Key Chain Knife Question

My fave keychain knife is either the Cold Steel Tuff Lite or the SAK Rambler. The Rambler might be going soon though since I bought another SOG Cross Grip.
Matt
 
Which Victoriox Classic are you referring too ? There seems to be several available on the web.

Thanks

JB :)


Originally posted by Morgoth412
I completely agree with Pwork The victorinox Classic is an excellent keychain knife. The Rambler is also a great choice.
The Arc AAA, IMHo, is the best keychain light on the market.
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JACKBOOTS,
I was referring to the 58mm model commonly called the "Classic", which has the following options:

small blade
nailfile w/screwdriver tip
scissors
toothpick
tweezers
keyring

I have carried one for a few weeks now, and found that it comes in very handy for small tasks around the sheeple, and is an excellent compliment to my Vic. Soldier. They are very well made and I dount you would be disapointed with one.
-KEVIN
p.s.- They come in a variety of colors. My edc Classic is the dark green one w/ the shamrock inplace of the usual Victorinox cross.
 
The Classic also comes in Alox and sterling silver handle minus the toothpick and tweezer. There are six different handle patterns in sterling.

Paul
 
I carry two different key sets, one for work and another when I am off. On the work key chain is a Victorinox classic with a Photon I yellow, Leatherman Micra and a Spyderco Jester II. The home keychain has a Victorinox classic, a Photon II white, Leatherman Squirt 4P, and a Lime Jester PE. That is always in addition to what I carry in my other pockets.
 
I went to my local knife shop. I had already purchased a Victoronix Classic at Canadian Tire for C$ 18.99. He compare my knife to the Wenger Esquire, which cost C$ 28.99. The Wenger was definitely a better knife!

I asked the owner to compare the Leatherman Micra C$ 34.99 to the SOG CrossCut ~$C 63.00. He replied that the SOG is much better built, which accounts for the higher price.

Unfortunately, he did not have any CS Tuffs but he could order one for ~ C$ 50.00.

He considers the Mag light better than the ARC AAA, but he only sells the Mag, so I have my doubts on his honesty on that one :)

However, if someone here has both a small MAG and an ARC AAA that can make a comparison, I am all ears....or eyes, I should say.

Comments welcome

JB :)
 
No one who has used both the Maglite and Arc AAA is going to recommend the Maglite. The differences are obvious and they all favor the Arc. It is brighter, produces a more consistant level of illumination, has a whiter beam, last longer, copes with water better, and is tougher. The Maglite, however, is slightly less expensive. ;)

If you're comfortable with that size for a light you can't do better than the Arc AAA. Personally, I don't like something quite that big on my keys, so I carry my Arc AAA clipped to a belt loop and a Photon II on my keychain as a backup.

And a few other comments...

I strongly agree that the SOG CrossGrip and CrossCut are superior to the Leatherman Micra (and Squirt, although that wasn't mentioned).

I am surprised that no one has mentioned my favorite keychain knife, the Spyderco Jester. If you just want a blade in a really small form factor the Jester is the best design I've ever seen. It gives you a firm enough grip to do real work at about half the size and weight of most "small" knives.

--Bob Q
 
I have to swim against the tide on the CrossCut versus Micra issue. I have owned 2 Micras, 1 Squirt, and 1 CrossCut. The CrossCut is the only one that I have gotten rid of.

What I like about the Micra is the strong opening action of the scissors. On a larger scissors with a loop for the thumb and fingers, you can manually open the scissors after each cut. On these small tools, you have to depend on the spring. The Micra really excels at that, which is why I feel it is a very efficient little cutter. The CrossCut did not have the same strong opening action after each cut. It would bind in material that was being cut, and maybe 1/3 of the time would not open back up. This is a big problem when cutting a length of material. Granted, this was based on only one CrossCut. Maybe mine was defective, but it appeared to be working as designed. Also, the "power gears" did not add any benefit for the tasks that I use these tools for.

IMHO, the CrossCut was a big disappointment and hands down a worse product than either the Micra or the new Squirt.
 
Well...

Thanks for all your guidance, in conjunction with my own investigation I made an informed decision.

This what I have bought for my two key chains:

1 Victoronix Classic
1 Cold steel tuff-lite
1 SOG CrossCut

I will buy 2-ARC AAAs next week. I am hoping there is a retailer in Ottawa, but the US company is closed today.

