Swiss Army Knife Thumbs up!

demonoflust · **on:** May 10, 2012, 04:07:49 AM

Now I have collected considerable amount of SAKs (never enough though), I am starting to look at other brand of multi-tools mainly out of curiosity.

One thing amazed me was, when searching on YouTube, I see some failing tools such as broken pliers head, tension spring pop out and other issues. Yes, they are still good design and solid tools I will not mind getting one. However, I have yet to see a failing SAK or SwissTool other than broken blade, replaceable parts such as scissors spring or scale. There is no single fail SAK due to design and engineering.

I search YouTube for "Victorinox fail" etc and nothing. I can get a list from many reputable manufacturer.

Still waiting for my Leatherman Micra to appear in my mailbox

Dunc · **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2012, 10:18:16 AM

I have only seen one photo of a Swisstool with broken pliers and that was posted on this forum some time ago but it was believed the owner had at some point subjected the pliers to extreme heat so this could have well been the cause. There was talk of someone bending the part where the optional corkscrew attaches to the Spirit but there was never any photos or much detail.

Dunc

dks · **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2012, 10:39:11 AM

Of the top of my head the problems I see with my, used, SAKs are:
Damaged Scales
Bent blades or tools (e.g. saw, scissors)
Broken blade tips or whole blades
Missing tothpicks or tweezers
Stuck tools because of dirt or bent liners.

As you said, problems that are not really design related.

demonoflust · **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2012, 02:14:40 PM

I just got my Leatherman Micra, I love it but I'll stick to SAK

sergemaster · **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2012, 10:32:20 PM

Amici,
The Micra is a great tool, and I would still include it in your rotation despite the fact that you've decided to stick with a SAK over a LM for full time carry. I generally carry both, with the Micra or Squirt usually on a key ring as a backup..

Cheers,
Serge

Smaug · **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2012, 02:42:47 AM

Quote from: demonoflust on May 10, 2012, 02:14:40 PM

I just got my Leatherman Micra, I love it but I'll stick to SAK

Yeah, it takes a while to deploy any tools in the Micra, right? Especially if you want them to lock.

I think I threw mine in a bag or glove box somewhere.

demonoflust · **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2012, 06:06:31 AM

Do not get me wrong, I do like the Micra and deployment is no problem with me. You see, you do not have to open the entire micra to access the tool. I can always open one side just enough to pull the tool out and if I leave one handle folded, it is quite nice to hold and extend it reach.

The Rally is going to stay on my keychain, it is lighter, smaller, thinner and most importantly, the screw driver combo can take #00-#2 and I need to use the toothpick once as while.

I am going to leave the Micra on my desk because the scissors is everything better than the SAKs and that's where it got more use. But Leatherman to me is -- just tool, they are make to be use (not to say I don't use my SAKs), they are rougher and I can see some minor rust spots developing.

SAK is a SWISS ARMY TOOLS, an engineering marvel

Dunc · **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2012, 10:09:24 AM

I've always found large SAK Scissors to be better then those on the Micra.

demonoflust · **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2012, 11:16:19 AM

Quote from: Dunc on May 11, 2012, 10:09:24 AM

I've always found large SAK Scissors to be better then those on the Micra.

For precision, yes I must say.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2012, 11:32:14 AM

I agree the quality and design of the Swiss stuff is exceptional, though I do often wonder when seeing failures on other tools whether it is indeed a tool failure or a failure of the operator to recognise and stop within the abilities of the tool in question. I imagine that there's a mix of both.

I would not attempt many of the feats I see and hear attempted with tools, as I tend to underestimate the capabilities of the tool (on purpose), and would never try to "warranty" any item that failed if I believe that I was expecting too much or abusing/misusing it.

We all have different expectations though

Aleister · **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2012, 04:59:50 PM

I think SAKs have a kind of "built-in" protection against user abuse, they show you their limits.

You will probably hurt your hand before breaking a SAK's pliers and you will see the blade bending (soft steel) before it breaks.

Personally, I prefer for a tool to show you it is going to break so you can stop pushing it than just letting you break it and then wonder why.

Frankctz · **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2012, 05:32:54 PM

Well, I will said I am agreed, I also still did not see any SAK with broken blade/pliers,
Usually I saw gerber and leatherman, but I believe it is for abuse, however, for this we could said that SAk are more resistante/flexible that other???

Dunc · **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2012, 05:58:43 PM

I think SAKs tend to bend rather then snap like leatherman and Gerber do. This can be an advantage as the tool which bends can often be continued to be used.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #13 on:** May 11, 2012, 08:15:13 PM

And you don't get jagged splinters of metal flying off.

sergemaster · **Reply #14 on:** May 11, 2012, 09:42:03 PM

Amici,
As been discussed, SAKs are made of a much softer steel compared to the hardnees of the blades found on Leatherman MTs, hence why some amici still prefer a SAK over a LM MT with this exact reason. Plus the SAK steel resharpens quickly and has a great memory for edge retention.

One of the reasons I always fall back on s SAK after a few months of LM MT EDC carry..

Cheers,
Serge