2 layer vs 3 Layer SAK

[Nix]

Two layers for me, generally - alox Soldier, Recruit, Tourist, serrated Spartan. I’m also fond of the Camper. Any thicker and I may as well carry a Swisschamp.

If you have a SwissChamp....you might try a 30-day SwissChamp challenge.....and then try carrying a Ranger.

Just like magic!

The Ranger will seem delightfully slim and easy to EDC.   

[pa_strunk]

  then a guy named Poncho shows you his Master Ranger and you have to mod one for yourself. This story never ends no matter how many layers or tools you have.

[Sawl Goodman]

(Image removed from quote.)


If you have a SwissChamp....you might try a 30-day SwissChamp challenge.....and then try carrying a Ranger.

Just like magic!

The Ranger will seem delightfully slim and easy to EDC.   

I know the SC very well.    It’s easily my choice of comprehensive SAK. One always lives in my shoulder bag although it fits comfortably in my jeans watch pocket. It doesn’t see much use but it’s there if I need it and has been invaluable at those times. I find two layers or the Camper have much better handling so they get the pocket carry nod.

 

[Nix]

 

[Jim the Brave]

You know what I find interesting is how everybody has their limit. Their limit where "X-big is where I draw the line." Everybody has a different sweetspot. Me, I can carry two or three lbs. of SAK's around with me and hardly feel it. (And half a ton of keys, too, at the same time). Somebody else be like, "The Compact is just right for me" or "The Tinker's just right, but sometimes I miss the scissors" and I'm like    

Bu that's all ok, it just shows how we're all different. And it makes me wonder where my upper limit is. I think I would find carrying a SwissChamp around in my pocket to be somewhat tedious (a pretty big old lump) but more to the point, I would find it tedious in my hand if I had to use it for very many minutes on end. But as I say that, I pick one up just now and look at it, and I'm like, you know, it's really not that bad. But if I had a 130mm knife that thick with all its stuff, that would definitely be tedious to carry around, and tedious to try to use on everything.

Which brings me back to thinking, you know, I really would like to have my different tools split up onto different knives. To where, for instance, a Deluxe Tinker would make a great companion for my Ranger. One in each pocket. And so on.

But none of that gets me to 3 layers, let alone 2.

[ElevenBlade]

You know what I find interesting is how everybody has their limit. Their limit where "X-big is where I draw the line." Everybody has a different sweetspot. Me, I can carry two or three lbs. of SAK's around with me and hardly feel it. (And half a ton of keys, too, at the same time). Somebody else be like, "The Compact is just right for me" or "The Tinker's just right, but sometimes I miss the scissors" and I'm like    

Bu that's all ok, it just shows how we're all different. And it makes me wonder where my upper limit is. I think I would find carrying a SwissChamp around in my pocket to be somewhat tedious (a pretty big old lump) but more to the point, I would find it tedious in my hand if I had to use it for very many minutes on end. But as I say that, I pick one up just now and look at it, and I'm like, you know, it's really not that bad. But if I had a 130mm knife that thick with all its stuff, that would definitely be tedious to carry around, and tedious to try to use on everything.

Which brings me back to thinking, you know, I really would like to have my different tools split up onto different knives. To where, for instance, a Deluxe Tinker would make a great companion for my Ranger. One in each pocket. And so on.

But none of that gets me to 3 layers, let alone 2.

Sounds like a good lead in story for a Two-SAK Challenge.... Or an Anything + SAK Challenge.   

It's certainly remarkable that some tools feel too bulky - I used to pocket carry a LM Wave, but I need a suspension clip for a Pioneer X.   

[Sawl Goodman]

Which brings me back to thinking, you know, I really would like to have my different tools split up onto different knives. To where, for instance, a Deluxe Tinker would make a great companion for my Ranger. One in each pocket. And so on.

I’d love to have a SC minus the blade and opener layers to pair with my fave two layer knives. Aside from the redundancy, mass, and bulk, the SC’s outside layers are dead cumbersome to use.

[Jim the Brave]

I’d love to have a SC minus the blade and opener layers to pair with my fave two layer knives. Aside from the redundancy, mass, and bulk, the SC’s outside layers are dead cumbersome to use.

