What's the fascination with farmer?

[Magnum]

IMHO, the Farmer is the ultimate and improved Soldat/Pioneer/Soldier, slightly thicker blade stock, and with a bonus saw. The overall increase in thickness makes for a more secure grip, and they are the focus of my alox addiction. I'm so glad the Cutlery Shoppe has been coming out with these colored Farmer exclusives, and at a most reasonable price. Have I mentioned I love the Farmer?

[Luna Knife]

I dont even own a farmer at the moment but i would be willing to guess that most collections of multiple makes on this forum consist of farmers in different colors.

Not too many people own 17 tinkers in all different shades of cellidor.  Back to the original question- What is the fascination with this tool?

[AimlessWanderer]

I dont even own a farmer at the moment but i would be willing to guess that most collections of multiple makes on this forum consist of farmers in different colors.

Not too many people own 17 tinkers in all different shades of cellidor.  Back to the original question- What is the fascination with this tool?

I think it's one of those irrational things, you either "get it" or you don't. I don't, and it sounds like you don't either 

[red_rider_1979]

I wonder if the farmer's popularity will be affected when victorinox adds in the scissors to the 93mm alox line... For me, my current fave is the farmer, but a pioneer with scissors makes more sense for me as an office worker.

Just as a brain exercise, assuming that they are going to do it for both the 84mm and 93mm existing models, given the change in width and toolset, which one will you prefer the most then? For me, the lumberjack with scissors (or voyageur with saw) will be my grail pocket carry EDC, because my hands are actually quite small 

[SAK Guy]

I wonder if the farmer's popularity will be affected when victorinox adds in the scissors to the 93mm alox line... For me, my current fave is the farmer, but a pioneer with scissors makes more sense for me as an office worker.

Just as a brain exercise, assuming that they are going to do it for both the 84mm and 93mm existing models, given the change in width and toolset, which one will you prefer the most then? For me, the lumberjack with scissors (or voyageur with saw) will be my grail pocket carry EDC, because my hands are actually quite small 

It will make the Pioneer more popular but not affect the Farmer IMO....you buy a Farmer for the saw and a pair of scissors won't replace a saw in the field. I do think it will more clearly delineate the 93mm urban/field line (as you alluded to). Perhaps a "Deluxe" Farmer will have both!

[jerseydevil]

The Farmer is a great, solid working knife, I'm sure we can all agree on that.    Mine's just the standard silver, nothing special really, but it's a tank, just like the Pioneer, SI, Soldier, etc.  The big plus for me is that the saw layer makes the Farmer more comfortable in the hand when cutting, turning screws, prying, using it as a hammer.......    The extra width to me is a big plus over the Pioneer.  Don't get me wrong, I love the Pioneer.  But the Farmer just feels a bit more right in the hand. 





And with that, my Farmer is now with the rest of my stuff, going to work tomorrow. 

[SAK Guy]

I dont even own a farmer at the moment but i would be willing to guess that most collections of multiple makes on this forum consist of farmers in different colors.

Not too many people own 17 tinkers in all different shades of cellidor.  Back to the original question- What is the fascination with this tool?

You'll have to tell us after you've bought and used yours for a while....it starts with wanting a '"spare"....then, "Oh neat, I like that color" and then it's down hill from there. And a lot of our members will not "get" the 17 color Farmer thing yet own 37 multitools or 41 watches or 16 axes etc. It's what you think is cool, what you like to work with with or what you like to share with folks here....none of it is wrong/weird, it's just personal.





 

[Zed]

I only own 1 farmer but it gets carried most days,i get the farmer,its a solid alox sak,like the soldier but feels better in the hand,plus good paired with my pst2,the saw doesnt see much action but doesnt take up much space,so handy when needed,my silver one is worn but looks new,im a fan,and its all kirkys  sorry i mean mikes fault

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Glad to have been of service

It is amazing how good the silver Alox holds its looks. My oldest farmer is years old and at a distance it still looks new.

Up close it's a different matter

Sent from my K013 using Tapatalk

[jerseydevil]

Getting a little rest at work.  It's been used hard today.

