SAK demographics.

[cbl51]

Okay, we're all SAL overs here, that's what brings this group together. BUT...I've been wondering, just who we are as a group? I'm curious as to age, city vs rural life, office vs blue collar/outdoor worker, American, European, Asian folks?

Here's what I am wondering; I've been on knife forums, and survivalist forums most of which I've quit because it just got to ridiculous. It seems like some forums, if you don't have a Glock 17 with three spare mags and a back up gun with at least one spare mag, you're under armed. On the knife forums, it seems like if you don't have a Bowie knife, or Kukri or bolo, you're under knifed. Or at least one of the modern one hand wonders with assisted blade opening in a blink of an eye and have a blade that locks open with a lock strong enough to hang an armored car from.

To most people these days a SAK is some obsolete little thing that boys scouts and kids get at age 12.  I've heard a SAK described as a "floppy bladed little thing that is actually dangerous to use because the blade will fold over on you and cut your finger off." This from a generation of knife nuts used to Spyderco's, Benchmade, and other cult worship knives.  Most likely never even handled a slip joint because they weren't "cool" , let alone ever really used one.

Soooo, who are the SAK enthusiasts here, who could go through life with a SAK or three just fine? No other folder needed? Young? Old? European? Office geeks? Blue collar guys?

[gustophersmob]

I’m in the US, in my 40’s, engineer by education, now in management. So, I guess you’d call it white collar.

I live somewhat rurally, with some acreage to maintain, a garden, some chickens, etc.

[psyjohn]

I'm closer to 60 than 50, living in the central Atlantic region of the US. For the last 26 years I have been working with children (and some adults) with autism, currently an elementary special education teacher with a class of 8 kids on the spectrum. My love of Swiss Army Knives started decades ago when my dad bought me a Classic. A few years later I moved up to a Climber that I carried through my time in the Navy, college, and grad school. One of the things that I really appreciate about SAK owners is how friendly and helpful they are. I think that's the reason most of us carry them in the first place. Always ready to help out with the friendliest of multi tools.

[Farmer X]

I'm in my 40s, very much blue-collar, and currently living in a city in the Midwestern U.S. Hopefully the city dwelling bit will change. Blue-collar never will.

[Bjørn B-J]

Early 30’s Dane, journeyman Electrician, but educated further to electrical engineering - grew up in a mid sized town, now living in the countryside -
Seems like quite a few carried pocket knife’s when I grew up, now it’s very rare, I never even see classics

In fact, I’m the only one I know 

The only other knife I would have use for, other than a SAK, is a Herbertz Hunting folding knife, lovely gift from the misses

[PitCarver]

United States,  South Carolina.
Live in more of a rural area that's becoming more suburban due to the housing developments
I'm 66 but I'll be 67 next month.
Married for 45 years.
Been retired since 2000 on disability from the State Department of Corrections.

[LoopCutter]

Failure posting…

[LoopCutter]

NE Indiana, suburban setting, 71.  Electronic Engineering Degree, specialized in computer service and electronic service installation and repair.  Also, data communication in financial industry since 1973.
Moved into construction industry installing and maintaining parking control facilities for 12 years.

Pocket knife part of my daily carry since I was 8 years old.  Worked farming since that age.

Started with 58 mm classics until I bought a Manager/Vagabond.

Member on MTo since acquiring my ST300 and then ALOX FARMER, then Pioneer, and more and more.

[BPRoberts]

NE US, mid thirties, teacher. Almost always have an SAK on my keys (usually a 74mm Executive) and that's enough knife/multi most of the time, if I'm not camping or working on the house. Usually, whatever I'm carrying for the month's challenge goes in the opposite pocket (SAKs are still my favorite to carry.) Outside of SAKs, I like small to medium size traditional folders. Big fan of Case, give me a nice medium size bone handle stockman any day. Their Longhouse is probably my current favorite knife. Good OHO, size and shape, and I enjoy the "retro-modern" style. I like Gerbers more than Leathermans, but the Rebar is pretty high on my list.

[Ozark75]

49. Live in town, but its a small town (about 7,000 people) in Missouri. The area is a mix of rural and urban. BS degree in Business Admin. Been in manaufacturing for many years as upper / senior management. Recently took a step back to just a Sr Staff Accountant position. I was tired of being in charge. New to SAK's, but I am a huge fan! I ocassionally add to my carry when I want a "nice" knife. But those are all traditional style slipjoints.

