Did the swiss create the ultimate pocket knife?

[mudguard]

So here is something I have been noticing lately more than ever. It is probably because I have been carrying one myself for the past week or so. It even displaced my peanut for a few days. The sentimental attachment keeps making it comeback though (which is a good thing by the way).

So what I have seen is that most people seem to gravitate at one point or another towards a swiss army (mostly an alox soldier model, designed since the 60's and a milestone for the now gigantic knife maker Victorinox).

I appears to me that the set of tools, along with the blade length, weight and overall tough construction really is most of what we all look for. Yea it may be in the larger side for some and I have debated about the size of blade making people uneasy, but just like in the punch or awl works fantastically as a secondary blade when opening packages or letters in public.

I hate to admit it (Because I love the bone handles, delrin and carbon steel as it ages) but this design and overall construction to me hits the nail right on the head. What do you all feel about it. To me it has been a truth that it is kind of bitter sweet but at the same time sort of calming when talking about all this "perfect" knife kind of thing. Also did I forget to mention how inexpensive this suckers are? It has allowed me to have quite a few waiting for me to lose them over the years..

Without much else to say... here is a compilation of images from members that to me show how the blade size is along the same length as some of the favorites around this forum, as well as that even with other knives in the pocket this design keeps showing up as it appears to fill in a gap that most people have (sometimes need a screwdriver and that in some cases the right tool is not a blade).

I can all of a sudden really understand why in a store with tons of knives why so many would pick knives like the Kamp King back in the day.

 

[jc57]

So you've just now discovered that you can probably get by just fine with a single, relatively simple pocket knife, and that all of your other purchases were a foolish waste of money and due to an excess of consumerism, desire, and the pressures brought on by having too many good choices so that it's difficult to pick just one?

Hey, congrats and welcome to the club!

If you are talking about pure practicality, I find that all of my normal needs for a pocket knife are well suited by a Victorinox Alox Cadet or Electrician. In fact I carry one or the other of those, in addition to my fancier traditional knife du jour.

Since you wanted some comparison pics, here are some I took.

Case Small Texas Jack and Victorinox Electrician (Pioneer variant):




Same knife with a Cadet:




The Cadet + Sm Tx Jack combo is what I've been carrying daily for the past couple of weeks. Seems to be working out fine.

 

[mudguard]

Hahaha John.. yes I suppose that I have just recently realized that it is driven by consumerism and that all I REALLY need fits in that little Alox casing. I guess it is just a hard realization when you see that so much money has gone somewhere it didn't need to, but it is still a pleasure to handle all those other knives in my humble collection.

 

[wouldestous]

just posted this in another thread but it seems relevant here. the victorinox in this pix is a tinker model.

 

[416isToronto]

Agreed! In my opinion the perfect urban EDC. Easily replaceable too, and enough of a blade for most day to day tasks.

Cadet always on my key chain, along with a Fenix LD01. At the office most of the day today, the ZT0801 was not really necessary...(got a couple knives in the car too)

 

[mdsmith]

Yup, my pioneer and classic are the most useful knives I own. Sure, things like the Leatherman Juice can do more, but they weigh more, and are bulkier. And yes, a knife like the peanut is easier to carry, but can't do half of that the pioneer does. For me 2 layer SAKs are the best balance of form and function.

 

[Hard Knocks]

The SAKs have definitely earned their place.

 

[Nal0n]

Forword: I do own several Victorinox and Wenger SAKs myself. I like them very much and use them regularly.
So please understand that as it is meant to: Just a fun fact, nothing more.

The story:
After the Swiss Army decided on the model for the very first SAK (in 1891) and were about to order the first batch they realised: there is no Swiss maker who has enough production capacity to deliver the first batch in a timely manner...
So they began looking outside of Switzerland and that led to the fun fact:
the first batch of 15,000 Swiss Army knives were manufactured and delivered by "Messermanufaktur Wester & Co." from Solingen, Germany in October 1891.
By the end of 1891 though the company "Karl Elsener", Ibach, Switzerland took over and delivered the SAKs from there on.
Oh, you know the company "Karl Elsener", it is still in business today! In 1909 it was renamed to Victorinox

 

[Peregrin]

Just a friendly reminder. let's keep it traditional please.

