For 46 years now...

[cbl51]

I've been carrying a SAK.

Not the same SAK, but many different models. I got my very first SAK in 1968, and since then, I have not been without one. I've had other knives, Buck, Gerber, Opinel, Camillus, Schrade, Mercator, and even a Douk-Douk. I even had a small collection of Randall's in my more misguided youth. They all took turns being my knife of the day/week/month, while the SAK got bumped back into my day pack, or backpack. But sooner or later the SAK made the come back. Flying off on vacation a SAK was the go-to knife. Easy and cheap to mail to myself where I was going to be staying, and gift it out when I left. The cab driver who dropped us at the airport, the grounds keeper at the place we stayed in Key West, The guy behind the car rental counter in Oregon. They all got a almost new Recruit. When push came to shove, and I was only going to have a single pocket knife off someplace, the SAK was the choice.

Now being retired, having more time than ever before for fishing, canoeing, camping, and general screwing off, a SAK makes even more sense. The better half comes up with a honey-do list, and a lot of it is small home maintenance. A screw driver is a nice thing to have. Pulling down the ceiling  exhaust fan in the bathroom for a bit of oil on the shaft, any SAK will do nicely. Changing the light switch plate to a nicer more decorative one needs only a small flat screw driver.

I think back to all the knives I've had since 1968, and how they all got bumped after a time by the humble SAK. A recruit, a bantam, a Pioneer, A hiker. In all real world use, none of them could do what a SAK can do.  Screw, saw, open cans and bottles, repair a stalled motor scooter in the middle of nowhere, a boat motor out on the water, a leaky  faucet in a motel room, and a zillion more. Forty six years is a long time to use something. Especially when you keep trying other stuff, and then come back to old faithful.

I don't know how much longer I have on this earth, being an old man now. But I think I'll have a SAK in my pocket for whatever comes up, even if it's opening a cold Corona with a slice of lime in the neck. And the lime will be sliced with a SAK!

[sawman]

Nice bit of history there

[colt 1911]

Excellent !!


Sak's  rule !

[kirk13]

Brilliant! It's nearly thirty years since I got my first SAK,and I really do hope I have one til my dying day!

Actually,I'll be pretty damn pee'd if I don't have one in the next!

[SAK Guy]

We are brothers cbl51, Been carrying one since '72 and unless I'm dead or incarcerated I'll have a SAK of some sort with me.

[microbe]

Cool story bro! 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I always enjoy reading you musings mate

If you ever do a collection of your story's as an eBook count me in for a copy

Sent from the astropathic choir.

[Luna Knife]

May that SAK serve your for many years to come.  I think that the evolution of carrying a SAK is a sign of wisdom and maturity. 

[Saluki]

Great story!  I also really like how you gift SAKs to strangers when you travel, and introduce them to the world of pocketknives and SAK's in particular.  Who knows maybe someday a new member will show up on this forum saying something along the lines of, "I was never interested in Swiss Army Knives until one day I was working at a car rental counter and this guy came in and handed me a Recruit, because he couldn't take it on his flight.  I have carried one every day since."


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[cbl51]

Great story!  I also really like how you gift SAKs to strangers when you travel, and introduce them to the world of pocketknives and SAK's in particular.  Who knows maybe someday a new member will show up on this forum saying something along the lines of, "I was never interested in Swiss Army Knives until one day I was working at a car rental counter and this guy came in and handed me a Recruit, because he couldn't take it on his flight.  I have carried one every day since."


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The wonderful thing about gifting SAK's away to the general public is, the instant recognition they get. The regular joe on the street does not know what a Spyderco is, nor a Benchmade, or any other trendy tactical or boutique brand knife is. But pull out the red handle wonder from Switzerland with the silver cross on the handle, and everyone knows what it is. I read some years ago in a magazine about world recognized trademarks. Coco-Cola was number 1, Bic stuff was number 2, and the Victorinox logo was way up there in the top brands. Everyone, no matter where they came from, recognized the SAK logo.

After a vacation in Key West, where the little recruit handled fishing and picnic duties, I gave it to the young Cuban guy who was the grounds keeper at the place where we were staying. Young guy in how early 20's, didn't speak much English. But when I hand him the SAK, and my better half who speaks fluent Spanish made it clear to him that it was now his, he was elated. Much of "mucho mucho gracias, and such, then he ran over to where his boss was to show him his new knife. The kid knew darn well what he got.

And I think I've seen more SAK's pulled out of purses by women all over, from a young stylish 30 something professional at a Walmart watch counter who was putting a new watch band on her watch and the counter person didn't know how, to a silver haired retired lady on a bird watching trip using a SAK to deal with a packed lunch. And when it comes to the 58mm keychain SAK's, I see them with everyone from a Doctor at the VA hospital where I get my medical care, to an attorney who was handling a family members estate.

