Explorer Challenge May 2024

[Grand_Banana]

Hi awl,

I am planning an Explorer 30 day challenge for May 2024.  Who’s coming with me, man? 

Unless I am taking part in a challenge, the Explorer is my primary SAK.  I think it is the perfect combination of tools for my daily needs.  I even use the mag lens!  At 4 layers it isn’t too bulky or heavy to ride nicely in the pocket.

Im not sure the rationale for the model name, but for me, the toolset exemplifies what an explorer needs in a pocket knife.  An explorer likely already has a legend fixed blade, saw, hatchet, etc., on his pack leaving this SAK to round it all out.

If anyone’s interested, please sign up and join me on the adventure!

[MTSAK]

I'd love to but the Micra challenge is already scheduled for May.

[nate j]

I’ll probably join.

I’m pretty sure Marketing gets to name the models, and that they do so on the basis of “whatever sounds cool that we think will help us sell the most SAKs”.

[marlowe221]

I love the Explorer! But a trip to London in May is probably going to put me out of a challenge, unfortunately.

[Grand_Banana]

I love the Explorer! But a trip to London in May is probably going to put me out of a challenge, unfortunately.

Follow along if you can! Is the Explorer too much knife for London (or is it a flight carryon only kind of issue)?

I'd love to but the Micra challenge is already scheduled for May.

No worries 

I’ll probably join.

I’m pretty sure Marketing gets to name the models, and that they do so on the basis of “whatever sounds cool that we think will help us sell the most SAKs”.

  hope you can join in. 

I’m sure marketing does just that.  It does make some sense to me as a pocket knife given what I’d carry in full size tools on an “expedition.”

[marlowe221]

Follow along if you can! Is the Explorer too much knife for London (or is it a flight carryon only kind of issue)?

I’m sure I will check a suitcase for the flight. I’ve done that before when flying domestically, to make sure I have a SAK on the other end, I am not sure how that works internationally with the UK.

I’m also given to understand that people are less accepting of pocket knives in public in England and, as a visitor, I suppose I was thinking that I would try to be as careful/discreet as possible.

I was planning on having my Rambler in my checked luggage for this trip.

[Fast Bill]

Hi Marlowe, you'll be best off checking in any cutlery in the hold baggage I suggest. Knife carrying is just not that commonplace over here these days. The law allows you to carry less than 3 inch bladed folder without lawful excuse but a lock or fixed blade in public would need good reason. There have been a few incidents over the years which have made the general public less accepting but I've always found people recognise a SAK for what it is - a damn fine tool.

[MTSAK]

Is there an issue with being involved with two challenges at one time?

[Antti Lammi]

Is there an issue with being involved with two challenges at one time?

You can participate both challenge but you get only 1 badge.

Only Tools Matters

[marlowe221]

Hi Marlowe, you'll be best off checking in any cutlery in the hold baggage I suggest. Knife carrying is just not that commonplace over here these days. The law allows you to carry less than 3 inch bladed folder without lawful excuse but a lock or fixed blade in public would need good reason. There have been a few incidents over the years which have made the general public less accepting but I've always found people recognise a SAK for what it is - a damn fine tool.

Thanks for the advice, I keep that in mind!

[Grand_Banana]

Thanks for the advice, I keep that in mind!

Agreed sounds like solid advice. The Explorer might be just the right size SAK for a trip anyways.

But I won’t personally give you advice one or another as I’ve not been to the UK nor taken anything more than a classic international.  That made it to Japan and back in checked no questions.  Japanese security did stop me on the way out for the carryon of my shamisen plectrum. A bachi looks like and is about the same size as a small ice scraper for your windshield so I’m not surprised it was flagged, but it was let through.

Doesn’t SurgeUK work for an airport? Maybe he’ll chime in on the customs side of things. 

Is there an issue with being involved with two challenges at one time?

If you choose to do an Explorer badge in the future I’d probably join in if not on another challenge.

[hsherzfeld]

I’m in!

[Grand_Banana]

I’m in!

Glad to have you on board!

[Antti Lammi]

Hmm maybe i could try this challenge since i havent actually carried my Explorer much, maybe few times since i got this.

Only Tools Matters

[Grand_Banana]

Hmm maybe i could try this challenge since i havent actually carried my Explorer much, maybe few times since i got this. (Image removed from quote.)

Only Tools Matters

It’d be great to have you join 

I’ve never seen those scales before now.  Neat.  I wonder what year that Explorer is?

[Antti Lammi]

It’d be great to have you join 

I’ve never seen those scales before now.  Neat.  I wonder what year that Explorer is?

I suspect 1991 since this has hook (1991) also has screw on scissors (1991 rivet replaced screw)

Only Tools Matters

[Antti Lammi]

If i dont remember wrong logo is world logo.


Only Tools Matters

[pa_strunk]

Those scales are sweet 

[Jeffjeeptj]

I agree.  Love those scales