Give me your top 5 SAK's

[jph_777]

1. Yeoman
2. Explorer
3. Compact
4. Rambler
5. Climber

[Golivio]

1. Alox solider
2. Huntsman
3. Bantam Alox
4. Executive
5. Signature

[stot]

Explorer
Yeoman
Passenger
Scientist
Late 60’s small tinker

[Jmoita]

Giving a bump to this...

Based only on my colection:

1. Compact
2. Explorer
3. Huntsman
4. Soldier 08
5. Executive
(I've also a Farmer, love the looks but miss the scissor)

Based on expectation:

1. Deluxe Tinker
2. Locksmith
3. Sportsman
4. Swisschamp
5. Skipper

[Bunk Tuppins]

Executive
Cadet (or Sportsman)
Spartan
Compact
Climber

Also Minichamp - 5 not enough

[GrouchoM]

Swisschamp
Explorer
Minichamp
Farmer
Spartan

Typos courtesy of Samsung Auto-Incorrect™

[N05J3W3]

Alox Bantam
Alox Cadet
Alox Minichamp
Alox Classic SD
[there’s a theme emerging…]
Explorer

[marlowe221]

1. Explorer
2. Tourist
3. Rambler
4. Deluxe Tinker
5. TBD

It’s only this year that I have started collecting SAKs and exploring the various models, past and present, so… I’m not really sure yet and my answers could change in the future.

Until 2021, the Explorer was the first and only SAK I had ever had (I got it in ‘98 or ‘99). I got the Rambler and Tourist in 2021 and… now I’m here so I’m basically doomed at this point.

My entire collection so far is 10 - 15 knives.

[mansedan]

Pioneer
Small Tinker
Swisstool Spirit X
Explorer
Excelsior

[Sawl Goodman]

Meat and spuds
Rambler
Alox Soldier
Swisschamp

Gravy
Spartan
Hiker

[GearedForwards]

No particular order:

minichamp
Executive
Cadet
Explorer
Compact

The midnite manager is close

[MacGyver]

Alox Minichamp
Climber
Pioneer X
Tourist
Deluxe Tinker

[Buzzbait]

• SwissChamp: My all-time favorite SAK. Everything you need, and even a few things you don't. Carrying a Swisschamp means you always have the tool you need, or at least the tools to make the tool you need.
  
  

• Pioneer: Iconic alox, preferably of the red OC variety. Incredibly slim, yet wonderfully robust. The perfect minimal set of tools.
  
  

• Explorer: The older I get, the more I value having a magnifier in my pocket. Also, that inline Philips driver comes in very handy.
  
  

• Alox Minichamp: A ton of tools in a very compact toolbox. I almost feel as though I could carry just this knife on a daily basis, and do pretty darned well. The combo tool alone is worth the price of admission, but the package opener is also a key ingredient of the secret sauce.
  
  

• Executive: A true powerhouse of a knife in a 74mm footprint. Incredibly good nail file, better scissors than a classic, a couple of fine blades, and an orange peeler because...... oranges.
  
  

Honorable mentions go to the Farmer, Farmer X and Ranger, all of which I've had the pleasure of carrying this year. I could easily have substituted the Farmer or Farmer X for the Pioneer, but the Pioneer is just more iconic. Similarly, the Ranger could have replaced the Explorer, but the Explorer is new to me, where I have years of using the Explorer to prove its worth.

[BadMechanic]

I only have a few SAKS, but I definitely use the heck out of my Classics.

Swisschamp is definitely up there. Would be my EDC if pliers weren't something I needed alot.

