The Sportsman Challenge - April 2024

[Jeffjeeptj]

IMR/Gary, glad to see you are in. I always like your artwork.

[IMR4198]

   This will give me an excuse to carry my Evo.  It is currently living in its bubble package.  Not doing anybody good there.  We had some fun in the Classic challenge didn't we Jeff? 
    I plan to start out with the pack on this challenge.  We will see how it goes.  Best wishes.  G
 

[marlowe221]

I’m proud to see a couple more additions to the roster!

I am excited to start the challenge in about a week.

[IMR4198]

   I looked up the Wenger Evo 10 online.  Lots of nice photos and list of tools.  Usual Spartan type tools with a corkscrew, can opener, blah, blah, blah.  And photos of the nail file. 
   I dug out my unused Wenger Evo 10 and took it out of its package.  Usual Spartan type tools, etc.  But no nail file.  Where the nail file should be is a clip point small blade.  So, the punch line to this woeful joke is... I don't have a knife that qualifies.  I suppose I could Take a Victorinox Tourist I have and cut little cross hatch marks on the small blade with a diamond file to create a fingernail tool?  Well, maybe not.   
   I knew I had a Wenger with a nail file, and I do, but it doesn't have a corkscrew.  So I am out with a disqualification on account of an equipment violation. 
   Have fun fellas.  I will follow the challenge anyway.  And sit on the bench.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[Bunk Tuppins]

   I looked up the Wenger Evo 10 online.  Lots of nice photos and list of tools.  Usual Spartan type tools with a corkscrew, can opener, blah, blah, blah.  And photos of the nail file. 
   I dug out my unused Wenger Evo 10 and took it out of its package.  Usual Spartan type tools, etc.  But no nail file.  Where the nail file should be is a clip point small blade.  So, the punch line to this woeful joke is... I don't have a knife that qualifies.  I suppose I could Take a Victorinox Tourist I have and cut little cross hatch marks on the small blade with a diamond file to create a fingernail tool?  Well, maybe not.   
   I knew I had a Wenger with a nail file, and I do, but it doesn't have a corkscrew.  So I am out with a disqualification on account of an equipment violation. 
   Have fun fellas.  I will follow the challenge anyway.  And sit on the bench.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

Sounds like you have an Evo S10, which is equivalent to the Delemont S101.  Small clip point blade instead of file and locking main blade. I have one of those too and love it.  The small clip point beats the heck out of the namby pamby Vic small blade.   My first SAK back in the 60's had a small clip point.

 Isn't it time for you to just buy a Sportsman?

[IMR4198]

   Yes, it is an S10.  I even called it that in my earlier posts about it.  In case there is somebody out there who doesn't know, that is an Evo 10 with a locking main blade.  And of course, no nail file.  Buying anything just to do a challenge isn't in the cards.  On the bright side, the challenge can be all Victorinox Sportsman without having one odd ball Wenger along.  Best wishes.  G
 

[marlowe221]

The Sportsman Challenge starts tomorrow!

Any last minute sign ups? Think about it while you file that ragged thumbnail with the file on your Sportsman….

[AndyAaron]

Looking forward to that. I had lot of fun during Opinel challenge in March!

[AndyAaron]

Ok, I am going to kick this off.

Day 1
Introduction of the sportsman
Happy Easter everyone!


I have obviously some standard tuning with small screwdriver and a pin. That is a must for all my SAKs…

[marlowe221]

Welcome to Day 1 of the Sportsman Challenge everyone!

I may be posting a little behind you all due to living in the Pacific time zone. But I’m excited to see this thing get started!

[Brock O Lee]

Day 1:

Allow me to introduce you to my Sportsman, acquired in April 2022.



I carry my SAKs with a Nite-Ize S-biner #1 clip, either black or stainless, depending if I wear light or dark pants. I like it because it can also be unclipped from the knife when I use the keyring-side tools. It gets clipped to the corner of the left front pocket, so that it hangs vertically.

The right front pocket is normally home to a modern one hand open folder.

I like the 84mm frame size. It is for all practical purposes just as robust as the 91mm’s in my world. The beefier 93mm’s however were my first love.

[Jeffjeeptj]

Prepping the Sportsman for the Challenge.  A bit of honing to ensure it is fully capable.


 

IMG_3537.jpg (Filesize: 466.1 KB)

[Bunk Tuppins]

I've actually been using this since the the day the challenge was first bruited.   

[Jeffjeeptj]

Nice, Bunk.  I see you have the “new” style file.  I am starting to carry the Sportsman much more regularly than the others.

