[Spec ops Grunt]

I've always loved swiss army knives. Got any stories or pics?

Also is it possible to identify the model without the box it came in?

Mine says Officier on the blade.

Below Officier it says suisse. Its a victornox. What model is it.

[KriegHund]

I've used mine for a variety of aplications, mostly trimming fingernails. Its in my pocket right now.

Mines the one with the long and short blade, scissors, pliers, and other classic goodies.

Not too big but not the smallest exactly either.
i want to get one of those ones thats 2" wide :evil:

[Valkman]

I've carried a SAK for a long time! I'd say yours is an Officers model but I can't find that one being offered now.

[Soap]

I carry a SAK Soldier everyday. I have a million stories of how I've used it but nothing exciting. I save the exciting stories for the BM-42 that I also carry everyday ;)

[redloki]

I have has many over the years. Some lost,some stolen. Swiss army knives are the only thing I have in my pockets.They have proven themselves time and time again. They are a useful tool. I abuse mine to no end and they always hold up. I'm lost without that red lump in my pocket.

[lesjones]

My main EDC is a Victorinox One Hand Trekker (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000687B44/102-5300760-8715352?v=glance&n=3375251). It has all of the usual SAK stuff (screwdrivers, Philips head, bottle opener, can opener, saw, awl) plus a one hand opening, lockback blade.

As a tactical folder, it's got deficiencies. The blade is a little spindly, and the grips are slippery when wet. On the other hand, my tactical folders don't have any of the tools that make the SAK so handy.

It's the closest I've found to my personal ideal for an EDC. Hopefully Victorinox will continue making improvements.

[4v50 Gary]

I've a Swiss Champion and have carried it to China once, Europe twice, into Canada once and across the Continent more times than I can count. I've used it to fix my LandRover, doors, eyeglasses, guns, fix meals, etc. Nothing glarmorous but highly utilitarian.

[VHinch]

Carry one everyday on my keychain. Couldn't live without it.

V

[rbmcmjr]

Have you seen this rig for SAKs? I really like the concept.

http://www.survivalsheath.com/sheaths/images/survivor_sm.jpg

You can find out more from here: http://www.survivalsheath.com/sheaths/index.htm

[Dave Markowitz]

I have a Victorinox Pioneer and Cyber Tool 41. The latter is basically a Swiss Champ modified to be more useful to computer geeks. E.g., it includes a socket screwdriver with Torx bits. It's replaced most of my computer toolkit. I've used it to take apart everything from PCs to Nortel Passport 15000 ATM switches. :)

[tellner]

I used to have SAKs. Tim Leatherman built a better mousetrap, so I carry one of his tools now.

[Sunray]

I've had my Victorinox 'Economy' for 25 years or so. Victorinox. Anything else is a copy.

['Card]

Yeah, lose that Swiss Army stuff and get yourself a Leatherman.

[SAG0282]

I love 'em, very useful and high-quality. I have a Victorinox Soldier and have had others at various points. They aren't as heavy-duty as a dedicated multi-tool, but are ok for about 98% of anything you'd need on your days off.

[Nematocyst]

When I'm camping, especially backpacking, my SAK is attached to my pack via a lanyard.

Once upon a time, I used mine (model unknown) as an EDC, but no longer. Around the studio/shop, I just didn't find a need for all those blades.

I now use a Benchmade Osborn as my EDC. Use it several times per day. Large blade, flat knife, pocket clip.

In the woods, I'll still have my SAK nearby, on a pack or fanny pack.

But the Benchmade will be in my pocket.

Nem

[perpster]

Have had and loved SAK for 20+ years BUT no locking blade and no pliers has made it my BUK (back up knife) to my Leatherman New Wave and Benchmade Ritter Survival Knife Mk-1.

That said, though, only the SAK has a corkscrew and awl.

[Nematocyst]

That said, though, only the SAK has a corkscrew ...Which is one reason I still have it in camp. ;)

I forgot to mention my Leatherman. Yeah, it's in my pack, too.

But for EDC, Benchmade.

Nem

[sm]

I grew up with Case Knives. The Camper was a constant companion even if I had the Yellow-Handled Case Trapper, Trout & Bird Knife....etc. on person.

SAK replaced the Camper. I mean the Camper was a Case - a really nice knife. :p

SAKs of various sizes have been a constant companion - Forever. Decided the Case Campers were too nice and sentimental for EDC. I got into collecting Case knives for a bit too.

SAK - I carry the small one with tweezers,toothpick nail file /screwdriver blade and pen blade everyday. I use it often - especially at College. Funny, a lot of us have some kind of knife clipped to pocket, we usually use the SAKs we have.

