Best Lightweight SAK

[El Corkscrew]

Hey folks.  I'm on a quest to identify the top contenders for lightweight SAKs.  The plan is for this thread to lead to a poll.  I'll define lightweight as 60 grams or less.  I would appreciate as many thoughts and opinions as possible to get  a well rounded discourse going. 

Personally, I like having as many functions as possible in as small a package as possible for my EDC so I tend to steer away from Solos, Populars etc., though I think those knives are great. I'm of the mindset that a Swiss Army Knife should be packed with utility.  Lightweight and small is important too because most of us already carry enough stuff in our work pants and wearing a sheath may not always be comfortable, appropriate, or the fashion statement one wishes to make.

Without thinking too hard about it I'll throw out 3 that come to mind for me:

Compact
Commander
Cadet


What do yawl think?

[FolderBeholder]

 I'm going to have to think on this a bit and check some weights, but the first one that came to mind was the Yeoman.

[GoatDragon]

For me, it is hand's down the Cadet. I love the simple elegance of its alox form factor. And the main tools I look for in a SAK are a blade and opening layer. Poking, prodding, cutting, prying and turning screws are the main uses I have for SAK, and the Cadet does all of those with flying colors!

[Marcellus]

Tinker

[jalind]

Hey folks.  I'm on a quest to identify the top contenders for lightweight SAKs.  The plan is for this thread to lead to a poll.  I'll define lightweight as 60 grams or less.  I would appreciate as many thoughts and opinions as possible to get  a well rounded discourse going. 

Personally, I like having as many functions as possible in as small a package as possible for my EDC so I tend to steer away from Solos, Populars etc., though I think those knives are great. I'm of the mindset that a Swiss Army Knife should be packed with utility.  Lightweight and small is important too because most of us already carry enough stuff in our work pants and wearing a sheath may not always be comfortable, appropriate, or the fashion statement one wishes to make.

Without thinking too hard about it I'll throw out 3 that come to mind for me:

Compact
Commander
Cadet


What do yawl think?

Compact . . .

• Size: 91mm
• Pros . . .
  Has scissors, micro-driver and Plus scales with pen and straight pin.
• Cons . . .
  Combo tool does all the tasks of the Cap Lifter and Can Opener, but not as well, especially opening cans; no awl.

Wenger Commander . . .

• Size: 85mm
• Pros:
  Smaller length, nail file and separate Cap lifter and Can Opener
• Cons:
  No scissors, no toothpick or tweezers, Wenger style can opener and awl.
• Alternatives:
  Wenger Classic 10 identical with T&T, Evolution 10/S10, and Evolution S101 (may be EvoGrip also available) with locking blades;
  Victorinox 84mm Sportsman or Tourist, 85mm Delemont Evolution 10, S10 or S101 (may be EvoGrip available) "S" = locking blade
  The Victorinox Delemont have Vic T&T, awl and can opener.
  Victorinox Small Tinker - Vic Tourist with Phillips in place of corkscrew.

Cadet . . .

• Size: 84mm
• Pros:
  Thinnest of all with Alox strength and scales durability, albeit significantly thinner scales than its 93mm Alox brethren.
• Cons:
  No T&T, corkscrew, awl or scissors. It's the thinner Alox version of the Recruit. Least number of tools among them all.

If scissors are of high importance, the Compact may be the best choice. If thinness is of high importance and scissors, T&T, corkscrew and awl are less important, the Cadet would be best. If they're not, I suggest a Victorinox in the 84mm or 85mm classe: Sportsman, Tourist or one of the equivalent Evolution/EvoGrip, in lieu of the Wenger Commander, or at least a Wenger Classic 10 to gain the T&T.

Personally, I'd probably go with a Small Tinker, Sportsman, Tourist or Cadet. Scissors can be had with a 58mm Classic SD, Rambler or the slightly larger 65mm Vic Executive 81 (aka "Wenger").

John

[Fast Bill]

A question. How strict do you want to be on weight?

If we're not strict I think you almost have to break this down by size into 91mm / 84 or 85mm really and are you asking based on present day or "if you could" looking at past models too? It's a scissors question really and there is no doubt in my mind they're the one thing anyone, whether they know SAKs or not, can identify as being superlative.

Assuming my diffentiation I'm struggling to see anything beating a Compact in 91mm. I'm really interested in any other ideas.

