According to reports, Victorinox produces between 10 and 15 million SAKs each year and exports them to all over the globe. There is no doubt that it is true that the Swiss Army Knife can be described as one of the top desired tools for the pocket. Like any other tool the Swiss Army Knife offers advantages as well as disadvantages. There are good arguments for as well as reasons to not. Examine the two sides of this decision before making your choice.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the benefits of the Swiss Army Knife as well as its advantages being it is a pocket-friendly tool that works for many. We will also go over some of the drawbacks that you need to be aware of prior to purchasing an SAK for yourself.
Let’s begin by looking at some of the practical aspects which make Swiss Army Knife an amazing pocket tool.
There are many reasons to get the Swiss Army Knife
It is a Swiss Army knife comes in different sizes and is a must-have tool for many. Below are a few advantages of having a SAK and the reason you should purchase one to use as your EDC tool.
1. Mobility, Ease of Carrying Quality, Social Acceptability and Price
This Swiss Army Knife is a multi-purpose tool that is carried by a person throughout the day. The versatility of the tool and the high-end quality of Victorinox is an extremely cost-effective choice for those who wish to purchase a single piece of equipment with multiple functions.
This should provide you with a clear understanding of what makes the SAK so popular across the globe. These factors are enough to get you to buy an Swiss Army Knife. If you’re looking for additional reasons, read on.
2. Different Tool Combination options
There are over 400 different models available of Swiss Army Knives available. They come in various sizes, ranging from the tiny ones that you can clip to your keyring to the heavier and larger models that will require bags to carry with your.
Every model has numerous tools that can be used for different uses. It is often easier to complete tasks with the proper tool and a SAK lets you to always carry the correct tool in your bag.
However big or small you’d like the pocket knife you carry around, there’s most likely a Swiss Army knife model that will meet your requirements. It’s just a matter of spending your time looking for a model that will meet the majority, if certainly not all of your requirements.
3. Martensitic Steel
One of the major reasons behind the enormous popularity that this Swiss Army Knife for use as an instrument for the pocket can be attributed to the steel Victorinox makes use of. The steel that they use is unique. It is also unique because Victorinox retains its alloy composition and manufacturing process as a trade secret.
If you’re wondering that it’s not the most durable steel on the market. It is however the most ideal steel to make a multi-purpose tool such as that of the Swiss Army Knife.
Over the course of more than a decade of using the SAK I’ve yet to notice any signs of corrosion on the main blade, or any other tools in my SAKs.
The high chromium content of the alloy is what makes these tools glossy and impervious to rust.
Many believe that Vic steel to be hard. However, with consistent use I’ve managed to make it work in sharpening my blades at least once or twice per year. It’s surprising that the blades can take on an edge and are super sharp, and just as excellent as brand new.
4. Two Blades Small and Large
The majority of small-sized Swiss Army Knife designs come with two blades: the larger main blade, and a smaller and less slender blade. I can remember when I first got a SAK I was puzzled about the use for the blade. It appeared to be an unnecessary tool to me. It was a complete ripoff!
As time passed, I began to comprehend and appreciate the usefulness of the second smaller blade. In the present, I utilize it more frequently because it’s perfect for particular types of work. It keeps the main blade clean and shiny, and ready to be used whenever I require something more long and more powerful.
5. Camping And Outdoor Tools
I’m sure that most campers only carried one Swiss Army knife while camping at least once in their lives. Although some serious campers use specialized tools at times it’s unpractical to carry too much weight, particularly on shorter journeys.
I normally have two SAKs on me to use for outdoor activities.
I like a medium-sized one that has a variety of tools, as well as one that is large that has a few larger tools, such as a huge blade, and a large wood saw. I feel that I am well-equipped.
This combo lets me utilize the smaller blade in the kitchen to help with cooking and fixing things using the screwdrivers, if needed.
The bigger one is designed for bushcraft use, such as cutting branches, making campfires and so on.
6. Fisherman’s Tools
An Swiss Army Knife can be an ideal tool for fishing enthusiast. From cutting lines to taking hooks off fishing enthusiasts have used it for a variety of tasks. This is so much, that Victorinox has developed SAKs specifically for anglers. Other models also have essential tools that come in useful when fishing.
7. First Aid and Tools for Rescue
A small, Swiss Army Knife contains a number of essential tools needed in an emergency situation, particularly when outdoors and you do not have an emergency kit with first aid.
Tweezers are great to remove debris, glass pieces or gravel to treat minor wounds and cuts.
Blades of scissors and scissors can be used to cut pieces of cloth to make the bandage needed to cover wounds.
Scissors can be used for taking dressings off while changing bandages to decrease the risk of contracting an infection.
In terms of tools to help you save yourself, Victorinox makes a dedicated model that is specifically designed for rescue and is named accordingly, you’ve got it right – Victorinox RescueTool!
Alongside a seat-belt cutter, and window breaker it also comes with a glass cutter!
Click here when looking to buy a Victorinox Swiss Army knife.
How much else would you require in a device that can put into your pocket? Of course, you could keep one inside your car in case of emergency.