[SAK Guy]

Ripped down a piece of 2X4 to about 2 5/8" and cut it to size to support a window A/C. Took A hatchet, a Farmer and about 20 min.

Farmer worked great as a scribe, to trim/whittle flat the ripped side and the saw off the block.

[Smaug]

Well Original Poster, I'm with you here. The saw is not a useful implement most of the time, so I like the Pioneer or Electrician better for Alox.

I'm also with you in that the OHT (I like a plain edge) is a better knife all around, if you need the saw.

If you don't need the saw, then how about a Climber Plus or Super Tinker and get the much more useful scissors?

[mrynnr]

[SAK Guy]

Awesome! Farmers just fascinate me!   

[rowdyff]

I, like many others, line the feel and heft of the farmer. The alox scales add a heft to it that's a perfect balance for me. I  actually prefer the Harvester to the farmer for the simple fact of the pruner blade instead of the can opener. I use the pruner blade a lot!!

[HarleyXJGuy]

The OHT and the Farmer are so different it feels strange to be comparing them.

One is a pocket knife with some bonus tools while the other at least for me is a pouch or bag carry full sized folding knife with bonus tool and a really nice pry tool.

[Mattexian]

The OHT and the Farmer are so different it feels strange to be comparing them.

About the only real points of comparison to me, are that both have a similar tool selection,  and have a soldier's knife as the basic model.

The Farmer is an improvement of the Pioneer and '61 Soldier models, which are the basic Scout pocketknife. I've remarked before, that if the Alox Soldier was the Scout, then the Farmer would be a First Class Scout. (The saw adds a lot of utility for building camp crafts.)

I agree with others, that the saw layer adds just enough width to make it more comfortable to hold, without adding excessive bulk in the pocket.   The saw on the OHT isn't as comfortable to use, because the hump on the main blade gets in the way of a good grip.

The serrated blade has it's own usefulness at times.  I apparently haven't had as much trouble as others with closing the OHT one-handed, as long as I'm careful.

Matt in Texas

[Smaug]

The saw on the OHT isn't as comfortable to use, because the hump on the main blade gets in the way of a good grip.

True, but we have to admit that in either case, it is a poor substitute for a full size folding camp saw. It's just a novelty, or preparedness or back up thing. In everyday life, I've used it a LOT more often on plastic than on wood. I guess we could say that for every multitool implement, the dedicated version of it is a lot better, but not nearly as handy as something we might carry in our pocket.

I apparently haven't had as much trouble as others with closing the OHT one-handed, as long as I'm careful.

As to this, I don't see it as a trouble per se, but more of a speed thing, compared to the more tactical folders. The Wenger Rangers were a lot faster to close than the Victorinox new Soldier, and in fact, safer and faster than the tactical folders too! The big blade makes it a better weapon too!

It should be noted that if one wanted a more comfortable saw, the Trekker and Rangers can be had without the big thumbhole that makes the saw uncomfortable to use; they're just not as "tacticool" then:



Lastly, the Ranger saw is a bit superior to the Soldier saw, but FAR superior to the Farmer saw; mostly just due to being so much bigger.

As a side note, I'm not sure why Wenger put a pruner blade on their electrician model. I'm tempted to grind it into a sheepsfoot blade...

[Mr. Whippy]

The saw on the OHT isn't as comfortable to use, because the hump on the main blade gets in the way of a good grip.

True, but we have to admit that in either case, it is a poor substitute for a full size folding camp saw. It's just a novelty, or preparedness or back up thing. In everyday life, I've used it a LOT more often on plastic than on wood. I guess we could say that for every multitool implement, the dedicated version of it is a lot better, but not nearly as handy as something we might carry in our pocket.

I disagree. 

I take an 84mm Alox with saw (Lumberjack) with me trail running and use it regularly to clear branches up to 3 inches in diameter from the trails.  I works extremely well.  My farmer saw was used a bunch this last weekend to trim off shims while installing doors/windows and the attic stairs.  It's extremely convenient and cuts EXTREMELY well.

I would not consider the SAK saw a poor substitute at all. 

