Realizing a SAK IS traditional has helped

[shopdoc]

I have carried a Farmer for a while, heck it's still in my bag, but I never found the awl able to replace the small blade. Not close. It's great at piercing or scoring or opening packaging (especially the dreaded plastic shrink wrap) but for any detail work, food, anything requiring a little bit of belly or the full height of the blade - not even close.

I have often thought of the Electrician but I use the can opener a whole lot these days. Both as a phillips head screwdriver and as a 'metal fingernail'. Even though I (sacrilege) don't like the SAK can opener for cans, much prefer a rear opener such as on a Leatherman. Not many cans requiring it these days anyway to be honest. I also really wish they made the sheepsfoot blade in the Electrician a full length straight blade. I've been tempted to get a Rancher and perhaps reshape the blade. It will have to wait though, we're all having to be careful with cash right now right? Especially for stuff we only want but in no way actually need. Some big storms on the horizon.

I carried a Pioneer Pruner for a year, the pruner blade was great (packaging would leap open in fright just at the sight of the thing and very useful with cable ties) but it was still limited as a tool. I find a small pen to be my ideal second blade. In fact the combination of big pen and small pen blades is my ideal combination overall and although I originally eschewed the opener layer in the mods I did, keeping it a traditional pen knife setup - I'm now loving the use of those tools. Just yesterday one of the kids blocked up the drain in the bath with a toy coin. Out comes the bottle opener, prise it out, rinse the whole thing off, shake out over the sink and back in the pocket. Nothing else out there can do it like that, the steel in my Leatherman Charge steel certainly can't.

Although I love the Pioneers for their looks, grip, and cool factor, I've pretty much settled on the 91mm line being my personal carry tool. Either a Spartan or Camper. The two pry/screwdriver/opener tools I've grown to find indispensable, the two pen blades, the corkscrew (I use for knots and even wine on occasion!) and I still get an awl. With the ecoline nylon scales they're very grippy in hand. Best of all, they're just so very reliable, cheap and light.

Here's a pic of my two Pioneers.

It's a fun process to discover which tool set is right for YOU. I tried the electrician. I loved the sheepsfoot blade but didn't like the wire stripper portion. Gets in the way for my uses. I'd prefer a full blade. I've never owned a rancher, but could see some great uses for that second blade. Mainly tearing down boxes. I've discovered that I need the can opener/small slotted screwdriver though. If I can't tighten the screws in my cupboards/drawers, I'm not carrying it. Weather it's the can opener tool on the Pioneer/Spartans, etc. etc. I carry or the tip of the orange peel blade on my Executive, I need that little screwdriver. So as much as I now want to buy that Rancher after seeing your photo, I know I won't carry it. Although...it would be a nice garden knife...argh, I won't go there. I'm not buying another knife. I just bought 3 floral knives two days ago thanks to Jackknife and his brainwashing ways. One for my toolbench. One for my car. One for my wife.

Day 3 of only carrying my Executive. I'd like a bit larger blade for slicing hard cheese, but it certainly did the job. So far, no tasks encountered that it could not handle. I'm considering carrying a Pioneer plus my Executive after my 30 days, but my trial period is still young. Favorite tool on the Executive thus far is the small blade. The same tool I didn't think I'd really use.

 

[Pomsbz]

It's a fun process to discover which tool set is right for YOU. I tried the electrician. I loved the sheepsfoot blade but didn't like the wire stripper portion. Gets in the way for my uses. I'd prefer a full blade. I've never owned a rancher, but could see some great uses for that second blade. Mainly tearing down boxes. I've discovered that I need the can opener/small slotted screwdriver though. If I can't tighten the screws in my cupboards/drawers, I'm not carrying it. Weather it's the can opener tool on the Pioneer/Spartans, etc. etc. I carry or the tip of the orange peel blade on my Executive, I need that little screwdriver. So as much as I now want to buy that Rancher after seeing your photo, I know I won't carry it. Although...it would be a nice garden knife...argh, I won't go there. I'm not buying another knife. I just bought 3 floral knives two days ago thanks to Jackknife and his brainwashing ways. One for my toolbench. One for my car. One for my wife.

