What's so special about 111mm SAK's?

[TheDude]

My 111mm family is growing.
Meet the new kids. And see the new family pics.

[TheDude]

Different strokes for different folks.

[SAK Guy]

I collect and use them occasionally. Keep a Rucksack or Forester in my EDC bag. Very capable tools. I consider them pack/bag knives but will on occasion drop one into my front overall pocket when I head to town.

Rucksack


Nomad


Forester


Early Hunter


Hercules (The top of the food chain 111mm IMO. Mine stay stored in bad weather/survival kits etc)



One Hand Trekker (Very capable knives. Mine stay in my Emergency/Wildfire bags)



For scale next to a 91mm Climber.


Also various thin ones like Cowboys (Philips) and Alpineers (Corkscrew)...nice to slip in a pocket.(Group pic)



The Liner Lock models have heavier (and locking) screwdrivers....


All 111mm's have great saws



Have added multiples of the above models since these pix....need to do some new ones.

[Smaug]

Nice 111s, guys.

What's special about them?

1) They can be pressed into service as a self-defense weapon, but somehow, they still don't seem as threatening as even a smaller Spyderco.

2) Victorinox's side lock is a masterpiece of mechanical engineering

3) Serrations at the tip > serrations at the base of the blade

4) Vic's stainless steel + long enough blade for food prep = easy to use and clean

5) Can be had with dual inline Phillips'!

6) Can be had with a locking screwdriver. (that's pretty unique for an MT that isn't plier-based)

7) Nice long saw

Ergonomic shape fills the palm, but isn't TOO big.

*********

My favorites are the One-hand Trekker NS, Skipper, and Workchamp.

[Toolslinger]

111mm's have a great hand feel when in use. Love the extra leverage on the can opener when opening tougher cans. The blade length is excellent as well and a great utility size for a wide variety of tasks.

My favourites are:
- Workchamp
- Locksmith
- One Hand Fireman

[TheDude]

I think my favourite is the Rescue tool which gets the most use. The Soldier was my first and is a great back country nice when on foot. The rest will see limited use from time to time. I just bought the Workchamp. It replaces the 91mm Champ that got stolen out of my car many moons ago. Sadly its just a little to big to be comfortable in my hand.

[WoodsDuck]

Seems like all the points have been covered, so I don't have much to add, except this pic of my 111s. (And a few friends.)

 

[ToolJoe]

The inline phillips are great and also the blade can't be beat.

[Grass]

Staring at my beloved One Handed Trekker Non Serrated...

1.   It is large enough to have a substantial length blade and saw on it.
2.   It is small enough to sit mostly unnoticed in a pocket.
3.   It is the perfect size for a strong grip in my hand.
4.   The one handed opening of the blade can be done with the left or right hand.
5.   Blade shape works well for my uses.
6.   Rounded blade tip makes it look more like a tool than a weapon.
7.   Rounded blade tip works as a nail cleaner.
8.   Saw handles anything that I can throw at it.
9.   Locking screwdriver functionality.
10.   Locking screwdriver very strong and effective as a prybar.
11.   Extremely quick and efficient as a bottle opener.
12.   Can opener screwdriver reach is better than expected.
13.   Can opener effective at its base job of opening cans.
14.   The Philips head screwdriver works with an impressive range of screws.
15.   Reamer makes great circular holes in anything.
16.   Tweezers useful at everything from splinters to hairs.
17.   Toothpick solves all annoying day to day teeth issues.
18.   Easy to clean and maintain.
19.   It is possible to open every tool with one hand if needed.
20.   Takes a thrashing, regularly, without complaint.

... and a nice pic of the Damascus!

[Sea Monster]

Nothing much.

I've got three (I had four. Pesky Thieves took my favourite. Still angry)

OHT, Helmsman, and..a red one? An Outrider I think.

None ever get carry time, they do not sit nicely in my pocket, and I do not find them comfortable in the hand.

the OHT sits in a box somewhere (like a disappointing child), the Helmsman in a drawer (too nice to use), the Outrider at least has potential for use, as it is in my emergency kit (a position it earned through being A. Red, and B. Having scissors)

I want to like them, I so really do (and I did kind of like my German Army knife, before someone needed it more than I did, apparently), but they just do not "work" for me.

[Smaug]

Nothing much.

None ever get carry time, they do not sit nicely in my pocket,

I agree there. To carry a < 4 layer one comfortably in the pocket though, you only need a belt hanger of some sort. I have a simple one with a clip on one end to go through the keyring of the SAK and a loop on the other end, to go around my belt. This lets it hang vertically in the pocket, with the weight on the belt instead of the pocket. MUCH more comfortable than just tossing it in there. Give it a try with your Trekker. I bet you'll like it a lot more.

and I do not find them comfortable in the hand.

Now THIS one, I haven't heard before regarding 111mm SAKs, except when referring to using the saw on a OH Trekker, some people feel like the thumbhold lump on the blade wrecks the grip. I just put my finger through that hole while I'm sawing, and it actually gives extra purchase.

I want to like them, I so really do

Try the pocket hanger trick.


A couple more ideas: The Helmsman makes a great one to keep in your bag. It is one of those big MTs that is well-complimented by a smaller one with a scissors. Big, serrated blade, inline #2 Phillips and pliers are not a common combination in a SAK. I broke mine out at dinner out the other night when all we had were butter knives and I felt the need for something properly sharp without fear of dulling it against the plate...

