Thanks for the Victorinox (SAK) recommendations guys!

el gigantor

el gigantor

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A while back I posted a thread asking about folders that would suit both EDC and extended hiking trips. Something that fell inline with minimalist camping principles as well as daily tinkering needs. A lot of great suggestions came my way. I read and re-read all the input I received, and decided to give Victorinox a more thorough look.

I've always thought of Swiss Army knives as a good idea in theory, but the plastic casings seemed a bit cheap to me. And then I found Alox. The aluminum scales and (in my mind) much cleaner appearance overall really got me excited. I then scoured these pages and watched too many youtube reviews to count, and settled on the Farmer. Let me tell you, the thing hasn't left my pocket since I picked it up. I really didn't think I'd enjoy the look/feel/utility of a knife this much. I know I'm preaching to the converted here, and you all have had that feeling many times over. I'm a newcomer to the world of cutlery beyond the kitchen.

I've already ordered a Pioneer in a different colorway, and snagged a limited edition Cadet for my ladyfriend. I could see this becoming an obsession, but for now I'm content with two. So cheers to those who steered me towards this ridiculous level of happiness!
 
I have been carrying Victorinox knives since I was a boy. I carried a one hand Trekker today, but a Farmer is in my pocket most days of the week. It has an excellent toolset for general outdoors type stuff.

Congrats on a great knife.
 
I have knives that cost well north of $100 that don't hold an edge as well as my Victorinox knives do. Sad, but true.
 
I consider the Farmer to be the best of all Vic's. I don't carry it all the time, mostly in the summer when the saw becomes useful.
 
The Farmer is a great middle sized Vic choice. Camping or hiking, the saw blade has a lot of potential uses. But for regular carry, I tend to lean toward the Pioneer or my larger 111 mm with a similar set of tools. I love the alox models, but I want the tooth pick and tweezers and as a result, I go with plastic.
 
el gigantor said:
A while back I posted a thread asking about folders that would suit both EDC and extended hiking trips. Something that fell inline with minimalist camping principles as well as daily tinkering needs. A lot of great suggestions came my way. I read and re-read all the input I received, and decided to give Victorinox a more thorough look.

I've always thought of Swiss Army knives as a good idea in theory, but the plastic casings seemed a bit cheap to me. And then I found Alox. The aluminum scales and (in my mind) much cleaner appearance overall really got me excited. I then scoured these pages and watched too many youtube reviews to count, and settled on the Farmer. Let me tell you, the thing hasn't left my pocket since I picked it up. I really didn't think I'd enjoy the look/feel/utility of a knife this much. I know I'm preaching to the converted here, and you all have had that feeling many times over. I'm a newcomer to the world of cutlery beyond the kitchen.

I've already ordered a Pioneer in a different colorway, and snagged a limited edition Cadet for my ladyfriend. I could see this becoming an obsession, but for now I'm content with two. So cheers to those who steered me towards this ridiculous level of happiness!
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Hahaha, say goodbye to five hundred bucks by February.

If you can land a Minichamp you can add scissors, a file, and scale tools at little weight, and it feels great for plastic.

4f6ef2b7a8cb6c5dbe4f708882a4f9ab.jpg
 
Everyday a Vic Farmer rides on my belt. It's just an excellent all around EDC knife.
 
Every day, I carry a SAK Executive, and also usually a SAK Spartan with the mini-screwdriver. I also usually have my Swisstool Spirit on my belt. I do like the Pioneer and other Alox models, but the ability to store the mini-driver means I choose to carry my Spartan over my Pioneer.

I bought my first Vic SAK back in 1981.

I love Vic products so much, the knives I use when cooking are Vic kitchen knives; a santoku, a paring knife, and a round-tipped, serrated utility.

Jim
 
I stillI like the Huntsman the best of all, just the right size to not be "bulky", and since I (almost) always have another blade on me, having the saw blade, scissors, AND the ever conveniently handy corkscrew all in one place makes it the perfect "other" knife for me and my lifestyle. Most models are missing one of those 3, or are of the ilk that are just "too" much going on (for my tastes).
Giving serious look at the s17 and s18 too as future pickups probably next year if Santa doesn't get me one, basically an evo-grip version Huntsman (but with a nail file as well, the one thing the huntsman is missing). Was really considering the wood handle Huntsman, now leaning heavy toward the evowood 18.