Day 3 of only carrying my Executive. I'd like a bit larger blade for slicing hard cheese, but it certainly did the job. So far, no tasks encountered that it could not handle. I'm considering carrying a Pioneer plus my Executive after my 30 days, but my trial period is still young. Favorite tool on the Executive thus far is the small blade. The same tool I didn't think I'd really use.

You did well getting the Floral. They've literally just been discontinued. I've had one for a year now as a hobby knife, the straight sheepsfoot blade works very well for the task (though technically the blade is about an inch too long for carving or leatherwork, I manage though). The biggest plus is that big comfortable nylon handle. It's a great knife for a single blade carry option and it's a shame that not only does it not get the recognition it deserves but even to the extent that it's just been discontinued. In fact the story is that all the Vic 'gardening' knives have just been replaced with a single pruner bladed model.

 

[jackknife]

Day 3 of only carrying my Executive. I'd like a bit larger blade for slicing hard cheese, but it certainly did the job. So far, no tasks encountered that it could not handle. I'm considering carrying a Pioneer plus my Executive after my 30 days, but my trial period is still young. Favorite tool on the Executive thus far is the small blade. The same tool I didn't think I'd really use.

Thats always the way it goes, the tool you think the least of will be the one you like.

The small blade on the executive is the one I use most on opening packages, mail, twine, odds and ends. The larger blade is used on snacks, cheese, whatever. The large blade is one of the two criticisms of the executive I have. One is, replace the orange peeler with a second full length serrated blade. The other is make the larger blade of the same thin stock as the small blade, and a bit wider/taller for that razor edge geometry.

But...that three letter word again, maybe theres a method to Victorinox's madness. Maybe the main blade is thicker and a bit less razor edge thin for that use in a pinch, where you may be having to use the little knife for more than you thought you'd need. As we all know, the small SAK's are more rugged than we would think from the light weight of them. I know cuts my favorite cheese's like gouda and smoked edam, with a havarti close behind. Just take smaller cuts.

It's a big adjustment doc. When I went from a 3 7/8 Buck Stockman to dad's old peanut, there was a real adjustment to be made. Had to get used to doing things different. Thinking about it. Like using a 2 inch blade to cut a 3 inch sandwich in half. I remember seeing dad turning it over, cut as far through as his peanut would go, then turning it back over and doing the same on top. End result was the same with two cuts instead of one. But dad got way with having a far smaller and unobtrusive pocket knife that just needed a little more thought in use. It's like going frm a two AAA little flahinght to a keychain size single AAA light. in the end, for what I use it for, its "good enough" as dad said to do the job. like a 2 inch blade will cut through 4 inches of stuff if you go from both sides.

Isn't that all it is in the end? Will it do the job? If I can carry an object thats half the size and weight, but it will still do what I want and need, then its good. If that little flashlight is good enough to see under the car seat where I dropped something, or to see the way to the circuit breaker box when the lights goes out, or looking on the back of a storage shelf in the basement for something, then its good. I don't have to light up a fleeing felon at 200 yards. If my little SAK will cut some gouda, twine, open my mail or the box that Amazon just dropped at the door, then its good enough. Dad always said to keep in mind who we are and what we are.

I may venture a guess that by the end of the month, you'll be able to look back and see the executive did 98% of what you needed to do. And you may not like the bulk of the pioneer after you get used to the exec. I now I can't carry my old Wenger SI anymore, it feels like a rock in my pocket. It was a little scary to me how much things have changed when I got used to them. We humans adjust to things and sometimes its just old habits that are hard to break that cause us angst. Old habits are very hard to break, like addictions. Sometimes I did find it hard to break with he old ways I did things. But in the end, I wouldn't go back.

