Help me choose: Victorinox Soldier 08, Dual Pro X, Rescue Tool

C

Carloxicus

Joined
Oct 3, 2011
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175
Hi guys,

I currently EDC two Victorinox knives, the SwissChamp and the Classic SD. My Classic SD is always in my pocket, very light, easily deployable and good for a lot of simple tasks. My SwissChamp is always in my bag, not as easily reachable but won't bulge in my pocket and ready to respond whenever more complicated and medium size tasks need to be done. Now, I am planning to augment my two knives with an 111mm version. This one will be for heavier and constant use around the house (maybe some gardening and tougher crafts and electrical work... I really don't want to push my SwissChamp to its limits even though I know it will deliver when asked to hehe) and left in my car (for emergencies) whenever I am out.

Due to issues of availability at the local Victorinox store, and my preference for liner-locks and one-handed openers, I've narrowed down my choices to three:

1) Victorinox Soldier 2008
2) Dual Pro X (I prefer this over Dual Pro because the serration on the main blade of this other one seems to be redundant considering there's another dedicated serrated cutting blade.)
3) Rescue Tool (This gets extra points for me because of the StayGlow scales. Love those bright yellow things.)

Help me decide what to get please. Any info on actual use or opinions of preference are very much welcome. Convince me which way to go please.

Thank you all in advance!
 
Any of the new Soldiers should work and I've heard good things about them "grippe" scales on the Dual Pro's but... personally I like having the tooth-pick and tweezers in the scales/handles (like on the One Hand Trekker). The more stuff the better ;)

I have a Rescue Tool, it' is very nice and I keep it in the car always. Wonderful emergency tools on it, but not something I would carry on me, a little to thick and weighty.

But I really like 111mm saks; the heft, the size, the longer blade(s). I use my OHT all the time and what I reach for around the yard.
 
I was really thinking of getting the Rescue Tool but the lack of a can opener/small screwdriver tool is making me think twice. The advantage of the Rescue Tool for me though, is that it offers tools that my SwissChamp doesn't already have and that it seems (at least to me) a bit sturdier than the other two models... and well visually more pleasing (in my opinion at least... the yellow glowing scales really gives it a point up). Also, I'm excited with the idea of a slot for a removable blade... who knows... maybe in the future, Victorinox will come out with different types of replacement blades. Maybe a removable wood saw blade, or a removable metal saw blade.

Regarding the Dual Pro and Dual Pro X models, can anyone tell me if it makes sense to get the Dual Pro over the Dual Pro X, considering that the former model already has a serrated-edged cutting blade and yet still has serrations on the main blade itself? (I'm really impartial when it comes to the corkscrew vs phillips debate so that really won't change my decision.) Or would it be better to just get the Soldier 08, because that would give me a straight blade, a serrated edge (albeit on the same blade, meaning more use and abuse) and adds a saw function?

Thank you.
 
The one I use most is the Soldier. I carry 111mm SAKs mostly during hiking and camping trips, that's why I like having the saw on my SAK. The Rescue Tool is always in my car and I don't use the Dual Pro X very much. I don't have much use for the parachute blade.

You're mentioning that you'll be using the SAK mostly around the house and in the garden. In my opinion the Soldier would be the best fit. A saw can be really handy in the garden.
 
What are you gonna be using your knife for? The thing is that for example, the Rescue Tool is a very purpose-specific multitool, and so are the tools buit in it (glass breaker, seatbelt cutter and the windshield saw) if you want something to keep in your car to be prepared to respond to an emergency, it's a very good option.

If you want something to carry on a daily basis as an all around knife, any of the others would be a better option. (I'm not saying you can't EDC the Rescue Tool but, for starters, you're indeed gonna miss the can opener/small driver and also, it comes with an awfully tacky sheath)

Now, the Dual Pro and the Soldier have similar configurations, their handles are tougher than those on the Rescue Tool and they feel quite nicer in the hand, both have locking blades and screwdrivers. With the Soldier you get the extra capabilities of the saw (which is somehow better than the regular Victorinox's saw) However the main blade on the Soldier is partially serrated and while it can double as a belt cutter, you get just a short portion of fine edge.

The Dual Pro and Dual Pro X are very interesting knives, I've been looking forward to get one of them and I actually find the Dual Pro X a lot more useful since you get a plain edge blade and a serrated one, both locking. As you already mentioned getting two serrated blades is just pointless. They both have a locking screwdriver and the can opener/small driver tool on the other side.

If you don't care about the saw, I think the Dual Pro X is the way to go, if not may be the soldier or the OHT. For me the Dual Pro and the Rescue Tool are off the table.

Just my opinion
 
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The one I have on your list is the Rescue tool, I keep it in my Truck, I love it but to be honest it is a speciality tool for the purpose of getting yourself out of a car or helping someone out of a car. I love the scales too, it is by far the coolest Vic SAK but again it is special purpose.

I think you need to ask what is the purpose of the knife for you, EDC maybe the Soldier will fit the bill better. Actually after reading the OP, the Workchamp 111mm may be your best option, you said for doing stuff around the house so that big thick knife should not be an issue.
 
Here are the Workchamp tools

•Large locking blade (button-lock)
•Can opener with small screwdriver
•Bottle opener with large screwdriver & wire stripper
•Reamer
•Corkscrew
•Toothpick
•Tweezers
•Key ring
•Locking blade
•Wood saw
•Scissors
•Long, small Philips screwdriver
•Metal saw with metal file
•Pliers with wire cutter & wire crimper
•Philips screwdriver
•Patented mini-screwdriver
•Size: 111 mm | 4 3/8 inch
 
RickJ said:
The one I have on your list is the Rescue tool, I keep it in my Truck, I love it but to be honest it is a speciality tool for the purpose of getting yourself out of a car or helping someone out of a car. I love the scales too, it is by far the coolest Vic SAK but again it is special purpose.

I think you need to ask what is the purpose of the knife for you, EDC maybe the Soldier will fit the bill better. Actually after reading the OP, the Workchamp 111mm may be your best option, you said for doing stuff around the house so that big thick knife should not be an issue.
Click to expand...

Actually I was thinking more on the thinner side. How about the Hunter?
 
I think the OP was limiting himself to what was available at the B&M store. Of the options he listed, I would take the 08 Soldier, the Rescue Tool, and the DPX, in that order.
 
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