Victorinox Explorer vs. Scientist

Grover_Cephas · Jul 9, 2004

So I don't have the stats for the Scientist SAK in front of me right now, but it seems that this:
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5151
has the Scientist's most attractive feature (corkscrew _with_ phillips driver) and is only one backspring wider (because it uses separate can-opener and bottle-opener instead of their "combo tool")

Are there any other differences I'm missing? I know the Scientist models are just about impossible to get these days; would this one make a decent substitute?

APS · Jul 9, 2004

The Explorer is 4 backsprings wide.
1 can/bottle openers
2 phillips/magnifier
3 scissors
4 main/small blade.
In addition to the normal tools that a Scientist has, the Explorer adds scissors, awl, multipurpose hook (on new ones), small blade and separate can/bottle openers instead of the combo tool.
Unless you find an Explorer Plus, you won't get the straight pin and ballpoint pen that the Scientist had.
The Explorer is the thinnest available SAK with an in-line phillips and corkscrew. The Spartan Lite is just slightly thicker I think.
Adam

UnknownVT · Jul 9, 2004

Grover_Cephas said:
So I don't have the stats for the Scientist SAK in front of me right now, but it seems that this:
http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5151
has the Scientist's most attractive feature (corkscrew _with_ phillips driver) and is only one backspring wider (because it uses separate can-opener and bottle-opener instead of their "combo tool")

The Victorinox Scientist would be TWO backsprings/layers thinner than the Explorer as the Scientist does not have the scissors - so it is only 2 backsprings wide (albeit with one of the backsprings slightly wider than normal)

What you're talking about sounds more like the Yeoman - which is the Scientist with scissors (and the ubiquitous hook) -

I consider the Yeoman to have basically all the functions of the Explorer but one backspring/layer thinner (note one does lose the awl/reamer)

Whether one backspring wider is acceptable - only you can decide - I personally found that the Yeoman was about as wide as I'd prefer to carry everyday - so the Explorer would have been a compromise - for me -
as always YMMV.

BTW - you might want to consider the Explorer Plus model which has the ballpoint Pen and straight Pin in the handles (US model # 53792)

Also the price shown in your reference seems awfully high -
I've seen Explorer Plus priced below $30.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/

PWork · Jul 9, 2004

As usual, Vincent is the man with the SAK answers.

Paul

Grover_Cephas · Jul 10, 2004

So I was a little off.

Thanks, guys. Gonna look at this one a little closer.

(Gads, but I love BladeForums...)

Morgoth412 · Jul 10, 2004

Don't forget that if you buy a model without the straightpin and ball point pen, you can easily add them.

You can buy handles for 91mm SAK that have the two other holes, and then buy the pin and pen. Changing the scales shoudln't prove too hard, as they just pop on and off.
-Kevin

ichor · Jul 10, 2004

Anyone think of a good reason why the "Fireman" would have a corkscrew instead of a Phillips screwdriver. I don't think firemen would normally have time for a glass of Gerwurztraminer (they can always keep a corkscrew at the station kitchen), but they might be able to use a Phillips . Plus, Seems to me a one hand opening would be something of value for a rescue worker.

Morgoth412 · Jul 11, 2004

ichor said:
Anyone think of a good reason why the "Fireman" would have a corkscrew instead of a Phillips screwdriver. I don't think firemen would normally have time for a glass of Gerwurztraminer (they can always keep a corkscrew at the station kitchen), but they might be able to use a Phillips . Plus, Seems to me a one hand opening would be something of value for a rescue worker.

The corkscrew has a few uses while the phillips has one. In fact, I don't like the phillips becuase it is a bit redundant with the can opener/driver already working on #1 and #2 phillips.

The corkscrew can be used to tighten a firemans boot laces, or help untie ropes (rescue lines). Hell, once MacGyver used the corkscrew to help him get out of a hole, by screwing it into the wall ( i think it was a wall?) and using it as a handle to pull himself up.

Also the corkscrew can hold the little jewelers screwdriver. Just in case some firemans glasses lens falls out.

-Kevin

Frank · Jul 11, 2004

I'd like to see Victorinox bring back the Scientist in an 84mm frame. I have pretty big hands so the 91s fit them better but even a 2 backspring 91 is a little long in my pocket. The 1/4" or 3/8" shorter length in a Waiter or Cadet makes a big difference to me.

Grover_Cephas · Jul 11, 2004

Morgoth412 said:
Hell, once MacGyver used the corkscrew to help him get out of a hole, by screwing it into the wall ( i think it was a wall?) and using it as a handle to pull himself up.
-Kevin

I'm pretty sure you're referring to the pivoting pit-trap in the "Camelot" episode. That's the first thing I thought of when you said "The corkscrew has a few uses".

vrex · Jul 11, 2004

ichor said:
. Plus, Seems to me a one hand opening would be something of value for a rescue worker.

