SAK for a retirement military gift

M

Mr. Bob

Joined
Dec 9, 2010
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A fellow in my Army unit is retiring after a long time in the military. Major in the Marines, out of the military for a while, and now an E-7. I've kinda looked at him as a mentor; he's a friggin badass and funny as hell. I want to get him a nice but useful knife with his name engraved on it.

My first thought was the Vic "old Soldier" for obvious reasons (which I'll probably have to explain to him :D) but the only similar knife I have, a black Pioneer, doesn't have a convincing "lockup" on the big blade or the awl. Is this typical of 91mm, multlayered SAKs? My Alox Solo has a wonderful lockup but of course only has the one blade. Also, compared to the small Tinker both have the same length of the blocky part on the blade but the smaller one has the bigger ricasso. I don't really want to step down a size. Should I consider that route?

I've also considered a pocket clip added on (or even the Pioneer for the useful ring, but then it loses the "old soldier" part) but don't want to cover up the engraving or have the knife unusually oriented in his pocket. I suppose an Alox Bantam is also a nice option but I don't like how they don't have a key ring and would really prefer a size up (why are there no large Bantams? :D) with the separate screwdrivers/openers.


Any recommendations? I believe we'll be having his retirement ceremony in March. Even though he's been in the Army for almost a decade I figure I'll wrap the knife box in Marine colors. :D
 
the soldier models i've got have quite strong springs, can't go wrong with those, or the pioneer if you need the engraving panel.
how about the solo you mentioned, that would make a great gift also, if the extra tools are not imperative.
other kind of traditional knives also wouldn't be a bad choice, like a buck stockman, or a nice case if you want to spend a bit more.
 
I only have the four Alox Vics (Cadet, Bantam, Pruner, and Electrician), but they all have really solid lock up to me on all of the tools. I don't really know how you could go wrong with a Pioneer ... engraving plate and keyring. Plus a Pioneer is basically a "Soldier" or close enough that you could spin it that way for him. I'm sure anybody would be honored by such a gift.
 
For a retiring U.S. MARINE, I'd say either a Leatherman, or a (unembellished) Ka-Bar.
 
Since he'll now be a man of leisure, what about a nice Vic Executive in black with the engraving panel on the back scale? Classy as hell and damn useful for everyday tasks. I remember reading somewhere years back that it was Chuck Yeager's EDC. That's a hell of an endorsement.
 
I love the Executive. It's such a practical EDC for somebody content to carry a small knife. It disappears in the pocket and also looks quite gentlemanly for a plastic scaled knife, particularly in the black color.

However, a Pioneer or other alox model looks even a bit more classy, IMHO, and has a stronger "solider" connection.
 
You could also look at the Wenger SI, which is basically an old alox Soldier with a bail.
 
Well, what about a Swissbianco Alox. Maybe a Farmer or a Soldier or whatever in colored Aloxhandles.... Maybe you can contact Roger...

Kind regards
 
Hm, I Could Recommend A Lot Of Knives.
But The Ones I Would Look At:
Victorinox Alox Pioneer - It's A Soldier With A Keyring. I Would Get This In A Color Other Than Silver Lol.
Victorinox Alox Solo - It's A Minimalist Knife But Very Nice.
Victorinox Alox Farmer
Victorinox Alox Pioneer Harvester
Wenger Alox S.I.
Victorinox Huntsman In Camo
Victorinox Fieldmaster In Camo(This Is A Huntsman With A Phillips Driver In Place Of The Corkscrew)
Victorinox Deluxe Tinker - In Black, Camo, Or American Flag.
 
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