The Quintessential Swiss Army Knife

[Steelej1976]

When you think of a Swiss Army Knife what is the knife that you think of?  For me I think it is the Climber  (Scissors, Corkscrew, and Cellidor) or the Solider\Pioneer (Awl, Alox, and Awlsomeness). 

[NutSAK]

SI/Pioneer

[Maties]

For me it's the huntsman.
I bought it when I was a kid and it's still with me.

Recently, being adult, I begun searching and collecting, but for me allways the huntsman was the one and only SAK, and I still see it as the most iconic SAK for me.

Edit: With cellidor economy scales, without scale tools and that particular shield.

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[kottskrapa]

Spartan for me, it was my first when I was a kid

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

[Max Stone]

Swiss Champ 

[trichosirius]

Tinker, as this is the one I remember from childhood which forever set my definition of SAK. The thing I remember most is taking apart lots of toys and electronics with that backside Phillips, which only fit those recessed holes after I reamed them out with the can-opener and awl 

[FolderBeholder]

When I think of Swiss Army Knife, the image that comes up in my mind is that of an Explorer.
Something to do with the magnifying glass that makes me think of Scouts out and about earning badges.

[DavisNikolov]

For me it's the Camper. I have a special relation to that knife. I've been a knife nut since I can remember, some of my oldest child memories include cutting myself. But I only had access to low quality knives, I didn't even know there were better things out there. Until one of the cellphone providers started a campaign where they gave Campers to new customers. A friend of mine got one and I was so impressed with that knife. I red on the blade "Victorinox", googled it and ended up on a knife forum and a whole new world opened up in  front of me. So I got a Victorinox, then a Spyderco and it was downhill from there.

[Top-Gear-24]

When I think of Swiss Army Knife, the image that comes up in my mind is that of an Explorer.
Something to do with the magnifying glass that makes me think of Scouts out and about earning badges.

I agree  .

For years when someone said the words "Swiss Army Knife" to me, the image of an Explorer came to my mind, and the magnifying glass indeed plays an important role in that, since (in my opinion at least) it's the tool that speaks to the imagination the most,  certainly as a child.

Having said that, I should immediately add that by now, after years of SAK collecting, and going deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole, my mind has switched that image of the Explorer for one of the Swisschamp (my most carried EDC SAK of all times, so... ).

[Helvetica Bold]

Swiss Champ for me. Always wanted one and since I got my first one 35 years ago I’ve always had one since. I think it’s the one the man in the street envisions when you say Swiss Army Knife

[BPRoberts]

Definitely a cellidor 91mm. I think an argument can be made for any of the 2-4 layer Spartan/Tinker derivatives. If I had to pick one, I'd say the Tinker. It's got most of the quintessential SAK tools, and the Macgyver pedigree doesn't hurt.

[hsherzfeld]

A 91mm SAK with red cellidor scales. Doesn't matter which one or how many layers; that's the picture that comes to mind when I think "Swiss Army Knife".

[smiller43147]

Myself it's the '61 Soldier.  But I think for the average Joe it would be a Spartan or Climber with red scales.

[Storm]

The red scaled Spartan would be my pick for it.
The Pioneer is the descendent of the original soldiers knife, and the Spartan the descendent of the officers knife, but the red scales are what Joe Bloggs thinks of when you say Swiss Army Knife

[MacGyver]

A 91mm SAK with red cellidor scales. Doesn't matter which one or how many layers; that's the picture that comes to mind when I think "Swiss Army Knife".

 

I also think this is the best answer for me too. My first SAK was a spartan, but my preferencies changed so many times.... Right now is the Climber. But one thing is unchangeable for me, it has to be red cellidor and between 2 and 4 layers max, preferably 3... 
 
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[comis]

The Quintessential Swiss Army Knife?  I too would say Explorer, with Swisschamp being a close second.

In some way, I do see Swisschamp being the pinnacle of non-plier multitool engineering, featuring most of commonly seen SAK tools in most compact package possible.  But having said that, Explorer hosts all the most essential and best SAK tools there is(blades, openers, inline phillips and scissors), and in itself embodies what I think SAK is meant for--to solve 80% of the problems with the most efficient tool package possible.

[Jackpine54]

Swiss Champ 

(Image removed from quote.)

 

[Echotech]

A 91mm SAK with red cellidor scales…

has to be 91mm red cellidor

Although not my favourite, Swiss Champ seems the most quintessential to me, although judging by sales the classic would have to be in the running

[pfrsantos]

One more for the 91mm Celidor.

Even if it's not my favourite, it's what comes to mind when mentioning SAKs.

 

[VICMAN]

For me it is the SwissChamp. I have carried one ever since it first came out.

[kamakiri]

I think the Swisschamp has inherited the title…

But quintessential to me will always be the Champion line.

Unfortunately, I think ‘Swisschamp’ is more of a product line now with all the various XL, XLT, etc., etc.

[Fireman]

One more for the 91mm Celidor.

Even if it's not my favourite, it's what comes to mind when mentioning SAKs.

 

I agree on the 91mm celidor.  Which model?  What is today and what am I carrying?

[SteveP]

I'm on the 91mm red Cellidor boat also.

A Champion for me, as it was my first SAK.

But I'd agree with others that a SAK with fewer layers is probably what people off these forums think of. There was a whole generation or two influenced by MacGyver.

[Rizio Il Ghiro]

I’d have to go for a red cellidor too - my first Vic was the Master Craftsman/Astronaut with red scales, though I probably carry alox more these days!

[Ron Who]

Same here, i.e. another vote for red cellidor even though I carry alox.
I think the Huntsman or similar, not too small and not too large.

[Kraken]

My quintessential SAK would be either the Huntsman or the Explorer, because both have the awesome scissors, in red cellidor scales. The Huntsman because my first SAK was a Camper and I remember always finding an excuse to use the wood saw. The Explorer because it's been my EDC for a few years now and I get mild anxiety when I think of carrying anything else.

[Singh]

Climber. 

There are other SAKs with more tools, but essentially they all originate from the Climber. The Climber has the core tools.

[dmattaponi]

Swisschamp…a pocketknife sized toolbox and the quintessential SAK


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[N05J3W3]

Climber in Red Celidor. Though not the one I'd want the most, certainly the archetype.

[pfrsantos]

Climber. 

There are other SAKs with more tools, but essentially they all originate from the Climber. The Climber has the core tools.

You got hooked on it, too, huh?