Best SAK Ever!!!

[NutSAK]

True, but why carry the Farmer with its woodsaw when the Spirit offers a better woodsaw?

In your opinion, how is it "better"?  The Farmer's woodsaw is longer than the Spirit's.  IMO, that is "better".

I can forsee needing to hold a nut with the Spirit's pliers while turning a bolt using the Tinker's Phillips screwdriver, which can't be done with the Farmer.

A Farmer can't turn phillips head screws? 

In my experience, the end of the can opener works better for turning phillips screws than the backspring phillips, unless the head of the screw is in tight quarters.  The backspring phillips is too polished and rounded to grab many screws, and has a very short reach due to the T-handle setup.

[Grant Lamontagne]

All good points, but as I've said before, the third layer in the ALOX models like the Farmer, Electrician Plus and Pioneer Harvester also add a significant level of comfort in addition to the saw.  Even if you don't use the saw, it makes them fit your hand better than a Soldier etc.  Or at least, that's been my experience!

You are right though, there aren't a lot of good reasons to double up on the saw or some of the other tools.

Def

[ducktapehero]

In my experience, the end of the can opener works better for turning phillips screws than the backspring phillips, unless the head of the screw is in tight quarters.  The backspring phillips is too polished and rounded to grab many screws, and has a very short reach due to the T-handle setup.

This is true, even when I used to carry a Tinker I used the can opener tip unless it was a recessed screw. The Vic can opener is a pretty darn good Phillips screwdriver too.

[Benner]

In my experience, the end of the can opener works better for turning phillips screws than the backspring phillips, unless the head of the screw is in tight quarters.  The backspring phillips is too polished and rounded to grab many screws, and has a very short reach due to the T-handle setup.

This is true, even when I used to carry a Tinker I used the can opener tip unless it was a recessed screw. The Vic can opener is a pretty darn good Phillips screwdriver too.

I can't say I have ever tried that.  I will do now though. 

[ringzero]

I don't EDC my Spirit, but since I rarely go out it's usually near me. I keep in in a centrally located place in my house so I'm always close to it. And if I DO carry it I don't carry my Farmer.

Ooops, my bad.  I mis-remembered you mentioning that you EDC your Spirit.

But since getting my Farmer I have yet to come across a Phillips screw that couldn't be handled by the Farmer. I use the saw more often than I need to go find a different Phillips screwdriver so for me the Farmer is a better choice.

Glad to hear the Farmer works for you.

However, a Hiker might well fit your needs even better as it offers both woodsaw AND dedicated Phillips driver.

.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I don't need saw, day in day out, but I find it comforting to know it there

[NutSAK]

I don't need saw, day in day out, but I find it comforting to know it there

Hear, hear!  .  It works well on materials other than wood too, such as PVC and sheet rock. 

[ducktapehero]

Ooops, my bad.  I mis-remembered you mentioning that you EDC your Spirit.

I used too but then it got relegated to shelf duty when I got my Farmer. It's being modded with a pocket clip right now so when I get it back it may become my EDC again. Who knows? My EDC varies quite a bit. 

However, a Hiker might well fit your needs even better as it offers both woodsaw AND dedicated Phillips driver.

LOL Actually I'm thinking of getting a Fieldmaster with PLUS scales, that way I can quit carrying my Classic on my keychain. But if I go that route I'm sure I'll still go back and forth between what I carry. I have the attention span of a 3 year old on speed.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I've lost count of the thing's I've used that saw for, and it'd never needed sharpening!

[Dunc]

I would say the Swisschamp but it is a too big sometimes . Its got to be a Climber paired with a Swisstool  Not alot comes close .

Dunc

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Maybe we should have a poll

[Benner]

I would say the Swisschamp but it is a too big sometimes . Its got to be a Climber paired with a Swisstool  Not alot comes close .

Dunc

I'm finding my Spartan paired with my Swisstool is working very well.  

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

A Spartan you say

[Benner]

A Spartan you say

Yeah.  You should get one. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

A Spartan you say

Yeah.  You should get one. 

I had one...very briefly

[Benner]

They do one that comes without the key ring as well.   

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

They do one that comes without the key ring as well.   

Do they , how terribly novel of them

[ringzero]

In your opinion, how is it "better"?  The Farmer's woodsaw is longer than the Spirit's.  IMO, that is "better".

I don't own either Spirit or Farmer, but have briefly handled them in a store.

So, perhaps I am mis-remembering...

But, doesn't the Spirit woodsaw lock open?  And, doesn't the Farmer not have a locking woodsaw?

