We've all read the many great things about Victorinox' Alox knives, especially the Farmer. And yet, I can't find any actual reviews of one. So here it is. The knife is the Victorinox Farmer in red Alox scales, model number 57965. You can find these for around $25 in stores, although I remember Amazon having Farmers for around $15. Moving on...
Handle Details: The Farmer is 3.55" long and about .35" wide. It's a three-layered knife. The handles are ribbed red Alox (short for aluminum oxide). This provides more strength and grip than a standard celluloid handle, but sacrifices the toothpick and tweezers common to SAKs. The liners are Alox as well, with the backsprings stainless steel. There are three exposed stainless rivets on each side of the knife. The left side has the standard Victorinox logo, while the back handle has en engraving panel, which measures 1" X .2" There are no tools on the back, which I think makes delpoymet of the tools a bit easier since you don't have to rotate the knife in your hand as much. There is a keyring for lanyard or fob attachment. It's a very strong, durable design. However, the red anodizing will fade with normal pocket wear. If you want one that won't fade, you'll have to get a silver one or a hard-anodized custom from Scibeer.
The Tools
Blade: The Farmer's only blade is 2.85" long with a 2.5" cutting edge. The standard tang markings apply; VICTORINOX over SWITZERLAND over STAINLESS over ROSTFREI on the left, and blank for the right side. The blade on the Farmer is a bit thicker and wider than a normal SAK blade, which is good for outdoor use. It came pretty sharp, and as with all SAK blades, it's easy to get a razor edge on. This will probably be the most-used tool on the Farmer for many people.
Reamer: The reamer is back, and with a few changes. This time, it's not located on the back side of the knife, and it doesn't open to the T-handle position. It's located opposite of the blade and folds out completely. It's not just a sharpened piece of flat metal, either; it's actually L-shaped so that it can fold flat into the handle, then be retrieved easily using the shelf of the L. There's no sewing eye on it, and the tip is slightly squared off. Kind of like a chisel. It came with an okay edge, and was made really sharp with minimal effort. Oh yeah, it's 1.55" long with a 1.25" edge. I use mine to make started holes in wood, and for throwing sparks more than anything else.
Can Opener: The standard can opener / small screwdriver. It's 1.25" long. It opens cans a lot easier than I can think of more words to write about it. The screwdriver tip is handy for Phillips-head screws.
Bottle Opener: Yeah, that bottle opener tool again. It's a combination cap lifter (bottle opener), large flathead screwdriver, and wire stripper. It will stop in the half-hitch position, but opens fully. It measures 1.25" long. I only use this tool for really big screws, since I never have a use for the wire stripper and I don't use tools to open bottles.
Wood Saw: Now we're talking! It's 3" long, and cuts on both the pull stroke and the push stroke. That's a good length for anything up to about 5" in diameter, and enough aggressive teeth to get through the job without binding, filling, or wearing you out. The saw is also stiff enough to cut heavy objects, while being a bit flexible for use as a saw. It's just as effective on bone as it is on wood.
Check out the Farmer at www.swissarmy.com, or check out the many articles and modifications about it at SOSAK Online.
Handle Details: The Farmer is 3.55" long and about .35" wide. It's a three-layered knife. The handles are ribbed red Alox (short for aluminum oxide). This provides more strength and grip than a standard celluloid handle, but sacrifices the toothpick and tweezers common to SAKs. The liners are Alox as well, with the backsprings stainless steel. There are three exposed stainless rivets on each side of the knife. The left side has the standard Victorinox logo, while the back handle has en engraving panel, which measures 1" X .2" There are no tools on the back, which I think makes delpoymet of the tools a bit easier since you don't have to rotate the knife in your hand as much. There is a keyring for lanyard or fob attachment. It's a very strong, durable design. However, the red anodizing will fade with normal pocket wear. If you want one that won't fade, you'll have to get a silver one or a hard-anodized custom from Scibeer.
The Tools
Blade: The Farmer's only blade is 2.85" long with a 2.5" cutting edge. The standard tang markings apply; VICTORINOX over SWITZERLAND over STAINLESS over ROSTFREI on the left, and blank for the right side. The blade on the Farmer is a bit thicker and wider than a normal SAK blade, which is good for outdoor use. It came pretty sharp, and as with all SAK blades, it's easy to get a razor edge on. This will probably be the most-used tool on the Farmer for many people.
Reamer: The reamer is back, and with a few changes. This time, it's not located on the back side of the knife, and it doesn't open to the T-handle position. It's located opposite of the blade and folds out completely. It's not just a sharpened piece of flat metal, either; it's actually L-shaped so that it can fold flat into the handle, then be retrieved easily using the shelf of the L. There's no sewing eye on it, and the tip is slightly squared off. Kind of like a chisel. It came with an okay edge, and was made really sharp with minimal effort. Oh yeah, it's 1.55" long with a 1.25" edge. I use mine to make started holes in wood, and for throwing sparks more than anything else.
Can Opener: The standard can opener / small screwdriver. It's 1.25" long. It opens cans a lot easier than I can think of more words to write about it. The screwdriver tip is handy for Phillips-head screws.
Bottle Opener: Yeah, that bottle opener tool again. It's a combination cap lifter (bottle opener), large flathead screwdriver, and wire stripper. It will stop in the half-hitch position, but opens fully. It measures 1.25" long. I only use this tool for really big screws, since I never have a use for the wire stripper and I don't use tools to open bottles.
Wood Saw: Now we're talking! It's 3" long, and cuts on both the pull stroke and the push stroke. That's a good length for anything up to about 5" in diameter, and enough aggressive teeth to get through the job without binding, filling, or wearing you out. The saw is also stiff enough to cut heavy objects, while being a bit flexible for use as a saw. It's just as effective on bone as it is on wood.
Check out the Farmer at www.swissarmy.com, or check out the many articles and modifications about it at SOSAK Online.
