Delayed SAK Appreciation

[NorCalJim]

When I consider how much I enjoy my many Victorinox SAKs, it is with some regret when I realize how many years this enjoyment was delayed.  When I was still a teenager, I received a Swiss Army Knife in my Christmas stocking.  I was really impressed with the concept but was disappointed in how difficult it was to deploy the tools. It wasn't until decades later that I realized that my so-called SAK was a cheap imitation.

After admiring a friend's key chain SAK, he and his wife presented me with one as a gift. I had that on my key chain for 36 years, thinking for most of those years that it was too bad that the big SAKs didn't work as well as the key chain SAKs.  When the MacGyver series appeared, I was struck with how easy it was for him to deploy the tools on his SAK and eventually learned about the quality instruments made in Switzerland vs. the cheap knock-offs. 

I wonder how different it would have been if I had been introduced to a quality SAK instrument in my teenage years!

[Poncho65]

That is hard to say but at least you know better now

Congrats on being enlightened

[docfossil]

Enlightenment, better late than never. Welcome to the group.

[Barry Rowland]

Exactly!  Welcome aboard!!

[Fast Bill]

It took me many years to come round in a big loop from a childhood SAK through disdain in favour of "sexier" tools to come back to truly appreciate their quality and sophistication. No one said that path had to run straight. Good to have you here 

[LoopCutter]

Welcome, two thoughts come to mind in answer to your question.
One, you would likely be much lighter in the wallet, knowing then what you appreciate now.

Two, you would have many more SAKs, and it would take longer in the morning to select your companion for the days adventure. 

[Oxford_Guy]

It took me many years to come round in a big loop from a childhood SAK through disdain in favour of "sexier" tools to come back to truly appreciate their quality and sophistication. No one said that path had to run straight. Good to have you here 

SAKs can be pretty sexy too:

[Oxford_Guy]

It took me many years to come round in a big loop from a childhood SAK through disdain in favour of "sexier" tools to come back to truly appreciate their quality and sophistication. No one said that path had to run straight. Good to have you here 

SAKs can be pretty sexy too:


(Image removed from quote.)

Or even:

[Oxford_Guy]

and if you want easy deployment and your country allows locking knives, there's the 108mm line:

[Fast Bill]

It took me many years to come round in a big loop from a childhood SAK through disdain in favour of "sexier" tools to come back to truly appreciate their quality and sophistication. No one said that path had to run straight. Good to have you here 

SAKs can be pretty sexy too:


(Image removed from quote.)

Or even:


(Image removed from quote.)

Oh yes, but you know how your palate develops sophistication with age ... ? Nice Yeoman 

[Oxford_Guy]

It took me many years to come round in a big loop from a childhood SAK through disdain in favour of "sexier" tools to come back to truly appreciate their quality and sophistication. No one said that path had to run straight. Good to have you here 

SAKs can be pretty sexy too:


(Image removed from quote.)

Or even:


(Image removed from quote.)

Oh yes, but you know how your palate develops sophistication with age ... ? Nice Yeoman 

Thanks! This is actually my most-commonly carried SAK, despite being the most expensive, though I try to look after it:





I like to mix it up, though, depending on what I think I will be doing in the day, so it still only gets carried a few days each week

[Oxford_Guy]

For tool density without excessive thickness the Japanese edition Master Craftsman is good, 5 layers (but slim ones) and every layer has a tool on the back layer. You can still buy these from Amazon Japan - I ordered one before Christmas, took just 4 days to arrive at my home in the UK:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000AR7A3S/ref=pe_492632_159100282_TE_item


This place explains why it has the cute Space Shuttle inlay on the scale: http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Master+Craftsman










Fits nicely in the standard Victorinox pouch for "2-4 layers":

[Fast Bill]

It took me many years to come round in a big loop from a childhood SAK through disdain in favour of "sexier" tools to come back to truly appreciate their quality and sophistication. No one said that path had to run straight. Good to have you here 

SAKs can be pretty sexy too:


(Image removed from quote.)

Or even:


(Image removed from quote.)

Oh yes, but you know how your palate develops sophistication with age ... ? Nice Yeoman 

Thanks! This is actually my most-commonly carried SAK, despite being the most expensive, though I try to look after it:


(Image removed from quote.)


I like to mix it up, though, depending on what I think I will be doing in the day, so it still only gets carried a few days each week

Always good to ring the changes and yes, Syphs work deserves looking after

[Oxford_Guy]

It took me many years to come round in a big loop from a childhood SAK through disdain in favour of "sexier" tools to come back to truly appreciate their quality and sophistication. No one said that path had to run straight. Good to have you here 

SAKs can be pretty sexy too:


(Image removed from quote.)

Or even:


(Image removed from quote.)

Oh yes, but you know how your palate develops sophistication with age ... ? Nice Yeoman 

Thanks! This is actually my most-commonly carried SAK, despite being the most expensive, though I try to look after it:


(Image removed from quote.)


I like to mix it up, though, depending on what I think I will be doing in the day, so it still only gets carried a few days each week

Always good to ring the changes and yes, Syphs work deserves looking after

Indeed, but also used (though I confess my OC Pioneer is not a user...)

[VICMAN]

I am 65 and have collected and used knives since I was 8 years old, but I did not get my first SAK until I was in my 30's. It was a Champion model. I was utterly amazed at all the tools it had, and the quality of each tool. I have been hooked on SAKS ever since. 

[Fast Bill]

I am 65 and have collected and used knives since I was 8 years old, but I did not get my first SAK until I was in my 30's. It was a Champion model. I was utterly amazed at all the tools it had, and the quality of each tool. I have been hooked on SAKS ever since.

 

[The Lone Wanderer]

I'm with you Jim. My Grandparents got me my Tinker when I was 6,.used it quite a bit, and then backburnered it for a while. I went through the whole "tactical" knife thing for a few years and really rediscovered SAKs and other multi tools about a year ago.