The Challenge of Champions in 2022!

[hsherzfeld]

Day 30
I used the magnifying glass to look for tiny seedlings sprouting in the garden.

[BPRoberts]

Day 30

Wife thought she had a splinter. Investigated with magnifying glass and "fortunately" didn't find one, so no excuse to use the pin or tweezers. Stay strong, awl, home stretch!

Tools Used

Magnifying Glass- Edge examination
Large Blade- Pear slicing
Pen- Note taking
Ruler- Car fob measurement
Small Blade- Open mail
Fish Scaler- Disarm mouse trap
Scissors- Trim thread
Hook Disgorger- Back scratcher
Inline Phillips- Tub drain adjustment
Parcel Hook- Dress carrying
Toothpick- Tooth Pickin'
Eyeglass Driver- Glasses tightening
Corkscrew- Tea bag holder.
Can Opener- Bottle(!) opener
Bottle Opener- Opened beer
Nail Cleaner- Cleaned nails
Awl- Venting stock carton
Metal File- Tweezer sharpening
Key Ring- Lanyard attachment
Small Phillips- Spinner tightening
Flat Driver- Cap prying
Chisel- Bottle cap disassembly
Tweezers- Handivac repair

Tools Remaining
Pin, Metal Saw, Wood Saw, Wire Stripper, Sewing Eye

[Farmer X]

Though I was on hand solely as a spectator, this was a great challenge. Lots of great uses and photos, and badges well-earned. Excellent work by awl!

[SteveP]

Day 30

We made it! Going out with a Champion family photo tonight.

Thank you everyone for participating and sharing your stories and photos. As this was the first challenge I've ever hosted, I really appreciate the participation.   

So what do I think after a month of carrying a Champion?

Prior to this challenge, I usually carried one of my Swiss Champs - all the tools I could have in a pocketable SAK. But the Champions did well. I missed the Champ's pliers only once. And that one less layer does make the Champion easier to hold and pocket.

Will I stay with a Champion? I don't know. I did miss the Champ's pen several times, but I could put Plus scales on the "Plus" - I even have a set of translucent blue ones to match.

But based on the tools I used during the challenge, even the Champion seemed like overkill. I might need to try a month with an Explorer Plus and see how that goes.   

But... when you can carry as much as you have in a package the size of the Swiss Champ, it's hard to say no to one. I just have this nagging feeling that the next time I really need pliers I'll be carrying a SAK that doesn't have them. That's usually when I've needed them in the past.   

Don't forget to request the SAK STACK Challenge badge for completing this challenge.

See you in the next challenge!

[Alan K.]

You can get the SAK stack or the Disco badge for this challenge since the Champion has been discontinued 
  to everyone who completed this challenge. There have been some really great uses and pictures this month. Thanks to SteveP for hosting.

[Fireman]

DAY 31!!! 

I carried and used the Champion, but I didn't use all the tools.  Oddly, I used the fish scaler more than once and never used the phillips screwdriver.  That's how life goes.  It's still one of my favorites, and I'm glad I got to carry it for this challenge.

Congrats to all the other Champions!  I enjoyed your pics and stories, and was impressed by those who managed to use every tool    

[BPRoberts]

Day 31

Used both saws on a branch, just to test how the metal saw did on wood. It bites a bit quicker on the first few strokes, but the wood saw does a lot better once you notch the wood. Also much easier to clean.

Overall, I found the Champion Plus fairly comfortable to pocket (it fits in my work slacks fine, but was a bit bulky in one pair of jeans.) In hand, A 3-4 layer is a bit more comfortable. For my (relatively light) EDC needs, I think the Champs are a bit overkill, but it'll be seeing more pocket time over the summer for camping and other days where I need a little more. Like SteveP I think I'll be carrying an Explorer in the near future to test as my EDC.

Compared to the Swisschamp, I didn't particularly miss the plyers, but I didn't find the Champion r considerably easier or harder to pocket either.

Tool Notes

The basic Spartan set all performed well. For the first time, I tried to reserve the large blade for food prep and use the small blade for packages and goop. Good system, I'll be sticking to it in the future.

The can and bottle openers were, as always, true multitools. Screwing screws, light prying, opening bottles and cans, they both found use regularly and were consistent performers. I did not get to the wire stripper. I was hoping to get some thin wire, strip it, and then try to sew with it (half to see if it'd work and half to check the tools off) but didn't get around to it today.

I didn't make it to the sewing eye on the awl, but the awl itself performed admirably as an awl purpose pokey/stabby bit.

The corkscrew didn't find its way into any wine bottles this month, but it did untie plenty of knots, as well as holding onto the mini driver, which came in handy a few times.

