Next SAK should be?

Alox Soldier. The texture on the alox is very nice and it's shiny. my only alox SAK is the solo and i want moar!
 
Whatever you do, don't go wenger! I think there cheap. I would go Alox Solider, I have one and love it!
 
Personal preference is the Victorinox Pioneer. Virtually identical to the Victorinox alox soldier(which has been discontinued as of 2008)but includes a keyring that is handy for attaching lanyards and such. The Wenger is very good also,but not quite as polished as most Victorinox tend to be. Oddly enough,Wenger is owned by Victorinox for several years now,but the separate brand still exists. Though it wasn't on your list,consider the Victorinox Farmer. It adds a saw and is only slightly thicker than the Soldier/Pioneer. Very handy to have and you're not making any sacrifices in portability. My reason for NOT picking the Cadet is that I would rather have the awl instead of the nail file. And the cadet is a bit small feeling in the hand and the Pioneer/Farmer is just right.
 
If you must have the nail file,pick a pioneer/farmer and add a classic/rambler or leatherman squirt to your keyring. That will add the nailfile,toothpick,tweezers,and penblade.
 
I have a Cadet , find it too small in the hand and don't find much use for the nail file . The Soldier and Pioneer are just about identical , just a different sheild and Civilian Vs. Military cross . Depends how you feel about lanyard rings . Another consideration- Vic Soldiers are no longer made ( tho still plentifull ) , Pioneers will continue to be made in the forseable future . Get em while they are still around . I have a Wenger SI , it has a good bail , the blade has a tad bit more belly than the Soldier. It's a Mil Spec piece , and is better quality than normal Wengers , and even uses a Vic. Style can opener .

I like the Soldier , it's just a classic ! The Farmer is another choice perhaps you haven't thought of ( Pioneer with a saw ). A great piece for the woods . The extra thickness makes for a great hand feel , and doesn't detract from it as an EDC . The awls on all the above mentioned are sublime tools , very usefull - another strike against the Cadet . Alox is highly addictive .

A Rambler is a superb add on , scissors , nail file , #1 philips ( Magnetic ) . The can opener is fair for driving # 2 philips screws . I really dony understand why anyone buys classics , the Rambler is just so much better !

Chris
 
I really like the Cadet for EDC. Thinner than the single layer Bantam (Celidor version), it's hardly noticeable in the pocket. I probably use the nail file more than any other tool, but not for filing nails.
 
Ask 20 SAKaholics , get 35 answers ! There is no such thing as a bad SAK ( cept maybe the Autotool ) .

Chris
 
Again not on your list but I'd go with a Victorinox Farmer. I couldnt be happier with mine.
 
Last edited:
If you are looking at buying your first Alox SAK , it should be a Farmer .

Chris
 
I have TWO farmers! I am looking to make them exclusive to my woods carry, and go w/o the saw for EDC. So I think we have eliminated the Cadet as an option. Is there really much of a quality difference between the Wenger Standard Issue and the Alox Soldier? Thought they were the same spec?
 
Out of your choices, I would choose the Wenger, because I don't have it yet. I think you should get the Alox soldier, because it has been discontinued. It is easy for pocket carry everywhere. The cadet is a bit smaller, I carry it in an 'office' setting, and switch to soldier for the home/garage.

Similar to others, I love the farmer in the woods. I have a SAK for every occasion!

Healthvet
 
Their is nothing wrong with my SI , good tool . That said , if I were you I would go with a Vic. Soldier - a true classic .

Chris
 
Get the Cadet.... the Soldier & Pioneer are thick with a very 'tank-like' build quality. It wasn't until I picked up a black Alox Pioneer that I finally understood why they used to hand these out to Swiss soldiers.

I say get the Cadet because it packs a ton of utility into such a slim, carryable package. I have 5 different colors :) It's all you need for a small EDC knife.... blade, 2 screwdrivers, pry bar, nail file, can & beer opener.... :thumbup:
 
Smash05 said:
Cadet, Pioneer, Standard Issue (Wenger) or Alox Soldier? Which and why, thanks.
Click to expand...

Buy them as your next three new SAK's, in random order, because they're all good. :)

The Pioneer, Wenger SI and Soldier are almost equal in size, functions and quality. The Cadet is a bit different, it is smaller, thinner and has a nail file instead of the awl, but also a very good SAK.
 
Id say get all three and decide from there. You can fetch all three for maybe 75 bucks tops. If thats not possible, Id go for the Pioneer because I feel that Victorinox has better fit and finish and it can be had in different colors. The alox Soldier/Standard Issue are only available in silver. Plus the Pioneer has the keyring attachment.
 
It really depends on how it is going to be used. If it's for EDC, the Cadet is my choice. If you need the awl, or if it's for moderately heavy or outdoor use, get the Soldier or Pioneer (or the Wenger option). It it's just to have another SAK, all of them are worth having, although I'm partial to Victorinox. The Alox knives I have are the Farmer, Soldier, Cadet, and Bantam, and I wouldn't be without any of them.
 
Since the Victorinox Pioneer and Soldier and the Wenger SI are almost equal in functionality, you might also be interested in alox SAK's with different functions, like the Electrician or the Rancher.
 
Smash05 said:
Is there really much of a quality difference between the Wenger Standard Issue and the Alox Soldier? Thought they were the same spec?
Click to expand...

No quality differences, both are made to Swiss milspecs. There are slight implement differences, though. Between them I prefer the Wenger because it comes with a bail, which I use for dummycording. Laugh if you will, but in many decades I have never lost a knife.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top