[marlowe221]

Day 1

Here is the primary Sportsman I will be using for this challenge:

 

IMG_1583.jpg (Filesize: 90.67 KB)

I may toss a Delemont with the same tool set in the mix just for fun though.

[Canuckdad]

OK LoopCutter talked me into it. I am IN the challenge.. I have no internet on the weekend.. long story.. so I will often do 2 or three pics at a time ...her we go!

DAY 1

A year ago I bought the Canada Flag Sportsman. I got it more as a novelty. I liked the Canada flag because, you guessed it, I am Canadian.

I mainly carried a black , alox Cadet. I even did a couple reviews of my Cadet. I loved the cadet so much, or so I thought. But time and time again I found myself going to the Sportsman. The Cadet and Sportsman have the same blade, screw drivers and nail file. The sportsman however, has a few extra tools, while remaining roughly the same size. Not to mention , it has a beautiful Canadian flag on it.

Here are the tools on the Sportsman :

Tweezers / Can opener / Screwdriver 3 mm / Bottle opener / Screwdriver 6 mm / Wire stripper / Reamer, punch and sewing awl / Nail file / Nail cleaner / Toothpick / Key ring / Corkscrew / Blade, large

DIMENSIONS
Height: 15 mm

Length: 84 mm

Width: 26 mm

Weight: 52 g


Before I even realized what happened, I started carrying the sportsman more and more. Now I carry it most days of the week

Its an 84mm SAK so it fits great in that little change pocket in my jeans. I am not at all an outdoorsman so I dont need a saw. I LOVE Victorinox scissors but they make it too thick in my pocket. I do carry a little classic SD on my key ring so if I need scissors they are there.

  I constantly use the nail file. This new style, I believe it was a Wagner design ( but could be wrong) is way more aggressive. Its fantastic. It does a much better job at filing my nails. My nails grow super fast so I use it often. I find I use the nail file for all sorts of things. I have filed down an old nail with this new mighty design, used it to scrape something from between cracks in the table, or wall. I have used it to pull nails out of a wall, clean my nails, and to scrape away sticky stuff many times. I use the nail file more than any other tool.

The Blade I mostly use to open mail, packages, or to cut string. It a perfect size for the things I do.

I have never been big on corkscrews but then those new little screwdrivers came out that you can put in the cork screw and they are great. On my sportsman I added a little poker into the corkscrew that is great for resetting little electronic devices  or for popping out micro SD cards. Some times you just need a tiny poker for tiny jobs. I have even found uses for the corkscrew .

I then added a red toothpick and red tipped tweezers , and a red lanyard . Now it looks SWEET.

To my surprise I use the toothpick a lot. I have one in my  little SD that is on my key ring BUT I dont always have my keys on me. The cadet didnt have a toothpick so I didnt realize how much I would use it till I got the Sportsman.

I have used the reamer to scrape at things or to punch holes into leather. I use the screwdrivers all the time. I love the flat head to pry things open.

I really like the 2 layer SAKs. they are perfect for me in the office.


SO after a year, the Sportsman has slowly won my heart.

 I carry it almost every day. I only swap it out to give other SAKs a day or two pocket time.  I was an alox guy for a long time but it does feel good to once again have the classic red cellidor scales in my pocket. Its even nicer with my Canada flag on it.

[Jeffjeeptj]

Glad you are here joining the fun.

[Brock O Lee]

Day 2:

Nasty knot to untie? Corkscrew for the win...

[marlowe221]

OK LoopCutter talked me into it. I am IN the challenge.. I have no internet on the weekend.. long story.. so I will often do 2 or three pics at a time ...her we go!

DAY 1

A year ago I bought the Canada Flag Sportsman. I got it more as a novelty. I liked the Canada flag because, you guessed it, I am Canadian.

I mainly carried a black , alox Cadet. I even did a couple reviews of my Cadet. I loved the cadet so much, or so I thought. But time and time again I found myself going to the Sportsman. The Cadet and Sportsman have the same blade, screw drivers and nail file. The sportsman however, has a few extra tools, while remaining roughly the same size. Not to mention , it has a beautiful Canadian flag on it.

Here are the tools on the Sportsman :

Tweezers / Can opener / Screwdriver 3 mm / Bottle opener / Screwdriver 6 mm / Wire stripper / Reamer, punch and sewing awl / Nail file / Nail cleaner / Toothpick / Key ring / Corkscrew / Blade, large

DIMENSIONS
Height: 15 mm

Length: 84 mm

Width: 26 mm

Weight: 52 g


Before I even realized what happened, I started carrying the sportsman more and more. Now I carry it most days of the week

Its an 84mm SAK so it fits great in that little change pocket in my jeans. I am not at all an outdoorsman so I dont need a saw. I LOVE Victorinox scissors but they make it too thick in my pocket. I do carry a little classic SD on my key ring so if I need scissors they are there.

