ALox knives, I don't get it.

jzmtl · **on:** March 28, 2009, 12:14:17 AM

Local shop is having a tax free sale, so I went to pick up a 07 soldier. Sure it's nice and all that, but not really any better than the non-alox ones. The main blade is a tad beefier, but honestly I didn't notice that till I compared it with non-alox, and only did it because the fact was mentioned here. Scale is thinner, but not by much, and you loose many functions. Alox tool selection is poor compare with non-alox, the end mounted awl is probably the only advantage, and its usefulness is debatable to most people. Yes the scale is more scratch resistant, that's probably the only advantage I can think of.

So why is alox so popular?

Benner · **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2009, 12:16:19 AM

Personally, I think the added heft of the tools is more noticable than you make out. Overall, the Alox package feels more refined IMO and far more solid.

Pacu · **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2009, 12:21:34 AM

I thought the Alox thing was crap......till i picked up my cadet...my sweet sweet cadet. Now it's Alox collectin' time!

It does feel like you have something well built doesn't it?

J-sews · **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2009, 12:22:45 AM

I'm okay with plastic, but I like all-metal better.

jzmtl · **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2009, 12:32:51 AM

Quote from: pacu on March 28, 2009, 12:21:34 AM

I thought the Alox thing was crap......till i picked up my cadet...my sweet sweet cadet. Now it's Alox collectin' time!

It does feel like you have something well built doesn't it?

Not particularly to be honest. The scale is more solid (well obviously compare to hollow plastic) but other than that not any more than non-alox.

To me the little gain is not worth it to give up all the tools on a non-alox knife. Just last weekend I used the hook to haul around plastic shopping bags while walking around downtown, would've been out of luck if I had an alox.

Poncho65 · **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2009, 12:41:18 AM

Quote from: J-sews on March 28, 2009, 12:22:45 AM

I'm okay with plastic, but I like all-metal better.

That's what I was gonna say

I like the look of it they seem fancier to me

Also on the 93mm ones the tools are beefier than on the 91mm SAKs

I'm Still Bison · **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2009, 12:55:03 AM

Sure,you lose a lot of tools and functions with the current crop of Alox knives,however the robust feel of the Alox SAKs just inspire confidence in the tool,and there are situations when confidence in your equipment makes a difference.

Gadget Guy · **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:00:37 AM

Quote from: Bison56 on March 28, 2009, 12:55:03 AM

Sure,you lose a lot of tools and functions with the current crop of Alox knives,however the robust feel of the Alox SAKs just inspire confidence in the tool,and there are situations when confidence in your equipment makes a difference.

+1

donvito · **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:06:47 AM

Quote from: Gadget Guy on March 28, 2009, 01:00:37 AM

Quote from: Bison56 on March 28, 2009, 12:55:03 AM
Sure,you lose a lot of tools and functions with the current crop of Alox knives,however the robust feel of the Alox SAKs just inspire confidence in the tool,and there are situations when confidence in your equipment makes a difference.

+1

+2

Don't forget that Alox was tested, chosen, and adopted by the Swiss Army for a very good reason, they're overbuild.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:15:44 AM

For me, the Alox knives are in a different league.

1. They have a sense of formality. It's a combination of the weight and the sense of tradition that a knife with no modern materials has. (Same applies for other hand tools).

2. They have a sense of simplicity and efficiency.

3. There is an artistic flare to them in part to the clean, uninterrupted lines.

However, the standard cellidor SAKs have a functionality that Alox SAKs don't have. They are more utilitarian in design and appearance.

At least to me, the all metal construction of Leathermans is one of the things about them that makes them so appealing; it's a merging of the functionality and traditional hand tools/construction. Putting plastic inserts into a Leatherman would aesthetically kill it for me.

J-sews · **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:17:11 AM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on March 28, 2009, 01:15:44 AM

For me, the Alox knives are in a different league.

1. They have a sense of formality. It's a combination of the weight and the sense of tradition that a knife with no modern materials has. (Same applies for other hand tools).