[Storm]

Manawatu , New Zealand, mid 40s, father of 3 boys .Blue collar, grew up on a dairy farm, joined the army to get my trade as an electrician, changed to firefighter for a few years , got promoted to 1st Civ Div and carried on the sparky work.
Got given a Spartan at 8 or 9 for Christmas one year, and theres been a SAK of some kind in my pockets or gear ever since (often the Pioneer as inspired by OP   ).Also had a Leatherman PST II on my belt for 11 or so  years while enlisted. I'm also a fan of a nice  Case knife (such as the Stockman, both medium and small, also inspired by OP .
 Currently living in a small village, hoping to move rural in a couple years.

[J2000E]

Blue collar gone white. 61 years old. Swedish/Finnish (mother being Finnish but she is from a part of Finland = Åland - not speaking any Finnish). Plumber apprentice, then infantry officer, then academic education = architect. Since 25 years CEO/MD in property management. Hunting, fishing, sea and forest. Restoring vehicles and many other things (vintage - of all kinds).

The "Old school headmaster"-thing has nothing to do with my work. I live in a rural school from 1866. My friends call me the headmaster... and I am old school - living in an old school.

edit. Knives and tools - I believe I wrote earlier here that I got my first real knife at around 8. It was natural in our family. Still is. Got my first own tool set at around 10. Mostly carpenter oriented from the beginning. I have got all kinds of tools and use them. I like SAK: s because they are well made and fits many small tasks. And as a collector of them - there are a lot of nice ones to look for and dream of.

[LoopCutter]

Very, very interesting J2000E 😎

[Farmer X]

Hoping to move rural in a couple years.

You and me both!

[nate j]

I’m in the US, in my 40’s, engineer by education, now in management. So, I guess you’d call it white collar.

Ha, this is me as well.

I currently live in a mid-size town.  Would like to get some property and move to the country, but not sure it’s in the cards.

Got my first SAK (a Spartan) at 14, and have had at least one in my pocket ever since.

I also enjoy all my other knives though:  trads, modern folders, fixies, etc.

Could I get by with only SAKs?
Most days, yes.  The only area where I find them really lacking is food prep.  That is, unless we consider Victorinox kitchen knives and other fixed blades to be SAKs (which I personally do not).

[mfturner]

In my early sixties, south eastern US, white collar (electrical engineering) but grew up rural and have had a pocket knife of some sort since I was a playing in the woods as a kid.  A Case pocket knife as a kid thati still have but never use, it just doesn’t have enough function to compete.  I migrated to multitools through my thirties and forties, and settled on various SAK’s for the past decade for better pocket carry.   A Waiter or a Compact is more functional  for me than a LM Micra, while still being much nicer to carry than a larger multi tool.

[charlie fox]

South Carolina USA, 62-year-old male, Fire & Life Safety Inspector for a large state hospital system. I've carried a SAK of some flavor almost daily since 1982. My current favorite is the Compact, but when I have to be fancy, I carry either a Classic or a Alox Bantam.

[AzteCypher]

I'm in Central Texas just north of Austin and I just turned 50 last year.  We thought we were moving further away from the city but the city just crept up real close in the last 2yrs.  I don't like it but it is what it is.

I've worked in healthcare IT for almost 20yrs now.  Prior to that I worked retail, restaurant, maintenance, and as a mechanic.  I dabble in automotive endeavors, archery, 3D printing, tinkering, and light gardening.

I got my first SAK when I was a wee lad.  It was a Classic SD that I still having knocking about thought it's seen better days.  The MacGyver show inspired me to buy my fist Tinker though I've carried a small pocket knife since I received my Classic SD.  For the last several years I've carried a SAK on me at all times, usually some Tinker variant.

[Farmer X]

On the subject of first SAKs, mine was a Grand Prix. I deserve a for treating it poorly and letting it slip away.

[Huntsman]

Great stories everyone

@J2000E - Good to hear why you are an Old School Headmaster - And of course not what I thought!!

And so to me
I had a pocket knife (boy scout type - 2 layer mock horn scales) since I was very young 7ish?
Migrated to SAKs in my teens - And always carried one for many decades ever since - Not surprisingly it was a Huntsman

But only ever had the one + a couple of Classics.

