which SAK?

[Scuba Pete]

I was just browsing on the site and I noticed a thread about SAK. I have not had one in years, since I was a boy.(Prolly a knock off version, heh)

I have a leatherman, which is a good tool but I like the idea of SAK for everyday use/camping/bushcraft.

I never knew they many so many types, its amazing. I can see all the tools would be useful, but I cant have them all.

Which would you recommend? I know this is a bit open ended, but in your experience which ones are of the greatest use.

Thanks

Pete

[Bjorn Victor]

Hello Peter,

I have one with 2 blades, wood saw, scissors, bottle opener and can opener. The other side is a sort of spike, a hook and a cork screw.

I do not know the exact name of the model, but it covers all my needs, it is about as thick as it is high, so it feels very nice in my hands. Some knives with more tools are wider and feel a bit awkward when you work with them.
It is not the longer blade version (the big blade does not lock). This is a good thing for me because now the knife fits nicely in the little coin pocket inside my right jeans pocket.

Hope this helps.

SAK's are still the best tools you can get for the money.

Bjorn

EDIT:
I found it: it is the huntsman.
http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/...product=53201&

[rich59]

Swiss Army Knife useful tools

Depends on what the task is what tool I need. Mine has just 6 tools I think. I miss a saw blade but otherwise 2 blades, screw driver, can openner and perforating tool go a long way.

Any interesting/ unconventional uses anyone?

[Danceswithhelicopters]

My vote is for the large Victorinox ones. The type with the sculpted handles and the longer locking main blade. The Old Bundeswehr and new Bundeswehr types are great but they don't have a cork screw, which if you like a bottle of red can be a disadvantage
A Mauser Victorinox is also a bit of a classic.
As for the smaller ones I like the Wengers with the locking blade as a safety feature.

[scoops_uk]

Oooh can of worms!!!

Victorinox or Wenger???

I have a Victorinox Hunter and a discontinued Wenger (like a classic 14 but with a woodsaw as well)

They are both great carry the Wenger day to day as the Victorinox locks and over 3.5".

Scoops

[MartiniDave]

Bjorn's knife is a model called the Huntsman - one of my personal favourites, along with the Camper, which lacks scissors and hook.
Our friends across the pond rave about the Farmer, which is a good knife, basically the issue Soldier with a woodsaw, but is hard to find over here, I have one and it is very good, but having anodised aluminium scales it lacks the toothpick and tweezers of the regular plastic handles, it also does not have the corckscrew I often find useful!

Generally I prefer a model with the saw, as the back of the saw work wonderfully with a firesteel, as long as you hold the sawblade carefully and firmly.

I think for the price SAK's represent great value for money and are still quite "sheeple" friendly.

One warning - they CAN be addictive, I have well over 20, try following the link in my sig.

Dave

[Scuba Pete]

I am just looking now. I wanted one that did not lock, so I dont get grief about carring it in public.

My leatherman is great, I used it everyday at work and it is always on my belt. Its one of the orginal ones. However it does not have a woodsaw, which would be handy. Also its not really compfy for cutting. I carved a spoon the otherday at work, and my hand hurt alot after, hehe.

Pete

[leon-b]

i am thinking of buying the huntsman
leon

[steven andrews]

If you want a saw the Farmer is good.


For everyday use I like the Bantam. It is very compact and has features that I find handy. The toothpick and tweezers get used a lot - it's a shame that the Alox models don't have them.


The Lumberjack is a Bantam with the addition of a saw. I bought this one for my daughter:

[Hoodoo]

I am just looking now. I wanted one that did not lock, so I dont get grief about carring it in public.

My leatherman is great, I used it everyday at work and it is always on my belt. Its one of the orginal ones. However it does not have a woodsaw, which would be handy. Also its not really compfy for cutting. I carved a spoon the otherday at work, and my hand hurt alot after, hehe.

Pete

Since you alreaday have the LM on your hip, I'm assuming you want something for pocket carry, so not too big. My top three choices would be the camper, hiker, and harvester. All of these will give you the saw and the alox harvester has a very useful awl because it comes at the end. I like it better than the LM awl. If you want to go a bit bigger, then the Huntsman.

I think the thing to do is try to complement your LM as much as you can, although a little duplication won't hurt.

[jdlenton]

I carry a huntsman as my edc it has just about everything i need on it isn't too big and didn't break the bank great little piece of kit when i'm out bushcrafting it lives in my possibles pouch too

[Ogri the trog]

I carry a huntsman as my edc ....

Hi James,
Hope you don't mind me asking, how does the locking large blade sit on your consience? I carry one of either Leatherman, Gerber or Swisstool as edc, all of which have locking blades but I'm looking for something more sheeple friendly - though it's not easy with hands as big as hams! And I've got a huge pouch to fill
I've never had trouble in the past but that only goes to shorten the odds of being "found in possesion" in the future

ATB

Ogri the trog

[jdlenton]

not a problem with asking ogri

this is the sak i carry and its not locking so no problem i work in a school too so i need to be very careful
when I'm in school it lives in my bag under my desk in a locked office and only sees the light of day when i require it in my job role on the way to and from work i have it to use no problem

[Ogri the trog]

Well that clears things up a bit,
I thought you were on about the other huntsman.

