Victorinox Alox scales, the color debate?!

[kaput]

Ok. So I am an Alox guy. But, with that said, to me a Swiss Army Knife is supposed to be RRREEEDDD! If Victorinox only made Alox knives in Red vs. Silver I would be a happy customer. (We're talking about normal production run here)

So. If you could only have one color available from here on out what would it be? This is a partial list with the major colors and an option for "other".

I'm going to go vote for red now, mmmkay 

[kaput]

So far it's unanimous. 100% for Red! Woot woot 

[Etherealicer]

I prefer silver over red... more wear resistant.

[AimlessWanderer]

I voted other, though not for the colour - for the texture!

I don't mind the myriad of colours offered, but I abhor the feel of the 93mm alox knives. Don't ask me to describe why, as I've tried before and failed. I don't mind the feel of the 58 scales, but the 93 are like fingernails down a blackboard, or sucking a wooden lolly stick (for those that get creeped out by such stuff).

So for me, keep the colours, but change the material and /or texture. A carbon fibre, G10 or even hardwood variant. I appreciate they'll no longer be alox, but I'm ok with that. Even a resin filled version which changes the surface texture but keeps the look out would probably be ok for me.

[magentus]

I voted other, though not for the colour - for the texture!

I don't mind the myriad of colours offered, but I abhor the feel of the 93mm alox knives. Don't ask me to describe why, as I've tried before and failed. I don't mind the feel of the 58 scales, but the 93 are like fingernails down a blackboard, or sucking a wooden lolly stick (for those that get creeped out by such stuff).

So for me, keep the colours, but change the material and /or texture. A carbon fibre, G10 or even hardwood variant. I appreciate they'll no longer be alox, but I'm ok with that. Even a resin filled version which changes the surface texture but keeps the look out would probably be ok for me.

Although I like the texture of the 93mm scales, I agree with you about the lolly stick. Weird though isn't it?

Anyway, back on topic, I voted Red. OC Red Farmer with bail is a dream SAK.

[twiliter]

The lolly sticks are awful, but corn dog sticks are so good it's difficult not to eat them for dessert. 

I vote red, no, silver, no, black...
nvm

[Oxford_Guy]

I voted other, though not for the colour - for the texture!

I don't mind the myriad of colours offered, but I abhor the feel of the 93mm alox knives. Don't ask me to describe why, as I've tried before and failed.

I'm the opposite, I love how the alox feels in the hand on the larger knives!

[Oxford_Guy]

Ok. So I am an Alox guy. But, with that said, to me a Swiss Army Knife is supposed to be RRREEEDDD! If Victorinox only made Alox knives in Red vs. Silver I would be a happy customer. (We're talking about normal production run here)

So. If you could only have one color available from here on out what would it be? This is a partial list with the major colors and an option for "other".

I'm going to go vote for red now, mmmkay 

I'm with Kaput here, outside of special runs I'd be more than happy if Victorinox just offered the plain silver (for when you want something harder wearing for a SAK you know is going to get abused) and red (not any red, but the same mid-red that US Cadets are available in, not light red or dark red. Incidently, wish we could buy the red Cadets in the UK...).

If I had to pick another colour option, then it would be black (but with red shield), and would be nice to have that as another option always for all 93mm alox models, but would much, much, much prefer red. I would very much like to acquire a red Pioneer X and a Farmer (or Harvester), not bothered about the regular Pioneer, as I prerer a Soldier or Wenger Standard Issue if going two-layer.

Victorinox should also make the coloured alox more durable somehow, as I don't like how the coloured alox wears so easily, I have to carry all my coloured alox models in leather slips to try to mitigate this.

[alexTOOL]

I prefer silver over red... more wear resistant.

I strongly agree

I don't like wear 

[jalind]

I prefer silver over red... more wear resistant.

I strongly agree

I don't like wear 

From what I understand, it's why the Swiss Army quit ordering red anodized 1961 model Soldier knives after the first three years (62-64 according to to the Wiki). Anodizing has improved some since then, but it still wears through. Some might consider this, depending on the wear, to be graceful aging demonstrating its utility to its owners over time. The Japanese call this aesthetic "wabi-sabi", shortened to "wabi" by English-speaking occidentals. I can appreciate that but I'll take the silver.

John

[firiki]

Silver for me too, not only because it doesn't show wear much (or just wears off better ); I actually like the colour on my SAK although I did have a hard time getting used to it at first as for me a SAK has to be red.

I consider the alox Soldier/Pioneer as the quintessential SAK so that helps make an exception.

[jaya_man]

For edc practicality, silver is it... scratches don't appear as obvious as other colors... unless, vic comes up with better Red that is more resistant to daily use... Hmmm, should that happen, then orher colors will be practical as well


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[G-Dizzle]

I voted red. In all honesty it is probably just because I just bought my first red alox cadet. I love the way the orange and the blue look as well and you cant go wrong with silver. I personally home my red alox wears as well as some of the ones that I have seen on MTO. I love the look of the worn alox.

[Padre]

Silver is my favorite because its basically forever. Red DOES look better for a while.

[Sneider]

Vote for special / other.
I do not have the one favorite color. I like dark blue, orange, dark grey, black
but also the combinations blue-orange and black-yellow I like very well.
I love also Red old cross,  that is my country flag.

To the durability of the Alox colors:
It makes the colored Alox knives so special that the color abraded with the time.
EDCs get their own patina which tells of the use...
But you can also take care that the annodisation remains beautiful.
Two different types to use the knife which both their charms.