 

[Stich2442]

I always carried scout patterns from my first at the age of six ( KampKing ) and Ulster BSA, I got my first Vic Farmer with red alox scales and brass liners in the early to mid 80's that knife served me as my daily carry for about a decade until lost, replaced it with a Vic Rucksack, until I found a silver alox farmer again about 10 years ago, a Vic farmer and a Opinel paired together pretty much served me most of my life, through many long travels, impromptu fixes, friends made, beverages enjoyed in probably 30 states and about 8 -10 different countries. Truth is I really never needed any other knives other than my Vic farmer and a Opinel but as I got/am getting older I wanted some nicer knives in my rotation, with a preference for carbon blades, hence the Opinel paired with the Vic, Vic makes a very consistent and reliable product and I always have one in my pocket or at least within a arms reach.

Pete

 

[jackknife]

So you've just now discovered that you can probably get by just fine with a single, relatively simple pocket knife, and that all of your other purchases were a foolish waste of money and due to an excess of consumerism, desire, and the pressures brought on by having too many good choices so that it's difficult to pick just one?

My God! What heresy, and on the traditional forums yet! Someone pass me the RONCO pocket defibrillator, quick!

All kidding aside, if one where not a knife nut, one who does not hold dear the pocket worn jigged bone, a carbon blade with a gray patina, or stag handles yellowed by the passage of many years, I can see your point. Tnhere is little in the arena of pocket knifedom that can't be handled by a SAK, but there are a myriad of jobs that can be handled by a SAK but not a pocket knife. It's the old boy scout syndrome at work; "be prepared." And with a few basic tools, one can deal with those little unplanned things called emergency repairs. With a small SAK I"ve repaired a Kenmore clothes dryer, an electric trolling motor while out on a very larger lake, a Vespa motor scooter on a dirt road far from anywhere, the throttle linkage on a 1966 Volkswagon beetle, adjusted the point of impact on a Williams receiver sight on a Marlin rifle, dropped out the ceiling exhaust fan of the upstairs bathroom for maintenance, and a zillion other little jobs that I needed a screw driver for, and the SAK had what I needed right then. I've drilled holes for a project with the awl, and popped off the tops of some cold one's after the job. I spent a whole week in Key West fishing, drinking and the Victorinox recruit did everything I needed, from cutting bait to slicing limes for the cold gin and tonics.

And the easy replacement of the SAK is a big point. They can be found at any big box stores for a very reasonable price. I like to mail them to myself when flying someplace on vacation and then gifting it away on the day I leave. The easily recognized red handles with the silver cross makes it very appreciated even by non knife people. I can't really say anything bad about SAK's. if only they had some noce bone or stag scales. But then they wouldn't be SAK's with all that makes them so wonderfully affordable. Yes, I admit to being a SAK owner, and even to carrying them. A little classic is on my keys everyday, and I can't leave the house without it. Even though I am a died in the wool old style knife nut, I really do appreciate the sheer unbeatable utility of the SAK. But I'm a knife knut, so that means I'm a floozy and a pushover for the classic traditional pocket knife.

A few of mine out for a stroll on a rainy day. They don't worry about being wet.

 

[jc57]

My God! What heresy, and on the traditional forums yet! Someone pass me the RONCO pocket defibrillator, quick!
...

Oh, and this coming from the high king of the "all you need is a Peanut, ever! ... no wait, I meant a Vic Classic, with handmade custom case ... no, no, strike that, a Resolza... er, I meant a GEC #15!..."

Though in all seriousness - this is a knife forum. The sane people just buy a knife, hopefully sharpen it, put it in their pocket, and go off about their business without a second thought.

This is a place filled with loonies who buy 50 knives in the search for that 'just right' knife that, as it turns out, any of the 50 we already own probably are, if we'd just drop them in our pocket and use them without a second thought. Present company included.

 

[black mamba]

I have been a pocket knife user and owner for over 50 years now, and just a month ago I bought myself a Vic Electrician for my first ever SAK.

Quite literally, I feel guilty about how much I enjoy this knife. From the feel and light weight of the checkered alox covers, to the wicked sharpness the steel takes easily, to the usefulness of the blade and tool combination, and especially the walk and talk, there is no way this knife should be under $30 shipped. I have other knives I prize more, for their beautiful handle materials or their rarity, but I honestly feel that if I could only have one pocket knife I would be foolish to not choose the Electrician. The short, stout sheepfoot blade puts this way ahead of the Pioneer for my uses.

 

[jackknife]

Oh, and this coming from the high king of the "all you need is a Peanut, ever! ... no wait, I meant a Vic Classic, with handmade custom case ... no, no, strike that, a Resolza... er, I meant a GEC #15!..."

Though in all seriousness - this is a knife forum. The sane people just buy a knife, hopefully sharpen it, put it in their pocket, and go off about their business without a second thought.

This is a place filled with loonies who buy 50 of knives in the search for that 'just right' knife that, as it turns out, any of the 50 we already own probably are, if we'd just drop them in our pocket and use them without a second thought. Present company included.

