Feedback from New SAK Users. (Spoiler: Scissors aren't the Star)

[El Corkscrew]

Over the past year I have dispersed probably 50+ SAKs to friends and family.   I've been checking back in with these individuals to see what they think , if they EDC it, and what tools they use.    Long story short;  EVERYONE used at least once, MOST people carry it everyday and love it, and as far as tools go here is what I'm hearing:

1 Blade
2 awl
3 caplifter/screwdriver
4 toothpick (for general poking,not dental use)
5 Scissors

Granted, I did not give everyone a SAK with scissors.. the main models I was gifting were:  Climber, Spartan, Tourist, Super Tinker, Tinker.  Funny thing is that the scissors were not high on anyone's list.   I heard a lot of "it's nice to have but I don't really need scissors"  I even had a couple of friends ask if they could trade me their SAK with scissor for a thinner SAK without scissors..    For those who received Tinkers and Super Tinkers I asked them about the screwdrivers...  very few people reported using the backside phillips and even had a couple people saying they tried it and ended up preferring the can opener driver.


This made start thinking...  I'm a big fan of the 84/85/91mm scissors but how often could I get the task done by using the blade or the scissors on my 58mm??    I remember as a kid thinking that the Tinker had everything I need.. my thinking is more Spartan/Soldier now but I haven't strayed far from my old ways when you get right down to "What do I want/need in a SAK?"



Thoughts?

[Nix]

Hmmmph.

I used my Rambler's scissors twice today. I really like having scissors with me.

[zrxoa1]

I have been SAKMCing my PX but I think I am going back to my Wenger SI.

Same thing... rarely use the scissors and when I do they are a biotch to get out. Have even cut me once trying.

I despise backside tools. Just don’t like them.

That’s my take on it. Like you, I found I never NEED scissors. I can assomplish most tasks just fine with the blade.


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[El Corkscrew]

Hmmmph.

I used my Rambler's scissors twice today. I really like having scissors with me.

Oh yes,  I guess I didn't spell it out but at least a Classic on the key chain is AWLWAYS the case for me... if it's a classic I'm going for a complimentary color, but usually it's a Rambler variation (Rambler, Midnite/Manager) and every once in a while a minichamp!   The 58mm scissors are perfect for things like store tags, loose threads on clothing, opening packages etc.

Thing is, scissors are pretty much a given on a 58mm/65mm but the scissors layer does significantly thicken medium and large SAKs.

[Nix]

That's true, for sure.

Even a Farmer is thicker than a PX. But I find those scissors so useful, almost daily, that I won't carry a Soldier or Camper without also carrying a 58mm avec scissors. Whereas, I will carry a PX or Climber without being sure to pack a 58/74mm.

I like your list though. #1 has to be a blade. But I'd bump the scissors up to #2.

[jaya_man]

Hey Nix, think its the other way around... The PX is thicker than the Farmer... Scissors are thicker than the wood saw...

It boils down to user preference and daily activity I guess...

I normally edc 2 saks... A scissor based 84mm/91mm/93mm and a Minichamp... For me, scissors and the Phillips are regularly used.


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[Nix]

Hey Nix, think its the other way around... The PX is thicker than the Farmer... Scissors are thicker than the wood saw...

[ReamerPunch]

1 Blade
2 awl
3 caplifter/screwdriver
4 toothpick (for general poking,not dental use)
5 Scissors

 
That put a smile on my face for some reason.

No corkscrew? 

[El Corkscrew]

1 Blade
2 awl
3 caplifter/screwdriver
4 toothpick (for general poking,not dental use)
5 Scissors

 
That put a smile on my face for some reason.

No corkscrew? 

I know, right?  I guess awl my friends wear sandals and drink beer.

[docfossil]

I own a number of SAKs. The only ones which I ever carried are the Vic Huntsman and Ranger. I find the scissors a most useful implement and would not carry a SAK without them.

If I fly and don't check a suitcae (only take carry-on), I will bring a SwissCard, sans blade but with scissors!

[El Corkscrew]

I own a number of SAKs. The only ones which I ever carried are the Vic Huntsman and Ranger. I find the scissors a most useful implement and would not carry a SAK without them.

If I fly and don't check a suitcae (only take carry-on), I will bring a SwissCard, sans blade but with scissors!

Thanks for the input doc!     

I agree, the scissors are very useful. 

[Green arrow]

Yep am becoming more of a scissor fan. My thinking used to be 'why have scissors , that is what you have the blade for' but I find myself increasingly using the scissors for little tasks and really missing them if I don’t have them. Not Wenger style scissors though , just don’t seem well suited to the cutting tasks I seem to find.

[powernoodle]

1 Blade
2 awl
3 caplifter/screwdriver
4 toothpick (for general poking,not dental use)
5 Scissors

I'm not buying it.  I think they've all gotten together to punk you. 

[gene stoner]

Like you I'm a fan of the 91mm scissors but I've learner 90% of my scissors use can be accomplished with a 58mm or 65mm scissors.  This opens up my carry options.  I can carry a 3 layer 93 or 111mm and cut down my bulk my carrying a Classic or PTC and still have all the tools I want or need. How big of a scissors do really  need to trim a stray hair, remove a price tag or open a package? I would think most of us can get buy with a 75mm or smaller scissors.

[Ron Who]

...  I would think most of us can get by with a 75mm or smaller scissors.

I think so too. I love my Carver / PX / MiniChamp combo, but after carrying it for about 9 months I feel I don´t really need the PX´s scissors.

[Nix]

....I feel I don´t really need the PX´s scissors.