 

[jackknife]

You did well getting the Floral. They've literally just been discontinued. I've had one for a year now as a hobby knife, the straight sheepsfoot blade works very well for the task (though technically the blade is about an inch too long for carving or leatherwork, I manage though). The biggest plus is that big comfortable nylon handle. It's a great knife for a single blade carry option and it's a shame that not only does it not get the recognition it deserves but even to the extent that it's just been discontinued. In fact the story is that all the Vic 'gardening' knives have just been replaced with a single pruner bladed model.

Wow, you have a lanyard ring!!!! Neither of mine has that. It must have been a cost cutting measure from Victorinox. I was counting myself lucky by getting a spare one when I learned they are discontinued. I think its a very bad move on Victorinox's end!!!!!

 

[lonestar1979]

Floral knife is nice,but just little short for my uses,wish victorinox would make something like folding paring knife,slim package with 3,5, or 4 and even 4,5 inches thin,paring knife blade .Light,thin and longer blade,one layer folding knife,maybe with can opener added...

 

[lonestar1979]

Longer blade is handy when cutting sausages,smoked meats,chese ,vegetables,etc.Alpineer model that i i ha,was used for cutting ton of food and never let me down,they could make similar model,even slimmer and with little longer and thinner blade,thin is perfect for food cutting.

 

[Pomsbz]

Wow, you have a lanyard ring!!!! Neither of mine has that. It must have been a cost cutting measure from Victorinox. I was counting myself lucky by getting a spare one when I learned they are discontinued. I think its a very bad move on Victorinox's end!!!!!

Perhaps it's a european model? I got it off the bay from a Russian seller, bunch of them selling SAK's at good prices there (good for us folks who don't have Amazon where we live ). I recently got a 84mm Waiter, my new suit knife, from there also. Can't quite work out what the lanyard ring is for on this 4" knife to be honest. I put a little leather thong through it just for kicks.

 

[Pomsbz]

Longer blade is handy when cutting sausages,smoked meats,chese ,vegetables,etc.Alpineer model that i i ha,was used for cutting ton of food and never let me down,they could make similar model,even slimmer and with little longer and thinner blade,thin is perfect for food cutting.

To be frank an Opinel is probably a better food/picnic knife overall if you're looking for something to excel specifically for that. Man but those things slice! You can also get them in a whole bunch of lengths. They're a locking knife though so not (easily) legal carry in these parts. I could remove the lock but I don't trust an Opinel as a friction folder. That blade is a razor and murphy would be hovering and giggling every time I used it.

 

[jackknife]

To be frank an Opinel is probably a better food/picnic knife overall if you're looking for something to excel specifically for that. Man but those things slice! You can also get them in a whole bunch of lengths. They're a locking knife though so not (easily) legal carry in these parts. I could remove the lock but I don't trust an Opinel as a friction folder. That blade is a razor and murphy would be hovering and giggling every time I used it.

Tell old man Murphy to go take a hike!

Opinels are fine with the locking ring removed. Used my number 8 for almost 2 years without it just experience the original Opinel experience, and never cut myself once. You just have to use it like a slip joint. In fact, I think a pure friction folder is actually safer than a slip joint in some ways. Modern folks have become too spoiled and sloppy because of springs and locks to hold the blade open. After using the Japanese Higonokami and Sardinian Resolza, I came to more understanding the whole mindset of the friction folder. Its a cutting tool, just like a Vic SAK, only more so. Theres no spring to snap the blade shut on you if you push a bit the wrong way. A snug friction folder blade will stop at any point as soon as the pressure to close is let off. Much more forgiving of a dumb move on the owners part.

To tell the truth, friction folders are the only non Victorinox knives I still have a huge soft spot in my heart for, and will still carry on occasion. The Opinel number 8 in the kitchen drawer is without the locking ring. The ring is in the drawer, but is not on the knife anymore. When I need a really really keen edge, I just use the "original Opinel" as I call it. Its especially good on delicate cuts like filleting fish, or very thin slicing of meat or chicken for stir frying. Since I'm the cook in the family, Karen only uses the Victorinox serrated paring knives because the others scare her.

