SAK demographics.

[Huntsman]

Who else is offering a comparable level of capability and quality at that price point?  No one; that’s who.

Yep Nate - You've summed it up perfectly:
What three aspects are important to any consumer when buying something?   
Price, quality and functionality.

And Vic has consistently nailed all three for over 100 years!!
And on the price - Often surprisingly low for what you get  compared to other manufacturers ......

I know I could get a better steel, sharper edge, tougher frame/construction, prettier scales, more elaborate design etc etc - But for my use cases I don't need any of all that - My SAK does everything I ever need it to do day to day 
..... Well apart from big pliers I guess!!

[Huntsman]

It ain't much fun rollin in the dirt with some punk once you achieve 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. 

Yep I did not know what NAA means either    .... What is it please?   - A gun of some sort?     

[J2000E]

Yep I did not know what NAA means either    .... What is it please?   - A gun of some sort?   

An extremely small handgun - from what I have been able to gather.

[PitCarver]

https://www.northamericanarms.com/product-category/firearms/?_paged=4

[nate j]

Yep I did not know what NAA means either    .... What is it please?   - A gun of some sort?   

An extremely small handgun - from what I have been able to gather.

Yes, I see PC has helpfully posted the link to the manufacturer’s site.

In brief, however, NAA = North American Arms.  They are particularly known for their very small revolvers, and offer multiple models which will disappear easily into a pocket.  While some argue these guns are underpowered for two-legged predators, others opine that they are just right.

[nate j]

Yep Nate - You've summed it up perfectly

[Ozark75]

Sorry everyone. Yes, NAA is a North American Arms revolver. Small, very concealable, and easy to carry.

Some people will argue that they are underpowered. But I feel they are perfectly adequate for their stated purpose.

I carry an NAA daily (Sheriff model in 22 magnum), as a tool, to keep from rolling in the dirt with some punk, no more, no less.

I also own a couple of the larger models. They are just so much fun for plinking. Especially 22lr and even 22 shorts.

[Farmer X]

Five acres would suit us just nicely...

It would be an upgrade for me, yet what I'd really like is a square mile or five.

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.

I would argue that Opinel does.

[cbl51]

Sorry everyone. Yes, NAA is a North American Arms revolver. Small, very concealable, and easy to carry.

Some people will argue that they are underpowered. But I feel they are perfectly adequate for their stated purpose.

I carry an NAA daily (Sheriff model in 22 magnum), as a tool, to keep from rolling in the dirt with some punk, no more, no less.

I also own a couple of the larger models. They are just so much fun for plinking. Especially 22lr and even 22 shorts.

Yes, the little NAA is as handy an everyday tool as any SAK. In April of 1988, and May of 2017, one of them saved my butt from a very dangerous situation.  It ain't Mr. Rogers neighborhood out there.  No rolling in the dirt for this old man.

[cbl51]

It would be an upgrade for me, yet what I'd really like is a square mile or five.
I would argue that Opinel does.

The Opinel, lineal the other dedicated locking blade knives, are a one trick pony. How can it offer anywhere near the options ands value of a SAK, with no tools and only one blade with a single use? The Spartan deals with flat and Phillips screws, cans, bottles, splinters, corks, tangled knots, and even cutting jobs with two blades of different sizes.  Oh, and a warrantee that can't be beat.

Nahhh, Opinel is not in the same league at all.

[Ron Who]

62 Years old.
Born in a small farmer's village and living in one now, though I spent most of my life in the big city. Even in Amsterdam for a couple of years.
I carry a SAK since my 6th. I've been known to wear vests and jackets with many pockets, and to carry a knife or SAK in each pocket.

I worked for almost 20 years as a software engineer, and carried a SwissChamp as my main tool.

After that, about 10 years is warehousing.
My goto knife then was a Buck Ecco, a two-bladed knife, both liner locked, one plain, the other serrated.
Alternatively, I'd use a Spyderco Endura with combo edge.

Next I moved into gardening, and that's what I'll be doing until my retirement. Apart from some motor tools, in my EDC are pruning shears and saw, and, for the past 7 years, the Bushcrafter mod that Magentus made for me, together with a Compact.

I have about 85 folders and 80 SAKs, many of them have seen use.

