I've gotta say I'm no fan of SAKs at all and I have owned a few over the years. IMHO it's too bad they changed the scales when what they should have been doing is changing to at least half decent steel and adding a solid locking mechanism. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

FWIW, for the price, both SAK makers' steel is actually pretty good, in my experience. Easy to sharpen and better edge holding than I'd expect for the buck. Is it the equal of higher quality cutlery steels? Heck no. But, that's not their market. <shrug> Do I wish it was otherwise? Sure.

Also, FYI, Wenger does make a series of standard size SAKs with a blade lock. Not the best lock in the world, but much better than none. Unfortunately, with a single exception of which I am aware, none are imported for sale here because they couldn't sell them. <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Also, FYI, they make a version of the Esquire with a locking blade that's also not imported here. Finally, many of their screwdriver tools do lock when pressure is applied. They call it "packlock."

Both have locking blades in their larger size SAKs. The Victorinox Rucksack/Trailmaster are favorites of many survival instructors, providing good value and functionality for the price. Victorinox even makes a one-hand opening large frame SAK, the One-Handed Trailmaster. Unfortunately, they ruined it for many of us by having a partially serrated blade.

Of course, times change and so may what you see over here in terms of SAKs. Never say never... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Maybe another reason for NON locking blades, is that in many places/countries carrying a folding knife with a locking blade is illegal (in France such a knife is called "un cran d'arrêt")
I guess that makes a multitool with a locking blade illegal too ... not good for marketing ....

A good point. Talk about insanity run rampant, but let's not get me started... Spyderco came out with the Pride just so they'd have a knife to sell in those markets. That is also the case with one-hand opening knives in many places.

Just a side note, I heard Vic SAK steel is usually 440A, however it is such a thin blade that once sharpened is an incredable slicer. Just goes to show the latest in wonder steels isn't a replacement for good edge geometry.

I think your point is valid in that if they're supplied to the army then they're almost useless in most situations, but isn't the idea of a SAK in the hands of a civilian to provide an afordable, useful array of tools which are quick at hand in a discreet way? I don't think anyone can expect them to do any serious woodwork if they want these features, and if they do there are other options.

Having said this, I have been tempted to buy the Rucksack (can't remember if this is the one I saw but it has an interesting skinning tool <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )mentioned by Doug.

Ian

My first knife, at the age of 5, was a Victorinox Swiss Champ. Black Scales, everything you could ever need. I still have it in the "retired" box on my dresser. Great memories of that knife and the years I used it, running around in the woods, repairing G.I. Joes, etc.

Now I have a Benchmade Griptilian and can't help to feel that it is boring after this moment of nostalgia. Oh well, my wife loves the SAK Classics, and I have bought her two or three over the past couple years. I'll live my SAK fantasies vicariously through her...by the way, the reason she's gotten three SAK Classics over the past two years is because the scales have come off. I am a biased "Vic" fan incidentally.

Thanks for the heads up Doug! I wish someday that Wenger and/or Victorinox would make take apart model SAKs that you can mod. I know some have done this already, but imagine if you could get the parts individually and take the SAK apart as easily as a Sebenza. You could also offer custom scales, titanium parts, etc. Oh well, I guess I'll just go to bed and dream of my perfect SAK. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the info Doug! I would certainly love to seeing lock blade SAKs here in the US! I finally gave up on slipjoints after my last trip to the ER for stitches. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />