Spyderco Forums

My first serious love affair with pocket knives was the alox Soldier 25 years ago. The only issue I have with them is their soft blades. That is what made me discover Spyderco years ago. Regardless, they are good sturdy tools, cheap, people friendly and very rust resistant. I still combine an alox Pioneer or Farmer or Cadet daily with a Spyderco. Victorinox for the tools and beater blade, and Spyderco for the OHO, pocket clip and proper blade steel. Best of both worlds!

Nice combo Hans! I love the Soldiers myself. I have my birth year Soldier, a '67 Wenger, as well as a '96 Wenger and a Vic 2006. They're great companions to Spyderco.

i recently got a rangergrip 79 and it’s like the king of all saks. it’s huge with a large saw, which makes it even more ideal for bumming around in the woods. it also has a large handle that fills a grip nicely. here it is with my manix 2 lw for size comparison.

They're the Tatanka of Victorinox!

That's a sick sak ladybug! Didn't know they had one that size. Decent looking ergos as well.

bearrowland wrote: ↑

Fri May 22, 2020 7:41 pm

They're the Tatanka of Victorinox!

hahaha

TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑

Fri May 22, 2020 8:46 pm

That's a sick sak ladybug! Didn't know they had one that size. Decent looking ergos as well.

when open, it’s about the size of a mora companion. the ergos are about as good as well except for the fact that you’re grabbing around metal tools, but it’s no worse than any other sak in that regard. i’d say it’s better because it’s better and fills the hand nicely. the one hand opener is in the way a little when using the saw, but i still would rather have it than not. it’s an option to get it without though. also, this model has a really cool button lock in the victorinox logo.

some pics for comparison:



sorry... should’ve used a darker background

Just got a Minichamp, and I love it. All those useful, wee tools.

bearrowland wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:12 pm

MacLaren, you're going to love the Spirit! Don't let the shine fool you. That's one tough Multitool!

I hear ya buddy!
Btw, daddy had the same Champ you did. I remember that magnifying glass well!

i wish victorinox would make a model for outdoors use that includes the magnifying glass and saw. to get both, you have to get the champ. i have one, but i don’t carry it because i prefer either model shown above. the champ is just too many tools (and weight) i don’t need to carry. the explorer is almost there. i don’t get why is has scissors instead of a saw though.

I see the Farmer X has been released. A bit too thick, maybe?

ChrisinHove wrote: ↑

Thu May 28, 2020 1:58 am

I see the Farmer X has been released. A bit too thick, maybe?

Probably like a big brick in the pocket.

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Thu May 28, 2020 12:54 am

i wish victorinox would make a model for outdoors use that includes the magnifying glass and saw. to get both, you have to get the champ. i have one, but i don’t carry it because i prefer either model shown above. the champ is just too many tools (and weight) i don’t need to carry. the explorer is almost there. i don’t get why is has scissors instead of a saw though.

Victorinox made an Explorer with a woodsaw, called the Woodsman, for the Mexican market. There's a dealer in Montreal that sells them on eBay. I had one, and gifted it awhile ago. The other, less expensive option, is to look for one of told Marlboro Adventure Club Outdoorsman knives. It's basically the same knife, but includes a fish scaler too.

bearrowland wrote: ↑

Thu May 28, 2020 6:44 am

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Thu May 28, 2020 12:54 am

i wish victorinox would make a model for outdoors use that includes the magnifying glass and saw. to get both, you have to get the champ. i have one, but i don’t carry it because i prefer either model shown above. the champ is just too many tools (and weight) i don’t need to carry. the explorer is almost there. i don’t get why is has scissors instead of a saw though.

Victorinox made an Explorer with a woodsaw, called the Woodsman, for the Mexican market. There's a dealer in Montreal that sells them on eBay. I had one, and gifted it awhile ago. The other, less expensive option, is to look for one of told Marlboro Adventure Club Outdoorsman knives. It's basically the same knife, but includes a fish scaler too.

thanks. i had never seen that model before. it would be almost perfect if they lost the scissor layer and slimmed it down a little.

instead of carrying a sak with a magnifying glass, i just carry a credit card sized fresnel lens in my wallet. it’s probably more effective anyway.

You're right, the field of view on even the newer Vic mag glasses isn't the best.

Doubt they still make this scale, Marlboro adventure team.
No tweezers or toothpicks to lose as well.

My Ti Rancher X :D



Pretty much a perfect toolset in a SAK imo

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Thu May 28, 2020 12:54 am

instead of carrying a sak with a magnifying glass, i just carry a credit card sized fresnel lens in my wallet. it’s probably more effective anyway.

I’d never even heard of a fresnel lens until reading your post. Thanks! I learn something new every day.

Jim

James Y wrote:

ladybug93 wrote: ↑

Thu May 28, 2020 12:54 am

instead of carrying a sak with a magnifying glass, i just carry a credit card sized fresnel lens in my wallet. it’s probably more effective anyway.

I’d never even heard of a fresnel lens until reading your post. Thanks! I learn something new every day.

Jim

My friends and I pulled one of the giant Fresnel lenses out of an old school big screen tv. That had some serious power.