SAK's seem to have an appeal that cuts across socio-economic borders. Thus international recognition by almost everyone on the planet. But then, if a flying saucer landed, I almost expect to see the gray man with a SAK!

[jerseydevil]

Great story.    46 years ago... I wasn't even thought of.    You're right on the universality of SAKs.  I see them all the time at work.  Once I pulled my Super Tinker out to cut a coupon for a customer, and she looks and says, "Oh!  I could have done that!" as she pulls a well-used Climber out of her purse to show me.    Today, someone I know is going to be getting his first SAK, he's just not aware of it yet.  Whenever he sees me, he wants to know what I'm carrying, and enjoys seeing the different models I show him.  Thanks to Lynn LaFey, I have a spare Spartan with ruby scales.  I added the small screwdriver to the corkscrew, and today around 6pm, it's going to a new home. 

[Styerman]

I got a Ranger in 1963 , I've had many others since then . ATM , I've only got about a 1/2 dozen .

I've gifted many to people I've met along the way , and caused some addictions . Now in my old age , I'm on maintenance doses .

Chris

[nate j]

Looks like I'm the rookie in this thread, as I've only owned, carried, and used SAKs for about twenty years...

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

19 years happy years here

Sent via Astropathic choir.

[ColoSwiss]

Another Old-Timer who's a long-time SAK user (since the early '70s). 

[cbl51]

I got a Ranger in 1963 , I've had many others since then . ATM , I've only got about a 1/2 dozen .

I've gifted many to people I've met along the way , and caused some addictions . Now in my old age , I'm on maintenance doses .

Chris

!963???

You sir, are the king. Sure beat me, and I thought I was old as dirt!! Yeah, I sometimes wonder how many addictions I started by gifting out SAK's? One here, another there.

[Joe58]

Truly enjoyed reading that. I think SAK's have led to my obsession with knives in general. I've enjoyed knives ever since childhood and the SAK has always been my favorite.

I'm now in my 50's and am blessed to be able to afford some nicer (meaning more expensive, lol) knives, and really do like them and appreciate the craftsmanship that went into building them.

But it seems like more than half the time out of all the current selections laying on the dresser, I grab the alox electrician, or a variant thereof, over one of my high dollar customs. Feel a bit guilty sometimes. But, such is life. I figure that if nothing else those nice customs will be a good addition to my estate sale in 25 years or so.

I am working hard at getting on some type of program to help curb my addiction. Do they make those vapor cigarette things to help with knife addicts? Lol.

[cbl51]

I am working hard at getting on some type of program to help curb my addiction. Do they make those vapor cigarette things to help with knife addicts? Lol.

Put two SAK's in your pocket, and call me in the morning!

[Aloha]

It's these threads that make me grab my little red knife with such pride.  I was at a friends last Xmas and her uncle who is in his mid 70's pulled out a Champion to tighten a meat slicer.  It was great so I had to pull mine out ( Explorer Plus ) and we had a little chat.  I found out he had carried this tool for many many years and yesterday I found out he retired it.  I have given away a bunch of SAKs in the last few years with the hopes that they find purpose.     

[Serena]

Love to read these threads. I use my SAK all the time, couldn't do without one anymore…

[comis]

Thank you for the history, enjoying a SAK is good, sharing it with others is even better!  Hope those whom have received will pass on the goodwill someday. 

It's these threads that make me grab my little red knife with such pride.  I was at a friends last Xmas and her uncle who is in his mid 70's pulled out a Champion to tighten a meat slicer.  It was great so I had to pull mine out ( Explorer Plus ) and we had a little chat.  I found out he had carried this tool for many many years and yesterday I found out he retired it.  I have given away a bunch of SAKs in the last few years with the hopes that they find purpose.     

Have you introduced him to MT.O? 

[PTRSAK]

Another rookie here, I've only been carrying a SAK (most days) for 40 years.

[JAfromMn]

I had many junk/fake Saks in my youth. I didn't buy my first real sak until 1997.

I still own it.

yeah I'm still a rookie somewhere. 

[Aloha]

@Comis he is a she and yes but she didn't say anything.  I told her we had women on the forum and free drinks but I got nothing  .  Oh well at least she is carrying and using her SAK and LM I gave her. 

[deputy tom]

Back in 1961~62 my Uncle gave me and my Brother a Suisse Army knife that I believe is a Modeler or something close. We had to share it and eventually he being the eldest ended up with that knife. FF to 1973 I bought a Champion which I still have and a dozen or so other SAKs since. I'm not sure where this places me in the thread but thought I'd share. tom.