Is it me or is it...............

[Bay Harbor Butcher]

I am a bit disappointed with the finish of the Victorinox pocket knives. The blades/tools do not settle into place but hit the liners causing marks. The sharpening of the knives has been left unfinished. The materials used.........well maybe in the price range where we are used to seeing, but I could pay up to three times the price if I didn't see traces of un finiched and a small improvement to the materials (Cru-Wear, M390, titanium, carbon fiber). Yes, and even though I know how to sharpen blades, they could be sharpened properly and not just 🤬. How many of you would be willing to buy, for example, a Swiss Camp where M390 steel would be used for all blades/tools and the liners would be titanium and the scales would be carbon fiber.

[Helvetica Bold]

I generally find SAKs to be razor sharp out of the box. Bit too much oil sometimes but no other complaints from me. Many of us on here would be interested in better steels as an option but it’s unlikely to happen and if we want to change anything else there is a boyant 3rd party accessory and/or modding scene. There have been a few attempts by other companies to better a Swiss Army knife but for what they are they a Victorinox is hard to beat in my opinion. I’ve just brought my first 111mm and it feels like a much more expensive item than what I paid….and phenomenally (scary) sharp too. Alox too feel fantastic quality….I think you just need more of them 

[Bay Harbor Butcher]

I generally find SAKs to be razor sharp out of the box. Bit too much oil sometimes but no other complaints from me. Many of us on here would be interested in better steels as an option but it’s unlikely to happen and if we want to change anything else there is a boyant 3rd party accessory and/or modding scene. There have been a few attempts by other companies to better a Swiss Army knife but for what they are they a Victorinox is hard to beat in my opinion. I’ve just brought my first 111mm and it feels like a much more expensive item than what I paid….and phenomenally (scary) sharp too. Alox too feel fantastic quality….I think you just need more of them 

Definitely need more but limited budget. Only one new per month. Fortunately, from time to time I can find decent specimens at flea markets.

[nate j]

I am a bit disappointed with the finish of the Victorinox pocket knives. The blades/tools do not settle into place but hit the liners causing marks. The sharpening of the knives has been left unfinished.

Sorry to hear you have run into these issues; based on dozens of SAKs purchased over the last 25+ years, this seems completely contrary to my experiences.

How many SAKs have you had with these problems?  Were they new or used when you got them?

[MacGyver]

I am a bit disappointed with the finish of the Victorinox pocket knives. The blades/tools do not settle into place but hit the liners causing marks. The sharpening of the knives has been left unfinished. The materials used.........well maybe in the price range where we are used to seeing, but I could pay up to three times the price if I didn't see traces of un finiched and a small improvement to the materials (Cru-Wear, M390, titanium, carbon fiber). Yes, and even though I know how to sharpen blades, they could be sharpened properly and not just 🤬. How many of you would be willing to buy, for example, a Swiss Camp where M390 steel would be used for all blades/tools and the liners would be titanium and the scales would be carbon fiber.

So... you bought 2 or 3 SAK's, and decide they are crap finished knives and have crap materials, and then proceed to go on a Swiss Army Knife forum and whine about how crappy they are because they don't have all the fancy materials and steels you wanted them to have....  nice.... 

I've been using and owning SAK's for over 35 years and never, just once, had a quality issue with a single one of them. Maybe SAK's are just not for you, and you should move on and find a knife/multitool that fits your needs... How about that...?

To answer your question:
" Is it me or is it..............."

Yes. It's just you.

[Antti Lammi]

For that price what Victorinox cost and amount they make there could allways be few exceptions along way.
You cant expect every SAK they do have flawless quality, like you would expect from expensive knifes and still those have problems what you wouldnt expect for that price. (Like Spyderco, CRKT, Cold Steel,Kershaw and etc...)
For that SwissChamp with steel like m390 would be bit overkill, i would understand if that would be tool that could do every job but for that size i dont need no fancy steels to it not even on blade steel.


Only Tools Matters

[Aloha]

MKM makes a knife with Micarta and M390.  Might take a look at that?  Not sure about the fit and finish on them as I don't have any. 

