First Alox SAK: Cadet or Electrician?

F

Flint Hills

Joined
Feb 25, 2013
Messages
862
I have a $25 gift card to "A" major online retailer, so of course I'm going to buy a knife with it!

I've narrowed it down to the Victorinox Electrician or the Cadet.

Electrician:
Available in Silver alox
Love the sheepsfoot blade(!)
Don't know what I would use the awl for

Cadet:
Available in Silver, Black(my favorite) or Red alox
Like the smaller size
Don't think I would ever use the can opener

Help me pick one!
 
For me it'd be hard - I love the usefulness of both knives. The cadet is easier to pocket carry. You'll never notice it's there. Has enough tools to make it a great EDC and can still be found in several colors. However, I find great usefulness in the sheepfoot blade on the electrician when opening packages or boxes - times when you don't want to dull your main blade, but still need a knife. It's handy and works well. I have used the awl more than I thought I would - I've even used to to open boxes. The electrician will fill your hand more and feel more substantial - if you have large hands that might be important. Can't go wrong with either one - especially when it is essentially free! Have fun with the choices and the final product.
 
I would choose the Electrician. The awl is more useful than you may think. Basically,anything that you fear may mess up the edge or tip of your knife blade can be handled by the awl. Then there is the standard knife nut answer, GET BOTH!
 
Of your two choices I would choose the electrician. I tend to use the awl often. Yesterday I was going to hang something on the wall using those little plastic inserts that hold a screw. I stuck the awl from my SAK Farmer into the wall a couple of times, rotating each time then used the side of the Farmer to hold it in place and I tapped the Farmer with my hand to push the inserts into the wall. Then used the Phillips driver to screw in the screws. I personally love the Farmer as I love the selection of tools the best. Love the saw!
Good Luck choosing.
 
Flint Hills said:
I have a $25 gift card to "A" major online retailer, so of course I'm going to buy a knife with it!

I've narrowed it down to the Victorinox Electrician or the Cadet.

Don't know what I would use the awl for

Don't think I would ever use the can opener

Help me pick one!
Click to expand...
Colour seems to be your primary method of choice. Perhaps you don't really need anything but a gizmo with a couple of blades. The extension of this is that one blade could be dedicated for utility purpose and another super sharp-dedicated for occasional fine work. Problem then is it's just another pocket knife like millions of others.
SAK can opener, by the way, is a wonderful screwdriver (including Philips and Robertson), mini pry for a million things (grease caps on trailer axles for instance) and foremost; opens cans (dented, sardine shape, even) with the very best of them. Awl seems like an innocuous item at first until you need a new belt buckle hole or have to clean out dirty corners on something. Also is an instant pipe reamer (do you work with plumbing ABS or copper, or automobile brake lines?) and a wood/plastic/sheet-metal drill if you turn clockwise, and a handy marlin spike (for undoing knots) when you turn the other way. I also use mine as a scratch awl or screw pilot for metal and hardwood often.
Some SOB stole my SAK Spartan when I was upriver in Colombia on the Amazon River 35 years ago and I felt like I was going forward without clothes thereafter. You'd be amazed how much you come to rely on a 'take it for granted' tool like this once it becomes thoroughly ingrained in your lifestyle.
Jump! The world of SAKs awaits and yet most people miss the boat.
SAK features are what distinguish these multi-tools from ordinary pocket knives.
 
Flint Hills said:
I have a $25 gift card to "A" major online retailer, so of course I'm going to buy a knife with it!

I've narrowed it down to the Victorinox Electrician or the Cadet.

Don't know what I would use the awl for

Don't think I would ever use the can opener

Help me pick one!
Click to expand...
Colour seems to be your primary method of choice. Perhaps you don't really need anything but a gizmo with a couple of blades. The extension of this is that one blade could be dedicated for utility purpose and another super sharp-dedicated for occasional fine work. Problem then is it's just another pocket knife like millions of others.
SAK can opener, by the way, is a wonderful screwdriver (including Philips and Robertson), mini pry for a million things (grease caps on trailer axles for instance) and foremost; opens cans (dented, sardine shape, even) with the very best of them. Awl seems like an innocuous item at first until you need a new belt buckle hole or have to clean out dirty corners on something. Also is an instant pipe reamer (do you work with plumbing ABS or copper, or automobile brake lines?) and a wood/plastic/sheet-metal drill if you turn clockwise, and a handy marlin spike (for undoing knots) when you turn the other way. I also use mine as a scratch awl or screw pilot for metal and hardwood often.
Some SOB stole my SAK Spartan when I was upriver in Colombia on the Amazon River 35 years ago and I felt like I was going forward without clothes thereafter. You'd be amazed how much you come to rely on a 'take it for granted' tool like this once it becomes thoroughly ingrained in your lifestyle.
Jump! The world of SAKs awaits and yet most people miss the boat.
 
Thanks for the input guys!

300Six, I have several SAK's (the red plastic handle models), so I understand their usefulness. I'm not looking for a gizmo and if I were picking on color alone, I would have titled the thread, "What's your favorite color?" :D I just wanted some input on these two models and why you might prefer one tool set/size over the other. Thanks for the ideas of what they can be used for! I hadn't thought of a lot of those things. Wonder if your Spartan is still being put to use by a native down in Colombia!?

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Electrician. I'd like having the secondary blade, and I could use the awl for scraping, making sparks on a firesteel, etc. I still like the Cadet too...I'll probably end up with both at some point. :) But the question is, which one first?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top