A dozen or so  years ago or so I was rooting around the internet and discovered just how many SAKs there were (and also discovered ebay!). For a while I was kidding myself buying various SAKs for various alleged use cases .... 
Then I had to finally admit it - I was a collector    
I am most interested in the older vintage models (pre 80s ) and tool evolutions

I also have a few Leatherman users - And a very few PSTs for a small LM historical collection

Oh and I discovered this place (later became a moderator) and SAKWiki - And now I guess I am kinda the main SAKWiki editor - With lots of help from Nick4 - Building on all the amazing work from the original editorial teams

EDIT: Oh and I forgot the other part of the OP Q
White collar worker (Retail IT systems) - Love the mountains, wilderness and the outdoors, DIY and fixing things
I am a country boy at heart - But I live in a big, bloody, busy but beautiful city at the moment (Sydney)
European boy living down under
I am young at heart - But gotta admit somewhat old    :'(

[Ozark75]

Not surprisingly it was a Huntsman

Not to derail the thread, but your name is Huntsman. Because of the knife or spider?

[Huntsman]

We love derailments at MTo!!
And I would even say this is not a derailment - As we are talking about ourselves  and our SAK origins

And even more so as the name came from the SAK         - The Huntsman avatar came later!
Although I do like huntsman spiders 

The name can be misleading as I also had someone else here as me if I was a hunter
That is definitely not me!!

[ThisAlarm7]

Early-mid 40s, white collar WFH after previously working in federal security before I developed serious health problems after COVID. Better now, still issues. Happily married and proud father of a young daughter, live in a  Mountain West USA state capitol but want to move more rural one day soon.

[hsherzfeld]

Just turned 30. I’m a mechanical engineer in the oil and gas industry in Houston, Tx. I’m lucky enough to work in an environment where nobody bats an eye at seeing a pocket knife in the office.


I’d be ashamed to admit how many SAKs I’ve bought over the years, but I’ve pretty much settled on my preferred models now.

Aside from SAKs, my other knife/ multitool interests are Leatherman MTs and traditional slipjoint pocketknives. And Opinel, those are nice too.

I’ve never owned a Spyderco, Benchmade, CRKT, Kershaw, or any other modern “tactical” folding knife.

[cbl51]

I'm in Central Texas just north of Austin and I just turned 50 last year.  We thought we were moving further away from the city but the city just crept up real close in the last 2yrs.  I don't like it but it is what it is.

I've worked in healthcare IT for almost 20yrs now.  Prior to that I worked retail, restaurant, maintenance, and as a mechanic.  I dabble in automotive endeavors, archery, 3D printing, tinkering, and light gardening.

I got my first SAK when I was a wee lad.  It was a Classic SD that I still having knocking about thought it's seen better days.  The MacGyver show inspired me to buy my fist Tinker though I've carried a small pocket knife since I received my Classic SD.  For the last several years I've carried a SAK on me at all times, usually some Tinker variant.

Sounds like you and I are in the same boat.
We moved to Georgetown Texas in 2015 from the Washington D.C. area, to escape both the cold winters and politics. In 2015, Georgetown was a nice little town, bordering on becoming a city.

BUT...in the past half dozen years, it has mushroomed sooooo d--m much, it's now a city like what we left behind in the D.C. suburbs. At my age, I don't think I have an other move left in me, so we'll ride it out.

But again, I'm a born and bred city rat, born and grew up in D.C., so to me that's my natural environment. Grew up in a not so nice neighborhood, lower blue collar, and worked as a machine shop guy from age 28 on. Lots of time spent on Bridgeport mills and Harding lathes and Clausing drill presses.

I like the woods, and loved my backpacking, canoeing, hiking and camping, but to me the boonies was a nice place to visit but not to live. At the end of the weekend I was glad to go back to my suburban home.  But now a great deal of it all is in the category of "been there, done that." I don't backpack anymore, and I really don't think I wanted to after a point. At this point in my life as a white bearded olds fart, I don't even feel like lugging a pack up some mountain trail and then sleeping on the ground. I rather liked the last trip we did to the Yellowstone park, staying at the lodge, enjoying watching Old Faithful do its thing from the lodge veranda with cocktail in hand.

