Fieldmaster - the most useless SAK?

[SirVicaLot]

 

[cody6268]

I am probably gonna argue that it's the XAVT and Wenger Giant that are the most useless. They both weigh a ton, are ridiculously wide, and obviously--WON"T FIT IN A POCKET! You lose any advantage of the tools being in a "compact' format. I'm sure the little tool kit I made in a Condor pouch probably weighs less than each of them--and it's only full-sized tools.

I had a Classic SD early on, but I didn't own a Spartan until El Corkscrew's giveaway. I now own 3 Spartans (Standard, Spartan, Spartan Serrated) and two Tourists. It's a good "Keep It Simple Stupid" pattern. A basic pocketknife with plenty of stuff, but not a whole lot of bulk.   I can't even explain why I didn't have one until then. Guess a lot of us have weird reasons why we don't own certain models. The only ones I don't own that I want are because they have been out of production for a long time, are rare, or are current production models out of my budget.

[Simon_Templar]

I am probably gonna argue that it's the XAVT and Wenger Giant that are the most useless. They both weigh a ton, are ridiculously wide, and obviously--WON"T FIT IN A POCKET! You lose any advantage of the tools being in a "compact' format. I'm sure the little tool kit I made in a Condor pouch probably weighs less than each of them--and it's only full-sized tools.

I had a Classic SD early on, but I didn't own a Spartan until El Corkscrew's giveaway. I now own 3 Spartans (Standard, Spartan, Spartan Serrated) and two Tourists. It's a good "Keep It Simple Stupid" pattern. A basic pocketknife with plenty of stuff, but not a whole lot of bulk.   I can't even explain why I didn't have one until then. Guess a lot of us have weird reasons why we don't own certain models. The only ones I don't own that I want are because they have been out of production for a long time, are rare, or are current production models out of my budget.

From that perspective the XAVT and Giant are useless, no doubt. I am not sure whether it's the right perspective for these items though. Although I don't own any of them, and wouldn't even want the Giant for lack of storage space, I for one can see their appeal as a SAK-related "tech demo". If one considers this to be their actual purpose, they are all of a sudden the most useful of their kind. 

Interesting observation on the Spartan. I actually had to buy my first one, which I did only recently (I already had a Standard, which I got cheap on the bay; since it's NIB and discontinued, it never leaves its drawer tomb though). I too find the Spartan very nice. It has a good weight and size, feels good in the hand and the pocket. Great SAK to carry around, yet ... it has no scissors. So it will be difficult for the Spartan to steal the Compact's crown, at least in my EDC rotation. I guess that's why I chose the Spartan PS

[Aloha]

Good post Cody.  Keeping it simple, the most useless SAK is the one not being carried.  I think this was said earlier.  I've got some great SAKs.  They sit in a dark container never used.  I look at my Explorer as my most useful SAK.  My Manager while sitting on my keys and carried every day is least used as compared.  I pulled my 84mm Artisan/Craftsman aka Fieldmaster small out due to this thread but back into the dark it went.

Great SAK and great size but alas not gonna carry it so useless it is sadly.     

 

[Simon_Templar]

Good post Cody.  Keeping it simple, the most useless SAK is the one not being carried.  I think this was said earlier.  I've got some great SAKs.  They sit in a dark container never used.  I look at my Explorer as my most useful SAK.  My Manager while sitting on my keys and carried every day is least used as compared.  I pulled my 84mm Artisan/Craftsman aka Fieldmaster small out due to this thread but back into the dark it went.

Great SAK and great size but alas not gonna carry it so useless it is sadly.     

 

Fair enough, but this just amounts to saying that collecting SAKs is pointless. Which is certainly true objectively speaking - after all, nobody needs more than one pocket knife - but entirety disregards the hobby aspect imho

[Aloha]

No way!  Collecting SAKs is in no way pointless.  I've said over and over again that enjoyment is enough for me and in some situations the point intended.  I have SAKs that purely bring me enjoyment just by owning them and rightly so, which is why I bought them in the first place.  Never intended to use them other than a fondle every now and again.   

Use has multiple meanings.  The owning of SAKs has as many meaning which makes this hobby wonderfully enjoyable.  My post was attempting to relate my usage in my comparison of Explorer vs Manager vs Artisan.  My SAK ownership extends a little beyond those SAKs which most see no actual usage.     

   

[Simon_Templar]

No way!  Collecting SAKs is in no way pointless.  I've said over and over again that enjoyment is enough for me and in some situations the point intended.  I have SAKs that purely bring me enjoyment just by owning them and rightly so, which is why I bought them in the first place.  Never intended to use them other than a fondle every now and again.   

Use has multiple meanings.  The owning of SAKs has as many meaning which makes this hobby wonderfully enjoyable.  My post was attempting to relate my usage in my comparison of Explorer vs Manager vs Artisan.  My SAK ownership extends a little beyond those SAKs which most see no actual usage.     

 

 

[ddogu]

Come to think about the choice between corkscrew and phillips, that is why Mod squad exist 

(Image removed from quote.)

