Hi,
Well, I made a whole week with my first SAK, a Super Tinker. I choose the S.T. because I felt the tool choices were best for what I need everyday. I would choose this model again if I had to. And I did use every tool, (including the tweezers and tooth-pick), except the hook.
First off, as with almost everything Swiss, from chocolates to cheese, and watches to weapons, the build quality is superb! Fit and finish is beyond reproach. I've seen pictures of custom blades that should be as well and smoothly polished as this. Smooth edges are smooth, rounded corners are round, and sharp edges hair-shaving sharp.
But looks don't mean squat in the mud and the blood and the beer. And this is where I started to have some problems. First, those classic red scales are every bit as slick in the hand as they look. I work as a machinist for my full time day job. And my hands are very often dirty and oily from coolants and steel preservatives. That makes it harder to hold on to than a greased pig.
As I said, I used every tool except the hook. The first tool I used was the can opener. I opened several cans of dog food with it. It tended to want to fold up on me. But if I was careful in using it, it worked OK. To be honest, of all the tools, that was the only one that didn't have that good "snap" when opened.
I don't consider the screw driver tools to be made for very hard use. Which is fine by me. But between the slick scales, and the tendencies for these tools to also want to fold up on me. I found myself trying to use them but giving up and reaching for my LM Kick to finish the job. As an example: I needed to fix the latch strike in the screen door to my house. What was needed was to replace the two dinky little screws,(#6x1/2") with two slightly bigger,(#8x1") and longer ones. I decided to use my new SAK. Things went well until I tried drive the new screws in. I used the awl to open ease the holes in the striker plate. And then I needed to drive the new screws in 1/2" deeper into new wood, (pine 2x4), I was unable to apply enough pressure to drive the philips-head screw home without slipping or folding. Out came the Kick to easily finish the job.
I like the fact the Super Tinker has two blades. A large spear and a small spear. I've never owned a knife with a spear point. I really like the shape. The point pierces well, and the curve at the end allows for well controlled slicing. I had some trepidation about the thinness of the blades, but each was able to do all the blade work I was able to throw at them with ease. They both needed a touch-up sharping midweek and need it again at the end of the week. But it took only mere moments to put the edge back and shouldn't take anymore work to restore them again.
The scissors was a selling point to me. I have a need to cut small labels down sometimes and this tool works very well for this job. And it's just handy and nice to have.
I guess I now see this and most SAKs as fine backyard/urban tools. But it isn't well suited to me and my life style/work needs. Which bums me out because I really want to like this knife. As I stated in the beginning, I would choose the Super Tinker again. I think it's a good selection of user tools. I just need figure out how it fits into my needs. I think may I try it in my pocket again this fall during hunting season. It just might prove to be what I need in the field this fall.
And in case everyone thinks I will never own another SAK, I received two more this afternoon. A Victorinox Rescue Tool, (for my secret second life as Fire/EMS personnel in town), and a Victorinox Soldier. The Rescue tool will go in my jump bag and will get to go with to all my calls. And I needed the Soldier to go with my 1943 Swiss K31 rifle. A fine Swiss rifle needs the proper Swiss knife as a companion. As I look at the Soldier, I think this is the SAK that may make it into my pocket. I really like the Alox scales and the beefier blade. The knurling on the Alox should give a much better grip than those red plastic ones. But, this is another story for another time.
dalee
Well, I made a whole week with my first SAK, a Super Tinker. I choose the S.T. because I felt the tool choices were best for what I need everyday. I would choose this model again if I had to. And I did use every tool, (including the tweezers and tooth-pick), except the hook.
First off, as with almost everything Swiss, from chocolates to cheese, and watches to weapons, the build quality is superb! Fit and finish is beyond reproach. I've seen pictures of custom blades that should be as well and smoothly polished as this. Smooth edges are smooth, rounded corners are round, and sharp edges hair-shaving sharp.
But looks don't mean squat in the mud and the blood and the beer. And this is where I started to have some problems. First, those classic red scales are every bit as slick in the hand as they look. I work as a machinist for my full time day job. And my hands are very often dirty and oily from coolants and steel preservatives. That makes it harder to hold on to than a greased pig.
As I said, I used every tool except the hook. The first tool I used was the can opener. I opened several cans of dog food with it. It tended to want to fold up on me. But if I was careful in using it, it worked OK. To be honest, of all the tools, that was the only one that didn't have that good "snap" when opened.
I don't consider the screw driver tools to be made for very hard use. Which is fine by me. But between the slick scales, and the tendencies for these tools to also want to fold up on me. I found myself trying to use them but giving up and reaching for my LM Kick to finish the job. As an example: I needed to fix the latch strike in the screen door to my house. What was needed was to replace the two dinky little screws,(#6x1/2") with two slightly bigger,(#8x1") and longer ones. I decided to use my new SAK. Things went well until I tried drive the new screws in. I used the awl to open ease the holes in the striker plate. And then I needed to drive the new screws in 1/2" deeper into new wood, (pine 2x4), I was unable to apply enough pressure to drive the philips-head screw home without slipping or folding. Out came the Kick to easily finish the job.
I like the fact the Super Tinker has two blades. A large spear and a small spear. I've never owned a knife with a spear point. I really like the shape. The point pierces well, and the curve at the end allows for well controlled slicing. I had some trepidation about the thinness of the blades, but each was able to do all the blade work I was able to throw at them with ease. They both needed a touch-up sharping midweek and need it again at the end of the week. But it took only mere moments to put the edge back and shouldn't take anymore work to restore them again.
The scissors was a selling point to me. I have a need to cut small labels down sometimes and this tool works very well for this job. And it's just handy and nice to have.
I guess I now see this and most SAKs as fine backyard/urban tools. But it isn't well suited to me and my life style/work needs. Which bums me out because I really want to like this knife. As I stated in the beginning, I would choose the Super Tinker again. I think it's a good selection of user tools. I just need figure out how it fits into my needs. I think may I try it in my pocket again this fall during hunting season. It just might prove to be what I need in the field this fall.
And in case everyone thinks I will never own another SAK, I received two more this afternoon. A Victorinox Rescue Tool, (for my secret second life as Fire/EMS personnel in town), and a Victorinox Soldier. The Rescue tool will go in my jump bag and will get to go with to all my calls. And I needed the Soldier to go with my 1943 Swiss K31 rifle. A fine Swiss rifle needs the proper Swiss knife as a companion. As I look at the Soldier, I think this is the SAK that may make it into my pocket. I really like the Alox scales and the beefier blade. The knurling on the Alox should give a much better grip than those red plastic ones. But, this is another story for another time.
dalee
. It is her only pocket knife, and she likes it that way. Every so often I offer to buy her a new one, maybe another model, but she always declines. I, OTOH, own "several." 
.)