I ran across this site yesterday that sells Victorinox and Wenger knives along with Leathermans. What seems to be unique is that besides new merchandise, they also sell used and discontinued models. If you're looking for a particular SAK that's no longer made you might find it there.

Question: how stout is the locking knife blade on the big Victorinox knives? I've never seen one in person. Do you think they would withstand "mild" batoning to split 1" to 2" sticks? I'm interested in the Victorinox "Hercules" model:

Can you baton a large SAK? Probably, but you run the risks that come with batoning any folder with regards to damaging the knife. I have a One Handed Trekker, and the lock and blade are fairly sturdy, but they aren't axis locks or anything. I probably wouldn't use it for batoning unless I had a real need and no other choice.

Greg

I batoned a Camper with no issues.

Wow, a 5-layer large locking SAK?

I haven't batoned a SAK, but I've abused one relatively hard. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how well the blade would hold up to shock. I know they're brittle enough that lots of people snap the tip off the blade, which isn't a good sign. From my abuse though, almost any blow to the body of the knife will cause problems. The traditional celidor scales crack and it's easy to bend and dent the liners/bolsters(?) between the backsprings, which will make it hard to open.

But if you're just going to split some 1" sticks and hit the knife with wood (not metal-on-metal), maybe it would be fine. I wouldn't twist the blade very hard to make the split though.

In all honesty I wouldn't baton with a folder, at least not a SAK. For $10 you can pick up a mora or probably a multitude of other solid fixed blades that will baton with ease all day long. Even if they do break they're much cheaper than the SAK.

The large saks are good knives and probably could handle light batoning, but I just don't think it's worth it to risk breaking the knife and possibly injuring yourself; especially when there are much cheaper options out there that are better for that purpose.

This guy generally has good prices on SAK's as well.
http://felinevet.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=27

Service from him has always been good.

I have one of those locking blade Victorinox's. Its the one with the serations on the belly of the blade - rather than near the hinge end.

The blade feels, well, thin. Kind of like one of my kitchen butter knives. It feels wiggly too. Not sure if its at the joint, or just that it flexes.

It is also a liner lock, which I don't really care for much.

It sits in a drawer - I don't use it much. I much prefer the regular Camper or Climber (I like the Climber's scissors).

I have a couple of these. They are widely available up here.

I don't carry them much because the shape makes them uncomfortable in my pocket. But they're quite effective in terms of utility-vs.-weight, so they suit my daypack nicely.

The knife is a cutting blade not a prybar, but with its thin profile it cuts rather well. As with all SWAKs, there is some flex in the handle that IMO helps protect the blade during hard cutting.

The saw is amazingly effective. In fact, I tend to think of this as a folding saw with accessories. For a weight-conscious walk where small fires are permitted, they are a good choice.

I think they would survive very mild and cautious batoning but, since the saw works like crazy and the thin blade makes fuzz sticks with ease, I don't really see a need to go that route.

By batoning I presume that you mean splitting small sticks lenth way's for tinder?

If so then the short answer is yes.

Same rule for locking Victorinox knive's as any lock knife: Pry - and watch your knife die.

I would suggest that you keep the stick as close to the choil as possible and unlock the knife. Carefully. That will prevent the lock being shocked as you baton. And keep your hands out of the way!

I have to say that they are a favorite of mine. The sharp blade and saw are so usefull that they should be regarded as essential to any kit.

As for the tip breaking mentioned in another post, guess who was doing something that he shouldn't?

Seems to me it would be a better use of a SAK to make a wedge and use that to baton. If all you have for survival is a SAK, it would be unwise to break it doing a job for which it wasn't designed.