[nate j]

The Opinel, lineal the other dedicated locking blade knives, are a one trick pony. How can it offer anywhere near the options ands value of a SAK, with no tools and only one blade with a single use? The Spartan deals with flat and Phillips screws, cans, bottles, splinters, corks, tangled knots

Opinel certainly offers decent quality knives in this price range.  So does Buck.  Perhaps others as well.  But knives only.  The knife-blade-only Vics are solid pocket knives, but have plenty of market competition if that’s what one is looking for.  It’s the tool load outs that make even the fairly basic Vics stand out.

[cbl51]

Opinel certainly offers decent quality knives in this price range.  So does Buck.  Perhaps others as well.  But knives only.  The knife-blade-only Vics are solid pocket knives, but have plenty of market competition if that’s what one is looking for.  It’s the tool load outs that make even the fairly basic Vics stand out.

This!

Yes, Opinel, Buck, and others have very good knives for a reasonable price. BUT...that is all they are. A knife. Simply a cutting tool with no other function. I had reached a point in my life years ago that I did not have room in my life, let alone in my pockets for a single use item when I could have of the same bulk and weight, a multi use item with a much much broader mission capability.  There has been so many time I used a SAK to fix or finagle something while out somewhere, that no knife would have done. And I used to be a real bonafide knife nut, but in time I outgrew that cult worship area and got rid of all my non SAK pocket knives.

A SAK is not a pocket knife, but I think of them as a pocket size solution to many of life's little problems that fate loves to toss in our way. 

[Huntsman]

  That's it CBL - And this has always been my view - A SAK does everything I need to do during the day

And a lot of that is not cutting !!!!

As for the cutting: the bigger, 'better', stronger, prettier single blade knives - No need for them .......of course for me

When I was a boy scout I did like my single blade sheathed knife on my belt and it was good at camp for dealing with thick wood, (never did any batoning - but of course would be good for that) - But I don't do any of that any more - And sadly no scouts will either I guess - As most kids' organisations seem to ban knives these days.

[cbl51]

That's it CBL - And this has always been my view - A SAK does everything I need to do during the day

And a lot of that is not cutting !!!!

As for the cutting: the bigger, 'better', stronger, prettier single blade knives - No need for them .......of course for me

When I was a boy scout I did like my single blade sheathed knife on my belt and it was good at camp for dealing with thick wood, (never did any batoning - but of course would be good for that) - But I don't do any of that any more - And sadly no scouts will either I guess - As most kids' organisations seem to ban knives these days.

I think I was lucky in that as a kid, and in the Boy Scouts, my first pocketknife was a Camillus made Boy Scout knife, about age 12 I think. I carried that knife all through my teens, and left it home when I enlisted in the army. Then, in the army engineers, I got issued...drum roll please...a Camille's made 'demo' knife. The all stainless steel boy scout knife that was pretty bomb proof. Carried it for almost half my service before yielding to temptation. The famed Buck knife. They had them at the post PX for all of 12 dollars, (1972 prices) and I carried one for a while. Not long. I started to wonder why I was carrying a big heavy brass framed knife with only one single thin 18th stock blade?? No screw driver, no prying, no awl, no can opener, but most of all, no bottle opener for the cold brewski's after getting off duty.

Sold the Buck knife to an incoming new and just went back to carrying the camillus demo knife. Just a more versatile tool, literally. Then while serving in what was then West Germany, I was enjoying a weekend off walking around the old walled city of Rothenburg, and there was a knife with the big red moving SAK in the widow. I've b been lost down that rabbit hole ever since. Except for a short time was a knife nut, but that died out and I went back to SAK's.

When I was in the scouts though, we did have fixed blades for the heavy duty stuff, if we had our Totenchip patch. The fixed blades were pushed for heavier duty and considered "safer" than a folding knife. Boy, how things have changed. 

[Djiaux]

Hi everyone,

Spaniard, 46, I work in IT code developing so 100% white collar. I like cycling and hiking, the outdoors in general. Livng in my 20k hometown right now but I have been living in Madrid for almost 15 years.

I have always loved victorinox as a teen. I used to love knives am Victorinox was the top multi use tier. Here in Spain we used to jave knockoffs (Aitorinox, very decent back then).

I have an spartan since 20 years ago and it has made many miles with me in the bicycle. Since a couple years back I have starting to get more into EDC and now I also have a Swisschamp, a Deluxe Tinker and some other brands lile Roxon, SOG Powerpint, etc.

I think SAKs are very nice to EDC both if you live in the big city and also in a more rural area. If you are going to do some work in the field (getting wood, cutting some bamboo canes, etc) you don't want to use this but as a backup. That's what a SAK is, a set of compact backup tools that can save your situation.

