SAKs

All pocket knives and tools are Swiss Army Knives

I have discussed some about this before and I know there are some that wonder about why we call all pocket knives and multi-tools SAKs. Basically an Officers and a Soldier knife represents the true meaning of the origin. The development of the Soldiers knife was the key feature for the Founder and the Association of cutlers.  It is also important that the Founder and cutlers was very skilled in making many other products as well. The Officers knife is what most people today consider to be a Swiss army Knife. So let us dwell a bit on this. The phenomenon really started after WW2 and the popular name Swiss Army Knives was used because of some historic, language and popular terms like we know. On the internet there is information on this to be found.

There are many categories and knives and to be called an Officers knife and Soldiers knife requires them to have some functions. The reason we call all pocket knives and tools SAKs are simple. We know all the categories and most of the history. We set aside all this and call all of them SAKs when they are made in the tradition and by the two makers in Switzerland. It is not a modern phenomenon that there are many categories. In general all the products made by Wenger and Victorinox are made in the tradition.

Some would say that the makers of the Genuine and Original SAK call them so because of advertising or marketing reasons. I know that the two Companies implements the quality and tradition into the products and therefor they are technically SAKs. For me they are also this because they got small factors with different emblems and tang stamps that are guided into the main products. For sure the use of the SAK term on all the pocket knives and tools can be strange for some and I agree. We know about the categories and history but it makes it so much easier to call them SAKs when they are made by the two Companies in history. There also other factors involved. One is the valuable help a 58mm Classic or a 65mm Wenger knife can have on the key ring. Another is the adaptation into all kinds of situations and everyday life. Even the Garden tool with just one blade is called a SAK by us.

If you notice on the two Companies in history then you will discover that they do make some distinction between the categories and make a difference between what are the main products of Swiss Army Knives.

For sure we do not call kitchen knives and such cutlery for SAKs so there is one limit for us too just like the Companies. There we have a different history with them both!

It is easier for us or at least for me to call the pocket knives and tools for SAKs. Somehow no matter how we twist and turn there is a link between them.  The correct technical term would be the Soldiers and Officers knives that are the Swiss Army Knives and not all the other categories around them.

Most enthusiasts does not call the Garden tools and SwissTools for SAKs, some do.

Officers and Sportsmen knives

I will try to use a few words on this and this is my belief that the Officers knife from 1897 is also a Sportsmen knife. This is the branch that either led or had led to the development of the SAKs and the incredible variety of knives.

It all began in 1884

The development of the Soldiers knife is one of the key features of the phenomenon. The word army is related in Swiss Army Knife to the Soldiers knife. The Officers knife is related to the same with a branch. The Soldiers knives and Officers knife are the main knives that hit fame after WW2. It is the Officers knife with the Sportsmen branch that is the reasons for most of the fame today. Somehow there has always been a divided line between the Soldiers and Officers knives in history. At the same time they are much related to each other. The great performance of making the knife for the Swiss Army and the issued Soldiers knife is the main philosophy of the SAKs origin. This has always been during history and it is so today. The Soldier knife is The Founders achievement and the foundation.  It is my belief that it is the Officers knife that is the representative for the total world fame today.

Cool Things!

Large SAKs and Small SAKs

09.08.2019

It is a wonderful time we live in and that we can enjoy such products. Destiny can be a strange wind with unknown events in the distance. Today we only have one maker of the Swiss Army Knife term. It is only Victorinox. In many ways I miss the Wenger Company as the maker of the genuine SAK. In a ways the circle was completed from 2013. That did not mean it was over for the former Company with knives because much of the heritage continued in the Delémont products. The Swiza knives Company took with them much experience and heritage so in a way we still have two Swiss Brands again. Most likely Swiza cannot call themselves a maker of Swiss Army Knives but instead they can continue it and they re-invented it. Which is cool and I do believe it is only healthy for the products with some competition. So if you should find a person that refers a Swiza product as a SAK and if he or she is a collector or user then it is ok.

The Swiza 95mm design is best in competition with the 91mm category. In a way it can fulfill a bit larger tasks.

The Swiza construction is super modern and very interesting. It is a 95mm construction with sturdy and large functions in a compact design. One thing is 100% sure! -This is a Swiss knife.

All the years of my research on Victorinox and Wenger knives helped me to understand every part of the Swiza knife. It gave me important experience in functionality, quality, design and about technical factors.

28.05.2020

Bike Ride

Today I can show you my latest 58mm Classic SD limited 2020 knife. It is called Bike Ride and it got a very cool design on both sides. I have mentioned many times how SAKs and knives with handle decoration can increase the joy and even be educational. If we put a little turn on this we also learn how and understand just how well Swiss Army Knives and knives can fit so many areas or demands. Even without being focused on the identification with bikes in the first place.

I guess most people have experienced a flat tire also.  It is just so fun to philosophy some on this and learn. The little Classic functions can be just for small adjustments with the SD tip. The file can be just to prepare the surface for repair on the rubber and the scissors can cut to size when you need a patch. In many cases the repair kits contain different size patches but sometimes you have to improvise. I learned many years ago on how handle designs and decorations can help to identify a person’s interest and hobby. This year’s limited Classic knives had sports in mind.