8. A beautiful and attractive gift item
A Swiss knife from the army is the ideal present to someone you love regardless of age and genders. This is due to the fact that it is able to be used in many ways and because it comes with many practical uses.
In case you didn’t realize, women adore Swiss Army Knives, especially the ones with smaller sizes that they can carry easily in their purses or on keychains.
The small Aloy designs are also a major success with women.
9. It can be used to Whittling
Whittling is an art form that is popular and also a pastime for many. There are various tools that can be used for whittling or creating things with wood The two blades of the Swiss Army Knife have proved to be excellent tools for whittling particularly for novices.
Experts generally recommend to use the larger blade to begin cutting and slicing, and later making use of the smaller blade to create the finer particulars.
Victorinox also has a publication about whittling specifically targeted at youngsters written by their own in-house expert Felix Immler.
10. SAK as an weapon
The Swiss Army Knife can be described as an instrument for getting things accomplished. Many people would agree that it’s not an actual weapon but they’re right. If it is used by someone who is not a professional, it could make a pretty poor offensive or defensive weapon.
However, it does have an edge and the blade is sharp! Additionally, it has other tools. Could any of them be used to create a weapon in an emergency?
There are occasions when people have utilized the pocket knife to defend motives.
In the hands of a skilled in the hands of an expert, an SAK is an efficient weapon. Of course, you’ll require particular abilities (and experience) to make use of it an weapon. The majority of people do not know how to use it effectively. Worse is that they’ll end up hurting themselves more than the opponent.
However, someone with specialized training and an IQ for fighting can utilize a SAK for gain advantage during fighting.
There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t buy an Swiss Army Knife
There are many benefits to having an SAK, it’s not suitable for all. Certain people I know don’t have a SAK in them any more. These are typically people who prefer dedicated tools to multi-tools. Also, a Swiss Army Knife will not always meet the needs of all who are who is looking for a pocket-sized tool.
Here’s the list of the most common drawbacks to the Swiss Army Knife which I have heard about often.
1. Blade is Too Small and thin
The small Swiss Army Knife version (91mm) features the blade’s length of 7 cm. A lot of people don’t consider that size sufficient for the majority of tasks. Although there are bigger Swiss Army Knives with longer blades (111mm and 130mm models) however, they aren’t sufficient for carrying in pockets. There are other pocket knives that are similar in size and weight, but with a larger blade.
The blade of the 91.5mm SAK is also much smaller than the blade of an individual pocket knife. It’s not suited for cutting through tough materials and you’ll need to exert greater force or pressure in order to cut through.
2. Blade doesn’t lock
It is a frequent complaint about Swiss Army Knives. Although larger SAKs do come with locking blades, there is no locking mechanism is not present in the mid-sized Swiss Army Knives. I would guess that Victorinox intentionally does this in order to keep medium-sized SAKs conforming to the rules against lock pocket knives that are banned in some European countries.
Blades that are not locking are unsuitable for specific types of work. For instance, when you are whittling using a slip-joint it is not uncommon for the blade to fold down.
Be aware of your surroundings whenever you do any bushcraft or woodworking using an e-slip joint knife.
This is the reason I have a larger SAK and the liner lock to protect my outdoor activity.
3. Blade isn’t Strong enough
This point is a result from the two previous points. The thickness and size of the SAK blade combined with the fact that it isn’t able to lock into place makes it ineffective for large-scale tasks.
The slip-joint lock which the majority of the SAK models use was not designed originally for use in power production. Additionally, the narrow spine makes it not suitable for certain tasks such as batoning. You need an fixed blade with a strong spine to baton, there are times when people use pockets knives.
4. Steel Hardness isn’t up to the Standards
Experts frequently accuse Victorinox that they don’t use the highest quality steel for its Swiss Army Knives. The material is soft and does not maintain an edge over a long period of time particularly in comparison to other multi-tool manufacturers that are of high-quality, such as Leatherman and Gerber.
Victorinox does not reveal the specific nature of their alloy they employ as well as the specific structure of this steel isn’t identical for all the tools used in the SAK. However, if you’re seeking the most durable steel for the form of a pocket knife, then the Swiss Army Knife isn’t the tool you’re looking for.
5. No Pocket Clip
A pocket knife that doesn’t have a clip to hold it! Yes, that’s an Swiss Army Knife that you can use. I’ve met so many people who haven’t thought of using an SAK as their EDC knife because they can’t attach it into their trouser pockets.
Is there a different tool that performs the same functions like The Swiss Army Knife?
The disadvantages listed above are applicable to all pockets tools and not only Swiss Army Knives.
However, some disadvantages are unique for Swiss Army Knife however, and you might be wondering whether there is a different tool to solve some of the problems while maintaining the same performance and quality as the Swiss Army Knife.
Conclusion
I hope that by now , you’ve got an idea of the possibility that a Swiss Army Knife would be the best choice for you. I’ve covered all the benefits that an SAK has to offer, and the most obvious disadvantages. For me, the advantages surpass the drawbacks, which is which is why I’ve amassed numerous SAKs over the years.
Every pocket knife is a compromise of a type. From all the various multi-purpose pocket knives I’ve tried I have found that a Swiss Army Knife with the proper size and best selection of tools has almost always gave the most bang for your money!
