Collection completed!

Simon_Templar · **on:** June 26, 2021, 01:42:36 PM

Fellow knights,

It's with great pleasure that I hereby declare my collection completed!

After the SAK bug hit me in early 2019, I quickly came to realize that while I was amassing more and more SAKs, I was too stingy and also not knowledgeable enough to become a serious collector. However, I noticed that my amassing SAKs led to me owning more and more of the models in the 91 mm family tree as displayed on SAKWiki.

So sometime in 2020, after I had gotten hold of the elusive Expedition Lite, I decided to go for the full 91 mm family tree. Alas, I never managed to find a XAVT at an acceptable price. So when Vic announced to discontinue this SAK and prices went even higher up as a consequence, I disappointedly accepted the idea that I might not reach my goal.

That said, a few days ago I found in the bay an adequately priced XAVT. It's the version I wanted most, the 2017 model with the Wenger wrench. I received it today and although I fully realize how absurd this acquisition is - after all, you pay an insane amount of money for something that will just sit in its box until it starts a conversation or is toyed with a bit - I am very relieved I managed to complete the 2020 family tree after all.

I am not sure if I will continue to stay up to date with the current line up (I somehow don't see myself owning a SC XXL) or even if I will continue to buy SAKs. But I know for certain that I had a great ride these last two years. I am a bit sad I missed the pre-9/11 heydays when there was a sheer endless variety of SAKs available. Still, I think I picked a good moment to get into the game: the latest gen LCD models were a pinnacle of SAK technology; thanks to smartphones, we are unlikely to see anything like it ever again. It's therefore great to have them all in my drawer now, together with all those nice Lite models which are likely to get extinct next.

Cheers,

Simon

Frailer · **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2021, 01:50:40 PM

Congratulations!

It’s always exciting to finally put the last piece into collection puzzle.

Now on to the next one.

Echotech · **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2021, 02:05:13 PM

Congrats Simon, an excellent accomplishment

Myron · **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2021, 03:12:06 PM

Congratulations, Simon! It feels good to reach the goal, and many of us here understand the strangeness of wanting something so badly, but simultaneously asking ourselves why.

Good going, and I hope you stay active on MTO!

Myron

Rizio Il Ghiro · **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2021, 03:28:20 PM

Congratulations on completing your collecting goal!

I know what you mean about the bonkers-ness of it, but it it simultaneously satisfying in a bizarre way!

Simon_Templar · **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2021, 03:37:23 PM

Many thanks for all the kind words, guys. You are the best crowd on the Internet, so don't worry, I will stick around. I am not cured of SAKs anyway, just satisfied with what I have (for now). And there is always another 30 days-challenge waiting

Barry Rowland · **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2021, 03:39:41 PM

Outstanding Simon!

Fast Bill · **Reply #7 on:** June 26, 2021, 03:58:12 PM

Well done Simon. I have always promised myself my end point SAK is a red cellidor Spartan. I am quite content it’s within reach. Anytime I fancy…

ComboTool · **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2021, 03:59:11 PM

Congrats on this remarkable achievement, but....

Aloha · **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2021, 04:26:31 PM

and

Bravo.

glenfiddich1983 · **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2021, 04:58:27 PM

and congratulations!

Where are the pictures

Simon_Templar · **Reply #11 on:** June 26, 2021, 05:15:06 PM

I was afraid somebody would ask

Problem is, the SAKs which I got only for completeness' sake (like the abominable Fieldmaster) are in storage in various boxes all over the house, together with limited editions etc., and at the moment I cannot be bothered to find and search every box. However, I can give you a picture of all the 91 mm SAKs I have as users or potential users in my desk drawer. With the exception of the XAVT and the Expedition Lite (which I am afraid might just be too valuable to use although its toolset is superb), every one of these SAKs is a user and most of them have at least once seen pocket duty.

By the way, there is one SAK in this picture which is not in the 2020 family tree. Who can identify it?

Edit: If a badge were awarded for completing a SAK family tree, I think I could be bothered to go for the box hunt...

comis · **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2021, 06:23:15 PM

Congratulation on this fine achievement!

