Victorinox alox penknives

[Raukodur]

Given how excellent Vic steel is for its price, and the beauty of its alox models, do Vic specifically market penknives, i.e. single layer, single or couple of tools (e.g. knife + bottle opener, large knife + small knife, large knife + awl) wrapped in alox scales?

I would have though that if they didn't, aren't they missing a trick? As we have seen from the modders, having different combos of scale colour, liner material and colour, and plain or BO blades, you can get some stunningly beautiful results. And everyone knows the quality is second to none.

[kirk13]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_15?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=victorinox+solo+alox&sprefix=Victorinox+solo%2Caps%2C393

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-0-2300-26-Taschenwerkzeug-Fkt-Alox/dp/B000MLU5MU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375094966&sr=8-2&keywords=victorinox+bantam

Any good?

[PTRSAK]

If you want a cheap Alox Bantam...

http://dx.com/p/genuine-victorinox-swiss-army-multi-tool-knife-silver-65962

I have bought one from them and yes it is genuine.

[enki_ck]

There are loads of them.

Secretary, Patriot, Bantam, Solos, Settler, Watchmaker, Apprentice, ... and that's just off the top of my head.

Go to SAKwiki and click on the 1 next to the size you desire in the table on the right. That will lead you to all the single layered SAKs in that size. Both in Wenger and Victorinox tables there are interesting choices.


If you need any comparison pics, let us know.

[ICanFixThat]

While there are a few to choose from, the Silver Alox Secretary might be the the one that most closely matches what you had in mind.

That said, I think they are missing a trick; a nice red Alox Secretary (like they use to make; much nicer red that say a Wenger Patriot) with slim scissors would be one wonderful Pen Knife Plus.  Styles similar to this were made in the past, but are getting expensive in the used market.

Their current answer to most small pocket knives of yester-year is the Classic, and it does come in Alox so I don't see them implementing my idea.  I can't blame them, gentleman's knives are not so popular any more, and maybe companies like Case are more popular in that segment.

I'd recommend an Alox Vagabond, Ramble or MiniChamp from SwissBianco, but they're not exactly inexpensive.

When it comes to Alox handles your choices are a bit limited.

Another super option is to find an Alox Executive on ebay... or go for gold and get a Stainless Steel Director.

[Raukodur]

While there are a few to choose from, the Silver Alox Secretary might be the the one that most closely matches what you had in mind.

That said, I think they are missing a trick; a nice red Alox Secretary (like they use to make; much nicer red that say a Wenger Patriot) with slim scissors would be one wonderful Pen Knife Plus.  Styles similar to this were made in the past, but are getting expensive in the used market.

Their current answer to most small pocket knives of yester-year is the Classic, and it does come in Alox so I don't see them implementing my idea.  I can't blame them, gentleman's knives are not so popular any more, and maybe companies like Case are more popular in that segment.

I'd recommend an Alox Vagabond, Ramble or MiniChamp from SwissBianco, but they're not exactly inexpensive.

When it comes to Alox handles your choices are a bit limited.

Another super option is to find an Alox Executive on ebay... or go for gold and get a Stainless Steel Director.

I think you have understood what I am trying to say. There may be one or two models available, but I think this would be quite an easy market for victorinox to exploit, where they could go for different 1/2 layer penknives with fancy coloured alox scales, take the price up a bit, while still keeping it reasonable.

Many thanks for the other replies, I had looked on SAKwiki before making my post  , rather than talking about personal need, I was trying to make a more general point about the market and victorinox 

[Raukodur]

Is there an 84mm alox SAK with large knife and awl?

[nate j]

Is there an 84mm alox SAK with large knife and awl?

Not AFAIK.

[Raukodur]

That is what I mean, although Victorinox does produce a few variants that would fit this criteria of 'gentleman's knives' or penknives, the selection is very limited. I would have thought knife and awl would have been a much desired combo.

[Steinar]

Victorinox keeps prices down and quality up by having a very streamlined production line, and I doubt they would even consider small series if it required retooling (as that would hike up the price too far). Places like Case produce far fewer knives in a less streamlined process, so they can afford combinations Vic wouldn't consider.

We see how the 93 mm series is slowly withering away now, I suspect the numbers Vic still are selling are something smaller brands would be very happy about (but unable to deliver at the same quality at the same price point).

Only guesswork and opinions on my part.

[Raukodur]

That sounds like a sensible set of assumptions, kind of like Apple in the tech world.

Currently having real problem findings 1-2 layer 84mm SAKs with a keyring, seems most models don't have one. Even in the 91 and 93mm 1-2 layer SAKs, quite hit and miss which models do and don't have a keyring   

[Raukodur]

Any suggestions?

[Steinar]

Some 84 mm with keyring from Vic's recent and current lineup: Cellidor Bantam w/keyring (0.2303), Waiter w/keyring (0.3303), Recruit w/keyring (0.2503), Tourist (0.3603), Cadet (0.2601.26), Sportsman w/keyring (0.3803), Small Tinker (0.4603), Excelsior (0.6901), Secretary w/keyring (0.6901.16)

[Syph007]

The excelsior is the closest thing to a pen knife as I would think of them.



The alox version has no keyring though.  Adding one would be a difficult mod as peening smooth alox would be a challenge.  But if you found a cellidor one im sure the keyring could be moved to an alox one.

Edit.. hmm it does look like there is a version with keyring too.

[Raukodur]

Yes, it seems the excelsior may be the closest thing to what I want.

A question for the professionals, what is the difference between the Popular and Excelsior?

Also, what is the difference between an 84mm and 93mm knife blade, apart from the length? Any difference in thickness?

[Steinar]

SakWiki is your friend: Popular and Excelsior. Part of the problem is somewhat different nomenclature in Europe and the US.

The 93 mm blade is a stouter blade than the 84 mm, and is ground with a little more belly.

[Suveges]

Do they not make the pocket pal anymore?

[Raukodur]

SakWiki is your friend: Popular and Excelsior. Part of the problem is somewhat different nomenclature in Europe and the US.

The 93 mm blade is a stouter blade than the 84 mm, and is ground with a little more belly.

I asked the question having noted their similarity on SAKwiki So apart from the scales, identical?

[NG VI]

There's a 58mm Pocket Pal too.

[Steinar]

I asked the question having noted their similarity on SAKwiki So apart from the scales, identical?

Yup, unless the difference in age leads to subtle differences. I only have the Excelsior of those two, so one of the experts will have to pipe in if vintage leads to more difference than tang stamp.

[Raukodur]

What about the Wenger Patriot? Very similar design, slight difference in design of small blade.

Comparable to the Excelsior, better, worse? Anyone have any experience of the two?

[NG VI]

Sounds like the Sentry as well, it's very slim, has the familiar, nice checkered texture to it, single blade, nice dimensions, I really like mine, though I haven't carried it and I'm not sure when I will.  I just adore the Cadet too much as an every day knife, and one of the reasons is because I can get another easily.

[Raukodur]

I guess what I am asking is Wenger steel used in their knives as good as Victorinox?