POLL: VICS (Combo tool) or (can+bottle opener)???

[alexTOOL]

I love the space the combo saves on my Hunter and Bantom but it's the worse bottle and can oppener I've ever used.

You can simply pry by the side with the combo tool, is it difficult for you? 

Pry the side? Not sure what you mean? The combo tool works it's just it doesn't work any where near as well as the oppener layer. But I do like the space it saves.

Take a screwdriver like this, and pry the same way:

[Rapidray]

So much so......

(Image removed from quote.)

very nice!

[NutSAK]

Take a screwdriver like this, and pry the same way:

Why not just use the combo tool as it was meant to be used?

[Don Pablo]

Take a screwdriver like this, and pry the same way:

Why not just use the combo tool as it was meant to be used?

But then I would have to carry a second tool for prying.

[Rapidray]

Take a screwdriver like this, and pry the same way:

Why not just use the combo tool as it was meant to be used?

But then I would have to carry a second tool for prying.

Well, there are some very nice key chain pry bars out there.

[NutSAK]

Take a screwdriver like this, and pry the same way:

Why not just use the combo tool as it was meant to be used?

But then I would have to carry a second tool for prying.

I'm not sure what you mean here...  I was referring to alexTOOL's suggestion to use the combo tool to pry off a bottle cap like a screwdriver.  Why use the screwdriver method when the intended method works just fine?

And, as far as second tools go, that's exactly what I was referring to with my prior post.  Many of us carry other tools with our SAK, so the combo tool fits the bill for our overall toolset.  If you need one tool (a SAK) to have an awl, turn phillips screws, pry, etc., by all means carry one with an opener layer.

I personally love the fact that I can choose if I want to carry a combo tool or an opener layer depending on what else I'm carrying and not have to carry the extra bulk of redundant tools. 

[Don Pablo]

 

[NutSAK]

 

I just realized the combo I'm carrying today is a good example of what I'm talking about.

Why do I need an opener layer on my SAK?  I don't really need a combo tool for that matter, and I have a bottle opener on the Rambler on my keychain.  But for me it's nice to have a bottle opener more accessible on my knife rather than having to unfold the Paratool when I need it.

[G-Dizzle]

So much so......

(Image removed from quote.)

very nice!

What is that thing called? Methinks it is a perfect rebar pair.

[MacGyver]

I just realized the combo I'm carrying today is a good example of what I'm talking about.

Why do I need an opener layer on my SAK?  I don't really need a combo tool for that matter, and I have a bottle opener on the Rambler on my keychain.  But for me it's nice to have a bottle opener more accessible on my knife rather than having to unfold the Paratool when I need it.

I agree with your point, and understand it. But it will always depend from person to person, and needs/uses. I just carry a Sak with me. no MT's or any other stuff, so even tho i tried to like the Compact, and considered if it was worth it getting one or not, i keep getting that feeling that i'd be better off carrying an Executive instead (in that context), because the capabilities for what i need out of what it offers would be the same but in a smaller package. Basically the Compact would give me a blade and a scissors (same as the Execuitve), the combo tool would have roughly about the same amount of efficiency/sturdiness as a screwdriver as the orange peeler on the Executive, and i would even gain a file... The hook and CS are totally irrelevant for the point here (for me).

Compared to a sak with opening layers, i would loose (like you said earlier) the two dedicated opening (sturdy) tools, not really relevant to me for their primary function like i've said before, but for all the other uses i can get out f them; the small blade (which incidentally is usually my main blade); and the awl. For me that's way too much function too loose right there for one layer thinner, and to keep the scissors. It makes more sense to me to loose the scissors if i want to slim down to two layers, i will still have two blades to cut stuff with... 

[NutSAK]

I agree with your point, and understand it. But it will always depend from person to person, and needs/uses. I just carry a Sak with me.

Absolutely it does, and as I stated, "If you need one tool (a SAK) to have an awl, turn phillips screws, pry, etc., by all means carry one with an opener layer."  Everyone is going to have a different opinion here, there is no right or wrong...

You make a great point about the Executive, and I think people sometimes overlook the great amount of functionality it has for daily usage.  Frequently it would satisfy my needs but I pick the Compact instead simply because I like the 91mm form-factor better. I consider smaller-frame knives unsafe to a point because I can't get a good enough grip on them for many jobs.

Even though I often carry more than one tool, I want the vast majority of my required functionality in my knife as a convenience, not in a plier-based tool.  So, I tend to pick the SAK I need for my uses and supplement it with a plier-based tool if I think I might need one.  More often than not I only carry a SAK, but if so I will usually carry one with more functionality than a Compact, even though that doesn't necessarily mean that I will need the opener layer and an awl for my uses.

[Nix]

The hook and CS are totally irrelevant for the point here (for me).

You seem to be faulty. Please report to the Mothership for reprogramming.

 

[El Corkscrew]

It's like asking if you prefer flip flops or boots... Depends on the situation. Both have advantages
I like them awl.

[MacGyver]

The hook and CS are totally irrelevant for the point here (for me).

You seem to be faulty. Please report to the Mothership for reprogramming.

 

Lol 

What i meant was its irrelevant to the Compact vs Executive discussion (for my use) Id certainly wouldn't base my decision on the lack or not of a CS, even less a hook. I have them and use them because they're kind of "there" on a lot of my sak's, but there not in the least priority tools,for me.

And even less the plus scales, as the only benefit is the pen, and they increase the sak thickness....
I've put plus scales on my explorer a while ago, and made an already thick sak, thicker... Unnecessary, for me.

[undertaker99]

How well does the combo tool work on phillips screws?

[El Corkscrew]

How well does the combo tool work on phillips screws?

Not awl that well IMO

[AimlessWanderer]

How well does the combo tool work on phillips screws?

Not awl that well IMO

 

It's not a problem for me, as I usually rely on my accompanying pliers based tool to handle Phillips screws, but if all you have is the combo tool, you could be in for a tedious time

[strmliner]

Typically I'm going to carry either the 84 or 91 Golfer.  The combo tool works just fine for what it's designed to do.   

But if I'm doing some activity where I think the opener layer would be more useful, then the Golfer stays in the bowl and either the SuperTinker, Explorer, or Yeoman gets pocket time.

[VICMAN]

I prefer the can + bottle opener.

[NutSAK]

But if I'm doing some activity where I think the opener layer would be more useful, then the Golfer stays in the bowl and either the SuperTinker, Explorer, or Yeoman gets pocket time.

   A Yeoman isn't going to help you much with an opener layer, unless it's a BSA Yeoman (Explorer)...

[Greg Jones]

Two opener layer all the way.
My first SAK was a Bantam, and the combi tool snapped using it as a pry tool, replaced it with a recruit, and those openers have pried, poked, prodded, screwed, and even opened bottles and cans for over 25 years with no sign of damage 

[KandiKlover]

I prefer the opener to the gimmicky fad tool.