The whole locking ring thing was a lawyer induced thing in 1955. From 1890 to 1955, all Opinels were of the non locking type. Before that, you had a few centuries that all European peasants knives were of the friction folder type. Just a matter of economics. Theres just so much peso's, pennies, lira, or coin of any kind that some field hand will pay for a simple cutting tool that is going to be used up by hard use. In fact, the peasants working knife was called a penny knife. You just watched what you were doing. Something one should do anytime your working with a sharp knife!

 

[lonestar1979]

Yeah,opinel is maybe better for food cutting,but victorinox is way better for edc,easier to carry,has spring and better knife over all,along with tools.Opinel has better blade,the stainless ones are excellent.Victorinox paring knives are best for food cutting,and also their locking blades are pretty good,i have to give it to victorinox over all.Amazing company.

 

[lonestar1979]

Btw i have at least 5 Opinels at the moment,gave away few and broke and lost few....my favorite one is their garden knife in ss,its straight razor,12c27 mod is amazing in how sharp it gets and how easy it is to sharpen.

 

[shopdoc]

I'm glad we are all like minded here. I love and will continue to love the Opinels. I have several #8s and a #10 in my kitchen drawer along with the Opinel chef knife, bread knife, and a parring knife. I have the Nomad kit as well. Partly marketing hype, but I've brought along for a picnic and it was a very nice package. I don't regret the purchase one bit.

Opinels were my favorite blade for breaking down boxes and dirty work in the yard. I've even cut away grass and weeds growing in the cracks of my driveway without any concern. I've beat these knives up and never had an issue. Typically a couple minutes on a strop and they will shave my face.

Did you notice I said "were" above? Well my floral knife(s) came in today. My God. Why has no one told me about these magic blades until I read a thread by Jackknife last week? Why have I been left in the dark?

 

[jackknife]

I'm glad we are all like minded here. I love and will continue to love the Opinels. I have several #8s and a #10 in my kitchen drawer along with the Opinel chef knife, bread knife, and a parring knife. I have the Nomad kit as well. Partly marketing hype, but I've brought along for a picnic and it was a very nice package. I don't regret the purchase one bit.

Opinels were my favorite blade for breaking down boxes and dirty work in the yard. I've even cut away grass and weeds growing in the cracks of my driveway without any concern. I've beat these knives up and never had an issue. Typically a couple minutes on a strop and they will shave my face.

Did you notice I said "were" above? Well my floral knife(s) came in today. My God. Why has no one told me about these magic blades until I read a thread by Jackknife last week? Why have I been left in the dark?

Don't feel left out, doc. I just found out about them last summer or so. I'd never tried one before, but oddly enough, it was my little Leatherman squirt that made me think about them. The squirt has a chisel ground blade, and I' ve loved how it cuts like the dickens in spite it being short and thick forts size. The Vic garden knife was a further experiment in a low cost chisel grind.

 

[James Y]

I have a Victorinox florist knife. It belonged to my late mom, who had carried it in her purse for years, starting when she used to work in a flower shop. The nylon handle on hers is black. It’s a great knife, and I used to resharpen its chisel edge for her. Other than scratches all over the blade, it still “walks and talks” like a new knife.

This sounds crazy, but I don’t use it much, because it reminds me of my mom; I eventually became her caretaker for several years until she passed away last December. I’m sure it can be said that I should honor her by using it, but I’m not there yet.

Jim

 

[shopdoc]

I have a Victorinox florist knife. It belonged to my late mom, who had carried it in her purse for years, starting when she used to work in a flower shop. The nylon handle on hers is black. It’s a great knife, and I used to resharpen its chisel edge for her. Other than scratches all over the blade, it still “walks and talks” like a new knife.

This sounds crazy, but I don’t use it much, because it reminds me of my mom; I eventually became her caretaker for several years until she passed away last December. I’m sure it can be said that I should honor her by using it, but I’m not there yet.

Jim

Thanks for sharing James. It’s a fine knife. Your mom had good taste in knives! Nice to have something to remember our parents by. Something with history.

