OP
4506517
Member
I just looked at the Swiss Army Knife Wiki.......
Holy Cow!
It's mind boggling.
Holy Cow!
It's mind boggling.
Swiss Army Knife
- Thread starter 4506517
- Start date
Marshwheeling
Member
I have been throwing SAKs ( a couple of Wengers, but mostly Victorinox) in my motorcycle tank bags for years, but rarely if ever carried one in my pocket. They have come in handy on many occasions.
At the same time, I had always shied away from the alox models, I don't know why, maybe because they don't have the toothpick and tweezers. I use a lot of toothpicks.
A couple of months ago, I picked up an alox Farmer; it has seldom been out of my pocket since, even though with three rows, it is a little chunky. A 2-row Pioneer would probably serve me better, as I have little use for a dinky little saw. Anyway, the alox scales feel really good to handle in the pocket, or to coon-finger in moments of boredom.
I always carry a Leatherman Micra as well. I prefer the scissors, as all the ones on my SAKs have broken springs. I also always carry at least one other knife, one with a decent blade, as I have learned to my regret that there are some occasions where the blade on a Leatherman or SAK just won't cut it.
At the same time, I had always shied away from the alox models, I don't know why, maybe because they don't have the toothpick and tweezers. I use a lot of toothpicks.
A couple of months ago, I picked up an alox Farmer; it has seldom been out of my pocket since, even though with three rows, it is a little chunky. A 2-row Pioneer would probably serve me better, as I have little use for a dinky little saw. Anyway, the alox scales feel really good to handle in the pocket, or to coon-finger in moments of boredom.
I always carry a Leatherman Micra as well. I prefer the scissors, as all the ones on my SAKs have broken springs. I also always carry at least one other knife, one with a decent blade, as I have learned to my regret that there are some occasions where the blade on a Leatherman or SAK just won't cut it.
oldfart64
Member
Since 2014, the wenger models are no longer produced, the two plants only manufacture the "victorinox" line. I carry a cybertool version pretty much all the time. and a hercules when I am going out in to the woods.
OP
4506517
Member
I am intrigued by the models with pliers.
Anyone have any experience with the pliers?
Seems like they would be handy.
Anyone have any experience with the pliers?
Seems like they would be handy.
Stirling
Member
They are handy but not heavy duty. One of the smallest easily available SAK with the pliers is the Deluxe Tinker which is a knife that has one of the best selections of tools in a 4 layer knife.
I think the smallest is the Mechanic.
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stykshooter
Member
I carry an Explorer daily. I use the small scissors for tons of things and at my age, having the small magnifying glass means I can get by without a pair of readers when it comes to extracting a splinter from one of my grand kids hands or trying to read the small print on a part.
rattlesnakedaddy
Member
I usually have my Victorinox Tinker or Camper on me. They are great pocket knives, and a good overall size IMO. I also will have a single blade locking folder as well most of the time.
Fastbolt
Member
I have a bunch of them I've used over the years.
The Tinker & Super Tinker have been the most useful, overall. I have smaller & larger, though. I found the Tinker to be a great addition to my uniform & plainclothes pocket gear. They served me well for a range of work tasks for which a Buck 110 or Gerber FSII weren't suitable.
I prefer the scissors over the pliers. If I want pliers, I'll add a multi-tool to the day's pocket load-out.
Got them with small & large scissors, and without scissors.
Even a large one with a locking blade.
Got one of the older OD green Mauser marked folders with 2 large blades and a saw (and assorted normal tools). It's one of a few that have my badge number scratched into the scales, so it goes back some years to when I was carrying bigger ones most of the time.
I usually carry 2-4 folding knives when I'm out & about, but nowadays SAK's have dropped down to positions 3 or 4. I've been enjoying a resurgence of interest in stockman & congress folders for a lot of everyday chores.
Nostalgic, as well as handy as they've ever been for chores requiring blades.
When I'm on the road, I try to keep at least one SAK in my car and/or in my luggage (and a multi-tool).
