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.
Where's Bill when you need him. A robertson would be cool.
Quote from: Benner on March 26, 2008, 07:56:12 PMWhere's Bill when you need him. A robertson would be cool.That would be a great idea. It's a shame that robertson screws haven't reached the popularity in the US as they appear to have in the UK and Europe. Torx are quite common, but I rarely see robertson here.
Quote from: NutSAK on March 26, 2008, 07:40:10 PMYou 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 been tempted to try one, but they mostly come in the fatter SAKs that are too thick for EDC for me. Two layer SAKs are the limit for me for pocket carry, which is why I love the Tinker so much.Plus, I've heard that the in-line Phillips doesn't grip screws even as well as the backspring Phillips, because the driver head is machined differently.
My experience with the grip on screws is totally opposite to what you've heard. The in-line driver fits more sizes of screws and the grip is much better.
Quote from: ringzero on March 26, 2008, 08:01:11 PMQuote from: NutSAK on March 26, 2008, 07:40:10 PMYou 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 been tempted to try one, but they mostly come in the fatter SAKs that are too thick for EDC for me. Two layer SAKs are the limit for me for pocket carry, which is why I love the Tinker so much.Plus, I've heard that the in-line Phillips doesn't grip screws even as well as the backspring Phillips, because the driver head is machined differently.That's a good point--the inline phillips will always add another layer, and thus more width to the knife.My experience with the grip on screws is totally opposite to what you've heard. The in-line driver fits more sizes of screws and the grip is much better.
Quote from: ringzero on March 26, 2008, 07:44:43 PMQuote from: micky d on March 26, 2008, 07:37:04 PMThe 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
Quote from: micky d on March 26, 2008, 07:37:04 PMThe 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..
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
Yeah it would sting a bit But it's honestly not a problem on the farmer as it has a very sturdy back spring
The Scientist is the only two-layer model I know of with the inline phillips. Sadly, it was discontinued years ago. Similarly, the Yeoman was the only three layer that I'm aware of, and it was discontinued.You'd need to turn to Scibeer for something like that these days. Or, buy a four layer Explorer.Hell, if the backspring phillips works that well for you, stick to it.
The problem is though, the inline phillips comes on the magnifyer layer.
I'm pretty happy with the Tinker after 25+ years of EDC.Although I've experimented with other SAKs over the years, none of them ever replacded the Tinker as my EDC.
The main reason I like the saw is "insurance". I live in the Ozarks and the possibility of me spending an unplanned night in the woods is something I like to be at least minimally prepared for. If I walk out of the house I want to have at least a good blade, a saw and a lighter. If it's cold I also take a coat even if I don't plan to use it.
Good choice. The GAK is what I always carry in the woods.Is yours a 108mm GAK or 111mm? (non-locking blade, or locking?)
Ah, yes. That model has the best saw in the business, IMO. I like how it's angled a bit past horizontal. That reduces the chance of it folding on you.