Is this anodizing problem common for the Pioneer?

J

jlomein

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Apr 27, 2009
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Just got a new in box Pioneer X and all along the edges it has these jagged cracked lines where the anodizing didn't fully coat the aluminum. Just curious if this is common for the Pioneer as its my first. Since it's large and heavy this is more of a collection display piece rather than frequent carry. My Alox Cadets don't have this issue but their edges are much slimmer.

GiNpKtA.jpg
 
Not a perfect data point, but that's my brand-new Pioneer Cadet on the left and a 5-year-old Electrician on the right. The Electrician has marks similar to your Pioneer X, and is also a plain silver knife with wider/thicker edges. Edited to add: Looking closely, I can see that my cadet has smaller imperfections along the same lines.

I can't swear that the Electrician looked like that when it was new, but it's hidden all signs of its use so well that I suspect it did.

0cTa1N9.jpg
 
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To me it looks like something wiped on the springs and partially on the scales. Did you try wiping it off with a solvent?
 
I just looked at a silver Farmer that's been a house queen (lives in my nightstand drawer) along with a red Cadet. I used my iphone magnifier and then a 10x loupe. The silver Farmer looked similar but not as bad as the OP's photo. The spring side is worse than the main tool side which looks about perfect. The Cadet is perfect on both sides. It would seem it's a possible issue on the silver Alox knives although one I would never have noticed before this thread.
 
Just took a look at my Alox models. My Cadets appear to be OK. My Swiss Army 1, Pioneer, Pioneer X and Farmer models all have a varying degree - silver and green versions. The green is definitely more difficult for me to see.
 
Stelth said:
To me it looks like something wiped on the springs and partially on the scales. Did you try wiping it off with a solvent?
Click to expand...

Yes, unfortunately it doesn't wipe off. The anodized parts sit higher than the darker part below the jagged line, so it seems like it's just the bare aluminum.

Sounds like this is just the way the Pioneer is though. Appreciate the replies.
 
It doesn't really make a difference though, right? I mean, it's not really egregious and if you carry an Alox knife in your pocket, it's only a matter of time before you see some significant finish wear. That said, some people like that worn in look. Victorinox could probably make pre-distressed Alox models and charge a premium for them like the guitar companies do. ;)
 
CSG said:
It doesn't really make a difference though, right? I mean, it's not really egregious and if you carry an Alox knife in your pocket, it's only a matter of time before you see some significant finish wear. That said, some people like that worn in look. Victorinox could probably make pre-distressed Alox models and charge a premium for them like the guitar companies do. ;)
Click to expand...

I made the mistake of buying this more as a collection piece to put in a display case. The imperfections become quite obvious when lights are reflecting off it. The Cadets and Compact along with an accompanying Classic SD have become my main EDCs.
 
My Pioneer did look like that from fresh out of the box. It being silver on aluminium, and destined to be a rough use work knife I was pretty philosophical about it . :)
Can see where youd be bummed if it was a display knife though.
 
Those marks are caused by the shearing action of the die when the handles are blanked. They look worse on thicker slabs and parts run as the die gets older. One could probably lessen the problem by sanding or filing the edges, but it should be done before anodization.
 
Yeah, both of my PX, one silver and one green have edges like that from production. I have not checked my standard Pioneer.
 
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