Victorinox Alox series, how resistant are the scales?

T

TKM

Joined
Nov 3, 2010
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252
Hi guys!

I've been thinking of buying one or two of the Victorinox Pioneers in plain alox, however I'm concerned about the finish of the scales, I'm very pleased with the resistance of the classic scales on the other Victorinox Knives, however in my experience, stainless steel frames wear incredibly fast, especially if carried in the pocket along with coins, keys, etc.

So what are your experiences with this material??? How long does the finish last in the alox color?

Any pictures of one that has really seen use?
 
They are not stainless steel at all, but Aluminum. As for the coloured models, I can't say - I've only used the uncoated Alox models, which have been holding up really well.
 
The scales are aluminum and I don't think the silver ones are anodized but it might be clear anodizing. The ones in anodized colors will wear but it takes time. Hard anodized versions like SwissBianco take abrasions very well. I carry mine hanging by a Kydex clip so it doesn't ride in the bottom of my pocket with the other stuff.

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This one has been carried loose in my pocket along with keys, change etc. daily for a little over a year now. If you look closely, the only really noticeable dings are the ones on the engraving panel.

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Also, note that some of the scuffs along the edge were actually present when the knife was new (all of my Alox handled SAKs have exhibited these).
 
Thank you guys, very helpuful pictures.

Guess I had a misconception about their resistance.

One more thing, do you guys miss the tweezers?
 
The resistance is very good actually. Personally I love seeing well worn alox SAKs.

I don't miss the tweezers. The small SAK on my keyring has tweezers.
 
Personally I love seeing well worn alox SAKs.
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I like the look of the wear on my knives as well. I demonstrates that they are tools to be used and have been used. My alox SAKs are have plain aluminum scales and have a few hardly noticeable dings and scratches, but my Leatherman Squirt PS4 with red scales is aging gracefully.
 
I've got a black Pioneer I've been carrying for about 6 months and there's very little of the black anodizing left on it. I have to say it looks pretty good with all its wear and tear though :)

As for the tweezers, Uncle Bill's Sliver Grippers are much better than SAK tweezers, so I carry those on my keyring as well.
 
I have a natural/silver Alox Pioneer that has been in my pockets for more than a decade. It looks just about the same as JAB's, so those pics are very representative of what you can expect. :thumbup:

JAB said:
This one has been carried loose in my pocket along with keys, change etc. daily for a little over a year now. If you look closely, the only really noticeable dings are the ones on the engraving panel.

IMG_1834.jpg


IMG_1827.jpg


IMG_1832.jpg


Also, note that some of the scuffs along the edge were actually present when the knife was new (all of my Alox handled SAKs have exhibited these).
Click to expand...
 
I've seen the red alox versions that have been used for dozens of years and eventually the anodizing wears off on the numbs but not in the deeper sections. Those knives look good actually. Like a pair of your favorite worn blue jeans.
 
I got my blue Farmer a couple years ago, my blue classic last year and my black Pioneer this past spring. All three are my main folder users, the classic on my keychain. All are in great shape, but the coloring has worn off the scales. They still look neater and have a better grip than the regular plastic handled SAKs.
 
Im haveing a hard time finding any colored alox knifes from my usuall sources. Are they still being produced? I have found the silver but not red, black or blue. Any help would be appreciated. Would like to gift some colored alox farmers to my brothers kids.
 
TKM said:
So what are your experiences with this material??? How long does the finish last in the alox color?
Click to expand...

I love it.

TKM said:
Any pictures of one that has really seen use?
Click to expand...

Soldier.jpg

That's the extent of the damage that I've been able to do to my alox Soldier in seven years of EDC. The edges of the handle are worn smooth, but I don't see it wearing out any time soon, and this isn't a rotated EDC or occasional carry... it's in my pocket every single day.
 
Mine's got some of those...badges of honor. :thumbup: My long-term, real EDC tools, all show wear.

Psychopomp said:
I love it.



Soldier.jpg

That's the extent of the damage that I've been able to do to my alox Soldier in seven years of EDC. The edges of the handle are worn smooth, but I don't see it wearing out any time soon, and this isn't a rotated EDC or occasional carry... it's in my pocket every single day.
Click to expand...
 
As I posted, my EDC Pioneer (a Soldier with a split ring eye) is natural/silver, but I just took a look at the red anodized background for the shield and it's still, after more than ten years of pocket time, virtually perfect (surprising, but true).
 
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