Last week I trimmed my moustache of a gray hair, and piddled with a computer with it. I mean for ~ $10 what else can you buy that is this light, high quality, reliable and just too handy? Cannot afford to NOT have one.

Larger version has always been in my vehicles. I always carry at least one extra when out and about...again too handy and they work for too many tasks.

Here is your Funny Story.

I take Mom on a scenic drive to see the leaves in the fall many years ago* . So me being me, I just whip over to some small town Mom & Pop Grocery and get Stuff to eat. I like doing this impromtu picnic stuff.

So we pull over to a roadside picnic table with a view and I am cutting apples, slicing cheese, meat...etc., ...Mom grabs the SAK I am using. Starts piddling with it.

I had to "ask" to have it back to open the sodas.

She kept piddling with it during the picnic...we finish up and back on the road...

My mom reached into my glovebox and snagged that knife and stuck it in her purse.

"Err...mom, I kinda like to have that in the glovebox in case I need to fix the truck , medical emergency...etc. My mom pouted, put it back - still pouted.

I get my Mom her own bigger SAK. I forget the model, but being newer had more "stuff".
I present this SAK to her over at my place for a gathering of some sort...

Now the sibs thought I was nuts for getting mom a knife, much less a SAK. Mom went bonkers...sibs had no idea (they are dumb about some matters...)

At that time I had a pond out back. So my mom having been raised in the country ...she just takes "her new knife" and heads out back to the pond, ...look out and there she is with a cane pole and her feet in the pond, ...well she finished eating an apple and whacking off cheese, started whittling on a stick...had the two dogs total attention waiting for a pc of cheese to be tossed their way.

Moms will steal the new big block of cheese out of your fridge btw...coudn't take the one already opened...had to be the new one...must be a new SAK thing or something...

Comes in all smiles..."Here clean MY knife , make sure still sharp, and a bit of oil on the hinges...".

Sibs are totally clueless, this lady ( looks and talks like our mom) sure is giddy about that knife. Seems I had a loose wall plate screw or two. I never knew one was supposed "snip" a bad hair off a dog either. The dog just sat there and let her "snip" that "bad hair".

I know my mom better than the other sibs ...it was funny how nuts she went over it. I guess being the eldest and having helped raised the sibs and being the eldest male growing up does that...

Mom still has that knife, I recently "took care it" (tossed at me to do so) and NO, by golly nobody gets to "borrow it" or even use it - not even in her presence. Except me sharping it, or getting nelphs out of it, oiling it...anyone else...

"Get your own knife - this one is mine".

Dang Country Girls and their knives - I swear! :p

*Mom is 76 now and has had that knife since 1993.

There is no telling how many times she has used that knife, over the years...seen her using to fix a loose screw in her car, wallplate screw, cutting thread while sewing.. ( she still works btw) , there is no telling how many times she has used her SAK during her lunch alone...she used it to open a Creme Soda just the other day...

I asked if the Extra Sharp cheese was good...

"What on earth do you mean?"

"Mom, I am cleaning Extra Sharp Cheese out of your knife, so was it good or what?"

<grin> " Why yes it was and since you are being so nosy- the apple I had with it was good too, now is my knife ready to go again...? ".

:D



Steve

[Nematocyst]

Some mom's are cool, aren't they?

I miss mine. :(

Nem

[Jeff Timm]

I started carrying a SAK while in the US Army. When I was discharged it was too big for a pocket, so I went to a Golfer in 1982. It still rides in my pocket. The Leatherman and the Cyber 41 ride in my professonal bag with the software tools and such. The bag is a Swiss Army Knife nylon bag by Wengers of course. My wife made me buy the bag. It had more class than the cheap Wal*Mart canvas bag I use for my stuff.

Geoff
Who misses the Swiss Army Knife man who used to do the Ohio gun shows. I'd like new handles for my Golfer. :)

[Sharpdogs]

I carry a SAK Tinker every day. I got my first SAK when I was 5 years old.

[Brian Williams]

My firstSAK was a Super Tinker that I carried everyday while Teaching and working construction over the summer. I always wanted an Officers model because it was smaller and lighter, less to wear a hole in my pockets. My In-laws went to Europe for a tour including Switzerland, so I wrote out all of the specs for an Officers model, they came back and I saw nothing. Two months later my parents went over to Europe and I did the same thing with my dad. I wrote out exactly what I wanted. I went to the airport to pick them up and drive them from NYC to home and half way home My dad plops this little box on my lap... I got me a Gen-U-Wine Victorinox, Straight From Switzerland, Officers Model Swiss Army Knife.
2 months later at the In-laws Christmas party for my wife's brother and sisters, Kids happen on Christmas, adults happened when we could get together. I was usnig my "new" SAK and cutting every string, ribbon, piece of tape on any box, My FIL was looking at me with this quizzical look every time I got out my knife...
about 2/3 of the way thru the gifts, the Guys got small little boxes, just like the one my dad gave a few months earlier. It goes that my MIL thought what I wanted was a good idea for a Christmas gift so she had my FIL get all of us one and had our names inletted on the side. Needless to say I quickly hid mine that I got from my dad and acted cool when I got mine for my FIL.
I carry the one from my dad every day along with a Schrade Old Timer single liner lock blade, long and skinny.

