My first Alox! The Farmer! Just a few questions.

[parkourdude]

Hey guys, I've been a lurker here for a while now.

I've had sak's before and do still use them (my first knife was a tinker) but just yesterday I got my alox farmer.

The farmer pretty much hit me with a pragmatic wave and I've sold all my Spyderco's today. It really made me realise a few things and rekindled my interest in saks.


Anyways I've got a few questions.

1. The main blade has the usual 'Victorinox Swiss Made Stainless' on one side but nothing is stamped on the other side. Is this normal? My deluxe tinker says officer suisse on that side.


2. The awl opening/closing action is awfully mushy. Any tips for this? All my other saks were smooth with everytool.


3. Where can I get more Farmers in other colors? I'm now hooked back into saks. 



Thanks for looking!

[ducttapetech]

First off, welcome to MTO! Second, why would you sell those sweet folders! Lol
The awl might just need a little oil, but the ones I have never really had that snap like the other blades and tools on the farmer. I think a lot of that is the awl rests on the scale itself.
As for buying, hold on to your wallet, cause its gonna get expensive. You can some here, Tim aka felinevet and some of us do custom saks.
Enjoy!

live from Nate's mobile

[Mr. Whippy]

Welcome!  The Farmer is the sweet spot of the Alox line IMO.  I collect them and EDC them.  If it was a used Farmer, try cleaning and lubing the pivot.  If it's new, I would mineral oil the pivot and then work it a bit to see if it improves. 

If you compare the blade on your Farmer to one of the cellidor scaled SAKs, you'll see it is much thicker. It is a different main blade and all the Alox SAKs have them.

Colored Farmers will be a bit spendy unless Vic decides to release more special editions.  You'll have to start the hunt to find them now, but they're out there.

[magentus]

Welcome!

The lack of a stamp on the other side of the blade is indeed normal.

The Farmer is an excellent knife and it could be a contender for the most popular SAK there is.............

My one and only gripe is the position of the lanyard attachment - I can't get a comfortable grip on mine. I'd love to see a Farmer with the hollow rivet that graces the Wenger SI. That would be perfect.

Enjoy your Farmer! 

[Mr. Whippy]

You should thank Capt. Spaulding.  This is a DEAL!!!

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,51610.0/topicseen.html

Jump on it fast, it won't last.

[parkourdude]

Thanks for the reply guys! Much appreciated.

First off, welcome to MTO! Second, why would you sell those sweet folders!

Thanks for the welcome! As for the folders, I'm on a journey many knifenuts are familiar with. To find that perfect edc blade... The farmer is just head and shoulders above the spydies in terms of what I'm looking for at the moment.

As for the awl, I'll keep applying some mineral oil and working that action.

You should thank Capt. Spaulding.  This is a DEAL!!!

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,51610.0/topicseen.html

Jump on it fast, it won't last.

Damn! That is a good deal indeed! However Cutlery Shoppe's deal with international orders is minimum of $100.... Maybe I should buy 3? 

[MadPlumbarian]

Welcome aboard,
I went through the same thing your going through at the moment, only thing is I didn't sell all my knives, well I didn't really have many.. But I had a few sak, but the plastic ones, never the alox, until I broke down and bought my first, a pioneer, which I ended up having customized to fit exactly what I wanted, I also ended up getting a silver farmer to use as my EDC and beat up rather then ruining my custom, but I'll agree, ever since I've tried the alox saks I haven't used anything else, there a great knife they have that good feel, and nice weight to them! But I'll warn you, since joining this forum watch your wallet, cause it can get out of control! JR

[SAK Guy]

ALOX....


"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."

[bmot]

Welcome aboard,
I went through the same thing your going through at the moment, only thing is I didn't sell all my knives, well I didn't really have many.. But I had a few sak, but the plastic ones, never the alox, until I broke down and bought my first, a pioneer, which I ended up having customized to fit exactly what I wanted, I also ended up getting a silver farmer to use as my EDC and beat up rather then ruining my custom, but I'll agree, ever since I've tried the alox saks I haven't used anything else, there a great knife they have that good feel, and nice weight to them! But I'll warn you, since joining this forum watch your wallet, cause it can get out of control! JR

Funny how that goes, you get a custom SAK, so you won't need to carry anything else, then get more SAKs to spare your custom

Sent from somewhere else than behind my computer

[MadPlumbarian]

