Bantam fan.

[cbl51]

For the past few months, I've found myself not rotating any of my sak stock at all. I've become a huge fan of the bantam for my life in suburbia. With a bantam in my pocket and the classic on my keyring, I seem to be able to handle all the normal day to day things that come up in my life as a retired gentleman of leisure in 21st century America.

The bantam is light weight enough to ride easy in dockers and semi dress up clothing, is friendly looking enough for a 'downtown' knife.

How many fans of the bantam are here?

[Jailbird]

I don't have a Bantam myself, but I can see where it's a great urban knife. I do have plans to pick up one in the near future. For now I carry a Cadet.

[bmot]

I like the Bantam. I have a Danish black-red cross Alox one, and indeed, it almost literally disappears in your pocket. Just, for any longer cutting works, I'd prefer something with a little bigger handle, as this one is -really- thin.

[Steinar]

I EDCed the Bantam a lot a while back, but I'm into a phase with larger (4-6 layers) SAKs right now. Sometimes the pendulum is in the "I want stuff" corner, other times in the "I'm tired of lugging around stuff" corner.

[pfrsantos]

I have two versions: regular and alox. It's one of my regulars at work. I also use a Sportsman, lately it's a couple o'days each. I like them both very much, it's a way of having them always at hand.
 

[detron]

OK, so normally I prefer greedy tools,  my Leatherman Juice is the XE6, my favorite MTs are Leatherman Surge and Charge TTi, my favorite SAKs that I own are the Cybertool 41, and my champion  (do not have a swisschamp yet)

so with that said, it is a true testament when I say I really like my bantam.  I really like the combo tool, and the knife just feels great to hold.
 

[Rich S]

Never seen an Alox Bantam. Where do you get them? I do like the Bantam and even
have an ISC clone of it (actually quite well made).

Rich

[frjack]

Never seen an Alox Bantam. Where do you get them? I do like the Bantam and even
have an ISC clone of it (actually quite well made).

Rich

Nice ones here:   http://www.thegoodstuffshop.dk/group.asp?group=4330

I have a green Cadet and a black Bantam.

Sent from my Nex7 using Squiffy Tart 4

[Rich S]

Thanks, looks good, but any US dealers? I'm shy about overseas dealers due to
customs, etc.

Rich

[frjack]

Thanks, looks good, but any US dealers? I'm shy about overseas dealers due to
customs, etc.

Rich

Dunno about US stuff,  apart from felinevet's site :  http://www.edcsource.com/100015,user_id,shop

Tim has loads of great gear. I've bought from him - faultless service.

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[enki_ck]

Thanks, looks good, but any US dealers? I'm shy about overseas dealers due to
customs, etc.

Rich

I think the ALOX Bantam has been disco'd in the US so your best bet it to buy it from Europe or Asia (I think DX still has them in stock). Maybe felinevet can find you some too if you ask him nicely.

[sawman]

I had a chance to pick up a few at a very good price a while back but didn't act. I think it's a great SAK and regret that sometimes but when it comes down to it, I'm such a big fan of the regular can opener. I can say that I don't own anything with the combo tool. I don't know why I'm so scared of it but I am...

[detron]

I feel the same way sawman,  but I stopped and thought,   how often do I open bottles, a few times s month, cans?   Very rarely.  I always am ready to open them,  just have no need.   So if the combo tool can open both [even if it takes twice as long] I feel prepared for whatever comes my way.   I always have my charge tti with me too, so if the combo tool fails,  I haver plan B ready to go

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

[Gareth]

I actually rate the combo tool as being a better bottle opener than the normal Vic one, though nowhere near as good as the regular can opener.  As Detron says though; it's good enough at the job that you wouldn't starve if it came to it.

[sawman]

I actually rate the combo tool as being a better bottle opener than the normal Vic one, though nowhere near as good as the regular can opener.  As Detron says though; it's good enough at the job that you wouldn't starve if it came to it.

That's somewhat encouraging, but I'm still not sold 

[KiwiMark]

For the past few months, I've found myself not rotating any of my sak stock at all. I've become a huge fan of the bantam for my life in suburbia. With a bantam in my pocket and the classic on my keyring, I seem to be able to handle all the normal day to day things that come up in my life as a retired gentleman of leisure in 21st century America.

The bantam is light weight enough to ride easy in dockers and semi dress up clothing, is friendly looking enough for a 'downtown' knife.

How many fans of the bantam are here?

I must be one of the few guys around here that just do not like the classic!
I would 10x prefer to have my rambler on my keyring - so useful to have an in-line Phillips on the small SAK.
To me the Classic seems like a poor version of the vastly superior Rambler.

I do have a Bantam and I do like it.
I'm not that keen on the Alox version though because I think it is a bit too slim, to the point of being less comfortable to use.
The standard version also provides a toothpick & tweezers, but I have those on my Rambler anyway so they aren't essential.

With the bottle opener I'm firmly in the camp of those that prefer the regular one, though I almost never use it to open bottles - I use it much more often as a flat screwdriver and as a pry tool.
The Bantam combo tool doesn't provide quite as good a flat screwdriver or pry tool, but it is usable in most situations.

The real beauty of the Bantam is that it is so small and light and yet has a very serviceable blade which is capable of handling most everyday knife tasks very competently.
I could carry a folding knife, but that would be illegal whereas a multitool with the same sized blade is legal.
Ignoring legalities there is also the fact that the sight of the red plastic scales of a SAK does not instil fear in many people - it is just one of them boyscout knife thingies.  Pull out a folding knife and so many people think you might cut them with your switchblade!
So when you primarily want to carry a useful knife while not appearing menacing, the Bantam is great!

Of course my Rambler has a blade, but it is pretty tiny.  The Bantam blade is much bigger which can be really handy for many tasks.  In fact I have a need for a knife on Mondays & Wednesdays and have been trying to decide what to carry and how to carry it - I might try slipping my Bantam in my pocket and see how it works out.  Another idea would be to try my Bantam on my keyring - it is pretty light and might not be too much to have with my keys.