My Case Against The Corkscrew..

sergemaster · **on:** December 07, 2016, 06:50:34 PM

Amici,
Although this may sound petty or even nitpicking, here is the real reason why I CANNOT stand the cork screw besides being a tad obsolete IMHO, but for the little known damage that it does to both the scale and liner on whatever model it is found.

For as far as I can remember, whenever I've used a SAK model that had a corkscrew, just as soon as I extended and retracted it, a small "ding" would appear on both the bed of the Cellidor scale as well as on the corresponding liner itself..

Now for most it isn't a big deal, and allot of, if not most folks barely register it on their radar.. But for the OCD perfectionist SAK type user and collector, well.. this is unacceptable so it bugs the hell outta me..

Here are some pics of what I am attempting to illustrate to you, the humble SAK user corkscrew lover, and forum member.. I have attempted to clean up the images with my Bobba Fett beat up Android as best as possible so please bare with me..

The First two Images are of the infamous "ding" that I am attempted to describe, taken on Victorinox Explorer with fresh black Cellidor plus scales. This same occurrence is better illustrated on the two Evowood versons, the S557 originally by Wenger, and a brand new 10 which is of hybrid manufacture. Regarding the 10 model, it was ding free, this is what occoured after a few uses.

The third is of my Victorinox Champion that has those much sought after Nylon scales.. These scales are ding proof, no matter how many times I exercise or use the tool, no dings..

So there you have it, my tale of woe.. Is it a deal breaker, absolutely not.. But something to think about is this.. The 111 mm versions or at least the ones I have handled, seem to have a bumper of some kind that's purpose seems to be to protect the underside of the scale as well as the liner, this is the case regarding the models that utilize a Phillips, and despite the scales being Nylon..

Maybe JUST maybe, Vic realized this, and attempted to address it with the larger models? Who knows..

But anyhoo's this is what grinds my gears about the cork screw. let it be now known... As for wine, I'll ditch the cork, and elect for a screw top.. either that, or I'll just substitute any alcohol beverage that is corked, for a nice cold BEER instead. Gotta give kudos to the bottle top opener!

Cheers,
Serge

Mechanickal · **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2016, 07:51:14 PM

Never bothered me, but I've got some small rubber self adhesive bumbers laying around that were added in a CCTV pole mount package (part of my job)... might as well try to add them while it's not to late yet...

Mechanickal · **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2016, 07:57:41 PM

So basicaly:
These:

There:

And seems like the corkscrew closes as good as 100%...

Nice!

MacGyver · **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2016, 09:02:55 PM

Well, it never really bothered me much, but I've certainly noticed it a long time ago. From my very first Spartan in late 80's. It's just the way it is, nothing you can do about it, the threads of the cork screw dig into the softer scales and liner. And that already comes from factory, some more than others, and it's probably due to, when stored, the SAK cases have a few dozens inside, and are packed on top of each other so the weight of the box on top contributes to that.
It doesn't bother me much personally as a don't exactly "collect" them, I have a lot but use them all, so all will get dings and scratches eventually.
In fact, I sent one of my super tinkers for repair and I'm kind of sad it will loose all the patina and soft scratches and dings from use, that gave a unique character, as they will put new scales in... :-|

If it's any consolation, if you dont open up the cork screw on your collectable ones, you won't see the ding...

nmpops · **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2016, 09:07:59 PM

I just looked at all my corkscrew models, and yes the little ding is there. But it soooo small you almost need a magnifying glass to see it. I don't think I will obsess over it.

Smashie · **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2016, 09:09:01 PM

It's a tool, a very useful one, but it's still only a tool.

Multi-tools are a compromise, there isn't 'the perfect tool for everyone'

They have flaws, I don't have a problem with that

glenfiddich1983 · **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2016, 09:12:43 PM

Quote from: nmpops on December 07, 2016, 09:07:59 PM

I just looked at all my corkscrew models, and yes the little ding is there. But it soooo small you almost need a magnifying glass to see it. I don't think I will obsess over it.

So basically keep the Explorer and SwissChamp away from the other knives with corkscrew and you'll be fine!

Ron Who · **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2016, 09:34:44 PM

My thirtyfive years old Champion has a lot of scratches on the scales.