As to SAKs, its hard to compare them to much of anything from my perspective.  That said,  if on your new SAK the blade are hitting the liner I'd send it back.  As to the unfinished blades, I am thinking you are referring to the edge?  They do a high polish on the blades but I have not seen a mirrored edge tho one can easily be done.  Not sure this always needed after years of doing this myself with many blades.  Sure looks nice tho. 

There are custom SAK makers who would be glad to take an order for a Ti scaled SAK tho I am not sure all blade steels are available.  Have you seen the ones with Sypderco blades? 

The SAK has largely been unchanged and will likely not be changed.  Talk of higher end steels have always been kicked around.  Custom makers do carbon fiber, micrata, titanium, and other materials.  Sound like you might be happier with the custom route? 

If you do go that route please follow up and let us know what your thoughts are. 

[Rizio Il Ghiro]

I’ve found that all the new SAKs I’ve bought in the last few years, admittedly LEs and SEs, have been excellent apart from a bit too much oil as others have said, but that’s easily sorted with a cloth…..

[nate j]

MKM makes a knife with Micarta and M390.

Yes, the Malga 6.  I had a chance to briefly handle one, and while the blade was nice, I felt the other tools were a bit lacking.

Another option is the Fox Vulpis.  M390 steel, and some high end handle options including carbon fiber and titanium.  F&F on my example is excellent, and price point is reasonable.  The main negatives are limited tool selection (though several different models are offered), and small size relative to a 91 mm SAK.

There is also the American Service knife.  Premium steel for sure, but cons are limited tool selection, higher price point, and plastic handles.

[Simon_Templar]

So... you bought 2 or 3 SAK's, and decide they are crap finished knives and have crap materials, and then proceed to go on a Swiss Army Knife forum and whine about how crappy they are because they don't have all the fancy materials and steels you wanted them to have....  nice.... 

I've been using and owning SAK's for over 35 years and never, just once, had a quality issue with a single one of them. Maybe SAK's are just not for you, and you should move on and find a knife/multitool that fits your needs... How about that...?

To answer your question:
" Is it me or is it..............."

Yes. It's just you.

Mac, I don't think that's fair. OP obviously had a bad experience with his SAK(s) and shared it here. Whether he expressed his views too harshly is a matter of opinion, but tools scratching the liners is definitely an issue and why wouldn't one be allowed to mention it here?

This forum is a sympathetic, nerdy place with a welcoming, friendly community. Please let us all keep this up even if we do not share each other's opinion. We are all SAK fans here, but more importantly, we are a friendly bunch, which I for one appreciate very much and which is one of the main reasons I like this forum so much.

Just for the record, I very seldom had issues with my SAKs out of the box, but it did happen in rare instances. Mostly it was a lack of spring power, in particular concerning the saw, the philips screwdriver (or the opposite mag glass) and the cap lifter. They simply lacked snap. Usually not enough to send the SAK back, but it does annoy me when it happens and I did send a brand new Swisschamp back once on account of the saw not fully closing without a slight extra push.

What I never experienced was a blunt blade - all my users arrived with excellent sharpness right out of the box.

Cheers and all the best,

Simon

[Aloha]

 



 

[MacGyver]

Mac, I don't think that's fair. OP obviously had a bad experience with his SAK(s) and shared it here. Whether he expressed his views too harshly is a matter of opinion, but tools scratching the liners is definitely an issue and why wouldn't one be allowed to mention it here?

This forum is a sympathetic, nerdy place with a welcoming, friendly community. Please let us all keep this up even if we do not share each other's opinion. We are all SAK fans here, but more importantly, we are a friendly bunch, which I for one appreciate very much and which is one of the main reasons I like this forum so much.

Just for the record, I very seldom had issues with my SAKs out of the box, but it did happen in rare instances. Mostly it was a lack of spring power, in particular concerning the saw, the philips screwdriver (or the opposite mag glass) and the cap lifter. They simply lacked snap. Usually not enough to send the SAK back, but it does annoy me when it happens and I did send a brand new Swisschamp back once on account of the saw not fully closing without a slight extra push.

What I never experienced was a blunt blade - all my users arrived with excellent sharpness right out of the box.

Cheers and all the best,

Simon

You're right bro.... I apologize for coming off too harsh.
Some stuff in the topic kind of rubbed me the wrong way a bit, and i was particularly pissed, and kind of in a crappy mood lately (personal issues) when i read it.