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[Sos24]

The top 3 are easy, and I don’t really see changing.  Sadly, 2 out of the 3 are discontinued.  The last two are more difficult and could easily change, with a few models being very close behind
1. Rambler
2. Yeoman
3. Voyageur
4. Farmer X
5. Pioneer X

[BPRoberts]

1. Executive- Always on my keys, and the one I reach for most frequently day to day.
2. Swiss Champ- For when you absolutely, positively have to be able to fix anything with one knife.
3. Classic- My dad's knife that could fix everything when I was a kid, and is honestly enough for 90% of people 90% of the time.
4. "Drunken Fisherman"/Angler- My favorite EDC. Four layers hits the sweet spot, and the fish scaler is surprisingly handy.
5. Cadet- My favorite "dress knife" slim, and the file is appreciated.

[Aloha]

I'm back again. 

Manager/Midnight.  Theres no doubting this SAK for me.  Its my most carried one. 

Wenger Security 14.  Its one I gravitate towards more and more over my 84mm Tinker or 84mm Recruit. 

Champion no hook variety.  I'm surprised how this one is still one of my favorites.  It took several years to bond with it but its my go to when I need work done. 

Spirit.  I was a Swisstool fan more so but carrying my Surge for work means I dont need or want two full size MTs on me.  The Spirit is a nice side tool. 

Explorer plus.  While I am not carrying my Explorer as much as I once did its not forgotten.  I appreciate the tools on it and I would not hesitate to grab this SAK for any urban excursion. 


My previous answers were.

Explorer. 
Manager or Midnight manager if thats ok.
Champion.
Farmer.
Tinker.

[Intorikata]

1.Pioneer
2.Rambler
3.Explorer
4.Sportsman
5'Champ

[Frailer]

I *thought* I had responded to this thread, but I couldn’t find it:

Pioneer
Compact
Classic
93mm Solo
Swiss Champ

[charlie fox]

5 - Classic
4 - Rambler
3 - Cadet
2 - Fieldmaster
1 - Craftsman

[pa_strunk]

5. Executive
4. Master Craftsman Small
3. Minathor
2. SuperTimer
1. Yeoman

Ask me again in 5 minutes, get a whole new list   

[Aloha]

 

Heres a family pic. 
My Midnight Manger was a gift from FolderBeholder.  I was carrying a Manager for years and expressed and interest I trying the white led.  Its a terrific SAK and easily replaced my Manager.  I keep it attached like my Manager to my keys. 

Wenger 14 is a relatively newer SAK and one that I go back and forth with.  I appreciate my 84mm Tinker and Recruit and I'm even tying my Bantam.  Its that little blade that throws me off.  I have enough sharps so a little blade is not needed or wanted.  I also really love SAK scissors.  While I have that covered with my Manager I still like the larger ones.  This space is not secure so time will tell what next week or month will look like. 

Champion.  I was a huge Swisschamp fan, still am tho the Champ makes more sense for me.  This is my day off around the yard carry.  I've got everything I need.  I will have pliers close by or if I feel I want pliers I'll carry a LM Skele.  I've enjoyed this tool for all things yard work. 

Spirit butter blade.  I've always like the Vic plier based tools.  I was a bigger fan of the Swisstool tho.  I carry my Spirit for work.  I have a Surge on my work tool belt so this gets carried on my pants in a sheath.  It looks great doesn't it?  When asked if they are durable I always say heck yes.  They can work hard and still look good.  Mines a great example of that and I got it used. 

Explorer plus.  I have always like the Explorer.  Over the years its taken a back seat to SAKs I've wanted to try.  It was a daily carry but I've slimmed down so its been relegated to my water bottle bag.  I think this SAK is great but having a saw layer would make it even better and it'd be a nature walk SAK.  I honestly put this on my list due to sentimentality.  My farmer may be on my next list. 

