As probably a high percentage of posters here do, I carry my blade/multitool everywhere I go. To me, it feels just as strange not to feel it in my pocket as it does if I don't have on my wedding band. Trouble is, I travel fairly often (fly) for business, usually just for two nights or so. Since my trips are short, I never check a bag, because what I need always fits in a rucksack. (You can see my website for a more detailed description of this neurosis on my Travel Tips Page). However, since the heightened security measures have been in effect, I can't take my blade through airport security, but I could place it in checked luggage. So, what have those of you in a similar situation been doing? Check a bag just for carrying your blades/tools? I wish there were a way to have small packages checked differently than larger suitcases for this purpose.

Another question: Why do most SAKs continue to come with a corkscrew? I've seen some neat tools that made me think, "Well, that would be a nice tool if it weren't for that @#$%^& corkscrew that adds no utility and unnecessary thickness to the tool. As long as you're adding the corkscrew, why not add a pecan cracker, shrimp fork, and pate spreader too? The most ridiculous example can think of is the Schrade Navitool. Looks really neat, but do you really need that corkscrew in a survival situation.

the corkscrew's great, you're surviving on the beach/waterfront because there's lots of food to be found, and low, a bottle of chateau la fite 1935 washes up on your beach, which using your sak corkscrew you open and enjoy with your muscels sauted in wine and garlic!
on the other hand they are quite good for digging exploded batteries out of torches and the like!
steve

I heard the subject line calling me from afar... :-)

Back in the days when "laptop" PCs were prohibitively expensive, and the group I was part of was doing a week here and a week there in cities accross the US, some members of the group just had UPS ship their desktop computers to their hotels ahead of them. Just call the conceirge (ok, "front desk" at the EconoLodge) and ask them to hold it for you. They're used to that sort of thing. For something as small as a knife you could FedEx it overnight. Nobody cares what it is.

Of course, if you were truly blade-obsessed like some of us, you'd view the trip as an opportunity to immediately buy yet another knife at your destination, then just have it shipped home. :-)

>>Why do most SAKs continue to come with a corkscrew?<<

Well, I guess the manufacturers just assume that many of the people buying their products are civilized. Ahem...

Seriously, there's obviously demand, and, unlike most tools, when you need a corkscrew nothing else is nearly as convenient (yes, I know about the back-of-the-saber technique, and the wet-feather technique, etc. The statement stands). Even some makers of military equipment have realized that if you don't give the troops a coffee grinder (Sharps?), corkscrew (some WWII bayonets), beer-cap-lifer (other bayonets (German), Galil assault rifle bipod base) or whatever, they're going to misuse some other piece of equipment to get the job done, perhaps ruining it and endangering lives in the process.

Besides, unlike with a lighter, no decent group of people could ask to use your corkscrew, and not offer to share the wine... :-)

And, if you find yourself some sunny day on a mountain top with a lovely lady and a bottle of wine, and you think you won't miss a corkscrew if you don't have it... I've got to think you're missing something about the point of survival.. :-)

Ha ha! Points well taken, Presumed Lost. Now I'm longing for that scenario where a vintage bottle AND a mermaid wash up on my deserted island. Then I'll need that corkscrew!

Wouldn't the shrimp fork be better for the mermaid????

I vote for the corkscrew too. My SAK proved it's usefullness at a dinner party some time ago when the hosts couldn't find their corkscrew. Actually it works better than many corkscrews I've used.
Of course some vintners are switching to screw tops. Reminds me of Chateau Boone's Farm, 1972. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

CH,
I JUST finished drinking when I read your post, otherwise you would have owed me a new keyboard <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

With advances in packaging,the can opener and bottle cap lifter may be looked upon with the same disdain soon. The idea of encountering some survivalists food cache and no way to access that .45 and fresh underwear is to abhorent to even ponder. The small screwdriver tips on said tools are for field stripping swiss battle rifles. I've never been called upon to do that yet.

Yeah, what you said...

I use the corkscrew on my SAK, uh, "frequently"... for the intended purpose.

My EDC SAK has had this added a while back:





That is the eyeglasses screwdriver and if you have a corkscrew Victorinox SAK, purchase this accessory - it does the job quite well. I have perfected a left-handed maneuver that removes the screwdriver, tucks it between little and ring fingers, and grasps the wine bottle firmly while my right hand gently teases the cork out... LoL - really!

Seriously, I'm not interested in SAKs that do NOT have a corkscrew.

Regards,

Tom

Since I don't enjoy wine, I'll probably stick with my "corkscrew-less" Micra. I'm always looking for that magic wine that I don't think tastes like paint thinner. They all do to me, whether it's a $5 bottle from the grocery store, or some rare vintage. <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />