Official 30-Day Minimalist SAK Challenge!

[colt 1911]

Day 3... Tinker small and a Gerber tempo. The challenge so far has been handled by the minimalist duo. I most say I do miss a pair of scissors but totally made do with the small blade.


Sak's  rule !

[ducttapetech]

Been pretty busy with mine to day. Even used the hook.
Cut up some cardboard boxs. A bunch of rope and string.





Nate

[Hyatt181]

Actually found a good use where the combo blade of my compact works but the screwdriver on my cybertool won't.
It was able to open the towel dispenser at work that I usually can't open with my cybertool's bottle opener (to wide. )
I'll have to consider making a cyber yeoman now.


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[Singh]

replaced springbars on a watch.

[getahl]

I'm in, with my beat to snot sapphire Classic, though not an entry for the Spirit.

[nate j]

I've done well so far, but really wanted to cheat today.   I needed scissors to cut a small zip tie on a wire loom, but since I'm carrying my Pioneer, I was missing my SAK scissors.   I really wanted to go and grab my Climber, but I resisted.  It took me FOREVER to find a bloody pair small enough to do the job too.


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I've had pretty good luck using the awl on my pioneer to cut zip ties.  I actually prefer that to scissors.

+1.  93mm awl is killer on zip ties.

[arizonaranchman]

Looong day today... Up early and gone the entire day... The Pioneer cut some tape today when taping up some boxes was about it.

[Fast Bill]

I'm loving this thread. After a bit of a Swiss Champ thing over the past few months I've recently gone Spartan and I'm tuning in with minimalism 

[kirk13]

I had a worrying thought last night...

Do any of you remember the Top Gear race across London? STIG takes the Tube,Hamster cycles,Jezza uses a boat(!) and Slow drives...

And,to most Londoners anyway,the result was no surprise....STIG won!

In the same way,I fear this thread may prove that we're proving we don't need big multi layer SAKs and MTs!

[AimlessWanderer]

I had a worrying thought last night...

Do any of you remember the Top Gear race across London? STIG takes the Tube,Hamster cycles,Jezza uses a boat(!) and Slow drives...

And,to most Londoners anyway,the result was no surprise....STIG won!

In the same way,I fear this thread may prove that we're proving we don't need big multi layer SAKs and MTs!

Well, I was kind of thinking about this last night and considered officially bailing out of the challenge.

I need to go and do a few jobs on the boat soon ... and I know the minimalist carry won't be of any use. I could use dedicated tools, but that will just mean I get less done than I would with a multi as I'll be working slower. Same in the garden if the weather is half decent tomorrow. A multitool will help speed things up.

A lot of the time, going minimalist is not a major obstacle - but I'm just forcing myself to be inefficient when it matters. I've annoyed a lot of friends in the pat by waiting till they've gone to fetch the correct tool before pulling out a multitool and having the job well under way or even completed by the time they got back  Now all I've done is lowered myself to their level in terms of having to spend longer getting a dedicated tool than I would actually doing what needs doing.

Minimalist carry is better than nothing for generally pottering about, but there's a reason I have a pocket load of stuff on me most of the time .... it works! At the very least, I really ought to take normal carry when going to work on the boat, or having an hour or two in the garden, or doing any kind of project really even if I drop back to the Scout Jr and Nitecore T0 afterwards. Only reason I haven't already failed or bailed, is it's raining so I haven't done any project work yet ... 

[powernoodle]

Oh my GOD WHAT THE smurf WAS I THINKING?!?! Gahhhhh!!!
I Want my SURGE!!!

I think we are beginning to separate into two groups.  The first consists of guys like Nate who actually use their larger SAKs and MTs on a daily basis or on the job.  This minimalist thing is going to be hard on them, because it entails not having the proper tool on hand or having to keep walking to the tool box. 

The other group, which I fall into, use a SAK merely as a daily convenience item - opening a package, snipping a thread or tightening a screw once in a while.  This minimalist thing is not so difficult for us, as even a Classic SD will handle these things just fine.  For this second group, the only "burden" of going minimalist is that we just have to give up the fun of carrying something larger or switching between SAKs.  That's not an inconsequential burden for a true SAK addict, but its not nearly as difficult as giving up a Surge that you rely on all day.

