Appreciation for the Explorer

[Monrogue]

Alas, my Explorer is no more.  I sacrificed it (for the mag/phillips layer) along with my Compact for a modding job, but it will be worth it  

[jerseydevil]

Got my Explorer in my pocket today actually. 

[Monrogue]

Got my Explorer in my pocket today actually. 

Good man   Even though I sacrificed mine, I'm happy with what I have coming as a result.  I still think the Explorer is one of the best, if not the best, all-arounder SAK that is still in production

[kirk13]

Great Explorers never die...they just become Yeomen!

[Monrogue]

Great Explorers never die...they just become Yeomen!

   Mine's a Yeoman plus a couple extras (seen recently in the Latest SAK thread), but I don't know what I should call it exactly.  Once I receive both of my mods, I may have to start a thread for name suggestions

[Aped38]

Great Explorers never die...they just become Yeomen!

What is the difference between a standard Explorer and a Yeoman?

[Monrogue]

Great Explorers never die...they just become Yeomen!

What is the difference between a standard Explorer and a Yeoman?

The Yeoman is basically a trimmed down Explorer plus with the opener layer removed and the small blade replaced with a combo opener tool.  It's only 3 layers while the Explorer is 4.  Oh and there is a nailfile made onto the hook in the Yeoman. 

[Aped38]

The Yeoman does look like a better option for me, as I have found the 4 layer Explorer too thick. That's why the Climber is my choice, but I do like the pen. Where can I buy the Yeoman? What is the actual model and who makes them? Sorry for my ignorance.

[Monrogue]

The Yeoman does look like a better option for me, as I have found the 4 layer Explorer too thick. That's why the Climber is my choice, but I do like the pen. Where can I buy the Yeoman? What is the actual model and who makes them? Sorry for my ignorance.

Not a problem, that's what we do around here   This is a very educational place to be   I would never have know about the Yeoman if not for joining up here.  They are no longer in production by Victorinox and are not always readily available.  Swiss Bianco does them, and currently has them for sale as far as I know.  Someone provided me with a link recently, but unfortunately I cannot provide it from work.  I will try to find the post containing it for you.  They are a bit pricey though.  You may also find one on Ebay occasionally.  The other option is to have one created for you by one of our resident modders. 

[Monrogue]

Aped38, here is the link: 
http://www.swissbianco.com/products/sak/foldingknives/yeoman-mechanic-sak-detail.html

Hopefully it works.  I think it goes to the Yeoman Mechanic (has pliers), but you should be able to get right to the regular Yeoman from there.  I just looked and it's the very last one on the last page, the Yeoman Sapphire.

[Monrogue]

Figured I'd rejuvenate this thread with my new (to me) old mag glass Explorer   It came with the standard red cellidor scales, but I swapped them with my Ranger Plus's ruby scales after giving it a warm, soapy bath.  So now it is a ruby Explorer Plus  

[Gareth]

Good thread bump.  I said it elsewhere but I'll say it again here; I'm really liking my new Explorer.   I've also managed to snag one with the new style glass magnifier, though I wasn't bothered by the plastic lensed one TBH. 

[Monrogue]

Glad you're getting along well with your Explorer Gareth   That's what I wanted originally, the new style glass one, but I saw this one and had the spare cash to grab it, so I did just that.  This is the first SAK I've gotten that I cleaned up nice and swapped scales, and I'm pleased with the results   The Explorer really is one of the best stock SAKs, imho of course.

[microbe]

Although I do prefer the Alox range, the Explorer has a great tool combo, and I it sits in my pocket a lot lately.

[Wilfried]

   I've been deliberating for several days whether or not I would buy the Explorer, but in the end I've decided to do it.

This will be the one:

[jerseydevil]

   I've been deliberating for several days whether or not I would buy the Explorer, but in the end I've decided to do it.

This will be the one:

(Image removed from quote.)