Welcome aboard,
I went through the same thing your going through at the moment, only thing is I didn't sell all my knives, well I didn't really have many.. But I had a few sak, but the plastic ones, never the alox, until I broke down and bought my first, a pioneer, which I ended up having customized to fit exactly what I wanted, I also ended up getting a silver farmer to use as my EDC and beat up rather then ruining my custom, but I'll agree, ever since I've tried the alox saks I haven't used anything else, there a great knife they have that good feel, and nice weight to them! But I'll warn you, since joining this forum watch your wallet, cause it can get out of control! JR

Funny how that goes, you get a custom SAK, so you won't need to carry anything else, then get more SAKs to spare your custom

Sent from somewhere else than behind my computer

RIGHT! But I've started to carry mine more often, but now with spring here(well technically) and maybe shorts weather coming sometime? With how heavy my custom one is, idk if it's going to be a good combo it's to heavy/big for the pocket, so I gotta have the sheath, which means I'm going to get called macgyver.. JR

[Syph007]

Welcome aboard,
I went through the same thing your going through at the moment, only thing is I didn't sell all my knives, well I didn't really have many.. But I had a few sak, but the plastic ones, never the alox, until I broke down and bought my first, a pioneer, which I ended up having customized to fit exactly what I wanted, I also ended up getting a silver farmer to use as my EDC and beat up rather then ruining my custom, but I'll agree, ever since I've tried the alox saks I haven't used anything else, there a great knife they have that good feel, and nice weight to them! But I'll warn you, since joining this forum watch your wallet, cause it can get out of control! JR

Funny how that goes, you get a custom SAK, so you won't need to carry anything else, then get more SAKs to spare your custom

Sent from somewhere else than behind my computer

RIGHT! But I've started to carry mine more often, but now with spring here(well technically) and maybe shorts weather coming sometime? With how heavy my custom one is, idk if it's going to be a good combo it's to heavy/big for the pocket, so I gotta have the sheath, which means I'm going to get called macgyver.. JR

I switched over to shorts mode yesterday and still EDC my CT 34.  I have a lanyard attached to my belt loop and clips on the SAK, then it hangs vertical in pocket and Ive found that the ideal way to carry larger SAKs. 

[Mr. Whippy]

When we go out socially, I always carry my Syph custom SAK (Electrician plus with Scissors).  Actually, it was a Neil Bee custom that Robert kindly switched out the old Scissors backspring for the new fangled flat backed spring.

If I weren't afraid to lose it on the farm, it might actually replace my Blue Farmer.

[colt 1911]

Welcome aboard,
I went through the same thing your going through at the moment, only thing is I didn't sell all my knives, well I didn't really have many.. But I had a few sak, but the plastic ones, never the alox, until I broke down and bought my first, a pioneer, which I ended up having customized to fit exactly what I wanted, I also ended up getting a silver farmer to use as my EDC and beat up rather then ruining my custom, but I'll agree, ever since I've tried the alox saks I haven't used anything else, there a great knife they have that good feel, and nice weight to them! But I'll warn you, since joining this forum watch your wallet, cause it can get out of control! JR

Funny how that goes, you get a custom SAK, so you won't need to carry anything else, then get more SAKs to spare your custom

Sent from somewhere else than behind my computer

RIGHT! But I've started to carry mine more often, but now with spring here(well technically) and maybe shorts weather coming sometime? With how heavy my custom one is, idk if it's going to be a good combo it's to heavy/big for the pocket, so I gotta have the sheath, which means I'm going to get called macgyver.. JR

I switched over to shorts mode yesterday and still EDC my CT 34.  I have a lanyard attached to my belt loop and clips on the SAK, then it hangs vertical in pocket and Ive found that the ideal way to carry larger SAKs. 

Swiss Army knives .

