Durability of colored alox

M

mp510

Joined
Mar 20, 2006
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I am on the verge of buying an Alox Classic. I like the Hunter Green model- it looks beautiful. However, I can only get it NIB and it costs like $9 more than I can buy a used silver alox Classic for. Since I will stick it on my keychain and use it right away, and Vic has great product support, used/new doesn't matter on this one (the used knife is in great shape). So, I know that being on my keychain, it will end up clanging around with other keys and change in my pocket, I want to make sure the finish isn't going to get chipped off? I'm assuming it is some for of anodizing (which I know is a very hard finish), but I want to make sure that it actually is a durable finish. If it's not durable, I would be better off with the plain silver. What have your experiences been with colored alox?
 
I believe the finish will scratch easily and fade with time, so it probably is not that durable. But it ages well :)
 
I have 12 colored alox models and they wear very well, and do not scratch easily in my experience,but I don't carry them with keys in the same pocket.
 
Colored alox will scratch and wear, but it doesn't really fade. At least, it doesn't fade in the sense that colors on stickers and t-shirts fade. I've seen pictures of 15-20 year old red Pioneers and Farmers, and the color mainly wears on the tops of the bumps, and around the perimeter. It stays pretty well in the grooves between the bumps, but you can definitely tell that it wears.
 
I've got a black Cadet and it's been carried on my keychain off and on for about a year and it shows a fair bit of wear. Doesn't look bad, but it's bretty scuffed up.
 
I have an old alox that has been carried on my keychain for 10 years now, and yes it is scratched and the paint wore off, but it doesn't affect how the knife and tools perform and that is mostly what I worry about. hasnt let me down yet.
 
Thanks guys. That's the information I was looking for. I think I'm going to go with the traditional plain/silver alox. I have carried the cellidor classic on my keychain for a little over 2 years now, and durability is why I'm upgrading. Neither looks bad, and the used one I'm going to buy is in excellent shape. I think I'm makeing the right move. :)
 
JoeBW said:
I didn't think the Alox Classics had toothpick and tweezers. Am I wrong?

Joe
Click to expand...
You are correct. However, I don't use the toothpick, and I don't use the tweezers often. The cellidor scales take a lot of abuse carrying it on the keychain- alox seems like a necesity on this one, moreso than the tweezers and a toothpick. If worst comes to worst, I'll buy a pair of Silvergrippers:)
 
You might want to take a look at the Broker. It's basically a classic with stainless steel scales. Does not have the tweezer, toothpick or the screwdriver tip on the nail file, but it shows very little wear over time, even on a keychain.
 
"mp510"
This much I would say; my experience with the old RED Alox scales is that it chips off.
Sound advice would be to go original uncolored.
But if you must buy it colored it pays to add a light weight sheath to it, especially if there's intend to hang it to a bunch of keys!
 
GIRLYmann said:
"mp510"
This much I would say; my experience with the old RED Alox scales is that it chips off.
Sound advice would be to go original uncolored.
But if you must buy it colored it pays to add a light weight sheath to it, especially if there's intend to hang it to a bunch of keys!
Click to expand...

I recieved the uncolored model yesterday. I am very pleased with it- should be much more durable than the cellidor model:)
 
You did good.
It has been said that those plastic scales can be ripped off entirely, and you will see for a fact that what lies inside every SAK is actually a softskin "alox" awaiting patiently to be reborn...
Congratulation on the new buy!
 
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