Good for you.  The Explorer is a great SAK.    My yellow one still sees regular pocket time, including today.    I've found that the seperate opener layer is more useful to me than the combo tool on the Yeoman, that utility more than making up for the extra layer. 

[Wilfried]

@jerseydevil

What I was worried about is the fact that the Explorer is rather bulky compared to the Victorinox Alox knives which I'm used to and very happy with.

The other thing which I thought about a lot is that there seems to be an issue with the magnifying glass, at least according to some people.

[Wilfried]

Although I do prefer the Alox range, the Explorer has a great tool combo, and I it sits in my pocket a lot lately.

I'm very partial to the Alox too, but I will give the Explorer a go anyway.

[Monrogue]

Although I do prefer the Alox range, the Explorer has a great tool combo, and I it sits in my pocket a lot lately.

I'm very partial to the Alox too, but I will give the Explorer a go anyway.

It's a great SAK.  I hope you get along with it well

[Wilfried]

Although I do prefer the Alox range, the Explorer has a great tool combo, and I it sits in my pocket a lot lately.

I'm very partial to the Alox too, but I will give the Explorer a go anyway.

It's a great SAK.  I hope you get along with it well


I bought the Explorer about an hour ago and was surprised to find out that it was not as bulky as I imagined it to be. The magnifying glass is just great     and so is the Philips screwdriver and the pair of scissors.

I think this model will become my first choice to carry when I'm not at home. 

I want go beyond a 4-layerd model though.

[Monrogue]

Although I do prefer the Alox range, the Explorer has a great tool combo, and I it sits in my pocket a lot lately.

I'm very partial to the Alox too, but I will give the Explorer a go anyway.

It's a great SAK.  I hope you get along with it well


I bought the Explorer about an hour ago and was surprised to find out that it was not as bulky as I imagined it to be. The magnifying glass is just great     and so is the Philips screwdriver and the pair of scissors.

I think this model will become my first choice to carry when I'm not at home. 

I want go beyond a 4-layerd model though.

Yeah, it's not too bad for pocket carry.  There was a time when I thought it was too bulky, but I've since gotten over that due to carrying 5 layered SAKs in its place.  Now the Explorer is the smallest one I have.  What are you thinking of for a larger SAK?

[Wilfried]

Although I do prefer the Alox range, the Explorer has a great tool combo, and I it sits in my pocket a lot lately.

I'm very partial to the Alox too, but I will give the Explorer a go anyway.

It's a great SAK.  I hope you get along with it well


I bought the Explorer about an hour ago and was surprised to find out that it was not as bulky as I imagined it to be. The magnifying glass is just great     and so is the Philips screwdriver and the pair of scissors.

I think this model will become my first choice to carry when I'm not at home. 

I want go beyond a 4-layerd model though.

Yeah, it's not too bad for pocket carry.  There was a time when I thought it was too bulky, but I've since gotten over that due to carrying 5 layered SAKs in its place.  Now the Explorer is the smallest one I have.  What are you thinking of for a larger SAK?

I already own one: the Victorinox New Soldier.

For the time being it will do, but besides the Explorer I also bought the red nylon scaled 108 mm. Victorinox Solo, just to have a nice larger blade.   

[Luna Knife]

I have a pre 83 with the grey mag glass and no hole in the awl as well as a newer model I've put plus scales on it.

Modders-Please stop taking these apart to make yeomans,  Putting a mag glass in alox scales is great but please no yeomans as the combo tool suks.

[Monrogue]

I have a pre 83 with the grey mag glass and no hole in the awl as well as a newer model I've put plus scales on it.

Modders-Please stop taking these apart to make yeomans,  Putting a mag glass in alox scales is great but please no yeomans as the combo tool suks.

I've found that I agree about the combo tool now.  When I originally wanted a Yeoman, I thought the opener layer was an unnecessary layer and that the small knife blade wasn't needed either, so the Yeoman setup was perfect.  So I got a custom one made up for me, which ended up being the Yeochamp as I added a couple layers to it.  Well over time, I've discovered that I really could use the small blade, and that the opener layer has a considerable amount of misc. versatility to it.  This caused me to want to get an Explorer, and so I did.  I still really like the Yeochamp though as it is a great SAK in itself.  Those two are my faves now. 

