I need a MacGyver SAK

[Ozark75]

I currently have a Classic SD cellidor, Classic SD precious alox, Minichamp with Classic cellidor scales (toothpick and tweezers), a Bantam alox and a Spirit X.

Now, we all know MacGyver could save the world with any of these. We also know he carried different sak's at different times on the show.

But here's my question....which SAK should I get as my MacGyver SAK? Of all the SAK's he used, which one screams "This is MacGyver's SAK"?

[LoopCutter]

Explorer would be good start.

Your Spirit covers many bases.

Climber is another model I recall on the series.

SAKWIKI.com may provide some insight.

Or, pose the question to Google, “what knife did McGovern use?”

[nate j]

Here’s the most complete list I’m aware of:

https://www.macgyveronline.com/macgyververse/equipmenttech/saks-used-in-each-episode/

I haven’t crunched the numbers on this (yet), but just eyeballing it I would say there are good arguments for the Spartan, Tinker, Tinker Small, and Recruit.

[nate j]

Couldn’t resist a quick partial analysis.

It looks like the Standard (basically an old version of the Spartan) is the winner with 15 episodes.  When you add the 10 episodes that featured the Spartan, the Spartan is the runaway choice with 25 episodes.

Tinker was in 11 episodes and Tinker Small in 7, but there’s an argument IMO for recording that as Tinker/Tinker Small 18.

HM to the Recruit with 11.

[LoopCutter]

That is interesting Nate, I expected more implement rich models like the Climber, Fieldmaster, would have been in use.
The Spartan is a solid model as is the Tinker. 👍

[Barry Rowland]

I was a big fan of the show, especially the first couple of seasons, and had the DVDs for awhile.  Most of the time, he barely used the tool set of either the Spartan or the Tinker.  I used to cringe when he'd pry with the main blade, or dig with it.  Still, I loved his creativity!!

[Grand_Banana]

I’ve always remembered the Tinker as the MacGyver SAK. I don’t really know why.  Interesting the Standard was most featured. 

[sv4]

From memory, the Tinker Small was the SAK that McGyver frequently used. Guess the memory is faulty..

[BPRoberts]

The Tinker as the main Macgyver SAK has been the "prevailing wisdom" for at least a decade. Not sure where it came from.

[IMR4198]

  Always red cellidor too.  Unless you just don't care about such details.  Best wishes.  G
 

[marlowe221]

The Tinker as the main Macgyver SAK has been the "prevailing wisdom" for at least a decade. Not sure where it came from.

Probably the same place as "Beam me up, Scotty", which no one ever actually says in Star Trek. 

That said, MacGyver does seem to have stuck with 2 layer SAKs most of the time. An interesting statement about either minimalism in EDC.... or the power of television script writers determining what happens to you.

I do think there is something to be said for not going overboard when thinking about which SAK you want to carry with you on a daily basis. What are the kinds of tools you often find yourself needing? What is your daily environment like? Etc.

On the other hand, if carrying a Champ makes someone happy, who am I to tell them they are wrong?

[LoopCutter]

I bet the whole tool set scenario on the show was more associated to the inventory the PROP GUY provided.  Or, what he/she was familiar with. The actor was just a tool in the story. The SAK was the true hero.

[psyjohn]

For me the Executive is the best Macgyver SAK. You'll always be ready to defuse a bomb on a cruise ship.

[nate j]

Some of the other SAKs folks have mentioned:

Climber - 7

Fieldmaster - 0

Explorer - 0

Executive - 6


With our memories, I think there are a couple of factors at play…

One is that we may tend to better remember episodes that were particular favorites, and or those where SAKs featured most prominently.

Another factor is that first impressions are usually difficult to overcome.  Though they weren’t ultimately the most used SAKs in the series, a whopping 12 out of the first 15 episodes (80%) featured either the Tinker or Tinker Small.  So, this is likely the source of the “prevailing wisdom” that the quintessential MacGyver SAK is the Tinker.

My theory is that the choice of primarily two-layer SAKs was deliberate.  The premise of the show is that MacGyver saves the day with his ingenuity + a few basic tools.  He was never intended to be like Inspector Gadget or Batman, pulling out the perfect tool for the job from a seemingly endless array.

[Steelej1976]

Some of the other SAKs folks have mentioned:

Climber - 7

Fieldmaster - 0

Explorer - 0

Executive - 6


With our memories, I think there are a couple of factors at play…

One is that we may tend to better remember episodes that were particular favorites, and or those where SAKs featured most prominently.

Another factor is that first impressions are usually difficult to overcome.  Though they weren’t ultimately the most used SAKs in the series, a whopping 12 out of the first 15 episodes (80%) featured either the Tinker or Tinker Small.  So, this is likely the source of the “prevailing wisdom” that the quintessential MacGyver SAK is the Tinker.

My theory is that the choice of primarily two-layer SAKs was deliberate.  The premise of the show is that MacGyver saves the day with his ingenuity + a few basic tools.  He was never intended to be like Inspector Gadget or Batman, pulling out the perfect tool for the job from a seemingly endless array.

Nate J is correct about the Spartan\Standard and Tinker being his most used SAKs however his 3rd most carried the Recruit Economy\Recruit (around 11 times) is my favorite.

Reamer Punch has a good post on Macgyver SAKS

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=79050.0

I also carry a Classic SD and the Recruit complements it nicely!

[Ozark75]

So, I'm leaning towards the compact. Even though he never used a compact, I feel it is keeping with the premise....do a lot, with a little. It seems the compact is among the highest (if not THE highest function to tool ratio offering from Victorinox.

