Recruit versus Cadet?

[mtds]

I'm just looking for experience and opinions on this topic.  How does the Recruit compare to the Cadet in "sturdiness"?  Does the alox add to the knife's ability to resist prying and twisting?  Any other related comments or anecdotes?

[cbl51]

Oh boy, where do I start my rant?!

Cadet hands down, no contest!

The recruit is an excellent SAK, but I'm not buying anymore cellidor SAK's until Victorinox uses a better material. Any of the modern polymers  like FRN would be light years ahead of the standard material they use now. I've had three SAK's break scales on me over the years from being dropped, or damaged by things like gun cleaning solvents or bug repellent. Yes, they can be replaced easy, but when I'm off on a fishing/camping trip, I have to put up with a knife missing one of the scales until I get home. Bumer. No more cellidor for me!

I'm a die hard fan of alox, and the cadet is a great SAK!!! It has more capability than the recruit because of the nail file tool. That tool makes a great very small Phillips screw driver and general poking, jimmying, and pointy whatever tool. With one main blade, I don't find I need a second blade that badly, but a general pointy driver tool is nice. The cadet is so flat it hides even in dress pants or a tux. And the silver alox scales retain a classy look long after the cellidor is scratched and beat up looking. To me, there's just no contest between them. And in the subject of ruggedness, again no contest.

Alox is the royalty of SAKs.

[El Corkscrew]

Recruit vs Cadet?   Hmmm  I'm hearing what cbl61 is saying about the scales... but you can put all kinds of scales on a recruit... I prefer the nylon scales that come on the "II" models.  If thinness is important to you, the Cadet wins there.

I think an even more appropriate comparison to make is the Cadet to the Sportsman.  They have the SAME EXACT set of tools for the top layer, with the same sturdiness.  Again, if durability is your concern the nylon scales hold up better over time.   You get the edge on tools with the Sportsman by adding the toothpick, tweezers, corkscrew, and reamer/punch.

Furthermore you can find used Sportsmans in excellent condition for around 8-$10, (Recruit even cheaper), the cadet will go for 5-$15 more. 

 

[Padre]

Recruit for me. I have to deal with metal and I need tweezers. I also love the feel more than cadets, easier to squeeze.

I do enjoy my cadet too, its pretty close, but I still pick Recruit.

[nmpops]

My vote goes for the Cadet. I love the feel and size and it sits well in the pocket. I disagree on the file however. I hate it. As soon as I get a donor SAK & pin material I will be modding a Cadet.

[NorCalJim]

Cadet for me!

[Aloha]

I'm just looking for experience and opinions on this topic.  How does the Recruit compare to the Cadet in "sturdiness"?  Does the alox add to the knife's ability to resist prying and twisting?  Any other related comments or anecdotes?

I carried a 91mm Recruit early on and no problems there.  I have an 84mm Recruit now and Cadet 2 and both are great SAKs.   The scales of Alox are going to be sturdier for sure.  I would also say yes the Alox does keep the knife from twisting as compared to the Celidor SAKs.  Not sure when that comes into play?  Alox in general is just a sturdier tool and looks great in all the colors.   

The Cadet 2  is easier in the pocket which means you'll likely carry it more.  My Cadet 2 has 2 blades so I cannot speak to the file nail/cleaner tool.   My 84mm Recruit and Cadet 2 are evenly matched tool for tool. 

What I find is I'd rather carry my Cadet 2 simply due to the thinness and feel of Alox vs my 84mm Recruit.     

[PTRSAK]

I have a soft spot for the recruit. But I tend to use them as a blank canvas.

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,41214.0.html

As far as the Cadet goes, I'd usually just go for a Pioneer.
Unless it's my Cadet plus plus with scissors and saw.

[this_is_nascar]

My vote goes for the Cadet. I love the feel and size and it sits well in the pocket. I disagree on the file however. I hate it. As soon as I get a donor SAK & pin material I will be modding a Cadet.

I'm looking for someone​to do this exact mod for me, if you're interested.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

[El Corkscrew]

I have a soft spot for the recruit. But I tend to use them as a blank canvas.

