The small blade?

[Don Pablo]

Just pointing out that the SAKs used by the Swiss Army have one blade. 

For them that is the small blade, the large one is their bayonet

Thanks for pointing that out.
 

[pfrsantos]

Just pointing out that the SAKs used by the Swiss Army have one blade. 

For them that is the small blade, the large one is their bayonet

Thanks for pointing that out.
 

 

[Don Pablo]

Just pointing out that the SAKs used by the Swiss Army have one blade. 

For them that is the small blade, the large one is their bayonet

Thanks for pointing that out.
 

(Image removed from quote.)

 

Honest, it was an accident. 
A happy glorious accident. 

[Aligator]

I have it used for fishing gear.
Large enough to cut the line without using the other blade.
I reserve the large leaf for food

[TonySal]

Just pointing out that the SAKs used by the Swiss Army have one blade. 

For them that is the small blade, the large one is their bayonet

I fear the awl/all jokes will be back!

[MacGyver]

Just pointing out that the SAKs used by the Swiss Army have one blade. 

For them that is the small blade, the large one is their bayonet

I fear the awl/all jokes will be back!

Oh no.... Awl could you think that... 
                                                     

[Brock O Lee]

I always carry a larger Spyderco with the Pioneer X. I use the smaller blade of the two (the one on the Pioneer) mostly around the sheeple, or for tasks where I will severely dull a blade, because it sharpens easier.

[Don Pablo]

Interesting how we all have different perceptions of a "small blade". 

[twiliter]

 

[MacGyver]

 

[AimlessWanderer]

Back up blade in case the other goes dull ... which is code for I don't use it 

To be honest I feel the combo tool, the alox awl, and the wenger nail file are all better accompanyments to the main blade

Five and a half years later, and I'm still of the same opinion.

I really liked the Climber and Climber Small, but was slightly irritated by the redundant small blade, which is why I started getting fixated on the Wenger Traveller variations. Having the nail file instead of the small blade made a lot more sense.

Lately, it's been mostly the modified DofE that gets the pocket time. Surprising really, considering I nearly always go for a corkscrew over a backspring Phillips - except if I'm carrying the Mega84, which has both. The Mega84 also has two main blades, one plain, one serrated, neither of which is paired with a small blade. The 93mm awl and nail file fill the space much better. I am a fan of the Compact too, but that resides permanently in a FAK.

The only one I carry where I really value the addition of the smaller blade is the Original Outdoorsman. The small pruner blade, makes a good companion blade to the main serrated one, and is an excellent package opener too.

As an aside, the reason I never quite committed to building a Mega91 was the riddle of the awl and the openers. If I add a 93mm awl, I don't have the combo tool, so I need the opener layer, which has another awl. If I have the combo tool, I don't need the opener layer, and don't end up with either awl. It's like the scissors vs awl decision on most of the Leatherman range. I did have a cunning plan to use the small backspring technician's driver in the rear awl slot, but that meant faffing around with custom washers, so I never bothered....

[Don Pablo]

SNIP
As an aside, the reason I never quite committed to building a Mega91 was the riddle of the awl and the openers. If I add a 93mm awl, I don't have the combo tool, so I need the opener layer, which has another awl. If I have the combo tool, I don't need the opener layer, and don't end up with either awl. It's like the scissors vs awl decision on most of the Leatherman range. I did have a cunning plan to use the small backspring technician's driver in the rear awl slot, but that meant faffing around with custom washers, so I never bothered....

Whats wrong with two awls? 

[AimlessWanderer]

Same thing as two plain edged blades 

[MacGyver]

Back up blade in case the other goes dull ... which is code for I don't use it 

To be honest I feel the combo tool, the alox awl, and the wenger nail file are all better accompanyments to the main blade

Five and a half years later, and I'm still of the same opinion.

I really liked the Climber and Climber Small, but was slightly irritated by the redundant small blade, which is why I started getting fixated on the Wenger Traveller variations. Having the nail file instead of the small blade made a lot more sense.

Lately, it's been mostly the modified DofE that gets the pocket time. Surprising really, considering I nearly always go for a corkscrew over a backspring Phillips - except if I'm carrying the Mega84, which has both. The Mega84 also has two main blades, one plain, one serrated, neither of which is paired with a small blade. The 93mm awl and nail file fill the space much better. I am a fan of the Compact too, but that resides permanently in a FAK.

The only one I carry where I really value the addition of the smaller blade is the Original Outdoorsman. The small pruner blade, makes a good companion blade to the main serrated one, and is an excellent package opener too.

As an aside, the reason I never quite committed to building a Mega91 was the riddle of the awl and the openers. If I add a 93mm awl, I don't have the combo tool, so I need the opener layer, which has another awl. If I have the combo tool, I don't need the opener layer, and don't end up with either awl. It's like the scissors vs awl decision on most of the Leatherman range. I did have a cunning plan to use the small backspring technician's driver in the rear awl slot, but that meant faffing around with custom washers, so I never bothered....

My opinion is still the same all the way from the beginning, my Sak's got to have A- the small blade, B- the standard opening layer. I would only consider something redundant if it's exactly the same as another, in the case of the small blade the size is totally different 

[nmpops]

I use the small pen blade more than any other blade or tool. I love the Pioneer and Cadet and the made reason I don't use them more is he lack of a small pen blade.  To me the file on my cadet is just about useless. The file on finger nail clippers works better. My most carried SAK is the Tourist, just because of the pen blade.

[this_is_nascar]

I use the small pen blade more than any other blade or tool. I love the Pioneer and Cadet and the made reason I don't use them more is he lack of a small pen blade.  To me the file on my cadet is just about useless. The file on finger nail clippers works better. My most carried SAK is the Tourist, just because of the pen blade.

