VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY KNIFE - Rambler - A Mini SAK That is Possibly the Perfect Urban EDC?
After watching a lot of reviews, commentary and videos on knives, especially as EDC (Every Day Carry), I realize that you don't always need to carry everything on a daily basis. Especially if you are more of an urban dweller. Now I do live in the country, about 7 miles from the city, so I see the need for outdoor tools. I am also a hunter, so I also recognize the need for specialized tools here. Likewise my work on a rural fire department. But as a pastor my daily needs are really more 'urban'. I spend a lot of time either in my car going to visits, at my computer, or in church. So, even though I own a SOG multitool and the SAK Champ, I realize I don't need many of the tools on them most of the time.
After reviewing and reviewing, I realized that Victorinox offers the best in the urban EDC world. I also realized that I didn't always need a large knife, which at the end of the day became a burden to carry. All that said, I discovered what may be, at least for me, a 'perfect urban EDC': the Rambler. There are any number of videos on this little tool, but my favorite is one by the site Accoutrements, specifically his presentation: "Realistic urban pocket carry tool?" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LKv6QGXaF4) Aside from the charming cadence of his English drawl, he makes a very compelling case for the Rambler as a realistic EDC for urban dwellers. I tried to find out more about the site's creator, but his name cannot be found online even by AI!
As the picture below demonstrates, the Rambler, an expanded version of the iconic SAK Classic and Classic SD (which stands for screwdriver, which the basic Classic does not have), boasts a modest collection of 10 functions or tools: a small blade, a combo-tool with bottle opener (cap lifter), wire stripper and small magnetic Phillips screwdriver, nail file, small flat-head screwdriver, toothpick, tweezers and key ring, and scissors. Not the most impressive thing on the market, I suppose, but nevertheless an amazing collection of necessities for urban EDC in an incredibly small package. This is part of SAK's mini key-ring collection, so it fits perfectly on ones key-ring, or unobtrusively in the pocket of my dress pants or suit coat pocket. It is clearly intended for light use, such as small around-the-house-or-office repairs and adjustments. For heavier needs I carry the SOG Powerpint, and then raising up one level for big jobs, the Gerber Dual-Force, both of which are reviewed in another post.
Swiss Army Knives are well known for the creative uses they offer beyond just the usual, obvious functions of the tools. In truth, you may have 10 identified tools, but you have more than that if you count the other uses of these ten tools, such as the creative uses for the toothpick as shown on other videos. So, too, with my Champ model. One would never imagine how many ways you can use a corkscrew aside from opening wine bottles!
I think that I can now safely reduce my EDC down to one tool for most of the time. Weight and space are always a concern, especially if you are not carrying a backpack or something similar, and especially if you are often in dress clothes, as I am.

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