April 2011 SOSAKOnline Newsletter

[Grant Lamontagne]

Better late than never!  I realize we are a bit behind this month, but it took a little longer than usual to get everything rammed in there!  We've got lots of cool stuff this month, like some new ALOX models, sme new Wenger models and some other in depth stuff that appeals to collectors and causes the rest of the world to roll their eyes at us!

Starting off with the Green and Black Pioneer:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=627&Itemid=35

And going into the Blue ALOX Midshipman:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=625&Itemid=35

PtiSuisse and his thoughts on scales, in response to last month's Scale Swap video:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=631&Itemid=35

Some Officer Knife info from our old buddy PTHYCRPG:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=632&Itemid=35

Perhaps this year's hottest collectible:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=626&Itemid=35

Wenger's second Mike Horn knife:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=629&Itemid=35

The first factory issue titanium SAK, and perhaps the most contraversial knife of this year:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=630&Itemid=35

And last but not least I give the closest thing I can to a eulogy for a departed actress with a SAK connection I'll bet most of you don't know about!

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=628&Itemid=35

That's it for this month!  Tune in again in about four weeks when we try to get back on schedule, and meanwhile maybe we'll chat on the forums!

[Bladester]

Grant,

A really great series of articles this month.  I particularly enjoyed your article on the Wenger Ueli Steck knife.  I'm starting to appreciate the design of this knife.  The comparison photo with the Alox knife was really helpful.  I'm beginning to think the broad leaf blade might make a useful utility knife up here in Alaska, where it might be used with stiff, cold fingers or gloves.  When I first saw photos of it, I thought "No way would I buy that."  After your article, I've revised my position to "Hmmmm.  Maybe."  Please don't write any more articles, because the next step is "Gotta have it!"   

Great job!  Thanks.  --Larry

[North Man]

Hi

Much happening already in 2011, i find the Ueli Steck knife alittle more interesting now and will see........ Some cash would be great. Any how i looked at some of what Ueli Steck has done and i do not think people know or just understand  how incredible this is, its like he almost ran up the Matterhorn,???

[Grant Lamontagne]

Larry- I'm glad you like what we do on SOSAKOnline.  It's getting to be a lot of work these days, and with actual paying work at my day job it sometimes gets pretty difficult to put something decent out each month.  Still, it's something I love doing and I can't see myself giving it up, so it's nice to know that someone out there is at least enjoying it!

Since I'm in Canada I also appreciate blades that can be used in winter.  While it may not be as cold here as it is where you are, the humidity is almost always very high, making cold weather seem that much colder, and allowing the cold to penetrate you faster, so I appreciate a knife that can be used with numb fingers and gloves!  For that reason alone I like the Ueli Steck model.

It's unfortunate that this knife will probably not be a great success though.  This is one knife that really has to be seen, held and used to be be apreciated, but at the price point it's at, I doubt many folks will be willing to give it a shot.  I really like it though- I liked it when I saw it at SHOT, and I'm really liking it now that I have one in my possession.  It is a great knife, and yes it may look a little different, but it's a tool not a showpiece.  It's designed to be used, not for style, and when you think about it, the wrench cutouts and 1/4" bit slot actually allow this one to not only replace a knife, but also a multitool for maintaining equipment.  And, if you are weight conscious like climbers would be, then combining two tools into one lightweight package is very tantalizing.

I can't say I know much about Ueli Steck himself- just what I saw on Wikipedia and his own site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ueli_Steck

http://www.uelisteck.ch/en.html

North Man has it right though- he has pretty much run right up the mountains to get the times he has.  I don't think you could get up some of these mountains as fast as he did if you did it in a helicopter!

What he's accomplished is simply amazing, and is a little depressing at times since he's younger than me and holds several world records! 

Def

[North Man]

Hi

I read most articles on Sosak, that is a part you should continue with. In a way we are lucky to have SAKs as a hobby and interest, even more people should take time to read them each month or follow whats going on.

Not only has he the records(Ueli Steck), it takes a huge deal of planning before as he says, he can use the knife to adjust he ice axe and other uses on equipment, so i see now in some documentation the correct way to use it there was some on youtube on this. 

[North Man]

P.S i know what you mean, here on the coast minus degrees Celsius is much worse on the coast, high humidity leads heat better away from the body, or something like this...Unless there is very cold then there is no difference.