Farmer over hyped ?

upnorth

upnorth

Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
7,038
I picked up a Victorinox alox Farmer today. To be honest I am a tiny bit let down with it. It is surely handsome and more of a ''gentlemanly'' knife than most of my folders. I guess after all the huff n' puff that I've read about it, I just don't see it as being all that different than my red plastic SAKs. I was considering taking it up with me on a northern trip. Then I realised that some of my Leatherman multi's have a better (in my opinion) can opener and I can hold\manipulate a tin can with the pliers on a multi. I don't know...it is VERY attractive and does have useful tools. But I would never take it as a primary tool. To me it's a back up.
 
Use it. It's a knife, not a Leatherman, apples and oranges.

SawaFarmer_zps9d23a415.jpg
 
To each their own I guess. The Farmer is a excellent knife in my opinion, but if you are comparing it to a pliers based multitool then obviously it is going to lack a little bit. Its like saying, "I bought a Spyderco PM2, but i'm disappointed because I can't saw anything with it." Obviously you wen't into buying it knowing it does not have pliers. I would argue the fit and finish of the Farmer is much better than most multitools these days. I personally much prefer the Victorinox can opener design over the Leatherman design. The forward motion works much better and faster for me. I do not blame you for thinking of it as a backup. I would not wan't to go camping/hiking or whatever and have it as my one and only knife, but with that said if it was my only knife i'm sure I could get most anything I needed done with it. As SAK Guy said, Your comparing apples to Oranges here. I'm not harping on you, but just giving my opinion. I know when reading things online it is hard to determine tone.

Who carries one knife now a days anyways. ;)
 
upnorth said:
I picked up a Victorinox alox Farmer today. To be honest I am a tiny bit let down with it. It is surely handsome and more of a ''gentlemanly'' knife than most of my folders. I guess after all the huff n' puff that I've read about it, I just don't see it as being all that different than my red plastic SAKs. I was considering taking it up with me on a northern trip. Then I realised that some of my Leatherman multi's have a better (in my opinion) can opener and I can hold\manipulate a tin can with the pliers on a multi. I don't know...it is VERY attractive and does have useful tools. But I would never take it as a primary tool. To me it's a back up.
Click to expand...

The issue for me, isn't about the Farmer and it's particular selection of tools. It's about the size.

Once a camper style knife gets beyond 2 layers, for me, and just speaking about my pockets here... they get too big for pocket carry. For me, that means either belt carry or carry in my pack. And once I'm thinking about belt or pack carry, then a plier based tool just makes more sense to me.

Now... Leatherman has a problem. IMO, there is a huge need for lighter weigh pack carry tool in the size of the Juice line. But the Juice is not so much. Would love to see a legacy style tool based on the Juice plier heads with a target weight of less than 4 oz. If I'm going to carry more than that, it's right straight to the Wave or Blast.

In terms of backpacking... I never carry canned goods backpacking and so I can get away with a Squirt PS4 for backpacking. Best on the functionality/weight scale, imo.
 
Its all relevant to what you feel comfortable carrying. I will carry the Rebar or similar sized multitool in my pocket without issue. I guess i'm used to carry a lot of stuff, but it works for me.
 
Having a 3rd layer added to a "Pioneer" to accommodate a saw hardly makes it a "big knife". It fits quite comfortably in a KSF pocket sheath, and one completely forgets it's in one's pocket. If anything, the US made "Campers" and Boy Scout knives, and their foreign made copies, were/are quite thick in comparison; what with bone or stag scales and all, they are the definition of big. Trust me OP, you will have no problem unloading your gargantuan Farmer...there is a reason why it's the #1 most sought after model in the 93mm alox lineup.;)
 
SAK Guy said:
Use it. It's a knife, not a Leatherman, apples and oranges.

SawaFarmer_zps9d23a415.jpg
Click to expand...

