Swiss Army Knife - Yes or No ?
- Thread starter sm
- Start date
- Status
SAG0282
Member
I love SAKs.....they are my primary EDC knives, rotated between a Mechanic, Super Tinker, and Soldier.
The Cultural Woodsman
Member
SAK
You know I never could get used to multi tools, although I pack one in my gear. Maybe it is nostalgia because my Dad gave me my first SAK when I was about seven, but I just would rather carry a SAK and a good sheath knife to the woods. It just "seems right".
You know I never could get used to multi tools, although I pack one in my gear. Maybe it is nostalgia because my Dad gave me my first SAK when I was about seven, but I just would rather carry a SAK and a good sheath knife to the woods. It just "seems right".
ChefJeff1
Member
I have one in my pocket always but I broke the screwdriver so I'll be getting anothe one from eknifeworks for like $4.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
If your SAK is a Wenger or Victorinox, contact them they will fix it.
Dave Markowitz
Member
Heck yeah.
As I mentioned in my other thread on non-tactical pocketknives, I've gone back to a SWAK for EDC. Mine is an early-80s vintage Pioneer with red alox handles. I just got a couple current production Pioneers from Amazon which will go in our vehicles.
Tonight I used my Victorinox Cybertool 41 to install replacement scope mount hole plug screws, and adjust the position of the front sling swivel on the Marlin 336 I picked up last Sunday. The little socket driver and bits on the Cybertool are useful not only for working on 'puters, but also on guns. I've found it to be a great addition to my range box. E.g., the torx bits fit a lot of the hex screws I encounter on guns, like the one for the sling swivel on the Marlin.
As I mentioned in my other thread on non-tactical pocketknives, I've gone back to a SWAK for EDC. Mine is an early-80s vintage Pioneer with red alox handles. I just got a couple current production Pioneers from Amazon which will go in our vehicles.
Tonight I used my Victorinox Cybertool 41 to install replacement scope mount hole plug screws, and adjust the position of the front sling swivel on the Marlin 336 I picked up last Sunday. The little socket driver and bits on the Cybertool are useful not only for working on 'puters, but also on guns. I've found it to be a great addition to my range box. E.g., the torx bits fit a lot of the hex screws I encounter on guns, like the one for the sling swivel on the Marlin.
A Swiss Army knife is to cutting tools what a .22 is to firearms; everyone should have at least one. They can do alot for their size in the right hands.
I've had a number of SAKs over the years, including a couple of the Champs. Currently I have and favor the alloy Soldier and the larger bladed Hunter lockblade. Like most all things that are actually swiss-made, quality is superb. I have the SA multitool which exhibits the same.
One of the best features on those SA knives and tools that have them are the saw blades. These really cut; the best and most effective small saw blades I have ever used on a knife or multitool.
-----------------------------------------
http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
I've had a number of SAKs over the years, including a couple of the Champs. Currently I have and favor the alloy Soldier and the larger bladed Hunter lockblade. Like most all things that are actually swiss-made, quality is superb. I have the SA multitool which exhibits the same.
One of the best features on those SA knives and tools that have them are the saw blades. These really cut; the best and most effective small saw blades I have ever used on a knife or multitool.
-----------------------------------------
http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
Spec ops Grunt
Member
Yea. Especially if you get a one with a locking blade.
SAK, Not anymore!
The Swiss Army Knife is still a great pocket knife, carried one for at least twenty years, (Tinker and Super Tinker), but when the Leatherman came out, the SAK stayed in the sock drawer.
I have a SAK with a set of pliers, but the pliers are small and the leverage insignificant. The main and best feature of the Leatherman is of course a usable set of pliers. And I use those pliers, or the pliers on a Gerber, every day. The Leatherman I carry has scissors. Can't live without those scissors either.
The SAK was the best pocket tool, now it is the multitools.
When I want a big knife blade, I use a CS Voyager, or a Benchmade. Life is a lot better than it was in 1975.
The Swiss Army Knife is still a great pocket knife, carried one for at least twenty years, (Tinker and Super Tinker), but when the Leatherman came out, the SAK stayed in the sock drawer.
