I enjoy wine. When traveling, or at a hotel, (for my future needs), I'd like to enjoy wine.

However, when I look at my 'minimalist equipped to survive' tools, I lack a tool with corkscrew.

I have the Benchmade knife from Doug Ritter (the yellow one...but I think I ruined the bladed trying to cut some tree sticks)

I have the KA-BAR knife (says 4062 which I assume is the model) and a SOG Crossgrip.

Any recommendations? I see the Swiss Army knives on Amazon but the all have almost 5 stars. Tought to make a choice. Or perhaps it should be easier.

I have the big nasty (well, for Victorinox anyway) Victorinox Rucksack. Big 4" locking blade, saw, screwdriver, awl, etc., and a corkscrew.

Dave

I don't prefer the Victorinox corkscrews. Just not a good idea, IMO, to be pulling with 100lbs of force on that little hinge.

Just pack a small corkscrew. They're not too big. Unless you're talking about literally EDC, and not "at the hotel after work." then I guess you're stuck with a SAK. I like my camper, never felt the need for a lock on them.

You are applying no force on the hinge when you use the SAK corkscrew.
The Sock

+1. Any large 4" SAK w/ corkscrew would make an excellent all-around utility tool at a competitive price. BTW, I've used the corkscrew on my SAK Rucksack many times and it never failed. Nor did I notice any side effects. The knife is plenty solid enough to stand up to whatever force is applied when using the corkscrew.

I EDC a Victorinox Tinker (usually) or a Voyager Lite. The corkscrews on them have opened many bottles of wine for me. Although they lack a locking blade, they have a few benefits that outweigh that negative, IMO.

- scissors (best tool on a SAK, for my $$)
- second blade (one for messy jobs, one for finer work)
- fits more easily into chino pockets, and into a business atmosphere in general. The mid-range SAKs are ubiquitous, and don't frighten anyone.

If I were buying a new pocketknife today, I'd look at the Wenger Evolutions. Although they have not yet figured out that the perfect combination equals 2 blades plus scissors, they have added a locking main blade to their mid-range knives.

I have found an opening technique that works well with the SAK. It's not pretty, but it keeps the wine in the bottle.
1. Insert corkscrew as usual.
2. Stand up, and brace bottle between your feet.
3. Bend at the knees and grasp the knife body.
4. Lift with the legs and twist slightly.

The cork comes out like it's greased, and the bottle doesn't move. Also entertaining at cocktail parties.

You could also go a non-SAK route. Here are a couple examples I've looked at, although I don't have either myself.

Opinel with corkscrew

Baladeo Laguiole

Baladeo's version of a SAK

On that last one - personally, if I were going to go with something like a SAK, I'd just get a SAK...I don't know that anyone does that better than the Swiss.

Dave

Victorinox Rucksack

I really like the corkscrew on the Leatherman Juice line. It adds the mechanical advantage of a lever (like a waiter's corkscrew), so it works with less effort. The only one of the line that doesn't include the corkscrew is the base-model S2.

Leatherman Pocket Tools

There are other ways to remove a cork. You can push the cork into the bottle instead of pulling it out. All you need is a stick or rod. Just be careful about making a big splash by pushing to hard.

You can turn the bottle so the cork is covered by wine and spank the cork out of the bottle. This is a bit hard to describe in words but spanking the bottom of an upside down or sideways wine bottle sets up a hydrostatic shock that will push the cork out.
It does not work well with champagne though.