Combo tool vs opener layer

[hiraethus]

Been mucking about with my (home-made) Yeoman and a Danish Bantam over the last few days.  While I like the space saving afforded by dropping a layer, the combo tool is just too much of a compromise for me.  I prefer the robustness and functionality of the separate larger drivers, the thin second blade for fine cutting and, on the Cellidor models, the awl on the back side of the knife.  Give me a Climber over a Compact any day.   If only all the 91mm knives came with a nail file on the hook as standard.

[Storky]

... If only all the 91mm knives came with a nail file on the hook as standard.

 

or with the (old) long nail file instead of the hook 

[ducttapetech]

Or both

[Etherealicer]

Nail file is nice, but my favorite is the watch-case opener

[magentus]

I have no experience with the combo tool, but have heard mixed opinions. I love the opener layer, use the can opener a lot (for opening cans!) and the large SD too and like most, wish Vic did the file on the hook.

[cbl51]

I carried a bantam for a few years. I did appreciate the slimmer package, but, there were times I wish I had the more robust tools. For phillips screws the little screw driver on the can opener worked good, and the hook on the can opener made a great staple puller. Out camping, the blade/hook of the can opener made a good hook for taking a pot off the campfire by the bail.

And there were w few times I missed having the awl. For me, the two layer is better, especially if it has the Spartan set up with the tiny glasses screw driver in the corkscrew.

[Fattsgalore]

I voted combo tool since I prefer a thinner overall package, but don't love the combo by any stretch of the word.

It's the inferior driver for sure. It's to thin for bigger jobs and to big for smaller task, but with that said I don't prefer the opener layer much either. I don't like folding drivers on any multitool unless they lock cause with any amount of torque and slight angling in any direction other than straight down and they fold like a house of cards. It's annoying.

I will say that the 91mm combo tool is the best cap lifter on any of the SAKs. Beats the 58mm combo tool and the large flathead opener on the 91's.

[Syph007]

If only all the 91mm knives came with a nail file on the hook as standard.

If you need some nail file hooks to tweak some SAKs Ive got quite a few.  Shoot me a PM if you need some.

 

[toddwalla]

For years I carried a Bantam as my only knife and really appreciated the slimness factor of the combo tool. Recently I favored the waiter for the same reason. But, then I went back to the model of my very first knife, a tourist, and have decided that for my day to day uses of my EDC SAK that I prefer to have the separate tools. Better can opener, better screw drivers, and a pretty negligible increase in width. I still throw the waiter in my pocket from time to time though.

[mrog]

Combo tool for me. Not by choice, but by process of elimination.

I have to have

-Alox
-3 layers
-Pocket clip
-Knife, scissors, and pliers

That leaves one slot for a small thin tool (Combo, awl, small blade etc.) I choose combo tool!

If I dropped the pliers, then I would go for 3d phillips + cap lifter + awl, but I'm not dropping the pliers

[sambeaux]

I find that I no longer have a strong preference. I prefer the opener layers to the combo tool, but I prefer packing more tools into a smaller platform. These days, I bypass the problem by carrying TWO swiss army knives. I generally carry a Compact and a Cadet.

Favorites with combo tools:
--
Compact
Special Mechanic
TrailGuide

Favorites without combo tools:
--
Tinker
Sportsman
Camper
Cadet

[Caranthanus]

  ... voted for separate openers in an extra layer, as there is missing "the most common option":
separate openers and a thinner knife

Although combo is great bottle/can opener (its official purpose) and would easily save the light-carry-on day.

[AimlessWanderer]

  To be honest, it depends what else I'm carrying.

Not being a "SAK only" person, I can usually get away with a combo tool as I have other tools to back it up. However, if I'm only supporting the SAK with something like a Dime, then I'll want the full opener layer

[SAK Guy]

Been pairing a thinner combo tool knife with a 93mm ALOX like a Pioneer/Farmer and it covers most my needs right now. Most days I could probably just get by with my Trail Guide.

[nate j]

...the combo tool is just too much of a compromise for me.  I prefer the robustness and functionality of the separate larger drivers, the thin second blade for fine cutting...

Couldn't have said it better myself.   

[glorn]

I think it comes down to this:

With another MT or SAK.. combo tool

By itself.. opener layer


I EDC a Compact and a Rebar.

But I do carry the Swisschamp solo sometimes. Explorer as well.

