SAK:Classic Red or Alox

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kidwholaughs

Joined
Jan 17, 2004
Messages
1,189
Hey guys,

Ok Question for the SAK pros.
I am torn between having to chose from a Champion and a Farmer. One one hand I could get a few more useful tools out of the Champion. On the other hand, I could get a 5 really tough tool with the Alox handle.

I guess my question is: Are the Alox series THAT much "better"/different than the classic red SAKs?

Thought?

God Bless
 
I like the alox better. My EDC for the last seven years has been a Soldier model, switching to a Farmer when in the woods. The knife blade is slightly thicker, and they just seem "tougher" to me. I also always have a Vic Classic on my keyring for the added benefit of scissors and tweezers.
 
Also understand that the keyring attachment is placed more towards the backspring on the farmer (alox series) than the cellidor models. Some people find it a little annoying when doing a lot of sawing. I generally have a 550 cord lanyard on my blades so I fold it back over the backspring on my alox farmer when sawing.

You'll find the awls better on the alox series also if you are on the fence with which one to get. The awl is a great firesteel striker, BTW.

Either way, they are both good knives and affordable. Get both.
 
I have two alox Farmers, but I find that I take the old style with me hiking more often, because I actually use the tweezers occasionally. Also the Fieldmaster is my favorite combo, because I like having both a scissors and a saw.
 
Ive been EDCn an alox farmer for going on 3 years now. Definatly my favorite SAK, and I think that its a way better choice then a Swiss Champ. Slimmer, tougher, and easy to carry. Disappears in your pocket.

Id take a Swisstool any day over the champ.
 
Alox! You'll appreciate the simpleness.
 
The alox is tougher, But I don't really think you need the x-tra toughness. I prefer the thinner blade on the normals once, I would love to have the awl on the alox instead of the little blade though.
 
I EDC a Farmer. Yes, it's "tougher" as others have said, but I don't see a bunch of broken blades or tools on the cellidor models. How tough does a SAK really need to be? I carry a red Farmer because I like the way it looks and feels--not because it's more robust. Get the knife you want and don't worry as to whether it will hold up. It will.
 
I like the smooth red scales, I guess get scratches easier if that's a worry.
I'd say, pick either scale style you like. There's not much difference.
 
kidwholaughs said:
Hey guys,

Ok Question for the SAK pros.
I am torn between having to chose from a Champion and a Farmer. One one hand I could get a few more useful tools out of the Champion. On the other hand, I could get a 5 really tough tool with the Alox handle.

I guess my question is: Are the Alox series THAT much "better"/different than the classic red SAKs?

Thought?

God Bless
Click to expand...
Both celidor and alox are great.
Choose a sak based on the tools you want.
If you don't need scissors/tweezers/toothpick/corkscrew then go with the Farmer.
If you want scissors/tweezers/toothpick/corkscrew go with the Champion.
Actually i'd go with the Swisschamp over the Champion.
The Swisschamps pliers are smaller than those on most multis but they still are useful.
Two other models to look at would be the Compact and the Huntsman.
Imo the Huntsman mostly has everything you will ever need.
Sometimes i just carry a Huntsman and a little Gerber Clutch (for pliers). The Huntsman and the Clutch are what i keep in my backpack.

For me scissors are one of the things i use the most on a SAK/multi so of the two listed above i'd go with the Champion (although i love my Farmers).
Victorinox really needs to make an Alox Version of the Huntsman.
 
Most has been told already. If I had to choose between a Champion and a Farmer, I would choose the Farmer. Not because its tools and scales are tougher, but it provides the tools I use most and is much smaller. When it comes to outdoor usage, a model that I use as often as the Farmer is the Huntsman, which is about 5 mm thicker than the Farmer and provides a bit more tools. The Farmer may be tougher and a bit larger, but the Huntsman also never failed and also its tools never got broken.
 
Thanks guys,

I appreciate all the outpouring of great advice that you guys gave. I am leaning towards deciding on the knife based on the tools that I want.

God Bless
 
I carried the same SAK from 1985 until 2002. It was really used hard and it was my only knife until I found BF (thanks guys for draining my wallet....).

If they get scratched or scuffed up, you can polish them back up with Brasso, 1500/2000 grit sandpaper or any other buffing compounds. Just make sure to not get DEET on them as it will "melt" (so to speak) the cellidor scales.

Plus if you damage them beyond repair, get a new set (in Stayglo if possible) and snap a new set on or make your own.
 
I have some alox models, but generally carry the cellidor-scaled Compact or Super Tinker.

I like to have the scissors, toothpick and tweezers option.
 
For me, this is how I see it:

For traveling, or gifts to non-knife nuts, Vic Manager 2.
For EDC, usually a Climber
For the woods, either a Huntsman or Farmer
For around the house (too big to carry comfortably) Huntsman Lite (very handy by the bed at night)

YMMV. It's all good!
 
I EDC a Farmer.
If you choose to go with a Farmer or any Alox Vic stay with the silver, the colored ones show wear much more than the silver. My red farmer which is about a year old is closer to pink now.
 
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