GEC #35 vs Victorinox Cadet

Camillus

Camillus

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Jun 3, 2015
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Not intending to do an exhaustive comparison, thats what the pics are for.

Its not a like-for-like comparison, more of a ‘which would you carry?’

Couple of thoughts - there is an extraordinary amount of engineering and extra metal needed to keep the #35 to a single spring. And I like that the Cadet fits inside my wallet (yes I need a new one).

The venerable Cadet is still my preference as an EDC. That is mainly due to thickness of scales and the recessed tangs which make it disappear in the pocket (but reduce the blade width and presumably strength). I don’t recall ever using the implements other than as makeshift pry tools - I carry a bottle opener on my key ring. I think the implements look more handy than they are.
 
Once practicality rears its ugly head, it's pretty hard to carry anything but a sak. I carried this alox scout for decades, as you can see, and I carried the shorter one with more tools till the celidor crumbled.
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The only implement I haven't used is the corkscrew; when I have a bottle to uncork I have a dedicated corkscrew. I find the implements very useful otherwise, especially the small screwdriver, which works on so many philips heads.

[I never used the wire-stripper either; I'll have to remember to try it sometime.]
 
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Camillus said:
I think the implements look more handy than they are.
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I agree with you there.
All those tools do look handy, but I hardly ever open a bottle, almost never open a can with it, and I use nail clippers to groom my nails. About the only tool I'd use on regular basis is the screw driver and these days a Philips is a lot more handy. So SAK knives just never were a big hit with me, but I usually do pack one in my camping gear. I'd rather just carry a pocket screwdriver and a dedicated pocket knife.

 
I really like knives that fit in my wallet too. No losing or scratching them.
 
Vic tools certainly look handy, but are they? YES. I carry a Small Tinker and use all the tools. I like the extra blade which is one of the reasons to choose it beyond easily fitting in a watch pocket which protects it from pocket abuse and loss.

This knife keeps me from carrying my GEC knives.... sometimes I wish it wasn't so, but I find this little SAK very very handy.
 
I guess those screwdrivers may be a matter of habit and remembering they are there. I do recall it being the only screwdriver at my office, which saved the day on one occasion and maybe that one time is enough.

Once the task becomes more about heavy duty cutting, I think the added heft and extra blade of the #35 would be appreciated. I still haven’t quite figured out why the blades are so thick at the base, rather than being kinked to allow them to nest like in a stockman.
 
The Alox Cadet doesn't have a nail file or tweezers, which are my most used tools on my mini swiss classic. Does anyone know if any of the Cadet sized SAKs have a nail file?
 
dragon.eyez said:
The Alox Cadet doesn't have a nail file or tweezers, which are my most used tools on my mini swiss classic. Does anyone know if any of the Cadet sized SAKs have a nail file?
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I have a Blue Alox Cadet that has a nail file. The one in the OP's pictures has one too. It's just a little different than what you might be used to.

My Cadet came from DLT Trading and it has an actual file as opposed to the "washboard" type file on the OP's knife. Mine is similar to the model in this link. Just a different shade of blue.
https://www.dlttrading.com/swiss-army-cadet-alox-2020-limited-edition-aqua-blue
 
In my book, the Alox Cadet is THE pocket knife. All other knives get carried *in addition* to the Cadet. :)

As I sit here at my desk, imprisoned, there are many pocket knives within a few steps, but only one within reach. Good old standard silver Alox Cadet.

I get more use out of the nail file than an awl. One of the knives within 6 feet is a Pioneer, though, in case I need that. A Vic Farmer hangs on a hook in the kitchen for a quick grab, and it has the awl too. That one gets used often, since it's easy to grab it prior to going out in the yard.
 
I found my crown lifter (this is an old picture, it’s got a patina now) to be as useful as the Cadet and a lot prettier too. I’ve used all 3 tools it has, and the added tools of the cadet are ones I almost never find a use for.

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One reason why I choose SAKs is their weight. My traditional knives tend to weigh as much or more than my SAKs, just without the extra and (sometimes) genuinely useful tools.
 
I always carry two knives: an Alox Cadet & whatever other one in in my right pocket. It's so slim that there's no reason not to carry it, and I use it for alot of stuff.
 
My SAK's are definitely my travel knives. They have some tools that I may use, scissors, corkscrews, screwdrivers. Mine have accompanied me on many dive trips, and often times I will gift one to a local which always seems to be appreciated and welcomed. They are inexpensive and easy to replace when I get home again, and no worries if they go missing during travel.
 
cadet hands down.

I've long lost count how many things I've actually fixed with just the SAK basic tools. The can opener is a very good small Philips driver and the flat screw driver is a light pry tool and large Phillips driver if you use it like the combo tool inner corner. The tip if the nail file is a general poky tool and does a decent job od smoothing a rough edge on cast plastics. The point does a good job on try small Phillips screws.

Like the tools on most SAK's, they are able to be used for many other uses than the obvious use. Like I use the can opener tp pull the big cotter pin that is the tongue retainer on the trailer hitch. That way I don't bang my knuckles on the frame when it gives. It also makes a great staple remover.

I'll take a SAK over any other dedicated knife. I guess growing up with a scout knife spoiled me. I haven't been without a SAK since 1969, and any other knife I carried, looking back on it all, was to augment the SAK, not vise versa. Even when I retired my old Buck Stockman, I still carried the old Wenger SI and a classic.
 
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