front side tools and their backside mates

[FavoriteThings]

I'm so impressed at how Victorinox standardizes (for the most part) the construction of their SAK's, especially when if comes to how specific backside tools are coupled with certain front side tools based on having the same width.  For example, the 91mm scissors have always been paired with the hook ever since 1991 when the hook was introduced.  Before that, the scissors were never paired with anything other than a blank backspring.  The front side tool that still does not have a mate (at least through the time of this writing in late 2024) is the Pliers.  I believe it's the thickest layer at 3mm and always opposes a blank slot on the back.  If Victorinox evolves the pliers layer, it's interesting to contemplate what back side tool might be useful to add...what do you think?  Of course it would have to be shallow enough to fit on the back side of the knife....an Allen wrench?  a lead holder (ie. architecht's pencil with removable lead)?  a finer Phillips driver?  a Torx wrench? Return of the long nail file?
 
Anyway, something fun to think about.   

[nate j]

a finer Phillips driver?

This probably has my vote.  One about the size of the end of the 58 mm combo tool would be good.

The problem with Allen wrenches or Torx wrenches (IMO) is that there are so many different sizes.  Unless you have a specific pre-determined use case, carrying only 1-3 of these and hoping you’ll have the right size when needed seems like a crap shoot at best.

Contrast with flat or Phillips screwdrivers, where 2-3 sizes are likely to cover virtually all screws of that type most people would typically encounter.

[FavoriteThings]

This probably has my vote.  One about the size of the end of the 58 mm combo tool would be good.

The problem with Allen wrenches or Torx wrenches (IMO) is that there are so many different sizes.  Unless you have a specific pre-determined use case, carrying only 1-3 of these and hoping you’ll have the right size when needed seems like a crap shoot at best.

Contrast with flat or Phillips screwdrivers, where 2-3 sizes are likely to cover virtually all screws of that type most people would typically encounter.

Agreed!….Torx and Allens are definitely not as good of a choice because of size specificity…good point.  Imagine how frustrating it would be!….”damn it!….wrong size again,”,…esp with metric vs standard Allens.

Thanks for contributing.

[SteveP]

My first thought was also a fine Phillips, but now I'm not so sure. I use the one on the 58mm combo tool often, but always for getting into small spaces.

I'm not sure having that small, precision driver on the back of a SAK big enough to have pliers (like a SwissChamp?), most likely in a T-grip like the corkscrew or regular back-side Phillips, would be very useful for small, precision tasks.

 

Be a cool idea to get something back there though. The long nail file is a cool idea and a tool lacking on the bigger SAKs. I like the one on my old Champion.

[BPRoberts]

Kinda out there, but what about the hoof pick? Way back in the early 1900s it was available as a backside tool (see pages 5 and 6 here).

I remember some being really impressed with how useful it was (I think the 111mm version) in one of the challenges I did as a scraper/hook even for non-hoof tasks. It'd probably benefit from the second layer (nice and sturdy) and the curve means it might be able to kind of cradle the pliers to handle the depth.

[nate j]

The long nail file is a cool idea and a tool lacking on the bigger SAKs. I like the one on my old Champion.

Of course, if Vic would simply standardize on the hook w/ nail file, every 91 mm with scissors would get a nail file.

Also, while a bit on the aggressive side, the metal file works just fine for fingernails in my experience.