Seeking Opinions

[Currahee]

I have a couple of older 91mm Victorinox SAK's that I got using Marlboro Miles. That was a promotion that Marlboro used as an inducement to buy their brand of stinkerettes. Back then I was blazing through 3 packs a day, so I was able to accumulate a lot of those Miles, that came printed onto the side of each pack.

Okay, enough of that, what I really want is opinions on is whether I should replace the scales on the 2 knives I have with just plain cellidor, sans "Unlimited Marlboro" logo that came on the back side of these knives.

Observe...

This was called the Outdoorsman and is now a discontinued model.
(Not all tools are exposed on either of these knives. The top is considered a 6 layer knife with 2 tools on one layer. The bottom knife is 5 layers)

This was the Troubleshooter and is now a discontinued model, also.

I am thinking about changing the scales on these two discontinued knives, that were essentially marketed for Marlboro, but I am wondering whether I should just leave these scales on the knives, as they are? What do you guys n' gals think? Opinions, please!

[Tyler_]

I would say just change the scales if you don't want the Marlboro logo.  I would go with a stay glo or yellow.  These may be discontinued but they really aren't too rare.  They show up on ebay in new condition all the time.  Seems most people who got them didn't use them and just left them in new in the box in drawers or wherever.   You can always find some new ones later for a collection

That troubleshooter looks like a good EDC

[Syph007]

Unless you're a collector and want to keep them as is, I'd scale swap for something else.  I would think if you are an ex smoker you dont need tobacco ads in your face when you use a SAK.  But since you asked, you probably already made up your mind you dont like the look of them? 

[kirk13]

Personaly,I think you should imediatly remove the Marlboro scales and post them to me,here in the UK for safe disposal!

Seriously,as a motorsport fan,Marlboro sponsored some of the coolest racing cars and bikes of the 70s,80s and 90s.Even if the core product is a stinky(seriously stinky),cancer stick,the branding,to me at least so very cool.

If you do swap the scale,PM me,as I' be very interested in them

[stressmaster5000]

I have those 2 knives too. The collecting market for them is improving over time as fewer of them are available for sale in NIB shape.  However, if the object is to enjoy using them I would suggest you get some color "Plus" scales of your choice from Rotokid's EDC Source shop and make them "Plus" useful. It will add the Ink Pen, and the Stick Pin as well as moving the shield over to the front of the knife as most factory standard Victorinox knives come. 

I have a pretty rare "Black" scaled Tinker with the Marlboro branding.

Check some photos of 4 Marlboro models here; http://sakfan.blogspot.com/search/label/Marlboro

The Trouble Shooter and the Trail Guide are my favorites from the Marlboro branded knives.

[Smaug]

I'd take them off. Just do it carefully, so you don't crack them. If it turns out to be worth big bucks one day, you can just slap them back on.

[tattoosteve99]

Well what I would do is find a model close to those. Then if you don't want them sell them. That way another collector or the such gets to keep them as they are.   

[Currahee]

Hey, guys! Thanks for all of your response! I think what I am going to do is keep these knives just as they are. Just put them away and leave them alone. In the meantime, what I am looking for is a 91mm SAK that has the following tool set:

• Scissors
• Wood Saw
• Master Blade
• Pen Blade
• Nail File
• Awl/Reamer
• Inline Phillips SD
• Can Opener/Small SD
• Lrg. Flat SD/Bottle Opener/Wire Stripper
• Corkscrew

And, of course, Plus Scales to clothe that little gem. Any suggestions that I might consider to fit that bill?

P.S., I would consider anything with a Magnifying Glass to be a big bonus!

[stressmaster5000]

Hey, guys! Thanks for all of your response! I think what I am going to do is keep these knives just as they are. Just put them away and leave them alone. In the meantime, what I am looking for is a 91mm SAK that has the following tool set:

• Scissors
• Wood Saw
• Master Blade
• Pen Blade
• Nail File
• Awl/Reamer
• Inline Phillips SD
• Can Opener/Small SD
• Lrg. Flat SD/Bottle Opener/Wire Stripper
• Corkscrew

And, of course, Plus Scales to clothe that little gem. Any suggestions that I might consider to fit that bill?

P.S., I would consider anything with a Magnifying Glass to be a big bonus!

The nail file is the problem I see with the requested tools you want. The only way I see to get a nail file on it is with the Hook with nail file in the same layer as the scissors.

The in-line Phillips almost always comes with the Magnifier glass so there is a layer.

A Champion Plus is what should fit the bill but it has several other tools so another option might be a 91mm Woodsman model. I have never seen a Woodsman model with the modern Hook/Nail File though so you might need to make it custom.

