Question for Alox SAK Users

G

Guy McVer

Joined
Mar 22, 2022
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For people who own and actually use their Alox Swiss army knives, how does it feel to use them in high heat or extreme cold conditions? Is it any different or more difficult to handle your Alox SAK when it's been sitting in the hot sun or chillin' out on a snow covered log? Do you ever find yourself hesitant to reach out and grab it under those types of conditions?
 
Guy McVer said:
For people who own and actually use their Alox Swiss army knives, how does it feel to use them in high heat or extreme cold conditions? Is it any different or more difficult to handle your Alox SAK when it's been sitting in the hot sun or chillin' out on a snow covered log? Do you ever find yourself hesitant to reach out and grab it under those types of conditions?
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Don't have an ALOX SAK, but I do have a couple all stainless steel DEMO knives, a all stainless hawkbill pruner/folding carpet/Linoleum/drywall knife, and a 100% stainless steel folding Marbles fishing/critter peeling knife.
None are anodized or coated/painted/blued, etc. Just polished stainless steel.
I'm going to guess they heat up about the same as an ALOX SAK.

If left on the dash or rear parcel shelf of a closed up car on a hot sunny summer day, you might want to pick it up with a rag or while wearing gloves. (like pretty much anything else under the same conditions).
If left siting in direct sunlight, but accessable to the breeze, they can get a little warm, but not enough to burn you.
In your pocket or a sheath, or in shade they stay cool.

I think the black ALOX would be hotter than silver or other light color or the red under the same conditions. Black absorbs heat. Think of how hot the body of a black car (or how hot you get wearing black) gets in the sun compared to other colors. 😷
 
I've regretted leaving mine in the 28degree sun for 15 minutes before during summer, made it hot enough that it had to cook off for around 10 minutes in a tool belt then was fine to handle . Haven't had any issues with cold, but then I live in a pretty moderate part of NZ.
 
Storm 8593 said:
hot enough that it had to cook off for around 10 minutes
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unintentionally perfect typo
afishhunter said:
stainless steel
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This is what bugs me about the Leatherman Rebar. I own one and I love it, and they're a fantastic low budget option, but the all stainless exterior is a major drawback in my opinion. It also has some pretty nasty hot spots when using the pliers for any extended length of time. One time it actually chewed up my fingers so bad that I had to treat them with iso, peroxide, neosporin, and bandaids.

Gloves. Gotta have 'em, I guess.
 
Most times the Alox is actually in my pocket.

Comes out to do the stuff that needs to be done (cutting, opening a can, using the saw to make a notch etc..) then it goes back into the pocket.
No issues with cold or hot metal scales.
 
I've been using alox SAK's since about 1969. Also had the all steel M-I-L-818 army issue scout knife for a long time. Had used both in hot and cold climates with no problems at all. Some snowy winter conditions, as well as sunny summer. If left in the hot sun for a while, it can be a bathos when picked up, but that goes for any pliers, wrench, ratchet set...

Its a pocket knife. its not out in the sun as a rule, but take out, used, and put back, like Wasty said. I'd rather have any alox SAK than a cellidor handle one in any conditions.
 
On the heat side of things I've not had it be a problem as aluminum tools don't have the same specific heat as steel, so while they might feel hot for a second, they cool off pretty quick. In cold weather, same thing, they warm up quicker. That said, there is something to be said about the back-springs and such, but overall, I've not had temp be a problem in use.
 
flir_20220328T154106_compress86.jpg

Out of curiosity I took a FLIR pick of my Bantam Alox, just out of the pocket, on my desk - 30,5C ~ 86.9°F that's as warm as the inside of my pocket is...

The Knife stays out of the pocket for an average of one minute (opening - cutting - (cleaning if need be) closing) and does not see the light of day until I take it out of my pocket to put it on the night stand with the other EDC items...
 
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