So we guys in the second group definitely have an advantage when it comes to remaining faithful for the whole 30 days.  Its only been 4 days, but I'm having no difficulty whatsoever with carrying only the Executive.  And I partly wish that I had gone even smaller (Classic SD).

[AimlessWanderer]

I think that's a fair appraisal Noodle  I wouldn't normally miss file or saw most of the time, though there are tasks I wouldn't like to go into without having one just in case. Pliers, scissors and a slightly more robust knife on the other hand, seem to be more frequently needed items. Screwdrivers tend to fall somwhere between the two for me.

I approached this challenge with the view of opening packages at work, and general life tasks, and figured what the heck lets try it. However I nipped next door earlier this morning to see what the racket was my mate was making. He was trying to do a temporary bodge fix of the leak on his shed roof till the weather's better so he can fix it properly, so of course I started giving him a hand. Even though we were in his shed with all his dedicated tools, there were several times when a screwdriver, pliers and a more robust knife on a tool in my pocket would have saved us some faffing about rooting through drawers and toolboxes for a tool.

This wasn't a planned job, or even "my problem", but a simple example of where minimalist carry was an obstacle to achieving what needed to be achieved. The temporary fix has been done well enough for now, but having my MP400 and a decent folder for example would probably have saved us 10 minutes. The rain wasn't too heavy outside, but 10 minutes could have been the difference between electrical tools/equipment inside getting damaged or not.

So far the only real impairment has been to my "comfort level" as nothing has significantly suffered as a result, but with some of the jobs I have in front of me, I'm looking at the Case knife and little torch and wondering why on earth I'm doing this

[colt 1911]

I think that's a fair appraisal Noodle  I wouldn't normally miss file or saw most of the time, though there are tasks I wouldn't like to go into without having one just in case. Pliers, scissors and a slightly more robust knife on the other hand, seem to be more frequently needed items. Screwdrivers tend to fall somwhere between the two for me.

I approached this challenge with the view of opening packages at work, and general life tasks, and figured what the heck lets try it. However I nipped next door earlier this morning to see what the racket was my mate was making. He was trying to do a temporary bodge fix of the leak on his shed roof till the weather's better so he can fix it properly, so of course I started giving him a hand. Even though we were in his shed with all his dedicated tools, there were several times when a screwdriver, pliers and a more robust knife on a tool in my pocket would have saved us some faffing about rooting through drawers and toolboxes for a tool.

This wasn't a planned job, or even "my problem", but a simple example of where minimalist carry was an obstacle to achieving what needed to be achieved. The temporary fix has been done well enough for now, but having my MP400 and a decent folder for example would probably have saved us 10 minutes. The rain wasn't too heavy outside, but 10 minutes could have been the difference between electrical tools/equipment inside getting damaged or not.

So far the only real impairment has been to my "comfort level" as nothing has significantly suffered as a result, but with some of the jobs I have in front of me, I'm looking at the Case knife and little torch and wondering why on earth I'm doing this

I fall into this same category, it's basically going to be  a pain in the ass. I will never be a  minimalist, I believe in being prepared ! I guess we are all a
Little twisted, suffering for 30 days.


Sak's  rule !

[SAK Guy]

The Pioneer is doing ok!

Suffering out on the porch yesterday.....



Walked down to the gate this morning.....

[shark_za]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

So I often use my knives and tools for a traditional snack, biltong.
A style of jerky that is synonymous with South Africa, so much so that the local distributor of Victorinox etched "Biltong Knife" on a whole bunch of 100mm Gardeners and probably sold a ton of them.
I normally use one of these as a speSmurfpillst tool but today my Waiter saw duty in this role.

[ivan_partizan]

Today was awesome day

[enki_ck]

I mostly fall in the second category and could do most days with just a simple Traveler, but every so often I do need the heavy hitters. 

