Kampfer’s PLSK vs Kampfer’s Pioneer Mod

Kampfer · **on:** September 10, 2015, 07:26:34 PM

I have two minimalist EDC pocket knives, both have very similar size and tool set, I love them both. Since you all are very familiar with all the implements in both so I am going to let you decide which one is the better tool. And please do share your thoughts

Specification:
PLSK: 3.3 oz; 96mm x 20mm x 20mm ; 6 implements ; 9 functions
Pioneer Mod: 2.5 oz ; 91mm x 24mm x 17mm ; 4 implements ; 8 functions

Kampfer · **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2015, 07:27:26 PM

Knife blade:

Kampfer · **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2015, 07:28:07 PM

Phillips screwdriver:

Kampfer · **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2015, 07:28:41 PM

Medium flathead screwdriver:

Kampfer · **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2015, 07:29:28 PM

Small flathead screwdriver:

Kampfer · **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2015, 07:29:53 PM

Reamer:

Kampfer · **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2015, 07:30:23 PM

PLSK: Cap lifter, can opener, box opener, wire striper, file, ruler
Pioneer Mod: Cap lifter, can opener, wire bender

bayoublade · **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2015, 08:44:41 PM

kampfer... Can't vote on the mobile app :-/
.... So here's my vote for the PLSK... I love the profile of the tool better... Also, the implement are a bit more stout.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kampfer · **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2015, 08:45:53 PM

Thanks for your input.

N_N_R · **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2015, 08:47:36 PM

To me both are actually awesome, so I can't decide/vote right now

sawman · **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2015, 08:56:59 PM

My vote is for the Pioneer but you did an excellent job on both

Kampfer · **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2015, 08:57:44 PM

Quote from: sawman on September 10, 2015, 08:56:59 PM

My vote is for the Pioneer but you did an excellent job on both

Please do share your reason.

sawman · **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2015, 09:00:09 PM

Quote from: Kampfer on September 10, 2015, 08:57:44 PM

Quote from: sawman on September 10, 2015, 08:56:59 PM
My vote is for the Pioneer but you did an excellent job on both
Please do share your reason.

More specifically, I like the blade better. Other pluses are the screwdriver mod and clip.

Aloha · **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2015, 09:05:12 PM

What a surprising comparison. I would have thought the PLSK would have been much larger. I'm a bit biased but I voted for the PLSK, big fan of Sidekick/Wingman. I like the integrated pocket clip better and IMO the locking blade bumps it up just a bit. I also like the file/driver on the PLSK and that Awl. All in all the PLSK just hits more note IMO and its adjustable to boot!

Awesome job on both

rdub934 · **Reply #14 on:** September 10, 2015, 10:20:06 PM

I voted PLSK. I am a Wingman carrier myself and love the implements on this line of tools; that philips and blade do not get the respect they deserve. I also experimented with my own single-wing Wingman and found it to be a very capable yet extremely pocket-able tool. Good compactness-to-usefulness ratio.

Demel · **Reply #15 on:** September 10, 2015, 10:35:24 PM

I tried the plsk, but didn't like it. The ergonomics just feel better on a sak. and your pioneer is unique. So it gets my vote. I like the pocket clip. Nice job Kampfer

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #16 on:** September 10, 2015, 11:14:29 PM

It's a tricky one for me to offer anything constructive about. You took two tools I don't really like, and modified them in a way which moves them even further away from what I want from a pocket tool.

Blade: I prefer non locking, but I prefer the current blade shape of the LM mod. However my personal preference would be for the original Vic shape. Net result PLSK wins

Phillips: I prefer a full 3D Phillips. PLSK offers the nearest /not counting what any supporting tools may offer) so that wins.

Large Flat Driver: as a driver the LM seems more robust, but the extra features means the Vic wins

Awl: too similar to comment. Whichever performs best gets the trophy

Small Flat Driver: Your Vic mod actually helps here, but again, best performer wins, so you'll have to judge.

Can Opener: You took the better one and crippled it, so now the other one wins

Kam, this reads harshly of what you've done, but you shouldn't take it that way. You put effort into making these tools better for you, but in doing so probably made them worse for me. If I had to choose between pocketing one of these two mods and leaving the other at home, I would choose the PLSK. Good for you in making the tools work better for you, but we obviously have different tastes and priorities as to what we want from our tools

I hope you won't take my comments adversely, but you did ask

Kampfer · **Reply #17 on:** September 10, 2015, 11:50:08 PM

Thanks for the detail input , Al.

I will chime in later.

thebullfrog · **Reply #18 on:** September 11, 2015, 03:10:06 AM

While I generally rate Vic higher than LM, that half sidekick is actually really awesome. LM should be selling those. I might have to build myself one in fact.

toolguy · **Reply #19 on:** September 11, 2015, 11:32:28 PM

I like the Pioneer mod.Reshaping the blade truly imparted soul to an otherwise pedestrian grind.

Adding the pocket clip provides infinitely more utility because the knife is more readily available.You don't have to root around in your pocket to locate your knife.

I can take or leave the regrinding of the can opener,since I don't use that opener too often.

sir_mike · **Reply #20 on:** September 12, 2015, 01:13:05 AM

I like the leatherman better, I think but I do like the lower clip on the Pioneer better.