You guys can have your Leathermen (I also have one) but it is haevy and wears more holes in pocket than any small pocket knife I have ever had.

[pinetree64]

I have roughly 6 SAK. I really like the 2 bladed plus 4 tool sized knives (tinker, spartan, officer). I have a great Wenger, LL Bean, with a locking mech on the main blade :) . I have them stowed in a lot of places. My small survival kit in my hunting pack, shaving kits (corkscrew has come in handy), goto bags, truck box, tackle box... I took a my Case Mini-Trapper and one of my SAK and did a whittling test. The SAK, seemed to hold it's edge better.

[Smokey Joe]

When I was growing up, my grandparents lived far away. 2 houses up the street there was an older couple who were my "substitute grandparents." They were Swiss. Mrs. Zingg was more or less a grandma for all us neighborhood urchins.

Hand my first hunting experience--raccoon--with Mr. Zingg. So you see they figured pretty heavily in my growing up.

Anyhow, they gave me a Victorinox Tinker SAK for high school graduation. I lost that one, years ago, but if I hadn't lost it I'd have sharpened it to death. By the time it left me I'd had to epoxy one scale back onto it, and the Swiss Cross onto the scale. Have been through 3 or 4 more Vic Tinker SAK's since, and one will always be in my pocket I guess.

A highly useful tool; always handy; takes a nice edge and holds it reasonably.

I have an original Leatherman, and a Gerber multi-tool, too, and they are very nice, but neither of those is pocket-sized.

[JShirley]

I have also gone to a Leatherman-style multitool over SAK.

John

[mp510]

Got a Victorinox Sportsman II, Wenger Commander, and several others (models don't come off the top of my head). The SAK was the first pocket knife that I owned. There nice, but I usually don't carry one. There are other knives that I prefer.

I do carry a SwissCard if those count.

[1911JMB]

I got a SAK for a birthday present when I was much younger, and it served me well for many years. These days, I carry a leatherman. The SAK just goes camping occasionaly. As was stated, Leatherman tools are the better mousetrap.

[hso]

http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/swissarmyexpress_1882_12793247

I've carried an older version of the Soldier for many years. Mine is old enough to have the lanyard hole.

[orangeninja]

I'm such a Swiss Army fan that I carry a Swiss Army Wenger briefcase at work, a Swiss Army Wenger portfolio (both are very nice and professional looking) and I have a Swiss Army multi-tool (also in my briefcase) and 2 Swiss Army Victorinox "soldiers", the aluminum ones. I love 'em.

For you leatherman fans http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002T5YNW/qid=1142280302/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-2825974-9986225?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=3375251

I have the "RS" version, it has replaced my $100 Gerber

[azredhawk44]

SAK vs Leatherman

I have a Gerber Multi-Tool that I love. 2 knife blades. 3 different flathead screwdrivers, one philips. Pliers, wirecutters. Lanyard ring, file, can opener and bottle opener.

My favorite SAK I have/had is the original black handled locking blade they came out with about 15 years ago or so.

My little brother liked it so much he stole it from me. I went out and bought another just like it after I couldn't get the original back.

That was the big drawback to the other SAK designs...the knife would not lock in place.

[hksw]

Carried a Champion for a long time and still have quite a number of SAKs (both Victorinox and Wenger) but now use Gerber Multi Tools of varous types. More handy and robust than the SAKs. My biggest problem with the SAKs are the non-locking tools of their regular pocket knives. I've bloodied my fingers and knuckles plenty of times with them.

[lepmik]

I had a Swiss Champion that I bought when I visited Switzerland in high school. I loved it, carried it everywhere, and used it often. Then one day I took it fishing in a state park, in my pocket like it always was. When I got home it wasn't there. I wanted to cry.

I only walked on well-used paths that day, so my only comfort is that maybe some kid found it and still treasures the memory of when he or she found such a great knife just lying out in the open.

[Ash]

Leatherman is too big for my tastes.

I have a Wenger Tradesman and it is the most useful knife I have ever owned. I have four of them put back as spares.

