Alox ... what am I missing ... ?

[AimlessWanderer]

This could result in a lynching, or maybe a visit from an MTO psychotherapist / counselling service ... but I need to ask.

I got my first alox in the post today - a silver rambler from felinevet. I've been after "the right" alox for a while, and also a rambler. Combining the two sounded a mighty fine plan, and I like it - I like it a lot - but I'm not sure I'm liking it in a dribbletastic wowser fanatical way as so many in here do. I also received a wenger motorist, and recently a ruby manager and brushed stainless Vic money clip from the bee-man. I really like them all - so much so it's tricky to list them in order of preference (although I will have comments/questions on the motorist when time permits) - but I'm just not getting the in-depth dimpled "someone pass me a bib" lust of the MTO hardcores with the alox. 

Is this just a higher plane of spiritual SAK awareness that I haven't aspired to yet? 
Do I only reach such enlightenment after a set number of posts? 

I know we all have different tastes but what is it for all you out there that is so yummy about the alox?

[Gareth]

Don't worry mate, I'm in exactly the same place as you.  I've had a Pioneer, I've got a Wenger SI, Cadet and Cadet+scissor mod and they are all absolutely, wonderfully, spectacularly....nice.   I don't like them any less than my Cellidor SAKs, but nor do I like them any more. 

However I'm not generally a fan of the Nylon scales.

[MultiMat]

Feels nice , looks nice & wears nice. what is not too like 

Alox ages at lot more gracefully than Cellidor I reckon 

[Sazabi]

Feels nice , looks nice & wears nice. what is not too like 

Alox ages at lot more gracefully than Cellidor I reckon 

Lack of scale tools, though I have seen mods.

As for me, I love alox; I just don't have many options in that regard, though. :/  Maybe when I get my balance zeroed, I can trade some of my Cellidor for Alox.

[ari6126]

Cadet+scissor mod

If you don't like it, I can PM you my address. 

Actually while I like Alox, without the scales tools, I would never carry it.

[Mr. Whippy]

Here's what I like about Alox:

1.  For SAKs with the same number of layers, Alox is much thinner than Cellidor SAK counterpart
2.  Alox scales don't pop off, crack or chip
3.  Alox colors are more vibrant than the cellidor counterpart AND are even more appealing with normal wear patterns
4.  The pins and tools are heavier duty (larger diameter pins and thicker tools)
5.  Way better awl.

That's about it.

[Pacu]

Alox 




what's not to love...besides the price?

[Gareth]

Cadet+scissor mod

If you don't like it, I can PM you my address. 

Actually while I like Alox, without the scales tools, I would never carry it.

Didn't say I didn't like it.  

I forgot my Scibeer blue Farmer+scissors mod as well.

[nuphoria]

I agree with Mr Whippy's points entirely, and they are also shiny which I like a lot

I think when I first got a 93mm Alox SAK I immediately realised why other people felt that way about them. Just screams "quality" at you!

[GraysonK]

I agree with Mr Whippy's points entirely, and they are also shiny which I like a lot

I think when I first got a 93mm Alox SAK I immediately realised why other people felt that way about them. Just screams "quality" at you!

I'm with these two.  While I adore every one of my SAK's, there is something extremely delicious about Alox. The lack of backspring tools has never been a particular issue and they just feel so nice in your hand, work like crazy, and look really good the more you use them. 

[jerseydevil]

A big plus to alox for me is that the scales seem easier to clean than cellidor. I'm in the paint business, and use my knives every day around the store. I don't have the time to clean my hands after every customer, so knowing that a bit of Krud Kutter on a rag will wipe anything off no problem is huge to me. I'm also a bit of a klutz, and alox won't break when (not if, when) the knife hits the floor.

[GraysonK]

Trad,
LOL...yeah there are a LOT of alox fans around here, but there's also a lot who aren't.  It really is preference...I'm a confirmed SAK convert because of this forum (I started out wanting more LM's and now only have 3 of those and almost 30 SAK's).  Just kind of what you like.  It ebbs and flows...well...kinda.    If you aren't impressed, it's all good.   

[AHB]

I've been downsizing my SAKs lately. Including the alox pieces not because I don't like them, but
I'm more into plierbased tools. I've kept the NIB Red Pioneer ofcourse.. 

[edcgear]

Didn't think of that untill I got my SAK Soldier 08... From that moment...   

I'm into Alox full...

Same happened with nylon... Untill I got solo....

Alox are great... I'm not a collector and I like their sturdines, slimmer design, look's and feel... Technically, aesthetically and quality they are superrior to other SAK, IMHO...

[nsa-x-file]

Have to agree with everything said so far.
Started with a 1977 Soldier and have not stopped since then.
I've only been collecting just over a month and will have reached 90 Alox by this weekend.

Still lots to find and that's part of the fun for me. 

Just love them!

[HawkeyX]

Ive got a wide mixture of Alox and Cellidor (and wood) SAK's
I do really like the feeling of the Alox, but to me a real SAK is a red cellidor one. Im a Macgyver child, so that probably has something to do with it. Sure it does not wear as gracefully,but it still wears well and you can always whip on a new scale if you really want.
Im still collecting all sorts, but seem to edc cellidor a lot more as I like the wider range of tools, the toothpick/tweezers & occasional pen.
I guess for me I like each, but certainly dont put alox up on any higher level.

