Why are so many SAK missing the phillips screwdriver?

Z

zimmerDN

Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Messages
68
The separate phillips screwdriver is always missing in a lot of the models I like. ie. Electrician Plus.

Can the other flathead screwdriver be used for it instead for most common phillips screw. :confused:
 
you better say "why the model i like is nearly perfect, but there is always one tool that i would like to replace by another ?:confused: "

this is due to SAk curse :D

Personnaly i love my SAK trailmaster, but instead of phillips screwdriver i woudl have prefered a corkscrew !:D
(yep i am french, how did you guess?)
 
The small screwdriver tip on the can opener can be used as a Philips.

Can you imagine a custom SAK, a model you could order with exactly the handle and tools you wanted? I don't know if it would pay for them to do this, since they thrive on mass production of a multiplicity of standard models. That could be a very expensive custom.
 
I never liked the philips on the SAK's. They always cut a slot in the head to double as a tin strip puller. Makes it a tad weak. I just use the small flat head screwdriver.
 
Tin strip puller? I dont' think they've had that feature for at least 20 years... how long's it been since you owned a SAK?? :)
 
Was just gonna remark how I haven't noticed that slot. And I never DID know what it did. I just assumed it was a planned weakness by the canny Swiss so ya'd get another when ya broke it.
 
Gryffin said:
how long's it been since you owned a SAK?? :)
Click to expand...
Still current. Have about 10 or so floating around in various places, last new one was the Handyman. Alas, no philips on that one. Why? :p
 
freddy1 said:
you better say "why the model i like is nearly perfect, but there is always one tool that i would like to replace by another ?:confused: "

this is due to SAk curse :D

Personnaly i love my SAK trailmaster, but instead of phillips screwdriver i woudl have prefered a corkscrew !:D
(yep i am french, how did you guess?)
Click to expand...

They make that model it's called the Rucksack. Yeah theres always something we'd like to change about a sak model I'd love it if they'd kill the serrations on the one handed trailmaster blade just make it a plain edge and I'd buy 2 or 3......
 
Cyblade said:
They make that model it's called the Rucksack. Yeah theres always something we'd like to change about a sak model I'd love it if they'd kill the serrations on the one handed trailmaster blade just make it a plain edge and I'd buy 2 or 3......
Click to expand...

Yes I agree with you very much.

The Electrician Plus would be perfect for me if it wasn't missing the phillips screwdriver.

Anyone know how those Alox scales hold up over time? This is my first SAK so I don't know a great deal about them.
 
SAKs can be customized, if you are handy with tools and have an old one to take tools from, here´s a Wenger to which I replaced the fish scaler with a saw, also jigged the handles. Below it just a scissors.

Alox is a great handle material, much much stronger than the plastic scales.

Luis

fau0t3.jpg
 
if they'd kill the serrations on the one handed trailmaster blade
Click to expand...

Oh ..... TRY IT ..... first. I am now of the opinion that the tip IS the place for the serrations. Not for conformity or esthetics maybe, but I altered one Trailmaster and removed the serrations and made it plain edge.
The serrated is MULTIPLE times more useful. The thin blade profile with the chisel grind is a slicing, cutting MACHINE.
And the serrations on the tip make it fairly impervious to dulling when cutting on a hard surface. Add to that the fact that most WHITTLING or any close-up work is usually done NEAR the handle and I think you'll find that Victorinox is a .....leader..... in what may become the future trend of WHERE to put the serrations.

Take a look at Doug Ritter's post on his RSK "anticipated" model where he is even discussing putting the serrations out there at the front.

It only makes sense. You will use serrations more for longer reaching cuts where you have to sorta ...snag.... the material.

I now carry the One Hand Trekker and have left the serrations where they BELONG.

Try it before condemning it. I think you'll be surprised at how quick you drop your prejudice against tip serrations.

:)
 
What I don't get is why they don't put the glasses screwdriver in every model with a corkscrew and the pen/pin in every model that has large enough scales? They are such simple things that could be added to almost every model, they don't cost much to add, and they don't remove or change any functions, but they do add functionality. I would certainly pay another dollar or so to have them.

By the way, I had the tip serrations on my Trekker and I got rid of them. I often use my knives like an exacto blade to cut things out using the tip of the blade. The serrations kinda screw that up. I don't like half serrations anywhere, that's just MHO.
 
zimmerDN said:
Damn it I am very close to getting this one. If it only comes with the phillips screwdriver. Would the tip of the can opener work as good also?
Click to expand...
It would, but that model doesn't have a can opener, just a bottle opener ("cap lifter" in Victorinox-ese). The other end has a small "electrician's blade", basically a sheepsfoot with an arc cut into it for stripping wire. I've got one of those, it's one of my favorites.
 
zimmerDN said:
Anyone know how those Alox scales hold up over time? This is my first SAK so I don't know a great deal about them.
Click to expand...
The colored Alox (usually red, various others on the Classics) wears poorly; it starts showing silver aluminum through the finish as soon as you look at it funny. The silver Alox, of course, doesn't have that problem, it just gets a tad shinier where it wears, hard to notice.

As for sturdiness, well, Alox is close to indestructible, compared to the plastic "cellidor" scales and thin aluminum liners of the regular SAKs.

The texturing on the Alox gives a better grip, too.
 
My only other option that will best fit my requirements is the Farmer.

http://www.allsparestools.com/Product.asp?ID=2743&Sku=SWA53964

SWA53964.jpg


That one has the can opener plus the end is a phillips screwdriver but I really wanted a real phillips screwdriver. The wire scraper does not come with the Farmer. So I guess in the end I gain one extra function.

Btw, does anyone find the alox silver scales a lot sexier then the plain red plastic ones? I haven't seen any in real life as this is my first SAK but I really like the looks of silver alox in pictures.

I am also getting a small Streamlight Keymate LED flashlight with this. It is my birthday this month and I have been dropping hints about this hehe.
 
Sadly for you, i don't think any Alox model comes with a Phillips. Sorry.

zimmerDN said:
My only other option that will best fit my requirements is the Farmer.
Click to expand...
The Farmer is one of the best. If you try, you can still sometimes find them in red Alox. :D

zimmerDN said:
Btw, does anyone find the alox silver scales a lot sexier then the plain red plastic ones?
Click to expand...
I agree, the silver Alox looks more business-like, more like a heavy-duty tool, than the plain red cellidor scales.

However, the red Alox is even sexier!! :thumbup:

I have a red Alox Farmer that I keep in the safe, and a red Soldier that I use. The Soldier's looking kinda beat, but even that has a certain appeal: it looks worn and torn but comfortable and workman-like, like a good, well-broken-in pair of boots.
 
If you're having trouble finding a model with exactly the feature you want, check out the SAK Selector. I wrote it over just that frustration.

--Bob Q
 
shpshooter said:
What I don't get is why they don't put the glasses screwdriver in every model with a corkscrew and the pen/pin in every model that has large enough scales?
Click to expand...

It's a simple matter of economics. Victorinox makes an incomprehensible number of knives per year and they operate in a very competitive field. Most of their customers don't know enough to miss the mini-screwdriver or pen, but are very price conscious. So even tiny costs have to be considered very carefully.

I agree with you that I'd rather have the mini-screwdriver in every corkscrew and the "plus" scales on every 91mm model. Fortunately, it's easy enough to change out the scales. You can buy mini-screwdrivers and plus-scales from Swiss-Knife Shop and Pizzini and upgrade your SAKs yourself.

--Bob Q
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top