[nate j]

As the father of four kids currently in Scouts, I’m pleased to report that (at least in the US) Scouting is still teaching kids safe knife use beginning about age eight, and they can carry pocket knives at Scout functions essentially from that point forward as long as they use them safely and responsibly.

[hsherzfeld]

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

Why limit it to Central Texas? Let the Space City folks in!

[cbl51]

As the father of four kids currently in Scouts, I’m pleased to report that (at least in the US) Scouting is still teaching kids safe knife use beginning about age eight, and they can carry pocket knives at Scout functions essentially from that point forward as long as they use them safely and responsibly.

WOW, good to know!!!!

Is there an "Official" Boy Scout knife like in the old days, Or is it open to whatever the father wants to gift his kid? Fixed blades allowed?

[gustophersmob]

WOW, good to know!!!!

Is there an "Official" Boy Scout knife like in the old days, Or is it open to whatever the father wants to gift his kid? Fixed blades allowed?

https://www.scoutshop.org/outdoors/tools-accessories/knives.html

[gustophersmob]

As the father of four kids currently in Scouts, I’m pleased to report that (at least in the US) Scouting is still teaching kids safe knife use beginning about age eight, and they can carry pocket knives at Scout functions essentially from that point forward as long as they use them safely and responsibly.

I’ve heard that a lot of troops don’t allow knives, or knives of certain types (fixed blade, locking, etc). I assume each troop has latitude on what they allow. And I guess local laws play a role too.

[LoopCutter]

I’ve heard that a lot of troops don’t allow knives, or knives of certain types (fixed blade, locking, etc). I assume each troop has latitude on what they allow. And I guess local laws play a role too.

It has been a while since I was a Leader for my son’s pack and troops.

The Cub level skills yet provide a Knife requirement of skills.   Part of the Wolf badge.

Today, current knife manufactures have Scout license goods, BUCK, CASE, VICTORINOX and others pay fees to use the Scouts stamp, both boys and girl varieties.

The link you provided details se real items, and when I was a leader this was a source for obtaining AWARDS to present to young people for there accomplishments.

A good slip joint was always my go to for introduction to a tool with a blade and did discourage fix blades until Boy Scout levels with experience and longer duration adventures requiring hiking, foraging and survival experiences.

I always encouraged parental involvement, even if a single parent household.  Their home there RULES.
SO, I did have a bin with troop/pack tools we utilized for skills levels.  Never handed out a tool to take home or presented a sharp style award unless it was OK’d by parent.  This was back in the 1980s.

[nate j]

I’ve heard that a lot of troops don’t allow knives, or knives of certain types (fixed blade, locking, etc). I assume each troop has latitude on what they allow. And I guess local laws play a role too.

I personally have not heard of a unit banning pocket knives (though individually Scouts can certainly lose the privilege if they behave irresponsibly).  But I have seen some units/councils that frowned upon the carrying of fixed blades.


The newest Cub Scout curriculum has requirements for pocket knives beginning at the Bear level (3rd grade), and for kitchen knives beginning at the Webelos level (4th grade).

A good slip joint was always my go to for introduction to a tool with a blade

I used to think that was the best option as well.  When my oldest son was starting out, however, the strength of the back spring was a bit of an obstacle, and he ended up being more comfortable with a small lock back.  After some thought, I’ve decided to try the Opinel No. 07 Outdoor Junior as a first knife for my twins, so we’ll see how that goes…

[LoopCutter]

~

~
I used to think that was the best option as well.  When my oldest son was starting out, however, the strength of the back spring was a bit of an obstacle, and he ended up being more comfortable with a small lock back.  After some thought, I’ve decided to try the Opinel No. 07 Outdoor Junior as a first knife for my twins, so we’ll see how that goes…

My experience with youngsters were in the mid 80s through early 90s!
Internet not even imagined by Al Gore!

Opinel is a great option, for a folder with locking blade.
As was Mora knives for a fixed blade.

I remember the local stores had Schrade, Buck, and a couple SAK offerings.  And, not one person I knew ever worried about back spring pull, or rated. 5 or 6 likely the strongest.

It is amazing how much  the world has changed with www connection.   Back then it was word of  mouth and shared experiences.

👍

[cbl51]

My experience with youngsters were in the mid 80s through early 90s!
Internet not even imagined by Al Gore!

Opinel is a great option, for a folder with locking blade.
As was Mora knives for a fixed blade.