Ash

[mp510]

Think I am addicted.
I just ordered two more, on eBay at 99 cents each. They are the two blade jack knife type ones. I'll have pics up soon. They are coming from Alaska.

[22-rimfire]

I have a "Tinker" which was my prefered everyday knife or years. Picked up a "Soldier" a month or so ago and really like it. This thread got me thinking about Swiss Army knives and I ordered a "Locksmith" as it is a little unusal and the metal file may come in handy for an emergency sharpening device. It is an experiment of sorts.

[Boom-stick]

Used a camper, held me in good stead whilst I trekked for months through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Still got it, it goes in my suit case every time I travel, but for everything else I use a LM Wave, probably the best thing my wife ever got me.

Dan

[SAG0282]

I have a Wenger Tradesman and it is the most useful knife I have ever owned. I have four of them put back as spares

I'm glad the Wenger variant has served you well, but my experience with that line was not good. It did not seem NEARLY as well made as it's Victorinox counterpart.

[Ash]

I own both Victorinox and Wenger, and my experience is that they are built as well as each other. I chose the Wenger because the pliers and sissors on the Tradesman are superior to that on the Victorinox version of the same knife. The steel used in the blades is identical and the accessories are basically similar on both. In my experience, the Wenger is more sturdy than the Victorinox. That is based on many years experience with both. When I was way back in the days of Boy Scouts, I always thought of the Wenger as a pretender. I then started using one that I got for a cheap price at a salvage place, so that I wouldn't lose my "nicer" Victorinox. I discovered the Wenger to be a superb knife, better than the Victorinox of the same general style, more so because the Wenger is a bit shorter and more compact.

While it is obvious I disagree with your assesment on the quality of a Wenger, perhaps you can shed light on how a Victorinox is better made?

[Skofnung]

Best. Gift. Ever.

I received a Small Tinker at the age of 14 (I'm 27 now) and have carried it everyday since, except when in screened, prohibited areas (airports, courthouses, ect...)

I've used it for everything. Cleaning fish and game, woodcarving, digging out splinters, cutting foamboard for school, shaving, you name it; my tinker has probably done it. Twice.

I recently gave one to my 12 year old nephew. I hope his serves him as well as mine has served me.

[Spec ops Grunt]

I found my other one. Large serrated locking blade, phillips screw driver, reamer, and those two can opener thingies. Has the boy scout logo.

[middy]

I just lost my Tinker a few days ago. :mad:
Now I have to buy another one. :)

[p35]

I have way too many of them. In fact, I got another today- found it sitting in a case at the local gunshop, and for $3 who can resist? A little cleaning,sharpening, and oiling, and it's ready for another 20 years of hard use.

Some of the modern stuff is a little odd- I have one now that lights up an LED when you press the cross. Still, I feel naked without one.

[22-rimfire]

Got my "Locksmith" and I really like it. It is a big knife that you can use. Have been carrying it in my pocket, but it is a tad big for the pocket and I may get a belt sheath. It saved my day a couple of days ago doing a job and didn't have all of my tools with me. It is hard to plan for every contigency. It certainly was a Mcgyver day for me. I felt good after things worked out, but getting there was a pain.

[Medusa]

I have a SAK Officier model, brought my son a Alpineer model (when he was born), gave my wife a SwissCard for christmas. Oh, I have a Leatherman Juice C2, i got that as a gift, it's pliers have been useful.

[cosine]

Count me in as a SAK fan. I carry a Huntsman every day. I carry a Leatherman too, but I just can't lose the SAK. It's just too darn handy.

[Winchester94]

I have a Victorinox Climber Model. I could do with out the cork-screw - next one will be either a Tinker or something American.

At any rate, I have found that particular knife to very handy and useful. I've done ALOT with it and its now blessed with my sentimentailty. I'll retire it someday, but I'll never be rid of it.

What I do love about SAK's are their warrenties - I've sent mine in twice to fix things on it.

[snow]

I guess I fit into the SAK fan club also, I have the officer model which stays in the console between the seats, a pioneer which rides in my pocket everyday and a trekker model along with a leatherman core in my backpack. This way I figure no matter were I am or what I am doing I will have at least one with me. The one thing I like most about them is that they all get used and have proven themselves time and time again. I guess that is why I keep buying them.

[jaysouth]

Victornox Spartan for jeans pockets and a cadet for dress slacks. I have buck and Gerber multi-tools. I gave up on Leatherman when tim became a vocal Jeane fraude kerrie supporter. Good products, lousy judgement.