[ironraven]

Depends on what you do and what you carry.

I like the combo tool just as much as I like the the combination of both openers and their different sized drivers. It is a trade off, number of tools vs number of layers. I carry a Compact becuase my Rebar is only inches away from it with a different combo tool that works better on cans. And there is a P38 in there somewhere. But I'd be just able able with a good pair of pliers and a Climber.

*shrugs* Carry what you like. There is diversity in the SAK.

[Syph007]

Well if you can't decide, then just carry a SwissChamp XAVT or XXLT.  They have a combo tool AND normal opener layer. 

[HarleyXJGuy]

Ok I am thinking it comes down to opening layer being two tools or combo tool being one but needing a inline or back phillips to cover the same bases. Ends up being two tools either way but one can be located on the back layer for a thinner knife. Granted both the back phillips and combo tool give up some function and reach.

The rub is if you combine your SAK with a multi tool. If lets say I carry Little Boy then I could grab a SAK with no combo tool or opening layer. Heck I could also drop the knife, file. saw, awl and pliers.

Why am I bringing my SAK again? 

Sheeple frendly and back up? Well I will carry one for the love of gear but I question a real need.

[firiki]

Opener layer. The openers do better than the combo tool and they're more versatile too.

Another point to consider is that the opener layer adds heft to the SAK. Also, I love how I can use the bottle opener combined with the main blade for augmented control.

[DazMechanical]

Opener layer all the way for me!

Although I would love to get my hands on a Yeoman!

[Lynn LeFey]

I have never tried the combo opener from Vic. Maybe I need to rectify that in the future.

[Steinar]

I voted for the opener layer... because I really like having an awl (and a small blade).

[Monrogue]

I voted for the opener layer as that's what I normally carry with my Rogueneer.  However, the more I think about this, the more I think I'd be just fine with the combo tool instead.  I rarely use the opener layer for anything at all, and it would be the same idea for the combo tool.  On top of that, I pair my SAK with an MT, so there's always an opener of some sort there as well.  I think I just like the potential versatility of the separate opener layer.  Although if I were only carrying a SAK alone, I would prefer the opener layer just in case.

[enki_ck]

I have never tried the combo opener from Vic. Maybe I need to rectify that in the future.

There's a can opener out there that Lynn never tried?

[Lynn LeFey]

There's a can opener out there that Lynn never tried?

It IS kind of frightening, isn't it?
Also, I've never tried the OLD SAK army knife version (pre-61 Soldiers)... the one that looks like a medieval torture implement.

Donations of either kind would be greatly appreciated, and thoroughly tested.

EDIT: Huh... also never used the Wenger V-shaped one either. Man, I'm really slacking.

[ducttapetech]

There's a can opener out there that Lynn never tried?

It IS kind of frightening, isn't it?
Also, I've never tried the OLD SAK army knife version (pre-61 Soldiers)... the one that looks like a medieval torture implement.

Donations of either kind would be greatly appreciated, and thoroughly tested.

EDIT: Huh... also never used the Wenger V-shaped one either. Man, I'm really slacking.

The old ones work great. Take a minute to get used to them. One you do, they rip open a can pretty fast.

[HarleyXJGuy]

This thread got me thinking what about none of the above?

I almost never need bottles opened that don't have twist caps. (Guess I am cheap)

Once in a blue moon I need a can opened while I am not at home.

So what,we miss out on the sort of drivers on the end of the opening layer tools? I guess there is not a flat driver tool and if you put it on you might as well get a free opener? On second thought I suppose you don't really save anything unless you go with no drivers.

In my experience my use of drivers competes with blade use at the top of the heap so that is a no go. Unless of course you are carrying a Rebar or some such then you don't really need drivers at all. Well or a SAK when it comes down to it.

Ok so ramble complete and nothing figured out. 

[Caranthanus]

Ok so ramble complete and nothing figured out. 

 
You're still in learning process, so there is no need to blame yourself
Here is helping hand
... figured out that you "NEED" both of them

[HarleyXJGuy]

Ok so ramble complete and nothing figured out. 

 
You're still in learning process, so there is no need to blame yourself
Here is helping hand
... figured out that you "NEED" both of them

Maybe that is why I can not get that Alox Pioneer out of my head? OC Red, Blue oh and a Green one. Wait forgot the Black with Red cross model.