I presume this is because you have other scissors with you. As a "one SAK" option, the PX, Climber, or the Compact is darn tough to beat.   

[Ron Who]

Yes, true (even though my one SAK option would be a Huntsman).

[El Corkscrew]

Huntsman's are tough

[nmpops]

I do quite a bit of paracording and find the scissors on my Climber work great. They work better in paracord than regular scissors. 

[styx]

Doesn't really surprise me. A lot of tasks can be done with the blade (some even better) but the scissors are often friendlier when surrounded by easily spooked people (I refuse to call them sheeple). 2 of my favourite models could be slightly better for my needs if the scissors were there but they aren't necessary.

[twiliter]

I have tried to carry SAKs without scissors, but it usually doesn't last very long. I have also tried to carry 58mm models with scissors to compliment something I was carrying without them, which also doesn't last very long. For me the 91mm scissors are a must, I use them daily for something or other, and also the pen blade, which I miss when carrying the PX. After trying so many different options I have decided that what works for me best is a stand-alone, with full size scissors and a pen blade. This narrows the field down considerably, but after so much trial and error, it comes back to my first SAK, a Super Tinker, and nowadays, a Climber. I can add layers up to a SwissChamp size, but the basics for me are met by the Climber. Everything else feels a little off in some way or another. 

Interesting that the new SAK users feel that the scissors are optional El C, I always felt otherwise. 

Also something as simple as trimming the tail off a zip tie is so easy with scissors and such a pain in the neck with a blade. Things like that make it a no-brainer. 

[Nix]

 

[theonew]

In my experience, the thin knife on a SAK can accomplish 95% of the tasks that scissors can accomplish and the 58mm scissors can accomplish 100% of the tasks that the 91mm scissors can. Therefore unless you really need the Hook put a 58mm on your keychain and skip the thick scissors layer on 91mm SAKs.

[Barry Rowland]

Living where I do, I'll substitute the saw for the scissors and pack my Minichamp.  30 years ago it was dead opposite.  I think I went 20+ years without touching my Huntsman's saw.

[twiliter]

the thin knife on a SAK can accomplish 95% of the tasks that scissors can accomplish

And of that 95%, you need a surface for 95% of those tasks, can I interest you in a cutting board? 

[Mactire404]

This is a very interesting read.

1 Blade; this did not surprise me
2 awl; this did
3 caplifter/screwdriver; this one didn't either
4 toothpick (for general poking,not dental use); this one did surprise me!
5 Scissors; I'd expect this to be up higher.

On second thought, when I think about it. I don't really use my scissors that much either.
But I would not want to miss them on my Handyman at all. The most popular task is cutting my nails.
I use it for cutting coupons every now and then.

Why is the awl up so high? I know it's awlmazing, but 2nd place? Just like the toothpick, big surprise seeing them on this list.
To be fair my toothpick also sees a lot of use.

And no tweezers? Those things are amazing.

[El Corkscrew]

I have a lot of art and music friends so I'm thinking they use the awl to poke and start holes when hanging/mounting stuff, maybe guitar straps..  I think the toothpick for cleaning out crevices/detail work.   The caplifter/screwdriver for mic stands and mineral water. 

I also must admit this report has been generated without the use of empirical method and is essentially hearsay.   Much information has been left out and perhaps my chronic SAK indecision has biased my input.

 

[jloden]

Interesting results and feedback. I've been thinking about giving away some SAKs to family and friends too, but I've been on the fence as I'd hate for them just to sit in a drawer someplace.

The blade and awl doesn't surprise me - the awl is pointy and reasonably sharp, and people don't feel worried about ruining the edge like a blade. They may not be using it to sew leather but it's useful for scraping or poking.  For instance this weekend I used it to score some paint around a switchplate. Not only did that keep my blade clean, but being a thicker edge it was actually a better tool than the knife for avoiding cutting into the actual drywall.

I'm a little surprised people find that much use for the toothpick, it's gotta be the least used tool on any SAK for me. I find more uses even for a corkscrew than the toothpick.

When I started carrying an SAK again as opposed to just a folding knife, I was really surprised how often I reached for the scissors. Mostly stuff the blade can do instead in a pinch to be sure, but there's so many times scissors do a better [and usually safer] job. Cutting loose threads or tags, trimming paper and tape, that sort of stuff.

[Zhenchok]

Interesting results and feedback. I've been thinking about giving away some SAKs to family and friends too, but I've been on the fence as I'd hate for them just to sit in a drawer someplace.

The blade and awl doesn't surprise me - the awl is pointy and reasonably sharp, and people don't feel worried about ruining the edge like a blade. They may not be using it to sew leather but it's useful for scraping or poking.  For instance this weekend I used it to score some paint around a switchplate. Not only did that keep my blade clean, but being a thicker edge it was actually a better tool than the knife for avoiding cutting into the actual drywall.

I'm a little surprised people find that much use for the toothpick, it's gotta be the least used tool on any SAK for me. I find more uses even for a corkscrew than the toothpick.

When I started carrying an SAK again as opposed to just a folding knife, I was really surprised how often I reached for the scissors. Mostly stuff the blade can do instead in a pinch to be sure, but there's so many times scissors do a better [and usually safer] job. Cutting loose threads or tags, trimming paper and tape, that sort of stuff.

I’d be happy to receive a SAK, if you have a spare and I promise to use it:)

In all honesty I actually think that the Climber is the ideal knife for everyday use.  The double blades are useful, the Corkscrew is nice to have and the scissors always come in handy. Not sure why people would use the awl more than the scissors.


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[El Corkscrew]

Feedback update:

One vote for scissors, caplifter/screwdriver, backside Phillips

Screws the data!!!!