Even thought it is the users pix, still really impressive to see!

old Lefty · **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2021, 06:25:48 PM

Congrats Mr Templar!

Lähetetty minun SM-T515 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

Simon_Templar · **Reply #14 on:** June 26, 2021, 06:41:13 PM

Quote from: comis on June 26, 2021, 06:23:15 PM

Congratulation on this fine achievement!

Even thought it is the users pix, still really impressive to see!

Thanks so much, Comis.

As usual, you are too polite - a man with your collection will not be so easily impressed.

Well, I am happy I achieved my personal goal after all. It was fun getting all those knives and trying them to determine which ones work for me and which ones do not so much. Before I went on this quest, I never gave the CT34, the Fisherman or the Huntsman Lite any thought. Now they are among my absolute favorites. Who could have guessed?

Simon_Templar · **Reply #15 on:** June 26, 2021, 06:51:09 PM

Quote from: old Lefty on June 26, 2021, 06:25:48 PM

Congrats Mr Templar!

Lähetetty minun SM-T515 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

Thanks. It feels like a miracle that I finally got the XAVT at acceptable conditions. But they don't call me the Saint for nothing

Rich S · **Reply #16 on:** June 26, 2021, 07:00:07 PM

I'm sure Vic will come out with a model you don't have. Keep looking.
Congrats on a nice collection. Collecting is a illness from which there is no recovery.

Rich

kottskrapa · **Reply #17 on:** June 26, 2021, 07:27:45 PM

Congratulations!

[It's not failure if you learn something from it]

Simon_Templar · **Reply #18 on:** June 26, 2021, 07:36:05 PM

Quote from: Rich S on June 26, 2021, 07:00:07 PM

Collecting is a illness from which there is no recovery.
Rich

Easy for you to say, you are Rich. Looking at my bank account after getting the XAVT has cured me, at least for the time being.

Chako · **Reply #19 on:** June 26, 2021, 07:56:15 PM

That too will subside.

Congratulations.

Max Stone · **Reply #20 on:** June 26, 2021, 08:46:24 PM

Congratulations Simon.

Having posted that family tree and following the same path, I can attest to the sense of accomplishment in putting that final piece in the puzzle.

I have thought about trying another SAK size puzzle, but just did not feel the draw like I did for the 91mm length. I’m content having a few representatives from most of the different sizes, and trying a little modding here and there.

My set now sits in a display case and I often refer back to individual models for interest or info. Ones I like I’ve found duplicates to use, but I feel like I need to keep the set unused. The journey collecting them was as rewarding as having the set, and that’s what I remember.

Simon_Templar · **Reply #21 on:** June 26, 2021, 09:03:53 PM

Quote from: Max Stone on June 26, 2021, 08:46:24 PM

Congratulations Simon.

Having posted that family tree and following the same path, I can attest to the sense of accomplishment in putting that final piece in the puzzle.

I have thought about trying another SAK size puzzle, but just did not feel the draw like I did for the 91mm length. I’m content having a few representatives from most of the different sizes, and trying a little modding here and there.

My set now sits in a display case and I often refer back to individual models for interest or info. Ones I like I’ve found duplicates to use, but I feel like I need to keep the set unused. The journey collecting them was as rewarding as having the set, and that’s what I remember.

Many thanks, Max. Your journey along the 91 mm line gave me lots of motivation. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your insightful assessments of the SAKs I already had at the time and those SAKs which were still to come my way.

Edit: I agree the idea of completing the other SAK family trees is less appealing. I guess it would be easier and cheaper than the 91 mm tree (the XLT, the AVTs and the Cybertools are bitc..s), but it would also feel like less of an accomplishment. Also, part of the fun was patiently monitoring the market and striking at any good offer which eventually came along. I got the Expedition Lite for just 100 Euros that way - it still makes me smile to think of that (I paid more for the Traveller Lite).

I can understand that you decided to keep your set in pristine condition. I too have gotten duplicates of some of my users, but not of all of them. I am sure I will be unhappy if one of the discontinued ones gets flawed or damaged, but then again, I decided to be a user rather than a collector of SAKs, so I guess I will have to live with that.