Why a Swiss Army Knife.

[mrmike]

Why a swiss army knife?

Well the majority of them comply with UK carry laws and are seen as more socially acceptable than a leatherman for example.

I do not carry a Swiss army knife when I am at work, preferring a leatherman.
Opposite when not at work.

 

[Pattree]

Victorinox has been a part of European identity for decades to create an air of at least European familiarity.

Now this I do understand.

In my youth this was the only knife I would carry. I identified with all the dads in the village.


However:
To misquote Flanders and Swan:

I very rarely meet a horse and that’s what makes me sad.
And when I do it hasn’t a stone in its hoof,
But I would if I did and It had.

Aren’t tin openers and bottle openers also becoming obsolete?

 

[Pattree]

For curiosity, which knife do I own?
(It’s 20 years old.)

 

[Silverclaws2]

Now this I do understand.

In my youth this was the only knife I would carry. I identified with all the dads in the village.
View attachment 96690

However:
To misquote Flanders and Swan:

I very rarely meet a horse and that’s what makes me sad.
And when I do it hasn’t a stone in its hoof,
But I would if I did and It had.

Aren’t tin openers and bottle openers also becoming obsolete?

Tin openers and bottle openers becoming obsolete, er no as perhaps folk are unaware cheaper brands of food tend not to have easy open ring pull systems and beer bottles are still using crown caps.

As to the knife described, yeah I had one of them before I had the Vicky, but I lost in woods.

And yes I do have a modern use for a marline spike, but a knife bearing one of those, a Currey lockspike is in with my rope handling stuff

 

[Damascus]

I have two main Swiss Army knives, the traveller which I’ve had for 25 years and used daily, out camping or fishing the solider, but I’ve put a plain edge on it cos it’s easier to sharpen. Recently had a Ranger grip 78 bought for me as a present and getting used to that. All have excellent little saws and the rest of the gadgets already discussed. Wouldnt be without mine!

 

[William_Montgomery]

So as an adjunct - what Model does everyone carry ? I'm guessing people have found the 'right' for them and would be interesting to see if there is a common theme or trend regarding model.

I use this 'Ranger' model.


Before I got this I was a bit unsure about SAKs in general. Thought perhaps they were a bit impractical and maybe even a bit showy. But, I got given this quite a few years back, and thenceforth it has shown itself to be an incredibly useful tool. To the point where I really don't like to be without it. It's strong and withstands all sorts of abuse and the tools all do their job beautifully.

As well as being a great day to day tool, I particularly enjoy using it for whittling and 'out in the woods/at camp' woodwork. The knife, wood saw, reamer and chisel can be used to build absolutely loads of stuff.

Why a Swiss Army Knife?

Because they are well built, well designed and as well as being highly practical, they are also a pleasure to use.

 

[slowworm]

I don't carry anything all the time but have a couple of SAKs with a useful selection of tools to carry when I need them. Strangely enough I've yet to find something that matches my needs exactly. I'd also disagree with them mostly being legal EDC as many of the more useful ones have a lockable blade these days and some have a blade over 3".

I most recently picked up Hiker as I wanted a non-locking under 3" knife, plus a saw, flat and plain screw driver & pointy thing for making holes. Used when I go shooting in the woods amongst other things.

Some things I don't need are more than one blade or the scissors as I've never really used them. I also don't like the cork screw as I broke one and never found I really need and emergency cork screw these days.

 

[Pattree]

Can anyone tell me which Swiss Army knife I have? Pic at #23

 

[Megatramp]

For curiosity, which knife do I own?
(It’s 20 years old.)
View attachment 96691

If it measures 91mm, it's a Spartan

 

[Silverclaws2]

Can anyone tell me which Swiss Army knife I have? Pic at #23

That be the one in this listing, the ' Spartan '

Spartan Red

 

[forrestdweller]

i currently don't own one -- i carried one for 29years (with a 2" main blade) until it was lost during an armed robbery in nicaragua -- (and wish they'd upgrade to a better steel) but it came in use many times when using my multitool or belt knife in public wasn't possible

and can anyone picture MacGuyver without his SAK?!

 

[Pattree]

Now THERE’S an opportunity for an endorsed merch multi-tool!!

