Victorinox Alox pioneer vs Spartan. Which to choose?

Joined
Nov 27, 2012
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This is driving me nuts. I can't do anything or think of anything else right now (I'm sure most of us have felt this way at one point in time)

I walked into our local outdoor shop, just browsing, and I caught sight of the Victorinox Pioneer swiss army knife. Man, I like them aluminium scales, and the solid look, and it's the last one on the shelf, which drives me even more bonkers. But, I already have a Spartan. I like the cork screw, pen blade, toothpick, and tweezers included on the Spartan that the Pioneer doesn't have, but have always worried that the plastic handles will one day break or peel off, which is why I like that Pioneer

What do you guys think? Buy the Pioneer and live with less tools? I guess whenever I had a splinter or thorn in my foot or finger and didn't have tweezers nearby I'd cut it out with my knife. And I guess I rarely drink wine, and even rarer drink wine with a cork instead of just a screw cap, but my mind puts me in a situation, on the beach, under the stars, with a girl, I bought a bottle of wine with a cork, and I forget a cork screw, and my potential pioneer doesn't have one, boy will that girl think I'm unprepared! Bet she'll wonder what else I forgot to bring... Then some people flat out refuse to have a knife near them when they get a thorn in their foot too, and want tweezers, but no-one has any (it's happened before), and you then can't help them... Rare but true situations

So, pros and cons of the two knives mentioned above? So far I'm leaning towards sticking to the Spartan, because of the tools and thinner blade (I like thin blades), but if you guys can convince me to buy the Pioneer, I'd like to see what you have to say

Thanks
 
there's alotta knives that are referred to as "must haves" on the forum....imo an Alox SAK is a must have.
 
I was going to recommend the Spartan, until I saw that you already have it. It just packs more utility with the tweezer, corkscrew, etc. But you want obviously want the dang Pioneer too, so you should get one. There is nothing wrong with owning 2 or 20 of them. Rock on.
 
This question comes up a lot and I always say how often do you use a cork screw? If you find a girl willing to drink with you make sure she likes whisky or tequila instead of wine.
 
Ok, so first thing I did in the morning was get that pioneer before someone else grabbed it. I've been fondling it plenty and really like it. It's a sturdy knife. All the tools have a good snap to them, and like all Victorinox knives, quality is superb. It sits well in my pocket. I Look forward to using this knife for many years to come. I know it's a simple SAK, but there's something about SAK's that I really love. Maybe the utility, or familiarity, or friendly public perception, I dunno, I like them

Thanks all

Take care
 
congrats :thumbup:....after carrying an Alox for awhile, i let most of my plastic handled ones go as gifts to my nephews and a buddy's sons. the Farmer has been the constant in my EDC for years now and i don't see it being replaced anytime soon.
 
Just found this thread and I would have suggested getting the Pioneer as well. Glad to see you got one. A alox Victorinox is a must for everyone in my opinion. If your going to be going on those outings with a women or whatnot just bring the Spartan since your concerned about not having the corkscrew and tweezers. Or carry both. Congrats on the Pioneer.
 
The pioneer is my favorite SAK. I carry a version in my back pocket every day.
The tweezers SAK tweezers are nice, but after picking up a set of uncle bills silver grippers for my keychain I don't miss them a bit.
Nice grab!
 
I'll be honest with you, I love Spartan but I stopped carrying it after I got my Cadet. I got the Alox as a curiosity piece, but it's an entirely different beast. Maybe it's because I carried Cellidor for years and this is still kinda new, but I doubt it.
 
I find corkscrews to be one of the least used tools on a SAK (unless you're using it to hold the small screw driver or loosening a knot).
As for tweezers, get a classic on your keychain! Then you'll have the tweezers, toothpick and scissors!

Alox saks are a whole different ball game. I went from carrying saks to folders, but once I found alox.... I only carry a farmer with a manager as my edc now.
 
I was going to recommend the Spartan, until I saw that you already have it. It just packs more utility with the tweezer, corkscrew, etc. But you want obviously want the dang Pioneer too, so you should get one. There is nothing wrong with owning 2 or 20 of them. Rock on.

This. I had the same problem this week, already owning a SAK that does it all for you, but wanting another model with less features. It comes in later today.
 
Howzit guys

Sorry for the late reply, been away in the bush for the Easter weekend, hope everyone had a good weekend

I took my new Pioneer along and found it so useful! Although it has less tools than the Spartan, I didn't miss the lack thereof at all, although every tool got used in some way, so I guess it was everything I needed and nothing I didn't. Very happy with this knife!

As for getting a Classic, already have one :cool: . It was the second or third knife I ever had. Got given it when I was something like 8 or 9 years old by my father, who gets knives now and then from reps, along with a lot of other stuff. I never carry it on my keys though. I have enough crap on my key rings as it is, so just drop it in my pocket for when I'm feeling minimalistic

Thanks for the replies, take care all
 
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