Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => Swiss Army Knights Forum => Topic started by: cbl51 on June 21, 2019, 05:21:50 PM
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Having lived long enough to become a white bearded old fart that limps around on a cane, or in my case a rustic blackthorn or hornbeam walking stick, has given me some little insight into some things, but others remain a mystery. My taste in this as I aged have most definitely changed, as has some of the things I use and cherish. Pocket knives, guns, motor vehicles, all have underwent a shift.
SAK's. A very long term love of mine, this relationship has been going on for 50 years as of this year. From 1969 to now, there has always been some sort of SAK in my pocket or in my daypack no matter what else I was carrying. I had a brief time of a decade and a half where I was a bonafide knife nut, collecting all sorts of semi useful pocket cutlery, none of which ever came close in being as useful as any of the 84mm, or 91mm SAK's that I had. I loved my old Buck stockman, and with three different blades it was a pocket cutting wonder. But it was useless dealing with a loose screw, an on sight issue with a fishing reel out on a boat by Key West, a motor scooter repair on a dir road miles from anywhere, adjusting a rifle sight for my 10 year old granddaughter on a visit, opening a can of chill on a camping trip, tightening the gunnel Phillips head screws on the Old Town canoe, and much more.
I think that's why, over many years, the SAK little by little, inch by inch, phased out all my other pocket knives. The odd screw, the can on the woods trip, The once in a while issue with a firearm.
But...that little three letter word pops up, over the course of may years, my perceived needs of the SAK have changed. When I was a young guy full of vinegar, I carried a four, or sometimes even a five layer SAK. A huntsman was common in my pocket when I was in my service days in the army. Traveling around, TDY in Germany, England, and a stint in a little war in Southeast Asia, I perceived a need for more tools and blades. Later in civilian life, being a soccer dad and hustling the kids to soccer games, Boy Scouts, girl scouts, hiking trips, my SAK's seemed to go down to three layers. Later, as the kids got older and I was working full time as a machinist, a two layer became the norm. The two layer SAK seemed to settle for the long run in my middle age years, with some one layer models edging in. The bantam and classic edged in there.
Now as a retired old guy doing a lot of fishing and traveling by car, the size of SAK's is on the small side. The 91mm's almost never get carried anymore, and my old 84mm recruit is a standby on many trips. The 74mm executive has become a regular in my pocket for most all EDC carry. I find as an old fart, I don't think I'll be in any scenarios where it will be outright survival and in need of a saw or other tools that I don't need in my real world day to day life. My SAK's have been downsized as I aged along with the things like the gun I carry or car I drive. I no longer carry a medium size handgun for self defense, and a small pocket size one will do. My 18 year old Toyota Tacoma truck got sold off last winter for a new 2019 Toyota Corolla. At my age I'm not doing any hauling so I didn't really need a truck anymore, but I do love the 40 to 50 miles per gallon the Corolla gets on the road. We drive to Mission Viejo California a few times a year, so it's nice and easy on the social security check to make it from Georgetown Texas to Mission Viejo on 34 gallons of gas. Plus its more comfortable and quiet than the truck. Better sound system for the books on disc we listen to on the road.
Our needs changed as we aged, and my wife of almost 50 years doesn't carry or use the same stuff she used to. We don't need a mini van anymore with the kids grown and gone, so she loves driving a small compact that is both easier to park and cheaper a the pump to run. Her purse knife has changed from a 4 inch bladed mora sheath knife to a Victorinox waiter, with a classic on her keyring. She's still a devout classic fan and says the Vic scissors have no equal.
So, has anyone else here downsized in your choice EDC SAK over the years? Smaller or less layers?
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My carry hasn't changed that much (I'm 61 now). Mostly 91mm 2 layer most of my life. When the 93mm Pioneer X came out a few years ago I technically stepped up from a 2 layer 91 (Compact) to a 3 layer 93 (Pioneer X).
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Great reflections. I've been pretty much a two-layer guy my whole life, and have been accumulating VSAKs for a good 40 years now. When I discovered the 84 mm Golfer in 1988, it was like someone suddenly turned the lights on. Later, I carried the Scientist because the inline Philips was so handy. Then I went to the 91 mm Compact, essentially a little bigger Golfer. Now I carry mostly an Alox tool, either a Cadet I added scissors to or a Pioneer.
I don't like really heavy SAKs and I don't like belt pouches, so it's two layers for me.
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I made the move from the four-layer Huntsman to the two-layer Compact over 20 years ago, but a couple of years ago I “discovered” the 84mm models, and I’ve recently begun to more fully appreciate the ubiquitous Classic.
With age comes wisdom.
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I'm in my early 50's now, and my SAK preferences really haven't changed much at all. But I'm probably an anomaly, as my lifestyle really hasn't changed much over time. I'm still extremely active and an avid outdoorsman and cyclist. My home is just where I store my stuff, and where I rest between adventures.
My choice of SAK is entirely situational. Some days it's as small as a Pioneer. Other days it's a SwissChamp.
I will admit that with age comes failing eyesight, making the magnifier tool something that will probably become more and more prominent in the future.
(https://i.imgur.com/MUdRnbTh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/V7yHwQxh.jpg)
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:iagree:. I can get by with the Classic on my keychain most days, but if I get into a job that might require a little more, I have a choice of SAKs to pick from. I have noticed that I rarely carry a 4 layer anymore. If it's a 91 or 85 mm, it's usually a 2 layer.
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At present, my preference is for the Classic. Not that I own much more than this anymore anyway. But, I reserve the right to be inconsistent.