Victorinox Rucksack

Joined
Nov 1, 2004
Messages
3,352
Another Swiss Army knife review for you. This one will be quick since I've covered all of the implemenets before. This SAK will cost you about $30 and is available in red or black. The model number is 53661, and I think it's one of Victorinox' better lockbacks. On with the review...

Handle Details: The Rucksack, like all of the SAK lockblades, is 4-3/8" closed. The Rucksack is 10/16" thick due to it being a lockable, three-layer knife. The liners are aluminum oxide (not stainless steel) and the handle scales are Victorinox' red nylon. The left handle scale houses the standard tweezers, while the right side houses the toothpick. A small keyring, 1/2" in diameter, is attached so you can stick a lanyard on it. The handle is comfortable enough for daily use, even with some of the tools closed. It's long enough to fill the hand too.

Tools:
Corkscrew... It's 1-1/12" long and is in the back of the handle. It opens into the T-handle position. I put a micro screwdriver on mine to make the knife more versatile. The corkscrew is good for picking knots and such, and of course opens corked bottles.
Reamer... It's also 1-1/2" and comes out the back of the handle in the T-handle position. There's a little hole there that's supposed to be a sewing eye, but I have no idea when I'd ever use it. The cutting edge of the reamer is 14-16" long, and boy is it useful. Punch holes in things; strike a piece of flint for fire.
Can Opener... The standard can opener / small Phillips-head screwdriver tool. It's 1-1/4" long when open.
Bottle Opener... A bottle opener / wire stripper / large Phillips-head screwdriver. It stops in the halfway open position, but it doesn't lock. When in the fully-open position, it's 1-1/4" long.
Saw... Yup, a wood saw. It's 3-1/2" long and has bi-directional teeth. It's slightly flexible and does a wonderful job at... yes, sawing. This has got to be one of the most useful outdoor tools ever put on a folding knife.
Locking Blade... The blade locks open; cool. It's 3-1/2" long with a 3-1/4" cutting edge in Victorinox' standard drop point. It opens via nail nick and locks open really smoothly. The locking mechanism is a switch in the handle which springs into position when the blade is opened and wedges itself between the back of the blade tang and the handle. A tiny bit of blade play up-and-down is normal with this Victorinox lock, as every one with this lock type I've ever seen had blade play. To unlock, just pull the switch down and close the blade.

It sure isn't the end-all be-all of knives, but the Rucksack is a very nice folder for the outdoors. Cut, saw, screw, punch, pick, and more. Take it outdoors and have some fun with it; for $30, you can't beat the Victorinox utility and quality.

vn-53661.gif
 
I've had a red one for over a decade now. Still snaps and locks like a bank vault. Nice sized blade for a SAK also.
 
I have it since years and it has travelled with me on various bakpacking trips to several countries. Currently it's the knife I have in my car. It's indeed one of the more interesting and practical SAKS. The larger size makes it very useful and the locking blade is a plus.
One caveat: I love the idea of a corkscrew, but it's far more difficult to use without breaking the cork than with a modern "screwpull" kind of tool. In my experience, at least.
 
I have several RUCKSACKS and rarely leave the bedroom without one...They are in all my kits, the trucks, etc........ Vics have the best can opener, the saw does green wood magnificently, the blade steel is soft, but takes an edge quickly......the down side is that it loses it quickly.....The punch actually drills usable holes in wood....a great package even without the knife blade.....Only 30 bucks!!!

ethan
 
Hey J...

I used to live in Anderson Twp but I have been living in East Tennessee for about 4 years......Gonna have to update the old profile eh?....

All Best...

ethan
 
Back
Top