[MadPlumbarian]

Welcome aboard,
I went through the same thing your going through at the moment, only thing is I didn't sell all my knives, well I didn't really have many.. But I had a few sak, but the plastic ones, never the alox, until I broke down and bought my first, a pioneer, which I ended up having customized to fit exactly what I wanted, I also ended up getting a silver farmer to use as my EDC and beat up rather then ruining my custom, but I'll agree, ever since I've tried the alox saks I haven't used anything else, there a great knife they have that good feel, and nice weight to them! But I'll warn you, since joining this forum watch your wallet, cause it can get out of control! JR

Funny how that goes, you get a custom SAK, so you won't need to carry anything else, then get more SAKs to spare your custom

Sent from somewhere else than behind my computer

RIGHT! But I've started to carry mine more often, but now with spring here(well technically) and maybe shorts weather coming sometime? With how heavy my custom one is, idk if it's going to be a good combo it's to heavy/big for the pocket, so I gotta have the sheath, which means I'm going to get called macgyver.. JR

I switched over to shorts mode yesterday and still EDC my CT 34.  I have a lanyard attached to my belt loop and clips on the SAK, then it hangs vertical in pocket and Ive found that the ideal way to carry larger SAKs. 

So all the weight of the sak is held by the belt loop, and it doesn't sit, bouncing around at the bottom of the pocket, slapping you on the leg? hmm got any pics? JR

[RedRamage]

Check out this thread for color idea: http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,50959.msg872342.html

I've trying to build a complete list of alox colors there, though I don't have it separated for Farmer... yet.

[Syph007]

Welcome aboard,
I went through the same thing your going through at the moment, only thing is I didn't sell all my knives, well I didn't really have many.. But I had a few sak, but the plastic ones, never the alox, until I broke down and bought my first, a pioneer, which I ended up having customized to fit exactly what I wanted, I also ended up getting a silver farmer to use as my EDC and beat up rather then ruining my custom, but I'll agree, ever since I've tried the alox saks I haven't used anything else, there a great knife they have that good feel, and nice weight to them! But I'll warn you, since joining this forum watch your wallet, cause it can get out of control! JR

Funny how that goes, you get a custom SAK, so you won't need to carry anything else, then get more SAKs to spare your custom

Sent from somewhere else than behind my computer

RIGHT! But I've started to carry mine more often, but now with spring here(well technically) and maybe shorts weather coming sometime? With how heavy my custom one is, idk if it's going to be a good combo it's to heavy/big for the pocket, so I gotta have the sheath, which means I'm going to get called macgyver.. JR

I switched over to shorts mode yesterday and still EDC my CT 34.  I have a lanyard attached to my belt loop and clips on the SAK, then it hangs vertical in pocket and Ive found that the ideal way to carry larger SAKs. 

So all the weight of the sak is held by the belt loop, and it doesn't sit, bouncing around at the bottom of the pocket, slapping you on the leg? hmm got any pics? JR

Yup exactly.  Its just a piece of paracord with a clip on the end.  I adjust the length to that the SAK is held vertical.  Ive found I can carry even larger SAKs like the 111mm ones fine this way too.





The skull bead makes it even tougher!

[MadPlumbarian]

That's cool, I'm going to have to come up with something, but what about the pocket depth for diff pairs of pants anything adjustable for that? JR

[colt 1911]

Once you get the average length you can do minor adjustments just by moving the lanyard forward or back on our belt.


Swiss Army knives

[Syph007]

Yep or make a slip knot ad make it adjustable. 

[chivaceae]

I have carried a SwissChamp for >20 yrs on a holster/pouch/scabbard/sheath (handmade by yours truly). The sheath, which now incorporates a small flashlight holder, has a metal clip that allows me to quickly clip/unclip from the belt. 

 

[Aloha]

Great looking Swisschamp sheath, nice looking gear too   

[Huntsman]

Hi Parkourdude - Welcome mate   

1. The main blade has the usual 'Victorinox Swiss Made Stainless' on one side but nothing is stamped on the other side. Is this normal? My deluxe tinker says officer suisse on that side

As Magentus said this is quite normal on the current alox line and harps back to the days when SAKs were first designed.

Victorinox (Karl Elsener) designed the first Swiss 'Soldier' knife at the end of the 1800s.
Mr. Elsener subsequently designed his 'second' knife which was aimed at the officers - hence 'Officier Suisse' - and contained the now (in)famous corkscrew and back spring tools. Although, interestingly the 'officers knives' were never part of a military contract.

The red handled Vics are the direct descendants of those first officers knives and so bear the stamp "Officier Suisse".
The current alox line (eg Farmer) is descended from the later Soldier models - Hence no 'Officier Suisse'

At least that is my understanding / interpretation. 

[parkourdude]

Hi Parkourdude - Welcome mate   

1. The main blade has the usual 'Victorinox Swiss Made Stainless' on one side but nothing is stamped on the other side. Is this normal? My deluxe tinker says officer suisse on that side

As Magentus said this is quite normal on the current alox line and harps back to the days when SAKs were first designed.

