What's the fascination with farmer?

[jzmtl]

It seems quite popular, so aside from legal issues if you live in places like UK and some other european countries, what advantage does farmer have over other options like OHT? The latter is bigger, stronger, one handed opening, locking blade, and have additional tools. Sure the farmer is smaller, but with the saw it's an outdoor knife, where the compactness doesn't really comes into play.

[Benner]

Mike? 

[cliosguy]

i like the feel in the hand it feels right(second only to a safary hunter )

[Rodion]

Bigger and meaner blades than most SAKs in a sleek, compact package. What's not to like?

[jzmtl]

i like the feel in the hand it feels right(second only to a safary hunter )

Really? OHT is the perfect length for my hand.

Bigger and meaner blades than most SAKs in a sleek, compact package. What's not to like?

Blade is not that much bigger than 91mm, there is no functional advantage. OHT's longer blade and saw do however.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well I love the compactness

But if I had to list some reason's they's be...

Robustness.
Great basic tool load out, in a very small package.
Sheer aesthetics, as imo opinion there the best looking production folder out there
The fact that there legal edc most places in the world.
Old world charm (nothing fancy, just works, and works).
Great built, fit and finish.
A knife that is equally at home half buried in sap and mud as it is being slipped into a tux for a wedding .
And the feeling that you've got something a bit special, despite the price

Fantastic little knife

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Mike? 

Yes?

[Rodion]

Blade is not that much bigger than 91mm, there is no functional advantage.

It's a SAK. Check out the implements. 

[jzmtl]

Blade is not that much bigger than 91mm, there is no functional advantage.

It's a SAK. Check out the implements. 

But OHT does everything better.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Blade is not that much bigger than 91mm, there is no functional advantage.

It's a SAK. Check out the implements. 

But OHT does everything better.

The OHT is a fine Sak

But it is a little soulless compared to a Farmer imo And the OHT saw is the only real advantage, as locking blades aren't really a huge advantage to the experienced knife user

[cliosguy]

i like the feel in the hand it feels right(second only to a safary hunter )

Really? OHT is the perfect length for my hand.

Bigger and meaner blades than most SAKs in a sleek, compact package. What's not to like?

Blade is not that much bigger than 91mm, there is no functional advantage. OHT's longer blade and saw do however.

i think i like the smaller size(only 3 layer i would carry on my pocket) packed with really good features and the awl is in a much useful posicion IMO

[max6166]

I think the allure of the Farmer is that it is an extremely dependable knife which is also great for EDC.

No, the Farmer isn't the "ultimate outdoors knife", but I don't think it is meant to be. I think of the Farmer as "the countryboy's EDC". I'd likely bring a different knife for an extended trip outdoors, but for everyday rural use, it's just about perfect. And many people find the saw useful in urban settings as well.

And because it is the type of knife you can carry 24/7 for years on end, many people grow extremely attached to it over time. Like me...  

[Pacu]

The alox Farmer just feels right in your hand.

As most alox knives do

[Poncho65]

It's a knife I can carry everywhere and not feel like I will freak anyone out when I use it Plus I like it's compactness with still having a saw

[Buzzbait]

The Farmer is "best in show".

1. Compact enough in size for EDC, while the OHT is just too bulky in the pocket.
2. Comfortable in the hand, which I do not find in the OHT
3. Wonderfully robust main blade spring, which the OHT does not have
4. Far better awl than the OHT
5. Awesome aesthetics that the OHT will never have
6. Perfect blade size, while the blade on OHT is a bit too big.
7. Blade can be closed with just my right hand, which I cannot do with the OHT.

Sorry, but the OHT is smack dab at the bottom of my SAK list.

[Bill.H]

1. Compact enough in size for EDC, while the OHT is just too bulky in the pocket.

  I think that covers it all. OHT might be good in a pack, but I'd rather put a large fixed blade there. Farmer can do everything else and still be comfortable in your pocket in town or in the woods.

[ringzero]

It seems quite popular, so aside from legal issues if you live in places like UK and some other european countries, what advantage does farmer have over other options like OHT? The latter is bigger, stronger, one handed opening, locking blade, and have additional tools. Sure the farmer is smaller, but with the saw it's an outdoor knife, where the compactness doesn't really comes into play.

OHT is way superior to Farmer:
-one-hand, locking blade
-Phillips driver
-locking slothead driver/prybar/bottle opener.
-better saw

Even if you need/want a more compact SAK there are far better choices than Farmer that offer both saw and Phillips driver.

.

[Rodion]

But OHT does everything better.

A New Ranger with the same tool selection does everything even betterer. The Farmer, as already pointed out, delivers an optimal compromise between bulk and performance, not to mention aesthetics.

