SAK or Multitool?
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Coyote3855
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Both. Leatherman on the belt, SAK Classic on key ring. Leatherman doesn't have tweezers, toothpick, or sissors.
leatherman does make many models with scissors, but I don't think I've ever seen a multitool with tweezers or a toothpick(I always lost both on all my SAK's).
I actually used the needlenose pliers on my squirt to pull out a splinter a few nights ago.
Coyote3855
Member
I have the original model Leatherman, so no tweezers or pick. On the keyring with my SAK Classic is also AG Russell tweezers, a photon minilight, and Gerber fingernail clippers. I carried a SAK Climber for years, but now pocket carry a MooreMaker 3.5" trapper and a Spyderco Endura IWB.
Carl Levitian
member
A sak is far from obsolete. In fact, seeing as how they've been around since 1890, and still going strong, many people still prefer them. At last count, Victorinox is the worlds largest maker of pocket knives. A few years ago, Knife World Magazine had an article on them, and their annual production was 35 million knives a year. Some 9 million of that figure is the little keychain size classic. With production numbers like that, I wouldn't be surprised if they outnumber the next two makers of multitools combined.
I myself am a huge fan of sak's, and don't own a multitool. I use my sak at least a couple times a day, but most of it is knife work like opening a package, or my mail, or a small cutting job. Once in a while I use the screwdriver, and once in a while the bottle opener. I just find the need for a pliers that much in my daily life. If I really need a tool like pliers, there's a small emergency tool kit behind the seat of my pickup, and one in the better half's car trunk.
It's a matter of taste; I just like my pocket tool to be 95% pocket knife with a screwdriver or two instead of 95% pliers with an uncomfortable handle for whittling with the knife blade tossed in.
I love my classic and bantam. Sometimes I carry a recruit instead of the bantam, but in truth the simple one layer sak does 95% of what I need, does not weight down the pocket, can be replaced for 11.99, and if I bugger it up, Victorinox will replace it for free. They have a bombastic warranty for life.
I myself am a huge fan of sak's, and don't own a multitool. I use my sak at least a couple times a day, but most of it is knife work like opening a package, or my mail, or a small cutting job. Once in a while I use the screwdriver, and once in a while the bottle opener. I just find the need for a pliers that much in my daily life. If I really need a tool like pliers, there's a small emergency tool kit behind the seat of my pickup, and one in the better half's car trunk.
It's a matter of taste; I just like my pocket tool to be 95% pocket knife with a screwdriver or two instead of 95% pliers with an uncomfortable handle for whittling with the knife blade tossed in.
I love my classic and bantam. Sometimes I carry a recruit instead of the bantam, but in truth the simple one layer sak does 95% of what I need, does not weight down the pocket, can be replaced for 11.99, and if I bugger it up, Victorinox will replace it for free. They have a bombastic warranty for life.
I absolutely love my leatherman, and would never exchange it with or add a SAK to my EDC. it's rugged, reliable, and has tools i use very often like the drivers and pliers. it got me into my house once when i locked myself out. the blade is good as a secondary misuseable blade, so i can keep the edge on my Benchmade sharp.
I expect mine to last a long time (it's been used and abused for several years and still looks like new), and when it does die, i won't hesitate for a moment to buy another one, whatever the cost.
tmm
I expect mine to last a long time (it's been used and abused for several years and still looks like new), and when it does die, i won't hesitate for a moment to buy another one, whatever the cost.
tmm
Smokey Joe
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Obsolete? Or Multi?...
Good Kat--It depends, I guess, on what you use the tool for mostly. In my normal activities my SAK does the job most of the time. And if I have pants on, the SAK is in my pocket. Use the large blade more than anything else--the can opener/small screwdriver is probably second. When I expect to be dealing with machinery or some such, I add a multitool to my belt, either a Gerber or a Leatherman.
But the multi-tool never sees much use! Once in a great while it's handy to have just the pliers right to hand. For me, though, usually if I'm going to need pliers it's a good idea to just go get the toolbox, because if the pliers come out, the socket wrenches, screwdrivers, brass punch & hammer, tap & die set, roll of wire, fencing tool, electric drill, posthole auger, screw jack, peavey, etc, etc, are not far behind.
Good Kat--It depends, I guess, on what you use the tool for mostly. In my normal activities my SAK does the job most of the time. And if I have pants on, the SAK is in my pocket. Use the large blade more than anything else--the can opener/small screwdriver is probably second. When I expect to be dealing with machinery or some such, I add a multitool to my belt, either a Gerber or a Leatherman.
But the multi-tool never sees much use! Once in a great while it's handy to have just the pliers right to hand. For me, though, usually if I'm going to need pliers it's a good idea to just go get the toolbox, because if the pliers come out, the socket wrenches, screwdrivers, brass punch & hammer, tap & die set, roll of wire, fencing tool, electric drill, posthole auger, screw jack, peavey, etc, etc, are not far behind.
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ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Cute
That's nice, hso.
A Swiss (Army) Tool.