The Tinker & Super Tinker have been the most useful, overall. I have smaller & larger, though. I found the Tinker to be a great addition to my uniform & plainclothes pocket gear. They served me well for a range of work tasks for which a Buck 110 or Gerber FSII weren't suitable.
I prefer the scissors over the pliers. If I want pliers, I'll add a multi-tool to the day's pocket load-out.
Got them with small & large scissors, and without scissors.
Even a large one with a locking blade.
Got one of the older OD green Mauser marked folders with 2 large blades and a saw (and assorted normal tools). It's one of a few that have my badge number scratched into the scales, so it goes back some years to when I was carrying bigger ones most of the time.
I usually carry 2-4 folding knives when I'm out & about, but nowadays SAK's have dropped down to positions 3 or 4. I've been enjoying a resurgence of interest in stockman & congress folders for a lot of everyday chores.
Nostalgic, as well as handy as they've ever been for chores requiring blades.When I'm on the road, I try to keep at least one SAK in my car and/or in my luggage (and a multi-tool).
Marshwheeling
Member
The big olive drab ones are a German Army Knife pattern. They can still be had from a number of manufacturers, but not with the Mauser badging. The saw on the Victorinox really works.
I find a stockman really useful, too. Recently I picked up a four-bladed model from Rough Rider, screwdriver/cap-lifter in addition to the usual three blades.
I find a stockman really useful, too. Recently I picked up a four-bladed model from Rough Rider, screwdriver/cap-lifter in addition to the usual three blades.
chaparrito
Member
I have no idea about model names. I found mine laying in the mud in an eddy in the creek decades ago. Get one with scissors. I can cut my toenails (which my wife describes as "paleolithic") with them better than any nail trimmer.
SAK with pliers.
My son and I were back a mile of swamp land and a mile of pasture land in our ARGO when the throttle housing cracked on the steering handle (accidentally hit by a big limb that was half rotten). The throttle cable had to be pulled--the action one does when rotating your wrist backward on the handle, like reving a motorcycle--to accelerate the engine and make the ARGO run. With the cracked housing, you could not engage the throttle cable, nor could we pull on it with our fingers. We were looking at a long, cold, wet walk back.
My son loves a SAK like any kid--the more implements and the fatter the better. He says "wait a minute" and pulls one he carries in his hunting vest. It has pliers which he uses to pull the throttle cable, rev the ARGO right up, and we limp it home.
My son and I were back a mile of swamp land and a mile of pasture land in our ARGO when the throttle housing cracked on the steering handle (accidentally hit by a big limb that was half rotten). The throttle cable had to be pulled--the action one does when rotating your wrist backward on the handle, like reving a motorcycle--to accelerate the engine and make the ARGO run. With the cracked housing, you could not engage the throttle cable, nor could we pull on it with our fingers. We were looking at a long, cold, wet walk back.
My son loves a SAK like any kid--the more implements and the fatter the better. He says "wait a minute" and pulls one he carries in his hunting vest. It has pliers which he uses to pull the throttle cable, rev the ARGO right up, and we limp it home.
I have had both Wenger and Victorinox for over 60 years and never paid much attention to the names of models. In general the Wenger like for like to Victorinox is a bit more compact making it ideal for one who wants a lot of features in as small a package as possible. Both are the same steel and other materials, and offer the same lifetime guarantee. You can not go wrong with either. My own collection is over 25 SA knives and the one I carry daily is a Wenger with a lock blade, saw, scissor, pliers and the other basics. I like the corkscrew because I put an instrument screwdriver in it to fix my glasses when they become loose. The plier is nice but I could do without it, but all the other features are mandatory to me. There are many stores who have sales on these and your best bet would be to go there and decide which would suit you best given your list of needs.
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Wow!! I'd love to have one with the Mauser logo on it. Are they still available anywhere?
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
Every day I carry either a Vic Super Tinker or Pioneer--the Pioneer is the knife that actually was issued to Swiss troops for many years, with the alox scales with impressed checkering--along with either a Spyderco Endura or a SOG Flash II.