Glad to find someone that shared my opinion on this.  I'm actually trying to find someone to mod my Cadet for this exact reason.  I want the nail file replaced with the small blade of a Recruit.

How do you like that Tourist?  That's next on my list.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

[pomsbz]

Coming from traditionals I bought my Pruner specifically for the blade options. The big one for food, the small for opening stuff. I sometimes use the larger blade for utility stuff too but that little pruner is a wicked opening blade for packaging and it leaves the big blade gunk free for when I want to eat with it.

[Gardel]

Large blade: Mostly used for picnic-type food while on the go.

Small blade: This length is all I need for almost everything I use a knife for on a daily basis other than food. I use this for most non-food things. Keeps the large blade "clean." If carrying a one-blade knife like an Opinel, I'll usually also carry a Classic SAK or peanut slipjoint to fill this role.

Nail file: Mostly a waste of space. I have no problem maintaining my nails at home so no need to perform a mid-day on-the-go manicure. Any blade works well for cleaning dirt from under the nails if necessary. Easy to stuff a pair of nail clippers or more efficient full-size nail file in the luggage when traveling.

[El Corkscrew]

I'm more of a collector than user of SAKs, generally speaking.  That said, I've encountered countless small blades with bent tips (large blades too, for that matter but to a lesser degree).  I always assumed that people were misusing/abusing their SAKs to achieve such damage.  After doing considerable amount of whittling and wood working over the past few months, I have realized that the small blades bend fairly easily.    One must exercise caution when cutting anything dense/hard at all.  For soft wood and a light touch, it's great for whittling but anything more and you run a risk of bending.

Just this corkscrew's opinion.

 

[Sea Monster]

the small blade on my Nylon (I want to say Recruit?) saw plenty of use in its day. It's a great blade - Opening boxes you don't want to stab the contents of, doing things with the tip that the "large" blade might give too much mechanical advantage to (and you end up snapping it...) cleaning under your fingernails 


Good stuff!

(The Awl on a Soldier does all of those things to, so why they make Recruits at all is beyond me... )


Edit: I just checked my post (circa 2008 ) when I got the Recruit (Apparently Called a Squatter in Nylon form) - It was replacing a Stockman as EDC, so I went from Three Blades to Two, and now I carry an SI with One blade.

At this rate, I won't be carrying a blade at all by 2026!

[TonySal]

Large blade: Mostly used for picnic-type food while on the go.

Small blade: This length is all I need for almost everything I use a knife for on a daily basis other than food. I use this for most non-food things. Keeps the large blade "clean." If carrying a one-blade knife like an Opinel, I'll usually also carry a Classic SAK or peanut slipjoint to fill this role.

Nail file: Mostly a waste of space. I have no problem maintaining my nails at home so no need to perform a mid-day on-the-go manicure. Any blade works well for cleaning dirt from under the nails if necessary. Easy to stuff a pair of nail clippers or more efficient full-size nail file in the luggage when traveling.

Nail file comment!  Agree lololol

[Gardel]

Did a Google search for "Swiss Army Knife manicure" thinking I'd find a photo of a lady using a SAK to do her nails. Instead, this came up! Gotta be a forum member.

[nmpops]

I use the small pen blade more than any other blade or tool. I love the Pioneer and Cadet and the made reason I don't use them more is he lack of a small pen blade.  To me the file on my cadet is just about useless. The file on finger nail clippers works better. My most carried SAK is the Tourist, just because of the pen blade.

Glad to find someone that shared my opinion on this.  I'm actually trying to find someone to mod my Cadet for this exact reason.  I want the nail file replaced with the small blade of a Recruit.

How do you like that Tourist?  That's next on my list.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

I love the Recruit but rarely carry one because the Tourist is the same size with the added benefit of the cork screw and awl.  I could easily live without the corkscrew and awl if they would make the Cadet with a small blade.

Question for modders:  Could I replace the nail file with a Recruit pen blade, and do it by only removing one pin??

[MacGyver]

Large blade: Mostly used for picnic-type food while on the go.

Small blade: This length is all I need for almost everything I use a knife for on a daily basis other than food. I use this for most non-food things. Keeps the large blade "clean." If carrying a one-blade knife like an Opinel, I'll usually also carry a Classic SAK or peanut slipjoint to fill this role.

Nail file: Mostly a waste of space. I have no problem maintaining my nails at home so no need to perform a mid-day on-the-go manicure. Any blade works well for cleaning dirt from under the nails if necessary. Easy to stuff a pair of nail clippers or more efficient full-size nail file in the luggage when traveling.

+10!! 

Since i always carry an alox classic on my keys, i don't need or care for a nail file on my main sak's. Even more so if it sacrifices the small blade.

[Mactire404]

I just scrolled though the topic list and read The smell blade?" 
I guess we'll leave that for another topic.

[Ron Who]

I just scrolled though the topic list and read The smell blade?" 
I guess we'll leave that for another topic.

Smell it, Jack!

PS This is Jack Nicholson in the movie Chinatown. Don't try this at home!

[El Corkscrew]

I just scrolled though the topic list and read The smell blade?" 
I guess we'll leave that for another topic.

Smell it, Jack!

PS This is Jack Nicholson in the movie Chinatown. Don't try this at home!

 

[Mactire404]

Interesting how we all have different perceptions of a "small blade". 

Yep. It's not the size that matters, it's how you use it. 

[TonySal]

Interesting how we all have different perceptions of a "small blade". 

Yep. It's not the size that matters, it's how you use it. 

So its not the size of the ship, its the motion of the ocean?!

[TonySal]

  are we still here. I stand by my original.... small blade kept for fine work only, nice.......