Best Keychain SAK?

N

Navyblu

Joined
Jan 11, 2013
Messages
177
The one that's currently on my keychain is a Swiss Army Rambler. My issue is the fact that its blade seems almost delicate (which in no way reduces my opinion of the knife, its simply a small knife with a small blade), so a cold steel micro recon accompanies it on my keys. What I'd like to do is consolidate to one SAK, rather than having both my rambler and my micro recon. I was considering the Victorinox cadet, however it seemed a bit large at 3.25 inches to be a keychain knife.
I'd just like some opinions if anybody could spare a moment.
Many thanks -Blu

http://www.victorinox.com/us/product/Swiss-Army-Knives/Category/Everyday-Use/Rambler/54031
 
The Vic SD Classic is specifically designed for a keychain ($5 on eBay) & mine is pretty handy on my keychain, doesn't add weight or bulk. Blade might be smaller than you want. My EDC is a Vic Swiss Champ or in the city the Explorer (lighter, no saw). What I use most everyday is the scissors, the mag glass and either of the blades for packages/boxes/loose threads, in that order. All the SAKs you could want are on eBay in any given week for 1/3 of MSRP.

I carry my EDC knives separately, not on a chain. If the SAK with the tools you want is too big for your keychain, that's not a bad thing. Leaves room for a Photon micro LED light.

The Victorinox website has a useful selection feature, tick off the tools you want and it shows you all the models that offer them.
 
I actually DO have the Cadet on my key chain for the reason you mentioned...the blade isn't useless.

It truly isn't a whole lot longer than any of my keys and, I still don't notice it's there when in my pocket.
 
I already edc a victorinox tinker, but my keychain is my "bare minimum" setup. There are certain times where I'll only have my keys, wallet, and phone and Im not able to bring along anything else. Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it. I had no idea the Victorinox website had the knife finding tool.
 
I've been carrying a Vic classic on my keyring for many years. I used to think it was a joke, but watching my better half torture here's and it never breaking, I started to carry one. Trust me, it's a lot more rugged than you think. I've cut all kinds of stuff with it, and even used the scissors as a light copper wire cutter. I've unscrewed and screwed all kinds of things with the SD tip on the nail file. It was even the only tool I used on the Phillips screws to remove the battery from a Vespa GT200 motor scooter.

I made the leather sheath for it to go on the keyring to make it easier to use. Just pull out and use. Pluss the sheath keeps it from being beat up by the keys. I love the 58mm SAK's. Some people prefer the manager or rambler, but for me the basic classic is good.
10037376036_c03c1037af_c.jpg
 
JoepReinen said:
Victorinox Classic
With a pen function
Carried i for over 5 years on my keys!
Click to expand...
That definitely sounds like a handy tool. However, the blade on the classic just isnt doing it for me and im looking for something sturdier. I truly appreciate the response.

A-Ro said:
I actually DO have the Cadet on my key chain for the reason you mentioned...the blade isn't useless.

It truly isn't a whole lot longer than any of my keys and, I still don't notice it's there when in my pocket.
Click to expand...
Awesome, Ill probably pick up the cadet and retire the micro recon and the rambler. Just wanted some other opinions first. Many thanks for the input.
 
I dont care for the classic so I carry a Rambler on my keys. It allows you to have a philips screw driver if needed! :D
 
Minichamp. Only slightly larger than the classic but with a few more very useful tools.

41QFJE1W8AL._SX300_.jpg
 
What aspect of "delicate" is bothering you with the Rambler's blade? Is it the size of the blade or the flimsy feeling of the small Victorinox frame? Or is the real issue that the small size of the frame means you can't get a good enough grip to put some force to the cutting blade?

My solution is carry a Leatherman Micra, which has more tools than the Rambler.

But the real bonus is that the Micra can be opened up full length when the pen blade is deployed, as shown here:

Micra whittling by Pinnah, on Flickr

This alllows a full 4 finger hold on the knife and with my thumb on the nice flat back of the Micra (something the small Vics don't have), I can put a lot of cutting force to the blade. This junk piece of hard knotty pine is like rock and the Micra has been chewing through it on mindless conference calls.

