Swiss Army Knives again

[Doc]

Nice review on the Victorinox soldier:

http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=141&Itemid=35

In fact lots of interesting stuff on Swiss army knives and variants.


Like many here I have a Victorinox Farmer - an Alox handled model that is essentially a soldier plus woodsaw. When in the woods overnight, or canoeing, I will have a fixed blade but the rest of the time, the Farmer does everything I need. In the current climate the big advantage of the SAk is that it is seen by others as familiar and benign.

 

[addyb]

I think that SAK's are absolutely fantastic knives that are often given a bad reputation. Too often I've heard "Soft steel," "cheap plastic handles." etc etc... I don't care what others say, the blade steel is fine, the knives simple and perfect, and the quality control is superb. I use an SAK for probably 75% of my outdoor tasks. My basic rule of thumb with them is that if your SAK isn't standing up to what you're cutting/slicing, then it's probably about time to consider pulling out your fixed blade. SOSAK is a great site.

Adam

 

[leon-b]

i use my sak alot and i think its great, its the climber model
leon

 

[Buckshot]

I tought the soldier was the one with the single hand opening blade hole like a Spyderco !
Although I think the hole is more of a slot !

Obviously I'm wrong, any ideas which one I'm thinking of?

Cheers

Mark

 

[scanker]

The trekker is a one-handed opened, not sure if there are more.

 

[loz.]

I tought the soldier was the one with the single hand opening blade hole like a Spyderco !
Although I think the hole is more of a slot !

Obviously I'm wrong, any ideas which one I'm thinking of?

Cheers

Mark

trekker ?

link

 

[Buckshot]

That'll be the one - cheers

Back on topic now

Mark

 

[sam_acw]

I found my current favourite knife via the SOSAK website article on Alox models. It is the Electrician Plus as this is the same as the Farmer which is so popular but with an extra sheepsfoot blade (good for whittling once you sharpen it) instead of the un-bushcrafty can opener. As it has a saw and an awl I think it is an awesome knife for general bushcraft purposes. You don't need to baton as you can saw and you don't need to bear down on the point as the awl lets you drill or scrape safely.

 

[hammock monkey]

have you seen the huntsman lite?
thinking getting one (bit over priced still tho) to replace mine...trouble is it has a lot of sentimental value - got me thru a lot of quick fixes on tour in front of several thousand people - screwdrivers there to whip apart guitar gear.

with the huntsman lite i reckon a night out with nothing but that would be a nice test

 

[addyb]

The Huntsman is a great knife. It's the first Swiss Army Knife that I ever lost. I also discovered yesterday that yes, that "un-bushcrafty can opener" does wonders with a swedish firesteel. I was bored yesterday afternoon and wanted to see how long it would take my Trangia stove to melt a pot of snow. Well, I had forgotten to grab my Mora knife so I ended up using my EDC knife. And 17 minutes later.....I had a pot of lukewarm water courtesty of a Trangia!

Adam

 

[sam_acw]

The awl on the alox models is way above the central awl on some of the others. It has a chisel type edge and makes a crazy number of sparks off a firesteel. I can even light things using a micro steel only about 5mm long.

 

[addyb]

That is also true!

 

[Doc]

The awl on the alox models is way above the central awl on some of the others. It has a chisel type edge and makes a crazy number of sparks off a firesteel. I can even light things using a micro steel only about 5mm long.

Sam is right. The awl on the alox models makes extremely neat holes in almost anything.

I should also add that although the alox models are hard to come by in the high street, they are readily available from the US on ebay (search worldwide for victorinox farmer, soldier etc). Felinevet and Central Valley Wholesale are two reliable dealers with good prices, and with the pound at nearly 2 dollars, you can get a farmer for £13 or so.

 

[gunnix]

old topic, I know, but yea. I got a question about the victorinox soldier/pioneer/farmer models. I really like the reamer on it! It looks more useable then the one on other saks. Currently I have the huntsman. I could live without the saw but not without the scissors which I cut my nails with, hair, etc. But anyway, I'm just curious to ask if the alox handles on these models are useable in cold weather, doesn't it get really cold to hold it? I'm right now in sweden, in winter it will get very cold here.

 

[addyb]

I dunno, but I'm kindof partial to the red cellidor scales/handles myself. Metal, cold weather, and skin do not a good combination make.

Adam

 

[Gareth H]

I haven't had one in the extreme cold but as Alox is aluminium, it might well be a bad thing.