Knights...help a warrior decide

[SteelRaven]

 I want one of those one hand opener pocket SAs to "match" my PRO HUNTER, which I think is one of the best SA knives ever BTW.

Trying to decide on the following:
Trekker
Soldiers Knife
Ranger.

These are my problems....I prefer Spyderco type serrations, since they be very easy to care for with DMT ICE PICKS and of course, triangle sharp-makers.

Can't seem to locate a Soldier w/ plain edge blades. I would prefer plain edges all the way except for the saws. The scales on the larger two cannot be changed as best as I can tell, but can be "sapphires" on de Trekker...

Which do y'all prefer, and why?

Thanks....Raven

Btw....what's up wit de corkscrew in MODERN TIMES....really needed...other uses you could imagine?

[Riverghost16]

I've carried a standard Trekker for 15 years or so, you can count on it   

[SteelRaven]

I must admit I had no knowledge of the Delmont Rangers. I like the size, I've got big mitts and long fingers.

I bought my black SwissChamp, well, because IMHO if its any bigger than that...would I really carry it...IDK. Or just be showing off.

But I wanted an actual POCKET SA starting off.

[Grass]

Hello

I prefer the one handed trekker non serrated over the 2008+ soldier because of the lack of serrations and the scales that can take the toothpick and tweezers standard.

The RangerGrip knives are great in their own right. I like the pointier tip on the knife and the sheer size of the knife. Downside is a Vic RangerGrip 78, with very similar tools as at the trekker, weighs substantially more. Not so great for pocket carry. Another downside is that the bottle opener/prybar is superior on the trekker.

Anyway; have fun

Ps. That sort of corkscrew talk can start a war in these parts! :p

[SAK Guy]

NS Trekkers are awesome and the Rangers are super awesome so you just have to decide between the 111mmand the 130mm size difference.

Then there's the coolness factor of the bigguns.....   

[SAK Guy]

Hello
-snip-

Ps. That sort of corkscrew talk can start a war in these parts! :p

 

[firiki]

Not a fan of serrated blades, I do like my Soldier 2008 very much. The serrations work very well and I like that they are placed near the tip leaving an inch of chisel ground edge near the pivot. Makes perfect sense to me.

Two things to note about the Rangers, due to the shape of the scales these knives can be unnecessarily bulky. Also, the part near the pivot isn't sharpened as it serves as a blade rest when the knife is closed. This means that the 130mm and 111mmm SAKs have about the same length of useful edge.

I think the non-OHO Rangers have pointier tips, I like the OHO versions better even though they don't work great for OHO. The 111mm plain edge knives are (more than) quite OK but if I'm going to have the OHO on one of them I prefer the serrated version.

Corkscrew, it has been established in this thread http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,22526.msg416330.html#msg416330 that back mounted tools can't take much torque. I prefer a corkscrew 'cause I drink wine, I also use it to loosen up knots and pull things out as well as for storing the mini-SD in there.

You may want to pick up a Vic Fireman

http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-browse_image.php?imageId=143

or Jumpmaster.

http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-browse_image.php?imageId=121

Pics courtesy of SAKwiki (but why aren't they showing like they should?)

[SteelRaven]

It looks like I'm in for a trip to SMKW to hands on decide and compare.

Want the longest wood saw and blades I can get in the OH design.

Of course that may suggest an aftermarket belt sheath if it gets too bulky...uuuugghhh...crazy train...since the pro hunter requires one, but it's light as a feather.

[SteelRaven]

I want one of those one hand opener pocket SAs to "match" my PRO HUNTER, which I think is one of the best SA knives ever BTW.

Trying to decide on the following:
Trekker
Soldiers Knife
Ranger.

These are my problems....I prefer Spyderco type serrations, since they be very easy to care for with DMT ICE PICKS and of course, triangle sharp-makers.

Can't seem to locate a Soldier w/ plain edge blades. I would prefer plain edges all the way except for the saws. The scales on the larger two cannot be changed as best as I can tell, but can be "sapphires" on de Trekker...

Which do y'all prefer, and why?

Thanks....Raven

Btw....what's up wit de corkscrew in MODERN TIMES....really needed...other uses you could imagine?

ETA: I love a good wine! But as you know there are far better opening devices available now...glass bottles in the field?  I'm not being critical. I've used the Corkscrew on my SwissChamp in a home setting and well, dummy here bent it a bit, so it was me not the knife.

I don't want the world thinking I hate wine, corkscrews, or am knocking a great world culture pocket knife.

Real wine has a cork!!

RANT OFF

[gene stoner]

I love my Soldier. When I first got it I wasn't so sure about the serated blade. I had never had a serated main blade knife I liked till this one. Unlike some serated blade's this one is as easy to sharpen as a plane edge blade. All I use to sharpen is my butcher steel and I can get the serations razor sharp. Another thing I really like about it is the dull density scales on the solder. The rubber like material wears like iron and actually protects the liner's if you drop it on a hard surface. The Scales are worth the extra $10 you pay for a soldier over a Trekker (just so you know they don't make a plane edge Soldier).

I have not played with any of the Ranger line knifes but they look like they would be bigger then what I would want to EDC.

[SteelRaven]

The serrated blade on my Swisstool spirit dulled post haste against a manilla rope and the file  died vs run of the mill (not knife hard) stainless!

I'm sending it to CT for replacement appendages.

The serrations on my Spirit match those on the Soldier, which was the main point of my original post.

It may be just a bad HT on those two blades, I haven't discounted that thought!

[Grathr]

I think it is possible to put dual density scales on a OH trekker with a plain edge blade.
I have a Trekker with Soldier dual density scales that I got from a member here.

[Thunderpants]

All I can say is don't bother going thicker than the Trekker/Forester. I thought the Locksmith would be my dream SAK but that extra mm or two bulks it up disproportionately. (For the same reason I don't like the Outrider.)

Dual density scales are the way to go, I reckon, unless you enjoy wondering where you put the darn toothpick and tweezers...

[firiki]

Real wine has a cork!!

I think the same. I was only saying a corkscrew has other uses than granting access to fermented grape juice 

Vic blade steel is soft-ish. It can dull quickly but also sharpens up easily. Serrations are always difficult to touch up, which make me like the Soldier 2008 even more. Were I looking for a serrated knife with great edge retention I think I'd look elsewhere.

As for 130mm Ranger saw, I've no idea as I've never used one.

Oh, and welcome to the forums 
 

[Grass]

Agree about handling all of them and seeing what you like... perhaps throw them in your pocket for a moment as well.

I have a strong grip on the trekker without the dual density scales (due to the shape of the tool) and do need the toothpick and tweezers but it is easy to put dual density scales on it if wanted.

Anyway, got off my backside and took some photos. Trekker non serrated in camo; soldier and RangerGrip 78. Blade length very similar; saw longer on 78; 78 clearly thicker (and heavier!). Quick photos, not the best, but hopefully clear. I have left out my beater black trekker - which is my most used sak.

[SteelRaven]

Agree about handling all of them and seeing what you like... perhaps throw them in your pocket for a moment as well.

I have a strong grip on the trekker without the dual density scales (due to the shape of the tool) and do need the toothpick and tweezers but it is easy to put dual density scales on it if wanted.

Anyway, got off my backside and took some photos. Trekker non serrated in camo; soldier and RangerGrip 78. Blade length very similar; saw longer on 78; 78 clearly thicker (and heavier!). Quick photos, not the best, but hopefully clear. I have left out my beater black trekker - which is my most used sak.

Thanks my friend that was really helpful.. And to all who have taken the time to reply.