I may have failed yesterday. I was disassembling the and storing for winter the net I had put up against hale in my garden. Last time most of the non power tools jobs were done with the ST300. Now I had my pockets full of dedicated screwdrivers, pliers, ...

I needed to cut some heavy duty cable ties and I wasn't gonna do that with a 84mm SAK. So I took my EAB and swapped the regular blade for a hooked one. I did use the combo tool of the Vic Waiter to unscrew the screw that holds the blade in if that gives me some bonus points.

[arizonaranchman]

A spectacular Fall morning here in the high desert yet again... Cool n sunny and sipping my coffee.

Is this PT-1AA in the category of flashlight that fits the challenge? I've been carrying this for 3+ yrs, so it's my usual anyways, but I don't know what a 5mm flashlight is by definition. This is an LED by Streamlight. Single AA battery. If it fits the challenge you can add it to the "Official Equipment List" for me please

Also, for those of us that need a dedicated tool(s) for a specific task I'm wondering if FOR THAT TASK if they may be allowed an exemption to perform that task with another SAK and not have to withdraw? As 50ft-trad and a few others were saying it's creating a hardship in certain situations especially when common sense says you need a certain tool for a given task... As long as the Participant states his departure from his Minimalist tool of choice on that situation/event. What say ye?

For example I know for me I'd prefer someone defer to another SAK w/pliers than have to grab a pair of Craftsman pliers from the tool chest. Or when you know you're going out into the garden to do this or that and know you need a saw and there's just no way around it... Why not a pocket a Farmer for an hour rather than a pruning saw from the garage? Just note it in your "Daily Report" here when you check in at the end of the day? This may help some of the participants survive the month rather than having to pull out completely. Just a suggestion...

[gustophersmob]

Oh my GOD WHAT THE smurf WAS I THINKING?!?! Gahhhhh!!!
I Want my SURGE!!!

I think we are beginning to separate into two groups.  The first consists of guys like Nate who actually use their larger SAKs and MTs on a daily basis or on the job.  This minimalist thing is going to be hard on them, because it entails not having the proper tool on hand or having to keep walking to the tool box. 

The other group, which I fall into, use a SAK merely as a daily convenience item - opening a package, snipping a thread or tightening a screw once in a while.  This minimalist thing is not so difficult for us, as even a Classic SD will handle these things just fine.  For this second group, the only "burden" of going minimalist is that we just have to give up the fun of carrying something larger or switching between SAKs.  That's not an inconsequential burden for a true SAK addict, but its not nearly as difficult as giving up a Surge that you rely on all day.

So we guys in the second group definitely have an advantage when it comes to remaining faithful for the whole 30 days.  Its only been 4 days, but I'm having no difficulty whatsoever with carrying only the Executive.  And I partly wish that I had gone even smaller (Classic SD).

Good thoughts here.  I fall mostly into the 2nd category as well.  Though, when I do need bigger and better than the EDC pioneer, I usually prefer dedicated tools anyway. So, I don't feel "minimalist" with my daily carry, even though compared to many, I suppose I might be.

Honestly, after these last couple of days, I think I could manage just fine with a bantam as EDC.  I just prefer the slightly larger tools on the pioneer.  I also vastly prefer alox, but that doesn't make it a "need."

[gustophersmob]

I had a worrying thought last night...

Do any of you remember the Top Gear race across London? STIG takes the Tube,Hamster cycles,Jezza uses a boat(!) and Slow drives...

And,to most Londoners anyway,the result was no surprise....STIG won!

In the same way,I fear this thread may prove that we're proving we don't need big multi layer SAKs and MTs!

Well, I was kind of thinking about this last night and considered officially bailing out of the challenge.

I need to go and do a few jobs on the boat soon ... and I know the minimalist carry won't be of any use. I could use dedicated tools, but that will just mean I get less done than I would with a multi as I'll be working slower. Same in the garden if the weather is half decent tomorrow. A multitool will help speed things up.

