Does anyone have both these knives.

I have and like the S5LE.

Can someone compare these two for mid-size fixed EDC?

I like the lack of choil and flat bottom handle on the SAR5.

I love the mudders on the S5LE. I'm not a fan of the thumb ramp or the square choil.


I want to get an SAR 5. The prices have been about the same as a S5LE or S5 SE.

Any opinions?

I guess I said EDC. I really don't wear my S5LE every day. I usually have it in my computer bag. So, that being said, I'm sure both knives carry about the same.

I use my S5 for just everyday cutting tasks. Also, it's what's on my side when hunting/hiking.

For camping I almost always have a bigger blade (NMSFNO, SARsquatch, ASH-1, Battle RAT, and recently added an AK and KZ).


I guess I don't NEED a SAR 5. I'm just trying to justifying one.

I have the S5LE and love it. I would also like to get a SAR5 because it is very basic and no frills, which is right up my alley. I also like the SAR5 because it doesn't have a choil, which shortens the overall length of the knife by about an inch. It doesnt have a huge following and the only reason that I can see for this is the rediculously thick handle scales.

If and when I get a SAR5 I will make a project out of it and put some different scales on it and strip the blade. It should make for an excellent EDC knife. You get a relatively large amount of INFI in a small but very functional package.

The S5LE is nearly perfect in my opinion, save for the choil (which really doesn't bother me that much).

I would say the better EDC would be the S5LE for no other reason than the thick handle scales on the SAR5.

As I have both knives, I would have to say that Spiderpig nailed it. The SAR5 scales are too thick for that size knife and adds extra weight as well. I would rathere EDC the S-5. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

got rid of my SAR5 long ago. scrapper 5's stickin around.

I'm a big fan of the SAR5. You get a LOT of functional blade for the weight and, while the handle is a bit thick, it is a great blade design. I find that it is a very comfortable knife in need of a slightly thinner handle. You should also consider the RMD in this size range as a great (larger) edc.

I agree, I don't see why the SAR5 gets hated on so much. The handle mods would be fairly simple.

I'd like to get about 5 of the SAR5 - one to keep as it is, as I love that no guard, no choil design, shared with the vex.

The other 4 I'd like to use as starting points for modding. Change slabs, grind the blade down, do all kinds of crazy stuff. The fact that it doesn't have a huge choil carved out of it gives you a lot of flexibility to mod it.

I've got both,and like em both.



The S5 would do the job,but I carried the SAR 5 during hunting season last year because of the extra weight for chopping through the pelvic bone/sternum of deer.The handle of the SAR5 is a little fatter.but not to much IMO.


Get the SAR5,and if you don't like it sell/trade it.The S5 has the great mudders <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />,a thumb ramp and is lighter than the SAR5.The SAR5 is heavier for light chopping and has a hand filling handle,but needs some jimping for the thumb.Of course if it had the new bama clay coating it wouldn't need jimping. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Hope this helps with your decision. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Not a fan of the SAR5s overall design, it did make a fun throwing knife though. Me and Ban beat the snot out of it, but Infi is great stuff.

Thanks for all the great feedback. I will save up for a SAR5 for sure. Especially after looking at the pictures next to an S5LE.

A picture is worth a thousand words they say.Glad they helped. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />