Gold standard?

[cbl51]

Has Victorinox been your gold standard?

As long as I've been a SAK owner, (1969) the SAK has been my gold standard of pocket knives. The consistence of fit and finish, even spring pull, versatility, and just plain getting the job done, whatever that job may be whiteout someplace, the SAK has ben the standard that I have judged all other pocket knives by. Yes, I have found some that hold an edge better, some that were more heavy duty, but in general, the SAK pushes my button. It was the SAK that was key to my kicking the knife nut bug years ago, simply that the SAK does what other knives can't.  It's not just a cuttiongtool, but a screw driver, awl, cork puller, can opener, scissors, file, and whatever your imagination can do with an odd shaped bit of metal. In comparison, all other pocket knives are one trick ponies.

Has the SAK been. your gold standard and for how long?

[powernoodle]

I've owned them for a long time as well, and there is really nothing that compares.  I can live with or with a plier-based MT, and do like to carry them from time to time for fun, but a nice Explorer Plus pretty much covers all of my needs.  I own a bunch of traditional knives as well, and they have a certain aesthetic for sure, but its hard for me to carry one when an Explorer Plus take up about the same space in my pocket but has 20x the utility.  I guess it all depends on what one is after.

[LoopCutter]

I have had a Classic for several years because I always had a knife in pocket since I was 8yro.

But, things changed when I found a Manager (actully a Vagabond) in the mid 90s, a Multitool with much more function.  The orange peeler pushed me over the edge.

Yet, knife wise I never really was drawn to the othe SAK models until late 201(teens)!   I found LM MTs before that.

Then sometime in that time period I found MTo and my entire world and sharps became a blur.   

My latest, include a Sportsman. Tourist, Mountaineer. Also, another Spartan. A Tinker (@1), Delux Tinker. Compact, awl the result of the MacGyver Challenge and me discovering the similarities only difference a cork screw or Phillips.  My ocd went wild.

But. I will say.  VICTORINOX, provides a good product at reasonable price with consistent function.

[nate j]

In most respects, yes, Victorinox is the standard by which all others are judged, and has been since I got my first one in 1996.

[Huntsman]

Yes and no   .......  I've never really been anywhere else !!!!

So yes in the sense that Vic (to which I would add Wenger!!) is what I always go to
No in the sense I have never really compared with others as I have not needed too!!!!

I have dabbled a tiny bit in other pocket knives, I sometimes think I should really give a nice Roxon, Boker or Swiza a go .....  But I just don't 

[pfrsantos]

Yes and no   .......  I've never really been anywhere else !!!!

So yes in the sense that Vic (to which I would add Wenger!!) is what I always go to
No in the sense I have never really compared with others as I have not needed too!!!!

I have dabbled a tiny bit in other pocket knives, I sometimes think I should really give a nice Roxon, Boker or Swiza a go .....  But I just don't

 

[SteveP]

I think you summed it up well, cbl. A SAK has a ton of functionality in a very small package. Yes, I'll reach for a razor knife or other specialized tool when I need them and am probably carrying them at work. But the rest of the time, the MiniChamp and SwissChamp I always carry can deal with nearly everything else.

The no-name brand SAK look-alikes fall apart and the couple of Leatherman's I've tried, though useful, were substantially larger, heavier, and didn't have the range of tools built in.

[cbl51]

I think it's not just the sheer versatility of the SAK that does it for me, but the total reliability of it. Since we retired, we've doing more trips, and I hate to be without my pocket knife. So, I took to ordering a new SAK to be delivered to where we are staying, and on leaving, gift it to the airport shuttle driver. With SAk's, the QA is sooooo darn good, I can order blind, and on arriving at out hotel, receive my SAK from held mail, and I know it will be just like the one back home. The blade will be sharp with no horrible grind running off, the tools will all function, and work as expected. And the red handles with the solver cross on it is soooo recognizable, the gifted person is so pleased and recognizes what he's received and is appreciative.

The SAK is a recognized item the world over, and is a bankable item. It's because of the sterling rep they have for being a high quality item.

[Barry Rowland]

I agree 💯 Carl. They're as close to universal as you can get. 

[LoopCutter]

I agree cbl51!

Last trip to Cancun, on departure from hotel the transport firm did not pick me up, claim I never checked in to reserve return shuttle. When I called them on it, they hung up.   So had resort call a taxi.  Bell captain said $40 for cab to airport.
Cabbie friendly and on arrival to airport and departure terminal. He spun around and said $60 (?)

I had 3 $20s for him to include tip ready.

He pulled my bags at the curb, and said hold on I only have $60 handy.   Pulled my clip out, and my older Classic (red) with dull scales fell out and I caught it.

I was going to slip in my checked bag, but his eyes popped.  I then offered it to him!!! And with a BIG 😁, he return 2 of my $20s.  We are good!

I usually check a bag when traveling, but, only pack my used trusted knives, a Classic, Climber, or Spartan.  Or, awl 3.   Just depends.

The other feature the SAKs provide is if your blade dulls, it takes only a few strokes of the blade each side on the bottom of a coffee mug, ceramic or porcelain.

[Barry Rowland]

Yes!  They sharpen slick!

[Deerman]

I have to say, I've never seen a bad Sak.  Even the used ones that have been abused, still don't usually see blade rub or weak springs.  I'm sure they are out there, but I just haven't seen it.  If my wife is planing to buy me a knife as a gift, she knows that with most brands, to look it over in person.  A Sak, she can order online, you know what you are going to get.

[Explorer]

For me it’s the gold standard for sure. It used to be cellidor was the standard but after being on here bad influences have turned me into an Alox maniac.