A lot of the time, going minimalist is not a major obstacle - but I'm just forcing myself to be inefficient when it matters. I've annoyed a lot of friends in the pat by waiting till they've gone to fetch the correct tool before pulling out a multitool and having the job well under way or even completed by the time they got back  Now all I've done is lowered myself to their level in terms of having to spend longer getting a dedicated tool than I would actually doing what needs doing.

Minimalist carry is better than nothing for generally pottering about, but there's a reason I have a pocket load of stuff on me most of the time .... it works! At the very least, I really ought to take normal carry when going to work on the boat, or having an hour or two in the garden, or doing any kind of project really even if I drop back to the Scout Jr and Nitecore T0 afterwards. Only reason I haven't already failed or bailed, is it's raining so I haven't done any project work yet ... 

Yeah, sounds like this may be tougher on you, since you have a more consistent need for heavier duty tools.

Though I like the minimalist idea, if I had the need for the multi I would be carrying one.  I wouldn't like being handicapped in what I can do just to save a couple ounces.

But, I guess that's where the challenge part comes in

[Sazabi]

I wonder if Mag-lite will update this one like are doing with the others. These new Mag Lites they are coming out with are bad ass and for a good price.

Nate

Nate, they actually do make a Mag-lite Solitaire LED version now, for what it's worth.

[enki_ck]

I wonder if Mag-lite will update this one like are doing with the others. These new Mag Lites they are coming out with are bad ass and for a good price.

Nate

Nate, they actually do make a Mag-lite Solitaire LED version now, for what it's worth.

But not in the old school 5mm version, that one has a modern LED.

[Monrogue]

Here's a couple shots of the Compact cutting a couple straps holding some blinds together.  I was trying to make them fit in a trash bucket better as they were sort of tangled up. 

[Monrogue]

I had a worrying thought last night...

Do any of you remember the Top Gear race across London? STIG takes the Tube,Hamster cycles,Jezza uses a boat(!) and Slow drives...

And,to most Londoners anyway,the result was no surprise....STIG won!

In the same way,I fear this thread may prove that we're proving we don't need big multi layer SAKs and MTs!

I had this worry as well Kirky...wondering if this would confirm my thoughts that I can get by just fine with something like the Compact and a simple plier based MT rather than the more robust Rogueneer and MTs I carry.  I don't like that idea

[Monrogue]

I easily fall into powernoodle's 2nd category as well.  The primary need I have for a multi is for the pliers really.  If I have my Rogueneer, there's little else I need covered other than pliers and a wood saw.  I guess that would make the Sidekick a good MT for that purpose, plus it'd give me a OHO blade.  The OHT is a great companion to the Rogueneer as well, but a bit bulky and heavy to carry just for that purpose.  Anyway, if I were to carry the Compact instead, I would definitely want a full size robust MT on me as well.  So far I've managed fine though with the Compact. 

[Etherealicer]

Day 4

Nothing special today. Used the tiny manager to clean the mowing robots blades.

[ducttapetech]

I had a worrying thought last night...

Do any of you remember the Top Gear race across London? STIG takes the Tube,Hamster cycles,Jezza uses a boat(!) and Slow drives...

And,to most Londoners anyway,the result was no surprise....STIG won!

In the same way,I fear this thread may prove that we're proving we don't need big multi layer SAKs and MTs!

I had this worry as well Kirky...wondering if this would confirm my thoughts that I can get by just fine with something like the Compact and a simple plier based MT rather than the more robust Rogueneer and MTs I carry.  I don't like that idea

I am thinking the opposite, it is showing me how much time is lost and how inefficient it is not carrying a bigger Sak or Multi. but if it gets right down to it, you only need a knife. And a tool box.


Nate

[gustophersmob]

My minimalist EDC are fighting back my old EDC.  I guess they don't want me to fail the challenge

[ducttapetech]

That is a cool pick!

Nate

[Toolslinger]

Day 3 wrapped up with me using the combo opener on a can of pineapple for on homemade pizza. Worked much better than I had been expecting.

Day 4 so far has seen it trimming tags with the scissors. Tomorrow should be interesting as I'm out all day in the woods. I'll have dedicated tools, but I usually carry a bigger SAK or Multi. We'll see how it goes.