Thanks for the prompt reply

ATB

Ogri the trog

PS just realised that the bigger version is called the Hunter, not Huntsman

[anthonyyy]

i like the huntsman. It has a saw and is not too big. Ive stopped carying my fat knife.

[addyb]

I carried a Bantam as my EDC for a while, but I kept having problems with the combination can/bottle opener. As good as it is, the combi tool isn't quite the same as the two individual tools.

At the moment my EDC is the Driver model. It's perfect!

I bought this at Christmas time but ended giving it to my Father because he couldn't stop talking about it. Personally, I think the Compact is most perfect SAK in existance.....as long as you're a climber. If you're a bushcrafter, it won't do you any damn good when you're out there.

[useless]

I've got one of these...

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1154964849204

Weighs a ton (almost), and I wouldn't buy it now, as it's a bit big. However, I love it and carry it almost every day. It's been very useful in the woods, as well as the office. I think it gets used at least twice a week. I have a little belt pouch to carry it in.

However, I must say that I've met no one who has a problem with it. Some think I'm trying to be a cub scout, but on the whole it only ever comes out when it's needed, so mostly people are just pleased I've got it. A very handy bit of kit!

[jdlenton]

I've got one of these...


http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1154964849204

Weighs a ton (almost), and I wouldn't buy it now, as it's a bit big. However, I love it and carry it almost every day. It's been very useful in the woods, as well as the office. I think it gets used at least twice a week. I have a little belt pouch to carry it in.

However, I must say that I've met no one who has a problem with it. Some think I'm trying to be a cub scout, but on the whole it only ever comes out when it's needed, so mostly people are just pleased I've got it. A very handy bit of kit!

oow a champ my dad had one of these when i was a boy (he's still got it i think) i wanted that knife so much

[pteron]

oow a champ my dad had one of these when i was a boy (he's still got it i think) i wanted that knife so much

I bought one when I was in Geneva in 87 for a conference, it came with the little pouch and sharpening rod etc. It's a bit big for everyday carry so it lives in my treasures box now.

My Dad had one too and I've inherited it, so now I have two. (Actually I'd rather still have my Dad)

[Beech Nut]

I have on of these.

Victornox Swiss Tool

I much prefer it to any of the leatherman/gerber tools. Just seems to be put together much better.

Jon

[leon-b]

i said i was going to buy the huntsman but today i saw the climber and bought that i bought it from millets and it is in my pocket rigt now, just thought i would tell you that i am already pleased with this knife the only think i am disipointed about is that the keyring loop makes getting te hook out rather hard
very inmpressed so far
leon

[British Red]

Nice one Leon - everyone should have a SAK! I thought of you the other day mate - have you read "The Dangerous Book for Boys" yet? I only have a daughter (and shes older than you) - so I had to buy it for myself

Red

[redcollective]

I carry a huntsman as my edc it has just about everything i need on it isn't too big and didn't break the bank great little piece of kit when i'm out bushcrafting it lives in my possibles pouch too

Another vote for the Huntsman - I have a camo version. The saw works!

However toothpick and tweezers completely superfluous I reckon.

[leon-b]

Nice one Leon - everyone should have a SAK! I thought of you the other day mate - have you read "The Dangerous Book for Boys" yet? I only have a daughter (and shes older than you) - so I had to buy it for myself

Red

no red i havent read that book but i have heard of it, another thing i did in town was reserve 3 ray mears books from the library, essensial bushcraft and two others but i cant remember the names lol
leon

[sam_acw]

I'd backup the farmer; just look on e-bay I got mine for less than 20 quid. I wanted it for the saw and awl. The blade is nice but an unusual shape - the sides are not parrallel it is more sort of a very subtle leaf blade. The awl is also unusual and I'm tempted to sharpen the sort of chisel ground edge on it a bit more.
It's robust and light and cheap.

[Hoodoo]

The blade is nice but an unusual shape - the sides are not parrallel it is more sort of a very subtle leaf blade.

I haven't a clue as to what you mean. I have a half dozen or more of the SAKs in the alox series and they all have a normal blade as the main blade. So you've lost me.

[British Red]

Leon,

Get it on order from the Library mate (you do the the library will get any book you want?)! Its the sort of thing that anyone that grew up on "The famous five" just can't resist - everything from making a tree house to skinning a rabbit - an "lashings and lashings of ginger beer" . You Dad will love it and be making catapults (it has a design for them too) with you before you know whats happening!

Red

[leon-b]

yes i think i might order that book from the library, this saturday we are leavin to go for cornwall for two weeks as soon as i get back i will go to the library
leon

[filcon]

Can,t see past the Forester.I,ve got the Huntsman, Spartan, Motorist, Electrician and many more.Another knife to consider is the Outrider,these locking SAK,S are the dog,s .fil

[2blackcat]

Had my Huntsmen for years
Gone through short phases without it (carried a Wave for two years instead or as well) but have gone back to it for the last six months or so

Always in my pocket nowadays