Bantam

I carry one sometimes, especially at parties for beer bottles. I don't feel underknifed, but sometimes I wish I had a locking blade. I use the Alox version.
 
I sort of have one. It's a "My First Knife" SAK. The blade has been ground into a more sheepsfoot-ish shape. It's small and light enough to go on my keychain, and common/low end enough that I don't care if it gets all scratched up, nylon scales and all.

Never felt under-knifed with it. I probably use the combo tool and tweezers more often than the blade, anyway.
 
The Bantam is a good knife with a blade big enough for serious cutting chores! The combo tool works fairly well at opening cans as well as bottles. A good EDC choice IMHO.
 
i have an alox bantam and i love it... really light, small, it get "lost" on your pocket, you don;t even notice it's there.

you should give it a try.
 
The Bantam Alox is what I consider the minimal Minimalist SAKs (link to long thread)

vm53949sola027ca.jpg

US model # 53949 - low priced about ~$13

Beware that there is also a Bantam Alox II (US model # 55949) - which has two knife blades (instead of the very functional combo tool)
bantamalox25vc.gif


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Vincent
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I'm out of the habit of edc'ing a particular knife, but the Bantam Alox is my first choice, with my Calypso, Jr. being second. The blade is fine, it cuts string, tape, etc., and its sharp. I've cut up cheese with it at a afterwork party. I haven't used it on anything heavier. The combo tool is a must have. I use it for beer bottles all the time! I don't feel underknifed.

Add to that incredible slimness, lightness and good looks. I work in a pretty knife friendly office, but its very sheeple friendly, hey its just a swiss army knife.

And its cheap (but doesn't look that way).
 
I just started carrying one, non-alox type. I must say it's nice not worrying about what people will think when I pull it out of my pocket. Somehow a little red swiss army knife on my keychain gets a different response than pulling an Endura out of my waistband. It's also so lightweight as to be unnoticeable.

I should add that I live and work in the suburbs and a "real" knife is kind of overkill for most situations.
 
I find the Alox Bantam just a little too thin for my liking. It's great in the pocket but the handle doesn't feel comfortable to me. I like the Alox Cadet a bit better. With its two-wide format it feels better in my hand and is still small and light.
 
Zuchus said:
I find the Alox Bantam just a little too thin for my liking. It's great in the pocket but the handle doesn't feel comfortable to me.
Click to expand...

This is quote a common comment -
the Bantam Alox is indeed very thin -
but this is exactly the attraction for some -
how thin?
SlimVic_profile2_S.jpg

about 5mm or 0.2"

However if one goes for the regular red plastic handled Bantam for more comfort or to gain the useful toothpick and tweezers - I personally prefer to get the Waiter
Waiter_S.jpg

Swiss/international # 0.33 03
US Model # 53891 - low price ~$11

As shown one can add the mini jeweller's screwdriver to gain more functionality.

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Vincent
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Yea, I use mine as my weekend knife. I'm the one that always has the opener, to open beers. Mine has the black handles, wish the alox had a lanyard ring, oh well, that's what my new Cadet 2 has. That Waiter looks nice also...........
 
I EDC a Bantam.

I bought both Cellidor and Alox models but found the Alox a bit too thin - plus I find the toothpick and tweezers really handy.

I find that a Bantam and a locking folder make a great combination.
 
I'm not gonna go with the alox even tho I like the sturdiness, because lanyard rings are a MUST with me. The one on display at the local hardware store has nylon scales. Don't Bantams usually come with cellidor scales?
 
This is an interesting knife. It disappears in my back pocket. I do not feel under knifed with this one. This is my EDC, along with my Spyderco Ladybug.

I was at a party once and all of these girls were scattered around the house each holding a bottle of their favorite beverage. Some dufuss ran off with the only opener in the house. I took out my Bantam and opened the combo tool. I got to approach each girl asking her if she needed an opener. I got reactions from "you should not be carrying that" to "I need to get one of those".

Having a bantam can be a good way to meet women.

Reeko :D
 
yobbos1 said:
I'm not gonna go with the alox even tho I like the sturdiness, because lanyard rings are a MUST with me. The one on display at the local hardware store has nylon scales. Don't Bantams usually come with cellidor scales?
Click to expand...


Some alox models have lanyard rings and some don't, maybe even among the same models. Seems they may occasionally do runs with or without. That being said, it seems alox models usually don't have them.

Bantams can come with nylon or cellidor scales. They might even be available in translucent colors. I've come to prefer the nylon, though I wish they had the metal insignia rather than the embossed one. Oh well.
 
tsenn said:
What is cellidor? Is that what my black handled one is? thanks
Click to expand...

Cellidor is the shiney polished plastic that we mostly associate with SAKs.
The standard Victorinox handle/scales with the embedded metal shield is cellidor. Colors - as well as the standard red - other common colors are black, white and blue.

The nylon scales used with Victorinox are usually textured and are more flexible than cellidor.

Nylon scales on the regular sized Victorinox (91 and 84mm) usually means it is an economy line model. The exception is the 111mm sized large models which come with nylon scales standard.

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Vincent
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Yea, Mine has the black nylon scales. It is lighter, but has a "less expensive" feel to it. I think though, the Waiter has my name on it. "Your wine sir"...........
 
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