My Membership To The SAK Club

[cerbera147]

After spending all my cash on Leathermans over the past few months I decided to get myself a real Swiss Army Knife I would have liked a Swiss Champ but I decided I'll work up to that as it will probably not get touched as my Leathermans cover most its implements.

So what am I looking for in SAK that my Leathermans don't 
As silly as it sounds I narrowed it down to these:

• Toothpick
• Pin
• Pen
• Corkscrew [although it will probably not see much 'official' use]

So step forward the Victorinox Compact 

So far so good The blades are razor sharp and has everything that I was looking for from my first SAK. Best of all, UK legal EDC



Swiss Army meets Leatherman Army






My Wenger Swissgear Venus laptop bag has a place for a SAK  So I think I'll pop the Compact in there for the moment. I think a 58mm might fit just a bit better though.





I bought my Compact from Neil and he's such a nice guy he threw in a free Vic Signature  [I have since been told this a trick to lure me in  ; the first one is free... ]
The retractable pen is really cool I may attempt my first mod; wait for it... swap the tweezers for a toothpick  Is there a how to guide for this? 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Nice write up and piccies mate

Now you need to send the Compact back to Neil so he can put a saw in it and call it Elmer

[Zed]

good start mate, i like that drambuie sig  and that little pocket is sweet, its the UK legal part that appeals , i do carry my commander alot,

paul

[cerbera147]

I have looked at the Alox range

Is their appeal the scales? The colour ones do look quite tasty   

They seem considerably more expensive than regular SAK's though 

What would you recommend Mike? As if I didn't know lol

Wish more companies had Vic freebies; would be more useful than the usual pens and notepads. Last longer too 

[Zed]

I have looked at the Alox range

Is their appeal the scales? The colour ones do look quite tasty   

They seem considerably more expensive than regular SAK's though 

What would you recommend Mike? As if I didn't know lol

Wish more companies had Vic freebies; would be more useful than the usual pens and notepads. Last longer too 

A farmer 

[Benner]

The sheer solidity and robustness is what attracts most to the ALOX range.  They have a much more rugged a feel and feel a more "quality" item IMO.  The cellidor SAK's are great, but unless the toothpick and tweezers are a must, I'd chose ALOX every time.

[cerbera147]

You're not Mike, how did you know that 

The sheer solidity and robustness is what attracts most to the ALOX range.  They have a much more rugged a feel and feel a more "quality" item IMO.  The cellidor SAK's are great, but unless the toothpick and tweezers are a must, I'd chose ALOX every time.

Thanks Ben  Think I'll have to check out the ALOX range then

[Benner]

Whilst you can't go wrong with any year of ALOX, my personal preferance is for the older one's with the unpolished tools and brass liners.  An old soldier or SI would be a nice one to get.

[nuphoria]

Ben and Mike may have a psychic connection going.... it's hard to tell 

Anyway, Mike would say "Farmer"

That certainly wouldn't be a bad choice either - it's an excellent bit of kit.





PS: Just make sure your tissue type isn't the same as Neil

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Mike would very definitely say Farmer

As has already been stated, there just so much more robust that the already tough celidor range All the individual tool's are thicker, the blades about as big as you can get in a sak and still be truly 100% legal (the 108mm, while legal, might still get you a ride down town to prove it).

Not just that, they look as at home in a wedding tuxedo as they do being mired in crap on the farm

Truly a great range of knives

[cerbera147]

I hope you're happy Mr. Mike 

I've only gone and ordered one of these  Better be as good as you say   

Getting it from Amazon; I have some vouchers. Thought best to use them on this 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Nice one matey

You really, really won't regret it

[Chako]

Well we just lost another member to the SAK side. 

I bet those won't be your last cerbera147.

[cerbera147]

The coloured ones look great 

Is there a listing of the ALOX range somewhere?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The coloured ones look great 

Is there a listing of the ALOX range somewhere?

Just scroll down to the 93mm range mate

http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Knife+List

[cerbera147]

Perfect, thanks Mike 

[Gareth]

Nice one Cerbera, the Compact was one of my first SAKs and it still gets some pocket time.

[stressmaster5000]

Great summation and pictorial!  Man I love that "Drambuie" 58mm. Cool looking logo. I also love my Compact! It is my EDC.

You should look into getting a 74mm piece. Probably would fit perfect into that spot in your bag.

