SAK... Why???

[Dale]

Yep something pocketable.

[Romanoat]

My vote is super tinker. I love mine.  I have a tinker, super tinker, Swiss champ, champion plus and a ct34. Right now the champ plus is being carried because its new (to me, thanks aloha!) but the super tinker is small, reliable and has the scissor to compliment the st300 perfectly.

[Monrogue]

How many layers do you think you would consider your limit for pocketability?  At one time, I though 3 would be my max, but now I will carry a 5 layer SAK, and probably would go up to 7 if I were to ever get a Champion Plus.  However, with a Spirit, you wouldn't need much else, so a Compact (2 layer), Yeoman (3 layer) or Explorer (4 layer) would probably be the best options, imho of course  

[Dale]

I was looking at the Super Tinker & Champion. Totally different animals

[Monrogue]

I was looking at the Super Tinker & Champion. Totally different animals

Yeah they are   The Champion has it all though, except for the pliers, but you really wouldn't need those with the Spirit around.  Unless of course you have need for an extra little pair of pliers

[derekmac]

While I am far from ready to be taught the secret hand shake. I have been looking at the Super Tinker... Not sure what I need it for, other than lack of restraint & enthusiasm.

That's how most of us here have to to get what we have!!

[Monrogue]

While I am far from ready to be taught the secret hand shake. I have been looking at the Super Tinker... Not sure what I need it for, other than lack of restraint & enthusiasm.

That's how most of us here have to to get what we have!!

That is so true   I wouldn't have half of what I do if I simply went by what I needed, as opposed to the whole lack of restraint and too much enthusiasm for a new SAK to play with

[sir_mike]

I'm trying to figure out the best one to get to compliment The Spirit X... Any ideas gentlemen?

I suggested either the Super Tinker or Explorer to compliment the ST300 earlier as it will give you scissors and should good with the Leatherman.

[powernoodle]

Seriously, what's the allure of the SAK?

Each of us, in varying degrees, is filled with angst.  We live in a world which, in biblical parlance, is groaning in travail and awaiting its liberation from bondage to decay.

What's that mean?  It means that pain and suffering are part and parcel with human existence. 

And what is our response to that pain?  We seek to insulate or anesthetize ourselves.  Some people do it with drugs or alcohol.  Others will distract themselves with hoarding or having a spotless house or golfing or playing on Facebook all day.  These are all merely means of pain avoidance.  By drinking booze at the end of the day or playing on Facebook, we distract ourselves from the train wreck between our ears.

Swiss Army Knives are as much a means of insulation and anesthesia as these other behaviors.  When we carry a SAK, we are - in a small way - engaging in pain avoidance.  When our windshield wipers stop working in a rain storm, we fix them with a SAK.  We avoid pain.  When we search the interweb for the "best" SAK, and peruse the vendor sites and MTO, when we look for the cheapest price, buy the SAK and wait for it to arrive in the mailbox, we are engaging in a form of anesthesia no less than the guy who gets drunk every night.  We are distracting ourselves for the cold, dark world around us.  When that anesthesia wears off, we start the process over.  And over and over.  That's why some of us, like me, have dozens of SAKs.  Each purchase was a little more anesthesia.  It also explains why I own 100+ knives, dozens of dozens of MT, and enough guns an ammo to supply the Bolivian army for 3 years.  I am constantly trying to keep the pain (most of it I believe subconscious) hidden below the surface like trying to hold a beachball under water.  But pain, like the beachball, will eventually pop to the surface, and yet again we try to push it back down.

Consider also that the same guys who buys SAKs are often also into knives, flashlights, guns, Atwoods, etc.  They all fall into the same genre of distraction and pain avoidance.  They are all anesthesia. 

SAKs are certainly utilitarian.  And that's part of the reason we carry them.  But the real reason is hidden quite unseen, deep between our ears.  We are engaging in the most human of behaviors - pleasure seeking and pain avoidance.

Moderators:  please place this post in an esteemed position in the MTO Hall of Fame.  Thanks.

[Dale]

Bartender... I'll have what he's having

[Lynn LeFey]

Dale... I got a Powerlock and, aside from the excellent pliers, was sorely disappointed. Bad scissors, non-functional can opener, and a flathead which, when compared to any other full size MT looks like it would make a terrible pry tool. Along with finicky tool locks and annoying tool covers.

On why SAKs are good. Someone above posted about not needing pliers. If you don't need pliers, then you get the option of a few longer tools with a SAK. The saw on a Victorinox 111mm or Wenger Ranger are longer, and cut better, than the shorter ones on a plier based MT, for the same, and sometimes a lot less weight.

For pocket carry, SAKs are great. If you need to go somewhere and look discreet (church, bank, office, etc.), something like a Cadet won't draw much attention, and lays very flat in the pocket.