Mountain Tinker mod

wow! THA mod! 

[cody6268]

No way!  Collecting SAKs is in no way pointless.  I've said over and over again that enjoyment is enough for me and in some situations the point intended.  I have SAKs that purely bring me enjoyment just by owning them and rightly so, which is why I bought them in the first place.  Never intended to use them other than a fondle every now and again.   

Use has multiple meanings.  The owning of SAKs has as many meaning which makes this hobby wonderfully enjoyable.  My post was attempting to relate my usage in my comparison of Explorer vs Manager vs Artisan.  My SAK ownership extends a little beyond those SAKs which most see no actual usage.     

 

That being said, I'd love to have an XAVT mostly as a conversation piece. Just not in my budget range right now.  My local knife store has one, and I'm amazed at how that thing is as thick as a watch case.

Even thicker would be the Giant. I remember they were like $500 through SMKW, now they're a lot more than that.

[ElevenBlade]

Can anyone shed some light on why the BSA Fieldmaster is called a Huntsman.

In other words - why is the BSA Huntsman actually a Fieldmaster?

I think it's always been this way.   

[SirVicaLot]

Can anyone shed some light on why the BSA Fieldmaster is called a Huntsman.

In other words - why is the BSA Huntsman actually a Fieldmaster?

I think it's always been this way.   

SAKwiki doesn‘t know either: „The official BSA version with the same tools is called a Huntsman - for reasons that may never be known“ 

[ElevenBlade]

Hang on a minute. Now you've gone too far. 

I actually think that the Hiker is an excellent entry-level SAK, for a number of reasons.  It's the one I gift the uninitiated friends of mine. 
- its very easily pocketable
- by now, people know if they run into corked wine or not... and if they do, they have their contingency plans (electric powered corkscrews at home, wine keys in the camp kit).  a priori, a Phillips seems more useful than a corkscrew, so I think people appreciate it as a gift more easily
- The Hiker has the same elements as the OHT and the Soldier, both tools many of us already find indispensable
-  The Hiker also has similar elements in comparison to the Farmer, another outdoor favorite
- for someone who hasn't used knives for their whole lives, the added capability of the saw seems to give the uninitiated the sense that they can cut through whatever it is they need to.  Meanwhile, withholding the scissors gets them more comfortable with using the knife for things that most people don't use a knife for (that we do)... cutting paper, opening letters, boxes, cutting cord...  (at least where I'm from, I'd say most people dont EDC a knife or MT)

Check out this video.  I really like this guy, very entertaining video.

I just found out that 10 days before I posted this, MegaWoodswalker passed away suddenly.


  RIP Kevin "MegaWoodswalker" Renkavinsky

[BClogic]

I really enjoyed his videos. Always cheerful. RIP


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Storm]

Thats no good, he was such a cheeful positive guy.  We could always use more of them about the place . RIP , may you be happy walking the new woods

[39hotrod]

I like and edc mine !!! 4 layers of KOOL!!! 

[Aloha]

I just found out that 10 days before I posted this, MegaWoodswalker passed away suddenly.


  RIP Kevin "MegaWoodswalker" Renkavinsky

RIP.  I've watched a few of his videos, very well done I might add. 

[charlie fox]

Whaaaaat?!

[kamakiri]

Whaaaaat?!

...

Simon still be running around like: 

...

As a direct result of the February Fieldmaster Challenge, and probably this thread...I’ve worked several of them into rotation and almost daily use.

Main tools it’s missing for me within the last month since the Challenge ended have been the magnifier, metal saw and pliers. But many days it’s gone from inside the house to out in the yard and garden without needing to grab a different knife or co-carry backups.

I still prefer larger knives, but I certainly like it better than I thought I would.

[Simon_Templar]

Fellow knights,

I would like to bump this thread to ask the current forum dwellers which SAK they consider the most useless/disappointing, and why.

Personally, I have to add the Executive and the S557 to my list of disappointments. The S557 is just terrible in practice (at least the Vic version), despite having a toolset which looks excellent on paper. The Executive is nice, but every single time I use it I cannot help but think it should have a Rambler-style combo tool. It just feels so incomplete without a bottle opener. This constant nagging thought has become so annoying I stopped carrying the Executive altogether.

Cheers,

Simon

[nate j]

Interesting question.  My first thought was solo/Alox 1 and Sentinel.  I feel like SAK knife blades are only just OK, and it is really the other tools that make SAKs worth carrying.  If you’re looking for just a single blade folding knife, there are better options out there IMO.

[BPRoberts]

Fellow knights,

I would like to bump this thread to ask the current forum dwellers which SAK they consider the most useless/disappointing, and why.

Personally, I have to add the Executive and the S557 to my list of disappointments. The S557 is just terrible in practice (at least the Vic version), despite having a toolset which looks excellent on paper. The Executive is nice, but every single time I use it I cannot help but think it should have a Rambler-style combo tool. It just feels so incomplete without a bottle opener. This constant nagging thought has become so annoying I stopped carrying the Executive altogether.

