Farmer or Pioneer?

R

R.H.Clark

Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
771
Looking for my first SAK.I was about to get the Pioneer but so many of you seem to love the Farmer I am undecided.

Is the Farmer thicker by one slot? What do you use the small saw blade for?

I want to make sure the one I pick will feel good in my front pants pocket.
 
I recently purchased a farmer and have been carrying it everyday. I've owned a soldier and pioneer for years. To properly respond to this question I've got a farmer and soldier setting side by side on my desk at the moment. The farmer is definitely thicker due to the saw, but they both feel just fine in the pocket. To be honest, I think that the farmer feels better in the hand due to the extra thickness.

If I could only buy one, I'd get the farmer.

As far as the saw goes, I've used it to saw small branches (1 - 2" in diameter) with no difficulty. I've used it to saw larger pieces as well (small firewood roughly 3" in diameter), but generally try to only saw about half way through then break the wood in half. The saw works great but it's not designed to clear cut a forest of course....great for small limbs, drywall, cutting notches in various materials, etc. As far as everyday general carry, the farmer does an outstanding job. I imagine the farmer teamed with a decent fixed blade / hatchet would cover most outdoor needs as well. (At least in my neck of the woods in North Carolina)
 
My EDC combo is a red Farmer teamed with a Benchmade 520----with those 2 I'm up for most anything that comes my way.

I have a lanyard on the Farmer too---basically a 72" boot lace tied into a hangman's noose on each end then just looped onto the Farmer's ring---so I have good piece of cord with me at all times too.
 
Yes, one slot thicker.

I carry the thinner Pioneer all the time. The Farmer goes on outdoor trips (hiking, hunting, etc.).
 
Since the saw is thinner than the other implement, the additional slot on the Farmer is not as thick as the other slot.

For office carry I prefer the Soldier (Pioneer without the key ring), for outdoor work I carry the Farmer. But if I can only have one, I will take the Farmer.
 
There seems to be a concensus developing here.

Farmer for the saw, although you can't go wrong with either. I find the difference in thickness is negligible, especially since the additional layer is thinner than the others. Suspended by dummy cord into my RF pocket, the Farmer all but disappears until needed.
 
My thanks to everyone for the help.
I see that the saw may be useful to cut notches.I just don't see being able to cut anything with that I couldn't just bend and cut with the blade.
 
R.H.Clark said:
My thanks to everyone for the help.
I see that the saw may be useful to cut notches.I just don't see being able to cut anything with that I couldn't just bend and cut with the blade.
Click to expand...

Some things are easier to cut with a saw, especially things that don't bend, like branches thicker than 1 inch or close to the trunk, drywall, particle board, wood shelving, dowels etc. I use mine a lot.
 
I prefer the Soldier.If i have to use the saw i prefer the 111 mm models.Their saw is larger,thicker and much more efektive.
 
My vote is for the Farmer. Purchased one from an on line shop a couple of years ago and it has been a good knife. The only thing I've really used the saw for is to cut small twigs/branches to use for roasting marshmellows on a camp out. The can opener and blade have gotten a good workout.
 
pioneer. it's my main knife. not main sak, not main folder, main knife.

i have my swistool spirit when i need more. also have the oht, bigger saw than the farmer.

still, although i never carry it, i have a blue farmer and may be getting a second in red. now, sak porn.

IMG_0540.jpg
 
R.H., either the Farmer or the Pioneer will serve you well for your first Victorinox SAK. I have carried a Farmer for most of the last 20 or so years, but it has been usually carried in a nylon sheath (with a velcro flap) on my belt. I have a Pioneer, too, kind of as a spare. If you are concerned about how the knife you get will fit into your pants pocket then maybe you should choose a Pioneer or a Soldier. The Pioneer is a Farmer minus the saw, and the Soldier is a Pioneer minus the key/lanyard ring. There really is not much difference in thickness between a Farmer and a Pioneer, though, since the saw blade is thin. I've always considered the saw to be there mostly for emergency use, but if you spend much time in the woods it would be more useful I'm sure. I think a way to attach a lanyard to any knife is a good idea, even if it's not something you would routinely use, but I will admit to removing the keyring from my Farmer (and filing down the brass attach point) many years ago because it sort of got in the way of my big hand when I gave the knife heavy use. That is always an option, but don't make that decision until you are sure it's in your way. Smoky Mountain Knife Works at www.eknifeworks.com has a great selection of SAKs, but they don't seem to stock those with red Alox handles. The traditional red Alox models can often be found on that famous South American river, though.
 
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