SAK - SWISS ARMY KNIFE
EDC - EVERYDAY CARRY

A bit like a PC user buying an Apple Mac I have temporary retired my Leatherman Wave EDC in exchange of trying out a SAK for a belt EDC. I decided on a Victorinox SAK Champ model (some say a bit gimmicky but seems okay so far), in black scales and at a price less than 40 UKP with black leather belt pouch.

I can reach for my leatherman multiply times a day for various tasks and have done so pretty much daily for the last 20 years in work and play. My first leatherman being a full sized Leather Man Super Tool bought at 17 years old from Survival Aids Catalogue with my first wage packet, that one got stolen from my Mini at a Rave in the West Country in the early 90's. Soon replaced with a super tool mini and another full size classic. Have since trailed a SOG multi-tool which didn't pass the grade. This SAK has big boots to fill.

Day 1) Arrived today and its diary of use consists of giving the dog a back rub with the fish de-scaling tool, popping 2 bottles of cider with the excellent bottle opener, using the tin opener to cut the top off a aerosol can so that I could get at the dregs of paint - then prising the lid off a normal tin of paint when it was found the aerosol really was empty.

Day 2) Wanted to try out a pair of 16ohm speaker I scavenged from a television on my HAM radio so used the SAK's wire cutters, pliers, crimp and insulation stripper to terminate the speaker wiring in parallel. Popped the lid off a bottle of Bulmers Cider for lunch. Popped couple more ciders then stabbed up (using main blade) a homeless guy rummaging though our bins, removed an ear with secondary blade. Like that stainless washes well. Used the x head screwdriver to adjust the battery terminal on my Motorola GP68 radio.

Day 3) More bottle popping! Used the magnifying lens to burn sisters leggings. Used small blade to cut string. Used small blade to cut plastic label ties. Used scissors and file to trim a jagged finger nail. Used the pliers to remove the willy from a miniature plaster statue of David - true story.

Day 4) Main blade used to open up cement and sand bags. Find the sheath sits high on the belt so tend to dig into side flesh to the point of being sore. I have some 9mm clip holders that do that same. The two leather man sheath that I own hang low with little or no protrusion above the belt line and have never been a bother to wear. I may treat the leather with saddle soap and try and soften it a little.

Day 5) Opening parcels with main blade. Tightened mini screws on camera lens adapter with micro screwdriver. Used the pliers, metal file and metal saw whilst repairing a ham radio antenna. The saw was great for cutting through the chromed alloy of a telescopic aerial section. Scissors used to remove plastic label ties from new shoes.

Day 6) Awl used to enlarge couple holes in alloy radio mast to accept rivets. X head screwdriver to secure mast tubing section bolts. Metal file saw, main knife and pliers for terminating 316 coaxial cable. Scissors to cut spiral wrap tubing... and and... used the cork screw for first time to pop a bottle of red.

If your male, and you're a wildcamper or just a lazy git then you will likely well versed and already have a designated 32oz/1 ltr Wide Mouthed Nalgene Bottle for 'special personal use'.

There is a reason why mine is green as opposed to my other one which is blue... one that I actually drink from.

On a recent camp trip my friend and fellow nalgene user brought along a pack of fishing line mini glow sticks with the mind of sticking them on the tent guy lines.

After a few beers one of these ended up in a Nalgene bottle and an light bulb went on in our heads... admittidly a pee green red swirling glowing light bulb. Combining said bottle with a mini glowstick makes for a brilliant idea. You can see where the bottle is in the dark* when it is needed most, you can observe the ratio between the rapidly rising fluid level and inserted flesh and thus make adjustments accordingly, you can watch the glow stick swirl around in a hypnotic fashion (in-pee entertainment), and when your done you got a DIY bottle lamp that will last the rest of night**.

Ray Mears never gives good tips like this.

*The author admits only backwood greenhorns and tenderfoots wouldn't know where there pee bottle was located in the dark.
** That is if your other half doesn't take it to use as a hot water bottle.