[cerbera147]

Great summation and pictorial!  Man I love that "Drambuie" 58mm. Cool looking logo. I also love my Compact! It is my EDC.

You should look into getting a 74mm piece. Probably would fit perfect into that spot in your bag.

Thanks 

I did actually mean a 74mm for my bag  It wasn't until after that I realised the 58mm is the size of the 'Drambuie' one which is too small for the bag 

After visiting the site Mike posted I quite like the look of the Executive  or the Vagabond Although the Vagabond is discontinued so probably more of a collectors piece / price.

[GraysonK]

Welcome to the "good side" of the force!    They are tricky around here aren't they?  You come  here getting all excited about LM's and other plier based tools and before you know it you're bitten by this tremendous urge to "try" a SAK.  Then you're hooked.  Congrats!  And alox is just flat out sexy.  The colors aside, they feel so nice in your hand.  Cadet's are just about the perfect pocket knife and Farmers just kick some serious butt.  You're gonna love it! 
  Now, whatever you do...don't talk to Sazabi...he's a sneaky little git who will talk you into buying all kinds of things.    (Just Kidding Saz!)

[cerbera147]

Welcome to the "good side" of the force!    They are tricky around here aren't they?  You come  here getting all excited about LM's and other plier based tools and before you know it you're bitten by this tremendous urge to "try" a SAK.  Then you're hooked.  Congrats!  And alox is just flat out sexy.  The colors aside, they feel so nice in your hand.  Cadet's are just about the perfect pocket knife and Farmers just kick some serious butt.  You're gonna love it! 
  Now, whatever you do...don't talk to Sazabi...he's a sneaky little git who will talk you into buying all kinds of things.    (Just Kidding Saz!)

I think I'm relatively 'clued up' on Leathermans and what's what, apart from the million PST variations  But Victorinox  you would need a degree to be fluent in every variation that came out. I am working on SAKwiki though

Looking forward to my Farmer though and pics ahoy

[Neil]

A fine choice sir      74mm next or perhaps a Wenger?  <push> 

[cerbera147]

A fine choice sir      74mm next or perhaps a Wenger?  <push> 

Wotcha got? I could sell my granny, would you take a trade for her?

74mm? What would recommend fine fellow?

Wasn't sure if Wenger was allowed or not; don't see them mentioned much. I do like their yellow Evo Grip models though 

[frugalscotty]

A fine choice sir      74mm next or perhaps a Wenger?  <push> 

Wotcha got? I could sell my granny, would you take a trade for her?

74mm? What would recommend fine fellow?

Wasn't sure if Wenger was allowed or not; don't see them mentioned much. I do like their yellow Evo Grip models though 

The Executive is a great choice if you are in and out of offices all day. It's got a ton of utility and nobody gets excited when you take it out to use. I've carried one on the job for over 20 years and feel absolutely lost without it on air travel days.

[Gareth]

A fine choice sir      74mm next or perhaps a Wenger?  <push> 

Wotcha got? I could sell my granny, would you take a trade for her?

74mm? What would recommend fine fellow?

Wasn't sure if Wenger was allowed or not; don't see them mentioned much. I do like their yellow Evo Grip models though 

Wenger are most certainly allowed.  You could have the best of both and see if you could find a V.I.P, a 75mm long Wenger.

http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=V+I+P

[Craig]

Congratulations on the Compact and you'll love the Farmer

(Anyone want to take bets on how long it will take him to get a SwissChamp?  )

[cerbera147]

I'm in discussions with my dealer about the Executive   

I've often drooled over the beast that is the Swiss Champ and am sure I'll have one reasonably soon

I would love the even bigger ones like the XLT, XAVT and the XXLT

[GraysonK]

I'm in discussions with my dealer about the Executive   

I've often drooled over the beast that is the Swiss Champ and am sure I'll have one reasonably soon

I would love the even bigger ones like the XLT, XAVT and the XXLT

Swiss Champs are very cool...extremely bulky at first but you'll be surprised how nice they feel and how useful they are after a short time. 

[Chako]

They are not that bulky compared to most MTs.

[GraysonK]

They are not that bulky compared to most MTs.

Very true!  Once upon a time before this place converted me into a SAK nut, I said I had on interest whatsoever in a Swiss Champ...my how times have changed!!!   I love it!