[Currahee]

Thanks, Stressmaster! I really appreciate your input. Why is it that Victorinox can put a nail file on an alox Cadet but it is virtually impossible to find one on a 91mm?

I could actually boil my list down to a wood saw, scissors, master & pen blades, BUT, with a fricken nail file! The hook/file combo would be perfectly acceptable.

I have a Compact with scissors, hook/file combination. No saw! I have a Climber that I love. It has scissors. No file. No saw. I have a Camper, that I also love! It has a saw. No scissors. No file.

My goal, initially, was to try to find the tools I boiled my list down to in a maximum of 3 layers. I had actually hoped for 2! Silly boy! Now I would be willing to settle for a knife that has what I want on it with 4 layers. The search goes on. Maybe I should try my hand at modding my own piece?

Anyway, thanks for your help, SM!

[Currahee]

Reading my last post I realize that I'm starting to sound quite like Goldilocks of 3 Bears fame. Sorry! I think the Woodsman that Stressmaster mentioned might be an acceptable compromise for me. But, since it is a discontinued model, it also comes with its own set of challenges. I guess that's why we love collecting these things, huh?

Cheers!

Goldi

[Gimmeabreak]

Consider utilizing a metal file as your nail file. The end even doubles as a nail cleaner. Just watch out for the metal saw on the edge

[Mr. Whippy]

Marlboro came up with some amazing SAK tool sets!

[Smaug]

Well, I think you need to either:

• commission a custom piece,
• Adjust your list of demands, or
• Realize that it is going to be one THICK knife and you'll probably have some tools you don't need.

The way I go about this is to think of what tools I'll need at a given time. For example, I like the wood saw, but in reality, I rarely use it, and when I do use it, I know well ahead of time. So I don't need a SAK with both a wood saw and scissors. Scissors and files are useful in everyday situations for me, but wood saws aren't.

One knife that comes close for you is the Wenger EvoGrip S18. Check it out. No small blade and no small screwdriver on the can opener. But you can file down the pointy tip of the nail file and make it into a flat #2 phillips, or leave it as-is and use it as a #1 to compliment the #2 T-phillips.

Victorinox Workchamp is a popular one here. Have you got one of those? It hasn't got the small blade, but you do get TWO inline phillips' to make up for it. It's a biggy though.

Another thing we do sometimes is to carry a 58mm SAK on the keys for scissors, nail file, pen blade, and T&T, then get everything else on the bigger SAK. For example, if you put a Rambler,  Manager, or Minichamp on your keys, then you could go with a Farmer for the rest, and still have something pocketable.

Or the 58mm keychain SAK, Explorer Plus in the pocket, and a Soldier, Wenger Ranger, Hiker, or Farmer for those outdoor days where you're likely to need the wood saw.

Or the 58mm keychain SAK, Spartain Lite in the pocket, and a Soldier, Wenger Ranger, Hiker, or Farmer for those outdoor days where you're likely to need the wood saw.

The only other options are a custom build, which you probably will be afraid to use, or carry a REALLY thick SAK that won't be comfortable to carry in the pocket, for example Swisschamp, Craftsman or Vic Ranger. Some guys just LOVE the Swisschamp, but the thick tool stack is an acquired taste, I think.

My solution is to just keep trying new models all the time until I find The Perfect SAK. If that doesn't happen, then at least I always have options that include the right tool set.

[Currahee]

Smaug,

I appreciate the thought that you put into your response. Some great points you make. I already have the Wenger S18 and absolutely love it. It packs everything I really need. It's just not a 91mm Victorinox. I also carry a 58mm Classic on my key chain.

I think I reached a satisfactory compromise earlier this morning. I ordered a black Huntsman with Plus Scales that should be in my hot little hands a little later this week (Fri. or Sat.). That should placate my insatiable lust for the attainment of perfection, at least temporarily. Plus it will provide a 6th leg for my Black Starfish...

I really appreciate everyone's response! I think I am just going through some growing pains as a noob collector of SAK's? As with all of my other obsessive-compulsive hobbies, perfection lies just beyond that next hill or valley. But, alas! Once I reach the next plateau I realize there is another hill to climb...another knife, another flashlight, another bike, another pair of sandals, another, another, another! It (perfection) is always just slightly beyond my grasp. *chest heaves - big sigh*


Thanks, y'all!

[edcgear]

I'd leave it as is...

[Currahee]

(Note) Okay, rather than start a new thread I've decided to do a necro on this one. Mainly because it has pics of the knife with blades opened.

My Marlboro Outdoorsman has quit smoking!





As you can see I put some new yellow pants on him.





New Plus Scales!!!

[kirk13]

And I'd still like to give the Marlboro scale a new home

Looks good inyellow though!

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Currahee... nice work on the scale replacement. 