Being a city boy, I find a 58mm to be able to do most of what I need in my daily environment. And with the riff raff over flowing from Austin now into Georgetown, I find theres more comfort in the 5 shot snubbie in my pocket than with a bigger SAK . At age 74, I know I'm not up to going one on one with some 20 something vagrant up to maybe rolling me.

[LoopCutter]

@cbl51 - I hear ya brother!
I grew up rural Michigan, worked farming started at 8 for neighbor man.  Then the muck fields, flowers, planting, Vegetables and such. Both grand parents were part time vegetable growers plus worked the paper mills, usually second trick.

College, Electronics Engineering,  repair and maintenance.  But, settled in NE Indiana metro area. As my wife was a city girl. Moved to rural area after 8 years of city life.  But during the next 30 years we have been swallowed up by suburban life and now within city limits for tax purposes.  At 71, no interest moving.

[Ozark75]

I find theres more comfort in the 5 shot snubbie in my pocket than with a bigger SAK . At age 74, I know I'm not up to going one on one with some 20 something vagrant up to maybe rolling me.

It aint much fun rollin in the dirt with some punk once you acheive a certain age. I carry an NAA, just enough to keep me from having to roll in the dirt with a punk.

[z1913]

I turned 50 last year, I live in Prague, the Czech rep. In the past I lived for several years in the US (Chatham, NJ) and Switzerland (Basel) due to work relocation. I spent most of my work life in finance/controlling. 5 years ago I decided to change my carreer and started to study again to become a speech therapist. I have final exams in a month from now.
I had some knife in my pocket from my childhood. Being on the other side of the iron curtain, no Victorinox/Wenger were available here, so it was mostly the local brand Mikov. I got my first Victorinox from my parents in the early 90s - Mauser. I used it mostly for hiking/camping. Lost it to TSA agent in the US in 2010. It was replaced by Wenger Ranger Patagonia Race: When I lost it in 2018 and searched for replacement, I found multitool.org. Before that, I would had never thought I could own more than one knife at a time... But it is a joy, beauty and goodness. 

[Buzzbait]

I'm a 58 year old man, living in rural upstate New York, USA. While I am an avid bikepacker, backpacker, canoeist, and general lover of nature, I don't own any guns, and don't carry thick bladed "tactical" knives with monster locks. I find all of that stuff be too aggressive and hyper-masculine for my liking these days. They represent a message that I'd rather not send out to the world. There's too much fear, anger and hatred out there already.

Hmmmm. What else about me........ I've studied various methods of eastern thought and spirituality since I was a teenager, included a number of schools of Buddhism, Taoism, Hindi and Kashmir Shaivism. I have a daily yoga asana and meditation practice.

I love bicycles, and used to have a very popular Instagram account, teaching people how to fix and maintain 80's and 90's era bikes. I've never owned a car or a driver's license in my entire life, which fits my lifestyle as an avid environmentalist, physical fitness enthusiast and promoter of alternative transportation.

I am the son of an immigrant mother. My grandfather fled England as a young child during WW1, stowing away aboard a Canadian military transport vessel headed back home, along with his even younger sister. After growing up and becoming a somewhat renowned chess player in Canada, he moved to the USA with my mother and family, where he worked for RCA and helped to invent the picture tube. I was born in the USA, but hold a deep love for Canada, my mother's home. My mother dedicated her life to public service, working as the director of an office for the aging in the USA. My father was a career English teacher, as was his adoptive father, who actually wrote a number of text books on the English language.

I have also had a long career in public service, working in IT for the last 26 years. My family totally fell apart when I was still in grade school, and without any support structure, I was never able to attend college. But I am very happy to say that my daughter has just been accepted to a great college, and will be attended next fall. I am so proud of her.

I'm also very active in my local government, serving on a board of trustees and various subcommittees.

I've been married for 30 years to a wonderful wife. We've known each other since the 7th grade, attending middle and high school together. She has a Master's degree and also works in government. We've owned a home together for the last 22 years, in a quiet and very tiny rural village, where all of the stores close at 7:00PM. We spend our weekends in a small hunting cabin in the Adirondack Mountains, in an even smaller and quieter village.

I live a largely quiet and charmed life.

[Huntsman]

I always knew the people at MTo were pretty special
But this thread is documenting the evidence!!

Great stories everyone