[Pacu]

I got a blue farmer, red and a user silver. When i first got my blue farmer i was hooked. Just a perfect knife in an awesome colour. 

[gene stoner]

My Farmer was not my first SAK but it was the one that gave me the SAK bug.  I got it to replace my US demo knife and when I saw it had a saw I thought man that would be handy. After carrying it a while the robustness and size with that saw made me a SAK convert. Today it gets rotated with an 08 Soldier depending what I have planed for the day. For me I would have to say part of the attraction is the simplicity of the Farmer.

[Smaug]

The saw on the OHT isn't as comfortable to use, because the hump on the main blade gets in the way of a good grip.

True, but we have to admit that in either case, it is a poor substitute for a full size folding camp saw. It's just a novelty, or preparedness or back up thing. In everyday life, I've used it a LOT more often on plastic than on wood. I guess we could say that for every multitool implement, the dedicated version of it is a lot better, but not nearly as handy as something we might carry in our pocket.

I disagree. 

I take an 84mm Alox with saw (Lumberjack) with me trail running and use it regularly to clear branches up to 3 inches in diameter from the trails.  I works extremely well.  My farmer saw was used a bunch this last weekend to trim off shims while installing doors/windows and the attic stairs.  It's extremely convenient and cuts EXTREMELY well.

I would not consider the SAK saw a poor substitute at all. 

...but you're not really comparing it to a camp saw with a ~8" blade.

I didn't say it was poor (period).

Just poor compared to a folding camp saw. Don't believe me? Get one at Walmart or wherever for ~$10 and try it on a 3" branch, you'll see it is a lot faster and lower effort than the relatively tiny saw on an Alox SAK.

[Smaug]

The Farmer wouldn't be NEAR as popular if they made a version with a scissors instead of a saw.

Farmer-lovers convince themselves that the saw makes it more useful than a Pioneer, and I'm quite skeptical about that.  They walk around looking for little branches to cut. It's just that it feels nicer in the hand, being three layers instead of two.

One day, Victorinox will figure it out and introduce one with a scissors instead of a saw, and folks will wonder why the dumb Farmer was so popular.

No? Just look at the popularity of the Hiker or Camper compared to the Super Tinker or Climber. There's no contest, because scissors are much more useful to many more people.

[captain spaulding]

The Farmer wouldn't be NEAR as popular if they made a version with a scissors instead of a saw.

Farmer-lovers convince themselves that the saw makes it more useful than a Pioneer, and I'm quite skeptical about that.  They walk around looking for little branches to cut. It's just that it feels nicer in the hand, being three layers instead of two.

One day, Victorinox will figure it out and introduce one with a scissors instead of a saw, and folks will wonder why the dumb Farmer was so popular.

No? Just look at the popularity of the Hiker or Camper compared to the Super Tinker or Climber. There's no contest, because scissors are much more useful to many more people.

You are getting quite defensive of people liking a "stupid" SAK. Makes me wonder why? 

You saying people convincing themselves the Farmer is more useful than a Pioneer makes no sense to me as adding a tool (any tool) makes a knife more useful. That is quite obvious to anyone.

Victorinox is releasing a 93mm knife (not determined which model) with scissors and I would say the Pioneer is most likely a first candidate. Sure for most everyday users scissors will be used more than a saw, but why the hate? If you don't want a "dumb" Farmer don't buy one.

[SAK Guy]

The Farmer wouldn't be NEAR as popular if they made a version with a scissors instead of a saw.

Farmer-lovers convince themselves that the saw makes it more useful than a Pioneer, and I'm quite skeptical about that.  They walk around looking for little branches to cut. It's just that it feels nicer in the hand, being three layers instead of two.

One day, Victorinox will figure it out and introduce one with a scissors instead of a saw, and folks will wonder why the dumb Farmer was so popular.

No? Just look at the popularity of the Hiker or Camper compared to the Super Tinker or Climber. There's no contest, because scissors are much more useful to many more people.

You are getting quite defensive of people liking a "stupid" SAK. Makes me wonder why? 