The Classic SD just seems to continue the course forward and it just never runs out of ideas and adaptability. Since we are talking about how designs can identify with a sport or interest it is also important to have in mind that the functions should be helpful in that interest and not be limited by the design alone. Because the 58mm knives are so small and lightweight and still functional then it is obvious this knife would be smart to have with you.

These little SAKs are so little aggressive in appearance so they look more like vitamins or a piece of candy. I do not believe this would scare anyone. Well every person that are into sports also know that bringing larger equipment for repair could be smart, still I would believe the Classics could do nice things.

I have seen some knives before with a tire as the main design for a handle. Probably there are dozens of such made in history with car and bike tires. Because you have two different designs on the sides you have a talking point design that most could like. One side with the crank and chain and the other side got the design that gives the impression of a tire. I like it very much and I find it way cool and fun. Most of all to know about is that the designs are created by fans.

18:47

I am not willing to stop just yet on the functionality with the functions. The little screwdriver tip can also be used for opening electronic devices people use on bikes. It can also open small batteries there. Every time I get one of the limited 58mm knives I learn something. Some are more educational than others. I am very sure there are several things it can be used for. The file can remove a sharp edge also. It is up to the imagination and not be limited by the word “just”

EDC, Professionals and everything around it.

04.06.2020

How good are the SAKs and tools as a tool?

I would believe there are many theories on the internet about how they are looked upon. The best factor is to look upon professionals across the world. I like many different size categories and how they are carried. Not all SAKs and tools are pocket friendly. The advantage with SAKs and Swiss knives are many and they are used by the normal person and the professionals.

Some knives got a cool factor to them with designs and functions that more or less can be called successful. Never the less it is a fact that the Swiss makes functions intended for use.  Many of you know that I am believer in combination tools. I just love the idea of functions and tools that can fulfill each other. That said it is always to some degree that this philosophy can be used. What it comes down to is from the study of Swiss knives and how they fit so many aspects and tasks. It is no need for them to defend the idea of versatile functionality. Everyone knows about them and that they perform.

I analyze and learn by looking and learning from people. If you learn something from every person then the knowledge grows. I also like rough knives if we could call an axe a rough knife. I understand very well how tough tools are required for specific tasks but also versatile use of it. One of the great modern inventions if we could call it so are the multi-tools that lifted the idea of a package of tools with a large pliers to something extra. I am truly glad to learn and I absolutely understand the aspects of specific tools and things around it. 

The advantage with collecting and learning about functionality is a joy. So what are combinations? It is an example of unlimited reach and for example if a professional electrician or sailor got specific tools. By this I mean a workshop with all the required tools he would need. It is absolutely correct that professional tools cannot be replaced by a SAK or a MultiTool there and that is the reason for having the workshop.  It would be the same for a forestry logger because the SAK cannot replace the axe, the large saw, the chainsaw and equipment. It would enhance the safety for them.

Swiss knives been used and is used right now by professionals all over the world. Some even find it possible to use them for a greater extent in their everyday life. SAKs got an unlimited reach of use and until today continues its voyage. The life of some depends on the versatile knives every day. I learned that it is impossible to say that Swiss knives are just a gadget. The simple true fact is that they are and they represents the extra functions the human hands cannot do.

For the traditional EDC and in the outdoors the combination tools excel on many areas. I also like to learn about fixed blade knives. Folding knives even with a lock cannot outperform fixed blade knives. The axe outperforms the fixed blade and so it goes on and on. Professional logging companies today use heavy machines that take large trees in seconds. The knife, Multitools and axe would still be very smart to bring. It is beautiful!

18:56

I receive nice inspiration many places in my quest for knowledge. For me it a good thing and a relaxing meditation and I like traditional knives and learning about them. For me it is not about choosing one over another. I look upon it as a waste of time to dislike any tool with one exception and that is deliberate fake knives. It is about picking the correct tool for your need. The best would absolutely be one pocket knife with the desirable selection for you.  In the real world this can only go so far but at the same time mean the difference between getting things done or not.

A Spartan pocket knife can do everything and it is still among the greatest made. Combinations within one knife or model and two separate knives can be a choice for you. There are so many beautiful things in the world. The best combinations are determined by what you do.

Making the best overall multitool been a big business for the last two decades and it continues. It is serious investigation and research with analyzing to a large degree done. The conclusions are that some iconic models by Leatherman, Gerber, Victorinox and Wenger stands out.  I absolutely respect opinions and traditions and I know many things been made before in history when it comes to functions and tools. Peace!

-By deliberate fake knives i mean by using the Victorinox cross/shield and name on the Knives. knives that only looks similar is perhaps outside this.

20:51

I recommend looking on my pages about combinations and rescue blades on SAKhome.com.  Articles I made a pretty good while back now and represents information I developed years ago. I still stand 100% behind Swiss knives and I do believe they are wonderful. I am always looking for input if you have. I hope you could take the time to look under my SwissTool pages with under-pages. It would make me glad in deed. The SwissTools are truly the little extra even today. here

 My latest Delemont SAK is the Victorinox S54 evolution grip model. I have this with the evolution scales too. When you have been into Swiss Army Knives for a long time then models like the S54 can be much fun to own. There are many factors involved to make such knives. To be able to produce Swiss Army Knives with such heavy functionality says a lot. This is like a musical instrument in the hand and I am very glad to own this!