I have a SAK with a set of pliers, but the pliers are small and the leverage insignificant. The main and best feature of the Leatherman is of course a usable set of pliers. And I use those pliers, or the pliers on a Gerber, every day. The Leatherman I carry has scissors. Can't live without those scissors either.
The SAK was the best pocket tool, now it is the multitools.
When I want a big knife blade, I use a CS Voyager, or a Benchmade. Life is a lot better than it was in 1975.
Dionysusigma
Member
Had a SAK for a couple of years, but somehow lost it. I think my no-good brother borrowed it one day and never brought it back. 
It's okay, though. About 10-11 years ago, I "borrowed" his Leatherman (original model). Only complaint I have is that it's a teensy bit looser than it was when it was new, and have considered picking up a Fuse.
I still want my @%$&* Swiss Army knife back, though. Might have to go get a new one.
It's okay, though. About 10-11 years ago, I "borrowed" his Leatherman (original model). Only complaint I have is that it's a teensy bit looser than it was when it was new, and have considered picking up a Fuse.
I still want my @%$&* Swiss Army knife back, though.
Might have to go get a new one.Adam Selene
Member
I like a Tinker better than a Leatherman
earplug
Member
Good Scissors
SAK scissors are able to cut my 10lbs. braided fishing line cleanly.
The cork screw is often the life saver.
The hack saw was able to cut the old brass Army padlock that secured our vehicle hatches.
The wood saw works pretty good.
SAK scissors are able to cut my 10lbs. braided fishing line cleanly.
The cork screw is often the life saver.
The hack saw was able to cut the old brass Army padlock that secured our vehicle hatches.
The wood saw works pretty good.
12GA00buck
Member
I'm a little late to this thread, but I'll chime in.
I think SAK's were the best multipurpose tools until leathermens came out. You just cant beat having a sturdy pair of pliers with your other gadgets. I still carry a swiss card in my wallet, mainly for the siccsors. I carry my main drop point hunting knife for big tasks. The leathermen for tool stuff, and the swiss card for personal grooming tasks.
My leathermen has a clip so its stays firmly atached to my jeans, my hunting knife is in a sheath, and the swiss card is contained in my wallet. SAK's on the other hand are the perfect shape and size to fall out of pockets and get lost forever.
I still like them for their history and function, but I prefer multi-tools nowadays
I think SAK's were the best multipurpose tools until leathermens came out. You just cant beat having a sturdy pair of pliers with your other gadgets. I still carry a swiss card in my wallet, mainly for the siccsors. I carry my main drop point hunting knife for big tasks. The leathermen for tool stuff, and the swiss card for personal grooming tasks.
My leathermen has a clip so its stays firmly atached to my jeans, my hunting knife is in a sheath, and the swiss card is contained in my wallet. SAK's on the other hand are the perfect shape and size to fall out of pockets and get lost forever.
I still like them for their history and function, but I prefer multi-tools nowadays
Long Knife
Member
I have had a Huntsman for fifteen years and a RucSAK for five years. The Ruck is my EDC and wouldn't be without it. I have a Leatherman and the new one but SAK is a knife and handier for my purposes. The Leatherman's always handy though.
Knifeforums has several sub forums devoted to SAK's.
Rex
Knifeforums has several sub forums devoted to SAK's.
Rex
EricTheBarbarian
Member
brand new ive never had a sak sharp enough to cut anything. Good luck trying to skin something with that. Ive always thought they were cool because MacGyver always used one to build something crazy. Ive never had to depend on a sak or would want to. I would say there are alot better knives as far as knives go, but the better knives Ive had dont have an entire tool box attached to them either. As far as carrying a knife with me Id prefer my kabar anyday.
Dave Markowitz
Member
The two Victorinox Pioneers that I bought recently came razor sharp. IME, Victorinox knives are easy to resharpen, as well, because they aren't too hard. Granted, this means they need to be sharpened more often but I'm ok with that.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
I had a deprived childhood- didn't know there was such a thing as a SAK till I was in college. Never owned one, never carried one, never knew anyone growing up who carried one. There wasn't a Boy Scout within 30 miles, so I never saw a Scout knife either. Folks I knew carried Stockman pattern knives, or Trappers mostly. As a kid I carried a Tree Brand stockman. Still have it for that matter but don't use it.