I didn't directly compare saw lengths between Spirit and Farmer, but surely there isn't that much of a difference... 

A Farmer can't turn phillips head screws? 

In my experience, the end of the can opener works better for turning phillips screws than the backspring phillips, unless the head of the screw is in tight quarters.  The backspring phillips is too polished and rounded to grab many screws, and has a very short reach due to the T-handle setup.

Perhaps I should have been more explicit in my example:  "holding a nut with the Spirit's pliers while turning a RECESSED bolt using the Tinker's Phillips driver"

I've used a SAK can opener to turn Phillips screws when the SAK I was using lacked a dedicated Phillips.  Mostly it worked out OK, but I also recall buggering up some Phillips screws when turning them with the can opener.

So, in general I'd prefer to use the SAK dedicated Phillips driver rather than the can opener.  Plus, I encounter lots of recessed Phillips that the can opener won't even touch.

.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The saw on the Spirit does indeed lock open, but I've never had a Farmer saw blade fold on me, so I think it's a moot point, regarding the lock (or lack there off), the greater length of the Farmer however is hard to argue with

[NutSAK]

So, in general I'd prefer to use the SAK dedicated Phillips driver rather than the can opener.  Plus, I encounter lots of recessed Phillips that the can opener won't even touch.

You should try a model with the in-line phillips driver if you haven't.  It's the best of both worlds.  It fits more heads, gets into tight areas, and has great reach.

I've buggered-up many more phillips screws with that over-polished backspring phillips than anything else.  Out of the 60 SAKs I own, I now only have one that has the backspring phillips, and that's just because I can't find a SAK that has the same implements as a Deluxe Tinker w/a corkscrew instead of the phillips.

[Benner]

I agree, the inline one is far better.    I just wish it didn't have to come on the same layer as a magnifyer. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Yep the inline is far better, until it closes on your fingers

[ringzero]

The saw on the Spirit does indeed lock open, but I've never had a Farmer saw blade fold on me, so I think it's a moot point, regarding the lock (or lack there off), the greater length of the Farmer however is hard to argue with

I'm not arguing with it.

Since you own both, perhaps you could enlighten me as to the difference in length?

Personally, I'd prefer to have a slightly shorter locking saw to a slightly longer saw that didn't lock.

.

[NutSAK]

I agree, the inline one is far better.    I just wish it didn't have to come on the same layer as a magnifyer. 

...or that crappy LED.

I find uses for the magnifier, but most of the time I just put up with it as a consequence of needing the phillips. 

[Benner]

I agree, the inline one is far better.    I just wish it didn't have to come on the same layer as a magnifyer. 

...or that crappy LED.

I find uses for the magnifier, but most of the time I just put up with it as a consequence of needing the phillips. 

Ever come across any mods that don't have either of these?

[NutSAK]

Yep the inline is far better, until it closes on your fingers

I've never had that happen, but I have had the backspring one close on me.

Have you tried the newer phillips that comes with the new design magnifier?  The backspring engages a slot in the back of the driver, and works as a passive "lock" that keeps it snapped open pretty tightly. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The saw on the Spirit does indeed lock open, but I've never had a Farmer saw blade fold on me, so I think it's a moot point, regarding the lock (or lack there off), the greater length of the Farmer however is hard to argue with

I'm not arguing with it.

Since you own both, perhaps you could enlighten me as to the difference in length?

Personally, I'd prefer to have a slightly shorter locking saw to a slightly longer saw that didn't lock.

.

There's not much in it, (just ran up stairs to check ) maybe 5-6 mm, I've got to admit to being suprised at that as it feels longer

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Yep the inline is far better, until it closes on your fingers

I've never had that happen, but I have had the backspring one close on me.

Have you tried the newer phillips that comes with the new design magnifier?  The backspring engages a slot in the back of the driver, and works as a passive "lock" that keeps it snapped open pretty tightly. 

Nope, not tried the newer design yet , good to see that Vic are still tweaking the design though

[NutSAK]

I agree, the inline one is far better.    I just wish it didn't have to come on the same layer as a magnifyer. 

...or that crappy LED.

I find uses for the magnifier, but most of the time I just put up with it as a consequence of needing the phillips. 

Ever come across any mods that don't have either of these?

No, but it certainly would be worth looking into, wouldn't it?  It might be difficult to find another tool that would fit in there due to the width of that layer.  An electrician's blade (sheepsfoot) would be great, but it's too narrow and would have to be spaced out.

[Benner]

Where's Bill when you need him.    A robertson would be cool.