SAK demographics.

[AzteCypher]

 

I wish I could travel around and meet everyone personally as y'awl sound like very interesting people.   

[buggs]

Hmm, how to answer without giving too much information? 

Absolute ass end of the baby boomer generation. 

Born and raised in the city but a very strong connection to the rural communities.  Both parents grew up in small towns connected to farming.  Currently live in city but once I retire in a year or so will move to an acreage outside the city.  Close enough for conveniences, far enough for annoyances.  Have worked in a field related to agriculture my entire post-graduate career. 

White collar for sure, in management for last several years.  But related to agriculture and spend time in industrial spaces.  Can't really EDC because of white collar/city aspect - "you're carrying a knife?! Gasp!".  No, I'm carrying a tool.  Normally carry a SAK classic and small Fenix as  those are not really objectionable to most.  In retirement I'll be carrying same on the keychain but likely a larger (i5) Olight, a SAK and a Benchmade.  Car has an EDC kit in it with a SAK and Skeletool plus other bits.  As do my family's cars.

First SAK probably around age 8 or 9 in cub scouts.  Have always owned one.  Got my second when a friend returned from a Europe trip when we were 20.  Had a few more plus a Gerber multitool and some other knives prior to finding this site.  Was well on my way prior to joining here so none of you are enablers. 

Bad, very, very bad collector gene/predisposition.  More knives/tools than I really need.  More of everything than I actually need.  SAKs not including classics?  Probably 20.  Leathermans?  At least 10.  Buck?  5.  Benchmade? 6.  Spyderco?  6 and one on order.  Kershaw?  5-6. Olights?  Shoot me. 

[cbl51]

I wish I could travel around and meet everyone personally as y'awl sound like very interesting people.   

Well heck, I'm right up the road from you, maybe we can start the Central Texas SAK association?   

[pa_strunk]

All about Central Texas SAK association. Live in the middle of big D.

[Huntsman]

Well heck, I'm right up the road from you, maybe we can start the Central Texas SAK  MT.o association?   

FTFY   

[ThisAlarm7]

I must have missed the part about guns. I love those too. I've shot competitively since around 2010 or (IDPA) and CCW a G43 mostly.  That's not for everyone and that's fine, but it's a lot like the mentality of carrying a SAK or LM.....preparedness to take care of myself and others.

[AzteCypher]

FTFY   

 

All about Central Texas SAK association. Live in the middle of big D.

Well heck, I'm right up the road from you, maybe we can start the Central Texas SAK association?   

Oh that would be awesome especially since we go to Georgetown from time to time.

We used to live in Plano then Allen before we moved down to the Austin area.

[cbl51]

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.

I hear ya! Another NAA carrier here, and its saved my butt in April of 1988, and May 2017. Like a SAK, it's always there in my pocket. When I was a kid, my old man gave me a great piece of advise: When you walk out your door in the morning, you never know what you will encounter in the course of your day, so be prepared.

[cbl51]

Oh that would be awesome especially since we go to Georgetown from time to time.

We used to live in Plano then Allen before we moved down to the Austin area.

 

[stuntzombie]

I'm in my early 40's, live on the ESVA and work in aquaculture. I've done a couple experiments over the years that have shown me I could get along perfectly well with just an SAK or three. About the only time I would use or carry something else is at work or when I'm kayaking. I've found SAK's don't handle exposure to salt water all that well. Outside of those conditions, I don't really need anything else.

I've actually been experimenting with just carrying a Micra outside of work the past couple weeks, and it's been eye opening to say the least.

[cbl51]

Snip;
I've actually been experimenting with just carrying a Micra outside of work the past couple weeks, and it's been eye opening to say the least.

How so?

Usually when I do 'experiments', I find that it's shocking at how little I really do need.  Heck, most people I know don't even carry a pocket knife anymore, let alone a multitool.  In a normal suburban life, I can't imagine a micra not handling it. Very capable little tool.

[Juan el Boricua]

Late as usual but ...  55y/o divorced male, living in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico). Have been an Occupational Therapist for the last 30 years working in clinical (hospitals, IRF's, OPF's, private office) and school settings. Due to such settings, my usuals are 58mm (Classic, Vagabond, or Minichamp) and some knifeless PBMT (Gerber MP600, Leatherman Rebar or self modd'ed Signal, and soon an SOG Powerlock Traveler). For weekends and non working days, its a 91mm no larger than 3 layers (if carrying a bag, a 4 layer; if out in nature, a Rangergrip 79). Maybe because I grew up learning to safely use them, I've never had a swiss army knife close on me, cutting or slashing me; maybe I'm too aware of the possibility and work with caution using them so. Thinking about it, my only locking ones are the two Rangergrips, a Laguiole, and my three Opinels.

