Cadet vs Tinker

[SteeleJ1976]

Which one would you choose to carry and why?

 

[hsherzfeld]

Tinker for the tweezers, toothpick, small blade, and Phillips driver. Although I normally carry at least a Super Tinker (for the scissors), if not my Explorer.

 

[kobold]

The Cadet, because alox looks nicer, it is thinner, it is stronger, it will probably last longer.
But a Tinker with scissors and scale tools is great too.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I prefer the recruit over the tinker, and because I carry the classic for the scissors I no longer require the toothpick and tweezers ( not that most of my pocket knives have 'em anyways ) so I have come to really like the cadet.

 

[Zippo2]

Tinker as I use the tweezers and toothpick fairly often. It's the main reason I don't have any alox, but I do plan on getting one.

 

[guy g]

I bought the Recruit over the Cadet , price and toothpick / tweezers.

 

[x20]

Cadet vs Tinker: Cadet

Cadet vs Small Tinker: Small Tinker

 

[315]

Tinker for a little more capability

 

[Grateful]

I almost never carry an alox sak. Red cellidor is my go to, lately it’s an older Tinker Small. Alox is tougher but the cellidor models have yet to let me down and I find them more useful.

 

[Quiet]

It would be the Cadet for me. I DO like the Tinker, and Cellidor models in general, but I've had an ALOX Cadet for a long time, and is almost always either in a pocket or in my daybag. We're close friends at this point!

 

[Rich S]

Tinker - for over 30 years. Why? Because it's the perfect EDC SAK (for me at least).

 

[allenC]

The cadet is nice with the alox scales, but slap some Micarta scales on a Tinker and it becomes the winner.

My Deluxe Tinker with black canvas Micarta, and my Climber with green linen Micarta scales...

 

[paulhilborn]

Tinker, it's what I do

 

[Wild Willie]

Another vote for the tinker here, an awl is a must have for me. While I find the back side awl inferior to the inline one on the pioneer, I'd rather have a backside one than not have any.

 

[Lee D]

but slap some Micarta scales on a Tinker and it becomes the winner.

Agreed.
My huntsman had a chip taken out of a factory scale while it was in a backpack so I replaced the scales on several of my SAKs.
To answer the question, I prefer the Cadet. Red alox being my favorite, its the color I think of when I picture a SAK, and IMO alox looks better with some wear than cellidor does.

 

[Storm 8593]

Tinker for that marvellous small blade , and phillips

 

[Sawl Goodman]

I voted Tinker, even though I have neither. The Tinker has the small blade I use a lot and would feel better in my hand, given I find the similarly sized Voyageur too thin.

I know it’s not in the question, but I’d choose a Pioneer over either the Tinket or the Cadet. The inline awl is fantastic.

 

[evenkeel]

Cadet, as between those two. Cadet or Tourist would be a tougher choice for me, but that’s another poll for another day.

 

[willc]

I gotta go with the Tinker.
It was my first SAK and what I had in my pocket most days when I was in the Army.

 

[afishhunter]

Of the two, Tinker or Super Tinker for me. I have less than zero use for the Cadet's fingernail file.