Wow. Darn thing costs more than my Leatherman Wave.
What's the quality like?
That's nice, hso.
A Swiss (Army) Tool.
Wow. Darn thing costs more than my Leatherman Wave.
What's the quality like?
Mr. Tettnanger
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- Dec 23, 2004
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Both!
The SAK is easy to carry, is very functional and well built. Most are sub$25 and worth every penny. I like the bottle opener, tweezer and toothpick options! I use the bottle opener frequently I carry a SAK in front pocket and on weekends, I usually strap a Leatherman Charge to my belt for those unending tasks that seem to sprout up around the house while I am taking beer for a walk!
The SAK is easy to carry, is very functional and well built. Most are sub$25 and worth every penny. I like the bottle opener, tweezer and toothpick options! I use the bottle opener frequently I carry a SAK in front pocket and on weekends, I usually strap a Leatherman Charge to my belt for those unending tasks that seem to sprout up around the house while I am taking beer for a walk!
Limeyfellow
Member
The Swiss Tool is really nice. You can put the thing through the dishwasher without harming it one little bit. I prefer the Swiss Tool X, which has scissors instead of a second blade, but either are fine (if a tad heavy) multitools.
I still think my Leatherman Charge TTi is a better tool though. The grip is much better and it has more useful tools for me such as the tiny jewelers screwdriver, a better file and a socket driver, but I played with both and they are really good and the Swiss Tool is much cheaper. I would rate it better than my Leatherman Supertool, especially in comfort and ease of use.
All are better than the Gerber Suspension I played with by far, but also cost more money. Since it was half the price as the Leatherman Charge I thought it was a great buy.
I still think my Leatherman Charge TTi is a better tool though. The grip is much better and it has more useful tools for me such as the tiny jewelers screwdriver, a better file and a socket driver, but I played with both and they are really good and the Swiss Tool is much cheaper. I would rate it better than my Leatherman Supertool, especially in comfort and ease of use.
All are better than the Gerber Suspension I played with by far, but also cost more money. Since it was half the price as the Leatherman Charge I thought it was a great buy.
What can you get on a SAK that you can't find on your Leatherman???
In addition to everything you Leatherman has, my SAK has...
a toothpick,
tweezers,
ink pen,
magnifying glass,
stick pin,
wood chisel,
a hook that is useful for picking up hot things from camp fires
a fish scaler (something I never thought I use, but have)
fish hook disgorger
Although my SAK doesn't have it, some also have an LED light.
Depending on what model Leatheman you have you may not have a eyeglass screwdriver, but my SAK does. I can't remember if the 3 Leatherman tools I have around here have a metric ruler. If not, my SAK does. And even though I didn't think I'd find the above items necessary, I've become quite fond of all of them and use most of them very often.
So, no I don't think the SAK is obsolete. In fact I think a SAK is the equal of a Leatherman, and only lacking in the pliers department.
I won't even mention that the fit and finish on my SAK is probably superior to that of your multitool, and that superiority comes at about 1/3 the cost, and carries nicely in a pocket.
So, I'm looking forward to reading how your multitool bests my SAK.
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I personally think pliers and wire cutters are more useful than all of those items combined, save possibly for the LED light.
I'm going to have to take issue with that, I have owned several Vic's and none of them have been as well made as my leatherman. Also in my experience the "much wider than thick" profile of a multitool is superior for pocket carry.
gga357
Member
Leatherman micra and a full sized leather man will cover most anything.
bigfatdave
Member
I generally have a Victorinox with me, and when I need pliers, wire cutters/strippers, I add a pair of small needle-nosed vise grips, which have snips near the crux.
The problem with multi-tools, in my opinion, is that they have awful handles, and the pliers aren't all that great. Plus, when I want a blade I generally have a hand already full, so my one-hand opening Victorinox (looks a lot like this one, but with slightly fewer full-length blades) fits the job. Also, what about when I need to hold something in place and work on it with a tool? When I need pliers, they are rarely the only tool I need.
The problem with multi-tools, in my opinion, is that they have awful handles, and the pliers aren't all that great. Plus, when I want a blade I generally have a hand already full, so my one-hand opening Victorinox (looks a lot like this one, but with slightly fewer full-length blades) fits the job. Also, what about when I need to hold something in place and work on it with a tool? When I need pliers, they are rarely the only tool I need.
But you also said, and I quote...
To which I listed 9-11 "additional" items that you can find on a SAK, that you can't find on the average pliers based multitool. Still I like pliers also which is why the Swisschamp would be my choice if I could only have one Swiss Army Knife. The Swisschamp has pliers, and wire cutters (+ 10 of the additional items listed above) and even though the pliers are not as robust as a multitool they are still surprisingly functional. What I was trying to point out is that with a SAK you can have all of the basic multi-pliier tools, plus a lot more, in a package that is lighter in a pocket and most likely costs signifiicantly less money (and IMO better quality than most). I've bought a NIB Swisschamp on Ebay for $25. If you can't speak specifically to the points I've made in regard to your original comment, then I think what is really being dicussed in this thread isn't the superiority of a pliers based tool, but your preference for a pliers based tool. That conversation can be had without painting the venerable SAK as "obsolete".