[stuntzombie]

How so?

Usually when I do 'experiments', I find that it's shocking at how little I really do need.  Heck, most people I know don't even carry a pocket knife anymore, let alone a multitool.  In a normal suburban life, I can't imagine a micra not handling it. Very capable little tool.

That's been my finding actually. Beyond some food prep, the Micra handles most everything I need to do at home or out and about. Opens boxes, handles random smaller screws, cuts zip ties...just today I sold a bunch of knives off and the Micra was used to cut out the shipping labels. It's definitely earning its keep.

[marlowe221]

I’m in my early 40s and live in a  suburban area in the PNW, but I’m a transplant from Mississippi.

I’m a software developer/system administrator by trade.

I have been carrying a pocket knife of some kind since I was in the Boy Scouts as a kid. Got my first actual SAK when I was 15 or so - an Explorer!

I normally carry a 2 - 4 layer 91mm and a Rambler. I usually supplement that with about 8 feet of duct tape wrapped around an old library card and a couple of paper clips in my wallet. That’s pretty much my “EDC” aside from a basic first aid kit I keep in  the backpack I take to work.

I prefer to carry the traditional red scaled SAK because they are instantly recognizable to pretty much everyone as a tool and not something Rambo would carry.

But to each their own!

[Fireman]

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.

That sounds like a great town.

[cbl51]

That's been my finding actually. Beyond some food prep, the Micra handles most everything I need to do at home or out and about. Opens boxes, handles random smaller screws, cuts zip ties...just today I sold a bunch of knives off and the Micra was used to cut out the shipping labels. It's definitely earning its keep.

Yeah, food prep is the one area where the little ones don't do well. But...on the other hand, most times I'm dealing with food, I'm in my kitchen with a nice selection of Victorinox kitchen knives. Or if we're out someplace dealing with food, like on a road trip, theres a Victorinox folding paring knife in the Gove box of the car. 

But I do have to admit the micra is a very very capable tool for everyday life.  I love the Leatherman squirt for the same reason. Small, but very capable. Between my wife's micra, and my squirt, theres a lot that can be handled.  It was the enlightenment after one of the 'experiments' that led to the giant downsize of my stuff. Sold off and gave away most of my knives.

On another note, it's interesting to me, how many people who live in a suburban/urban setting want to move to a more rural setting. Although I was born and bred city boy in Washington D.C., I tried a more rural life in my late 20's. It was a bust for me. I had moved to a small town in southern Colorado, and after two years I had severe withdrawal, and moved back to the D.C. area. Just didn't like being so "off and away from it all'. As I got older, and did my backpacking, hiking, canoe trips, I found that to me, the boonies and nature was a nice place to visit, but I didn't want to live there.  I would always return to the city.  Now as a senior citizen, I'm not that interested in the boonies anymore.  Maybe it's all in where you grew up??

I find I like the museums, theater, restaurants , social aspects of suburban/urban life. Not to mention the conveniences of being short drive if not walking distances to food, booze, and parks and shops.  I reached an age where I don't want to go chop wood if I want to be warm, or go shoot some dinner. I like walking down the road a short way for piazza and a cold brew, or the Friday night music on the courthouse lawn.

I guess each to their own. My perspectives changed a great deal as I aged.

[PitCarver]

I guess each to their own. My perspectives changed a great deal as I aged.

I've never had the feeling that I wanted to move to an urban environment.  Our 5 acres have been a blessing and refuge for nearly 45 years but it's beginning to be harder to keep up.
Suburbs with a nice small yard would suit me fine these days.

[stuntzombie]

I'd love to live in a walkable town. I wouldn't want to live in an actual city, but it would be nice to be able to walk to a grocery store or Main Street that has actual, usable shops that carry necessities.

[PitCarver]

I can almost remember the time I could actually walk without pain.  Still,  the Lord has blessed me with a lot of years and countless memories...

[Sos24]

I’m mid 50s, retired Navy living in a US urban area.

For me the SAK love and carrying started early and has lasted.

At 8, I was given a Girl Scout camp knife by my Dad, which started me on my knife carrying.  At about 12 I discovered SAKs from my Girl Scout camp counsellor.  They were the same size as the camp knife but more toolsets available.  Every since then, the model has changed, but a SAK has almost always been in my pocket.  Whether work or off, rural or urban, over in a foreign country, the SAK in the pocket was a constant. 