 

[ijohnson]

If it measures 91mm, it's a Spartan

And if it's 84mm it's a tourist.

SAKWiki | Tourist

SAKWiki - The online Swiss Army Knife Encyclopedia. Information and Identification on Swiss Army Knives by Victorinox and Wenger.

www.sakwiki.com

 

[demented dale]

swiss army champion. Today I used the knife, tweezers, phillips screwdriver and toothpiick. i use it every day multiple times for multiple tasks. Best thing in the world, ever xxxxx

 

[Kadushu]

I have the Hiker and the Farmer. I prefer the in-line tools to the 90 degree ones, for example the awl on the Farmer is very useful for drilling and scraping whereas I've barely used the awl on the Hiker. I find a SAK generally superior to a Leatherman style multitool because it's a handle with a tool sticking out, rather than a big square block housing pliers with a tool sticking out. The exception is that Leatherman pliers are leagues better than those on a SAK.
Don't get me started on Opinel...

 

[Silverclaws2]

And I was caused to use the scissors tonight to do a bit of first aid, through the knowledge the Vicky scissors are rather excellent at cutting first aid materials.

 

[British Red]

Now this I do understand.

In my youth this was the only knife I would carry. I identified with all the dads in the village.
View attachment 96690

However:
To misquote Flanders and Swan:

I very rarely meet a horse and that’s what makes me sad.
And when I do it hasn’t a stone in its hoof,
But I would if I did and It had.

Aren’t tin openers and bottle openers also becoming obsolete?

I use crown caps on the beer I make & can food in Mason jars so both are useful to me. If you prefer Door Dash & Uber Eats then I suppose they are

 

[Aristotle]

I have gone through phases of carrying different pocket tools.

I am currently back with a Victorinox Huntsman in my pocket every day.

It is useful, convenient, easy to look after, non-threatenting, compact, smooth-shaped and non-damaging to pockets.

I use it, at least once, most days.

On holidays and weekends away it is regularly lent out to people who do not carry such things.

In my old job, which was more practical, and when I am doing something more mechanical I will take my Leatherman Crunch (I removed the serrated locking balde) and a pocket knife.

When I am doing bush/scouts activities I will take my Svord Mini in my pocket.

....and a kit bag with Mora, axes and a folding saw, depending upon what the tasks are likely to be.

 

[Grebby]

I have the Swiss Army 7 Alox as I don't really like the scissors on swis army knives. But scissors are usefil so I also carry a small leatherman micra in my change wallet I like this as the scissors are effectivly the main tool. It's also got a nail file and small screwdrivers.

I like the small hooked blade on the knife as it's really good for stripping the outer on electrical cables etc.

SAKs aren't seen as "threatening" by the general public. I've used mine to trim a thread that was dangling from a police womans hat in a primary school. I did ask first. There was no reaction other than "Thank you".

I do have and use a Leatherman Charge tti, but because of the locking blade(s) it can't be a daily carry. Ironically the ickle blade on the micra was technically locking(from my understanding) as if you closed the handles back together when the blade was opened you couldn't just push it closed. You had to open the handles up first. I removed the blade as I always have the SAK as well so don't need it.

 

[GreyDog]

I have the Swiss Army 7 Alox as I don't really like the scissors on swis army knives. But scissors are usefil so I also carry a small leatherman micra in my change wallet I like this as the scissors are effectivly the main tool. It's also got a nail file and small screwdrivers.

I like the small hooked blade on the knife as it's really good for stripping the outer on electrical cables etc.

SAKs aren't seen as "threatening" by the general public. I've used mine to trim a thread that was dangling from a police womans hat in a primary school. I did ask first. There was no reaction other than "Thank you".

I do have and use a Leatherman Charge tti, but because of the locking blade(s) it can't be a daily carry. Ironically the ickle blade on the micra was technically locking(from my understanding) as if you closed the handles back together when the blade was opened you couldn't just push it closed. You had to open the handles up first. I removed the blade as I always have the SAK as well so don't need it.

Love the SA7, the little blade has the thinnest edge on any knife I have. Out of all my SAKs this is the best for wood stuff, the lack of a key ring makes it smooth and comfy in the hand with any grip.