best "value" urban edc SAK (£25 or under)

[matty78943]

right so i have decided it is time for me to get a new SAK. i currently have an escort, minichamp, huntsman, explorer and swisschamp but the new one i am looking at i want to be a thinner one ideally a 91/84mm as all my 91's are atleast 4 layers thick!  im thinking going the the spartan as its the classic go-to and i can get it for £15 but i have listed many other alternatives.  anyone with experience with any of these please tell me as im still deciding!   

[ColoSwiss]

I find a scissors to be extremely handy. My EDC is an old Wenger Traveler. Among new knives you might check out a Climber (corkscrew) or Super Tinker (phillips sd).

[matty78943]

they are possible contenders but ideally 2 layers and not costing much as i am saving up for a new bass guitar! (not the cheapest things in the world for some wood, electrics and 4 strings)

[SAK Guy]

Karl is correct...the scissors are handy. In two layers, the Sportsman's file puts it ahead. Another choice is an EVOGrip 10 or 11 by Wenger or Vic. An 85mm length and that useful file for urban EDC fans!

Some EVOGrips....

[theonew]

I vote for the Waiter. Entrance into the Victorinox Waiter Appreciation Society comes free with the purchase

[The Lone Wanderer]

I voted Tinker because for urban EDC I find a Phillips to be much more practical than a corkscrew. Also its what Macgyver used so how can you go wrong?

[matty78943]

I vote for the Waiter. Entrance into the Victorinox Waiter Appreciation Society comes free with the purchase

hmm now theres a thought that i didnt have before!

[irona]

My vote is for the tinker - i can usually get by without the scissors with the small pen blade

[Fast Bill]

For a value urban carry I'd go Climber or Spartan. Both solid no nonsense choices if you don't have one yet. But SAK Guy has called it right for me - 84mm Sportsman or the 85mm Evo10 cover most things you'd need day to day.

[kirk13]

I voted Tinker because for urban EDC I find a Phillips to be much more practical than a corkscrew. Also its what Macgyver used so how can you go wrong?

^
This! A Small Tinker can be had for under £20,and covers so many bases,and don't listen to the haters...the back Spring Phillips is great!

[Don Pablo]

Isn't the Compact usually over £25? 

[Gareth]

I've never been able to make up my mind on this subject, hence I own all of those SAKs.   If I had to whittle it down I'd go for the Sportsman or the Tinker Small.  Or the Ambassador.  The Compact is great bang for buck in terms of features.   I might actually vote for the Ambassador as it's something very different to the rest of the list and it's a surprisingly useful length of knife.

[El Corkscrew]

Here's a great value on a Vic Compact, these things usually go for 35 USD.  I just picked up one. says "8 left"  Seller is well-rated. Ships worldwide.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-Compact-Multi-Tool-Pocket-Knife-Black-or-Red-54943-/262939987132?var=&hash=item3d3871ccbc:m:mgFTyys9cQ-QG_qDzNYVp3g


Disclaimer, I am definitely biased towards this knife.

Cheers.

EC

[BleaKrytE]

I'd say Super Tinker or Executive. If you don't open cans or bottles on a daily basis, the executive will have you covered over cutting stuff, filing stuff, and nail care. You will maybe miss a decent screwdriver, the one on the tip of the orange blade is crap. I carry my ST mostly for the screwdrivers and hook.


Enviado do meu iPhone usando Tapatalk

[Sazabi]

Karl is correct...the scissors are handy. In two layers, the Sportsman's file puts it ahead. Another choice is an EVOGrip 10 or 11 by Wenger or Vic. An 85mm length and that useful file for urban EDC fans!

Some EVOGrips....

I mostly second SAKGuy's recommendations; the value per tool of either the Sportsma or EvoGrip 10/11 are unparalleled, even against the venerable Compact. Evo scales do make the SAK closer to feeling as if it has three or four layers, but I have to say I love the yellow you can sometimes find.

[Edit: If you get a Sportsman, take advantage of the corkscrew and add a mini screwdriver, and as always, add a straight pin to the scale slot for it.]

[matty78943]

Isn't the Compact usually over £25? 

http://www.swisstool.co.uk/st/compact-red-swiss-army-knife/

just a little...shhh!....

[Danjo]

I vote Spartan, or Compact. MacGyver used the Spartan even more than the Tinker BTW   http://www.macgyveronline.com/database/saks

Another great one, however, is the Evogrip 10 that Vic puts out. IMHO, an upgrade on the old Wenger version due to the putting in the Reamer, the Vic can-opener/flat/Phillips screwdriver, and the superior VIC toothpick/tweezer combo. All while leaving the Wenger blade, cap lifter, and nail-file.

[theonew]

This is a solvable problem.