I suppose it is about perspective. Do I want\need a knife with tools, or tools with a knife. Maybe I am expecting both to perform the same duties because they have a certain level of performance cross over. I like SAK's and they have some different, similar charms, as a Leatherman. But I think that for my own needs a Leatherman is a better fit for me.
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
To each their own I guess. The Farmer is a excellent knife in my opinion, but if you are comparing it to a pliers based multitool then obviously it is going to lack a little bit. Its like saying, "I bought a Spyderco PM2, but i'm disappointed because I can't saw anything with it." Obviously you wen't into buying it knowing it does not have pliers. I would argue the fit and finish of the Farmer is much better than most multitools these days. I personally much prefer the Victorinox can opener design over the Leatherman design. The forward motion works much better and faster for me. I do not blame you for thinking of it as a backup. I would not wan't to go camping/hiking or whatever and have it as my one and only knife, but with that said if it was my only knife i'm sure I could get most anything I needed done with it. As SAK Guy said, Your comparing apples to Oranges here. I'm not harping on you, but just giving my opinion. I know when reading things online it is hard to determine tone.

Who carries one knife now a days anyways. ;)
Click to expand...

Yes fit and finish are better and it is a handsome package.
 
pinnah said:
The issue for me, isn't about the Farmer and it's particular selection of tools. It's about the size.

Once a camper style knife gets beyond 2 layers, for me, and just speaking about my pockets here... they get too big for pocket carry. For me, that means either belt carry or carry in my pack. And once I'm thinking about belt or pack carry, then a plier based tool just makes more sense to me.

Now... Leatherman has a problem. IMO, there is a huge need for lighter weigh pack carry tool in the size of the Juice line. But the Juice is not so much. Would love to see a legacy style tool based on the Juice plier heads with a target weight of less than 4 oz. If I'm going to carry more than that, it's right straight to the Wave or Blast.

In terms of backpacking... I never carry canned goods backpacking and so I can get away with a Squirt PS4 for backpacking. Best on the functionality/weight scale, imo.
Click to expand...

Interesting how our own personal needs\uses heavily influence our choices and opinions. I need a knife and tool set that is tough enough to shave wood, and I need a tool selection with longer reach to service a metal detector. It is a real let down to be miles from the car, dead tired, sweaty and covered in spider webs. Then realize that your knife\tool of choice is lacking. I own a Blast, Wave etc. and have always considered them to be feather weights, but then I am a large person. I suppose that our personal needs\uses dictate our choices and opinions. They are not right or wrong, just directly correlated to our own experiences.
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
Its all relevant to what you feel comfortable carrying. I will carry the Rebar or similar sized multitool in my pocket without issue. I guess i'm used to carry a lot of stuff, but it works for me.
Click to expand...

Same here. I don't even remember that I have multi's on a belt sometimes, until I here the bump on the floor at night.
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
Its all relevant to what you feel comfortable carrying. I will carry the Rebar or similar sized multitool in my pocket without issue. I guess i'm used to carry a lot of stuff, but it works for me.
Click to expand...

Same here. I don't even remember that I have multi's on a belt sometimes, until I hear the bump on the floor at night.
 
Alnamvet68 said:
Having a 3rd layer added to a "Pioneer" to accommodate a saw hardly makes it a "big knife". It fits quite comfortably in a KSF pocket sheath, and one completely forgets it's in one's pocket. If anything, the US made "Campers" and Boy Scout knives, and their foreign made copies, were/are quite thick in comparison; what with bone or stag scales and all, they are the definition of big. Trust me OP, you will have no problem unloading your gargantuan Farmer...there is a reason why it's the #1 most sought after model in the 93mm alox lineup.;)
Click to expand...

??? :) I never had an issue with the Farmers size, and said nothing about that. Actually it feels medium sized to my hand. And I have several large SAK's myself, one well into its second decade. I just came to an epiphany that I find multi's more useful, for my needs, than a SAK overall. I have a soft spot for SAK's and they can be handsome, as witnessed by the alox line, and all are useful. I just evaluated my personal needs on a trip and the Farmer came up short compared to my multi's. But as SAK guy said, apples and oranges I suppose. I agree with you about the Farmer being a trim package. And I find it very attractive to look at. Fit and finish is satisfying. But it does not meet all of my outdoor needs. It's a good back up tool for me.
 