I remember the local stores had Schrade, Buck, and a couple SAK offerings.  And, not one person I knew ever worried about back spring pull, or rated. 5 or 6 likely the strongest.

It is amazing how much  the world has changed with www connection.   Back then it was word of  mouth and shared experiences.

👍

Yes, the Opines a great knife for young fingers, IF...IF... they remember to twist the locking ring! Being a strait friction folder with a lock ring added as an after thought in 1955, I'd worry a bit about that. The Opinel is a knife that is sometimes a lockblade, and sometimes not, depending on how you use it. With a slip joint, I know beyond a shadow of doubt, that it will bite me if I act stupidly. But...again that little three letter word, the lock blade will bite me if I put enough stress on the blade to overcome the pounds force of the lock spring, or a mechanical failure, or my lack of keeping it clean and pocket lint clogs up the locking notch.  I've seen that happen with a friend na this beloved Gerber LST. He got abad cut on his right index finger when the blade folded because it was half jammed up with pocket lint.

In general, I applaud the scouts being made to use and get to know slip joints. It will tech basic knife safety that may carry over. I've seen two bad accidents with locks, one a young guy over using to the point of abuse of a Buck 110, and when told to 'knock it off', his smart a$$ reply was "Its a Buck knife, it'll take it." Well it didn't, and just after lunch a blood curdling scream echoed up the hall from the sheet metal shop, and there was the kids right index finger laying on the floor with blood squirting out of a neat stump at his second joint of the finger.  If he had been taught age knife handling with a slip joint, wound he have done what he did?

When I was in the scouts, it was all about us being taught self reliance. Our scoutmaster, an old retired Marine with both WW2 experience and Korea, showed us how to actually fix stuff using our scout knives. In the 1950's, Phillips screws were starting to become common, and he showed us how to use the inner corner of the flat screw driver to use as a flat Phillips driver. The awl was sharpened on the inner chisel edge so it served as a cable stripper and zip tie buster. The sharp tip of the old style Camillus can open served multiple uses as knot untangler, staple puller, scribe, and hook to lift a pot off the campfire tripod. It was all about multiple uses for the one tool. Maybe another reason I never liked the single blade locker like the Buck 110 and others.  I had Opinels in the 1980's and 90's, but they faded away with most of my knife nut obsession.  When I carried a Opinel, I had to have my SAK in another pocket because the Opinel was just too limited. If I carry a second pocket knife these days, I'd rather a second SAK for a wider selection of tool set. Like my 58mm with a 93mm. Or 58mm with a 91mm. My classic and Wenger SI make a fine team, as does the classic and cadet.

I think tools should be stressed with the Boy Scouts. Being able to fix something while out in the middle of nowhere, may just be a life saving skill under some conditions. There must be a good reason their motto is "Be Prepared". 

[ThisAlarm7]

Yep I did not know what NAA means either    .... What is it please?   - A gun of some sort?   

As others have said, very robust and VERY concealable pocket gun. Love mine (seen here with 84mm Tinker for scale).

[cbl51]

As others have said, very robust and VERY concealable pocket gun. Love mine (seen here with 84mm Tinker for scale).

LOVE THOSE GRIPS!!!!!!!!!!

What are they and where can I get them??

[ThisAlarm7]

LOVE THOSE GRIPS!!!!!!!!!!

What are they and where can I get them??

They work SO WELL....it originally shipped with the folding grips with the pocket clip but no matter what I did they were so loose and made for a weird pocket carry. I got these on Ebay for cheap and they come in lots of other colors. $18.99 plus shipping from user Aerolayer.

[cbl51]

They work SO WELL....it originally shipped with the folding grips with the pocket clip but no matter what I did they were so loose and made for a weird pocket carry. I got these on Ebay for cheap and they come in lots of other colors. $18.99 plus shipping from user Aerolayer.

 

Got a pair on the way now. The grips that came on my Black Widow were fine, but the smaller frame .22LR were just too hard to get a good grip on for fast firing. Looking forward to practice!

[buggs]

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.

Even in Canada the Spartan goes on sale regularly.  Last time I picked up three at $20 CAD each!  At that price they're nearly disposable and not a heartbreaker to leave in the car, should someone break in to the car and steal stuff. 

Though not a tool, I picked up a Buck folder for $10 as well.  I wish I could remember the model but it's such a great little knife too.  Buck +Spartan = $30 - do a lot.