Step One
The back spring phillips is all FAIL. The shaft is too thick to fit into most recessed screw slots where its modest reach might be useful. It only works if there are no obstructions around it. And when in the rare case that it does work, it is incredibly cumbersome to use, having to keep changing hand positions for each turn. Also it fails easily if anything more than a small amount of torque is used.
 
Basically it is a single use tool that fails in more applications than it succeeds in. A dreadful waste of space.

Now compare that to the multi-purpose corkscrew and multi-purpose mini-driver:

Corkscrew
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=40053.0
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,65298.msg1243349.html#msg1243349

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,25596.msg460308.html#msg460308

Mini-driver
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,71279.msg1455211.html#msg1455211
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,71279.msg1450311.html#msg1450311

So now we can remove the Tinker from the list as well as anything without a corkscrew which leaves us with the Spartan, Sportsman, Compact, Climber and Waiter.

Step Two
Scissors are for girls. Thus we can remove the Compact and Climber. Which leaves us with only the Spartan, Sportsman and Waiter.

Step Three
In order to project a high level of sophistication and resourcefulness we can eliminate those bulky two layer 91mm models, Spartan and Sportsman, and we are left with just the Waiter.

That wasn't so hard now was it 

[eddie1115]

Just to chime in with some different perspective, if you don't need any of the many uses for the corkscrew, but can actually find use for the screwdriver (such as adjusting pickup height or tightening a strap pin on your new bass, both of which I've done with mine recently), then the backside phillips makes more sense.  Plus the corkscrew is less comfortable when gripping the SAK.  I'd vote for a Small Tinker as the "value" option. 

That being said, no one so far has listed a bad option.  Anything slim enough to keep on you all the time is going to be a good choice.

Also, which bass are you looking at?  I'm a P bass guy personally, if you want votes on that as well

[Steinar]

My advice is ignore all the well-meaning and entertaining advice and go for the knife you like the best. (And then join the rest of us over in the Spartan Saturday thread.  The Spartan is my own most used EDC, but as mentioned earlier, there are no bad options in that list.)

[matty78943]

Just to chime in with some different perspective, if you don't need any of the many uses for the corkscrew, but can actually find use for the screwdriver (such as adjusting pickup height or tightening a strap pin on your new bass, both of which I've done with mine recently), then the backside phillips makes more sense.  Plus the corkscrew is less comfortable when gripping the SAK.  I'd vote for a Small Tinker as the "value" option. 

That being said, no one so far has listed a bad option.  Anything slim enough to keep on you all the time is going to be a good choice.

Also, which bass are you looking at?  I'm a P bass guy personally, if you want votes on that as well

a fellow swiss army knife loving bassist!

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_pb_50_sb_vintage_series.htm 

im considering this as i LOVE the telecaster basses (plus a big fan of mike dirnt) and alos because alot of people have said many good things about the harley benton basses on the talkbass.com forums

[El Corkscrew]

Just to chime in with some different perspective, if you don't need any of the many uses for the corkscrew, but can actually find use for the screwdriver (such as adjusting pickup height or tightening a strap pin on your new bass, both of which I've done with mine recently), then the backside phillips makes more sense.  Plus the corkscrew is less comfortable when gripping the SAK.  I'd vote for a Small Tinker as the "value" option. 

That being said, no one so far has listed a bad option.  Anything slim enough to keep on you all the time is going to be a good choice.

Also, which bass are you looking at?  I'm a P bass guy personally, if you want votes on that as well

a fellow swiss army knife loving bassist!

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_pb_50_sb_vintage_series.htm 

im considering this as i LOVE the telecaster basses (plus a big fan of mike dirnt) and alos because alot of people have said many good things about the harley benton basses on the talkbass.com forums

I know it's a squier  but the Vintage Jag and Jazz basses they're making give a helluva bang for the buck.  I'm mostly a guitar guy, play only Fender as far as electric goes.  Got one of the J Mascis Squier series and it's CRAZY how nice this thing plays, would prefer it over a Classic Player Standard (Double Price MIM) any day of the week.   

[matty78943]

Just to chime in with some different perspective, if you don't need any of the many uses for the corkscrew, but can actually find use for the screwdriver (such as adjusting pickup height or tightening a strap pin on your new bass, both of which I've done with mine recently), then the backside phillips makes more sense.  Plus the corkscrew is less comfortable when gripping the SAK.  I'd vote for a Small Tinker as the "value" option. 

That being said, no one so far has listed a bad option.  Anything slim enough to keep on you all the time is going to be a good choice.

Also, which bass are you looking at?  I'm a P bass guy personally, if you want votes on that as well

a fellow swiss army knife loving bassist!

