SAK: Mini Champ Alox vs Executive

[Gary W. Graley]

Just saw a fellow's black Mini Champ Alox, it looked very sweet indeed, I searched about and wasn't able to find a black Alox one, but just the silver, which I reckon will do, BUT as my very favourite SAK is the Executive, I'd like to see if some of you might happen to own both and can show a comparison side by side. I know I'll give up the toothpick and tweesers but as one fellow said he just packs those bits into his wallet for those times he needs time, I may do likewise if I were to get one.

My worry is the Mini Champ would be a lot thicker than the Executive, being Alox I've read that has helped to keep the size down, but still, I'm guessing it'll be a bit thicker.

SO, help a fella out with some comparison images if you have both knives and if any of you can direct me to someone that has a black Alox one to part with, that'd be great too

Thanks in advance,
G2

 

[brand0n]

Sorry for the horrible cell phones pics

 

[Gary W. Graley]

SWEET, that was fast and I'm thinking I'd like that, not near as thick as I had expected, albeit a little shorter, thanks VERY much for the fast post
G2

 

[brand0n]

SWEET, that was fast and I'm thinking I'd like that, not near as thick as I had expected, albeit a little shorter, thanks VERY much for the fast post
G2

You're welcome. It just happened that i had both right in front of me now

 

[digitalurbancamo]

This topic is relative to me as well. I was just looking them up for comparison. Is there a weight difference as well? Also if anybody happens to have an alox version of the mini champ and a cadet I would be vary interested to see the thickness differences.

@Brand0n

Actually they help quite a bit (at least for me). Thanks for posting them.

 

[Piso Mojado]

There was a smooth alox Executive

and a stainless steel version, the Director.

I have seen both on the big auction site. Alox is more common because Victorinox used them for special-order advertising knives.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

nice, I do like the textured sides more, looking for a black one now
G2

 

[brand0n]

nice, I do like the textured sides more, looking for a black one now
G2

Weird, just last week there were a few on evil at BNIB for a good price. Now I don't see any

 

[Gary W. Graley]

I never shop there, well any more and never have for knives, only time was for dvd's a LONG time ago when I first bought a dvd player, but after getting burned with a really really bad copy of a dvd, I decided that was enough for me and never venture back there. Plus not having paypal limits you I would imagine from buying on there?
BUT if there was one on there and could be gotten without paypal, I might take a trip to the bay...
Thanks for the info!
G2

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Ended up getting one of the Silver ones, it'll match up nice to my Pioneer Harvester, although it's seen better days. Took the liberty today of getting all the pocket gunk out if it, a thorough washing and oiling and now all the tools/blades open and close cleanly, a few drops of Nano Oil once all dried helped too. And I sharpened up the Awl, as that is one of the tools I do use a great deal, that and the screwdriver and the hawkbill blade, it's a pretty handy knife! and the Alox handle makes for a good gripping surface too.

The awl you have to do as a chisel edge type thing, I rounded or made the back side more convexed and polished as I'll use that to ream out holes and the smoother back will help make it work better. While the actual edge I rub flat on the stone to remove the burr, and then strop on a leather strop.

here's a couple shots of my Pioneer Harvester and the red Executive that I'll be retiring soon but always near by, it's a very good knife too, I'll see how well the Alox Mini Champ proves it's worthiness in this household

G2

 

[this_is_nascar]

Great thread. I'll be watching this one. My Executive is the best SAK for me.

 

[brand0n]

Ended up getting one of the Silver ones, it'll match up nice to my Pioneer Harvester, although it's seen better days. Took the liberty today of getting all the pocket gunk out if it, a thorough washing and oiling and now all the tools/blades open and close cleanly, a few drops of Nano Oil once all dried helped too. And I sharpened up the Awl, as that is one of the tools I do use a great deal, that and the screwdriver and the hawkbill blade, it's a pretty handy knife! and the Alox handle makes for a good gripping surface too.

The awl you have to do as a chisel edge type thing, I rounded or made the back side more convexed and polished as I'll use that to ream out holes and the smoother back will help make it work better. While the actual edge I rub flat on the stone to remove the burr, and then strop on a leather strop.

here's a couple shots of my Pioneer Harvester and the red Executive that I'll be retiring soon but always near by, it's a very good knife too, I'll see how well the Alox Mini Champ proves it's worthiness in this household

G2

Great pics Gary

 

[SAK Guy]

Great pics Gary

+1!!!!

 

[Gary W. Graley]

OK folks, here's the skinny on these two knives;

The MiniChamp is, well, Mini and I believe it's truly intended for keychain carry, but, I don't really carry a knife on my keychain. With that said, here's some images to compare blades and scissors between the two knives;

Shot showing the two Main blades, the Executive has a much more substantial blade

in fact the main of the Mini is more or less the size of the smaller pen on the Executive;

and the wharncliff of the Mini is about the same length as the smaller pen on the Executive, mine was a little funky on the grind, but can probably be worked out, but there's not a lot of metal to work with, but, it is a very thin blade too

and the scissors are quite a bit smaller than the Executive but should still perform well

for me, I'll be hanging onto my Executive I'm afraid, I'll put the MiniChamp in my computer bag for a just in case thing, the other few items on the knife are nice too but don't sway me enough to knock out the Executive.

NOW, for some this will be what they are looking for, just wanted to show some comparisons before you take the plunge on getting one.

G2

 

[Alnamvet68]

Thanks for the review...it is too small for my tastes, and your objective observations just confirmed that...I'll wait for the Alox Minichamp Plus to make its way to these shores, in 91-93mm; it's long overdue.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

That would be cool, just not too thick

Here's another shot of the MiniChamp

G2

 

[Gary W. Graley]

And...I'll have to concede that after taking the photos and then using it some more, it is growing on me almost to the point of carrying it for a few days instead of the Executive, minds can change sometime.

One other point on this folder, must be due to the smaller size, the walk and talk is much much softer than the other SAK's I've owned, very easy pull on these blades.

Also the flat portion of the nail file/cleaner is rounded and not crisp as the one on the Executive so it doesn't dig as well when cleaning nails, I'll try to remedy that with sharpening stones to bring it to a crisp edge around the point.

G2

edited to add a couple more, and yep, still growing on me

G2

 

[Gary W. Graley]

I think it was a matter of what my mind thought it would be like in person and what it was like once I got it, but, upon further carry and use, I do like it quite a bit and may let my Executive take a much needed vacation

G2

 

[this_is_nascar]

I'll keep carrying my Executive, thank you very much. Just something about it that the other knives can't touch.

 

[JB in SC]

One of the things I like about the Mini Champ and Rambler is that the blade opens opposite the keychain ring. Much easier to use without removing it. I have a McGizmo clip on my alox Rambler.