What SAK model do you think Mac would carry with him these days?

And why?

The model he has always had. They really haven't changed much over the years and neither has their use.

The only real difference I could see would be that he wouldn't be able to carry as much as he use to due to the post 9/11 security laws preventing any kind of knife on planes and government buildings. - Don't get me started on that!

I see... then it would be either a Spartan, Tinker or Huntsman model I guess...

yeah, but there is also the possibility that he actually collects SAKs so he may have a wide range of different versions in a draw somewhere that he chooses to carry depending on where he's going and what he's doing.

Yeah... In fact I was also thinking of carrying both my Climber and Tinker models with me because sometimes I need the Phillips screwdriver and other times I need the mini screwdriver that fits in the corkscrew...

Thanks for your input Rockatteer...

At the time the show was on, Victorinox came out with the new 111mm series, so it was the "latest greatest SAK" and he did try it. It appeared in a few episodes, but he went back to the officer's knife a.k.a. the Spartan a lot towards the end of the show.

Looking at today, really the latest greatest products in the Swiss Army Knife lineup are the one hand opening 111mm knives (which I bought and don't carry because of the size), and the multitools, one of which I bought and carry daily. Personally, I work on cars and my bike all of the time and the slight increase in weight and size seems well worth it to me. Sometimes I feel un-MacGyver-ish for carrying this:

Instead of this:



However, let me say this: I have a Swiss Army Knife workshop in my garage where I can literally build anything I want, and after building my "Dream SAK" a few times, it ended up bulkier and just as heavy as just buying a Spirit S. I only would recommend the Spirit S and Spirit X because the regular Spirit doesn't have a regular spearpoint main blade. Just to drive home my point, the thickness of the spirit is the same as the Tinker. It sits on the pocket flat enough that I really forget it's there until I need it. Since the tools are the same tools from the SAK, and they open from the outside without having to open the pliers, I really don't feel like it's not a SAK.

The secret to its thinness is there aren't divider layers (or liners) in between the blades, and there aren't thick plastic handles on it. Since there are no handles, there are no tweezers or toothpick, which I make up for with an Executive on my key chain. That's my SAK duo anyway. Sorry for turning this into a Spirit review, but as for what Mac might carry, check out SwissArmy.com and look around. If he was trying the newer products back then, maybe he would now too. In my opinion it's best to find something for your lifestyle. If you work in an office, a One Hand Trekker probably isn't for you, and likewise if you are a carpenter, a classic isn't going to cut it. One of Victorinox's cooler products is this, anyone in the EMT or fire fighting profession would be wise to buy one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zApUSw0xsRY

PS I love how he covers with window with tape, that would've been a really good in-show ad for Victorinox, they could have had Mac keep one in his glove box and need to help a crash victim out of a car with a SAK and duct tape

Cheers MacDriver... Very detailed input indeed...

Yep I saw that video on youtube, it's cool... I work in the computing industry so for me the Tinker model is the ideal one mainly because of the Phillips screwdriver... so yes I perfectly agree with you when you say that you must find the SAK that best fits your lifestyle...

The tinker is a nice model, quite light (2 layer) and can be carried easily... That's why I like it...

Thanks again for your valuable input

MacDriver, excellent and informative post.


Another Victorinox Spirit convert here.
Being a almost fanatical Victorinox purist (and Eagle Scout since 1979) the mere thought of using the Spirit seemed tantamount to sacrilege for me. After extensive and somewhat abusive use of this tool, I am a believer. Call me a well equipped SAK heretic, if need be.

I guess that makes two of us- it really is the kind of tool you never want to go back to anything else once you try it. Also, an Eagle Scout? That's not an easy rank to work up to, I bet you're a heck of an outdoorsman. If I were going to be stuck out in the wilderness indefinitely, I'd want an Eagle Scout with me hands down.