We all draw the line somewhere on how much tool ability we need, and how much we're willing to carry. MTs are all a compromise in weight and space, although some of them use that weight and space brilliantly.

Swiss Army Knives are light duty, but they pack a lot of useful functions into a very small and light framework. And what 'Light Duty' means is up for debate.

See Jothra's '30 Day Victorinox Huntsman Challenge' for an idea of the extremes of abuse these can handle.
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=46255.0

And as for their ability to withstand corrosion, check out my thread on the Victorinox Handyman I inheritted from my late father in law...
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=48654.msg806816#msg806816

It's something like 27 years old. Not a speck of rust on it, with moderate use, and apparently no maintenance, until I got it.

[Dale]

It would seem the best thing to do... Buy several different multi tools & reassemble one from the superior parts of each tool .. LOL

[Dale]

Not sure what kinda deal I got... But I picked this up for $10

Victorinox Swiss Army knife Climber multitool benchmade buck schrade vintage





I figured since I am just starting into this... being a amateur Swiss Cheesehead ( Big Greenbay fan ) Might as well start out humble. $10 is pretty much free. Clean it up & see how I like it. My one question though. Why does it say Benchmade, Buck, Shrade in the description??? Maybe just a Ebay classification??

[enki_ck]

You did good, and everything after multitool is just nonsense to get more views.

[Dale]

You did good, and everything after multitool is just nonsense to get more views.

+1 I thought that might be it.

[Lynn LeFey]

The 'Benchmade, Buck, Schrade' is to make people searching for those items (often knives) to have this come up as well. It's a B.S. tactic that you're not supposed to do on ebay, and yet everyone does.

That climber looks to be in pretty good shape. If the scissors are in good condition, then you've got a great knife that will last you many years of service. I mention the scissors because they're about the most sensitive to damage of any part of the tool.

Let us know how it works out for you.

[gregpost]

 Swiss Army Knives have been so reliable and convenient for me over the years, I like em but I like some other multi-tool brands too.

[Dale]

I figured at that price.. Kinda hard to go wrong.

[deputy tom]

Not sure what kinda deal I got... But I picked this up for $10

Victorinox Swiss Army knife Climber multitool benchmade buck schrade vintage

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

I figured since I am just starting into this... being a amateur Swiss Cheesehead ( Big Greenbay fan ) Might as well start out humble. $10 is pretty much free. Clean it up & see how I like it. My one question though. Why does it say Benchmade, Buck, Shrade in the description??? Maybe just a Ebay classification??

You're off to a good start Dale. That Climber is a nice knife and $10.00 is the right price too. tom.

[Dale]

Thanks Tom 

[derekmac]

I love my Climber!  To me, it's the perfect pocket companion to just about any MT out there.

[Romanoat]

I love my Climber!  To me, it's the perfect pocket companion to just about any MT out there.

Except of course a super tinker which replaces the almost useless (to me) corkscrew with a super useful Phillips lol.

[derekmac]

I love my Climber!  To me, it's the perfect pocket companion to just about any MT out there.

Except of course a super tinker which replaces the almost useless (to me) corkscrew with a super useful Phillips lol.

I'm Canadian, I don't need a Phillips.   

[kirk13]

I love my Climber!  To me, it's the perfect pocket companion to just about any MT out there.

Except of course a super tinker which replaces the almost useless (to me) corkscrew with a super useful Phillips lol.

I'm Canadian, I don't need a Phillips,eh.   

Fixed

So,really,you need a backspring Robertson driver?

[derekmac]

I love my Climber!  To me, it's the perfect pocket companion to just about any MT out there.

Except of course a super tinker which replaces the almost useless (to me) corkscrew with a super useful Phillips lol.

I'm Canadian, I don't need a Phillips,eh.   

Fixed

So,really,you need a backspring Robertson driver?

Thanks Kirky, can't believe I forgot the eh again. 

A backspring Robertson driver would be AWESOME Eh!!!

[Dale]

Are the handle covers interchangable? If so where can you get them? 

[kirk13]

Are the handle covers interchangable? If so where can you get them?

Yes,they are,and click on EDCSorce ,then Felinevet. He's one of us,and the money goes to a good cause too!

[enki_ck]

Are the handle covers interchangable? If so where can you get them?

Yes,they are,and click on EDCSorce ,then Felinevet. He's one of us,and the money goes to a good cause too!

What he said.

Here are the scales: http://www.edcsource.com/shop.php?parent_id=2029&user_id=100015

And the whole shop. http://www.edcsource.com/FELINEVET-SWISS-ARMY-KNIFE-STORE,name,100015,user_id,shop


If FelineVet doesn't have the color you're after listed, PM him here or on edcsource and I'm sure he'll do his best to get those for you.

[Dale]

Anyone know the MM of the climber?

[derekmac]

Anyone know the MM of the climber?

91mm