With a tight budget this year, it's gonna be SAK classics all around for Christmas too. Everyone i'm gifting is getting a classic; i Love 'em for a little handy keychain knife, (perfect for chicks too, as well as age appropriate kids), and how they come in a plethora of colors, designs, and limited editions to suit everyone's taste.. (I carry a camo classic on my house keys, matching my camo Huntsman, makes up for the missing nail file).

Glad you're liking yours... Enjoy more!
And tell us all about 'em... :)
 
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NG VI said:
Hahaha, say goodbye to five hundred bucks by February.
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Angus McGunnigle said:
Yep....it begins......glad you like the knives. The SAK is like a gateway drug.....
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I guess the main thing that will keep me from going broke with Victorinox is that I have MASSIVE hands. I don't want the blade to disappear while I'm holding it, and I will only buy Alox. That narrows things down tremendously.
 
The Alox are 93mm, the cellidore are 91mm for the standard size. Not such a huge difference.

The Compact is a good two layer model for around town, where the Farmer's saw is less useful. One layer has the main blade and a combination can opener/bottle opener tool and the other a pair of scissors. It's the thinnest 91mm SAK with scissors. It also has the Plus scales, which hold a pen in addition to the tweezers and toothpick, and includes the eyeglass screwdriver that inserts in the corkscrew and the straight pin that goes in the scale beneath the corkscrew.
 
el gigantor said:
I guess the main thing that will keep me from going broke with Victorinox is that I have MASSIVE hands. I don't want the blade to disappear while I'm holding it, and I will only buy Alox. That narrows things down tremendously.
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I want to see your opinion after carrying an Explorer for a week or two!

Seriously though congratulations on your new knife.
 
Okay here's a two-part question for you SAK users then..

1) Which model is your ideal lightweight, fit-in-your-pocket EDC?

2) Which model is your ideal survival/camping/bug out tool?
 
Lots of knives have tried but none have been able the kick my electrician out of my pocket. Great knives. Go to the outdoor forum and ask what people edc. Most will say sak.
 
I didn't help you with your choice but I appreciate you coming back to say thanks.
Enjoy your SAK.
 
el gigantor said:
Okay here's a two-part question for you SAK users then..

1) Which model is your ideal lightweight, fit-in-your-pocket EDC?

2) Which model is your ideal survival/camping/bug out tool?
Click to expand...

Ultimate fit-in-your-pocket EDC has to go to the Rambler. The beer-opener/Philips screwdriver is magical.

Survival/Bugout stuff I can't say... mine's Leatherman.
 
el gigantor said:
Okay here's a two-part question for you SAK users then..

1) Which model is your ideal lightweight, fit-in-your-pocket EDC?

2) Which model is your ideal survival/camping/bug out tool?
Click to expand...

Everybody needs to sort this out for themselves.

1) Like you, I have big hands. For this reason, I prefer to carry a larger EDC single blade knife. Better ergonomics and reaches deeper into the peanut butter jar and across fatter sandwiches. I pair that up with a key chain style tool in my other pocket. I prefer the Micra but if you're smitten with Victorinox, they make several in this size range.

Untitled by Pinnah, on Flickr

2) For tool back up, I carry a larger tool in my daypacks. I have several, all pliers based multitools. Again, I prefer Leatherman products. If forced to get one from Victorinox, I would get the larger pliers based tool. Once the tool goes into the bag, size/weight is less of an issue for me and in use, I prefer the larger tools. I strongly prefer locking tools, like on this older Leatherman Blast.
EDC Back Ups by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
el gigantor said:
Okay here's a two-part question for you SAK users then..

1) Which model is your ideal lightweight, fit-in-your-pocket EDC?

2) Which model is your ideal survival/camping/bug out tool?
Click to expand...

1. Climber - nice and slim
2. Huntsman or Farmer - dead tie for me
 
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