Pioneer without keyring

E

EagleIH

Gold Member
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Dec 5, 2009
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179
Hi folks,

I had a couple of alox Soldiers years ago, one of which I carried many years. I got into carrying more traditional pocket knives for a while, but I’m making my way back to SAKs because they’re just so handy. Regrettably, I got rid of the 02 and 03 Soldiers I had, not thinking about them discontinuing that model. So I now find myself looking for a Pioneer instead, but without the keyring. I don’t care for the way it feels when gripping the knife. I know it can be filed off, but I’d rather not do that to a new knife. Does anyone know a reasonable source or website where you could find the Pioneer without the keyring? Thanks in advance!
 
I think Pioneer almost always have a keyring, but only the 1961 Alox Soldier is the one without? That's gonna pretty difficult to find without paying a much higher cost for rarity.
 
There have been some dealers who have special-ordered Pioneers without key rings in the past, but they are pricey.

If you don’t want to grind the ring off your best bet would to be to find a replacement Soldier. With a little patience they can be found for not much more than a new Pioneer.
 
SwissBianco has some with special colors but those are twice or thrice more expensive.
The keyring holder is really soft (aluminum) so I wouldn't be scared. Just tape the knife and be careful.
 
The whole issue would be moot, if Victorinox would just put the same keyring on the alox SAK's as the plastic SAK's. Its a whole different angle, and the cellidor SAK keyring is a bit thicker as well, and does not poke the hand near as much. My recruit can be held much more comfortable vs the pioneer with the thin brass ring that jabs the heel of the hand.

Some of the corporate decisions that Victorinox makes, make me wonder.
 
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My Pioneer's with brass liners don't have keyrings
 
I have two pioneers, bought about 5 years ago. Both without the key ring. I thought there was something wrong with them when I noticed a picture of

one with the key ring just recently. Now I find out that they are somewhat unique. A member on another forum gave me the information.

Rarely carry either one.
 
jackknife said:
The whole issue would be moot, if Victorinox would just put the same keyring on the alox SAK's as the plastic SAK's. Its a whole different angle, and the cellidor SAK keyring is a bit thicker as well, and does not poke the hand near as much. My recruit can be held much more comfortable vs the pioneer with the thin brass ring that jabs the heel of the hand.

Some of the corporate decisions that Victorinox makes, make me wonder.
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I touched up the edges of the key ring with a small file to smooth it out. It's better than it was. I use the can opener quite a bit , so this helps.
 
Buy used Pioneer. File off keyring nub. Enjoy!

For aesthetic reasons, I much prefer the alox Soldier/SI over the modern Pioneer.
-- no freaking keyring nub as standard (I do have a couple with them, though)
-- if you must have a lanyard attachment, you can look for an older one with a hollow rivet for a bail
-- no unsightly engraving panel on the back scale
-- I prefer the simplicity of the army shield over the Vic one
-- it was the official Swiss Army knife!

Old cross Pioneers are as elegant as the Soldier. Got a couple of nice red ones. One with keyring; one without. A real shame Vic changed the design.

Much as I love the extra tools of the Spartan pattern, I reckon the sheer sturdiness and awl of Pioneer/Soldier/SI might make it the best all round pocket knife ever. :)
 
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Sawl Goodman said:
Buy used Pioneer. File off keyring nub. Enjoy!

For aesthetic reasons, I much prefer the alox Soldier/SI over the modern Pioneer.
-- no freaking keyring nub as standard (I do have a couple with them, though)
-- if you must have a lanyard attachment, you can look for an older one with a hollow rivet for a bail
-- no unsightly engraving panel on the back scale
-- I prefer the simplicity of the army shield over the Vic one
-- it was the official Swiss Army knife!

Old cross Pioneers are as elegant as the Soldier. Got a couple of nice red ones. One with keyring; one without. A real shame Vic changed the design.

Much as I love the extra tools of the Spartan pattern, I reckon the sheer sturdiness and awl of Pioneer/Soldier/SI might make it the best all round pocket knife ever. :)
Click to expand...
This sums it up.
 
A little trick for filing it off, if you open up the tool next to it to the half way mark (can't remember off hand which tool that is on the Pioneer but probably the bottle opener) then it raises up the spring and gives you far more room to work when filing without coming close to the scales.

These tools are so cheap, there's no real reason not to just file off the keyring, I've done it using the nailfile on a Classic. I don't 'do' the keyring. Complete waste of time on a 91/93mm sized tool. Who hangs them off a keychain?
 
DocT said:
Vic needs to ditch that keyring. I have often voiced my hatred for it. If there must be one, then go back to the bail.
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YES!!!!!!!!!!

This has been a bone in my throat with Victorinox for a long time. My old Wenger SI is my favorite alox SAK for just that reason. No, you won't hang a 91/93mm SAK on a keychain, BUT...you will need an attachment point for a lanyard skiing, boating, backpacking, or any place where knife loss is possible and you're a long way from land or anyplace you can replace your knife.

Before moving to Texas, I lived in Maryland and from eary April to late November a great deal of my time was on some form of boat. Sail boat, fishing boat, canoe, and Kayak. Having a knife on a lanyard is a good thing on water. And even on land, if your working up on a ladder or other high place like a mast, its nice to have the knife attached to you.

They do need to just BRING BACK THE HOLLOW RIVET!!!!!!!!
 
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Pomsbz said:
A little trick for filing it off, if you open up the tool next to it to the half way mark (can't remember off hand which tool that is on the Pioneer but probably the bottle opener) then it raises up the spring and gives you far more room to work when filing without coming close to the scales.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip! I'll remember that one.:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
Yup, some kind folk on here showed me that one when I did the job on my 91 mm Tinker . Certainly helps with clean up of all the filings and such out of the knife when you're done castrating the keyring nub.
Had to pay a lot more attention to the Pioneer to Soldier conversion :D
 
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