Camillus US Scout vs. SAK Soldier

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Spydiefan04

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Jan 8, 2005
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I've been thinking about getting a soldier-style slipjoint for EDC 24/7 use, I'm not new to knives and usually carry either a Spyderco Delica or a Case large stockman CV. How does the US Scout compare to the Victorinox Soldier and Wenger Standard Issue?? What kinds of blade steels do these knives have and are any of these knives any good??? Any info would be appreciated. BTW I have a Camillus Cub Scout knife that I really like, but wouldn't carry due to sentimental reasons, if the US Scout is VERY similar I know I'd like it.
 
I only own a Victorinox Soldier so I can't say anything about the other knives. I really like the aluminum scales of the Soldier and I wish Victorinox would use them on other knives too, including the ones with more layers. The blade of the Soldier is a bit wider, thicker and longer than those of the average Victorinox SAK. The Soldier feels very solid to me. It is sharp out of the box, but with a few strokes on the white triangles of the 204 sharpmaker the blade becomes hairpopping. I only wish the Soldier also had the small blade like almost all the other SAK's. I recommend the Soldier, certainly when you consider the relatively low price point.
 
Just my .02 on your very subjective question.. I carry daily for work a Victoriox 'Electrician', which except for the can opener blade (mine has a similar sized & shaped 'cable stripping blade') is exactly the same as a soldier. And here's your soldier, from the Vic. Web site:
SAK Soldier

I have a new issue Camillus 1760 right here on the desk with me, and it is amzingly similar. The quality of the SAK seems a bit higher, but so is the price (by 2 or 3 dollars), I find the Victorinox has stronger back springs, important when using the leather punch tool to ream a hole out, but who knows, I may have an exceptional Vic and a Cam with a slightly weaker spring than usual).

Camillus describes the blade steel of the All metal camp knife as 'High Carbon Stainless', the same as the current issue Cub scout knife. See here, look under 'military knives':
Cam Factory Page .

I guess like always it comes to personal preference, perhaps a bit of brand or 'Made in USA' loyalty as well. I suggest you try and find a real cutlery shop and compare in person. Good luck.

Phil

PS.. and why do we electricians need a leather punch? As we get older, our apprentices and helpers do more and more of the heavy work, thus our waistlines increase, necessitating a new hole punched into our tool belts.
 
The wenger and victorinox soldier models are almost identical. the wenger has a lanyard bail, the victorinox use to have a hollow rivet for a lanyard, but that's been quite a few years ago. Now the victorinox has a solid rivet, no place for a lanyard. The blades are much thicker than the regular SAK's (from either brand). the thickness on both knives are identical (they are made to suisse govt. specs).

The blades make great edc's much stronger than a regular SAK, from either brand.
 
I was wondering, when you say us scout, are you refering to the u.s. metal issue utility folder? If so the SAK soldier blows it away. There is nothing wrong with the u.s. utility folders. I went through many of them in 8 years of active duty AF. We also issued them in the AF surival kits for the c-130's (when I worked in survival equipment). They do the job, but the suisse issue folders hold a better edge, have a better finish. I have a wenger made one that has outlasted the u.s. folders.

If this is not the folder you are speaking of please disregard this! :)
 
I have the Camillus and Wenger Standard Issue and Victorinox Soldier, in my experience the Camillus holds an edge a little bit better but I prefer the SAKs because of much better fit and finish (and looks), I have tweaked the Camillus a bit to make it to my liking, basically filing down the kick of the main blade to lower it a bit when closed.

Some comparisons:

Camillus is tough and roughly finished, all steel, has a good long shackle, can opener is typical "beak" style, quality control not as consistent as SAKs, main blade not flat ground but has a little bit of hollow.

SAKs are tough but more finely finished, with aluminum scales, they have extremely consistent quality, can opener style includes a screwdriver tip for small flat screws and in a pinch will fit Phillips, Wenger has a shackle, Victorinox can be found with or without small keyring.

There are, of course other alternatives, such as Camillus boy scout knives or the other SAKs, I usually carry a Vic Huntsman along with my Schrade stockman.

My favorite in this style is the Victorinox Farmer which adds a saw (rev, you probably remember I was looking for this one some time ago, got it now).

Luis
 
Don, glad you got your farmer!!! its one of my favorites!!! I carry it in a victorinox black leather pocket pouch with a victorinox knife chain :D !!! One of my favorites!!! And definitely a good choice for anyone!!! I bought mine from Switzerland before they were imported here.

Heres a pic of one at smoky:

http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?Mode=Text&SearchText=farmer&SKU=V53964

This would definitely be a good choice to replace a soldier, or u.s. utility.
 
So if I correcly understand, the Camillus is sturdier/cheaper but the swiss models are better finished, and the difference about the can opener. I'm talking about the SS handled Camillus issue folder. Does anyone know especially about the slicing ability/edgeholding of these three knives??
 
I was active duty AF for 8 years. I used the camillus, kingston, Imperial, etc. etc. etc. and all the other brands of the u.s. metal utility. I carried one every day. Carried one in Desert Shield/Storm. I also carried a SAK huntsman and a an issue suisse soldier.

The camillus is not really any stronger than the SAK soldier, it certainly does not hold an edge longer. I could not begin to tell you how many of the screwdrivers of the u.s. folder I bent, or eventually wore out (the tip of the screwdriver, used it every day). I even bent a few of the blades. Now mind you, I am not a "knife abuser" I do not pry with the blades, or throw them, abuse them, etc. While the u.s. folder is decent, a SAK soldier is so much better, holds a better edge. This is just 8 years of military experience working in survival equipment. Govt. equipment is fine for the most part. Its made to be inexpensive, easily replaced and hold up as well as possible for the given task. These folders do it decently.

I found that the soldier did it better, overall.

Just my experience. I still have my last camillus I used, it was made in 1995. I got out in 1996 on disabiltity (health problems from Desert Shield/Storm). Some of the u.s. folders I used were made from the end of ww2, through the 90's.
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They are both good knives, but in my own experience I found the SAK soldier was a better knife.
 
Thanks for all of the info guys, I do think I will get a SAK Soldier to ride shotgun with my Delica and alternate with or carry with my Case slipjoints.
Another questions off topic, I've got a Heat, is the Cuda Dominator worth buying, been looking at it for a long time just don't like "assisted" knives in general, is the camillus ROBO system better than others and how likely is it to come open if I don't want it to? Thanks again :)
 
I bought a couple of dominators a year ago. I do not carry it too often, mostly carry either a SJ, or sak, but it is a good knife. When I 1st got it, I carried it faithfully for about 8 months, or so. For that time it performed "flaw-lessly". I would not hesitate to get one again. its a bit pricy, but worth the money.

Ive never had it come open on accident, also it holds a great edge. I use a strop to touch the edge up "once in a while".

Overall its a really well built knife. I carried an avalanche for three years (from its advent) and the dominator eventually replaced it. The looks of it are okay, but the usefullness of it are outstanding. Its not a great whittler (a little big), but it does make a great utility knife. Its very well built, solid.

If you want one thats not assisted, ag russell sells one (has a pretty blue anodizing also):

http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...minator_fast_onehand_nonassisted_opening.html
 
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