[Wire Edge]

I love the robust feel and look of the Farmer, and the slimness of the Alox Cadet and Alox Pruner.  My only issue is that I'm a big fan of the full sized scissors on the 91mm frame.  I can't get those unless I get a modded Alox model, then it'll be in a price range where I won't want to use it!  Vicious cycle.

[sousterre1]

Have to agree with everything said so far.
Started with a 1977 Soldier and have not stopped since then.
I've only been collecting just over a month and will have reached 90 Alox by this weekend.

Still lots to find and that's part of the fun for me. 

Just love them!

90 in a month? My hat is off to you. My girlfriend gives me the 'What another knife?' everytime royal mail show up. The rate you're doing it i'd be single in a month. 

[Gareth]

Have to agree with everything said so far.
Started with a 1977 Soldier and have not stopped since then.
I've only been collecting just over a month and will have reached 90 Alox by this weekend.

Still lots to find and that's part of the fun for me. 

Just love them!

You gotta give us some pics. 

 

[nsa-x-file]

I forgot how many I had actually bought until I went through them all. 
I'm just buying everything I like and have been lucky with some rare finds.
Have had lots of help from many people here on the forums as well. 
Just got a vintage red alox sailor and a brown alox Lumberjack today.
Now waiting for a package from the U.S with another four alox.

[nsa-x-file]

Have to agree with everything said so far.
Started with a 1977 Soldier and have not stopped since then.
I've only been collecting just over a month and will have reached 90 Alox by this weekend.

Still lots to find and that's part of the fun for me. 

Just love them!

You gotta give us some pics. 

 

Sure, I'll post some soon when I get time to do it.

[Mr. Whippy]

Have to agree with everything said so far.
Started with a 1977 Soldier and have not stopped since then.
I've only been collecting just over a month and will have reached 90 Alox by this weekend.

Still lots to find and that's part of the fun for me. 

Just love them!

You gotta give us some pics. 

 

Sure, I'll post some soon when I get time to do it.

What with all that running back and forth to the post office, and such...       

[nsa-x-file]

 

[NutSAK]

Here's what I like about Alox:

1.  For SAKs with the same number of layers, Alox is much thinner than Cellidor SAK counterpart
2.  Alox scales don't pop off, crack or chip
3.  Alox colors are more vibrant than the cellidor counterpart AND are even more appealing with normal wear patterns
4.  The pins and tools are heavier duty (larger diameter pins and thicker tools)
5.  Way better awl.

That's about it.

+1 Exactly what he said!

In addition, I don't need the scale tools because they're in the Rambler on my keychain.  The ALOX SAKS are brutes! (especially the Scibeer HA models)  The thickness of the blade and the awl are what really make it for me.

[AimlessWanderer]

Thanks for all the great replies folks. 

Here's what I like about Alox:

1.  For SAKs with the same number of layers, Alox is much thinner than Cellidor SAK counterpart
2.  Alox scales don't pop off, crack or chip
3.  Alox colors are more vibrant than the cellidor counterpart AND are even more appealing with normal wear patterns
4.  The pins and tools are heavier duty (larger diameter pins and thicker tools)
5.  Way better awl.

That's about it.

+1 Exactly what he said!

In addition, I don't need the scale tools because they're in the Rambler on my keychain.  The ALOX SAKS are brutes! (especially the Scibeer HA models)  The thickness of the blade and the awl are what really make it for me.

So the ACTUALLY IS something I've missed. I thought they were just standard tools in a different wrapper 
As I said all I have is the alox rambler ... which is (or appears to be) identical inside to my celidor manager

I must admit I do like the toothpick and tweezers on my Vic SAK's (not as keen on the Wenger tweezers), but can see the appeal of the slimmer profile and harder wearing exterior. I'm not sure I'd get the standard wear patterns on the coloured versions as I can be a bit heavy on my tools - and I would be concerned that I'd spent a lot of money to end up with a tool that just looks spoiled. The silver rambler is definitely gonna be a user though.

What sort of thickness difference are we talking about here ... say, on the blade for example?
No doubt there's some point of reference around here somewhere already, but would the differences be clear in a pic?
(that was a not so subtle hint BTW ...   )

... and being a total noob the phrase "Scibeer HA models" means nothing ... yet (Hint Number 2  )

[AHB]

... and being a total noob the phrase "Scibeer HA models" means nothing ... yet (Hint Number 2  )

Scibeer has really made some extraordinary SAK mods.  Here's one of many threads:  Calling all Scibeer Fans! 

[NutSAK]

Those particular models modded by Scibeer had type-III hard anodizing applied to the aluminum frame or "scales" of the knife.  Type III is much harder and resists wear much better than the type-II anodize that Victorinox and Wenger apply at the factory.

I've dropped mine on concrete several times and abused it a bit and, other than a couple of small dents, the knife looks new.  The finish hasn't been damaged yet.

There are some great comparison shots of the tool thickness differences between the 91mm models and the 93mm (ALOX) models over at SOSAK, but I'm too lazy to use Knifeforum's terrible search feature.

[NutSAK]

My apologies, I failed to notice that you were talking about the Rambler.  You're right, there's no difference in the tools of a cellidor or ALOX rambler, except for the lack of toothpick and tweezers on the ALOX model.  The blade and tool differences we've been mentioning only apply to the Pioneer series and the Soldiers (93mm ALOX models).

[jan.]

Alox  ...  this is what you missing ... !

[ari6126]

Alox  ...  this is what you missing ... !

(Image removed from quote.)

I like this picture.