I'm really interested in this.

[jackknife]

As I mentioned earlier, I've carried the same Executive for 20 years now, and I sometimes pair it with a Spartan. But most of the time, I carry an Alox Pioneer instead of the Spartan. It pairs up with the Executive perfectly, as they complement each other in features. Each has something the other doesn't, and neither one takes up much space.

Another advantage of the Pioneer is its durability. There have been a couple instances where I pulled out my wallet (I carry my Pioneer next to my wallet) and accidentally pulled out the Pioneer, which fell and hit the hard floor. If it had been my (current) Spartan, it's likely a scale would have cracked or popped off. My older Spartan did have cellidor scales, but they seemed much sturdier than the cellidor on the current SAKs. My old Spartan only had a subtle crack on one scale from being dropped a couple times on cement. The newer ones feel thinner/more hollowed-out. IMO, that's less of an issue with smaller SAKs like the Classic or Executive, but more important with more standard-sized models.

Jim

Jim, that is exactly what I found out last year when a recent model tinker took a fall from my pocket when I was getting dressed one morning. It fell out of the pocket as I was pulling my pants on, and was not even waist high yet. It hi the tile bathroom floor and he whole end of a scale sheered off. When I looked into the now empty cavity, I was very shocked that sometime in the recent past Victoriox had went to a hollowed out scale to save money on material most likely. The thin shell of cellidor over the hollow cavity was literally paper thin. Really, it feel from someplace in between knee and waist high as I was pulling my jeans on.

The old solid cellidor scales were a lot more durable. I now won't own any cellidor scaled SAK except for the 58mm's. I think the much lighter weight of the 58's may help them get away with the cheaper produced scales. Victorinox needs to update the scales to a more modern and more durable material. Me? I'm going alox!

 

[James Y]

Jim, that is exactly what I found out last year when a recent model tinker took a fall from my pocket when I was getting dressed one morning. It fell out of the pocket as I was pulling my pants on, and was not even waist high yet. It hi the tile bathroom floor and he whole end of a scale sheered off. When I looked into the now empty cavity, I was very shocked that sometime in the recent past Victoriox had went to a hollowed out scale to save money on material most likely. The thin shell of cellidor over the hollow cavity was literally paper thin. Really, it feel from someplace in between knee and waist high as I was pulling my jeans on.

The old solid cellidor scales were a lot more durable. I now won't own any cellidor scaled SAK except for the 58mm's. I think the much lighter weight of the 58's may help them get away with the cheaper produced scales. Victorinox needs to update the scales to a more modern and more durable material. Me? I'm going alox!

jackknife, I've long felt that Delrin would be a good replacement material for the cellidor. Like the yellow Delrin on Case knives. Victorinox could just make it in red (or black or yellow or whatever colors). IMO, the smooth Delrin would still look good, while being more durable. Or maybe even use FRN/Zytel. And have the scales be made thicker again/less hollowed-out. I don't know if that would up the cost, but I'd be willing to pay a little bit more for that.

Jim

 

[22-rimfire]

I carry the Cadet most, when I carry a SAK. It is the most practical pocket knife made. It has everything you need and nothing you don't. I will add that I have a Classic SD on my keyring, mostly for the toothpick and tweezers, and the scissors. The blade on the CSD never gets used.

I may just have to pick up a Cadet. I looked at them the last visit to the knife store, but ended up buying a Small Tinker. From a regular use standpoint, the nail file/manicure tool probably has more utility for me than many of the basic Vic tools. I would have purchased one except I want cellidor versus alox as I think having the tweezers is more important than the added looks or styling of the alox models. I don't care about the apparent fragility of the plastic handles as I'll just replace it if I break a scale (never happened, but could happen tomorrow). I don't think they make it in plastic at this time. I also notice that the liner lock version of the old 111mm Adventurer are hitting the dealers now and probably will add that to my pile as well. I carry the side lock version every day now. 111mm is good for me, 130mm is too big.

 

[aji1]

Not on your list.... the Rambler.

The cap-lifter / magnetic Philips screwdriver is a stroke of genius.

For my money, the Rambler is the best key-chain knife out there. It has a good combination of tools and portability and the cap-lifter/magnetic Philips is, absolutely, a stroke of genius. Between the Rambler and a larger single blade, I find I am covered for almost anything I need on a daily basis.

But Sparkly has made me look into the Mini Champ as an option.

I bought a MiniChamp when I lost my Alox Rambler (a loss which pains me to this day). It is pretty great, but rather thick in comparison. I ended up putting the MiniChamp in my work bag and bought another Rambler (in Cellidor) for the key-chain. Strips out some of the less useful tools on the Mini (like the cuticle pusher).

 

[22-rimfire]

You closed your other thread. People from time to time will contact me about a trade on something based on comments I have made in threads on a knife that I simply don't like much, never use and so forth. I always decline because "knives I have, but money I don't".

 

[Pomsbz]

For my money, the Rambler is the best key-chain knife out there. It has a good combination of tools and portability and the cap-lifter/magnetic Philips is, absolutely, a stroke of genius. Between the Rambler and a larger single blade, I find I am covered for almost anything I need on a daily basis.

Ditto. This is my current carry. A Rambler and Pioneer Pruner. Perfect combination for urban carry.

For outdoors I have a Farmer in the bag.

I'm an alox snob but I have to say, for a general carry with an eye for the outdoors, the SAK Camper is a truly excellent carry. I bought one for an employee and was really impressed. Ridiculously cheap too.

 

[JeffreyC]

I’ve been a fan of the cadet for a few years now. Recently gave my silver cadet to my daughter, and it drove me crazy not having it in my pocket anymore. Had to pick up another one. Tried a few of my other smaller knives to carry to work, but kept missing the cadet.

 

[jc57]

I used to carry an alox Cadet in my pocket daily for years. I now carry the Cadet and a Vic Spartan along with a couple of multi-tools in my laptop bag, so it's there if I need it, with an alox Mini Champ on my key ring and usually some other slipjoint in my pocket, which is sometimes an alox Pioneer. I have a Farmer but it stays hanging on a hook in the kitchen for a quick grab for household chores. It gets a lot of use, but I don't generally carry it.