Never have owned a SAK, not a one, ever. Just never developed the habit. One more thing I grew up without...
lpl/nc
Never have owned a SAK, not a one, ever. Just never developed the habit. One more thing I grew up without...
lpl/nc
I've got two SAKs that were both given to me by my father. They're very important to me, and in fact I've carried one or the other - always kept sharp as a razor - on me since about the age of 7. They're both the same type - the Spartan. One is red and one black, the black one being slightly newer and having the toothpick and tweezers. I didn't get the black one until I was 15 or so.
The plastic handles are quite worn on both at this point, and the blades on the red one have been sharpened probably a couple hundred times by now (thankfully, I was taught how to sharpen properly, so I've not over-sharpened them over the years). They've been used to open dozens (hundreds?) bottles of wine, and untold bottles of beer (both for me and others). I've gotten good use out of them (and don't agree with the statement here that they're 'soft' knives - only if you don't sharpen them right are they; they're fairly strong steel).
My view is that knives are supposed to be used, so I do just that. They've got sentimental value to some degree, yes, but I don't put it over their utility. I usually carry an additional blade along with me - a lockback carbon steel Schrade, preferably, given to me by my grandfather - when I suspect I'll have more use for a second blade.
However.
I can understand where you're coming from, certainly. When I was about 8 or 9, my dad gave me a very special knife. It was small, very small - maybe an inch and a half in closed length, with two fold-out blades. Its handle was made of mother of perl. I can't really understand why he gave it to me; it had been his grandfather's knife, given to him by his dad. I can only assume it's because he saw my fascination and wanted to show he cared for me. It was appreciated.
At any rate, I took the knife with me on a fishing trip down the hill to the pond on a rainy afternoon. I actually took all 4 of my knives, and a bunch of other stuff - I've always been a bit of a packrat and the "hey, I might need it" type. Long story short: I somehow managed to drop and lose the knife. I don't remember how; it may have fallen through a hole in my pocket, if I recall correctly. I looked for hours, and came back the next day to look for it. But I never found it. Since then, I've never lost a knife (permenantly), though I had a couple 'commando' style knives break on me, or incidentially confiscated by parents for cutting chunks out of things I shouldn't have.
The plastic handles are quite worn on both at this point, and the blades on the red one have been sharpened probably a couple hundred times by now (thankfully, I was taught how to sharpen properly, so I've not over-sharpened them over the years). They've been used to open dozens (hundreds?) bottles of wine, and untold bottles of beer (both for me and others). I've gotten good use out of them (and don't agree with the statement here that they're 'soft' knives - only if you don't sharpen them right are they; they're fairly strong steel).
My view is that knives are supposed to be used, so I do just that. They've got sentimental value to some degree, yes, but I don't put it over their utility. I usually carry an additional blade along with me - a lockback carbon steel Schrade, preferably, given to me by my grandfather - when I suspect I'll have more use for a second blade.
However.
I can understand where you're coming from, certainly. When I was about 8 or 9, my dad gave me a very special knife. It was small, very small - maybe an inch and a half in closed length, with two fold-out blades. Its handle was made of mother of perl. I can't really understand why he gave it to me; it had been his grandfather's knife, given to him by his dad. I can only assume it's because he saw my fascination and wanted to show he cared for me. It was appreciated.
At any rate, I took the knife with me on a fishing trip down the hill to the pond on a rainy afternoon. I actually took all 4 of my knives, and a bunch of other stuff - I've always been a bit of a packrat and the "hey, I might need it" type. Long story short: I somehow managed to drop and lose the knife. I don't remember how; it may have fallen through a hole in my pocket, if I recall correctly. I looked for hours, and came back the next day to look for it. But I never found it. Since then, I've never lost a knife (permenantly), though I had a couple 'commando' style knives break on me, or incidentially confiscated by parents for cutting chunks out of things I shouldn't have.
- Status