Cheers,

Simon

The edge of the Executive peeler works pretty well as a bottle opener.  The caps often fly off a bit dramatically, which adds to the fun in my opinion. Picture below, sometimes you have to use the screwdriver tip to start the first crimp or two.

[Tasky]

Personally, I have to add the Executive and the S557 to my list of disappointments. The S557 is just terrible in practice (at least the Vic version), despite having a toolset which looks excellent on paper. The Executive is nice, but every single time I use it I cannot help but think it should have a Rambler-style combo tool. It just feels so incomplete without a bottle opener. This constant nagging thought has become so annoying I stopped carrying the Executive altogether.

As a very unexpected fan of the S557, I would disagree - The pliers suck compared to Wenger's own and would be better with Vic's modded in, along with plain scales, but everything else works rather well.

The Exec has several benefits over most Vic SAKs, particularly the nail file (newer version) and the small blade, which I believe is the smallest on any Vic model. The scissors work and are bigger than a 58mm, so good enough for the typical Exec target market (is clipping nails).
The orange peeler is a gimmick, but my girls have oranges often enough that I EDC an Exec... partly because it's useful, and partly in case I encounter any MacGyver fans.

The most useless SAKs I can think of are the Classic CD and anything 58mm with even fewer tools.

[MacGyver]

partly because it's useful, and partly in case I encounter any MacGyver fans.

I don't know why so many MacGyver fans have this thing for the Executive. It was actually one of his least used SAK's. The small Tinker will always be MacGyver's prime SAK for me.
I guess the thing with the Executive was the fact of that shot him of defusing the bomb on the cruise ship was on the show opener for many of the later seasons.
When i bought my Executive like, over 15 years ago, it was also because of Macgyver, but i gave it to my wife about 10 years ago. Great pocket knife, terrible multitool...

[Tasky]

I don't know why so many MacGyver fans have this thing for the Executive. It was actually one of his least used SAK's. The small Tinker will always be MacGyver's prime SAK for me.

I have a Tinker Small too... But he uses an Executive in 8 or 9 different episodes. MacGyver Online says 6, but ReamerPunch here has done a more in-depth analysis in his thread.

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,79050.0.html
https://www.macgyveronline.com/analysis/total-knife-usage-in-all-episodes/

It's still one of his more used models, though.

[Simon_Templar]

The edge of the Executive peeler works pretty well as a bottle opener.  The caps often fly off a bit dramatically, which adds to the fun in my opinion. Picture below, sometimes you have to use the screwdriver tip to start the first crimp or two.

Thanks for the tip, BPR! I did use the peeler during the Chuck Yeager Challenge to open bottles, however not the way you showed in your picture. I rather pried the bottle open using the tip of the peeler as a wedge. Worked reasonably well, but it's still a lot more cumbersome than using a dedicated bottle opener. Also, the peeler once closed up on me during those antics, resulting in a minor cut. Guess the Executive just isn't my cup of tea.

Cheers,

Simon

[marlowe221]

I think I might know the answer to the question about why the Fieldmaster is called the BSA Huntsman.

My best guess (having grown up in Boy Scouts myself) is that it has to do with a certain, American-centric semi-Puritanical thing about drinking alcohol and the fact that any kid in Boy Scouts is, by definition, under the legal age to consume alcohol in the United States.

So, most of the SAKs commonly associated with the Boy Scouts have the Phillips on the back and not the corkscrew (despite the usefulness in untying knots, etc). If you go on the BSA webstite right now, you'll see the Tinker for sale, but not the Spartan.

That's my personal explanation of why I think the BSA has long had a preference for Phillips backed models over corkscrew models. Now, why do they call it Huntsman and not Fieldmaster? Or why did they do so, since it's not listed for sale on scoutshop.org right now? I have no idea! 

[Bunk Tuppins]

I wouldn't say it's useless but the smooth alox Excelsior is probably one of the least useful ones I have.  It's very thin and narrow so kind of difficult to grip the handles. Its major advantage and major defect are the same: very small and thin.  Might work for a child?  Might make sense for fancy dress?  Kids grown up and I always wear sweats.

[Rizio Il Ghiro]

For me it would have to be the Solo - just a blade, so not really a SAK/multi tool at all! For me, a SAK has to have multiple functions…..

[MacGyver]

For me it would have to be the Solo - just a blade, so not really a SAK/multi tool at all! For me, a SAK has to have multiple functions…..

That's not really a SAK, it's a Victorinox pocket knife, and a very good one. It's a bit puzzling why would anyone consider it "useless"
Not all Victorinox products have to be SAK's... 

[BPRoberts]

I have a Tinker Small too... But he uses an Executive in 8 or 9 different episodes. MacGyver Online says 6, but ReamerPunch here has done a more in-depth analysis in his thread.

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,79050.0.html
https://www.macgyveronline.com/analysis/total-knife-usage-in-all-episodes/

It's still one of his more used models, though.

Isn't the Executive in the credits and that's why?