[LoopCutter]

@Sos24 -
And, your experience with or opinion of your chosen knives are always spot on!
I always enjoy your contributions in this forum

You would be great member on an AMAZING RACE team, if I was a bit younger 😜 I consider applying 

[Sos24]

@Sos24 -
And, your experience with or opinion of your chosen lives are always spot on!
I always enjoy your contributions in this forum

You would be great member on an AMAZING RACE team, if I was a bit younger 😜 I consider applying 

Thanks.

At one point I might have wanted to do the Amazing Race or similar, but at my age I’ll just enjoy watching and laughing.

[AzteCypher]

I grew up on the edge of the city limits hence why the rural life appeals to me.  When i was a kid, I would walk down about a block to reach the nearest creek to go fishing.  In my college years I thought about living in downtown San Antonio but I never could stomach the extra expense.

Shortly after the wife and I got married we started talking about acreage once the kids were older.  My outlaws have about 5 acres and I really enjoy going out to their place.  My wife's uncle has about 13 acres and it's just beautiful. 

Five acres would suit us just nicely though we do consider that once we get older it may be harder to manage.  If we ever do get acreage, I'd miss the convenience of having the hardware store and the automotive store nearby. 

[dobegrant]

69 years old, retired living in rural Arizona and a SAK lover.

[Huntsman]

Look back over this thread and see how many people are from the US

I guess kinda proves the point that the USA is one of Vic's biggest markets - and I guess we all know the story about the US GIs and the 'Offiziermesser' post WWII.

Still kinda surprising given all the US domestic knife and MT manufacturers - I guess none like Vic!         

[nate j]

Still kinda surprising given all the US domestic knife and MT manufacturers - I guess none like Vic!

I still love my US-made knives and tools.

But just as an example, the Vic Spartan is still available here in the US for under $25 NIB.  Who else is offering a comparable level of capability and quality at that price point?  No one; that’s who.

[LoopCutter]

I still love my US-made knives and tools.

But just as an example, the Vic Spartan is still available here in the US for under $25 NIB.  Who else is offering a comparable level of capability and quality at that price point?  No one; that’s who.

  Price and VALUE is a critical strategy to a successful business model.

The CLASSIC has likely been everyone’s first SAK! 

And, novices enjoy variety, too!

[cbl51]

I still love my US-made knives and tools.

But just as an example, the Vic Spartan is still available here in the US for under $25 NIB.  Who else is offering a comparable level of capability and quality at that price point?  No one; that’s who.

For me, that's always been the thing that sets SAk's apart; the consistent and reliable quality assurance. I can goon vacation flying in someplace, and go to the first big box sports store and get a classic or recruit, and it will be just as good as the last one that I bought or left home because we were flying with carry on only. No sloppy blade play, no thumbnail breaking spring to. open the knife, no factory screw ups. And low price enough that when I leave, I just give it to the airport shuttle driver without a backward glance or moments regret.

I've bought Case knives in my past as a knife nut, and they were screwed up right out of the box. Not reliable. And don't even get me started on the over priced, and over hyped GEC cult stuff!

No matter where I go, Victorinox is a reliable tool that I can count on to get it done, no matter if its cutting bait, fixing a rented motor scooter, or a or a balky outboard on a rented boat somewhere south of Key West.

[cbl51]

  Price and VALUE is a critical strategy to a successful business model.

The CLASSIC has likely been everyone’s first SAK! 

And, novices enjoy variety, too!

Heck, theres more classic's in the pockets and on keyrings of non knife or MT people the world over than any other three knife brands. And one of the knife magazines had a cover photo of a classic and billed it as the most confiscated knife in the world at airports. A lot of people carrying a classic didn't even buy them, they were an advertising give away with car band logos, or other companies. I've got a couple with logo's from two different oil drilling equipment companies, and one from a Porsche dealer, and one from a real estate settlement law firm.  They all started life as a freebee.

[J2000E]

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.

Please go easy on the abbreviations... It took me quite a while to figure out what this is. I know there are a lot of US members here and/but it would be nice of you all to include the rest of the world into the conversation. 

As a Scandinavian I do not get the gun edc thing - but I do like weapons as tools. For me they are hunting tools and as such they are at least for half the year a wec (weekend carry...). And as usual I am old school.

Sako, fluted, Zeiss on quick release mounts - and iron sights for the close calls (edit - encounters)... 308



Sako P94S, varmint, Swarovski, 22LR



1920ies Auto5



Beretta 687, 12



And some other old hunting rifles.

Town & country. I have been lucky to have parents that gave me both from the start. Wintertime in the city and summertime on the countryside (more archipelago than vast fields though). I feel at home in both.