Amazing Victorinox Alox

S

spydutch

Joined
Jul 4, 2005
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978
Just yesterday I looked at my old, very beat up Pioneer that I brought back home from my 14 months mandatory army service.
It served me very well for those 14 months doing things that would make me cringe now; scraping, prying, falling off a M113 tank and so on.
I left the army in 1990 and for a good while this was my only pocket knife. I carried it on and off untill my Spyderco craze began in 2004.

I carved numerous daggers out of wood and branches for my son and I even pried loose a tile in my back yard with the screw driver.
Sharpened the blade flat on sandpaper and never thought of even cleaning the knife.
Mind you this was before I became a knife knut.

So yesterday I took the knife and it was gritty and the blade wouldn't suck in anymore and was rubbing the awl. But no play or rust at all.
I gave the knife a run through the dishwasher and put a small layer of ballistol with a torn off match(thanks for the tip Carl:thumbup:) on the joints.

To my big surprise the action of that old Pioneer was back to almost what is was when I got in new.

Just amazing when you consider what the knife has been through and the condition in what it was.

I ordered two back ups for my Alox Solo, but after this discovery I wonder if it was necessary after all.
I guess my "old" Solo would last me the rest of my life.

Victorinox Alox really rocks:thumbup::thumbup:
 
This does not surprise me at all.

The way these sak's are made, you really could go the rest of your life with a single knife. If my dad could make it from the late 1930's to his passing in 1981 with a Case peanut, a Vic alox should go the rest of your life with a little care. I don't know if there is a tougher pocket knife than a pioneer or Wenger SI. Both are war horse's that will never let you down.

Alox is great stuff!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Carl.
 
jackknife said:
The way these sak's are made, you really could go the rest of your life with a single knife. If my dad could make it from the late 1930's to his passing in 1981 with a Case peanut,

Carl.
Click to expand...

going off-topic briefly...Carl your father went all those years with just the 1 peanut??? he never had to replace it or lost it?? wow

back on-topic...just bought a wenger SI about 2 weeks ago, hoping it lasts me a good long time (and i dont lose it :D)
 
I have a backup for all my favourite alox models, but I don't think I'll need them as long as I don't lose the ones I use. They're awesome knives. I have a Victorinox Dutch army knive dated KL85, one of the last editions with the bail. I bought it brand new a few years ago, from an old army stock, and never used it. It still looks like when it was supposed to be issued over 25 years ago.

I bought it for only 7 euros, but for me it is one of the most valuable SAKs in my collection.

DAK.jpg
 
spydutch said:
Just yesterday I looked at my old, very beat up Pioneer that I brought back home from my 14 months mandatory army service.
It served me very well for those 14 months doing things that would make me cringe now; scraping, prying, falling off a M113 tank and so on.
Click to expand...

We have something in common, foreigners though we may be. Much of my US Army life took place in (and under :D ) M113s. They had just been introduced into the inventory when I first laid eyes on the gasoline powered first version, and some years later I was a commander on an updated diesel copy. Either way, it was the worst ride, ever. I hope the experience of dropping off your M113 didn't traumatize your SAK too much. :D

During that time, my knife was an Imperial Kamp King, similar layout to the SAK. It was my only pocket knife for 15 years and actually held up pretty well..
 
I remember when serving in the Dutch army in 1990, they handed out an alox Victorinox Soldier to every one of us on our first day. When they did, the man that handed them out made a joke, saying he made a bet on how many new soldiers would end-up at the first aid that night, from cutting themselves while playing with the Victorinox. And indeed, that night several guys had cut themselves with this great little knife, as it comes so razorsharp out of the box (but has no lock :) ).

Unfortunately I lost the knife shortly after I left the army, and replaced it with a Victorinox Compact as my EDC (packed with functions in just 2 layers!). For nostalgic reasons I just ordered an Alox Pioneer though :)
 
Nice story about the Alox! It is one of the most fantastic knives! (Heb er zelf ook 2 waarvan 1 Damascus)
 
spydutch said:
Just amazing when you consider what the knife has been through and the condition in what it was.
Victorinox Alox really rocks:thumbup::thumbup:
Click to expand...

The more I buy and use Victorinox products the more impressed I am with them. My Cybertool 34 has been my EDC and work (computer tech) tool for almost 11 years and even though there may be some scratches on the scales this tool is still in great shape. I have lost none of the bits and the pen still writes just fine, I keep both blades nice and sharp and they cut extremely well. The only maintenance I have done is sharpening the blades and using isopropyl alcohol to clean the gummy residue off the blades after I have used my SAK to cut the tape when opening boxes.

I also have a Farmer and a Cadet - those Victorinox Alox SAKs sure are nice!

Victorinox SAKs aren't even very expensive which has enticed me to buy more than I need - I would get by just fine only owning and using my Cybertool, I don't actually need my Farmer, Cadet, Ranger, Explorer, Trekker or One Handed Trekker. I now EDC my 11 year old Cybertool 34 + a Victorinox SwissTool X and there isn't much that these 2 tools can't cope with. I think you should look after your SAK and keep using for decades to come!
 
Harayasu said:
I have a backup for all my favourite alox models, but I don't think I'll need them as long as I don't lose the ones I use. They're awesome knives. I have a Victorinox Dutch army knive dated KL85, one of the last editions with the bail. I bought it brand new a few years ago, from an old army stock, and never used it. It still looks like when it was supposed to be issued over 25 years ago.

I bought it for only 7 euros, but for me it is one of the most valuable SAKs in my collection.

DAK.jpg
Click to expand...

Those Dutch army soldier models are the cat's meow!
 
great story. I love them, the Vic huntsman is my new best buddy, the cadet has been retired with honor ;)
 
My folks gave me this Pioneer over 35 years ago. I carried it all the time and I used and abused it. Eventually it ended up in a drawer and I became interested in other knives. A few years ago, I cleaned it up, deburred the scale edges and tools, sharpened the blade and applied some lube and the action was perfect.

IMG_4242-1.jpg


Due to the age and sentiment, I keep it in a drawer again, but I found an aged red Pioneer to throw in my pocket. Now I have Pioneers, Soldiers and a Farmer. The alox 93mm SAK is my default EDC.

2_old_Pioneer_3_crp-1.jpg
 
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these 93mm alox are the SAK that could last several lifetime! its incredible how affordable they are for a quality classic multitools slipjoint that well enginered, got excellent material and superb fit and finish... thanks for the pics and stories guys...

09012010.jpg
 
Although it is new, my Vic Pioneer should last a lifetime. I either have it in my pocket or in the center console of my car, always nearby.

IMG_0150.jpg
 
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