A One Hand Fireman model is available.
(Corkscrew and all

)

Chuck

ichor · Jul 11, 2004

vrex said:
A One Hand Fireman model is available.
(Corkscrew and all )

Chuck

Ah....I haven't seen that one. There are so many models now it's mind boggling. A one handed opening blade, plus the curved-serrated would make a good combo. And tho' I don't agree that the can opener replaces a Phillips screwdriver, I guess I could follow morgoth's advice and find uses for the corkscrew.....use instead of toothpick, nose picker, short back scratcher, drain water off my knee, ear wax remover....jeez, now that I think about it the potential uses are endless. Kinda like that stupid hook.....makes you use your imagination.

Morgoth412 · Jul 12, 2004

Grover_Cephas said:
I'm pretty sure you're referring to the pivoting pit-trap in the "Camelot" episode. That's the first thing I thought of when you said "The corkscrew has a few uses".

Grover is a man who knows quality television.

Ichor, I admit the can opener driver doesn't work on all phillips but on the #1 and #2 it functions great!

Btw, I think you should put some cotton on the corkscrew before cleaning your ears.

-Kevin

ichor · Jul 12, 2004

Morgoth412 said:
Grover is a man who knows quality television.

Ichor, I admit the can opener driver doesn't work on all phillips but on the #1 and #2 it functions great! Btw, I think you should put some cotton on the corkscrew before cleaning your ears.
-Kevin

\

Thanks, Kevin. I was just going to screw one of those foam earplugs on it and grind away.

Grover_Cephas · Jul 13, 2004

Morgoth412 said:
Grover is a man who knows quality television.

I used to watch MacGyver religiously. They've started running the episodes again (on, I think, FX). It's harder to watch now. I find myself yelling at the screen much more often

"Get his gun!"

"Great, you knocked him out; now get his gun!"

"Wouldn't it be easier to disable that airplane if you'd _gotten_the_guy's_gun_?!"

"You're going up against half a dozen men with Kalashnikovs; please, _please_ take the guy's gun _just_in_case_..."

...But anyhoo...

BTW, whereabouts in Jersey are you? We ain't that big a state, after all. I just found out another forumite lives in Flemington, of all places.

Morgoth412 · Jul 13, 2004

Grover_Cephas said:
I used to watch MacGyver religiously. They've started running the episodes again (on, I think, FX). It's harder to watch now. I find myself yelling at the screen much more often

"Get his gun!"

"Great, you knocked him out; now get his gun!"

"Wouldn't it be easier to disable that airplane if you'd _gotten_the_guy's_gun_?!"

"You're going up against half a dozen men with Kalashnikovs; please, _please_ take the guy's gun _just_in_case_..."

...But anyhoo...

BTW, whereabouts in Jersey are you? We ain't that big a state, after all. I just found out another forumite lives in Flemington, of all places.

Old Brdige in Middlesex County. I'll be attending Western New England College though for the next four years in Springfield Mass., starting August 28th.

Yes...nothing drives me crazier then an "anit-gun" crusade when your life is in danger. I can count tons of episodes where if he had a gun he would have saved lives. In fact...If Macgyver had a gun half the scripts couldn't even be writen becuase he wouldn't be in trouble in the first place.

-Kevin

spyghost · Dec 5, 2005

Morgoth412 said:
The corkscrew has a few uses while the phillips has one. In fact, I don't like the phillips becuase it is a bit redundant with the can opener/driver already working on #1 and #2 phillips.

The corkscrew can be used to tighten a firemans boot laces, or help untie ropes (rescue lines). Hell, once MacGyver used the corkscrew to help him get out of a hole, by screwing it into the wall ( i think it was a wall?) and using it as a handle to pull himself up.

Also the corkscrew can hold the little jewelers screwdriver. Just in case some firemans glasses lens falls out.
-Kevin

i think it was anothe murdoc episode. if i remember things right, there is this gun powder and a magician who was facinated by scissors. but then again all the adventure was just mac's dream

bquinlan · Dec 5, 2005

ichor said:
There are so many models now it's mind boggling.

If you want some help sorting them out try the SAK Selector. It lets you select by features and compare the results.

--Bob Q

rhino · Dec 6, 2005

Why does the Yeoman cost more than the Explorer Plus (from what I've been able to find online)? Do they not make many of the Yeoman?

UnknownVT · Dec 6, 2005

rhino said:
Why does the Yeoman cost more than the Explorer Plus (from what I've been able to find online)? Do they not make many of the Yeoman?

Both the Yeoman and the Scientist have been discontinued for a number of years now.

It may seem as if the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) version of the Yeoman is still available as in the offical Victorinox US (Swiss Army Brands) web site shows -

(BSA) Yeoman (US model # 55781)

and the photo shown on that page IS clearly the (BSA) Yeoman.

EDIT to add Photo from SwissArmy.com

However I have heard reports for a number of years now from people purchasing the Yeoman but getting the Explorer model in the box (marked as the Yeoman) instead.

So buyer beware......

--
Vincent
http://UnknownVT2005.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/