2. They have a sense of simplicity and efficiency.

3. There is an artistic flare to them in part to the clean, uninterrupted lines.

However, the standard cellidor SAKs have a functionality that Alox SAKs don't have. They are more utilitarian in design and appearance.

At least to me, the all metal construction of Leathermans is one of the things about them that makes them so appealing; it's a merging of the functionality and traditional hand tools/construction. Putting plastic inserts into a Leatherman would aesthetically kill it for me.

Not a fan of the Blast, Fuse, Kick, or Core then?

american lockpicker · **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:17:34 AM

I like alox knives because of the scratch resistance and the silver colour.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:18:58 AM

Quote from: J-sews on March 28, 2009, 01:17:11 AM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on March 28, 2009, 01:15:44 AM
For me, the Alox knives are in a different league.

1. They have a sense of formality. It's a combination of the weight and the sense of tradition that a knife with no modern materials has. (Same applies for other hand tools).

2. They have a sense of simplicity and efficiency.

3. There is an artistic flare to them in part to the clean, uninterrupted lines.

However, the standard cellidor SAKs have a functionality that Alox SAKs don't have. They are more utilitarian in design and appearance.

At least to me, the all metal construction of Leathermans is one of the things about them that makes them so appealing; it's a merging of the functionality and traditional hand tools/construction. Putting plastic inserts into a Leatherman would aesthetically kill it for me.
.

Not a fan of the Blast, Fuse, Kick, or Core then?

Nope. Wave, PST, SuperTool. The plasticy liner thingies, look sorta gimmicky to me.

DaveK · **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:19:12 AM

Oh no I don't agree there jzmtl.

The "solidness" you refer to is really important to me, along with the heft of the tools. Granted - the thickness in the blade may be quite subtle on the smaller Alox knives, but look at something like a Farmer, and it's significantly more heavy duty.

Then there's the appearance - for me the Alox looks far superior to the plastic. It's a lesser factor, but if you've got the choice - why not go for the sexier looking scales?

DaveK · **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:19:44 AM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on March 28, 2009, 01:18:58 AM

Quote from: J-sews on March 28, 2009, 01:17:11 AM
Quote from: Mr. Whippy on March 28, 2009, 01:15:44 AM
For me, the Alox knives are in a different league.

1. They have a sense of formality. It's a combination of the weight and the sense of tradition that a knife with no modern materials has. (Same applies for other hand tools).

2. They have a sense of simplicity and efficiency.

3. There is an artistic flare to them in part to the clean, uninterrupted lines.

However, the standard cellidor SAKs have a functionality that Alox SAKs don't have. They are more utilitarian in design and appearance.

At least to me, the all metal construction of Leathermans is one of the things about them that makes them so appealing; it's a merging of the functionality and traditional hand tools/construction. Putting plastic inserts into a Leatherman would aesthetically kill it for me.
.

Not a fan of the Blast, Fuse, Kick, or Core then?
Nope. Wave, PST, SuperTool. The plasticy liner thingies, look sorta gimmicky to me.

Have you tried them for comfort though? They work.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:22:06 AM

Quote from: DaveK on March 28, 2009, 01:19:44 AM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on March 28, 2009, 01:18:58 AM
Quote from: J-sews on March 28, 2009, 01:17:11 AM
Quote from: Mr. Whippy on March 28, 2009, 01:15:44 AM
For me, the Alox knives are in a different league.

1. They have a sense of formality. It's a combination of the weight and the sense of tradition that a knife with no modern materials has. (Same applies for other hand tools).

2. They have a sense of simplicity and efficiency.

3. There is an artistic flare to them in part to the clean, uninterrupted lines.

However, the standard cellidor SAKs have a functionality that Alox SAKs don't have. They are more utilitarian in design and appearance.

At least to me, the all metal construction of Leathermans is one of the things about them that makes them so appealing; it's a merging of the functionality and traditional hand tools/construction. Putting plastic inserts into a Leatherman would aesthetically kill it for me.
.

