Question for fans of the Cadet...

[jackknife]

When I do carry the cadet, the nail file is my general poky tool as well as tiny Phillips driver for those tiny screws in electronics. I file a teeny bit of flat on the point to let it get down in the small Phillips screw heads better. That way I can deal with very small Phillip[s screws the flat bit on the can opener can't even begin to fit in.

But I would still love a cadet X.

 

[Lee D]

I would like to get rid of the file and replace it with scissors. We've harped on that several times and even written Victorinox, all to no avail.

I’d be happy with the 58mm scissors in place of the nail file.

 

[kamakiri.knives]

I’d be happy with the 58mm scissors in place of the nail file.

Can be made for the backside…and just add the 58mm scissors. Just needs a backspring swap and a 4th pin installed. Pretty easy mod.

 

[redbuda]

File is 2nd most used tool I use. I want replace the main blade with a Dragonfly blade, add a scissors layer, combo tool and file on the bottom. Dragonox GX

 

[ChrisB507]

I love my Cadet and use the nail file regularly. I’d like to keep the nail file, get rid of the bottle opener and add a scissor. Anyone done this mod? (I’m clueless about SAK mods and modders.)

 

[willisoften]

I would like to get rid of the file and replace it with scissors. We've harped on that several times and even written Victorinox, all to no avail.

The Cadet is very slim and as tools go the scissors are a little wider, the nail file seems very slim. So many cans come with ring pulls nowaday I'd rather loose the can opener. Although I'd miss the small flathead. The Cadet was my office knife for years and in the urban environment every office or shop has scissors. Now just carry the 58mm Rambler most days.

I did for a while tote a larger knife and lost it the Ambassador 74mm - I really liked it.
I also tried the Executive 81 (Naff) and the Executive (OK) if you want a smaller knife with scissors but they are cellidor scales.

Forgot to add I used the blunt point of the nail file to remove ticks from our Spinger ( when the head got left behind).

 

[Stelth]

I hate the nail file. I use nail clippers. I would prefer an awl so a cadet would be like a mini soldier. Scissors would be cool, too. To me, filing your nails makes almost as much sense as using a cheese grater to trim branches.

 

[A.L.]

Maybe my nails cut clean or my scissors are really sharp but I've never felt the need for nail file. I call it the tool that rub scratches things tool.

 

[EngrSorenson]

I hate the nail file. I use nail clippers. I would prefer an awl so a cadet would be like a mini soldier. Scissors would be cool, too. To me, filing your nails makes almost as much sense as using a cheese grater to trim branches.

Maybe my nails cut clean or my scissors are really sharp but I've never felt the need for nail file. I call it the tool that rub scratches things tool.

I’m mostly in this camp. On the classic I do use the nail file to round the nail after I trim it with the scissors if I messed anything up. Nail file / scissors combo makes sense to me.

 

[Rsmith_77]

+1 for cadet 2
I think it would be improved with trading the file out for a pen blade

 

[buckthorn]

Absolutely! Thanks.

 

[Case C.]

rather have a Voyageur over a Cadet but good luck getting one under $300

 

[Danny Linguini]

I love my Cadet. But I also love my Rambler. I wish the two would have a wild sex party and have a baby the size of the Cadet with correspondingly enlarged tools of the Rambler. Pioneer X is the closest they’ve got to that, but it’s just a hair bigger and heavier than I’d like.

 

[EngrSorenson]

I wish the two would have a wild sex party and have a baby

Comments like this are the reason I keep coming back to blade forums.

 

[Rsmith_77]

It won't work
They are sterile surgical steel

 

[Jrgn]

The nail file is the reason I was never really interested in the Cadet. The Alox Bantam I bought was returned within hours because it’s far too thin foe comfortable use.

Alox is nice and all, but I’d go for a Recruit any day of the week. The small blade is much more useful to me. And cellidor scales are just fine. I once owned a +45 year old SAK with cellidor scales that were just fine. I regret selling that knive. There’s nothing about alox that would make me skip cellidor. Buy a Recruit.

 

[willisoften]

The nail file is the reason I was never really interested in the Cadet. The Alox Bantam I bought was returned within hours because it’s far too thin foe comfortable use.

Alox is nice and all, but I’d go for a Recruit any day of the week. The small blade is much more useful to me. And cellidor scales are just fine. I once owned a +45 year old SAK with cellidor scales that were just fine. I regret selling that knive. There’s nothing about alox that would make me skip cellidor. Buy a Recruit.

I'd generally prefer Celidor myself, but Alox has its place.
Why the Recruit and not the Tourist or Small Tinker?

 

[willisoften]

I’d be happy with the 58mm scissors in place of the nail file.

Or the 74mm scissors. I think the even smaller scissors are fractionally more than twice the thickness of the nail file?

 

[EngrSorenson]

Buy a Recruit.

Already have one- it’s a great knife.

 

[Danny Linguini]

The nail file is the reason I was never really interested in the Cadet. The Alox Bantam I bought was returned within hours because it’s far too thin foe comfortable use.

Alox is nice and all, but I’d go for a Recruit any day of the week. The small blade is much more useful to me. And cellidor scales are just fine. I once owned a +45 year old SAK with cellidor scales that were just fine. I regret selling that knive. There’s nothing about alox that would make me skip cellidor. Buy a Recruit.

My assumption has always been that the nail file, like most other SAK tools besides the knife blade, are meant to be used in a pinch when a real file/scissor/screwdriver/corkscrew/toothpick/whatever isn’t handy (or if I’m too lazy to get up and get the ‘regular” tool). I never bought a SAK with the intention of using any of those tools as permanent replacements for real ones. In fact I got my Cadet specifically for my TV table and those lazy times that I know I won’t feel like getting up off the couch to cut something open or file down a stubborn fingernail edge. And it’s done a marvelous job at it!