Alnamvet68 said:
Having a 3rd layer added to a "Pioneer" to accommodate a saw hardly makes it a "big knife". It fits quite comfortably in a KSF pocket sheath, and one completely forgets it's in one's pocket. If anything, the US made "Campers" and Boy Scout knives, and their foreign made copies, were/are quite thick in comparison; what with bone or stag scales and all, they are the definition of big. Trust me OP, you will have no problem unloading your gargantuan Farmer...there is a reason why it's the #1 most sought after model in the 93mm alox lineup.;)
Click to expand...

??? :) I never had an issue with the Farmers size, and said nothing about that. Actually it feels medium sized to my hand. And I have several large SAK's myself, one well into its second decade. I just came to an epiphany that I find multi's more useful, for my needs, than a SAK overall. I have a soft spot for SAK's and they can be handsome, as witnessed by the alox line, and all are useful. I just evaluated my personal needs on a trip and the Farmer came up short compared to my multi's. But as SAK guy said, apples and oranges I suppose. I agree with you about the Farmer being a trim package. And I find it very attractive to look at. Fit and finish is satisfying. But it does not meet all of my outdoor needs. It's a good back up tool for me.
 
upnorth said:
??? :) I never had an issue with the Farmers size, and said nothing about that. Actually it feels medium sized to my hand. And I have several large SAK's myself, one well into its second decade. I just came to an epiphany that I find multi's more useful, for my needs, than a SAK overall. I have a soft spot for SAK's and they can be handsome, as witnessed by the alox line, and all are useful. I just evaluated my personal needs on a trip and the Farmer came up short compared to my multi's. But as SAK guy said, apples and oranges I suppose. I agree with you about the Farmer being a trim package. And I find it very attractive to look at. Fit and finish is satisfying. But it does not meet all of my outdoor needs. It's a good back up tool for me.
Click to expand...

Actually, I was referencing another who posted in this thread...sorry for the confusion.:o
 
Although the Farmer is a Vic classic, has a rightful place in any SAK collection and can manage in most situations, I consider the OH Trekker to be superior in every way for outdoor uses. It's a bit much for urban EDC, but both blade and saw are more effective for dealing with wood, vegetation, heavy canvas and whatever else might be encountered in the "wild" (including your yard.) When in 2008 the Swiss army started issuing their version of the OHT to replace the alox Soldier, they made the right decision.
 
I'm reasonably new to carrying SAK's .
My SAK will never replace my Leatherman as my primary daily working tool , for me I've not found anything better than the Surge and I've tried a few :) .
My SAK can't compete with the Surge for overall usefulness , but as someone else mentioned , it would be unfair to do so .
Where the SAK comes into its own is for smaller , delicate , casual tasks and occasions .
When I'm not working and on weekends I don't carry my Surge , that is the time for the SAK to enter the arena .
There are horses for courses .

Ken
 
For those of us who don't carry tools on our belts, a Farmer (or Pioneer) in the pocket is perfect. They fit comfortably in my cargo shorts, jeans, kakis, etc. at the office and gives me enough performance for virtually any light-duty need. Love the Farmer!!
 
upnorth said:
Interesting how our own personal needs\uses heavily influence our choices and opinions. I need a knife and tool set that is tough enough to shave wood, and I need a tool selection with longer reach to service a metal detector. It is a real let down to be miles from the car, dead tired, sweaty and covered in spider webs. Then realize that your knife\tool of choice is lacking. I own a Blast, Wave etc. and have always considered them to be feather weights, but then I am a large person. I suppose that our personal needs\uses dictate our choices and opinions. They are not right or wrong, just directly correlated to our own experiences.
Click to expand...

Most definitely. :thumbup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top