Scale tools: The toothpick got a fair amount of use for its intended purpose, and the tweezers came in handy a few times. I'm still evaluating the point I filed into them. The pen was probably my most used tool, jotting down a ton of little notes. On a knife this size, I just used it in hand, instead of slipping it under the hook like I might have on a Compact or Climber. The pin, sadly, was the only tool that saw absolutely no use this month.

The wood and metal saws didn't see much use this month, owing to a lack of handymanning/camping. I wouldn't want to go for a hike without the wood saw, but it's not something I need on my "office" knife. The metal saw is IMO too specialized a tool for me to worry about much. I'd give it much stronger consideration if either side of the file was a better grit for nail filing. As is, it's basically impossible to get a decent nailfile about 84mm.

Some surprising performers: The multipurpose hook made carrying groceries every week so much easier. I learned to slip one of the bag handles through the other, and that made it much more usable for multiple bags. The fish scaler did a bit of all purpose poking, some light measuring, and came in handy as a fork once or twice. I don't know that I'll add it to my "must have" EDC tool list, but it's definitely a very nice to have. Finally, the in-line Phillips is SO much nicer to use than the back side or can opener. Another almost must have for future EDC.

The magnifying glass continues to be more cool that practical. Maybe someday Vic will find something better to buddy up with the screwdriver.

The back side chisel and tech screwdriver basically only got used for the sake of checking them off the list. No big deal, since they're usually paired with the equally meh metal saw/file.

Knives I'm looking forward to carrying in the near future:

Explorer (plus?): Has most of the tools I want, and no extras, in 4 layers.
Climber: I think I can probably do without the Phillips. Also picked up a modded one with a seatbelt cutter/pocket opener that I've been itching to show off.
Marlboro Outdoorsman: Almost perfectly matches my actually used tools list from this challenge. Got one of ebay, but I'm debating if I want to swap the scales. It's in such good shape, part of me wants to leave it as a shelf queen.

Glad to do the challenge with all of you, and looking forward to the next round, whatever it is!

[hsherzfeld]

Day 31
No uses on the last day of the Challenge of Champions, so here’s a shot of my Champion escorted by a Spitfire. Just because. Beware of the Hun in the sun!

I enjoyed the Challenge of Champions, but I’m also looking forward to returning my Explorer plus to my pocket.

[Fireman]

Day 31
here’s a shot of my Champion escorted by a Spitfire. Just because. Beware of the Hun in the sun!

  

[hsherzfeld]

Here’s the tally of all the tools that I used during the Challenge:

Large blade (for everything!)
Magnifying glass (for looking at things)
Scissors (mainly for trimming flowers in the garden)
Metal saw (for sawing aluminum plate at robotics)
Ruler (as a soil depth gauge and for quick measurements)
Toothpick (picking teeth)
Wood saw (as a hair comb; not recommended, but not terrible)
Large flat driver (for light prying; Edges were too rounded to get purchase on item being pried)
Can opener (for staple removal at work)

I think I used at least one tool from each layer during the Challenge, and all of the front-side tools except the Philips screwdriver. I don’t recall using any of the backside tools.

All in all, I found the Champion Plus to be tremendously capable, but also thick and heavy. It was sometimes a chore to retrieve from my pocket, even with the pocket clip shown in all of my pictures.

[BPRoberts]

If anyone else wants to push on for the 60 day version of the badge, I just posted a new thread here.

[SteveP]

Day 31
No uses on the last day of the Challenge of Champions, so here’s a shot of my Champion escorted by a Spitfire. Just because. Beware of the Hun in the sun!

I enjoyed the Challenge of Champions, but I’m also looking forward to returning my Explorer plus to my pocket.

[Farmer X]

Here’s a shot of my Champion escorted by a Spitfire.

[SteveC]

Badges awarded   

[Rizio Il Ghiro]

Congratulations on a challenge successfully completed and on your shiny new badges!

[SteveP]

Badges awarded   

Thank you, SteveC!

[hsherzfeld]

As a postscript to the Challenge of Champions, I finally took the time to tear down the Champion with the worn scissors and replaced them with a newer pair from my spare SAK parts box. I also replaced the main blade and blade spring.

[SteveP]

As a postscript to the Challenge of Champions, I finally took the time to tear down the Champion with the worn scissors and replaced them with a newer pair from my spare SAK parts box. I also replaced the main blade and blade spring.

Photo of the reassembled Champion?

[hsherzfeld]

Here it is!
 

[SteveP]

Here it is!
 

Very nice!
 

[Farmer X]