 

[jackknife]

I have a Victorinox florist knife. It belonged to my late mom, who had carried it in her purse for years, starting when she used to work in a flower shop. The nylon handle on hers is black. It’s a great knife, and I used to resharpen its chisel edge for her. Other than scratches all over the blade, it still “walks and talks” like a new knife.

This sounds crazy, but I don’t use it much, because it reminds me of my mom; I eventually became her caretaker for several years until she passed away last December. I’m sure it can be said that I should honor her by using it, but I’m not there yet.

Jim

Jim, I had the same situation when my dad passed away. I had his little Case peanut sitting on top of my dresser for months, in the wooden tray that held my odds and ends. Only after a long time of months had passed, and I was looking at it one day, maybe lost in a sentimental musing about dad, did I drop it in my pocket for the day. A way of having dad, or the memory of dad a bit closer for the day, don't know.

But I do know one thing; it was a watershed moment when took it out to cut something just for yuks at work, and that thin little blade whispered through the cardboard top of the box I was opening. Then I used the knife VERY carefully and experienced how well the thing did what I needed. It was the start of my downsizing. I ended up buying a Case peanut to "experiment" with.

The rest is history as I went frm a Buck stockman to a Case peanut, and from a 93mm SAK to a 84mm, and then even down to a 58mm SAK that I had considered a joke. Now my EDC is a 74mm, and I'm happy.

Sometimes a change of thinking can come out of pain. Only after my dad was gone, did I realize how right he was on some things.

 

[shopdoc]

Jim, I had the same situation when my dad passed away. I had his little Case peanut sitting on top of my dresser for months, in the wooden tray that held my odds and ends. Only after a long time of months had passed, and I was looking at it one day, maybe lost in a sentimental musing about dad, did I drop it in my pocket for the day. A way of having dad, or the memory of dad a bit closer for the day, don't know.

But I do know one thing; it was a watershed moment when took it out to cut something just for yuks at work, and that thin little blade whispered through the cardboard top of the box I was opening. Then I used the knife VERY carefully and experienced how well the thing did what I needed. It was the start of my downsizing. I ended up buying a Case peanut to "experiment" with.

The rest is history as I went frm a Buck stockman to a Case peanut, and from a 93mm SAK to a 84mm, and then even down to a 58mm SAK that I had considered a joke. Now my EDC is a 74mm, and I'm happy.

Sometimes a change of thinking can come out of pain. Only after my dad was gone, did I realize how right he was on some things.

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years."--Mark Twain.


One of my favorite quotes

 

[shopdoc]

Day #5 of carrying the Executive as my sole pocket knife. Yesterday it cut braided rope, my steak, pealed an apple for my youngest, and tightened another cupboard screw. Today it opened up the Amazon package containing my wife's pink SAK floral knife that just arrived.

Going a little stir crazy at home, but shouldn't complain. We have passed the time watching movies, reading, cooking, and some bike rides. I've perfected my homemade buttermilk biscuits and potato pancakes. The quarantine is tightening down and may soon just be hanging out in the yard.

 

[StuntDouble]

For those of you that want to carry an Opinel No. 8 but don't want to have to go through the "process", look at picking up the dyed handle version. I've had one for a few years now, and I don't know that I've had any issues with the wood swelling, causing the knife to be difficult to open and close. It seems like the dyeing process does a good job of sealing the handle.

 

[Pomsbz]

For those of you that want to carry an Opinel No. 8 but don't want to have to go through the "process", look at picking up the dyed handle version. I've had one for a few years now, and I don't know that I've had any issues with the wood swelling, causing the knife to be difficult to open and close. It seems like the dyeing process does a good job of sealing the handle.

If I recall right my #6's (the size I prefer) were coated in olive oil, they're olive wood so I thought it fitting, then put in the oven for a while to bake the oil in. Never had a problem since. I'd probably use linseed oil these days, I bought some to condition the wooden handle on a GEC Navy Knife that was ridiculously soft.