SAK Victorinox roll call

The reason the "soldier" model, and subsequently the pioneer, is heavier duty is because they are the offspring of the original "soldier's model" knives actually issued to Swiss Army personnel. These fighters didn't need all the bells and whistles but a good blade, bottle and can openers, and an awl. The other models with the red celador (sp) handles are technically "officer's models". This kind of irritates me since the implication is that officers needed the corkscrews for "our evening wine and cheese parties" during combat! Nevertheless, I have the soldiers and pioneer models ready for military duty and the fieldmaster for everyday use.

Bruce Woodbury

PS: Since 1993 the US bound soldiers model has no hollow rivet to pass a lanyard through. Lots of these are lost since there is no way to secure it. Hence, the Pioneer is my favorite Alox handle model (although I did run into a closeout off of a display board a couple of years ago of a 1993 model --the date is stamped on the blade tang for soldiers models. A good find.
 
I always carry a VSAK Explorer and Midnight MiniChamp II with the pen and LED light. The most important features (or the ones I use the most) are the various sizes of screwdrivers (including the MiniScrewdriver in the corkscrew) that this combination of knives gives me.
 
I can't do without my SwissTool, and I always have a Spartan on my keyring. On the pocket knives I think the bottle opener is the most important implement
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I am also partial to the Soldier, a real classic.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA
 
I think I have more Victorinox knives than from any other knife company, so to mention them all, and all the ones I like, would take too long.

My favorites for daily carry:

Black-handled Tinker.
Black-handled Classic.

These 2 are always on me, regardless what other "tactical" or tool knives (Leatherman) I have on me. Also have a Swisstool...awesome, but I carry my Wave more due to its more compact size.

Features I use a lot:

Can opener. The V-nox can opener is very useful. It works much better for me than the can opener on the Wengers, and the one on the Leathermans makes a big mess.

Blades. These knife blades are perfect for cutting food, fine tasks, etc.

Awl. Use it for cleaning and scraping stuff.

Scissors. Light facial grooming.

Nail file/screwdriver on Classic. This gets used a lot.

Saw. On my Hiker model and the Swisstool, these are very effective for their size.

I don't use the bottle opener for bottles very often, but it also works to help me work open stubborn lids.
Jim
 
Tinker in Red.
Favorite tool,tweezers.I'm a carpenter.Lots of splinters
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have a"knife"day
 
I have carried various Victorinox (and Wenger) models over the years. When I was in the Army the Super Tinker was my favorite. Once I got out I found myself wanting a smaller knife in my pocket, so I started carrying the Recruit. It was hard to get used to not having scissors or a phillips but I made out okay. But still it just did'nt seem like a strong enough knife. Then (just recently) I bought the Pioneer and I could'nt be happier.
The aluminum scales are great and it's really a tough knife. And the screwdriver on the can-opener will fit alot of phillips-head screws.
The tool I use most often and a must-have-item for a SAK: The bottle-opener/screwdriver (makes opening a Samuel Adams or Heineken much easier).
I still sometimes miss the scissors and tweezers. But I don't miss the plastic scales and thinner blades.
 
Swiss Champ!
1. The large blade
2. The bottle opener
3. The can opener
4. The screwdriver
5. The rest.........
 
Rucksack, love the saw blade. only problem is my son has adopted it. have not seen it for a while. well it will give me an excuse to get another one
 
Dudes - I'm still keeping :

SWISS CHAMP with Survival kit
LARGE BLADE RUCKSAK

most important item - toothpick *buurp!*
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for personal grooming...

Sam

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have spydies
will travel...
AKTI Member #A001148
 
I love the Workchamp for large tasks, and the minichamp goes in my pant pocket nearly every day. On both knives, I use the scissors more than any other feature. The ball point pen on the minichamp is slowly gaining ground, however...

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Chris Turner
Arkansas

"It's only a flesh wound!!!" - the Black Knight

"Well, they wouldn't hang a man for an accident, not even in Arkansas." - Captain Woodrow F. Call
 
i saw this thread,so i went out to my car to get it (i keep it between the seats) opened it up to see the blade stamp and its a wenger.
i dont know the difference betweent he two,could someone help me out?
its an actuall swiis army knife,not one of the knock-offs,and its at least 7 years old.help?.?.

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the pompetous of love lame bastid
 
Pioneer for me, best part is definitely the metal scales.

Maurice, both Victorinox and Wenger are "real" Swiss Army knives. They each have a contract with the Swiss government to produce knives. They produce similar models as they both must meet the specs of the contract. Victorinox is located in the German speaking part of the country, Wenger is on the French speaking side. Here in the states I guess it doesn't make much difference to us, just personal preference.
 
I hope this isn't too off topic. I have a question about the metal handled SAKs, specifically the Soldier and the Pioneer. How thick are the handles? Are they thinner than, say, a Spartan? Also, is there any other difference between the Pioneer and the Soldier aside from the color and the lanyard ring? Finally, somebody mentioned another model, the Cadet. Where could I find a picture of this one?
 
for me it is the cybertool,
espcially i need the small phillips screw driver who is very handy in opening and replacing battaries in the micro photon lights.
scorpio.
 
Margelatu:
I have a Soldier model, and it is definitely thinner than a Spartan or the Tinker. The handle is also even-ended...that is, unlike the typical plastic-handled SAK, where the end with the lanyard ring is wider than the other end.
The Soldier and the Recruit do not have blades on the back side.
You MIGHT be able to see a picture of the Recruit at www.victorinox.com. The Recruit is considered a "small" SAK in Victorinox's line. It's about 1/4" shorter, the same length as the average Wenger SAK.
Jim
 
I probably use the toothpick the most, but have made use of the screwdrivers, saws and files a lot too, after the blades.

The can opener that I use the most is the P38 on my keychain, and anymore the screwdrivers that I use the most are the ones also on my keychain. The screwdrivers are the circular models that Sears provides in some of its screwdriver kits, and I sharpened one so that it works as a half Phillips. Starngely enough I've also gotten a fair amount of use from the compass on the TooLogic card that my wife gave me, as well as from the knife blade and again the toothpick.

The #1 Phillips on my wife's Rambler is handy for battery compartments on some items, and short of carrying one of the smaller models that has it what other models has one ?

I have a Swiss Champ that has come in handy camping and such, but have wondered what two models could replace it.

The straight pin on the Scientist is handy for splinters, but sharpening a pair on one model to a point would also work.

I just picked up a SwissTool that was on sale, and I can see why people like it so much. What a class act, even though it's heavy and for my taste a bit too large. I think that the original Leatherman is still the best size/utility package, which is what I have and may still carry, but I'm glad I bought the SwissTool. I may even get another for one of my kids for Christmas.
 
James: Thanks for the info.
Does anybody know who sells the WorkChamp? I can't seem to find it anywhere, and it sure looks like a nice tool.
 
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