 

[Deedee]

I have tried to choose 5, and I realized that it will take forever. So i have made my top 10 list (any order)
1. Rangergrip 79
2. Farmer X
3. Soldier model 2008 (m2015)
4. Champion
5. GAK1
6. Swisstool 1
7. Executive
8. Soldier model 1908
9. First Mate
10. Outrider

[tinker gnome]

No particular order:

• Victorinox SwissChamp XL
• Victorinox SwissChamp XLT
• Victorinox Executive
• Wenger Minathor
• Wenger Nailclip

[Otonka]

Swisschamp
Climber/Super Tinker
Pioneer
Small Tinker
New Soldier

[marlowe221]

1. Executive- Always on my keys, and the one I reach for most frequently day to day.
2. Swiss Champ- For when you absolutely, positively have to be able to fix anything with one knife.
3. Classic- My dad's knife that could fix everything when I was a kid, and is honestly enough for 90% of people 90% of the time.
4. "Drunken Fisherman"/Angler- My favorite EDC. Four layers hits the sweet spot, and the fish scaler is surprisingly handy.
5. Cadet- My favorite "dress knife" slim, and the file is appreciated.

Not to derail this thread too much but… what are you using the fish scaler for??? 

I’m genuinely curious. Please enlighten me!

[BPRoberts]

Not to derail this thread too much but… what are you using the fish scaler for??? 

I’m genuinely curious. Please enlighten me!

Most generally as an all purpose pokey/proddy tool. What's that weird thing on the floor that you want to pick up but not touch? Fish scaler! Gotta reach back and hook your keys that fell between the chair and the wall? Fish scaler! All that stuff you're not supposed to do with your knife because it's not safe or you might damage the blade.

The hook remover is a good little fork if you're at a picnic or something and no one brought them.

It's a good "key" for things like toilet paper dispensers that don't need a real key. I don't know how many times I've had to unjam the paper towel dispenser at work.

The shallow teeth are good for some softer stuff like styrofoam.

And the ruler comes in handy from time to time.

For office-type carry, I think it's much more practical than the saw, which is the most common option for that layer.

[marlowe221]

Most generally as an all purpose pokey/proddy tool. What's that weird thing on the floor that you want to pick up but not touch? Fish scaler! Gotta reach back and hook your keys that fell between the chair and the wall? Fish scaler! All that stuff you're not supposed to do with your knife because it's not safe or you might damage the blade.

The hook remover is a good little fork if you're at a picnic or something and no one brought them.

It's a good "key" for things like toilet paper dispensers that don't need a real key. I don't know how many times I've had to unjam the paper towel dispenser at work.

The shallow teeth are good for some softer stuff like styrofoam.

And the ruler comes in handy from time to time.

For office-type carry, I think it's much more practical than the saw, which is the most common option for that layer.

Thank you! That definitely makes me look at that tool in a new light.

I might need a Fisherman/Angler after all.

[Gareth]

Heck that's not easy.  I'll give you the top five that spring to mind right now but reserve the right to change my mind at any point in the future.   In no particular order:

1. Woodsman (5 layer cellidor, not the alox one)

2. Huntsman

3. Rambler

4. Sportsman

5. Compact

Well, a scary number of years later (lets not talk about that) I have a different list, but not by much.

Rambler is still there.
Huntsman will always be one of my top choices.
Compact still gives you a heck of a lot of function in a two layer SAK.
Pioneer/Soldier.  It's a classic and it's not for nothing I now own a few versions of these. 
Ambassador.  Love the extra blade length you get over a Classic. 

[Sos24]

I'm back again. 

Manager/Midnight.  Theres no doubting this SAK for me.  Its my most carried one. 

Wenger Security 14.  Its one I gravitate towards more and more over my 84mm Tinker or 84mm Recruit. 

Champion no hook variety.  I'm surprised how this one is still one of my favorites.  It took several years to bond with it but its my go to when I need work done. 

Spirit.  I was a Swisstool fan more so but carrying my Surge for work means I dont need or want two full size MTs on me.  The Spirit is a nice side tool. 

Explorer plus.  While I am not carrying my Explorer as much as I once did its not forgotten.  I appreciate the tools on it and I would not hesitate to grab this SAK for any urban excursion. 


My previous answers were.

Explorer. 
Manager or Midnight manager if thats ok.
Champion.
Farmer.
Tinker.

I didn’t even consider the Spirit, it would definitely make my top 5.