Tyson A Wright
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2020
- Messages
- 1,823
I posted a review of the SAK Alox Solo yesterday, and a few people made good natured comments about getting more SAKs, or getting a 'real SAK', or that sort of thing. A single blade only knife, no matter how nice, isn't what most people love about SAKs, so I understand the idea that I should try something with tools so I can get the full SAK experience. (I did buy an Alox Classic, but I guess that doesn't count.) I do find the idea of the Alox Pruner appealing - I could put the pruner blade to good use in the garden, but it looks like these may be out of production at the moment. Also, I think the 'real SAK' idea isn't just two knife blades, but something with some tools in addition to blades. So, I've done a little research and a little thinking about what kind of SAK would work for me.
Normally, I carry a knife and a Leatherman Style PS, and very occasionally a Teale Designs Micro Keychain EDC Pocket Pry Bar. For me to get a 'real' SAK, it would have to at least replace the Leatherman I already have. I tend to like my knives fairly lean (I strongly prefer a single-blade slipjoint to a multi-blade knife or a locking knife), so adding tools to the knife can't wreck the knife experience for me. Overall weight and size matter, as well. Having said all that, if I could have one really nice knife that also had the multitool capabilities I actually care about, and was still a good knife, well, that would be great.
So I looked at some of the Alox's that are the same size and have the same blade as the Alox Solo, to see what other tools they provide. I specifically looked at the Alox Farmer and Alox Pioneer X. Just going through the list of tools available across these two knives:
So what I think would be interesting to me would be an Alox with the large blade and the pruner blade on one spring, the pliers from the Deluxe Tinker on another spring, the Phillips screwdriver on the back of the handle, and tweezers in the scale (even though the Alox never come with tweezers). I suppose one of the many SAK customizers could put something like that together, maybe. Not sure if it would be worth what it would cost, but I think I'd really like it.
So until Victorinox builds that knife (which probably nobody but me would buy), I guess I'll stick with carrying a knife and the Leatherman Style PS. But I'm open to hearing about other SAKs that might fit my use cases, since I am really impressed with the Alox Solo.
-Tyson
Normally, I carry a knife and a Leatherman Style PS, and very occasionally a Teale Designs Micro Keychain EDC Pocket Pry Bar. For me to get a 'real' SAK, it would have to at least replace the Leatherman I already have. I tend to like my knives fairly lean (I strongly prefer a single-blade slipjoint to a multi-blade knife or a locking knife), so adding tools to the knife can't wreck the knife experience for me. Overall weight and size matter, as well. Having said all that, if I could have one really nice knife that also had the multitool capabilities I actually care about, and was still a good knife, well, that would be great.
So I looked at some of the Alox's that are the same size and have the same blade as the Alox Solo, to see what other tools they provide. I specifically looked at the Alox Farmer and Alox Pioneer X. Just going through the list of tools available across these two knives:
- Scissors - the only time I ever use the scissors on the Leatherman is when I have it but don't have my knife. That won't apply here, because these SAKs have a knife blade (which, by the way, means that for no-knife situations, I'd still carry the Style PS).
- Bottle opener - I don't really need this. <begin rant> I understand having a bottle opener on a multitool or a knife, but in the last few years I've seen bottle openers available on the following things: key ring, belt buckle, Hawaiian shirt pocket, top button on jeans, sunglasses, sole of flip-flops, flashlight, wallet, pen, pry tool, hat brim, watch, travel mug, water bottle, messenger bag, cell phone cover, etc. All of that has just made me not want to have a bottle opener on me at all. The Style PS has one in the carabiner clip, so at least it's unobtrusive, but not having one at all would be an improvement. <end rant>
- Wide flat screwdriver - I've never needed a flathead screwdriver on a multitool.
- Small flat screwdriver - I've never needed a flathead screwdriver on a multitool.
- Wire stripper - on the very, very few occasions that I've needed to strip wire but didn't have my actual tools with me, a knife blade worked fine. Not great, but if I'm doing enough of this to want better than a knife, I'll just get some tools. (I'm not really doing a lot of emergency electrical work with my EDC setup.)
- Reamer / punch - the only use case I see anybody list for this is to 'punch new holes in my belt'. I made my current belt, and if I need to add new holes to it, I'll use one of the Tandy leather punches I have.
- Can opener - if I'm car-camping and bringing canned food with me, I also have a rotary-blade can opener. If I'm backpacking, I'm not carrying food in cans.
- Saw - this is interesting, but I don't think I really need it - I've never carried an EDC saw, and I've never missed having one.
- Key ring - not going to attach this to my keys.
- Pliers
- Tweezers
- Phillips screwdriver
So what I think would be interesting to me would be an Alox with the large blade and the pruner blade on one spring, the pliers from the Deluxe Tinker on another spring, the Phillips screwdriver on the back of the handle, and tweezers in the scale (even though the Alox never come with tweezers). I suppose one of the many SAK customizers could put something like that together, maybe. Not sure if it would be worth what it would cost, but I think I'd really like it.
So until Victorinox builds that knife (which probably nobody but me would buy), I guess I'll stick with carrying a knife and the Leatherman Style PS. But I'm open to hearing about other SAKs that might fit my use cases, since I am really impressed with the Alox Solo.
-Tyson
It's great for opening anything. 