Is it possible for you take that Leatherman Clip and fold it over like 90 degrees and still be able to screw it in with the cutout area of the clip itself so ti would be very close/similar to the Pioneer carry?

Huntsman · **Reply #21 on:** September 12, 2015, 02:53:20 AM

Hey Kampfer,

Great post and question/puzzle for us all

Superbly executed mods and awesome photos - You made the evaluation/comparison very easy for us.
And now I get the Pioneer CO mod - You've made a flat Phillips SD - Brilliant - Sorry if I missed that last time
- And as per your other post, it still just about works as a CO

But I am almost ashamed to say, my vote is for neither

I am kinda with 50' on this - But rather than a nice rational evaluation - My vote is more emotional !!

I first noticed these single handled Leatherman mods a year or so ago on the forum - And whilst I thought, 'Brilliant idea and execution' - My gut reaction was 'Why try and turn a Leatherman into a SAK?' !!
Don't shoot me down on this - As mentioned, it's an emotional viewpoint, from a SAK biased guy. I am sure they work for the owners/users, and maybe on a tool by tool evaluation they are better/stronger etc!!

Re the Pioneer, as per my other post - I ask myself 'Why?' - But again this is coming from a purist, 'I love SAKs' viewpoint - I totally get, and admire, making something unique. And the mod makes even more sense, now I get the flat SD - It's just not for me!

As a general comment to all the modders and forum members - The modders quest for the perfect MT, is a fascinating story to follow - Everyone does such different things - and the quest seems never ending and infinitely variable!!

PS. I assume the third vote should read either:
'I don't like either' ...... or 'I like neither' ??
That's a double negative you've got up there.....

.... That's another attempt at my OCD badge

jrdego · **Reply #22 on:** September 12, 2015, 08:35:02 PM

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum but not to the collecting of knives and multitools epidemic.
Although the Leatherman is bigger, I personally like the Sidekick mod as opposed to the Pioneer.
Likes- Locking tools, phillips head, file, small screwdriver, wirestrippers.

I must say I have seen Kampfer's mods and on this forum as well as pics elsewhere and feel without question they are excellently done.

Zed · **Reply #23 on:** September 12, 2015, 08:48:30 PM

As always amazing work mate

i prefer locking blades but our laws suck so tend too always carry a slipjoint or sak,plus love the clip on the Pioneer

oddly though i like my sak as they are and like a 3d phillips,i like the idea of the Pioneers slim package but for me ill never give up on my explorer for daily urban edc,but some cool ideas as always

Kampfer · **Reply #24 on:** September 13, 2015, 03:55:09 AM

First, I like to thank everyone for the inputs, very constructive.

And welcome to MT.o, Jorge.

Here are my thoughts on these two minimalist EDC tools.

Size and weight:
Both are very similar, PLSK is slightly thicker and heavier, but the difference is negligible when carrying in pocket.

Knife Blade:
Both blades have the same length, both are excellent at slicing.
What I did to Pioneer’s blade is purely cosmetic, some of you believe that I weaken the blade tip by doing so, but it is negligible in the way I use knife.
PLSK’s blade is one handed open, locking and made of 420HC steel. Better edge retention and very easy to sharpen.

Screwdrivers:
The greatest weakness of the entire Alox line is lacking of a proper Phillips screwdriver, maybe because Phillips screws weren’t that common back in the old days, but most the screws we encounter nowadays are Phillips. Pioneer’s can opener can be used to work on some #2 Phillips screws, if you have no other better options, however #1 & #3 Phillips screws are no go. I re-profiled the can opener to increase its ability to access recessed screws, however doing so decreased its can opening performance. (It can still open cans, just more effort is needed)
PLSK has a 2.5D Phillips screwdriver and two sizes of flathead drivers, they are made of 420HC steel, so they would be less ding up by tough screws. While the Phillips driver is not full 3D, it gets the job done and hadn’t fail me yet.

Awl:
Alox’s awl is the KING, nothing more to say about that.

Other features:
Cap lifter, can opener, wire striper, file, ruler etc. These are secondary tools that I rarely use, so as long as they have reasonable performance, I am ok.
Many, including myself believe that Victorinox’s can opener has the best can opening performance, but I like to point out that the hawkbill style opener is actually very multi-functional. After I sharpen the edge, it could open cans, bottles, boxes and packages.

Conclusion:
Pioneer has been around over half of century, tried and tested, a very successful design. But it is dated.
I like to think PLSK is a modernized version of the Pioneer, with OHO locking blade, dedicated Phillips screwdriver and pocket clip.

All in all, I would consider PLSK a better EDC tool.

zoidberg · **Reply #25 on:** September 13, 2015, 04:34:40 AM

Isn't it just the SK blades that are made from 420HC?

Kampfer · **Reply #26 on:** September 13, 2015, 04:37:35 AM

Quote from: zoidberg on September 13, 2015, 04:34:40 AM

Isn't it just the SK blades that are made from 420HC?

All Leatherman's flathead drivers are made of 420HC, but not the Phillips drivers.
When I mod the PLSK, I used hand file to grind down the medium flathead and Phillips drivers to fit, the Phillips driver was easy but the medium flathead totally smurfed up my file.