Vic Pioneer or Farmer?

gull wing

gull wing

Joined
May 4, 2002
Messages
2,536
Do I need the saw?
I think I want the additional 1/4" handle length that these two offer. I have the Cadet and it's great, but want a little more knife. Is the main blade thicker than the Cadet?
 
Have you ever needed to use a small saw? I find the Cadet handle too thin for anything requiring a bit of force to cut through. The Pioneer 93mm blades are thicker than the Cadet and also the 91mm models.
 
I was trying to decide which one to pick a month or so ago. I ended up with the Pioneer. If I ever needed to use a saw, I'd use the one on my Swisstool ;-).
 
Thank you, I don't really need a saw.
Are the 93mm still available? Pardon my ignorance.
 
Everything you need to know about 93mm SAKs can be found here: http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php
Not long ago, Vic discontinued most of them. All I know for sure is that the Pioneer is still in production, but don't know which or how many others may be. There could be old stock still left on dealers' shelves.
 
I had the same question when selecting an Alox SAK, and I went with what my wife said... "Why would you want that one? It doesnt even have a saw?!" (Speaking of the pioneer) lol. I am glad I picked up the Farmer. IF you do any kind of camping, hunting, gardening, bushcrafty stuff, or even DIY repairs etc etc, the saw can come in handy. It cuts wood, pvc, plastic, bone, and others readily. I think its pretty handy. The farmer is actually a fairly beefy SAK in a pretty slim package. Bought a Cadet and gave it to my dad as a gift and I have to say the Farmer makes the Cadet feel like a toy, and the Cadet is no slouch. I also think the extra layer the saw adds makes it feel really good in hand when using the blade. Price is also negligible between the two... so why not give yourself the extra tool and ability? Either way I think you are going to be happy with either.

Good Luck!
 
Gull wing of the two knives you are asking about i only have experience with the pioneer so that is what i suggested.
 
I've been on the edge with buying a farmer. I'm just not 100% sure about the saw, but at the same time if you can carry a small saw, why not.
 
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Had a similar choice, but went with both (kinda).
 
Well I wish I didn't open this thread. I just bought a green farmer (and Ruger 10/22 screw) from SwissBianco haha. Now I can't wait.
 
The Farmer adds very little to the thickness of the Pioneer son I prefer the Farmer. Never know when the saw might come in handy and you really don't notice it's there.
 
NMpops said:
The Farmer adds very little to the thickness of the Pioneer son I prefer the Farmer. Never know when the saw might come in handy and you really don't notice it's there.
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While I agree that the Farmer isn't really that much thicker than the Pioneer, I will say that if you carry in your 5th pocket, having a 2 layer is much more comfortable.
 
I have both the Farmer and Soldier. I pretty much always have the Soldier on me. Even if I'm just getting up on Sunday morning, it's put on my shorts, toss Soldier in pocket, get the paper...., after that, everything is optional. I only take the Farmer with me if hunting. The saw comes in handy trimming limbs off a tree I'm climbing. The saw does cut very well. I like the military heritage of the Soldier. It is THE Swiss Army knife. It's the soul of Victorinox. Pioneer is the same knife with a lanyard ring and the civilian cross instead of the military cross. Soldiers like Soldiers. I like the Soldier.
 
gull wing said:
I looked at SAKWiki, the Soldier looks like a Pioneer?? Are they the same?
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The only real differences are that the Pioneer has the civilian swiss cross, and Soldier has the military swiss cross. The Pioneer has a lanyard ring also, and is available in different colors. The soldier has the year of contract issue stamped on the blade, the Pioneer has no date, since it wasn't slated for military issue. The Swiss changed to the new model of Soldier in 2009. The one I carry now is an '08, the last year of issue. The very last 500 from 08 are stamped 08, and then 1 of 500, 2 of 500, etc. I should have gotten one of those when they were available.
 
I tried to carry a black Pioneer, but the blade was just too "mushy". Anyone else get that feeling?
 
Mr. Bob said:
I tried to carry a black Pioneer, but the blade was just too "mushy". Anyone else get that feeling?
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By "mushy", do you mean the blade doesn't snap in or out smartly, or doesn't cut precisely? I don't have a lot of experience with a Pioneer, but the sample I tried was right and tight both ways.
 
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