I know from when I asked you guys a few months back what knife was in your pocket that a lot of you carry Swiss Army Knives. Actually, the Victorinox Classic made it to the #1 spot on my list compiling your responses to that question.
There’s no way anyone could deny the sheer practicality of carrying a Swiss Army Knife, even as just a backup to a primary EDC. They’re so easy to throw on a keychain and forget, it’s a wonder everyone isn’t carrying one.
Victorinox EvoGrip S18 Swiss Army Knife Multi-Tool – Amazon
There are one heck of a lot of Swiss Army Knives out there to choose from, however, and it can be daunting to figure out which to choose if you’re trying to find one that works best for you. Also, I think it’s really interesting to learn what others are carrying and a bit about why they leaned toward one piece of kit over another. So I’m here to ask you specifically:
- Which Swiss Army Knives have you had/used? Which would you recommend?
- Which is your absolute (#1) favourite?
- Why do you like your favourite above all others?
I want to know specifically about Swiss Army Knives and not multi-tools in general. I think I’ll do a separate question post asking about Leathermans cause, let’s be honest, those are definitely worth a post of their own. Really looking forward to hearing what you have to say and which SAKs you’d recommend.
If you want to throw in any warnings against buying a particular Swiss Army Knife, you can do that, too. Thomas hated the Victorinox EvoGrip S18 (pictured above) because the liner lock tab sticks out, so that can be the start of the SAKs-to-stay-away-from list. Not necessary to comment on if you don’t want to, however, as I’d mostly just like to know what SAKs you think are the cream of the crop.
See you in the comments!
(Edit 2017/12/21: Compilation post now up! Check it out here:)
I have executive 2.9″ SAK and want to put it on my keychain. But I want a leather or tactical material pouch so it does not get scratched. Anybody have ideas on what to purchase?
I have a SAK that I, believe it or not, found. My girlfriend and I were at a festival a few years ago, and I saw something red laying on the ground. So I walked over, picked it up, and what do you know, a Swiss Army Knife. Someone must of dropped it. On the toothpick side, to the left of the toothpick, on the end is a small notch (break). Other then that, it’s fine. I like it!
It has a big and small knife, a bottle opener with a screwdriver; and that notch used to bend and skin wire. There’s also a can opener with a smaller screwdriver. I used all the tools at one time or another, but I must admit, the can opener doesn’t work very well. I went all around a soup can, and the opener made a bunch of holes with very jagged points. I use the screwdriver to tighten the knobs on my girlfriends folding closet doors. I always wanted a Swiss Army Knife, now I have one.
I recommend you to look at any situation you could get but I do recommend a Swiss army knife over any other type.
Swiss Military issue model 08
its perfect for self defense as th eblade can be opened by thumb and it locks in place
https://www.hkgt.de/shop/media/images/vx0.8461.mwch-schweizer-taschenmesser_03-big.jpg
I have owned that SAK and the placement of the liner/unlocking tab always struck me as weird. Just doesn’t feel ergonomic when gripping tightly- what do you think of it?
I have an Explorer my brother gave me 35 years ago, still going strong. It was my every day carry for years until I switched over to a Delica. I never got much use out of the magnifying glass though
I have the Cadet SAK with me most of the time. If it’s not on me it’s in my car. I have had it for many years and find it is all I need.
On my pack I have a single mag pouch in which I carry either a spirit or a workchamp (depending on what’s going on). In pocket edc rotation it’s a fieldmaster or tinker or alox harvester. Actually waiting on USPS to bring an alox minichamp as I’m writing this. I have a plethora of custom and high end folders but I always have a sak close by. Been carrying them for many moons and they have helped me out of many a tight spots
My first Sak was a tinker but my two favourites are my silver alox Cadet and my light green alox classic.
In my case I have 2 most Used SAKs On EDC (I have 6 SACKs) those are the mechanic and the Pioneer…. but if I have to choose betwwen these 2 I prefer the Pioneer compared with the Bormal Sack it has wider blade, wider blottle opener/flat screw driver, tougher contruction, etc. it’s ADN has military cromosomas
Victorinox Sportsman 2 economy 0.3803. This knife is carried everyday. I have carried it about 15 years. It replaced a Spartan that I carried for roughly the same amount of time. I would still be carrying the Spartan but the Sportsman was a gift from my wife. It is carried because of sentiment. I do use the file more than I thought I would. The corkscrew is very handy as I do not own a “proper” corkscrew.
I also daily carry a Victorinox Signature 0.6225.T2. I like having a pen on me without actually having to carry a pen. I infrequently use the scissors but it is nice to have them.
Depending on the circumstances, I carry the Tinker in pocket or Explorer on belt.
Always have a locking blade as well, different one for work vs. weekend.
I always have a locking folder of some description too , normally smallish , 2.25-3.0”. Anything over 3” , I prefer a small fixie .
Chris
BTW , nice setup , tinker in the pocket , explorer on the belt . As far as Vic. beltmounted stuff , I mostly carry a Spirit X.
