Comparison of Vic Farmer/Case punch/awl

[Stich2442]

Some of you fellas have asked/requested things I use a punch blade for its a long list so I'm gonna copy and paste my response to Pertinux I gave a month or so ago and then show a field test.

I guess I just grew up using them. Besides the obvious use, works great making holes in wood, as a scribe, it always seems up on a ladder your drill bit looses its magnet so I've used to start a hole to hold a long screw in place, I've made stuff camping with it ( start a spoon, fishing hooks, bobbers, cedar pipe ) scraping PVC , untying knots ( like a marlin spike), I've used to retro fit things like grommets, core out, make a existing hole bigger, I'm sure the list goes on and on at least for me. I will say the Swiss Army farmer has the best one(IMHO). I find it saves a knife blade for its intended use. I also want to add splinter extracting and blisters.
Some photo comparisons of the two

From top

From bottom

Now the test.

First the leather test, the Case pierced through faster but took longer to make the same size hole as the Vic.

Left hole Case took 34.5 seconds right hole Vic 20.1

Next wood test, I used strapping.
First 3 complete turns

The Vic Farmer removed much more material much more efficiently.

Next how long to go through the strapping.

This is where the Vic excelled,
The Vic 35.2 seconds with ease
The Case 1min 50.4seconds and could not go all the way through, it got bound up.

They are both excellent knives in their own right, and I tend to carry the Case more often then not these days, but the Vic's punch is the better preformer.
The Case is a little longer, but the design of the Vic ( the bend ) makes it more rigid and removes the slag when you are using it.
I hope this answers your questions

Comments and other questions are always welcomed
-Pete
I would also like to add the Vic's design is better suited for untying knots.
And when I was young I had a red alox Vic farmer that was a constant companion (lost it) replaced it with a Vic Rucksack when could not find another Farmer in the mid 90's. Bought a Farmer when I found one in 2004
So I my be a little bias towards the Vic, plus I'm extremely comfortable using it. I feel the Case punch is just not as rugged. Just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions

 

[pinnah]

So, I love my Ulster Camper. Had one since I was 8.

The most unused blade for me is the can opener. Just never use it.

The second most unused blade for me is the awl. Almost never use it.

A few weeks ago, we went to a family wedding. Was critical to have my part of the family in a hotel lobby at 1:15pm sharp, to be picked up to be delivered to the church on time. I go by my father in law's room to get him. He's 94 and is allowed some leeway, but my sister in law didn't have him put together yet.

"Dave, come over here. You have something to punch a hole in my belt. It's too big."

I look at my watch. It's 1:05 and think, "Really?"

I made the decision to bring a small single blade lock back on the trip, not my Camper. Of all the times to not have my Camper on me.

I was able to punch the hole with little problem. Not as clean as I could have done with the Ulster. I think that was the first and only time I *needed* to punch a hole in leather without being able to reach for the punch in my shop.

 

[Stich2442]

Ulster camper is a solid contender, I still use mine from time to time and cast the first vote for a camper for the TOTM, I think it's gonna go in the pocket for the month of July anyway, try to recapture some of my youth.
First knife was the imperial Prov. Ri Kamp-King that I still have its 34 years old. My Ulster camper is my Boy Scout model with off white scales from I would guess early '80s, it's built like a tank, I really like my Ulster also, it's a good knife.

 

[jackknife]

This does not surprise me in the least. For sheer function of tools and a few other points, Victorinox alox is the benchmark of slip joints. If I have a hole to make, I reach for my alox SAK.

Carl.

 

[hayes31]

Nice testing :thumbup:

I used to think that awls weren't really necessary on SAKs... but after having one, I found myself using it more often than I thought. Definitely an underrated tool.

 

[TPVT]

cool post Pete. thanks for the demo and all the pics. i love my Vic farmer. carried daily. been thinking lately about getting a nice old timey slipjoint....several trappers i like. BUT...i just can't get over the convenience of the other tools. i mean...i use my bottle opener a ton! ahem.

 

[FarmKid]

After using the punch hard with the case, are they any blade play? Has it loosened up any?

 

[Stich2442]

After using the punch hard with the case, are they any blade play? Has it loosened up any?

Nope, no play, but anytime I do anything with a pocket knife that puts opposing force on the pivot, I hold the blade, not the handle. I tend to do this with all my blades. It has carried over from culinary school, was taught to hold the knife blade with pointer and thumb ( pinch the blade) right before the handle, gives you the most control, I tend to cringe anytime I see someone cutting with a finger on the spine of a blade.

 

[DeadFall27]

Wonderful comparison! Thank you very much for this, it really help put these two into perspective. In all honesty, I have never really used my awl to bore holes and anything like that, so the Stockman may very well serve me perfectly for a general EDC. If anything it would be used as a mucking blade (everything that I wouldn't dare use my knife for ).

Thank you again for this, it looks like I may have to give in when I get home and try it out!

-Deadfall

 

[Humppa]

Thank you for the comparison, Pete!

I thought about getting a Stockman with a punch, because of the punch. But it seems not be as good as I thought it should be. I own a couple of Vics in alox. The Vics are built like tanks. Great knives.
Very useful review! Thank you Pete

Kind regards
andi

 

[gruntmedik]

Thanks for the comparison! I have been eyeballing the Case with the punch, but could never get a good pic. This clears things up greatly for me. I will still probably get the Case, but my SAK's awl I have always thought would be tough to beat.

 

[Stich2442]

Don't get me wrong the Case is still a excellent knife, fully capable, it's awl/punch is great for detail work when carving, and have used it to make holes in sections of branches to make a makeshift bobber. It's right tool right job, if I was planning on making a pipe, I would use the Vic, if all I had was the Case I'm sure I could get the job done, it would take a little longer and a little more finesse. I've seen older 4 blade case stockmans with a similar awl/punch as the Vic too bad Case changed their design. Their awl/punch now resembles a chisel ground wharncliffe blade, still a great usefull tool. Like I said I carry it most days.
-Pete

 

[Humppa]

Hi Pete!

I didn´t want to get something wrong about the Case. Just for my cases the need a punch/awl the Vics seem to be better. Nevertheless: Case´s are great knives. I just can talk about my needs for a punch.

Kind regards
Andi

 

[Stich2442]

Hey, Andi I know I use a punch often, and when I don't have one I'm usually needing one for something, I always held the Vic Alox punch in high regard, but doing the side by side comparison really solidified it for me.

 

[JAlexander]

Nope, no play, but anytime I do anything with a pocket knife that puts opposing force on the pivot, I hold the blade, not the handle. I tend to do this with all my blades. It has carried over from culinary school, was taught to hold the knife blade with pointer and thumb ( pinch the blade) right before the handle, gives you the most control, I tend to cringe anytime I see someone cutting with a finger on the spine of a blade.

This is what I'm talking about. Ever since I learned this trick, many years ago, I haven't worried about having a slip joint fold up on me. And to keep this relevant, I don't typically carry a knife with a punch blade, but I think that may be my next custom order.