So, I think I want to pick one up for fun. But just a few basic questions.
Where to get the knife? Amazon has a bit of a collection, but not a huge one.
I know Victorinox and Wenger are the same company now, and practically were. What’s the actual difference in picking one brand over the other?
What are the specific models? I want one that is relatively simple (I only want the basic tools). Possibly one that only has a single blade. Are there any with a larger blade? (I have one, but the blade’s about 3" long). Also, something simple to open. I know the one model I have (no clue what it is) is a bit tough to get the tools out. I want something I can carry around with me all day and pull right out for quick use.
Basically, I want a quality cutting utensil, with a bit of gimmick thrown in. Are there any with assisted release? Or should I stick to Gerber and the likes for that kind of knife?
Thanks for reading… I know its a lot of questions!
One suggestion I have is to stick to the locking blade models, which unfortunately are the minority of SAKs.
Some people don’t care, but about a year ago I finally had my last enough ‘oops,that was almostreal bad’ moment with a non-locking SAK, and regretfully retired my whole collection. I just decided I will never use another non-locking blade.
Yes, I have a couple of locking blade knives and I love them. Any recs for SAKs?
I have a corkscrew on the SAK I do have (I think its the waiter one, it has a bottle opener and a corkscrew), and I’ve used it exactly once. On the other hand I’ve used the bottle opener countless times. Guess that says something a bit different about me?
Not your traditional red-handled SAK, but the Soldier model has served me well the past 3 years. Has a can opener, bottle opener, good sized blade, and a reamer. I carry it every day, and use it… well, about every day! It’s the best knife I’ve carried. Not too big, but still practical and useful.
The Soldier looks good… but I think Centurion is more along what I’m looking for. All of the features of the soldier, plus a tweezer, larger locking blade, and tweezers, which I do use quite a bit. Maybe I’ll look for one with a saw as well.
Just kidding. That looks like a good choice. For me, tweezers and the toothpick get a surprising amount of use. I also find the scissors on my Champion and Swiss Champ are used quite a bit.
Not sure if this is still the case, but the main difference in the past was the can opener blade. Either one would open cans just fine, but Victorinox had an extra little screwdriver tip on the end of the can opener blade. It was of a size that made it so tremendously useful that I never owned a Wenger because I was unwilling to give it up.
Unfortunately I can’t give a recomendation because I Don’t have any SAKs I use anymore but the one I have had my eye on, and almost pulled the trigger on a couple times is.
The same basic stuff as one of my old favorite non-lockers with stuff I use most often. But with locking blade, one hand open and contoured handle.
I have a very large collection of SAKs. Wenger has more interesting models (meaning with gadgets that you don’t usually need), but Victorinox has better-looking models that feel better in your hands (just my opinion). Of course you realize that Victorinox and Wenger are really the same company at this time. Might I suggest the Victorinox Explorer or the slightly more extravagant Explorer Plus? I’ve recommended the Explorer to friends before and they’re still my friends.
My Swiss Army knife is the only corkscrew I use. Once I learned that driving the helix all the way into the cork and then using the handle to lever it that first millimeter back out was the secret, I haven’t bothered with another.
The only thing mine doesn’t have that I wish it did is a pair of scissors for mustache maintenance. I had to buy a sissified pair of folding seamstress scissors for that, which I keep in my car.
If you want to cover all possible bases, the SwissChamp is a good choice, if you don’t need the pliers (which are really only good for light stuff), then look at the Champion
I rotate between four main models, the SwissChamp, Champion, CyberTool 34, and an Alox Soldier
the Soldier is with me most of the time, closely followed by the CyberTool
there are two “Soldier” knives in the lineup now, the classic aluminum handled 91MM Soldier (main blade, awl, can opener/screwdriver, bottle opener/small screwdriver), and the new 111MM New Soldier, which is basically a One Handed Trekker with different scales (combo-edge one-handed-opening blade with serrations at the front, saw, bottle opener/large screwdriver, can opener/small screwdriver, awl, phillips screwdriver)
So YOU’RE the guy they put the corkscrew on for! I’ve been packin’ a SAK for many years and only had one occasion to use the 'screw. (Good wine, nice lady, got lucky)
I bought mine in Switzerland back in 1981 and it is still my trusty, true friend ever since.
I have the basic two knife, corkscrew, scissors, two screwdriver heads/combo bottle opener and an awl. Oh, and tweezers and toothpick.
I always have it in my pocket…has come in handy about twice a day on average - it once saved the day at a very fancy Hollywood celeb party; do you think any of the caterers had thought to bring a corkscrew, and the owner of the home couldn’t find hers…so there they were, opening dozens of expensive bottles of wine with my little Swiss Army knife.
I have fixed many things with those screwdriver tips, have used the knives for countless tasks and even that silly awl has come in handy quite a few times. Pisses me off that I can’t take it with me on planes - but I still put it in my luggage.
Stupidest moment - went to see a concert at a huge arena and they confiscated it…as if I were going to run down three tiers, then climb up a 15 foot stage and lunge my fierce 3 inch blade into the lead singer…had to go pick it up after the concert.
but the one I have had my eye on, and almost pulled the trigger on a couple times is.