40 years ago today, first SAK

Simon_Templar · **Reply #30 on:** April 25, 2026, 09:44:58 AM

It's strange how getting a SAK at a young age really seems to make a certain difference in life. Thanks for sharing the story, FB.

Cheers

Simon

FolderBeholder · **Reply #31 on:** April 25, 2026, 03:49:04 PM

Thank you Simon.

cbl51 · **Reply #32 on:** April 25, 2026, 11:38:21 PM

Quote from: Simon_Templar on April 25, 2026, 09:44:58 AM

It's strange how getting a SAK at a young age really seems to make a certain difference in life. Thanks for sharing the story, FB.

Cheers

Simon

A SAK or even a scout knife at an early age, can influence choices for decades to come. My own gift from my dad, the scout knife from him at age 12 set in motion a series of thought processes and habits for a life time. I got used to having a few simple tools on my pocket knife. Leaving home and joining the army, I got issued a Camillus demo knife, the scout knife in all stainless steel. Got real used to that as an extension of my old scout knife. Later while stationed in Germany, wandering into a knife shot, and saw a whole big standing display of SAK's. Left with two of my first SAK's and that was that for my life. For a while in my middle age, I got bit by the knife bug, and carried things like a Buck 301 stockman, then a Case peanut. But there was always a SAK lurking in the background someplace. The car glove box, the side pocket on the backpack. Then the knife nut bug died out, like a fever breaking and I got over it. Only the SAK's remained to this day. Only SAK's in my knife box.

Once you have a pocket knife with some tools on it, then the dedicated knife becomes a one trick pony. Boring after a while.

FolderBeholder · **Reply #33 on:** April 26, 2026, 12:29:10 AM

Enjoyed your post cbl51.

Huntsman · **Reply #34 on:** April 26, 2026, 01:02:46 AM

Quote from: cbl51 on April 25, 2026, 11:38:21 PM

Once you have a pocket knife with some tools on it, then the dedicated knife becomes a one trick pony. Boring after a while.

Yep cbl - With you all the way on that one.
Although I am starting to understand the whole thing about steel types, edge retention etc etc - But for me and my daily usage, the humble SAK steel sufficeth!!

Although I am not quite sure I agree with the last sentence.
I look in absolute wonder at websites like SMKW. The variety of designs and materials is astonishing and there are many truly beautiful knives out there. But then I realise I am looking at one trick ponies -

, ...... and then I look at the $$$ -

, ..... and - Yep, not for me!!

ThundahBeagle · **Reply #35 on:** April 26, 2026, 07:20:20 AM

Folder,

Thank you for that insight into some of your experiences that made you. Contrary to that being a long read, I awoke from that trance wanting for more. More story. More detail. What kind of cat? What color? What in your father's life experience gave home the ability to see beyond the norms of the day? What movie did you watch. That type of thing.

That picture with the receipt shows us a lot. The price of a typical Swiss Army Knife in 1986, the tax rate. The boxes as they were then vs now...

It cannot be helped that the times were the times but it would seem your father had the vision to feed your natural curiosity and aptitudes.

What our pets and our pocket knives allow us to bring to the table is not fully quantifiable but also can not be understated.

Barry Rowland · **Reply #36 on:** April 26, 2026, 01:50:08 PM

Lisa, I love reading the stories you have posted about your Camper. This was first class! Like the Beagle, I'd love to know more too!

FolderBeholder · **Reply #37 on:** April 26, 2026, 06:03:42 PM

Thank you all for the comments.

About Maui, I was walking to the supermarket and someone tossed him out of their car. He was just a tiny thing, maybe 6-8 weeks old.
The name Maui sounded like the meows that he made, at least the "Mau" part.

I cannot recall the movie, possibly A League of their Own, or My Cousin Vinny as I like comedies.

My dad, well he was the best in my eyes, may he rest in peace. I recall playing that verbal sparring game with neighborhood kids of, "my dad is better than your dad", when I was around 6 or 7.

Generally I try to be a private person. I just felt compelled to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of my first knife, the Camper

VICMAN · **Reply #38 on:** April 26, 2026, 06:20:37 PM

Quote from: FolderBeholder on April 26, 2026, 06:03:42 PM

Thank you all for the comments.

About Maui, I was walking to the supermarket and someone tossed him out of their car. He was just a tiny thing, maybe 6-8 weeks old.
The name Maui sounded like the meows that he made, at least the "Mau" part.

I cannot recall the movie, possibly A League of their Own, or My Cousin Vinny as I like comedies.

My dad, well he was the best in my eyes, may he rest in peace. I recall playing that verbal sparring game with neighborhood kids of, "my dad is better than your dad", when I was around 6 or 7.

Generally I try to be a private person. I just felt compelled to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of my first knife, the Camper

I love hearing the extra background of Maui and of the close relationship with your dad, FoBe!

Barry Rowland · **Reply #39 on:** April 26, 2026, 10:02:12 PM

Me too

FolderBeholder · **Reply #40 on:** April 26, 2026, 11:23:10 PM

Thank you Vicman and Barry!

VICMAN · **Reply #41 on:** April 27, 2026, 02:20:22 PM

Quote from: FolderBeholder on April 26, 2026, 11:23:10 PM

Thank you Vicman and Barry!

You are welcome, FoBe!

LoopCutter · **Reply #42 on:** April 27, 2026, 03:05:02 PM

Quote from: FolderBeholder on April 26, 2026, 06:03:42 PM

~

Generally I try to be a private person. I just felt compelled to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of my first knife, the Camper

A person of mystery and intrigue!

You just moved toward the top of my “MTo family to spend an afternoon with!”

Of course it is a long list, your name is now in the top five! (Was in the top ten😁)

Do not change a thing, being an amazing person is very 😎