SAK "Pioneer" vs BSA vs ...

afishhunter

afishhunter

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Oct 21, 2014
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4 blades:
Spear point Main
Screwdriver/cap lifter combination
Can opener (AKA "Tin Opener") with small screwdriver
Awl/Punch.

The SAK Pioneer, the average "Boy Scout" knife, and the Camillus "Demo"/Utility knife (and copies of the Camillus) all have the same blades.
The SAK is available with (or comes standard/only with) ALOX scales.
The Camillus and the copies have stainless steel handles with "US" stamped on the mark side.
The Boy Scout knives had a variety of scale materials; bone, Derlin, and Stag. There may have been others, as well.

Question: Of these three knives, which would you prefer for EDC?
 
mnblade said:
I'd take the SAK every time. They're in another league.
Click to expand...

That!^^^^^

Plus the SAK can opener can handle phillips screws with ease. The pioneer awl has a nice sharp edge that can act like an spare knife blade for the "dirty work."
 
SAKs are definately in a league of their own. The demo knife being all stainless is a heavyweight. I would be inclined to say the pioneer out sells the other 2 combined. Although my opinion may be biased on this topic since the pioneer is my most carried knife hands down.
 
I'd take the SAK without even knowing what the other two knives were. I can't imagine something else in the same category being able to out-do it.
 
I'd want to feel them in my hands before choosing. Sometimes how good something feels in-hand is hard to predict.
 
I EDC a Victorinox Farmer. If there were no Farmer in the Pioneer series, it would be a Vic Pioneer, and I own several scout knives. It's my favorite pattern.
 
Huuuuuuuuuuuuge fan of the steel Imperial USA used in days gone by, so I'd
opt for a BSA knife made by Imperial!
 
I don't own a BSA Knife nor a Camillus... so my vote's goes to the one I do own and like quite a lot: The Pioneer. It's a solid choice for EDC. It was my main blade while I was living the "backpacker life" in the Riverlands of South Australia. Can't go wrong with Vic Quality :)
 
triplef said:
Huuuuuuuuuuuuge fan of the steel Imperial USA used in days gone by, so I'd
opt for a BSA knife made by Imperial!
Click to expand...

As far as I have been able to determine, the Schrade Imperial BSA knife is the same as their Kamp King, which I carried as my only pocket knife for 15 years. I loved it, but had it not been for giving it away to a girl friend, I might still be carrying it. After replacing it with a SAK, though, there was no going back.
 
I have both a Demo knife and a Pioneer, and while I like them and carry them occasionaly, I'll pick the traditional camper/scout/utility in preference to them. (Why? I'll let the milkman of the little village of Anatevka tell you: "Tradition!")

The one below I picked up over the weekend. Camillus Army Engineer's knife, ca. 1942-44. Needs some work, but it still has varying percentages of the original mirror polish on the blades. (These were mirror-polished back then? Who knew?)

tumblr_nwyd5inZrW1r4zf5xo1_1280.jpg


But in order not to thread-jack, here's a BSA knife by Imperial:

tumblr_mv1e090UVy1r4zf5xo1_1280.jpg


And one by Ulster:

tumblr_noki969bty1r4zf5xo1_1280.jpg
 
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It just so happens that I have 2 "Demo" knives (one Camillus, one Schrade) sitting on my desk at work at this very moment. Both are from 1982. Had to send them through an ultrasonic cleaner to get 33 years of dirt and whatnot out of them, followed by a mineral oil soak and thorough cleaning (most of the surface rust came off in the ultrasonic cleaner). I'm letting gravity take care of any extra mineral oil that is sitting in the nooks of the backsprings.

Even after all these years, great snap on all the tools. Built like little tanks with the all stainless construction.

Fit-and-finish on the Pioneer is better than the Demo knives I've had, but I'd say they're both equally tough. The Demo knives can be had for next to nothing on That Auction Site. The bail is also a huge plus. They sure do wear well with age, too!

(I have my eye on one of the 2015 limited edition Pioneer's right now, so I'd say do the right thing and just get both :thumbup:)
 
I own and have used both the Pioneer SAK and the U.S. Demo knife and I love them both but If i have chose just one I would pick the pioneer because it is easier to find and to purchase.

The U.S. Demo knives are not manufactured anymore so finding and purchasing one of them is a bit of a challenge.
 
I have never owned the Pioneer.
Just emphasise that pint there.
However in my collection (all users) I have double the amount of victorinox than any other brand. I think that speaks volumes. I have never, ever been disappointed by them either.
 
They are all "knives" with additional tools added. I have a 1962 Imperial Boy Scout knife and a 2015 Victorinox Pioneer. They both perform the same function and work flawlessly even though the Imperial is an "ancient" knife and shows its age. Use whatever floats your boat and if you have brand loyalty use a knife from your favorite brand or base your decision on handle materials or whatever you feel is most important to you. A bottle opener is a bottle opener whether on a Scout knife or a SAK.
 
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