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_pb_50_sb_vintage_series.htm 

im considering this as i LOVE the telecaster basses (plus a big fan of mike dirnt) and alos because alot of people have said many good things about the harley benton basses on the talkbass.com forums

I know it's a squier  but the Vintage Jag and Jazz basses they're making give a helluva bang for the buck.  I'm mostly a guitar guy, play only Fender as far as electric goes.  Got one of the J Mascis Squier series and it's CRAZY how nice this thing plays, would prefer it over a Classic Player Standard (Double Price MIM) any day of the week.   

I did look at the vintage jag but the only problem I have is that my current bass is a P/J and Im looking for something different such as a jazz bass or a single coil tele-style bass otherwise I would probably go for a vintage jag/affinity p/j

[Grant Lamontagne]

Another vote for the Compact.  That's my EDC and I love it.  It does everything the Climber will do, but in a smaller package.  Can't beat that. 

Def

[eddie1115]

Just to chime in with some different perspective, if you don't need any of the many uses for the corkscrew, but can actually find use for the screwdriver (such as adjusting pickup height or tightening a strap pin on your new bass, both of which I've done with mine recently), then the backside phillips makes more sense.  Plus the corkscrew is less comfortable when gripping the SAK.  I'd vote for a Small Tinker as the "value" option. 

That being said, no one so far has listed a bad option.  Anything slim enough to keep on you all the time is going to be a good choice.

Also, which bass are you looking at?  I'm a P bass guy personally, if you want votes on that as well

a fellow swiss army knife loving bassist!

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_pb_50_sb_vintage_series.htm 

im considering this as i LOVE the telecaster basses (plus a big fan of mike dirnt) and alos because alot of people have said many good things about the harley benton basses on the talkbass.com forums

I know it's a squier  but the Vintage Jag and Jazz basses they're making give a helluva bang for the buck.  I'm mostly a guitar guy, play only Fender as far as electric goes.  Got one of the J Mascis Squier series and it's CRAZY how nice this thing plays, would prefer it over a Classic Player Standard (Double Price MIM) any day of the week.   

I did look at the vintage jag but the only problem I have is that my current bass is a P/J and Im looking for something different such as a jazz bass or a single coil tele-style bass otherwise I would probably go for a vintage jag/affinity p/j

That looks awesome!  I get wanting something different to add to the arsenal.  I've been looking at 5 string J basses for a different sound, but hadn't considered the Tele style.

[Padre]

Urban is under 91 and scissors might be handy.
Ambassador is the best option (my personal choice for daily carry also).

If scissors arent that important I would choose Sportsman. Tourist is fantastic and so is Sportsman.

[matty78943]

Just to chime in with some different perspective, if you don't need any of the many uses for the corkscrew, but can actually find use for the screwdriver (such as adjusting pickup height or tightening a strap pin on your new bass, both of which I've done with mine recently), then the backside phillips makes more sense.  Plus the corkscrew is less comfortable when gripping the SAK.  I'd vote for a Small Tinker as the "value" option. 

That being said, no one so far has listed a bad option.  Anything slim enough to keep on you all the time is going to be a good choice.

Also, which bass are you looking at?  I'm a P bass guy personally, if you want votes on that as well

a fellow swiss army knife loving bassist!

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_pb_50_sb_vintage_series.htm 

im considering this as i LOVE the telecaster basses (plus a big fan of mike dirnt) and alos because alot of people have said many good things about the harley benton basses on the talkbass.com forums

I know it's a squier  but the Vintage Jag and Jazz basses they're making give a helluva bang for the buck.  I'm mostly a guitar guy, play only Fender as far as electric goes.  Got one of the J Mascis Squier series and it's CRAZY how nice this thing plays, would prefer it over a Classic Player Standard (Double Price MIM) any day of the week.   

I did look at the vintage jag but the only problem I have is that my current bass is a P/J and Im looking for something different such as a jazz bass or a single coil tele-style bass otherwise I would probably go for a vintage jag/affinity p/j

That looks awesome!  I get wanting something different to add to the arsenal.  I've been looking at 5 string J basses for a different sound, but hadn't considered the Tele style.

right now im torn between a tele-style, a p-bass or a jazz.

http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/LA-Bass-Guitar-by-Gear4music-Red/1D

this could be very good upgrade material into more of a 58' vintage style but i think im more leaning towards the tele-style atm

[T14]

Get an alox bantam. You'll love it. 
-Tom

[Ron Who]

Compact if you need scissors. Tourist otherwise.

[cody6268]

In the UK, you've got the Duke of Edinburgh Award Pocket Tool which is nearly identical to the Compact, but swaps the corkscrew for a Phillips.  But, it's got a blunt blade, which from my experience, really isn't all that bad.


http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=DofE+Pocket+Tool