I have two favorites; the Craftsman and Super Tinker. Both give me all the tools I need and none that I don’t (a fish scaler? Really?) However, the one that finds it’s way into my pocket most often is the Classic. It’s got enough stuff to be useful but it’s small enough to not cause a panic when I pull it out in “mixed” company (non-knife people).
I always carried the executive SAK after finding my first one next to a car tire in a parking lot. It came in handy for odd jobs at work as was/is non threatening. I’m on my second one now. For my BOB, I have a Discontinued model I got for a Marlboro cigarette giveaway program for UPcs, years ago. It’s the size and shape of a Swiss Army Soldier knife, black scales, lock blade, wood saw, fish scaler, can opener, bottle opener, awl, corkscrew, toothpick, tweezers, about 5 inches long. I also have a camo huntsman in my BOB. On my keychain I have a classic. I also bought a Alox with the scissors recently for when I go out with a nylon pouch. My all time favorite is the Huntsman, reason being is the blades and tools are perfect for small to medium jobs, plus it’s not to large or bulky to carry. Of course these SAKs are for utility work only not for defense/offense, for that I have my fixed blades. I guess in a pinch I could use the large blade knife for defense/offense I’ve purposes.
Aye, the non-threatening aspect is a godsend in the UK with its anti-knife hysteria.
I own only two…..the One Handed Trekker and Farmer. The Farmer is my edc and favorite for it’s size and weight……can’t go wrong with a Victorinox SAK imho….
On my key chain is the executive, in my edc bag is the champ. The executive for convenience. The champ because it is the champ. In my pocket edc is the s&w homeland security because it makes me feel secure. When I am off the grid I carry the sog seal team elite as my belt knife.
The s&w homeland security and the sog seal team elite replaced the buck 110 and the buck 120, five years ago. I had carried the bucks for 30 years or more.
Replacing the Buck Robert? Is that even legal? ;)
Do you frequently find the champ useful?
On my key chain is the executive, in my edc bag is the champ. The executive for convenience. The champ because it is the champ.
I had the same discussion with Ron Hood 40 years ago. He was teaching a class in the Chemistry Building at UCLA in the evenings. He wanted a Swiss model with a wood saw. The model he displayed had a wood saw. I failed to understand the value in the model because it had no scissors. When I would be up and about outdoors, I was always wanting to trim my finger and toe nails, digging out splinters and removing dirt from under my finger nails.
Eventually, I asked myself why not find a model that had both features. This was before the internet and personal computers. My investigation led to the Huntsman model. Since that time, I have purchased/restored/gifted/ratholed more than 2 dozen. Most have been purchased on eBay in the last several years as TSA confiscated.
I mention the following in passing. When you gift a restored (I don’t buy retail) Swiss Victorinox to a friend, a handyman, a relative, or a kid, it will always be appreciated. This year I gifted pink Classics to 5 nieces, 1 nephew (for his wife). I clean them up, replace worn parts and lubed.
Good on ya mate ! I have gifted many SAK’s over the years , most went to good homes , some were underappreciated !
Chris
Gifting them is a great idea, especially as kids these days are being indoctrinated that all knives = weapons (at least here over the pond). Ron Hood will be missed, what a great outdoorsman- I wish I had met him.
The one I always have in my pocket is the MiniChamp. I have replaced the scales on it so that I have the toothpick again. I do not need the pen as I always have the Fisher bullet pen in my pocket too. It gives me the tools I use the most plus I have a finger nail file handy when ever the wife chips a nail. Sometime I think that’s why she has kept me around for the last 37 years. Even when I am woods walking I carry it with the One handed Trekker.
A lot of people seem to be modifying SAKS, I am surprised! The only mod I have done is change the scales to walnut ones on a few models. Maybe I should think bigger!
Midnight manager on key ring. Camping if I am in the outdoors (if there was the equivalent with a metal saw rather than the woodsaw that would be perfect) or if I want something more sheep le friendly than a ukpk….those red plastic handles are very calming to non knife people. And a wenger tool chest when I go on holiday- too big to edc but comes to the rescue in a hotel room etc
Hard call , depends on the day. I alwys have an Alox minichamp in the change pocket of my wallet . I have an Alox Electrician Plus , on my tool pouch . I wear a Spirit X ( best mid sized multitool , for both implement density, and implement quality) , when working , or in casual dress( most of the time ). I also have a Cybertool 41 , that get’s pocket and bag time . The inline driver and the small driver bits are handy for tech type stuff. Of late , I give my PioneerX ( Pioneer avec scissors ) , quite a bit of pocket time . The list goes on !
Chris
The Huntsman for office and field compromise. A bit bulky for pocket carry. The corkscrew is used for sewing needle storage (push needle adjacent to screwdriver bit), winding sewing thread around the bit and needles. Pro-tip – use synthetic thread, as natural fibers will be destroyed in time.
The Mini-Manager is on my keychain and has been for years. More utility than the Classic. Removing the synthetic covers from knives make them extra skinny but you lose tweezers and toothpick in bargain.