But I'm a knife knut, so that means I'm a floozy and a pushover for the classic traditional pocket knife.

Hey, I did admit I was a knife floozy!


Yeah, the ugly truth is that any good sharp knife in a pocket is the best one if there's something that needs to be cut. It's only us afflicted and obsessed knife knuts that worry about having "the best one".

Carl, Grand High Muckba with addiction problems.

 

[jc57]

Carl - Just ribbing you, I'm much worse than you are about it.

Jeff, I had kind of the same horrible realization vis-a-vis the Electrician. I had a 2-week business trip and didn't want to risk losing one of my more prized knives, so I picked up a $25 Vic Electrician for the trip (in checked luggage). I didn't even have time to sharpen it up before I left, instead having to forage for sharpening tools (coffee mugs, magazines for strops).

One thing about being on the road away from your normally accessible stuff is that you really come to depend on what you brought with you. And carrying and using that one every day gave me a solid appreciation for the utility of it and the variety of tools, while still being in a flat, light package. And it was a somewhat unpleasant realization that "Oh, this is my 'grail' knife, and it was 25 bucks. Now what do I do with the rest of them?" Actually turns out that my true grail knife would be a Cadet with that sheepsfoot blade from the Electrician in lieu of the can opener, but I digress.

So in the end I had to accept that I buy the pretty ones because I like to, and it's a vice that I can usually afford. So I forgave myself for being a typical consumer and decided that I don't have to prove to myself that I *need* any other knives. Though the internal battle still rages from time to time, between the sane voice that knows I have more than I'll ever need, and the internal kid that wants another new toy even though he already has plenty of toys. The Vics are just the trump card for the sane voice who can use the "See, I told you" tone of voice with more authority.

 

[black mamba]

John, a "Cadetrician" would be awesome, especially in the orange or green alox covers.

I'm considering buying an extra Electrician to have someone put nice stag covers on it for me (strictly to alleviate my own guilt!).

 

[mudguard]

"Oh, this is my 'grail' knife, and it was 25 bucks. Now what do I do with the rest of them?"

This is the exact same feeling that I got after I realized that about a year ago I got a wenger soldier knife from a random store, used it for about two months before I got more knives (GEC, Case, Buck, RR and others). After alot of knives I traded, sold, and bought... at the beginning of this week I was looking at a GEC #15 when I realized that I wanted another single bladed knife with that same length in a spear shape. Then I found out that my soldier and pioneer that i have had for a year! have the same size blade, are stainless and I can sharp sharper than any other knife that I have (besides my peanut in CV.. that stuff is crazy), they were -$30 each and on top of that Victorinox makes them with the same amount of carbon footprint that I generate by toasting a piece of bread. I still have appreciation for 1095, CV and all other knives but jeeze when it comes to putting a knife in your pocket, forgetting about it and having it there SHARP when you need it these knives really are outstanding. This is even past the rest of the tools that they fit in the same or smaller size than most other patterns of pocket knives.

After carrying it again It was more like a slap in the face by this SAK saying "I told youuu".

 

[mudguard]

Probably the funniest exchange of messages I have seen in this forum.. .. nicee

Oh, and this coming from the high king of the "all you need is a Peanut, ever! ... no wait, I meant a Vic Classic, with handmade custom case ... no, no, strike that, a Resolza... er, I meant a GEC #15!..."

Though in all seriousness - this is a knife forum. The sane people just buy a knife, hopefully sharpen it, put it in their pocket, and go off about their business without a second thought.

This is a place filled with loonies who buy 50 of knives in the search for that 'just right' knife that, as it turns out, any of the 50 we already own probably are, if we'd just drop them in our pocket and use them without a second thought. Present company included.

Hey, I did admit I was a knife floozy!


Yeah, the ugly truth is that any good sharp knife in a pocket is the best one if there's something that needs to be cut. It's only us afflicted and obsessed knife knuts that worry about having "the best one".

Carl, Grand High Muckba with addiction problems.

 

[jc57]

The first step is acknowledging you have a problem. The second step is realizing that, as problems go, there are much worse ones to have, and then to rush headlong back into the comforting arms of sweet, sweet Denial.

 

[Slider817]

you really cant get a better knife than a Victorinox. I have had a Rambler on my keys for the last few years, and a Classic fore about 10 years before that. Just the perfect utility blade, feel comfortable using it everywhere, although they are cheap, they last, they are high quality knives that don't give out on you.

I often have a Larger SAK or Leatherman in my Briefcase/Car/Nightable/Desk and pretty much everywhere I am, but the Rambler is always with me.