I only have three saks (minichamp, classic sd precious alox and bantam alox...gave my cellidor classic sd to my daughter last night).

I am trying my hardest not to fall down the sak rabbit hole and end up with a huge collection. I feel a compact will round out my collection quite nicely. I'm sure there will be more, but I dont want to start chasing the "perfect sak".

So, most likely, a compact will be comming home with me soon.

[LoopCutter]

A “perfect SAK”!

A SAK can not approach perfect status unless it includes a Tooth Pick and a Tweezers.

Your minicamp may be yours.

I have Vagabond, cellidor version, (when purchased in early 90s the box label read MANAGER

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I carry this daily and have since I purchased accept when traveling via airplane.

For a regular SAk the CLIMBER is well equipped for my need.   And for other less demanding activities the SPARTAN is my choice.  The CORKSCREW, surprisingly has  made me hero a few times.  Uncorking a wine at a picnic or other informal event, or, freeing a knot on a wet bikini, shoe string, or a stubborn knot else where associated to clothing.

Then, my Vagabond’s 3D Phillips has always been popular with grandkids when a toy requires new batteries, even on Christmas gifts for new.

We each have our needs, even if not saving the world!

[BPRoberts]

The best way to avoid chasing "just one more tool" IMO is actually to start BIG. If you carry a Swisschamp for a month, you'll find very quickly which tools you actually use. After that, you may want to go minimalist (say a Spartan) to see which ones you miss having. From there, it's much easier to identify the model that aligns with your must haves. Otherwise you're liable to eternally go, "I like the Huntsman but..." and "I think I'd use..." and collect 20 different models trying to get it to line up just right.

[nate j]

So, I'm leaning towards the compact. Even though he never used a compact, I feel it is keeping with the premise....do a lot, with a little. It seems the compact is among the highest (if not THE highest function to tool ratio offering from Victorinox.

I only have three saks (minichamp, classic sd precious alox and bantam alox...gave my cellidor classic sd to my daughter last night).

I am trying my hardest not to fall down the sak rabbit hole and end up with a huge collection. I feel a compact will round out my collection quite nicely. I'm sure there will be more, but I dont want to start chasing the "perfect sak".

So, most likely, a compact will be comming home with me soon.

Ah, but I think MacGyver did use a Compact in two episodes towards the end of the series.

The Compact is a great slim carry with, as you say, a lot of functions for its size.

Its biggest downside as a standalone SAK, IMO, is that it really doesn’t have a good way to handle Phillips screws.

Another potential disadvantage is not having the awl (a useful but probably not essential tool IMO).

Finally, while the combo tool does work as a can opener, many feel it is inferior to the standard can opener tool in this regard.

[Explorer]

he did indeed use a compact which is a very MacGyvery SAK on its own but for me probably the most MacGyvery SAK would be a tinker small from 1985

here's mine:

[ThisAlarm7]

Yeah, when I think of a MacGyver SAK the 84mm Tinker is always what comes to mind.

[ToolJoe]

Spirit on your belt and a small Tinker in your pocket. Problem solved!

[LoopCutter]

Spirit on your belt and a small Tinker in your pocket. Problem solved!

A Spartan may provide a better combo as it includes the CORKSCREW. 😎.
But not a 84mm😥

[nate j]

The best way to avoid chasing "just one more tool" IMO is actually to start BIG. If you carry a Swisschamp for a month, you'll find very quickly which tools you actually use. After that, you may want to go minimalist (say a Spartan) to see which ones you miss having. From there, it's much easier to identify the model that aligns with your must haves.

Solid advice here.  I did this, but somewhat in reverse.  Carried a Spartan for years, but kind of wished it had scissors.  Only took about a week with a SC to figure out which tools I really wanted.

[nate j]

The CORKSCREW, surprisingly has  made me hero a few times.  Uncorking a wine at a picnic or other informal event, or, freeing a knot on a wet bikini, shoe string, or a stubborn knot else where associated to clothing.

Then, my Vagabond’s 3D Phillips has always been popular with grandkids when a toy requires new batteries, even on Christmas gifts for new.

Two of my favorite implements there.

I always chuckle a bit when I hear, “I don’t drink wine, so I have no use for a corkscrew.”  Whether it’s loosening a tight knot or stuck jar lid, or storing the mini-screwdriver, the corkscrew’s simple appearance belies its many useful applications.

Perhaps my most memorable personal corkscrew story…Years ago, I was at a festival where one of the vendors was selling root beer in old fashioned glass bottles with, you guessed it, corks.  As we walked around, we came upon a couple who had apparently gotten their cork jammed too far into their bottle.  The husband was attempting to dig it out with the blade of a locking folder.  With visions of a bloody and unsuccessful end to this endeavor filling my head, I rushed over, produced my Climber, and extracted the cork.


The 58mm 3D Phillips fits a wider range of screw sizes than one might expect, and the fact that it’s magnetized helps prevent losing those small screws.

[LoopCutter]

   one hundred present !

This forum has taught me so me tricks / hacks to get so much more use out of a tool.

I have used and carried tools my entire career.
Before college and during, regular tools.

After college, 1973 till retirement, computers, peripheral equipment, filling entire buildings.  ATMs, sorters, power systems, etc. 
Builded tool kits specifically to types of equipment, not uncommon to have 5 or more tool grips in my vehicle.

Today, my EDC is selected based on what I may encounter,  if on my person or handy shoulder bag.

Like being useful.  And always learning.  Even at my advance age😉

Oh my, I am rambling!!!!😊

But, not