What SAK to add to my collection and for EDC?

J

joepa150

Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
350
I currently own a red Swisschamp and a red Hunter. I love them both BUT I wanted something slimmer than the Huntsman that I could use for EDC. I want something bigger than the Victorinox Classic.

I love the look of Alox. Is there any sites that sell some of the colored ones such as blue or orange (or where they just limited runs)?

I was thinking of a Farmer, Cadet, or pioneer Alox but it is hard to judge the size compared to my Huntsman.

Soldier looks nice also but I can't find a new one anywhere online (I don't do/like ebay).
 
Spartan with added mini-screwdriver or Tinker. Add pin to either. I always end up going back to those.

you could go Compact, but the scissors always end up losing edge, sometimes beyond repair. Also, no reamer, which I find super useful.

So Spartan or Tinker. Plus scales wouldn't hurt either.
 
Spider-man said:
Spartan with added mini-screwdriver or Tinker. Add pin to either. I always end up going back to those.

you could go Compact, but the scissors always end up losing edge, sometimes beyond repair. Also, no reamer, which I find super useful.

So Spartan or Tinker. Plus scales wouldn't hurt either.
Click to expand...

I will check it out. I don't really need scissors.

What do you use the reamer for most of the time?
I used it once to enlarge some holes in a piece of leather.
 
That, let air out of my tires when I fill them up past spec, break-up ice from cooler. Oxes ormice bags, cut around the aluminum label/cap of wines to get to the cork before I use the corkscrew, stuff like that.

Those two are tue ultimate EDC knives in my opinion, esp if you don't need scissors. I forget I even have them, either weights so little.
 
joepa150 said:
I currently own a red Swisschamp and a red Hunter. I love them both BUT I wanted something slimmer than the Huntsman that I could use for EDC. I want something bigger than the Victorinox Classic.

I love the look of Alox. Is there any sites that sell some of the colored ones such as blue or orange (or where they just limited runs)?

I was thinking of a Farmer, Cadet, or pioneer Alox but it is hard to judge the size compared to my Huntsman.

Soldier looks nice also but I can't find a new one anywhere online (I don't do/like ebay).
Click to expand...

For the colored Alox, I had good experience dealing with SwissBianco in the past for purchase. And there probably are talented modders on forums to customize SAK for people.


Based on SAKwiki:

Farmer dimension:
Length: 93mm
Width: 14mm
Weight: 86g / 3oz

Cadet dimensions:
Length: 84mm
Width: 8.3mm
Weight: 46.8g

Pioneer dimensions:
Length: 93mm
Width: 11.6mm
Weight: 70.1g

From 91mm(Swisschamp/Huntsman size) to 93mm(Alox Farmer), the size difference is hardly noticeable, but the 84mm does feel smaller in comparison from those two sizes.
 
comis said:
For the colored Alox, I had good experience dealing with SwissBianco in the past for purchase. And there probably are talented modders on forums to customize SAK for people.


Based on SAKwiki:

Farmer dimension:
Length: 93mm
Width: 14mm
Weight: 86g / 3oz

Cadet dimensions:
Length: 84mm
Width: 8.3mm
Weight: 46.8g

Pioneer dimensions:
Length: 93mm
Width: 11.6mm
Weight: 70.1g

From 91mm(Swisschamp/Huntsman size) to 93mm(Alox Farmer), the size difference is hardly noticeable, but the 84mm does feel smaller in comparison from those two sizes.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I saw Swissbianco's website. It is not quite clear to me what he does. Does he modify Victorinox knives? Does he make his own SAK from scratch? Does he just have Victorinox do "limited edition" special color runs for him?

They are pricier but do look nice.
 
He supposedly has Victorinox do limited runds for him, has sacales and parts, and has regular models.
 
I would say Climber first, but if you aren't interested in scissors, the alox Soldier or Pioneer model is an excellent choice. I prefer the awl placement on the Victorinox alox models.
 
The Spartan and Tinker are great suggestions for a basic SAK. If you would like to have a saw, the Camper or Hiker are options which are basically a Spartan and Tinker with a saw. Both are thinner than the Huntsman.

Alox is always good, just choose the one with the tool selection you like.
 
Ah... the Eternal Question: Which SAK for EDC?

And, the answer is different for different people... a good thing, I guess.

You need something slim, but more substantial than the 58 mms, and scissors are not a priority. You haven't balked at Spider-man's emphasis on the awl (which I agree with entirely).

joepa150 said:
...I was thinking of a Farmer, Cadet, or pioneer Alox but it is hard to judge the size compared to my Huntsman.
Click to expand...

The Farmer is almost as heavy as the Huntsman, but considerably thinner. It feels pleasantly beefy in the hand, but is still comfortable in lightweight pants. The blades are more substantial than those on your current 91mm SAKS. The in-line awl on the Farmer is one of the best blades in the whole Victorinox line up.