Not a fan of the Blast, Fuse, Kick, or Core then?
Nope. Wave, PST, SuperTool. The plasticy liner thingies, look sorta gimmicky to me.

Have you tried them for comfort though? They work.

Nope. PST with leather work gloves or use my Wave.

donvito · **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:23:29 AM

Alox scales cannot be replaced unlike plastic, showing signs of use through the years of use. Also Alox SAKs come in diffrent beautiful colors

.

Gadget Guy · **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:25:00 AM

Quote from: donvito on March 28, 2009, 01:23:29 AM

Alox scales cannot be replaced unlike plastic, showing signs of use through the years of use. Also Alox SAKs come in diffrent beautiful colors .

Alox SAK's look better with age!

donvito · **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:26:14 AM

Quote from: Gadget Guy on March 28, 2009, 01:25:00 AM

Quote from: donvito on March 28, 2009, 01:23:29 AM
Alox scales cannot be replaced unlike plastic, showing signs of use through the years of use. Also Alox SAKs come in diffrent beautiful colors .

Alox SAK's look better with age!

GG

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:26:46 AM

Quote from: Gadget Guy on March 28, 2009, 01:25:00 AM

Quote from: donvito on March 28, 2009, 01:23:29 AM
Alox scales cannot be replaced unlike plastic, showing signs of use through the years of use. Also Alox SAKs come in diffrent beautiful colors .

Alox SAK's look better with age!

+1

Plastic just gets looking tatty...

DaveK · **Reply #20 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:29:22 AM

I actually just realised that the only SAKs I have with the plastic still on them are my only two Wengers - one that NKB gave me at the meet last year, and one I received in a trade this morning. The new one has a picture of the Alps on the scales. Either that or Cannock Chase anyway

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on March 28, 2009, 01:22:06 AM

Quote from: DaveK on March 28, 2009, 01:19:44 AM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on March 28, 2009, 01:18:58 AM
Nope. Wave, PST, SuperTool. The plasticy liner thingies, look sorta gimmicky to me.

Have you tried them for comfort though? They work.

Nope. PST with leather work gloves or use my Wave.

That seems fair enough - if however you don't have Leather gloves handy - you'd be grateful for the Zytel liners. They aren't just a gimmick - they do make a real difference.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #21 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:35:04 AM

Quote from: DaveK on March 28, 2009, 01:29:22 AM

That seems fair enough - if however you don't have Leather gloves handy - you'd be grateful for the Zytel liners. They aren't just a gimmick - they do make a real difference.

I suppose you're right. To me, the redesign to the Wave configuration is a better solution, with less chance of "failure" (peeling off, for example), although I admit, applying the liners is probably a less costly solution.

DaveK · **Reply #22 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:40:43 AM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on March 28, 2009, 01:35:04 AM

Quote from: DaveK on March 28, 2009, 01:29:22 AM

That seems fair enough - if however you don't have Leather gloves handy - you'd be grateful for the Zytel liners. They aren't just a gimmick - they do make a real difference.

I suppose you're right. To me, the redesign to the Wave configuration is a better solution, with less chance of "failure" (peeling off, for example), although I admit, applying the liners is probably a less costly solution.

There's been much discussion about the Zytel on here, but I'm yet to hear of any failure of them. They've been around for 5 years now, so if there was any inherent problem - I'm sure we'd have heard about it by now.

I use my Core a lot (have I mentioned that before

) and I use it hard. I've not seen any problem with it so far!

Benner · **Reply #23 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:45:36 AM

I like the zytel as well, and I'm sure Kwakster said quite recently that he hadn't seen any issues with it.

Poncho65 · **Reply #24 on:** March 28, 2009, 01:49:15 AM

Quote from: Benner on March 28, 2009, 01:45:36 AM

I like the zytel as well, and I'm sure Kwakster said quite recently that he hadn't seen any issues with it.

Yep I remember him saying that as well

I love the all metal LM as well they are my preference but I can't complain 1 bit about the Zytel handle inserts I have used my Blast a lot and my Core quite a bit and haven't had any failures with the plastic

but I have had good luck with LM in general