[telkontar]

Victorinox Tinker from the age of ten -- 30 years. For pocket carry in ordinary situations, this fits all easonably expected situations. I carry a Wave for the pliers in some situations. I have added some SAKs on whims at garage sales and such.

[Sec421]

Haha I can remember moving into my first apartment and using the Swiss Army Knife for all intended and some un-intended applications. Yes i even made use of the corkscrew, and honestly i used that knife until the plastic grips came off, super glued 'em back on. the blade is a shadow of it's former self due to constant use, and sharpening. and still have that particular tool in the kitchen "odd utensile drawer". You know the one with the pasta spoon and the garlic press and something for lemons...I think.

[shecky]

I gave up on Leatherman when tim became a vocal Jeane fraude kerrie supporter. Good products, lousy judgement.

Yes, Leatherman products are not politically correct for us. :rolleyes:

I like SAKs. My old standby is a Victorinox Tinker. A recent acquisition I've been carrying is a regular sized odd Wenger with a locking, fully serrated edge. The locking system is kind of an odd lockback, except the latch isn't on the back.

The typical Leatherman style multi-tool is good, but generally too big for pocket carry. For the last year or so, I've been carrying a Micra on my keychain. It's a very nicely made tiny multi-tool.

[sixgunner455]

Victorinox Tinker, I've had two. Very useful, durable knife. Just gave my cousin (19) a Super Tinker. He had a multitool, but no other pocketknife. Then I have a Wenger wallet. It came with a penknife. I have the Victorinox penknife, too. Pocket Pal, I think they call it. That one was a gift some friends gave me back when I was 19.

I have a Gerber, but I only carry it when I'm hunting or hiking with the dog -- to get cactus needles out of her. I always carry a real knife instead, usually a slippy, with the Tinker as a backup in the bag. I've started carrying the Gerber in the bag, too. Might get a simple pair of small needle nose pliers to pull those needles out. Would lighten the pocket or belt, not carrying that heavy Gerber.

Just found out my older sister keeps an SAK in the car. I was showing pictures of some of my nicer slippies on our family website, mostly a conversation with my dad, and she said she has this SAK she loves that is red, beat up, and ugly that she didn't want to show a picture of so we wouldn't "be scared".

I told her I have the same beat up, old red SAK. Bought it when I was at AIT, straight after Basic when I didn't have any of my things and so no knife.

[Appsy]

i carry a leatherman surge at work and when outdoors and my Victorinox super tinker around town

[Onmilo]

I have a Victorinox super swiss army knife my ex-wife gave me over twenty years ago.
It is in my bedside drawer and I use it for everything from trimming toenails to opening mail and packages of cheese.

I have a leatherman at the machine shop, a super leatherman at the gun shop and a leatherman wave in the toolbox on the tractor but that swiss army knife still gets used more than all of them.

[glockman19]

I have had and lost so many SAK's I don't know where to begin. I've had many different ones over the year too. Had a friend who had an impressive collection at one time and they were stolen.

[coelacanth]

I never leave home without one. Usually a Super Tinker or a Climber that slips right down alongside my wallet and stays vertical until I need it. Cool thing about SAK's is that they are one of the most non-threatening pieces of hardware you can own. Being all Euro-centric and politically correct and all that, when you find yourself surrounded by anti RKBA weenies you have a couple tools on you to demonstrate the salient points of our way of life. "See? This is my SAK which we all agree is a tool, right? Now This ( pulls out of pocket a holstered Seecamp .32 and lays it on the table ) is also a tool. I carry the SAK because I'm not expecting to need everything in my big toolbox but you never know when it might come in handy. I carry the Seecamp because I'm not expecting to need my combat shotgun but you never know when it might come in handy." ;)

[lesjones]

This thread's been going for a while. Here's what I wrote last year:

My main EDC is a Victorinox One Hand Trekker. It has all of the usual SAK stuff (screwdrivers, Philips head, bottle opener, can opener, saw, awl) plus a one hand opening, lockback blade.

As a tactical folder, it's got deficiencies. The blade is a little spindly, and the grips are slippery when wet. On the other hand, my tactical folders don't have any of the tools that make the SAK so handy.

It's the closest I've found to my personal ideal for an EDC. Hopefully Victorinox will continue making improvements.

I lost that knife for a time, so for EDC I switched to one of my tactical folders - a Buck Strider Tarani. I loved the knife, but missed the SAK tools. Now I carry the Tarani in a front pocket and a little Victorinox Recruit in a back pocket. The combination is a little heavy, but now I've got everything I need with me.

[GRB]

Victorinox Huntsman (not Hunter, there is quite the difference) has been my all time favorite. So far I have lost about 6 or 8 of them. Then I gave up on em, bad Karma or whatever.