In 84mm I'd go Sportsman (no surprise there I suspect for any of you  ) given that you can add the small screwdriver into the corkscrew. If you're strict it has to be Cadet (probably "naked" because a paint layer must weigh something eh?).

In 85mm I'd go Evolution/ Evo 10 but those contoured scales and the extra 1mm might weigh something and so I suspect 84mm wins?

 

[El Corkscrew]

So I just broke out the scale and realized that the Compact doesn't even qualify. The Spartan barely does at 59.4 grams. The 84 mm golfer however, would qualify at the low 50's g mark.

So the compact is disqualified. And so is the Tinker it's at 64 grams. But the small Tinker does qualify at around 55g

By the way my commander does have T & T but it's one of the Snife series

[El Corkscrew]

Hey folks.  I'm on a quest to identify the top contenders for lightweight SAKs.  The plan is for this thread to lead to a poll.  I'll define lightweight as 60 grams or less.  I would appreciate as many thoughts and opinions as possible to get  a well rounded discourse going. 

Personally, I like having as many functions as possible in as small a package as possible for my EDC so I tend to steer away from Solos, Populars etc., though I think those knives are great. I'm of the mindset that a Swiss Army Knife should be packed with utility.  Lightweight and small is important too because most of us already carry enough stuff in our work pants and wearing a sheath may not always be comfortable, appropriate, or the fashion statement one wishes to make.

Without thinking too hard about it I'll throw out 3 that come to mind for me:

Compact
Commander
Cadet


What do yawl think?

Compact . . .

(Image removed from quote.)

• Size: 91mm
• Pros . . .
  Has scissors, micro-driver and Plus scales with pen and straight pin.
• Cons . . .
  Combo tool does all the tasks of the Cap Lifter and Can Opener, but not as well, especially opening cans; no awl.

Wenger Commander . . .

(Image removed from quote.)

• Size: 85mm
• Pros:
  Smaller length, nail file and separate Cap lifter and Can Opener
• Cons:
  No scissors, no toothpick or tweezers, Wenger style can opener and awl.
• Alternatives:
  Wenger Classic 10 identical with T&T, Evolution 10/S10, and Evolution S101 (may be EvoGrip also available) with locking blades;
  Victorinox 84mm Sportsman or Tourist, 85mm Delemont Evolution 10, S10 or S101 (may be EvoGrip available) "S" = locking blade
  The Victorinox Delemont have Vic T&T, awl and can opener.
  Victorinox Small Tinker - Vic Tourist with Phillips in place of corkscrew.

Cadet . . .

(Image removed from quote.)

• Size: 84mm
• Pros:
  Thinnest of all with Alox strength and scales durability, albeit significantly thinner scales than its 93mm Alox brethren.
• Cons:
  No T&T, corkscrew, awl or scissors. It's the thinner Alox version of the Recruit. Least number of tools among them all.

If scissors are of high importance, the Compact may be the best choice. If thinness is of high importance and scissors, T&T, corkscrew and awl are less important, the Cadet would be best. If they're not, I suggest a Victorinox in the 84mm or 85mm classe: Sportsman, Tourist or one of the equivalent Evolution/EvoGrip, in lieu of the Wenger Commander, or at least a Wenger Classic 10 to gain the T&T.

Personally, I'd probably go with a Small Tinker, Sportsman, Tourist or Cadet. Scissors can be had with a 58mm Classic SD, Rambler or the slightly larger 65mm Vic Executive 81 (aka "Wenger").

John

Thanks John!  Very insightful input and suggestions! 

[jaya_man]

If pocket space is an issue, I grab my Cadet X... As thick as the pioneer and lightweight... Not to sure of its exact weight though as am not too particular about it...

[Fast Bill]

So I just broke out the scale and realized that the Compact doesn't even qualify. The Spartan barely does at 59.4 grams. The 84 mm golfer however, would qualify at the low 50's g mark.

So the compact is disqualified. And so is the Tinker it's at 64 grams. But the small Tinker does qualify at around 55g

By the way my commander does have T & T but it's one of the Snife series

That'll teach me not to pay attention to the OP ! Why 60g Dan? Is that an artificial boundary?

[jalind]

Broke out the -- uhhhh -- pharmacy scale - that's it, the pharmacy scale (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it).