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,41214.0.html

As far as the Cadet goes, I'd usually just go for a Pioneer.
Unless it's my Cadet plus plus with scissors and saw.

+1on the pioneer

That mod sounds shweeeeet

[AimlessWanderer]

I don't like the feel of the alox on the 84mm and 93mm lines. I also prefer to have the scale tools, and back tools too for that matter.

As to being more sturdy, that's debatable. The pins are the same thickness on the 84 line, irrespective of scale material, and the tools are the same thickness. I don't consider the celidor scaled knives to be lacking in rigidity, although I am quite good at not using tools beyond their capabilities.

[nmpops]

My vote goes for the Cadet. I love the feel and size and it sits well in the pocket. I disagree on the file however. I hate it. As soon as I get a donor SAK & pin material I will be modding a Cadet.

I'm looking for someone​to do this exact mod for me, if you're interested.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

I've never done it either. I just tired of trying to find someone to do it for me, so I'm going to give it a shot.

[this_is_nascar]

My vote goes for the Cadet. I love the feel and size and it sits well in the pocket. I disagree on the file however. I hate it. As soon as I get a donor SAK & pin material I will be modding a Cadet.

I'm looking for someone​to do this exact mod for me, if you're interested.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

I've never done it either. I just tired of trying to find someone to do it for me, so I'm going to give it a shot.

Good luck.  Let us know how it goes.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

[pfrsantos]

I don't like the feel of the alox on the 84mm and 93mm lines. I also prefer to have the scale tools, and back tools too for that matter.

As to being more sturdy, that's debatable. The pins are the same thickness on the 84 line, irrespective of scale material, and the tools are the same thickness. I don't consider the celidor scaled knives to be lacking in rigidity, although I am quite good at not using tools beyond their capabilities.

Sorry Carl, I'm with Al on this one. The extra T&T are great to have, for just a couple of mm and I find it fits my hand better. You can also get different scales for it, making it more versatile.

Also...

Show content

General Pointy!

 

[MacGyver]

I don't like the feel of the alox on the 84mm and 93mm lines. I also prefer to have the scale tools, and back tools too for that matter.

As to being more sturdy, that's debatable. The pins are the same thickness on the 84 line, irrespective of scale material, and the tools are the same thickness. I don't consider the celidor scaled knives to be lacking in rigidity, although I am quite good at not using tools beyond their capabilities.

Sorry Carl, I'm with Al on this one. The extra T&T are great to have, for just a couple of mm and I find it fits my hand better. You can also get different scales for it, making it more versatile.

Also...

Show content

General Pointy!

 

Agree too 

However if going the recruit (cellidor) way, i wouldn't pick the recruit. Both the Small Tinker or the Tourist is exactly the same Sak (dimensions) only with useful back tools. Or the Sportsman if you want the nail file instead of the small blade. And you still gain the extra slot for the pin

[El Corkscrew]

I don't like the feel of the alox on the 84mm and 93mm lines. I also prefer to have the scale tools, and back tools too for that matter.

As to being more sturdy, that's debatable. The pins are the same thickness on the 84 line, irrespective of scale material, and the tools are the same thickness. I don't consider the celidor scaled knives to be lacking in rigidity, although I am quite good at not using tools beyond their capabilities.

Sorry Carl, I'm with Al on this one. The extra T&T are great to have, for just a couple of mm and I find it fits my hand better. You can also get different scales for it, making it more versatile.

Also...

Show content

General Pointy!

 

Agree too 

However if going the recruit (cellidor) way, i wouldn't pick the recruit. Both the Small Tinker or the Tourist is exactly the same Sak (dimensions) only with useful back tools. Or the Sportsman if you want the nail file instead of the small blade. And you still gain the extra slot for the pin

Yup

With the 93mm alox you at least get a bigger main blade, no size difference w/84mm main blade. 

[Padre]

Recruit feels better knife than Sportsman or Tourist/Tinker Small.
Even spine makes carving more pleasant.

[El Corkscrew]

Recruit feels better knife than Sportsman or Tourist/Tinker Small.
Even spine makes carving more pleasant.

I could see that, I feel guilty now, I don't think I've every given my Recruit an honest chance.