Thank's for the heads up. One should never reply on forums when pissed... It almost always go bad... 

[MacGyver]

*double post*

[Simon_Templar]

 

[Aloha]

Thank you gentlemen.  I do hope whatever is going on MacGyver it'll pass quickly.  All the best my friends. 

 

[Aloha]

BTW MKM is now using Magnacut for the SAKalikes. 

[Steelej1976]

It does suck when you get a dud knife though at any price so I can understand the OPs disappointment however all the SAKs I have bought have been razor sharp.  I got my Recruit for $17 and it can do more then a $400 Sebenza.  I'm not trying to be flippant but for the price I don't think SAKS can be beat.  I wouldn't mind fancier knife steel and I wish Cellidor was more durable other then that the pure utility of a SAK out ways the CONS. 

[Enginears]

I got a PX that had a dented spring that caused a little kink in the motion of the awl. I took it apart for a mod, but I imagine I would have had to send it in to be fixed.

I have had good luck with the fit and finish of all the other new Saks I have gotten, but have thought for the stamped liners and 93mm keyring spacer it would be amazing if they smoothed the edges just a bit. But I realize that would potentially increase the cost quite a bit.

Bay harbor, what tools do you have rubbing on your knives? Side note: I love Dexter, what a great show.

[Frailer]

I am a bit disappointed with the finish of the Victorinox pocket knives. The blades/tools do not settle into place but hit the liners causing marks. The sharpening of the knives has been left unfinished. The materials used.........well maybe in the price range where we are used to seeing, but I could pay up to three times the price if I didn't see traces of un finiched and a small improvement to the materials (Cru-Wear, M390, titanium, carbon fiber). Yes, and even though I know how to sharpen blades, they could be sharpened properly and not just 🤬. How many of you would be willing to buy, for example, a Swiss Camp where M390 steel would be used for all blades/tools and the liners would be titanium and the scales would be carbon fiber.

Since you asked, I have no interest in a knife such as you describe.

I believe you are sincere, but if I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard someone who came to the SAK via the route of the modern locking folder bemoan Victorinox’s refusal to “upgrade” their materials…I’d be able to take my spouse on a *very* nice dinner date.

Victorinox has spent over a century selecting materials that function well and permit efficient manufacture of their product at a reasonable price point.

If you would like a knife like the one you describe you can certainly have one made for you, but not by Victorinox. And I fear you’ll find the cost would be more than the “3 times” you mentioned.

All that said, I’m sorry you weren’t pleased with your Victorinox knives. We all have different tastes, and that’s a good thing.

[marlowe221]

Posted in the wrong thread. Nothing to see here!

[Fireman]

I am a bit disappointed with the finish of the Victorinox pocket knives. The blades/tools do not settle into place but hit the liners causing marks. The sharpening of the knives has been left unfinished. The materials used.........well maybe in the price range where we are used to seeing, but I could pay up to three times the price if I didn't see traces of un finiched and a small improvement to the materials (Cru-Wear, M390, titanium, carbon fiber). Yes, and even though I know how to sharpen blades, they could be sharpened properly and not just 🤬. How many of you would be willing to buy, for example, a Swiss Camp where M390 steel would be used for all blades/tools and the liners would be titanium and the scales would be carbon fiber.

A couple of thoughts.  First, Vic could do what everyone else does, which would be to make them in China.  Vic hasn't done that, which I appreciate, and I'll continue to support them by buying more knives.    Want to see a crappy SAK?  I've got a Chinesium version that was thrown in with something else I bought on eBay,

Super steels.  I've had really nice (and expensive) knives with S30V, D2, and other steels, but I'm over it.  I accepted the fact that I don't need them for anything I do, which allows me to spend super steel dollars on more SAKs.    As Lenin said, "Quantity has a quality all its own."

[charlie fox]

I'll weigh in; the first SAK I ever carried intentionally was a Recruit I bought in the PX at Ft Huachuca in 1982. Since then I've owned, gifted and traded more SAKs than I care to remember but I never ever had any kind of quality control or functionality issues with any of them. In fact, I would surmise that the reason Victorinox has been around so long (outlasting and buying out their direct competitor) is because they make tools that work, keep on working, and look good while doing it.