 ,

THIS MAN SPEAKS TRUTH

[Jim the Brave]

In fact if you could take out the scissors, too, it's easy to grab a Super Tink or a Climber to go with.

[Sawl Goodman]

In fact if you could take out the scissors, too, it's easy to grab a Super Tink or a Climber to go with.

Or any combo you like.    I’d probably remove the saw layer and carry a Camper as a companion knife.

[Jim the Brave]

Or any combo you like.    I’d probably remove the saw layer and carry a Camper as a companion knife.

Yep I think we're onto something.

[Sawl Goodman]

Yep I think we're onto something.

I’d have done it already, if skills I had! 

[nate j]

Incidentally, adding a Classic or Manager to the keyring fixes the aforementioned problems and makes two layer SAks perfectly viable.

I know this is a popular option, but having tried it myself, I found it to have a couple of significant drawbacks:

• The 58 mm scissors, while excellent for their size, are not the equal of the 91 mm scissors.
• Carrying a knife on my key ring meant that I either had to use that knife with a wad of keys hanging off the end of it, or take the extra time to remove the knife from the key ring before using and reattach after using.

[pomsbz]

No scissors.....?   

 

I have a Rambler on my keychain. To be honest I just don't use scissors all that often to justify carrying that extra layer. 

[ElevenBlade]

I know this is a popular option, but having tried it myself, I found it to have a couple of significant drawbacks:

• The 58 mm scissors, while excellent for their size, are not the equal of the 91 mm scissors.
• Carrying a knife on my key ring meant that I either had to use that knife with a wad of keys hanging off the end of it, or take the extra time to remove the knife from the key ring before using and reattach after using.

Similar experience here.  I hate to admit it, but a LM Micra has worked much better for me in this regard. I carried it on an S-biner for a while, but I had issues with it getting twisted and stuck.  Now I keep it (off the keys) in my jacket pocket. 

[Nix]

Or any combo you like.    I’d probably remove the saw layer and carry a Camper as a companion knife.

Swap a backside Phillips for one of the corkscrews?

[Simon_Templar]

I know this is a popular option, but having tried it myself, I found it to have a couple of significant drawbacks:

• The 58 mm scissors, while excellent for their size, are not the equal of the 91 mm scissors.
• Carrying a knife on my key ring meant that I either had to use that knife with a wad of keys hanging off the end of it, or take the extra time to remove the knife from the key ring before using and reattach after using.

I agree having it all on a 91/93 mm SAK is king. It just won't have two layers 

[Jim the Brave]

I agree having it all on a 91/93 mm SAK is king. It just won't have two layers 

 

[nate j]

I agree having it all on a 91/93 mm SAK is king. It just won't have two layers 

 

[SgtTowser]

My solution to the “tool removal” issue from a key ring passed unresolved through regular key rings, pull and twist to open key rings, key caddies, sprung carabiners and sprung carabiners with o-ring locks.

It was a dark time of my life!

Like Mick J, I couldn’t get no satisfaction.

If it was easy to get the key or tool off, it came off accidentally. BAD!

If it was too hard, key/tool removal was annoying and untimely. WORSE!

Issue resolution came with a triangular ring that has a gap and a screw tube closing and opening a gap on one side.

No accidental openings.

Quick, easy intentional openings for removal of key or tool.

Works for me.

Your mileage may vary.

[SgtTowser]

Regarding the holy grail of 3 layers in a two layer knife, I believe it can be done by Swiza’s approach to scissors.

But Swiza is not recognizing it yet.

Swiza scissors are essentially two large blades facing each other that scissor together to cut.

There is no reason these blades cannot be designed to work independently as knife blades and together as scissors.

Once designed this way, then the spine of the locking blade  blade can be machined for can opener function. The tip of non  locking scissor blade can be machined for can opener function.

The old GAK combined functions on the blade successfully.

Aitor makes a 2 layer knife with a skeletonized multi function blade that is very good.

The trick is to combine multi function blades with Swiza’s scissor approach.

[nate j]

Regarding the holy grail of 3 layers in a two layer knife...

The Vic Compact is actually a really good effort in this vein.  I just personally can't get on with the combo tool vs. the opener layer, and like having both large and small blades.