Scout knives vs SAK

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Balrog99

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Apr 13, 2013
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Not necessarily sure how to word it, but what do you like about traditional like scout knives vs a SAK. For example like say a spartan vs a kamp King etc. I've got both vics and wengers, I've got a couple imperials and a couple colonials. It's hard because I like both. I'm just curious as to personal opinions. I find myself seeming to always opt for my wenger alpine backpacker camo with unreflective coating.
 
I can say for me that I use a Vic Pioneer and not a mode traditional scout knife because traditionals are just too good looking. Since I carry it a lot and it gets used, I can just see a nicer knife getting scuffed and cracked, while the alox scales stay looking brand new. Also it is thinner than many of the traditional scout knives I've used. The price plays a part as well.

I do think that traditionals look a lot better than SAK's though.
 
I carry a Vic Tinker almost every day, she gets beaten and abused and I give her to other people to use occasionally, and she's still marching on. SAKs are a fine, utilitarian scout knife that is both quality and affordable.

That being said they, to me that is, feel like a tool, a hunk of useful metal. "Traditional" scout knives have that soul in them, a feeling of a past. Of course this is all my opinion. I would kill for a traditionals out in carbon steel blades, thought I'd nailed it when I picked up a Richards of Sheffield off the bay, but it was bent and unusable.

In the end it's all personal preference. While I like the SAK for its utility I would prefer a more "traditional" scout knife with a little more soul. Maybe one day :)
 
My grandfather gave me my first Swiss army knife (also my first knife) when I was 6 so I've grown up using them.









FordRanger said:
I can say for me that I use a Vic Pioneer and not a mode traditional scout knife because traditionals are just too good looking. Since I carry it a lot and it gets used, I can just see a nicer knife getting scuffed and cracked, while the alox scales stay looking brand new. Also it is thinner than many of the traditional scout knives I've used. The price plays a part as well.

I do think that traditionals look a lot better than SAK's though.
Click to expand...

Was that hyperbole or do you believe it to be true? Alox covers will certainly show wear and tear. It is probably most obvious on the Swiss army knives with colored alox covers but the silver alox covers will also show wear. They won't break like bone covers though.

alox_zpsyejaxzo1.jpg
 
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^^^ hyperbole is over exaggerated. Excuse my redundancy. The patron is tasting good tonight.
-Rex
 
@ supra my first was a Vic classic, and they are my knives that I use the most. It's only fairly recently that I have actually started liking the scout pattern. I don't have any alox scaled knes, but I want to get a farmer.
 
It isn't a vs comparison for me, as they are both traditional in my opinion. I carry a scout knife or SAK almost every day in addition to a (usually) single bladed knife. I carry the scout or SAK for the additional tools, and because it is generally friendly to the non-knife initiated.

I understand the difference from an appearence perspective, the traditional scout knife having natural or non-metal covers, and the SAK being ALOX. And my SAKs are generally a bit thinner and lighter than MY scouts, but I sort of consider them in the same class.
 
It's all good to me. A couple of nice things about the cellidor covers are they can be popped off and replaced when worn and they hold a toothpick, tweezers and sometimes a pen and pin. Based on the TSA auctions, there are lots of people carrying Swiss army knives with cellidor handles. But the alox covers, especially the colored ones, do seem to get a lot of love on the forum. The Farmer seems to be particularly popular. I usually use a Victorinox alox Soldier or Wenger Standard Issue. I'm also a big fan of the Classic SD.

classicsd-value.jpg
 
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Balrog99 said:
@ supra my first was a Vic classic, and they are my knives that I use the most. It's only fairly recently that I have actually started liking the scout pattern. I don't have any alox scaled knes, but I want to get a farmer.
Click to expand...

If you're interested, send me a message with your address and I'll send you a leather sheath for your Classic. I'm next door in the dairy state so shipping by first class should be quick.

victorinox-classicsd-condom.jpg
 
Supratentorial I was referring to a comparison of silver alox to bone or wood scaled traditionals. My alox scaled SAK's do not show wear nearly as quickly as a traditional knife, and the same goes for every used and worn alox I've seen pictures of; and even then it just "fits" the knife. A polished wood scale with a scratch in the middle from being dropped just looks odd in comparison. My Pioneer has been dropped several times on various hard surfaces and shows almost no wear at all. Either way I'd rather scratch up a SAK than a more traditional knife.
 
I have a couple of Electricians and a Cadet, all three in alox. I don't care for the plastic covers, but we have one in the center console of my wife's car because it matches her red paint job. ;) As wonderful as these alox SAKs are, they don't seem to hit all my buttons like a bone handled scout knife does. The alox are slimmer, lighter, have great action, sharpen up easily and work flawlessly, but they seem a bit cold to me. As I've said before, the Electrician is the only pocket knife I would ever need, but certainly not the only one I'd ever want. Fortunately, I'm in a position where want can often rule need.
 
I suppose it's a matter of perspective. Every single scratch on this knife is "character" to me...



...but I was very upset when I dropped one of my knives and chipped the bone cover.

 
SAKS have been faithful companions during many decades of my life, but I like the aesthetics of Scout Knives, and the option of carbon blades. I carry both :)
 
From an aesthetics only point of view, I much prefer the wood/bone etc of a traditional. I love my Alox knives, but the Alox scale in my hand feels kind of what chalk on a chalkboard sounds like ... if that makes sense. In spite of that, I may even have the Alox in my pocket more often than not, but not because of aesthetics. I certainly admire the more traditional scout/camp knife most.
 
SAKs rule (for me) as today's scout knives; I'm a Tinker carrier or Deluxe Tinker. I have found the Marbles Workman to be a good scout knife only it lacks a bail (which can be added easily). My original scout was an old Imperial (55+ years ago).
Rich
 
For pure function, the SAK is lighter, has more robust or replaceable covers, in some instances more implements, and thinner.

Still I like old school scout knives.... they are just cool.
 
Some of the newer scout knives coming out, Schatt & Morgan for instance, have a nice look to them except for that one goofy looking blade. Should be a wharnie or combo tool. I would like to try one. But I would really doubt it's going to move my 93mm alox out of the pocket. They do have a certain nostalgic appeal to them however.

I think in years past when kids were more active in scouting, the design seen much use. I do not know for sure, but I'm guessing the number of active scouts may be down now days. And I'll bet the evil pocket knife (of any flavor) does not see near the use they used to among the younger set. Heck, a kid can get kicked out of school for having a plastic knife to spread peanut butter. Or even drawing a picture of a knife or gun can invite a trip to the school indoctrinater.....or I meant counselor. Sorry.

Pic courtesy of Collectorknives.net
 

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