Usefulness question: Cadet Nailfile vs Pioneer Awl

C

Carloxicus

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Oct 3, 2011
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Which one of the two is more useful for you guys?

The nailfile on the Vic Cadet? Or the awl/reamer on the Pioneer?

And why? :)
 
Well, I have no use whatsoever for the Cadet-style nailfile. For me, the awl is not the most useful tool, but I used it on some occasion, mainly to carve holes in sticks (fire hooks, tent line tightener, etc).
 
I never use the nailfile on a Cadet, but have used the awl several times to make holes in sticks or leather belts and I also use it as sometimes a scraping tool.
 
Carloxicus said:
Which one of the two is more useful for you guys?

The nailfile on the Vic Cadet? Or the awl/reamer on the Pioneer?

And why? :)
Click to expand...

This is a question for those who carry one multi-tool only. An awl is so useful to me that I won't own a full sized multi-tool without one (I have an awl mod for my Charge), and don't do Cadet. I need the awl to make guide holes for wood screws, scrape out mung from faucet openings and drains, punch and ream holes in canvas, plastic and leather, and recently to drill through some slats for mounting an air conditioner when there was an electrical outage (it took 3 more days to be restored, so no air conditioning got done during the 90ºF+ heat wave after all :mad: ), and that's awl I can remember at the moment.

However, there is always a keychain size multi-tool in my watch pocket that has a nail file on board. The same is true of scissors when I'm out with any main tool lacking them. As of right now, I have an OHT in my RF pocket and a Style CS as companion piece. Together they provide everything except pliers, a subject for another time. ;)
 
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Any of you ever tried using the Cadet nailfile as some sort of in-line phillips screwdriver? :) Light duty of course.
 
My Classic on the keychain has a nail file and all the SAKs I carry in pocket have awls. I use the awls constantly and I have never used the nail file except for the SD on the end of it. I use the awl as scrapers, firesteel strikers (only in-line awls for that), hole punchers in leather and a couple times in metal, general pokers. Very useful for my day to day personally.
 
I like the awl on my full sized SAKs, since the Rambler I always carry provides the nail-file...

We have an Alox Pioneer which permanently lives in the kitchen drawer. Its our dedicated egg-shell piercer for hard-boiled eggs... :) (not to mention dedicated can & bottle opener, but thats off-topic :D)
 
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I see it like this: The awl is made to be used, the nail file is made so that the Cadet can be a gentleman's knife

I'm holding my red alox Cadet right now, shaking my head about the damn nail file. Such a perfect size knife for a little edc but every time i look at the nail file i think, gee wouldn't this be better if it were an awl. Still, a nice knife to boot
 
Nail file on any keychain size SAK I think is a good thing for those times when your sitting around, bored, and you notice your nails are dirty. Ladies like a man with clean finger nails.

Awl on anything larger is a necessity. I became convinced of this when I used mine as an ice pick to break up a huge chunk of ice. Since then I have found a million extra uses for it besides regular awling.
 
For me, the awl is the most useful tool on the SAK. A nail file is of marginal utility.

The lack of an awl on a multitool/SAK is a major strike against it and a valid reason not to purchase it unless I can get a heck of a deal.

If you need a nail file, you can just get a Vic Classic or similar. That way, you get scissors too.
 
For me, I'll take the awl every time. I already carry a nice nail file on my Executive. The Cadet is a nice knife, but to me the inclusion of the nail file in place of the awl is a real flaw.

I use the awl on my Soldier, Pioneer or Farmer to scrape, pierce, etc. it's one of my most-used implements.

Jim
 
I own a Victorinox Cadet Sak and i think the file is useful if I had a pioneer which at the present time i don't i would use the Awl and i would probably find many uses for it.
 
I use the awl a lot, not just for drilling but also for scrapping and all sorts of odd jobs. On the other hand, I seldom use the nailfiles on any of my SAKs.
 
Awl for me for sure. I never had a use for the cadet nail file.

It's funny this topic came up actually I was wanting to put a 93mm alox end opening file on an alox cadet and finally got around to starting that mod tonight. I got the awl pivot area ground down and it fits nicely. I'll throw up some pics tomorrow when I get it together. For me this makes the cadet much more attractive to EDC.
 
I think the awl is more useful, but I like the nail file for that very reason. It's the tool I don't care about. I can tear it up and not worry about it. Plus, it does work on really tiny Phillips screws. But I use the nail file to pry little things. I used it to put silicone and grease in tiny places. The size of the cadet is amazing, I slip it right into any pocket like it isn't even there and so I appreciate the nail file for what it is.
 
Nailfile:

- Making your fingernails look fabulous

note: can opener already has small phillips

Awl:

- Making holes (in leather crafting)
- Making holes in bushcraft
- Opening knots (violently)
- Scraping
- Marking wood or steel
- Poking holes
- Etc..
 
I prefer the Pioneer's awl over the Cadet's nail file. I use the awl a lot for scraping; something I prefer not to do with my knife blade. Other things, too.

The Cadet's nail file works, but not as well as the one on my SAK Executive. IMO, the Executive's nail file is the best one Victorinox makes. It files much cleaner and better than the Cadet's or the ones on the Classic-sized models.

Jim
 
IT'S ALIVE! ALIVE! What was awled is new once more (three year old thread.) But since we're up again...

An awl is very important to me, so much so that I won't have a full size multi-tool without one. I was prepared to pass on a Charge TTi, one of my mainstays for the past 7 years, until I was able to find an awl mod for it. I even prefer a Squirt P4 to the PS4 because it has an awl. No point :rolleyes: in listing the reasons, this thread has covered them awl.:D
 
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