A note about the Victoronix Classic, I have only had it on my key chain for several hours and I already have some scratching and a few deep chips out of the red plastic. I have a feeling after a year of usage on my key chain it is going to fall apart.

Only time will tell.

Regards,

JB :)
 
Originally posted by tarsier
I have to swim against the tide on the CrossCut versus Micra issue. I have owned 2 Micras, 1 Squirt, and 1 CrossCut. The CrossCut is the only one that I have gotten rid of.

What I like about the Micra is the strong opening action of the scissors. On a larger scissors with a loop for the thumb and fingers, you can manually open the scissors after each cut. On these small tools, you have to depend on the spring. The Micra really excels at that, which is why I feel it is a very efficient little cutter. The CrossCut did not have the same strong opening action after each cut. It would bind in material that was being cut, and maybe 1/3 of the time would not open back up. This is a big problem when cutting a length of material. Granted, this was based on only one CrossCut. Maybe mine was defective, but it appeared to be working as designed. Also, the "power gears" did not add any benefit for the tasks that I use these tools for.

IMHO, the CrossCut was a big disappointment and hands down a worse product than either the Micra or the new Squirt.
Click to expand...
I have to agree with Tarsier on this. I bought a CrossCut when it first came out (althout I don't remember it costing that much), and I had the same problem except mine happened 100% of the time and happened even when not cutting anything--just closing the scissors. It would get stuck closed and I would have to manually open it again--a real pain in the ass. I have never had that problem with my Micra, or the Squirt S4. I gave my CrossCut away the same day I got it.

Regarding the ASP Sapphire/Mirage/etc. that WillyD mentioned, I really like the built in clip and wear one around my neck, but it's kind of irritating that it doesn't have a constant on. On the other hand, it does have a lifetime warranty so if you can part with your light long enough to send it off, then you won't ever have to buy batteries for it (downside is you can't change the battery yourself without busting the case open and resealing it with glue or something).
 
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Shown above with a quarter. ARC AAA is a far beter keychain light than the mag solitaire....more expensive yes but an LED is much more durable, less subject to burnout and easier on batteries....smaller and lighter too.

The SOG microdot is a nice light small classic looking folder for the keychain.
 
JackBoots,
The plastic handled Classics will/do mark up easily when carried with keys. If you can live without the toothpick and tweezer, I highly recomend the Alox handled version. It is much more robust than the plastic.
Above you mentioned that you felt the Wenger was a better knife. Can you give an expaination why?

Paul
 
I'm sure that most people prefer the Victorinox, and to tell you the truth on the larger models I DO prefer the Vic, but I have also to say that I prefer the small wenger. This is because I like the Wenger scissors, which don't have that annoying spring that comes on the Vic. Just my 2 cents.

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
My favorite keychain knife is the Victorinox Rambler; it has the same features as the Classic, plus a Phillip's head screwdriver and a bottle opener (essential!).
 
that ARC AAA light looks pretty cool, I personally carry a Streamlight Batonlight on my keys. It's significantly bigger, but I just put the light in my pocket, with the keys hanging out. With blue jeans, this is very secure and comfortable, and those little rubber key silencers keep my keys from making noise. Nice thing is, it doubles as a kubotan that can be explained away as a flashlight if I'm searched. ;)
For a tool, I have a Swiss-Tech Micro-Tech on my keys, it's nothing too fancy, but it cost me 10$ US, and it's come in handy plenty of times.
 
The scissors on the small Wenger are much better, no spring and self-sharpening. The knife blade is bigger and the steel is alleged to be of better quality.

Regards,

JB :)



Originally posted by PWork
JackBoots,
The plastic handled Classics will/do mark up easily when carried with keys. If you can live without the toothpick and tweezer, I highly recomend the Alox handled version. It is much more robust than the plastic.
Above you mentioned that you felt the Wenger was a better knife. Can you give an expaination why?

Paul
Click to expand...
 
Hey Jack...

Jack Scribes:

"He considers the Mag light better than the ARC AAA"


I Highly doubt he even knows what a AAA ARC is. Matter of fact, I'd bet money on the fact he has no clue. Anyone that has held an ARC then turns around and tells you to buy a Mag because its better, is blowing sunshine up your a$$.

Ask him if he knows what an Inova X5T or even a Surefire E2e is. I'll bet he doesn't know either...

There are very few Canadian dealers who are up on the new technology. Stick with these guys..
Throw them some trick questions, then you'll know whos on the up and up...

ttyle

Eric...
 
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