Swiss Army Knives are like potato chips....you can NEVER have just one...8) Seriously, as a technical type I need a reasonable size blade and something that can do Phillips screws. If I gotta choose between a screw driver and the cork screw....driver wins.
The genius of the Swiss Army Knives is that there is no such thing as the perfect one. We all face the dilemma of wanting more functionality in a smaller package, but that comes with its own compromises. There are models with every tool available but not practical to carry. You could also get it customized, but that usually comes with a high cost, so we will always have to compromise somewhere. Whats nice about this is that this means there is something for everyone, but never everything for someone. I like to have options and have picked up a few of my favorites and honed my collection with variations of these, usually the same essential tool set with one less or extra layer. We always say i wish it just had this or I don't need that one tool (until you actually do need it, lol). An Explorer for example was modded to add a pliers, and another was modded into a more compact model with the combo tool from a Bantam, same as a discontinued model called the Yeoman. The same with the 58mm SAKS, Rambler, Rally and Classic have some nice variations like Midnight Manager, Manager, Talisman, Signature Lite, Signature, Swiss Lite, and Bijou which is pretty much what I have in 58mm. Next step for me was to replace scales (usually for plus ones) and lanyards to color code my combinations - make picking pairs (usually a 91mm + 58mm) nice and easy with minimal tool duplication keeping it as compact as possible. My collection has never been about how many SAKS I can have or to find rare or valuable ones, I mainly collect tools that I like and will use and try swap them out daily as I love them all, it just depends on the anticipated tasks for the day. I store them in a tray all laid out side by side for easy identification.
Very well said!! I approach my collection with some duality, most of the models that I have are for use, even the special edition ones, and I have also some mods for that matter, but I also seek some retired, special editions or or hard to find models just to have them, without intention to use them a lot. Some of the models I use the most, I even get them double, to have a spare new one. SAKs are such an addiction! 😅
Nice video. The keychain one at the end is called the Rambler. The Rally doesn't have scissors. You might like a Wenger called the Pocket Tool Chest. I had one till last summer and I lost it somewhere on a golf course. It's only a little bigger than the Esquire but several more tools. I was gonna replace mine but I decided I'm going with the Manager for now.
Wow! That’s a TON of great selections! I have too many myself. Majority of the time I go with either an Alox Pioneer/Electrician or Cadet. Have the Compact, Executive and Sportsman in the rotation, along with a Bantam. If I had that many to choose from I would never make it out of the house for the day! 😂
So far my choice is only my one super tinker as the fake champ I bought years ago I sold at a yard sale and I still don’t know where my leatherman went
Sometimes I just do some random picking. It's like a challenge for myself. I just wanna see what I could do with any kind of SAK I bring in my pocket. So now I'm very accustomed to many series of Victorinox SAK and old Wenger ones too
Mark ! I did enjoy this video seeing a host of SAK’s and what you use as an EDC for me I have about 14 I use one every week as my rotation thanks for sharing !
Not a problem! My collection has definitely shrunk. But I miss all of these. I am still struggling to make a new video as of which topic I am going to cover. I’m not sure. But soon I’ll have another one out.
That was really interesting. Going to have to watch it again to catch all the names. I was going to through some of my Dads stuff and found a Suiss Officer with the I going up and making what looks like an umbrella. The 4 tools on the bottom all come out together and some other issues. Do you think it is worth restoring. I can email you pictures later if you think it is. Enjoyed the video.
I'm going to get one for my Christmas at my age of sixty nine years old it will be useful for opening packages with I'm out and about and their legal to carry in Scotland
Really enjoying these SAK videos Mark. Thanks for the great content. Very relaxing and informative to watch! We don't seem to have the same amount of knives available on ebay here in the UK unless I'm just not loooking properly.
I don't think ebay are allowed to sell any knife or bladed tool here in the UK, I've never seen SAKs or other folding knives there or even multitools. The only exception being those tomato knives with rounded ends together with other cutlery. Amazon however do sell knives and multitools, you can sometimes find some models of SAK cheaper there than anywhere else. As to second hand SAKs shpock is the best place for those, etsy does sell them too but it's a mix of real collectibles like old model soldiers, and second-hand common models which they call ''vintage'' but they're the same price as buying them brand new so not worth it.
Did that esquire come with the chain?? I have two... Both just have the small split ring. I'd much rather have one with the chain, to go match the other Wengers I've collected...
I did enjoy that. The fact there weren't Alox versions in there, means you are a little more carefull with them? Not messing up the scales with scratches.
@@markcoffman494 You're welcome. Out of all the 58mm offerings, the Rambler is my favorite. I do have some Rallys and Rovers, several Classic SDs, and a Minichamp. :)
Im the same i have close to 30 models now and growing, its an obsession of mine but they have to be red. I allways wanted a wenger handyman like macgyvers one, but i never got hold of one,
You know you have a problem, right...? 😆 Great video, by the way! After much consideration I ended up with a "Camper". The "Huntsman" was maybe even higher on my list, but slightly chubbier, so.... I hope I made the right choice. Or else I'm going to end up with a dozen of brilliant SAKs, and a problem, myself.
So the actual 'how' part is basically a 5-second throwaway comment about just grabbing one of 20-odd choices... partnered with a 10 minute video that's all about showing off part of your collection? I don't know who I should be more disappointed in - You for the misleading video title, or myself for actually expecting some insight as to why you might choose one knife over another for a particular day, especially on days when you *don't* know exactly what to expect... I think that would have been a far more interesting topic!! 😋
@@markcoffman494 No, that's exactly what I thought you'd be going into! I generally carry something up the larger end of the scale, to keep as many bases covered as possible, so like a Handyman or SwissChamp. I was hoping you had some better ideas.
I see no point in having more than one Victorinox knife. I've chosen one that covers everything: the Swisschamp. I keep carrying it on my keys, and I don't need to spend my time on choosing the one for the day ahead.
Should have been called the SAKs in my basket. You never directly address the issue of how you choose your knife of the day. Implied is that you carry the Swiss Champ in your backpack, duffle or shoulder bad and another one inn your pocket. Seems a bit random. You mislable a couple of the knives. You talk about knives you have that are no longer available new. This approach probaby resonates with the ADHD Crowd but not the OCD Crowd. Stay Calm and Carry On. 🫤
Thanks for the comment! The two Swiss Army knives I carry now, are, the super tinker, and the sportsman. Out of everything I had these are the two, that I felt worth keeping.