In regard to fit and finish I own 6 Leatherman(two of Wave, a Crunch, 1 Blast, Squirt, and Micra, four have had noticable fit issues (although none impeded function). No issues with my SAKs.
To each his own.
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Limeyfellow
Member
Thankfully Multitool handles have gotten quite a bit better from the earliest ones. My Leatherman Supertool 100 for instance has a handle that has no rounding that digs into you.
Many of the SAK features listed above are available on numerous multitools.
Tweezers can be found on some of the cheaper multitools as can LED light which are quite common on those designed for executives and travel. These can be just as cheap as the SAK, if not usually much cheaper in the $10-15 range is common. I personally don't mess around with such. Normally I just end up loosing them on my SAKs that have had them.
I seen more wood chisels on multi tools such as various Leatherman tools and even the Swiss Tool over the traditional SAK. To say they don't have them is a little bit ingenious.
The fish scaler and fish hook degorgers can be found on Gerber multi tools and others, should you want them. The same with the hook. There are whole lines of outdoorsy multi tools that have these features built in.
I imagine there are some with pens and stuff out there too. Really it is a matter with multi tools and SAKs on what you actually want it to do. I want mine so I don't have to drag my heavy toolbox around if I don't have too, so I want good pliers, wire strippers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, a decent blade and file, maybe an LED light (I am an EE). Therefore on my main multitool a fish scaler is not what I really need.
If I was wanting one for outdoors activity I would go with a different ensemble though. The same would be true of SAK. My favourite version is probrobly the Rucksack or the Trekker. It doesn't have all the features some of the tools has, but does have the ones I want.
Many of the SAK features listed above are available on numerous multitools.
Tweezers can be found on some of the cheaper multitools as can LED light which are quite common on those designed for executives and travel. These can be just as cheap as the SAK, if not usually much cheaper in the $10-15 range is common. I personally don't mess around with such. Normally I just end up loosing them on my SAKs that have had them.
I seen more wood chisels on multi tools such as various Leatherman tools and even the Swiss Tool over the traditional SAK. To say they don't have them is a little bit ingenious.
The fish scaler and fish hook degorgers can be found on Gerber multi tools and others, should you want them. The same with the hook. There are whole lines of outdoorsy multi tools that have these features built in.
I imagine there are some with pens and stuff out there too. Really it is a matter with multi tools and SAKs on what you actually want it to do. I want mine so I don't have to drag my heavy toolbox around if I don't have too, so I want good pliers, wire strippers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, a decent blade and file, maybe an LED light (I am an EE). Therefore on my main multitool a fish scaler is not what I really need.
If I was wanting one for outdoors activity I would go with a different ensemble though. The same would be true of SAK. My favourite version is probrobly the Rucksack or the Trekker. It doesn't have all the features some of the tools has, but does have the ones I want.
Okay that may be true, but I can find all of these things on my Swisschamp, as well as all of the things I would find on the average plier based multitool.
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against a regular multitool. As I've said, I own quite a few. SOG is actually my favorite, and old style Leatherman Wave. My comments were only made in response to some of those made by the OP.
Yep, agreed and that certainly doesn't make a SAK obsolete as insinuated in the original post.
I carried a SAK everywhere for years. Seemed I was constantly using it for yet another thing while in the Marines. It was even loaned out to fix a plane chartered to fly us out of West Yellowstone airport after fighting fires in the park for about a month: a stewardess got on the intercom and asked if anyone had a Phillips head screwdriver because there was something loose in the cabin door mechanism and it wouldn't latch or seal, so we couldn't take off until it was fixed. Honest!
However, my current job involves a LOT of parts adjustments on machinery and one or another of the pliers-type multitools are with me always nowadays. The one I'm wearing right now is a Gerber I bought from the company store a couple of years ago, I think they call the model a Scout? I've got a couple of other models from Gerber, a Buck and a Kershaw (IIRC) that's built around needle-nosed vicegrip-type locking pliers that I decided would be a nice addition to the motorcycle's tool kit.
However, my current job involves a LOT of parts adjustments on machinery and one or another of the pliers-type multitools are with me always nowadays. The one I'm wearing right now is a Gerber I bought from the company store a couple of years ago, I think they call the model a Scout? I've got a couple of other models from Gerber, a Buck and a Kershaw (IIRC) that's built around needle-nosed vicegrip-type locking pliers that I decided would be a nice addition to the motorcycle's tool kit.
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Dave Markowitz
Member
I own one of those as well. (It's my second Vic multitool. Somehow I lost the first one.) The quality of the Victorinox SwissTool blows away the Leatherman and Gerber multitools, IMHO.
I keep my SwissTool in my laptop bag but really don't use it that much. OTH, my EDC knife is a Victorinox Pioneer that I bought around 1982 or '83, and use at least a couple times every day.
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