Usefulness question: Cadet Nailfile vs Pioneer Awl

I'm with awl of you. My Classic takes care of any nailfile business (which I do use sometimes, along with the scissors). And for small screws, the driver end on the nailfile is useful.

But for every time I use the Classic's nailfile, I use an awl five to 10 times. It's just a much more useful tool. And I'm sure that the reason my Cadet gets scanted for pocket time is because it has the (relatively) useless nailfile instead of a some more useful tool. Even a scaled-up scissors for the Cadet would move it into more useful territory.

Say, there's a thread! What tool(s) does the Cadet need to be more useful?
 
Nail files don't benefit from having large handles, so if I've got my Classic, I have no need for a nail file on my other SAK.

That said, even though I have a nail file on my Classic, if I'm carrying a Cadet, Traveler, or Evogrip 16, I use those nail files instead. it's just easier to retrieve the larger knife than it is to get my keychain out of my pocket.

Do I have a use for an awl? Don't know. I've never used it before, but perhaps if I had a knife where the awl was in-line rather than back-mounted, maybe I'd find uses for it.
 
The Cadet nail file is just about useless. The awl on the Alox SAKs however will do just about anything a pen blade will do plus a few things it won't.
 
The nail file is the reason I don't carry a cadet. Now if they would put a awl or a second blade on it, then I'd be all over it!
 
I've no need for a fingernail file - I'm not a doctor / lawyer / engineer who needs manicured nails.
I've used the SAK awl to punch holes in leather and thin aluminum, and as a scribe, so I consider the awl a much more useful tool. (The awl is also useful to remove antique paint from the edges and corners of window panes.)
 
I'll join the 84mm scissors parade.

I very seldom use the awl but my wife likes nice nails so I vote nailfile.
 
For me, it depends on the model. Since it already has an awl, I like the nail file on the Sportsman. It's a good letter opener, works as a screwdriver on #1 ph screws and is even a not bad nail file. I like the point for cleaning my nails better than the Rambler combo small driver on its nightlife (I'm leaving this in place to show what autocorrect thinks the word should be in place of nailfile :rolleyes: .)
 
My Cadet has a second blade which is miles better than a nail file , but I do agree an awl would be even better .




Ken
 
The awl is the obvious pick, especially to those who carry classics and the like on their key chains (since those already come with nail files). I often edc a cadet cause of its pocketability and it's friendlier appearance (compared to a pioneer... I only have a black one). The awl is more suited for a tool the size of the pioneer in my opinion since it is more robust and provides more purchase for harder use tasks. I think the nail file was placed on the cadet to give it somewhat of an "elegant tool" appearance. I don't mind the nail file much. To some who consider having a main blade and a small pen blade to be redundant, the file adds some versatility to the cadet. Personally though I prefer that Victorinox revert back to the vintage configuration (Cadet II... like the pic Harronek posted above) with the small pen blade. It would still be a gentleman's knife, but with more cutting power in a light, attractive, people friendly package.
 
What would be a great venture would be to start an online custom shop where you can pick and your choose your configuration. Surely they must know by now what can and can't get sandwiched into their tool.
 
cchu518 said:
What would be a great venture would be to start an online custom shop where you can pick and your choose your configuration. Surely they must know by now what can and can't get sandwiched into their tool.
Click to expand...

Great idea. I've wondered why they don't do that. Plus, they could have many different color scales available.
 
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