Victorinox (Karl Elsener) designed the first Swiss 'Soldier' knife at the end of the 1800s.
Mr. Elsener subsequently designed his 'second' knife which was aimed at the officers - hence 'Officier Suisse' - and contained the now (in)famous corkscrew and back spring tools. Although, interestingly the 'officers knives' were never part of a military contract.

The red handled Vics are the direct descendants of those first officers knives and so bear the stamp "Officier Suisse".
The current alox line (eg Farmer) is descended from the later Soldier models - Hence no 'Officier Suisse'

At least that is my understanding / interpretation. 

Wow.

Thanks for the history lesson Huntsman! I knew Victorinox was old but to be honest I really don't know much about their history!

That was awesome, makes me a little proud to own my saks.

[RT1969]

Hi Parkourdude - Welcome mate   

1. The main blade has the usual 'Victorinox Swiss Made Stainless' on one side but nothing is stamped on the other side. Is this normal? My deluxe tinker says officer suisse on that side

As Magentus said this is quite normal on the current alox line and harps back to the days when SAKs were first designed.

Victorinox (Karl Elsener) designed the first Swiss 'Soldier' knife at the end of the 1800s.
Mr. Elsener subsequently designed his 'second' knife which was aimed at the officers - hence 'Officier Suisse' - and contained the now (in)famous corkscrew and back spring tools. Although, interestingly the 'officers knives' were never part of a military contract.

The red handled Vics are the direct descendants of those first officers knives and so bear the stamp "Officier Suisse".
The current alox line (eg Farmer) is descended from the later Soldier models - Hence no 'Officier Suisse'

At least that is my understanding / interpretation. 

This theory makes total sense to me. The question is, if it is valid? 

I am sure some experienced members will post some evidence soon!

[magentus]

Hi Parkourdude - Welcome mate   

1. The main blade has the usual 'Victorinox Swiss Made Stainless' on one side but nothing is stamped on the other side. Is this normal? My deluxe tinker says officer suisse on that side

As Magentus said this is quite normal on the current alox line and harps back to the days when SAKs were first designed.

Victorinox (Karl Elsener) designed the first Swiss 'Soldier' knife at the end of the 1800s.
Mr. Elsener subsequently designed his 'second' knife which was aimed at the officers - hence 'Officier Suisse' - and contained the now (in)famous corkscrew and back spring tools. Although, interestingly the 'officers knives' were never part of a military contract.

The red handled Vics are the direct descendants of those first officers knives and so bear the stamp "Officier Suisse".
The current alox line (eg Farmer) is descended from the later Soldier models - Hence no 'Officier Suisse'

At least that is my understanding / interpretation. 

Wow.

Thanks for the history lesson Huntsman! I knew Victorinox was old but to be honest I really don't know much about their history!

That was awesome, makes me a little proud to own my saks.

I think Victorinox and Wenger epitomise great quality, fantastic utility and affordability - the two companies seem to have done everything the correct way. They show you can produce excellent tools without exploiting workers or cutting corners and the fact that they are still popular after so long speaks for itself.

I think we're all proud to own them. Welcome to the club! 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Very well said!

Welcome to the Farmers owners club mate

On all my Farmers the awls aren't particularly smooth compared to the other tools, but on the plus side I've never had one fold on me due to the extra stiffness

Vic do an excellent belt hanger to edc saks and whatnot I really do recommend them.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[nsa-x-file]

3. Where can I get more Farmers in other colors? I'm now hooked back into saks. 

A few of my Alox Farmers. 
The other colors do pop up for sale now and then, just not always for sensible money. 

[SAK Guy]

3. Where can I get more Farmers in other colors? I'm now hooked back into saks. 

A few of my Alox Farmers. 
The other colors do pop up for sale now and then, just not always for sensible money. 

(Image removed from quote.)

Great!!!!      

[ColoSwiss]

Farmers have been offered in a variety of colors. However a lot of them were limited runs, and finding one at a reasonable price is difficult. Good Hunting!

[MadPlumbarian]

Thank you Syph for the idea! Made my own little setup, pretty much the same but had to have a carabiner, and with that I looped it threw and made it adjustable, thus will fit all pairs of paints, and yes I tried most of my pants to check, lol here's a few pics.. JR

Short.

Long

Back side