[bren10man]

In my rucksack, I have a 2009-dated new Soldier in a pouch.

On my hip, a Champion in a pouch.

All bases covered.  If I want or need pliers, then in goes a SOG EOD PowerPlier (black oxide finish).

Being in the military, the Farmer won't cut the needs I have.  Good knife, but just does not meet my specific needs.

[John]

  "THE SAK FARMER" another SAK along with the mini champ I'll have to put on my list  the list continues to grow 

[LatinoHeat]

Blade is not that much bigger than 91mm, there is no functional advantage.

It's a SAK. Check out the implements. 

But OHT does everything better.

I don't see anything the OHT does better then the Farmer.  It may do them DIFFERENTLY, but not necessarily better.  Plus, the Farmer, or any of the Alox knives, feel bullet proof.  They feel nigh indestructible.  My OHT, while an ok knife, doesn't feel that way.  There's a wobble in the blade, has nylon scales that can pop off, etc.  other then some sratches or a dent here and there in extreme cases, the Farmer's Alox construction makes it impervious to many things.  And, as so many have said on here, it carries well in the pocket.  The OHT feature?  Doesn't matter to me, as I would never trust my fingers to ANY locking mechanism anyway.  I think the Farmer offers all the features of the OHT, while being easier to carry, and in the end, at least with me, the knife that is easier to carry is the one I am going to have on me most.

[yud]

I don't see anything the OHT does better then the Farmer.  It may do them DIFFERENTLY, but not necessarily better.  Plus, the Farmer, or any of the Alox knives, feel bullet proof.  They feel nigh indestructible.  My OHT, while an ok knife, doesn't feel that way.  There's a wobble in the blade, has nylon scales that can pop off, etc.  other then some sratches or a dent here and there in extreme cases, the Farmer's Alox construction makes it impervious to many things.  And, as so many have said on here, it carries well in the pocket.  The OHT feature?  Doesn't matter to me, as I would never trust my fingers to ANY locking mechanism anyway.  I think the Farmer offers all the features of the OHT, while being easier to carry, and in the end, at least with me, the knife that is easier to carry is the one I am going to have on me most.

right on man, never mind the Alox construction feeling like a tank, it feels like it could be run over by a tank

[ringzero]

I think the Farmer offers all the features of the OHT, while being easier to carry

Farmer lacks a decent Phillips driver, which is a crucial implement for me.

OHT's bigger, tougher, locking prybar/driver takes this implement to another level of capability over what Farmer offers.

.

[Pacu]

I think Farmer + multitool= win

Best of everything

[jzmtl]

Blade is not that much bigger than 91mm, there is no functional advantage.

It's a SAK. Check out the implements. 

But OHT does everything better.

I don't see anything the OHT does better then the Farmer.  It may do them DIFFERENTLY, but not necessarily better.  Plus, the Farmer, or any of the Alox knives, feel bullet proof.  They feel nigh indestructible.  My OHT, while an ok knife, doesn't feel that way.  There's a wobble in the blade, has nylon scales that can pop off, etc.  other then some sratches or a dent here and there in extreme cases, the Farmer's Alox construction makes it impervious to many things.  And, as so many have said on here, it carries well in the pocket.  The OHT feature?  Doesn't matter to me, as I would never trust my fingers to ANY locking mechanism anyway.  I think the Farmer offers all the features of the OHT, while being easier to carry, and in the end, at least with me, the knife that is easier to carry is the one I am going to have on me most.

The longer saw just works faster, there is no way around it, plus OHT can be operated with gloves on. I suppose it doesn't matter in the south, but here it's a must.

[Benner]

Although I chose the Farmer, I can't agree that the OHT only does things "differently".  The saw is longer which is a bonus, it has the added feature of the lock on the blade and the flat driver/ prybar and it has a phillips and the toothpick and tweezers.  All of those are plusses (ignoring knife laws) of the OHT, not just "differences".

Saying that though, I still prefer the farmer.

[Craig]

i like the feel in the hand it feels right(second only to a safary hunter )

What he said

Plus it's beautiful

[AndyTiedye]

One thing the Farmer has that the OHT lacks:  The in-line awl.
It's both an awl and a long, skinny blade.   Perfect for cutting zip-ties as well as poking holes.

The OHT awl is not nearly as useful.

Of course, the other 93mm alox SAKs have that too.
The Farmer got my attention when they came out with the red and blue alox scales.

[Buzzbait]

Of course, the other 93mm alox SAKs have that too.
The Farmer got my attention when they came out with the red and blue alox scales.

Yes, but EVERYBODY KNOWS that the Farmer is the greatest SAK ever made. 

[max6166]

A little off topic, but I would love to have a Farmer with an added metal file.