3 Layer SAKs

[Steelej1976]

I think 3 layer SAKs are the sweet spot of SAKDOM.  They are still pocketable and give you an extra tool whether a saw, scissors, bit driver, etc.  The Climber to me is the best Swiss Army Knife for urban carry and the Farmer is still King of Alox IMO despite the Farmer X. 

I know some will say mo layers, mo better but 3 is where it is at for me. 

[Jim the Brave]

Yes, it's purely a personal decision. I now carry approximately 5 SAK's with me every day at work, and the thickest is a Ranger (five layers), along with a Farmer (3 layers), a Hunter (3 layers), and an Esquire and a Classic (2 layers each).

If I could have a 5-layer 91 with all my sawmill tools I would be one happy camper.

My ideal SAK would have:
2 blades layer....
2 openers layer....
wood saw....
metal file.....
pliers.....
backside phillips....
backside reamer.....
backside hook....
backside wood chisel....
backside fine screw driver...
and toothpick and tweezers.

If I were to add a 6th layer, it would be scissors, and I would really appreciate having a board thickness gauge (no such thing on an SAK).

[Frailer]

Yes, it's purely a personal decision. I now carry approximately 5 SAK's with me every day at work, and the thickest is a Ranger (five layers), along with a Farmer (3 layers), a Hunter (3 layers), and an Esquire and a Classic (2 layers each).

If I could have a 5-layer 91 with all my sawmill tools I would be one happy camper.

My ideal SAK would have:
2 blades layer....
2 openers layer....
wood saw....
metal file.....
pliers.....
backside phillips....
backside reamer.....
backside hook....
backside wood chisel....
backside fine screw driver...
and toothpick and tweezers.

If I were to add a 6th layer, it would be scissors, and I would really appreciate having a board thickness gauge (no such thing on an SAK).

Sounds like you need a “Craftsman.” 

Back on the 3-layer topic, my pick in this category is the Trail Guide.

[Jim the Brave]

Sounds like you need a “Craftsman.” 

Back on the 3-layer topic, my pick in this category is the Trail Guide.

Oh yes, I surely do need a Craftsman. 

[Sawl Goodman]

The Camper always does it for me - not that I use the saw often, though. I like that it's there but the Camper just feels better in my hand than the Spartan does. One of my favourite knives! 

If I'm going to carry any 91mm thicker than a Camper, I may as well pocket the lot and take a Swisschamp.

I also love the Evowood 14 as a desk SAK. So elegant and nice to hold.

 

[theonew]

Three layers carries better but four layers feels better in the hand while using

[Jim the Brave]

I reckon the Hiker would be my favorite of the more common 3-layers. But I don't have one. Not enough stuff in it....

However I do carry the Farmer, and that is a classy 3-layer knife. If it had a backside phillips and awl, it would be even more awesome. Somebody gave me the Farmer, brand new, or I probably wouldn't have selected it (new), but I really do like it, especially the looks and durability of the alox sides. I probably should carry a Super Tinker to compliment it, but then I wouldn't have the metal file found on my Ranger. If I could just get a phillips onto my Ranger, it would have most of what I need on a daily basis. Maybe I just need to carry more knives. Five knives isn't always enough.

[Simon_Templar]

The Camper always does it for me - not that I use the saw often, though. I like that it's there but the Camper just feels better in my hand than the Spartan does. One of my favourite knives! 

If I'm going to carry any 91mm thicker than a Camper, I may as well pocket the lot and take a Swisschamp.

I also love the Evowood 14 as a desk SAK. So elegant and nice to hold.

 

If you need something bigger than the Spartan and don't mind a tool that's actually useful in everyday life, may I suggest a Climber or Super Tinker...?

[Sawl Goodman]

If you need something bigger than the Spartan and don't mind a tool that's actually useful in everyday life, may I suggest a Climber or Super Tinker...?

Thanks for the suggestion. I don’t need the Climber because I have scissors on my keyring Rambler; and I prefer the corkscrew over the back Phillips. I also like having the Camper’s saw.

 

[Simon_Templar]

Thanks for the suggestion. I don’t need the Climber because I have scissors on my keyring Rambler; and I prefer the corkscrew over the back Phillips. I also like having the Camper’s saw.

 

If you already got the scissors base covered, that's understandable.  In particular since one isn't spoilt for choices when it comes to three layer SAKs anyway - the Spartan Lite and particularly the Cybertool S are useful, but compete with four layer SAKs size-wise.

[Sawl Goodman]

If you already got the scissors base covered, that's understandable.  In particular since one isn't spoilt for choices when it comes to three layer SAKs anyway - the Spartan Lite and particularly the Cybertool S are useful, but compete with four layer SAKs size-wise.

You've reminded me I have a Spartan Lite. The Phillips is centred which is refreshing and the light's OK for finding your way around the house in the pitch black. I used to use it for opening coal sacks at night. The light points in the same direction as the large blade, so I could see what I was cutting. Also true of opening cans - yes, I did this once in the dark as a test.    I've never carried it, nor used it since I regularly opened coal sacks on winter nights.

Gotta wonder why Victorinox hasn't added scissors to it to make an additional Explorer Lite model? I reckon a good number of customers might prefer the light to the magnifier.

[K4NNW]

For me, this is a no-brainer. Evolution 16. It has the tools I need on a regular basis and none that I don't.