I've owned a couple of Wengers over the years, but never liked them as well as the Victorinox.
I've owned a couple of Wengers over the years, but never liked them as well as the Victorinox.
Ranger514
Member
I've been carrying a Victorinox Spartan since 1972. I'm always needing a blade to cut something, and the screwdrivers and bottle opener get frequent use. I've collected others over the years that I keep in my emergency stash for the truck, hunting kit, and tank bag on my bike, but the Spartan has the basic tools without being overly bulky. Back in the day, Wegner had inferior steel that wouldn't hold an edge or sharpen up like Victorinox steel.
I've got one with the pliers. It's too big for me to pocket carry, but it stays in a "junk box" where I keep my reloading stuff. Comes in handy for a lot of small jobs. I used to keep it in my fishing tackle box, now that I think about it. The pliers were perfect for the nuts that held the handles on casting reels. I've had that knife for probably 20 or more years. My ex-wife got that one with coupons from Marlboro cigarettes. She didn't smoke, but everybody she worked with did, and she just told them to give her the packs they were throwing away.
Like a lot of people I really like the tweezers and toothpicks on my SAKs, but I kept loosing them, so one day I ordered a half dozen or so of each. They were about fifty cents each or so.
Haven't lost one since.
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Posted by Cyrano
"Wow!! I'd love to have one with the Mauser logo on it. Are they still available anywhere?"
SAKWiki | Mauser
They have been discontinued for quite some time now. They do come up on eBay from time to time though.
"Wow!! I'd love to have one with the Mauser logo on it. Are they still available anywhere?"
SAKWiki | Mauser
They have been discontinued for quite some time now. They do come up on eBay from time to time though.
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SAK
I've carried the Climber (Vic) or Traveler (Weng) for over forty years now. I think they have the best all around set of things on them for the size. I don't like them with too many tools - too ungainly for me. I definitely like the Wenger type scissors better than the Vic. Other handy ones to have when space is an issue would be the (Wenger) Pocket Toolchest and the (Vic) Mini-champ or Executive models. In the mini-sizes, the Wenger is slightly longer. The new model Evolutions are real good - great grips. Don't discount having the corkscrew - it carries a high coolness factor. By far the best prices are on ebay for the old models. I gave my Mom one of the mini-size ones, and after she poo-pooed the heck out of it finally had to admit she used it almost daily for the rest of her life (scissors, nailfile mostly).
I've carried the Climber (Vic) or Traveler (Weng) for over forty years now. I think they have the best all around set of things on them for the size. I don't like them with too many tools - too ungainly for me. I definitely like the Wenger type scissors better than the Vic. Other handy ones to have when space is an issue would be the (Wenger) Pocket Toolchest and the (Vic) Mini-champ or Executive models. In the mini-sizes, the Wenger is slightly longer. The new model Evolutions are real good - great grips. Don't discount having the corkscrew - it carries a high coolness factor. By far the best prices are on ebay for the old models. I gave my Mom one of the mini-size ones, and after she poo-pooed the heck out of it finally had to admit she used it almost daily for the rest of her life (scissors, nailfile mostly).
gwpercle
Member
The Tinker and Super Tinker are the ones I keep finding most useful.
The one in my pocket now has the large blade, small blade, scissors, bottle opener /large screw driver, can opener / small screwdriver, on the back is a phillips head screwdriver, hole making awl, with a eyelet for using as a lacing tool (I think?) , tweezers and toothpick of course . A lot of useful tools in a compact size. I've always bought Victronox because they were good.
Gary
The one in my pocket now has the large blade, small blade, scissors, bottle opener /large screw driver, can opener / small screwdriver, on the back is a phillips head screwdriver, hole making awl, with a eyelet for using as a lacing tool (I think?) , tweezers and toothpick of course . A lot of useful tools in a compact size. I've always bought Victronox because they were good.
Gary
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