You have a saw on your Swisschamp and Huntsman... do you use it? If so, then the Farmer would be an outstanding choice for your needs.

The Pioneer is a bit slimmer than the Farmer (the saw layer is relatively thin, so there's not a huge huge difference), but still quite substantial feeling in the hand. Again, it has the same more substantial blade stock and suberb awl as the Farmer.

The Cadet is *very* slim. Super slim. Perhaps too thin? Depends on which you value more... disappears in your pocket or comfortable to use. No awl, but the nail file can be ground to a point to make a serviceable punch. If comfortable pocket carry is your priority, then the Cadet bubbles up to the top of the heap.

The Swissbianco Bushcrafter and Lumberjack are another couple Alox models that might fit your needs.

~~~

Bottom line(s): Of the Alox models you're considering, Farmer if a solid working tool is most important, Cadet if easy carry is most important.

Personally, for these criteria (comfortable pocket carry, scissors and saw not mandatory), I'd go with the Spartan. It has a terrific form factor, you can put Plus scales on it, and I use all the tools the Alox alternatives lack: corkscrew, toothpick, tweazers. Its partners in crime -- Tinker, Tourist, and Small Tinker -- would be close runners up.
 
BradGad said:
Ah... the Eternal Question: Which SAK for EDC?

And, the answer is different for different people... a good thing, I guess.

You need something slim, but more substantial than the 58 mms, and scissors are not a priority. You haven't balked at Spider-man's emphasis on the awl (which I agree with entirely).



The Farmer is almost as heavy as the Huntsman, but considerably thinner. It feels pleasantly beefy in the hand, but is still comfortable in lightweight pants. The blades are more substantial than those on your current 91mm SAKS. The in-line awl on the Farmer is one of the best blades in the whole Victorinox line up.

You have a saw on your Swisschamp and Huntsman... do you use it? If so, then the Farmer would be an outstanding choice for your needs.

The Pioneer is a bit slimmer than the Farmer (the saw layer is relatively thin, so there's not a huge huge difference), but still quite substantial feeling in the hand. Again, it has the same more substantial blade stock and suberb awl as the Farmer.

The Cadet is *very* slim. Super slim. Perhaps too thin? Depends on which you value more... disappears in your pocket or comfortable to use. No awl, but the nail file can be ground to a point to make a serviceable punch. If comfortable pocket carry is your priority, then the Cadet bubbles up to the top of the heap.

The Swissbianco Bushcrafter and Lumberjack are another couple Alox models that might fit your needs.

~~~

Bottom line(s): Of the Alox models you're considering, Farmer if a solid working tool is most important, Cadet if easy carry is most important.

Personally, for these criteria (comfortable pocket carry, scissors and saw not mandatory), I'd go with the Spartan. It has a terrific form factor, you can put Plus scales on it, and I use all the tools the Alox alternatives lack: corkscrew, toothpick, tweazers. Its partners in crime -- Tinker, Tourist, and Small Tinker -- would be close runners up.
Click to expand...

I don't really use the saws much BUT I would if I needed it. Then again, if I think I would need it that day, I could always just carry my other SAKs.

Swiss Bianco has some nice options as you mentioned. Are they located in U.S.? Great options but pricey. Do you know if he charges for shipping also?
 
joepa150 said:
I don't really use the saws much BUT I would if I needed it. Then again, if I think I would need it that day, I could always just carry my other SAKs.

Swiss Bianco has some nice options as you mentioned. Are they located in U.S.? Great options but pricey. Do you know if he charges for shipping also?
Click to expand...

They do charge for shipping... At least, I bought something off eBay once, they were the vendor, and there was a shipping charge.

To be honest, I've never been able to figure out exactly where/how they're located. That page I sent you is Swissbianco Canada, which is where you see their knives listed, but when I contacted them about another matter, they put me in touch with the guy who does the actual work, and he's in north Georgia.

I'm sure someone else here can answer this better than I.
 
jacktrades_nbk said:
Pioneer or farmer if you need the saw, really can't go wrong with any of those.
farmer





old soldier

farmer and solo
Click to expand...

Thanks for the photos. I can't decide if I like the Black or silver. I would get blue if I could find but that seems hard unless I look to ebay and overpay.

I like the "lanyard" you made. How did you make it? Any links on instructions?
 
I like the red-white emblem on the silver most. It just looks good and the silver shows little wear. On the other hand, wear on the colored alox scales shows character.
 
Well you'll clearly end up with a Farmer, Cadet, and Pioneer, so I think you should go for the Cadet first.

All the function of the Pioneer, minus the beautiful awl, but plus a nail file/unsharpened metal tool.

It's more what you're asking for than any of the others and it gives you a notably different choice when getting dressed. Definitely works in a watch pocket.
 
I have the alox Pioneer...nice light weight for dress pants, very handsome boy he is. Functional, as always. Really WOWS people when you pull it out at a party. ( not like a gangbanger party, tho)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top