SAK versus more expensive slipjoints

[Magic Bus]

Here's a thought for you all. Is the humble (in money terms) SAK the very best slipjoint knife regardless of cost? I'm beginning to think that it is. I recently bought a secondhand Fallkie U1, thinking I was buying a knife superior to the SAK, a knife I would treasure to the end of my days. I know we all have to try these things, but the U1 is less versatile, no sharper, less comfortable in carry and use, it doesen't snap open or closed like a SAK and have you seen how much these go for new    I'm really trying to like the Fallkie for it's superior steel but I am struggling 

[Craig]

They do seem incredibly good value for money. Maybe its because their made in large quantities by companies that have over a century of experience - and with so many people making copies of their product I don't suppose they can afford to let their quality slip.

[Buzzbait]

I can only think of a few good reasons to choose a slipjoint other than a SAK.

1. You need a different blade steel - You might want carbon steel for whittling, as it may take a more polished edge, and will respond better to quick stropping. You may want a steel with better edge holding. You won't find a decent blade that is more stainless than a SAK.

2. You need a different blade shape. Most slipjoint blades are based on designs for specific duties, such as the dreaded spey blade. I do prefer a very pointy wharncliffe for certain jobs, and a sheepsfoot for others. But for general use, the SAK spear point seems like a fine compromise.

3. You want a different handle material - Let's face it. Off the shelf SAKs don't exactly have a huge variety of scale materials.

Personally, the SAK is about the only slipjoint that I carry anymore. From a strictly utilitarian perspective, it is a much better pocket knife than the competition. Most slipjoints have far inferior fit and finish to a SAK, and they have far fewer useful tools. Even some customs that I've handled had inferior fit to a SAK. I do have a bone handled Robeson wharncliffe whittler for whittling, and also a carbon steel Schrade Middleman that gets used for whittling. Other than those specific tasks, I'm SAK all the way. The rest of my slipjoints just gather dust.

[Mike]

Yep, ounce for ounce a SAK is the best value out there. It has more utility than a blade/blades only slipjoint, quality and consistency are second to none, you simply cannot beat the price.

Though I do carry 3 blade stockman slipjoints, I always have a SAK nearby. LOL!
Mike

[Magic Bus]

Yep it looks like the Swiss know what they're doing and how to do it.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I think for general edc, nothing rival's the humble Sak

But if you are intending to do an awful lot of cutting, then a decent slippie with premium steel can be worth it's weight in gold


I'd be interested in your thought's on the U1, as it's a knife I'm really interested in

[Magic Bus]

I'll try it for a while and then I'll send it to you so you can have a try too 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'll try it for a while and then I'll send it to you so you can have a try too 

That's very decent of you mate I'd really appreciate that

[MacTech]

I just recently got into "higher end" slipjoints, and none of my small collection has the walk-and-talk of the humble SAK

Case Med Stockman, Pocketworn red bone and SS blades; roughly half the "snap" of any of my SAKs, however it does seem to get a hair sharper than the Vic steel, the sheepfoot blade has minor opening scrapes from the spey blade though, a cosmetic annoyance, nothing more

Case Trapper, yellow Derlin and CV steel; this one comes *close* to the walk-and-talk of my SAKs, plus the Chrome Vanadium carbon-steel blades take a truly wicked edge, hold it for a good long while, and are dead easy to resharpen to Scary/Monomolecular sharp

Case Peanut in red bone SS; this Case is the closest to Victorinox in walk-and-talk, plus it has half-stops, which I kinda' like, makes this tiny little blade feel all the more precise, nice crisp opening and a good, crisp snap closed, I just wish I had bought the CV version

Boker Whittler in jigged antler bone (gray) and carbon-steel; I just got this one  a few days ago, love the carbon-steel, yet it has the same walk-and-talk as the Case Stockman, about half of the SAK

Don't get me wrong, these are all great slippies, no bladeplay, no looseness or rattling, they are tight and precise, they just lack the infamous Victorinox "Snap"

I think I may pick up just one more traditional slippie, a CV Peanut, I love that pattern, slips unobtrusively into any pocket, so small you forget you have it with you, yet it has big cutting power, once I get a CV Peanut, I think I'll be set for traditionals, and I'll retire the SS Peanut

If Victorinox would only make a carbon-steel bladed SAK, that would be *perfect*, and it would be my ideal SAK, either a Cybertool 34, Alox Soldier or a Champion with carbon-steel blades (heck, even just the main blade and I'd be happy) and I could retire all but my Peanut, the Peanut goes everywhere with me because it takes up so little space, heck, I could even fit it in my wallet if need be

I don't know how Victorinox does it, but their slipjoints are absolutely stellar, incredible bang-for-the-buck

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Couldn't agree more mate

BTW does Case still use CV steel

[Poncho65]

I will have to agree that the SAK is very well money spent and a true value in a knife For the price of a reg 3 or 4 blade slippie you can get a SAK with at least 2 blades and a whole slew of extras Just a great knife

[Swiss Man]

Couldn't agree more mate

BTW does Case still use CV steel

  With the agreeing with you

And yes Case still uses CV steel I just saw their 09 catalog.

As far as bang for the buck you can't bet SAKs, for the price of an Spyderco Endura 4 you can buy 4 Vic OH Sentinal.

But the flip side is sometimes I favor the traditional style.  My favorite knife pattern is Stockman but my favorite knife is SAKs.

Does that make sense?

[Styerman]

Classic slip joints kinda fall a bit flat when ya need to tighten a philips , open a can or pop the top on an imported brewski ! I cant say I do a lot of castrations ( spey blade ) or whittling on an average day . If I want something slim and elegant for dress I'll go with a Cadet . If I go with some uber premium steel blade , I'll probably also want a lock .

Chris

[Mike]

Unfortunately, Case is laying people off .... http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09091/959763-100.stm 

Mike

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Unfortunately, Case is laying people off .... http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09091/959763-100.stm 

Mike

Sad news that

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Couldn't agree more mate

BTW does Case still use CV steel

  With the agreeing with you

And yes Case still uses CV steel I just saw their 09 catalog.

As far as bang for the buck you can't bet SAKs, for the price of an Spyderco Endura 4 you can buy 4 Vic OH Sentinal.

But the flip side is sometimes I favor the traditional style.  My favorite knife pattern is Stockman but my favorite knife is SAKs.

Does that make sense?

I'll have to have look then