You saying people convincing themselves the Farmer is more useful than a Pioneer makes no sense to me as adding a tool (any tool) makes a knife more useful. That is quite obvious to anyone.

Victorinox is releasing a 93mm knife (not determined which model) with scissors and I would say the Pioneer is most likely a first candidate. Sure for most everyday users scissors will be used more than a saw, but why the hate? If you don't want a "dumb" Farmer don't buy one.

Any discussion about the Farmer just fascinates me!   

[HarleyXJGuy]

The Farmer wouldn't be NEAR as popular if they made a version with a scissors instead of a saw.

Farmer-lovers convince themselves that the saw makes it more useful than a Pioneer, and I'm quite skeptical about that.  They walk around looking for little branches to cut. It's just that it feels nicer in the hand, being three layers instead of two.

One day, Victorinox will figure it out and introduce one with a scissors instead of a saw, and folks will wonder why the dumb Farmer was so popular.

No? Just look at the popularity of the Hiker or Camper compared to the Super Tinker or Climber. There's no contest, because scissors are much more useful to many more people.

Am I the only one who saw Pioneer with scissors as a factory model and pretty much stopped reading?

I do agree that it is the size more then the saw that makes the Farmer so good.

[Etherealicer]

Good luck cutting a tree with scissors

Anyway for me:
Pioneer/Soldier '61/Cadet: Smaller than the farmer, I don't need scissors (so even if there is a scissor model, it won't change for me). Covers all the basics I might need during a regular office day.
One of these is always in my pocket if I don't carry a backpack with something larger (CT/Spirit), then I might only carry a folder.

Farmer: More for the off days, were I might end up in nature where the saw is handy.

Alox vs. Celidor
I think the tweezers are not very good, thanks to the mobile tech I don't need a pen nearly as often and I can put a tiny toothpick almost everywhere. Besides if there is wood around I can quickly craft one. So it boils down to like & looks, and I like the feel & looks of alox better.

[Marius]

Farmers are great. Pioneers with saws. I love the old ones with cross and brass... I like the new ones too but the oldies are top.

[Smaug]

You saying people convincing themselves the Farmer is more useful than a Pioneer makes no sense to me as adding a tool (any tool) makes a knife more useful. That is quite obvious to anyone.

Nah. If it becomes heavier and bulkier for a tool that is rarely used in everyday life, it becomes LESS useful, not more.

The argument that it feels better in the hand due to the thin third layer has more merit than suggesting the saw is a useful tool in everyday life. I'm just saying make the tool that comprises the third layer a useful one for urban or suburban people.

Sure for most everyday users scissors will be used more than a saw, but why the hate? If you don't want a "dumb" Farmer don't buy one.

Not hate. Just saying it's not worthy of all the praise. It seems the main points in favor of it are:

a) Alox + colors. Some folks cannot get enough of either, but that doesn't make the Farmer a great SAK, except for collecting purposes and making anodizers rich. Alox models are more rugged, but when I was a 1-SAK guy, I went through a set of scales every 5 years maybe. In 5 years, I could appreciate the T&T a lot more than the thicker blades and unbreakable scales. I never broke a blade or screwdriver on a SAK.

b) 3 layers feels better in the hand than 2. (ignoring the extra weight that is not warranted most of the time)

c) Less common outside our little circle, than the '61 Soldier or Pioneer, and that gives us this nice warm fuzzy feeling of being an "insider."

Another way of saying it is that if the saw were that useful of an implement, than the Hiker and Camper would be more popular than the Super Tinker and Climber. But it isn't, so they're not.

In the end, it's just one man's opinion that the Farmer is not really worthy of all the attention it gets, and that is the subject/question of this thread. There are others with this opinion, but they're smart enough not to post it and incur the wrath of the Farmer clan here. 

[gene stoner]

For me it's the saw regardless of model. I always have a SAK with a saw. I use it more then I ever use a scissors.  The only reason I have a Climber is because it was only $3.00 ( got to have a beater SAK). The Farmer and the 111mm linier lock models in my opinion are the most robust models with a saw. If I need any other SAK tools the Swisschamp is always close by.