Jim:
Thanks for the suggestion. Actually, I did rounded down the edges of the key ring attachment too, and it was done because I have remembered one of your previous posts (10/24/2000) on the favorite Victorinox SAKs (thread started by Starchaser). Also I remember AllenC saying that his new Pioneer tore holes in his pockets. But the problem is, as you also mentioned, that even after rounding down the edges the stupid attachment sticks out and hurts. I have in the past Spartan with aluminum keyring attachment but its angle to the handle was the same as you can see on the pocketpal posted here by Richard. (I like this color, Richard, and the knife itself is very elegant IMO too.) So my problem with the Pioneer is the akward angle and the thinnes of the keyring attachment. This one destroys the advantages of the straight handle (you can hold a straight handled knife much more ways than most of those with the curved/grooved ones. Try out the grips on an Old Hickory kitchen knife for example and on any one of the more comfortable designs).
Anyway, to prevent at least the pocket tearing, I put my Pioneer in a small plastic sandwich bag so it goes in my pocket wrapped.
As it is not an emergency/self defense blade, this is not too inconvenient and keeps the knife free from dust and minor scratches too.
I dont know how good this is for my health though: I read somewhere that most of the plastics contain emollients (phtaloids?) which are carcinogenic, and they leak out pretty well from the plastics.
Sid:
I agree, that the Spyderco Wegner Jr. and the CRK&T M-16s are very good designes and not too pricy too, but I can hardly consider them "least expensive". Compared to the products of many other companies these are really fairly priced knives, but they are still on the pricy end. SAKs, Opinels, Moras etc. cited above are much more affordable and still provide very good quality.
I agree that the wider, thicker and locking blades are more capable for twisting and prying, but the slimmer drop point blades on the SAKs and the frequently presented small blade feature on them allows you to perform your cutting/slicing tasks without the need of twisting and prying anyway. For more serious chores you find saws on many of the SAKs. For light prying you can use the can opener or the large screwdriver too.
