Vic Cadet, or Pioneer.

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embeth

Joined
May 10, 2009
Messages
70
Well guys which should I get and why? My brother is going to pick 1 up for me when he goes to ND for a seminar. How good is the can opener on them? I like chili so I probably would use that to open canned tomatoes alot.
 
To make it more challenging try adding the Farmer.Like the Pioneer but with a saw. If not, I'd also take the Pioneer. Because the awl has more uses than the nail file. Plus, if you keychain carried a classic,you'd have that covered anyway.
 
A Pioneer is a bit longer and thicker than the Cadet, so also the tools are a bit bigger. I would choose the Pioneer because of that reason.
 
I had a cadet and gave it away. Handle was too thin for good hold. I love the pioneer/Wenger SI sak's. Bigger handles and better feel, sturdier construction, and the awl on the pioneer or SI is a real tool. It can be an auxilury cutting blade for stripping wire, makes great holes in things, and is handy to have.
 
I'm going to go against the grain here and say go for the Cadet. Both are great SAKs but the Cadet just sits better in your pocket.
 
Never had a Pioneer, but have a red alox Cadet.
Wonderful knife, great slicer, thin enough to carry easily (however, see Jackknife's caveat).
I can, however, see the utility of the awl on the Pioneer vs the Cadet's nail file.
Unfortunately, the Pioneer wasn't available at Target, so I got the Cadet.
Therefore....Pioneer. :)
 
embeth said:
Well guys which should I get and why? My brother is going to pick 1 up for me when he goes to ND for a seminar. How good is the can opener on them? I like chili so I probably would use that to open canned tomatoes alot.
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Tell your brother to get the Pioneer, PM your address and I'll send the Cadet my dad gave me to you. You'll have to wait since it's in a Conex. That way you'll have both and you can pick.
I like the p-38 as a can opener, I hate chili.:eek:
 
For the price you NEED both and later add the Farmer. Cadet is the perfect size for a small pocket/keychain knife IMO. I wouldn't consider anything smaller useful as a stand alone knife.
 
6speed said:
For the price you NEED both and later add the Farmer. Cadet is the perfect size for a small pocket/keychain knife IMO. I wouldn't consider anything smaller useful as a stand alone knife.
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As said previously, I would prefer the Pioneer. But I agree with 6speed, the Cadet is really great for carrying in your pocket. It remembers me of what someone else once said about the Cadet: "you don't notice the Cadet when carrying, but it is there when you need it". If you don't mind having a set of smaller tools then on the Pioneer, then the Cadet may be a good choice.

Since SAK's are not very expensive, you could consider getting both and find out which you like best.
 
The Pioneer is full function , the Cadet is too small to grip well for harder chores . Best reserved for dress pants .

Chris
 
Another vote for the Pioneer. The Cadet is good for the keychain, but not as beefy.
 
My Cadet is my favorite knife, I love it. The can opener works easily enough, you have to feed it right handed and counterclockwise.
I suggest you have your brother get you a Farmer + a Cadet. The best of both worlds.
 
Off the top of my head I'd say the Cadet is about 15 percent smaller than the Pioneer/Farmer in length. Cadets are great tools,but be mindful that they're more difficult to get a serious working grip. I've found it usefull to carry a Leatherman Squirt S4,Victorinox Classic or Rambler with the Farmer. Covers most bases. I have an old Leatherman PST or a SOG PowerPlier that I add to this when I want to carry a good array of tools without much bulk.
 
I own both a Cadet and an older, red alox Pioneer (which is essentially a Soldier with a keyring). I'd pick the Pioneer. I like the Cadet except for the nail file. I much prefer the awl on the Pioneer/Soldier. I use it a lot for scraping chores that I wouldn't want to use the main blade for. Even though the Pioneer is bigger, it still carries easily in a pocket.
Jim
 
I like the Cadet alot, but it's just to small for many chores. Go for the Pioneer.

Better yet, stop dilly dallying around and just get a Farmer. It is the king of the alox.

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Another good option is the Wenger Standard Issue. It's basically the same knife as the Pioneer, except that it has a hollow rivet bail instead of a keyring, and has a little bit more belly to the main blade and a pointier awl.

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The Farmer is a great knife. If you like the Farmer, then you may also like the Electrician Plus.

VicElectricianPlus2Small-1.jpg
 
Unlike most on here, I like the Cadet. It is nice and small, but big enough to use. I don't think it is to thin to get a grip on. But my hands are on the smaller side. At least in length. I would recommend it. I just sharpened up my Cadet last night. Now I can shave with it again. :-)
 
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