I know you already ordered the Huntsman, but I'm going to throw you a little curveball...

A CyberTool 41 meets all your requirements, and has the bit driver and bit set as well.  I use mine all the time, though I typically keep it on my desk rather than carry it with me.

[Currahee]

Aye, Mates!

Thanks for the offer to give those Marlboro scales a new home in a new country. But they prefer the warm weather of Southern California and they are already slated for another project. Sorry

Thanks, also, for the Cybertool recommendation. Indeed, I do have a Huntsman that I really like, as well as several other SAK's that suit my purposes better than the Cybertool would. You see, I rely heavily upon my EDC SAK to have a saw. Sadly, I am not aware of a CT that sports a saw blade?

Cheers!

Currahee

[magentus]

Thanks, also, for the Cybertool recommendation. Indeed, I do have a Huntsman that I really like, as well as several other SAK's that suit my purposes better than the Cybertool would. You see, I rely heavily upon my EDC SAK to have a saw. Sadly, I am not aware of a CT that sports a saw blade?

A CT41 does - the ultimate SAK!

[sergemaster]

Amici,
Upgrade and replace the scales with either cellidor or nylon unless you're a collector. If so, those  logo engraved models turn up quite regularly and minus the $$ that's even better.

Cheers,
Serge

[Currahee]

Thanks, also, for the Cybertool recommendation. Indeed, I do have a Huntsman that I really like, as well as several other SAK's that suit my purposes better than the Cybertool would. You see, I rely heavily upon my EDC SAK to have a saw. Sadly, I am not aware of a CT that sports a saw blade?

A CT41 does - the ultimate SAK!

Yikes! Once again I have inserted my foot into my mouth. Do they make an SAK that has a foot extractor? Aye Carumba! I will have to take a closer look at the CT41. Thank you Magentus for shining a light upon my very dark path.

[Currahee]

Ah! I see where I became confused. I had not bothered to scroll down below the first illustration on the CT41 SAK Wiki page. Which is here: http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Cybertool
In that illustration I could not see a wood saw, and hence did not feel the need to look any further. Again it was a case of contempt prior to examination. Shame on me!

[magentus]

Thanks, also, for the Cybertool recommendation. Indeed, I do have a Huntsman that I really like, as well as several other SAK's that suit my purposes better than the Cybertool would. You see, I rely heavily upon my EDC SAK to have a saw. Sadly, I am not aware of a CT that sports a saw blade?

A CT41 does - the ultimate SAK!

Yikes! Once again I have inserted my foot into my mouth. Do they make an SAK that has a foot extractor? Aye Carumba! I will have to take a closer look at the CT41. Thank you Magentus for shining a light upon my very dark path.

Even the mighty CT41 doesn't sport a foot extractor. You'd need one of the wengergrips for that. Or a Spirit.

[AimlessWanderer]

Thanks, also, for the Cybertool recommendation. Indeed, I do have a Huntsman that I really like, as well as several other SAK's that suit my purposes better than the Cybertool would. You see, I rely heavily upon my EDC SAK to have a saw. Sadly, I am not aware of a CT that sports a saw blade?

A CT41 does - the ultimate SAK!

Yikes! Once again I have inserted my foot into my mouth. Do they make an SAK that has a foot extractor? Aye Carumba! I will have to take a closer look at the CT41. Thank you Magentus for shining a light upon my very dark path.

You've not followed it up with the pic of the one you've already got this time though ... yet 

[Currahee]

You've not followed it up with the pic of the one you've already got this time though ... yet 

Um, I'm not sure that I understand what you mean? Which one are you referring to?

[AimlessWanderer]

You've not followed it up with the pic of the one you've already got this time though ... yet 

Um, I'm not sure that I understand what you mean? Which one are you referring to?

You'd already got a original Outdoorsman last time round  , and was half expecting you to pull out a CT41 you'd already got and go .... oh yeah, a saw - so it has 

Just messing with you mate  All in good fun 

[Currahee]

You've not followed it up with the pic of the one you've already got this time though ... yet 

Um, I'm not sure that I understand what you mean? Which one are you referring to?

You'd already got a original Outdoorsman last time round  , and was half expecting you to pull out a CT41 you'd already got and go .... oh yeah, a saw - so it has 

Just messing with you mate  All in good fun 

Oh, now I get it. Like, wanting a knife I already had but forgot I had it. Duh! Like, "Oh, wow! That's right! I have this CT41 right here in my pocket that I forgot I owned and didn't even know it had a saw blade!" Like that, eh? I guess where you lost me was that the Outdoorsman's blond moment occurred in a completely different thread. No worries. At my age confusion is par for the course, anyway.

Cheers, mate! Have a great weekend.

Currahee 

[AimlessWanderer]