Minimalist SAKs

Jazzman · Jun 29, 2003

IMO, the Alox Bantam would be the perfect EDC if it featured a full sized spear blade such as on the Soldier/Pioneer Apprentice. It's not that I don't care for the smaller blade, but I do prefer the larger, full blade. My fiance has bought me a SAK Compact for our anniversary that I just happened to find out about

I can't wait personally. This is my first model with the hook.
Matt

trane fan · Jun 29, 2003

Originally posted by UnknownVT
My apologies for jumping to (wrong) conclusions.

That sounds very interesting.
Does it have a keyring?
Is it the 84mm length?
or by any chance 75mm closed?

Do you have a model # for it, please?
Can you please post a pic?

Thanks

No need to apologies, you made a valid assumption based on the info you had at the time. To answer your questions, it does not have a key ring, it's 84 mm closed, no model number and no way to post a pic, sorry.

UnknownVT · Jun 30, 2003

Originally posted by trane fan
it does not have a key ring, it's 84 mm closed, no model number and no way to post a pic, sorry.

sounds very interesting .....

so is it basically a red Secretary?

Thanks

Revolvergeek · Jun 30, 2003

I picked up 5 Bantams off of eBay for $15!!

I have 3 spares. If anybody wants one, email me.

trane fan · Jun 30, 2003

Originally posted by UnknownVT
sounds very interesting .....

so is it basically a red Secretary?

Thanks

That's it in a nut shell UVT. I swear when I purchased it the label said Pocket Pal. But again that was five years ago. I actually have a 75 mm version that belonged to my late Father. It is also red and set up like the pic you posted. It has the name of the company for which he worked on one side and is blank on the other. The blade is stamped Elinox on the nail nick side and Victorinox on the opposite side. He died in 1975 so it's at least that old.

rajan · Jun 30, 2003

Vincent, et. al.,

How would you compare the blade of the yeoman with the soldier. I have handled the soldier and would like a perspective on the yeoman before I consider buying it online. My initial impressions on the soldier's blade is that it is thick and has no play. Is this true with the yeoman too?

TIA.

markd1 · Jun 30, 2003

The soldier blade is deeper, thicker, and slightly longer than the blade on the yeoman. The blade on the Yeoman is the standard 91mm blade on models like the huntsman, spartan, tinker, etc. No play, easy to sharpen and holds an edge reasonably long.

UnknownVT · Jul 1, 2003

Originally posted by trane fan
I swear when I purchased it the label said Pocket Pal. But again that was five years ago. I actually have a 75 mm version that belonged to my late Father. It is also red and set up like the pic you posted. It has the name of the company for which he worked on one side and is blank on the other. The blade is stamped Elinox on the nail nick side and Victorinox on the opposite side. He died in 1975 so it's at least that old.

This is from a Victorinox catalog sheet I got Jan/1993 -

(I cut and pasted the bottom knife to re-group them - but othwise the images are unaltered)

Is your dad's 75mm model the bottom knife?

It's very interesting on the Elinox tang stamp -
according to my 100 year commemorative SAK book this appears to be the trademark used between 1957 and 1968

Also on your Alox knife - could this possibly be it?
from a photocopy of a 1976 catalog pumaonly sent me -

The catalog calls it a "Handy Boy" (the numbering is their own item #)

trane fan · Jul 1, 2003

Huh, that's very interesting info, thanks UVT. My 84 mm is the spitting image of the 00. 67 00. 10 save the fact that it's 84 mm and not 75 mm. As to my Father's V'nox/Elinox, 00. 67 00. 10 is a spot on match. As for the logo that appears on the tang, it's "Elinox" overlapping the umbrella instead of the two being separate.

UnknownVT · Jul 1, 2003

Originally posted by trane fan
As for the logo that appears on the tang, it's "Elinox" overlapping the umbrella instead of the two being separate.

I like that - that's the first time I heard it called
an umbrella

It's supposed to be a crossbow

PWork · Jul 1, 2003

'Cuz the crossbow was used by the Swiss mercenaries.

Paul

PWork · Jul 1, 2003

BTW, I just got my Electrician in today (thanks New Graham). This truly is a near perfect "minimal" SAK. I wish they would make the combo tool standard on all the alox models instead of the cap lifter/screwdriver. Now I just gotta try to track down a Popular. I like the ribbed alox better than the smooth.

Paul

trane fan · Jul 1, 2003

Originally posted by UnknownVT
I like that - that's the first time I heard it called
an umbrella

It's supposed to be a crossbow

I'm glad to know that it's supposed to be a crossbow. I never could figure out the umbrella correlation.

Jazzman · Jul 1, 2003

I just got my Compact and it is a great tool! Although thicker than my Tinker this one is sure to recieve alot of pocket carry.
Thanks for selling me on this one fellas,
Matt

Morgoth412 · Jul 1, 2003

Trane_Fan,
Don't feel alone!!

I always thought it was an umbrella too! Haha, there is one of those crossbows on a Wenger of mine!

-Kevin

Frank · Jul 2, 2003

Wow, I've always thought it was an umbrella too. Now that I look at it, I can't believe that I thought that.

numberthree · Jul 2, 2003

I've often thought the same thing....put the combo tool on the Alox Pioneers and reduce size or give us an extra tool on there! I'd love to have one of the exotic second blades on there rather than a can AND bottle opener in 2 separate tools....

rajan · Jul 2, 2003

Originally posted by PWork
BTW, I just got my Electrician in today (thanks New Graham). This truly is a near perfect "minimal" SAK.

Fully agree.

I wish they would make the combo tool standard on all the alox models instead of the cap lifter/screwdriver.

Now do we have the muscle to convince victorinox to offer an electrician with a combo tool?

UnknownVT · Jul 2, 2003

Originally posted by Frank
Wow, I've always thought it was an umbrella too. Now that I look at it, I can't believe that I thought that.

Originally posted by Morgoth412
I always thought it was an umbrella too! Haha,

Originally posted by trane fan
I'm glad to know that it's supposed to be a crossbow. I never could figure out the umbrella correlation.

I guess it doesn't just rain here -
it really Pours!

...looking at this downpour we probably all wish it actually was an umbrella....

trane fan · Jul 2, 2003

I guess the Optometrist was correct. I am going to need to get reading glasses cause I swear the crossbow on my little V'nox/E'nox still looks like an umbrella to me.