The cowboy's swiss army knife

[Frenchviccollector]

Good morning all,
 I've always wondered, if a wild west cowboy had a swiss army knife, which one would he be?

 Maybe at that time we would use a similar tool ...

What is your opinion on the subject?
 

[kottskrapa]

A saw some with a tool to clean hooves the other day but can't remember the name. Maybe that one?

Or a farmer, it's alox and a lot of people have done a lot more with less but I thing the saw can come in handy

[It's not failure if you learn something from it]

[styx]

I do remember hearing once that someone used a saw on a multitool to cut off a horn that was damaged or entangled. i believe it was on a bull, but can't remember the tool for the life of me

[Myron]

I think there was a 111 mm model called the Cowboy, IIRC.  I think it was a Nomad or a Picnicker with a Phillips head screwdriver instead of corkscrew.   Because, you know, all the stuff a cowboy has to fix out on the range that's held together with Phillips head screws.   Like, um....

[FolderBeholder]

I think there was a 111 mm model called the Cowboy, IIRC. 

Yes, this one:
https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Cowboy

[FolderBeholder]

This one has the ferrier tool:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Victorinox-Equestrian-111mm-Side-Lock-Swiss-Army-Knife-Ferriers-Hoofpick/203225630056?hash=item2f51310568:g:9-sAAOSwVhFf4OqK

[Frailer]

I would assume an 1890 Soldier would fit the bill.

[pipedreams]

I’d guess the Equestrian.

[ulzhan]

Definitely a SwissTool. You can grab a bull by its horns with the extra beefy pliers....

[Altis]

Definitely a SwissTool. You can grab a bull by its horns with the extra beefy pliers....

Agreed, the SwissTool would probably be a great choice.

Farmer X would be another good choice as it's very tough. I can't imagine a cowboy would be inclined towards plastic scales.

[kottskrapa]

This one has the ferrier tool:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Victorinox-Equestrian-111mm-Side-Lock-Swiss-Army-Knife-Ferriers-Hoofpick/203225630056?hash=item2f51310568:g:9-sAAOSwVhFf4OqK

That's the one I was thinking about! But I spelled it hoov and not hoofs. At least I think I did

[It's not failure if you learn something from it]

[cody6268]

From my experience messing with horses; I wish Vic made an OH Equestrian with Phillips instead of corkscrew. If you get caught up in ropes or the stirrups, that OH serrated blade will save your arse.   I think the MP600 Trailrider from Gerber is exactly what's needed--you've got the horse stuff covered, the day-to-day farm chore stuff covered, and the tool is plenty sturdy enough for working fences. It's also one of the few MP-series knives to have an awl.  But, hen's teeth and unicorn poo are easier to find. They're very rare.

[nolongerlurking27]

Adventurer
Simple tool with everything needed
Lockable main blade
Several screwdrivers for weapon cleaning and general task
Awl for sewing and leather work to keep the gear together
Can opener for the beans
Bottle opener for a cold one
(I will admit my knowledge of cowboys is based entirely on Clint Eastwood films)

[Huntsman]

^^^   

Great info cody from a man who knows !!   

Yep - I think the so called Cowboy would not suit a cowboy as it does not have enough tools

And I always wondered why the Equestrian had a wood saw and not a metal saw/file - As surely a metal file is more useful for a horseman - eg filing off burrs on horseshoes or a bridle bit or such like

Also a metal saw can saw woody stuff ..... at a pinch - But a wood saw cannot saw metal stuff   

[nate j]

Considerations:

• The "Wild West" era is generally accepted to have lasted from 1865 through approximately 1895.
• While canning as a means of preserving food was invented in the early nineteenth century, I'm not aware of any evidence that canned food was widely consumed by cowboys of that era.  Moreover, larger outfits generally found it more desirable and efficient to employ a cook or "cookie", whose full-time job was feeding the men and managing the associated gear and provisions, than to force individual cowboys to carry and prepare their own food on the trail.  All this to say, I don't think our cowboy would have had much use for a can opener.
• Phillips screws were not invented until 1932, so there would have been no need for a Phillips screwdriver.  However, it is conceivable that our cowboy might have owned some gear featuring slotted screws.
• I agree with Altis that the durability of Alox would be a better choice for the trail than nylon or cellidor.

Limiting our selection to current factory production SAKs, I believe that would lead us to the Swiss Army 7, formerly known as the Pioneer Harvester.

[Helvetica Bold]

Adventurer
Simple tool with everything needed
Lockable main blade
Several screwdrivers for weapon cleaning and general task
Awl for sewing and leather work to keep the gear together
Can opener for the beans
Bottle opener for a cold one
(I will admit my knowledge of cowboys is based entirely on Clint Eastwood films)