The Bantam is a great SAK!

F

Fass

Joined
Mar 8, 2020
Messages
147
Last week me and my wife made a short 3-day road trip through Belgium and Luxemburg. Instead of taking with me the usual 58mm Victorinox Classic or Rally, I decided to just take the cellidor Bantam with me.
I thought the little extra blade length might come in handy for food duty. During these 3 days, it excelled at all the little tasks I asked from it; cap lifting, cutting sandwiches and opening small bags with peanuts as snack and such. Since returning home again, the Bantam hasn't left my right front pocket. This might very well be my new favourite SAK! It's just a litte larger than the 58mm SAK's and only weighs 12g more than a classic. In the pocket, I really did not notice the difference. It disappears in the pocket just like the Classic would and there is no noticeable weight penalty. Anyone else using the Bantam frequently? And what is your opinion about it? I know it's a minimalist SAK without a lot of 'bells and whistles', but that is just what I like about it.
 
Fass said:
Last week me and my wife made a short 3-day road trip through Belgium and Luxemburg. Instead of taking with me the usual 58mm Victorinox Classic or Rally, I decided to just take the cellidor Bantam with me.
I thought the little extra blade length might come in handy for food duty. During these 3 days, it excelled at all the little tasks I asked from it; cap lifting, cutting sandwiches and opening small bags with peanuts as snack and such. Since returning home again, the Bantam hasn't left my right front pocket. This might very well be my new favourite SAK! It's just a litte larger than the 58mm SAK's and only weighs 12g more than a classic. In the pocket, I really did not notice the difference. It disappears in the pocket just like the Classic would and there is no noticeable weight penalty. Anyone else using the Bantam frequently? And what is your opinion about it? I know it's a minimalist SAK without a lot of 'bells and whistles', but that is just what I like about it.
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I have an alox Bantam that I really like, and I’ve been eyeballing a Waiter recently. The one-layer 84mm knives are very handy :thumbsup:
 
Many many times my go-to carry combo has been the 58mm teamed up with the bantam. Between the both of them, I feel I have the best combo of tools for my lifestyle. When I try going without the little SAK I miss the scissors and SD nail file. Since the classic has the tweezers, I go with the alox bantam for an even more slim and compact package.

The bantam is a WAY under estimated SAK!
 
It's my most recent Swiss Army Knife. I really like it a lot. Funny, because I really prefer the opening layer, but something about this knife has kept it in my pocket since I got it a couple weeks ago. I like it so much, I ordered an alox version. I'll probably miss the toothpick and tweezers, but I do usually have a Classic or Signature with me. Getting used to the combo tool a bit has helped. It's in my pocket right now, of course.
 
Yes, the Bantam is a great minimalist design. Quite capable, and light enough to carry anywhere, even round your neck. I grab it for parties, picnics and hikes. Here is my 8 year old review; the most common misconception is about the combo tool. People don't think it can open cans.
 
I got a Waiter instead of a Bantam because three people in my family wear glasses and that little screwdriver that fits into the corkscrew can come in mighty handy (also, the mrs. and I have been known to drink a glass or two of wine from time to time). It's my go-to travel knife ..... I got it for about $10 on that big auction site and, if it gets lost or damaged or given away, I'll buy another for sure. MAXIMUM minimalism, baby! :cool:
 
I have the alox bantam and it's really neat knife and easiest of easy to carry. It's definitely a lighter use knife since I can see the scale bending if I whittle with it and I don't like how the combo tool can bumb to the blade (mostly the tip) if you are not careful.
 
dogstar said:
Yes, the Bantam is a great minimalist design. Quite capable, and light enough to carry anywhere, even round your neck. I grab it for parties, picnics and hikes. Here is my 8 year old review; the most common misconception is about the combo tool. People don't think it can open cans.
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Wow thanks for that video, I didn't realize all the uses for the combo tool on the Bantam.
 
Jackknife

I like the Bantam and have 6-8 in various scales W and V. But I don't carry one simply because no Phillips. I have an ISC that is same as the old Vic Apprentice (long DC-ed). But seems my Tinker is/has been my EDC for years. Bring back the Apprentice !!
Rich
 
Rich S said:
Jackknife

I like the Bantam and have 6-8 in various scales W and V. But I don't carry one simply because no Phillips. I have an ISC that is same as the old Vic Apprentice (long DC-ed). But seems my Tinker is/has been my EDC for years. Bring back the Apprentice !!
Rich
Click to expand...

I carried a tinker for many years, and loved it. But what killed it for me was, I discovered the back mounted Phillips ws a weak point. One day, after buying a used car for my son to go to school with, I was taking off the rusty license plate screws. They were a bit stubborn. Halfway through the job, the SAK started to feel 'weird', like some slack and then bump in the back screw driver. The liners had buckled badly and the Phillips driver was very loose in its mountings. I finished the job with the Sear's 4-way driver from my wallet. That was the last time I counted on a back mounted Phillips.

On the other hand, I' ve used the inside corner of the combo tool on the bantam for all kinds of screw driving with Phillips, and have yet to see any damage even from some rusty Phillips on an old lawn mower. I LOVE the combo tool! I think it makes a great can opener too.
 
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