How about getting a belt pouch and carrying them that way? I've found the simple and inexpensive nylon/velcro Victorinox pouches to be VERY comfortable on the hip...

****

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but when that big blade (esp. the side-locking type) gives that solid "CLICK" as it locks open, it never fails to give me an ear-to-ear smile. 

Oh, did I mention the pocket hanger trick? It makes all the difference, Bro. 

[Smaug]

Yikes, look at the time!



 

[kkokkolis]

111 never appealed to me for some reason. I now have a Wenger Hunter which I love, being big enough to be distinguished from 91mm SAKs. I wonder now that 130mm is a Victorinox line if it sells more or less compared to the 111.

[Sea Monster]

Oh, did I mention the pocket hanger trick?

Harrumm..

I believe I do have a spare belt hanger kicking around, and possibly a nice releasy shackle type situation I could employ.

(I used to carry my  in a pouch, before I had a  , now it might be a little silly. )

[charlie fox]

I like them; a little extra blade length is never bad. I only own two, but that's because they do everything I need them to - the Adventurer and the OHT. My Adventurer is an original side lock that I bought back in the early 2000's. My OHT was a gift from work and is my primary tool in my BOB.

[Zephon]

What I find special with the 111mm series are:

1. Large(er) blade, saw, file.
2. Larger grip area.
3. That re-assuring heft in your pocket.
4. The sound of the side lock (or liner lock) engaging with a BANG! and not just a meek click.
5. Locally, you can get a Workchamp for at least 30% lesser than a Swisstool.  (If you're just after the tools in a Swisstool and not the pliers, this is a good deal)

[AimlessWanderer]

111 never appealed to me for some reason. I now have a Wenger Hunter which I love, being big enough to be distinguished from 91mm SAKs. I wonder now that 130mm is a Victorinox line if it sells more or less compared to the 111.

I'm quite happy to skip the 111's too. I'm currently getting rid of all my SAKs over 91mm, but if I was going to keep one, it would be a 130 not a 111

[Kampfer]

The two 111mm I had have bad blade lock up.

Round tip on OHO blade, why?

I love the 130mm, way better IMO.

[gene stoner]

So far the only 111 I have is my Soldier. But now I want a Hunter, Locksmith and maby a WorkChamp. It may be a mutation of the Alox pox it's gone 111 and I may have it!

[magentus]

The couple I've had have both had slight blade play (hate that), and they seem too big for a pocket knife but too small for a big knife. Plus in this country the locking is illegal so I couldn't really EDC them. I got rid of both and haven't missed them at all.

I love 91 and 93mm lines though.

My models were the Rucksack and the RAF Hunter one.

[Zephon]

So far the only 111 I have is my Soldier. But now I want a Hunter, Locksmith and maby a WorkChamp. It may be a mutation of the Alox pox it's gone 111 and I may have it!

I'd like to try out a Locksmith as well simply coz its toolset takes advantage of the 111mm size- bigger knife, longer file, longer saw. All in a liner lock package. That off course include the locking cap lifter end.

[pfrsantos]

The two 111mm I had have bad blade lock up.

Round tip on OHO blade, why?

I love the 130mm, way better IMO.

Some of mine (side-lock, not liner-lock) have this issue, too. Seems it's a feature, not a defect...

 

[SAK Guy]

The two 111mm I had have bad blade lock up.

Round tip on OHO blade, why?

I love the 130mm, way better IMO.

Some of mine (side-lock, not liner-lock) have this issue, too. Seems it's a feature, not a defect...

 

I remember reading that little bit of play was in the design. I have never had one fail.

[firiki]

Both of mine have a bit of vertical play too. It doesn't bother me but I'm not thrilled with it either.

I like the slide-lock models, I keep thinking that dirt or a fall could compromise its function though.

My Forester and Soldier get the nod to do work sometimes and I love them. It took me a little time to like them but we got there. Especially the Soldier has been just the ticket on two occasions.

[gene stoner]

I like the slide-lock models, I keep thinking that dirt or a fall could compromise its function though. :-
[/quote]

My understanding of the side lock is if the lock breaks  the knife still functions as a slip joint. You only lose the locking ability so it works like any other pocket knife.

[Toolslinger]

I like the slide-lock models, I keep thinking that dirt or a fall could compromise its function though. :-

My understanding of the side lock is if the lock breaks  the knife still functions as a slip joint. You only lose the locking ability so it works like any other pocket knife.
[/quote]

That is correct. It still functions as a slipjoint. The spring isn't super stiff, but it will not fold on it's own.

[ToolJoe]

According to sak wiki, there is a oh locksmith model. How rare are these?

[Luna Knife]

I have a linerlock fireman on the way. I have been wanting one for a while

[Kampfer]

The two 111mm I had have bad blade lock up.

Round tip on OHO blade, why?

I love the 130mm, way better IMO.

Some of mine (side-lock, not liner-lock) have this issue, too. Seems it's a feature, not a defect...

 

I remember reading that little bit of play was in the design. I have never had one fail.

I do understand, but the two I had, if I swing it hard I could feel the blade moves up n down while I swing it... very annoying.

[Kampfer]