Victorinox Soldier

M

mdsmith

Joined
Jan 7, 2009
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Well, thanks to all of the praise it has recieved of this and other forums, I tracked down and ordered myself a Victorinox soldier. I had fully intended on ordering a S&M canoe today, but the backspring broke on my other S&M knife last night, and I want to get that situation taken care of before I order another or their knives. All of that aside, I'm very excited to give the soldier a try. In the same vein as another current thread in this forum, I'm going to try to carry the solider everyday for the next 3 months straight. I can't promise much past the 3 month since that will be Christmas time, and if things go well, there will be a few other new slippies fighting for some pocket time. :D Anyway, just thought I'd share my excitement with you guys.
 
Part of the fun is the act of staring at the mailbox and waiting.

I have tried to stick with one knife for an extended period, but rarely make it more than a few hours.
 
As a EDC knife, Soldier is just about perfect. I love mine and carry one almost daily -along with a traditional slippie, of course.
 
powernoodle said:
Part of the fun is the act of staring at the mailbox and waiting.

I have tried to stick with one knife for an extended period, but rarely make it more than a few hours.
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I hear ya, but seeing the pictures on here of knives that people have carried daily for years and years really makes me want to give it a try. There's just nothing like the look of a well carried and used knife. The kind of knife that you're so used to having that you feel completely naked without it. The closest thing I have to that is a 10 year old Benchmade 942. While it wasn't carried every single day, it was with me the majority of the time, and it sure has seen a lot of use. As a matter of fact, she's at Benchmade right now getting a new blade. I'm thinking this and the soldier are going to make a great pair.
 
powernoodle said:
I have tried to stick with one knife for an extended period, but rarely make it more than a few hours.
Click to expand...

I have made it for a few days, but it is rare. The new Soldier one hand opener is a great knife, but the Soldier SAK was a great knife. Just like missing my slippies, I wish I kept all of my Alox SAK's.
 
I really think Vic should continue to make the Alox Soldier even if it no longer Swiss military issue. The Pioneer is great but I really like the Soldier shield and lack of key ring.
 
The "new" issue Victorinox Soldier is a fine tool but doesn't fit the "traditional" category...but that of a multi-tool.

The alox "Soldier" on the other hand is much more of a throwback to "traditional" design:

317v6LbXGwL._SS500_.jpg
 
I rediscovered the alox Soldier in July and picked up a couple extras at a local gunshow. I plan on keeping this a while as EDC and whenever I tease myself that I'm going to get a nice traditional the cheapster in me says "what can that $80 knife do that your $20 Soldier can't". Nothing really, other than looking heck of a lot nicer.
I use the little screwdriver at the end of the Vic can opener a lot but never the can opener. That's probably what has kept me from buying any of the traditional scout pattern knives. But I read that agrussell is supposed to be coming out with a taiwan made scout so we shall see. Just couldn't warm up to his $100 Camillus model from a few years back.
adam
 
I have the Vic Soldier, as well as the Wenger SI, but the knife that is with me most of the time is my Red Alox Cadet. It is a bit shorter and thinner then the Soldier, and has an nail file/reamer rather then the awl, but is SOOOO much more comfortable to me in the pocket. Plus, to me, a Swiss Army Knife HAS to be red, so the red alox works. It is every bit as sturdy as the Soldier, and is one heck of a workhorse. Not much it can't do. Enjoy your knife. You really can't beat these guys, specially for the price.
 
Voltron said:
I have the Vic Soldier, as well as the Wenger SI, but the knife that is with me most of the time is my Red Alox Cadet. It is a bit shorter and thinner then the Soldier, and has an nail file/reamer rather then the awl, but is SOOOO much more comfortable to me in the pocket. Plus, to me, a Swiss Army Knife HAS to be red, so the red alox works. It is every bit as sturdy as the Soldier, and is one heck of a workhorse. Not much it can't do. Enjoy your knife. You really can't beat these guys, specially for the price.
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Thanks. I had a cadet, but didn't use the nail file very much. Not that the awl will get much use either, but it just seems a little more versatile too me. Thanks for the info on size though, I was wondering how it was compared to the cadet. I also prefer a red sak, and would have gotten a red soldier if they made one. I was looking at the red pioneer too, but everyone seems to really like the soldier, and since thy are becoming harder to get I figured I better give it a shot while I had the chance.
 
You'll find Red Alox knives online all over the place. They are readily available. Will PM you a website.
As for the Pioneer? It is basically a soldier with a different shield, no date on the tang, and a key loop, which I always grind down, as I did on my Cadet. Just cuts into the hand when using.
 
mdsmith,

It's late and I'm old but from your original post I gather you ordered the Alox Soldier. You have made a terrific choice and will not be disappointed.

I have carried the same Pioneer (essentially a Soldier in red) for almost 26 years and as someone mentioned above, do indeed feel naked without it.

As voltron does, I have ground the keyring off my treasured Pioneer TWICE. :D (Long story.)

I have several Pioneers and Soldiers NIB just in case.

dan
 
The SAK Soldier is just about as perfect as you can get for an EDC knife. Heck the Swiss Army EDCed them for years, they got to be good right?
 
I am waiting for an Alox Soldier with a cork screw ;}
Do they only serve their Army beer?


I am in London at the moment, and decided due to the darconian knife laws to carry a SAK Waiter, and with the corksrew can/botle opener and a decent blade, it is doing an excellent picnic service
 
Thanks guys, I'll be sure to let you know how it's working out for me once I've carried it for a few weeks. I'd post pictures, but I'm sure we all know what they look like.
 
The Soldier or Pioneer is a classic. I guess as a traditional pattern it comes under camp knives. It's been around in the alox version since about 1961, but it's roots go back to the late 1800's.
This is the knife that I judge all others by. The fit and finish is 100% as are most SAK's. I carried a Huntsman for around 30 years and loved it, but the Soldier is in many ways better. Tough is the word that comes to mind when I think of the Soldier/Pioneer. I find it hard to carry anything else these days, and believe me I've got over a hundred other knives calling to me to give them pocket time :)

I love my Case knives and would never part with them, but it's the Soldier/Pioneer that gets the most EDC.
 
purple95 said:
mdsmith,

It's late and I'm old but from your original post I gather you ordered the Alox Soldier. You have made a terrific choice and will not be disappointed.

I have carried the same Pioneer (essentially a Soldier in red) for almost 26 years and as someone mentioned above, do indeed feel naked without it.

As voltron does, I have ground the keyring off my treasured Pioneer TWICE. :D (Long story.)

I have several Pioneers and Soldiers NIB just in case.

dan
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Like Dan, I have 3 Soldier aloxes and two pioneers. Just in case scennario. They don't cost too much yet. I carried over 5 years my Soldier. Its great knife. It has taken out of rotation for my loce for Canoes or Barlow but I think I'll put it again soon in my pocket.
 
Well, thanks to a certain enabler, who's name I won't mention (Voltron), pointing me toward Tim Meeker's website, it seems likely that I will soon have one of the old silver cross red pioneers in my posession too.
 
mdsmith said:
Well, thanks to a certain enabler, who's name I won't mention (Voltron), pointing me toward Tim Meeker's website, it seems likely that I will soon have one of the old silver cross red pioneers in my posession too.
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LOL.
Sorry. I just figured if I can get EVERYONE to buy out Tim, there will be less knives to tempt me!! Haha.
 
mdsmith,

Now you have made TWO excellent choices; buying a Pioneer and buying it from Tim.

He is a first class, stand-up kinda guy and a true asset to our hobby.

He will treat you well and purchases from him help to support his charity which helps those who cannot afford medical care for their cats.

dan
 
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