[kaput]

From what I understand, it's why the Swiss Army quit ordering red anodized 1961 model Soldier knives after the first three years (62-64 according to to the Wiki). Anodizing has improved some since then, but it still wears through. Some might consider this, depending on the wear, to be graceful aging demonstrating its utility to its owners over time. The Japanese call this aesthetic "wabi-sabi", shortened to "wabi" by English-speaking occidentals. I can appreciate that but I'll take the silver.

John

Very interesting! I like that. Japanese have a great culture and have beautiful art and aesthetic design appeal. They have so much art, history and culture. Thanks for that bit of info!

And, not only do I prefer the red new, but I even prefer the red used and abused! I appreciate the process and character that they develop. Even a nicely used cellidor red is a thing of beauty.

[Oxford_Guy]

I tend to go for the colours more with the 84mm and 58mm knives, as I see the 93mm ones more as "hard duty" tools, so all my 93mms are currently silver ones. Having said that, I definitely want a red alox Pioneer X! 

[nmpops]

Voted for Blue but actually I prefer any color other than plain silver.

[Dean51]

I voted silver, it looks good and wears better. For a knife that is taken care of you can't beat orange.

[cbl51]

I prefer silver over red... more wear resistant.

THIS!!!

[kaput]

So maybe I should have  added a bonus question of whether or not you like the look of wear or not? For a user workhorse I sure do!

[Demel]

I voted silver. Rel cellidor, silver alox. The silver alox has amazing wear resistance. The 91mm Saks look great in the red cellidor, but the silver alox offers a type of class that takes Vic quality to the next level.

[SAK Guy]

Red "weathers" divinely!

[kaput]

Red "weathers" divinely!

 

Thank you my dude! I thought I was taking crazy pills here  simple. Elegant. Well said. 

[Oxford_Guy]

Red "weathers" divinely!

Wonderful picture! 

[moonweasel]

I voted orange, but I love the bright greens also. I dislike basic "stock" colours, I have a couple of silver alox, electrician and a '74 soldier , all my other alox is coloured.
Even on my non alox knives, I think I only have one or two in red.

[Oxford_Guy]

I voted orange, but I love the bright greens also. I dislike basic "stock" colours, I have a couple of silver alox, electrician and a '74 soldier , all my other alox is coloured.
Even on my non alox knives, I think I only have one or two in red.

Are your coloured Alox knives all "users" or just collectors pieces, though?

I actually prefer the "stock" colours of red or black for even the cellidor models on the whole! It's a classic look.

[hiraethus]

Well-used black for me.  I love the way the scales wear with use.

[JamesJ]

Impossible to choose only 1. Blue always grabs my eye in all things. BUT I think silver, red and black should be the 3 colors. Its like when Lego started adding more colors in the mid 80s...ok yeah cool, but now there's a million colors and that iconic limited pallette or color story is kind of gone.

Not that I'm against crazy colors, I'd just like to see silver, black and red be the standard from Vic at retail stores, and that would also mean MORE availability of those colors, like why don't we have red Pioneer Xs in every shop? I believe the silver ones are still anodized but just clear or something? Seems like the cost would be the same to do them in red.

As for the question of wear, does it look cool. On the textured alox I like it because you get the contrast between the bumps and valleys. On smooth alox I don't like too much wear. But im not so sure I wanna see wear on a pretty peacock colored SAK...I think black is the best color for that worn look. If its gonna be teal or canary I like to see it prestine.

There was this used black alox minichamp on the 'bay a while ago that looked super awesome, like it would be at home with denim or drab or canvas. Very rugged look and if I remember correctly it sold for about the price of a new one.

I could see room for what we call "relic" finishes in the guitar industry. Basically a brand new knife that has been processed to look like an old worn-in one.

And lastly on the topic of wear. I like to see alox 100% crisp and factory fresh OR with every bump worn down to silver. I've got a red OC Pioneer with like 3 little spots of silver and it drives me nuts. I guess that makes it an OCD Pioneer.

[magentus]

Impossible to choose only 1. Blue always grabs my eye in all things. BUT I think silver, red and black should be the 3 colors. Its like when Lego started adding more colors in the mid 80s...ok yeah cool, but now there's a million colors and that iconic limited pallette or color story is kind of gone.

Not that I'm against crazy colors, I'd just like to see silver, black and red be the standard from Vic at retail stores, and that would also mean MORE availability of those colors, like why don't we have red Pioneer Xs in every shop? I believe the silver ones are still anodized but just clear or something? Seems like the cost would be the same to do them in red.

As for the question of wear, does it look cool. On the textured alox I like it because you get the contrast between the bumps and valleys. On smooth alox I don't like too much wear. But im not so sure I wanna see wear on a pretty peacock colored SAK...I think black is the best color for that worn look. If its gonna be teal or canary I like to see it prestine.

There was this used black alox minichamp on the 'bay a while ago that looked super awesome, like it would be at home with denim or drab or canvas. Very rugged look and if I remember correctly it sold for about the price of a new one.

I could see room for what we call "relic" finishes in the guitar industry. Basically a brand new knife that has been processed to look like an old worn-in one.

And lastly on the topic of wear. I like to see alox 100% crisp and factory fresh OR with every bump worn down to silver. I've got a red OC Pioneer with like 3 little spots of silver and it drives me nuts. I guess that makes it an OCD Pioneer.

Slightly off topic, but I don't like those 'distressed' look guitars. It seems to be part of a trend nowadays to look like you've put in the hours without putting in the hours. My Thinline Tele looked like it had been played for twenty years because I played it for twenty years. It told a story. Specially the story of how it's always best to have a stand and not lean it up against the wall.