And a cigarette burn too!

And -would you believe it- four(!) dings: one for each turn of the corkscrew.

Smashie · **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2016, 09:37:34 PM

Quote from: Ronald Schröder on December 07, 2016, 09:34:44 PM

My thirtyfive years old Champion has a lot of scratches on the scales.

And a cigarette burn too!

And -would you believe it- four(!) dings: one for each turn of the corkscrew.

OMG how can you live with such a sub par tool

Steinar · **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2016, 10:04:45 PM

This kind of minute observations is the kind of posts I stick around these parts for. Thanks!

Also, a lovely affirmation I'm really not obsessed with details, whatever my wife claims.

As stated above, it's really in the nature of the design as long as the blade layer spring isn't substantially thicker. I don't care at all, but I like the observation.

Oxford_Guy · **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2016, 10:20:16 PM

I have a solution to the problem of the corkscrew damaging cellidor scales:

Aloha · **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2016, 12:09:49 AM

Interesting. I have not noticed the dings on any of my SAKs with corkscrews BEFORE

I have more than one ding on both my Old Champion ( hookless ) and my SwissChamp and 2 on my Explorer. Since I didn't notice them before and since I got these tools preowned I'm totally fine now that I am aware of them.

I wonder what else I haven't noticed

MacGyver · **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2016, 12:11:36 AM

BTW, speaking of little "defects", i'm a bit more bothered by the gap on the front scale on my new edc tinker. It had a price sticker glued on the front and i told the woman to leave it and i would remove it myself, but she wanted to take it off anyway so she rubbed it with benzine quickly to take the glue from the sticker off. I dosen't stain the scale but i think it probably softened momentarily the celidor a bit, and as the tweezers put a good deal of presure in the scale, it helped to warp a little bit more before it harden again. Or it probably just was like this anyway and the benzine did nothing to it, just me obssessing...

Anyway, it's just a user knife, it will get dinged up sooner or later...

neillcurrie · **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2016, 01:48:59 PM

Wet and Dry paper on a flat plate will get that scale flat again.

MacGyver · **Reply #14 on:** December 08, 2016, 01:57:08 PM

Quote from: neillcurrie on December 08, 2016, 01:48:59 PM

Wet and Dry paper on a flat plate will get that scale flat again.

Oh but i'm not bothered by the slight "hump" on the scale's top, it's the gap between the liner and the scale the bothers me a bit. That can sot be straighten easily. Maybe if i rubed it again with benzine, and put it on a vice clamped while it hardens again it would flatten it a bit but i'm not going to bother i think...

space cowboy · **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2017, 05:11:38 PM

I have that ding on my Climber as well

. The corkscrew works great on knots. Its useless for wine IMO.

Mechanickal · **Reply #16 on:** January 03, 2017, 05:36:16 PM

Quote from: space cowboy on January 03, 2017, 05:11:38 PM

I have that ding on my Climber as well . The corkscrew works great on knots. Its useless for wine IMO.

Then you just need some more muscle tissue

Barry Rowland · **Reply #17 on:** January 03, 2017, 06:56:53 PM

Or more wine to practice with!!

Quote from: Mechanickal on January 03, 2017, 05:36:16 PM

Quote from: space cowboy on January 03, 2017, 05:11:38 PM
I have that ding on my Climber as well . The corkscrew works great on knots. Its useless for wine IMO.
Then you just need some more muscle tissue

Mechanickal · **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2017, 09:19:51 PM

Quote from: Barry Rowland on January 03, 2017, 06:56:53 PM

Or more wine to practice with!!

Quote from: Mechanickal on January 03, 2017, 05:36:16 PM
Quote from: space cowboy on January 03, 2017, 05:11:38 PM
I have that ding on my Climber as well . The corkscrew works great on knots. Its useless for wine IMO.
Then you just need some more muscle tissue

Allright, this point is yours!

Steinar · **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2017, 09:23:57 PM

Pull with both arms straight and use your shoulder muscles instead of your arms.

Ron Who · **Reply #20 on:** January 03, 2017, 09:26:20 PM

Many of my friends have a Spartan, or a Huntsman. That's because I gave them one. When asked about it years later, the answer is always the same: "I only use the corkscrew and the bottle opener".