  I constantly use the nail file. This new style, I believe it was a Wagner design ( but could be wrong) is way more aggressive. Its fantastic. It does a much better job at filing my nails. My nails grow super fast so I use it often. I find I use the nail file for all sorts of things. I have filed down an old nail with this new mighty design, used it to scrape something from between cracks in the table, or wall. I have used it to pull nails out of a wall, clean my nails, and to scrape away sticky stuff many times. I use the nail file more than any other tool.

The Blade I mostly use to open mail, packages, or to cut string. It a perfect size for the things I do.

I have never been big on corkscrews but then those new little screwdrivers came out that you can put in the cork screw and they are great. On my sportsman I added a little poker into the corkscrew that is great for resetting little electronic devices  or for popping out micro SD cards. Some times you just need a tiny poker for tiny jobs. I have even found uses for the corkscrew .

I then added a red toothpick and red tipped tweezers , and a red lanyard . Now it looks SWEET.

To my surprise I use the toothpick a lot. I have one in my  little SD that is on my key ring BUT I dont always have my keys on me. The cadet didnt have a toothpick so I didnt realize how much I would use it till I got the Sportsman.

I have used the reamer to scrape at things or to punch holes into leather. I use the screwdrivers all the time. I love the flat head to pry things open.

I really like the 2 layer SAKs. they are perfect for me in the office.


SO after a year, the Sportsman has slowly won my heart.

 I carry it almost every day. I only swap it out to give other SAKs a day or two pocket time.  I was an alox guy for a long time but it does feel good to once again have the classic red cellidor scales in my pocket. Its even nicer with my Canada flag on it.

Watch out people! We got us a genuine Sportsman expert here!

No pressure but, uh… we expect to learn a lot from you this month.

[Spatha]

The Sportsman Challenge starts tomorrow!

Any last minute sign ups? Think about it while you file that ragged thumbnail with the file on your Sportsman….

You convinced me. I'd love to sign up if it's not already too late. This will be my first challenge here and it looks like a fun one to get involved with. If I remember right we didn't have such a thing as these monthly challenges when I was last active on the forum, but there's a good chance my memory might be letting me down. What's a decade or so between friends?

Anyway, I also realised that I somehow have quite a few SAKs with the pattern that ought to qualify for participation, I guess that's largely because it was kind of the old Wenger baseline toolset.  I'll have to dig them out and let them see the light of day, or at least get some pocket time!

On day 1 the Sportsman got some use in the kitchen to open up a new packet of mature cheddar, and then proved itself to be an excellent slicer of cheese. Yes, the apple is tiny.

[Brock O Lee]

Cheese... 

Tomorrow I'll be cutting some mature English cheddar too.

[Jeffjeeptj]

Cheese... 

Tomorrow I'll be cutting some mature English cheddar too.

Nice!!! 

Not cutting cheese here, not filing taxes today either.  Just a bit of necessary nail file work.

 

IMG_3539.jpg (Filesize: 156.51 KB)

[AndyAaron]

Day 2
Sportsman doing some sports

 

[Canuckdad]

DAY 2!!!!!!!

[LoopCutter]

      That is a HANDSOME set of scales!

[Canuckdad]

    That is a HANDSOME set of scales!

Thanks! 

[Bunk Tuppins]

We've all got maple leaf envy. 

[Spatha]

Seems like we got off to a great start here! I'm very much enjoying everyone's photos and hearing your thoughts about this little Sportsman.

 

Day 2 saw the can opener opening a can, but maybe not in quite the way intended. With a little effort I probably could have pried up this recalcitrant ring pull with a finger nail, but it might have ended badly. Soup for tea was actually pretty good with a bit of toast. It was sundried tomato, lentil, and smoked paprika flavour, for those that might be curious.

[Bunk Tuppins]

Here is my sportsman with a Delemont EvoGrip 10, which has a very similar tool set.

[Brock O Lee]

Some people seem to have an aversion to having a can opener on their SAKs in 2024. Apparently because we have pull tabs for all cans these days. I do not understand this reasoning, because it is such a versatile and multi-purpose tool.

I particularly like it as a thin and light pry tool (like you showed above @Spatha), a makeshift hook, or a scraper with the circular edge. Not to mention as a 2D Phillips driver or actual can opener. I still find scenarios where I have to cut open an “old skool” can, or where the modern pull tab broke off. It is one of my favourite tools to be honest.