Here's what I got with mine:

Wenger:
With lanyards (wasn't going to remove them)
Classic 10: 56g
Commander: 54.5g
Evolution S101: 59.2g
Highlander: 58g
EvoGrip 11: 57.4g

Victorinox:
Without lanyards
Small Tinker: 54g
Spartan: 59.8g (add a lanyard and it's over 60)
Tinker: 61.8g (Phillips vs corkscrew makes a difference)

With lanyards (for those with keyrings)
Alox Cadet: 47g
Alox Bantam: 29.1g
Sportsman: 53.5g
Tourist: 53.4g
Small Tinker: 57.5g (lanyard adds some)
EvoGrip S101: 59.5g
EvoGrip S111: 60.8g (Phillips vs corkscrew makes a difference)

John

[DogNose]

Alox Bantam would be my first choice, Sportsman number two, Cadet in third place.

[Ron Who]

Pioneer Solo 44.3g + Alox Classic SD 16.7g

[El Corkscrew]

So I just broke out the scale and realized that the Compact doesn't even qualify. The Spartan barely does at 59.4 grams. The 84 mm golfer however, would qualify at the low 50's g mark.

So the compact is disqualified. And so is the Tinker it's at 64 grams. But the small Tinker does qualify at around 55g

By the way my commander does have T & T but it's one of the Snife series

That'll teach me not to pay attention to the OP ! Why 60g Dan? Is that an artificial boundary?

I think that's just where I start to notice a difference... probably relative to the weight of a soldier or pioneer which is closer to 70g

[Fast Bill]

So I just broke out the scale and realized that the Compact doesn't even qualify. The Spartan barely does at 59.4 grams. The 84 mm golfer however, would qualify at the low 50's g mark.

So the compact is disqualified. And so is the Tinker it's at 64 grams. But the small Tinker does qualify at around 55g

By the way my commander does have T & T but it's one of the Snife series

That'll teach me not to pay attention to the OP ! Why 60g Dan? Is that an artificial boundary?

I think that's just where I start to notice a difference... probably relative to the weight of a soldier or pioneer which is closer to 70g

Thanks for explaining that makes sense. But I'm sensitive to bulk so weight isn't my personal determinant. But hey, it's your call here 

[stoneshank]

The Executive eligible?

~ i love whittling and SAK's  ~

[Greg Jones]

The Recruit for me, I think it would qualify weight wise, and I carried the same one solo for 25+ years, I'm so used to the tools that I can use it in the dark with my eyes closed and have pulled off a lot of things with that little gem.

[microbe]

Bantam


in black :-)

[Don Pablo]

Bantam
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
in black :-)

Lol, it’s like a piece of paper when you look at it edge-on. 

[microbe]

Bantam
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
in black :-)

Lol, it’s like a piece of paper when you look at it edge-on. 

A proper light weight. 1 layer only, even the keyring attachment has been left off.

[microbe]

I just took out my scale.
Bantam: 30gr
I also put a Solo on it: 45gr!
And the Pruner: 48gr
Alox Classic: 15gr
Rambler: 25gr

[Rich S]

Small Tinker - it's the winner by far!
Rich

[Fast Bill]

Bantam
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
in black :-)

Lol, it’s like a piece of paper when you look at it edge-on. 

A proper light weight. 1 layer only, even the keyring attachment has been left off.

True. But I'd reckon a Waiter gives you more tools 

[gene stoner]

Most usefull light weight SAK bar none is the Wenger Pocket Tool Chest.

[El Corkscrew]

Bantam
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
in black :-)

Lol, it’s like a piece of paper when you look at it edge-on. 

I know, right?  I want one!

[El Corkscrew]

Bantam
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
in black :-)

Lol, it’s like a piece of paper when you look at it edge-on. 

A proper light weight. 1 layer only, even the keyring attachment has been left off.

True. But I'd reckon a Waiter gives you more tools 

5 more to be exact but I still want one

[El Corkscrew]

Most usefull light weight SAK bar none is the Wenger Pocket Tool Chest.

I was wondering if you would chime in with your trusty PTC.  It's definitely a formidable contender

[McStitchy]

Ok, so I took out the 3 lightest SAKs I have and put them on a scale...



I was surprised about the Compact being more than 60g... but would you feel the difference really?



Minichamp qualifies 

[smiller43147]

My top picks are:
Compact (eliminated for this thread because >60g but the only thing close with scissors)
Cadet
Small Tinker
Waiter
and some discontinued Wengers:
Commander/Highlander
and the highest functionality to weight champ - the Pocket Tool Chest

[ThePeacent]

Ok, so I took out the 3 lightest SAKs I have and put them on a scale...

LIDL scale right?