ALOX SAKs and my inner conflict.

G

Groove

Joined
May 3, 2011
Messages
877
I'm a mechanic who's learned to love all kinds of traditional knives, my most recent and coveted being the GEC Yellow Rose "Outlaw" jack. The pretty knives, and even the not so pretty knives that I cherish have their limitations in that I often need a tool that I can "abuse" in a way that I'd never dream of subjecting my SBJs or GECs to. Enter the alox SAK. What a brute, what a workhorse! Sterile and run of the mill by comparison, but so stinkin' useful when you have things to fix. I recently used my Farmer to remove a jet engine's tachometer, and I used it's awl to scrape the gasket surface clean. I wasn't afraid of drenching my knife in turbine oil and jet fuel, and I wasn't worried about banging it up a little as I worked. I find myself wishing my Opinel had a screwdriver, or that my GECs had indestructible scales, or that my Peanut had an awl!


As you can see in the photo, I always know how to pick the right tool for the job.


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I love my Alox Cadet. I too have a sort of partiality to the Alox SAKs, I know that there isn't anything in the least bit wrong with their plastic handled counterparts, but the Alox model, just have a sort of old world feel to them, that you don't see much anymore. I need to obtain a Farmer sooner or later, I'm impressed by SAK folding saws.
 
I think the Alox's are good looking knives.... especially in the different colors that you have to search to get.
 
You're just across the pond from me, so i'll play. plus, i love me some alox SAK's.

i've purchased plenty of folders. but, they just can't seem to replace my farmer that's always in my pocket. here is my farmer and pioneer.

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lol im not a mechanic and i dont work with machinery much.
so really for me i have a swiss army 'tinker' as a sort of ersatz multitool but its not my primary thing. i keep it in my work vehicle in case i have to fix something. its proven to be *very* useful nonetheless.
timing is everything.
 
Useful you bet. My Cadet is one of those knives that I'd replace in a heart beat. It finds it's way into my pocket more than alot of the better looking knives I have and love. It is darn near the perfect knife for me.
 
alox SAKs were the first knives I started collecting, I had a thing for the old red ones with the simple cross. I find they have a lot of character, especially as the colour wears off the scales. They are extremely practical, as the OP says, my favourite tool is the old style cap lifter/screwdriver/wire scraper with the brushed finish.
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I agree. I'm a mechanic as well and during a major overhaul of a c32 marine diesel engine i used my pioneer and my t-29 for everything. There was no room for a fancy knife. I carry them when not on the job.
 
The old SAK Soldier is not fancy, but it sure is usefull. Even for me who is an Office Rat, pry staples, open envelopes, packages, printer paper. Cut up cardboard etc. it is a very potent package. Of all my pocketknifes the SAK soldier is probably the one that has most pockettime.
 
Love my Alox SAKs. Getting ready for an outdoor skills trip & my Red Alox Farmer will be going along.
 
I like alox SAKs just fine, they tend to pass through my hands on to other people but collecting them sounds like a good an idea :)

I don't have all of these any more but I enjoyed them while I did
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I know what ya mean. As much as a i love nice jigged bone or stag, or a nice grained wood, I still have my old war horse the Wenger SI around. The Wenger is my really dirty deeds go-to pocket knife. There is a rugged stand up to anything feel to the alox SAK's that can not be denied.

By the way, do ya have any mustard for those biscuits?

Carl.
 
Classic photo, Groove. :thumbup:

I likewise love my alox SAKs. The only thing I didn't love were the split ring loops that dug into my palm. But, I ground those off and now the SAKs are as comfortable as they are useful.

I never can get over the quality level of these for the price. They have to be one of the very best bargains in the knife world.

Andrew
 
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