Sometimes I will use something and realize I’ve owned it forever. It’s a nice change in our throwaway reality. I think my personal record is a bicycle multi-tool I got for one of my first bikes, ~25 years ago. Still have it, still use it. When it comes to electronic devices I have a Panasonic mini Hi-Fi from ~2005. Never felt like changing it.
What’s your record?
My Victorinox Swiss army knife. Got it close to 30 years ago, and I still carry it every day, using it for dozens of different things.
I’ve replaced the scales once, and the blade was ruined by a dodgy knife sharpener, but it still holds an edge.
Which one? I am picking up one, after having make done with my keys and a thick steel hook keychain for quarter of my life, despite being the one army man that does everything and anything.
The Cyber Tool M. The screwdriver bits are eternally useful in my everyday life.
Looking for the Huntsman as my first SAK. Cyber Tool M seems to be better than Swiss Champ if I were to buy a chunkier SAK in the future… that bit driver is seriously as underrated as a Rambler compared to a Compact.
Can you tell me what are the bits? I try looking but never ended up finding the info. It is always product photos from afar, never closeups. From what I saw, there is flathead, philips, Torx and some other shape (maybe Allen), but not their sizes.
I’m quoting from memory right now, as I’ve had to leave it home today while flying.
I can’t remember the exact sizes of the last two, but they’ve always been the right sizes for me, working in technology.
A bit unusual question. What would you advise a fresh SAK buyer? And what would be the tools you would rank as most useful, or pitch to me? I watched the SAKtubers and all that stuff just to get an idea, and I find incredible use in daily life in a pocketable multitool.
Two blades are a must - it’s surprising how many times a smaller blade is useful (eg. prying the back off something with a very narrow gap).
The screwdrivers are my most commonly used/useful tools in everyday life - tighten a hinge or a handle, stuff like that.
Most of the others are occasionally useful - I’ve used the awl for emergency repairs on tent stitching - but the above are the ones I’d rate the most.
Screwdriver and corkscrew always get me. But I am leaning towards corkscrew for untying knots, that is way too common a problem, and nothing does it like it. Isn’t the Philips #1 size too large for electronics? And that only the inline is actually worth it, since backside is very flimsy? Or would you just carry a separate screwdriver or a Rambler? Do not mind my questions too much.
Just got home from my trip - here’s a pic of the driver bits next to the knife. As you can see, the smallest Phillips is pretty small - I’ve worked on some small devices with that one.
This knife is part of my everyday carry for work and general use. When working around the house, and out camping, I also carry a Leatherman Surge.