw it in my gig bag if my band is playing that night. Otherwise it just stays in the kitchen drawer.

I like when guys here on the forum are looking for a new multi for their car or truck. Assuming they already own a SAK of some sort, they're essentially looking for a $60+ pair of pliers! :jerkit: I was guilty of this gear lust some time ago ..... then it occurred to me that l have something like 5 pairs of pliers laying around the house and garage. So I tossed a pair and a large, locking SAK in the glove box of my truck - voila! - instant free "multi-tool" for my ride!

Chris "Anagarika" · Jan 17, 2006

I guess it boils down to personal choice.

My approach is: what are the things I'll be using most of the time vs how much bulk and weight I'd like to bear on daily basis (EDC-able).

To clarify: I carry Spartan Lite, which gives me enough combination of tools I'd likely be needing without being too bulky and too heavy. If I need a plier, it will be less than a day in a year where I don't have access to my toolbox. Thus a plier will not be on my EDC unless it can fit into the dimension (size and weight) that I consider EDC-able.

In that spirit, I am a minimalist.

Fisher of Men · Jan 17, 2006

atomd said:
All those tools you mention are far better than a multi-tool for their specific use. The only problem is if you are on a ladder, under a sink, in a crawl space...didn't feel like lugging your box somewhere because you thought you wouldn't need it but now you suddenly do....out on a weekend without your tool box...etc etc etc. It's the same deal with an adjustable wrench. We all know they aren't NEARLY as good as having the correct wrench for the job...but if you could only carry one wrench on you for all situations...which would you carry? We're talking about a tool that would take the place of a sak here....an entire tool box doesn't quite fit the bill.

You obviously don't know anything about construction or doing a trade.

There is not anytime when I need something that I don't have when up on a ladder, in a crawl space, under a sink. It's called knowing your job and being prepared.

Enjoy your multi tool and continue to be a jack of all trades and master of none.

Krull · Jan 17, 2006

Ok your gonna think I'm nuts but....in town I always carry-

Swisschamp/w a screwball attached (yes you read right)

A Leatherman/w pocket clip and driver attachment plus a few bits

A Spyderco of some sort (or two

)

And my "everyday nitpick" knife a Vic Cadet..with nailfile that I do about 99% of my cutting with

Yep I know,crazy!

atomd · Jan 17, 2006

Fisher of Men said:
You obviously don't know anything about construction or doing a trade.

If I knew the exact job I had to do, I would bring the correct tools with me obviously. Sometimes things that you don't plan on can happen. I'm not just speaking about industrial work.

Fisher of Men said:
There is not anytime when I need something that I don't have when up on a ladder, in a crawl space, under a sink. It's called knowing your job and being prepared.

I wasn't aware Bob Vila secretly posted on here. Must be nice to yell cut and instantly have every single tool known to man right there at your disposal. You must be real strong carrying around all those tools everywhere you go. It must look sort of odd though.

Fisher of Men said:
Enjoy your multi tool and continue to be a jack of all trades and master of none.

Aren't you essentially doing the exact same thing as me with your sak? The ONLY difference is that yours takes up a tiny bit less space and doesn't have pliers. Maybe you need to carry around a big box of industrial strength tooth picks, a full sized corkscrew, and a full sized version of whatever other useless stuff you have on there so you can be "prepared" :jerkit:

Fisher of Men · Jan 17, 2006

Not Bob Villa. I just usually know what tools I need and when I need them. I plan my workday. I also would have enough tools on my truck if needed to grab something else. If I'm working in a house my toolbox has enough to get my by in a jam.

I'm only saying that I don't understand the use of needle nose pliers so much. I hardly ever use them. I get much more use out of a SAK

That's just me.

Cheers

Why use a SAK?

Knifemaker