In terms of side to side strength, I can say that I push the Mica a LOT harder in terms of torsional and lateral stress than any of the Vic Classics I've owned (and busted). I've not loosened up a Micra yet (the scissors do loosen up, but not the blade/tools). Not saying it can't be done. Just that I haven't hit the limit yet and I did a bunch of times with the small Vics.

Obviously, the Micra won't give you the larger blade of that Cold Steel. But when opened up fully, it's a capable knife in the hand.
 
I have a Victorinox Rambler on my key chain that I really like. Basically a Classic with the addition of a bottle opener/philips head screwdriver. The actual knife blade is super small but I never use it anyway as I always have my edc knife of the day on me as well in addition to this little key chain knife. 95% of the time I use the scissors and toothpick to be honest.

I just took this picture of it yesterday sitting next to my Wenger Highlander which I also love and is a great edc blade that fits perfectly in the coin or watch pocket of my jeans.
 
How about the Executive? The size is between the rambler and the cadet and it has two blades.
I had one on my keychain, but for me the Classic is enough as a backup knife.
 
davidseale said:
all these survival experts seem to be thieves in the night. attaining the knowledge of the people of the land and then pushing them off the very land they taught these experts with wow i guess this is it all the tribes people have been depleted or used up for these cheesy reality shows sad times for all people who have the pleasure of enjoying the ways on others coat tails. So who's the next survivalist probably a CNN reporter go figure""
Click to expand...

Wait....wut?

I'm a Vic Classic man, BTW. Love that knife. :thumbup:
 
davidseale said:
all these survival experts seem to be thieves in the night. attaining the knowledge of the people of the land and then pushing them off the very land they taught these experts with wow i guess this is it all the tribes people have been depleted or used up for these cheesy reality shows sad times for all people who have the pleasure of enjoying the ways on others coat tails. So who's the next survivalist probably a CNN reporter go figure""
Click to expand...

Oh cool another troll....
 
Vic Midnite MiniChamp has been my keychain EDC SAK for about 10 years. Lost my first one and ordered two more, one's on the keychain and the other is a backup. It has the translucent red scales with ballpoint pen on one side and the shield is the on/off button for the red LED light on the other scale. Both come in really handy but if you want Alox, Roger aka Swiss Bianco, has small batches of Alox MiniChamps made from Victorinox directly. They cost a bit more but the Alox slims down the overall knife while maintaining maximum tools.

Here's the regular Midnite MiniChamp (Midnite because of the LED light for the dark):


Here's the SwissBianco MiniChamp with all the same tools minus the pen and LED. He's made them with different color Alox scales but I bought from the first batch which was the silver color.
 
jackknife said:
I've been carrying a Vic classic on my keyring for many years. I used to think it was a joke, but watching my better half torture here's and it never breaking, I started to carry one. Trust me, it's a lot more rugged than you think. I've cut all kinds of stuff with it, and even used the scissors as a light copper wire cutter.
Click to expand...

Wow, I didnt expect that kind of toughness out of that tiny blade. That'll definitely affect my decision, many thanks.
 
pinnah said:
What aspect of "delicate" is bothering you with the Rambler's blade? Is it the size of the blade or the flimsy feeling of the small Victorinox frame? Or is the real issue that the small size of the frame means you can't get a good enough grip to put some force to the cutting blade?
Click to expand...
My main issue is with the flimsiness of the blade. I'm definitely gonna look into the micra, I really appreciate the recommendation.

funni said:
How about the Executive? The size is between the rambler and the cadet and it has two blades.
I had one on my keychain, but for me the Classic is enough as a backup knife.
Click to expand...
Ive looked into the executive, however Id like some tools along with the blade. Hows your classic been treating you? I truly appreciate the feedback.
 
The classic sized knives are plenty tough, unless you're one of those people that is always breaking stuff. I've been using them a while now, never had a problem.
 
By far, the Victorinox Cadet in alox. It's not really that long and it is incredibly thin and light for what it offers. I do, however, carry a small Leatherman Juice S2 multitool so my needs for the SAK are light use. I also usually carry a primary folding blade as well between 3.5 and 4" usually.
 
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