However, a modder can't help but make one if a customer requests it...like I did

[abd1959]

I carry a Climber daily but as the eyes age I find myself wishing for the magnifier. I may have to start carrying an Explorer, probably sooner than later.

[Wilfried]

I carry a Climber daily but as the eyes age I find myself wishing for the magnifier. I may have to start carrying an Explorer, probably sooner than later.

Before I purchased my Explorer yesterday, I was somewhat critical about the magnifier, but it soon turned out to be a great tool. It should however have been fitted into a metal frame, but that's really the only minor concern as far is I can see.   

[tosh]

I carry a Climber daily but as the eyes age I find myself wishing for the magnifier. I may have to start carrying an Explorer, probably sooner than later.

Before I purchased my Explorer yesterday, I was somewhat critical about the magnifier, but it soon turned out to be a great tool. It should however have been fitted into a metal frame, but that's really the only minor concern as far is I can see.   

Hear Hear!!
I've been sayin' exactly the same. 

The Explorer was the first Victorinox I ever bought (still have it). It' a shame Victorinox  never added the saw to it and maybe the file too!!

[Wilfried]

I carry a Climber daily but as the eyes age I find myself wishing for the magnifier. I may have to start carrying an Explorer, probably sooner than later.

Before I purchased my Explorer yesterday, I was somewhat critical about the magnifier, but it soon turned out to be a great tool. It should however have been fitted into a metal frame, but that's really the only minor concern as far is I can see.   

Hear Hear!!
I've been sayin' exactly the same. 

The Explorer was the first Victorinox I ever bought (still have it). It' a shame Victorinox  never added the saw to it and maybe the file too!!

As for myself, I don't miss the saw, but it would have been nice if the nail file would have been engraved  on the back side of the hook as on the Compact. But again that's a strictly personal thing.

The magnifier looks somewhat cheap in a plastic frame, doesn't it? But it's a great tool nevertheless.   

[Monrogue]

I carry a Climber daily but as the eyes age I find myself wishing for the magnifier. I may have to start carrying an Explorer, probably sooner than later.

Before I purchased my Explorer yesterday, I was somewhat critical about the magnifier, but it soon turned out to be a great tool. It should however have been fitted into a metal frame, but that's really the only minor concern as far is I can see.   

Hear Hear!!
I've been sayin' exactly the same. 

The Explorer was the first Victorinox I ever bought (still have it). It' a shame Victorinox  never added the saw to it and maybe the file too!!

As for myself, I don't miss the saw, but it would have been nice if the nail file would have been engraved  on the back side of the hook as on the Compact. But again that's a strictly personal thing.

The magnifier looks somewhat cheap in a plastic frame, doesn't it? But it's a great tool nevertheless.   

A metal frame would be cool, and it would look more like it belonged so to speak.  As it is now, the magnifier stands out since it's not SS like the rest of the implements around it.  Minor issue though.  I too would like the metal file added, as well as the nailfile on the hook, which I have said before should be standard for all of the hooks...why it's not is beyond me.  I also like the fish scaler as a misc. type tool (don't go fishing though), and it has a ruler.  So to me, I think my ideal (beefy) SAK would be the Explorer with the fish scaler, metal file and hook nailfile added. 

The magnifier is a handy little thing   The Explorer I recently got has the old 8x glass version.  I like it, but I think I prefer the slightly larger view window of the newer version (which I have on my Yeochamp).  The only thing with that is that it's only 5x magnification, but it's probably not really a big difference, at least not from what I can tell. 

[Gareth]

Explorer with added saw is a Woodsman, Explorer with added metal file is a Modeler.  Both retired sadly, but the Woodsman Lite gets close with adding a saw but swapping the magnifier for a LED.