OK, What the heck has happened?

B

BenHarris

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Apr 30, 2014
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Less than six months ago I was carrying at least two knives. I carried a rotation of probably ten knives. But over the past two months, every time I put a knife in my pocket, I take it out and put the Alox Pioneer I got back in November in its place. It might change to a Huntsman when I go hiking, it might be supplemented with a Stockman while working or a Mora while bushcrafting, I might have a Classic on my keys, and I always have a Leatherman in my satchel, but the Pioneer is my carry 90-95% of the time. I would even say that 80% of the time I only have the Pioneer. It is just so perfect, I don't really need anything else. So, what the heck happened? How did this little metal handled scout knife do this?

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I totally understand, I carried this one for almost 5 years straight, usually with nothing to accompany it. It doesn't have the exotic scales or styling of many slipjoints, but it is pretty much the functionally perfect pocketknife. Wicked stainless. Easy to sharpen. Very efficient use of room for the number of tools. Awesome fit and finish. It is the traditional scout pattern perfected. I use mine every damned day, sometimes swapping it for a Farmer when I go hiking, so I have an extra saw layer.

pioneer.jpg
 
It's really a great pattern. You really don't need anything else.... but I still like all the other stuff too. ;)
 
I tried really hard not to like my Cadet SAK. I really did, but they're just too good. I now have an Alox Solo on the way to me from Germany. I have high hopes that I will hate it, but realistically I don't see much chance of that happening.
 
On the off chance you don't like it, ( you will), I would be happy to take it and spare you the misery of owning it! ;)
 
Maybe because if you have a SAK in your pocket, you don't really NEED anything else in the way of a pocket knife?

Yeah, that jigged chestnut bone is beautiful, the mellowed yellow stag is gorgeous, and that silky smooth oil rubbed ebony is sexy. But…and there's that word, it won't deal with that loose screw, cold brew, can, minor repair in the middle of nowhere like a SAK will.

I go on the record for loving the old traditional pocket knives, with the old traditional materials. But I can't count the times I've been saved by having a SAK on hand with a few simple tools that can let me finagle a make shift repair on something from a boats trolling motor to a Vespa motor scooter on a dirt road far from anywhere. There;s a good reason why Victorinox is the worlds largest manufacturer of pocket knives, period. The whole rest of the world loves SAK's. They are far more than a pocket knife, they are a small pocket size bundle of some simple tools that give you an option. Multi tools like Leathermans are up there also.

But while a SAK may be all you need, just like we can survive on bean sprouts and tofu, a steak or nice fat burger is good for the soul. Man needs his art and beauty, otherwise we wouldn't have art galleries. So carry the SAK, but let yourself caress a nice jigged bone handle or feel the popcorn of some nice rough barked stag. You'll thank yourself for it. :)
 
I went through a phase of about a month where I only carried a Pioneer/Soldier. I still do from time to time but it's not exclusive. It is pretty much all most people would ever need.
 
BenHarris said:
Less than six months ago I was carrying at least two knives. I carried a rotation of probably ten knives. But over the past two months, every time I put a knife in my pocket, I take it out and put the Alox Pioneer I got back in November in its place. It might change to a Huntsman when I go hiking, it might be supplemented with a Stockman while working or a Mora while bushcrafting, I might have a Classic on my keys, and I always have a Leatherman in my satchel, but the Pioneer is my carry 90-95% of the time. I would even say that 80% of the time I only have the Pioneer. It is just so perfect, I don't really need anything else. So, what the heck happened? How did this little metal handled scout knife do this?

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It's useful and meets your needs.

I have big hands and like having scissors on board. So this is my solution, which is actually very close to yours at the end of the day.
Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
I picked up a red alox Farmer. When I go out, I like to drop it in my left front pocket, slide my wallet in over it, and not have to worry about any other tools.

I still keep my Classic on my keychain, but that has always been more of a talisman. I rarely use anything but the scissors.
 
I've gotten into the habit of Cadet at the office and Pioneer everywhere else. Dress occasions will be the alox Bantam. Amazing how thin that thing is. When I do carry it, I have to keep checking it's there.
 
My daily rotation changes but there is one constant. No matter what the situation I always have this in my front left pocket.
SAK Alox Farmer & Maratec AAA
uploadfromtaptalk1427231738289.jpg
 
BenHarris said:
Less than six months ago I was carrying at least two knives. I carried a rotation of probably ten knives. But over the past two months, every time I put a knife in my pocket, I take it out and put the Alox Pioneer I got back in November in its place. It might change to a Huntsman when I go hiking, it might be supplemented with a Stockman while working or a Mora while bushcrafting, I might have a Classic on my keys, and I always have a Leatherman in my satchel, but the Pioneer is my carry 90-95% of the time. I would even say that 80% of the time I only have the Pioneer. It is just so perfect, I don't really need anything else. So, what the heck happened? How did this little metal handled scout knife do this?

IMG_8735_zpsa25d87cb.jpg
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Click to expand...

I think the Swiss are (through Victorinox) on the road to pocketknife world domination! I have to be careful a Farmer or Bushcrafter doesn't dominate my pocket.:D:D:D
 
Victorinox pioneer by tens339, on Flickr

I have the same sickness. Except I've been carrying other knives lately and everyday there is a Vic Pioneer shaped hole in my pocket. To me this knife is so cool on so many levels. I love the profile and the way the tang is flush with the handle when closed. Victorinox does such a great job on fit & finish. My close second to the Pioneer is the Banatam Alox - talk about power to weight ratio!

-Rex

Bantam alox by tens339, on Flickr
 
For me, an SAK is the only pocket knife I'd ever need, but certainly not the only knife I'd ever want. ;)
 
Vic's Pioneer and (old design) Soldier, Wenger's Standard Issue, and the classic 4-blade camper pattern are all the same knife, cosmetics apart. There's just something about that basic pattern that works for a lot of people.

And when you look at the SAKs with more blades (except the monster models), at the heart of all of them is the same 4-blade camper/pioneer, with a few extra tools stuck on.

Not for everyone — and obsolete in some ways — but hard to dismiss. In fact, just yesterday morning I used the leather punch/awl on my Ulster Scout knife to punch holes in the birdbath's ice in prep for pouring hot water into it. Obsolete? Sure — who needs to punch holes in horse tack these days? But looked at another way, it's a small, sharp, steel spike that can be used for any task calling for a small, sharp, steel spike....

Here's the knife in question (but with only the blade showing):

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