Bantam & Helmsman

[israelpiper]

Helmsman & Bantam. 111mm vs. 84mm


The Bantam has only the one blade and a combination tool. Cans are almost all pull-tab here, and are not my favourite outdoors food containers. The caplifter doesn't see much use in the wilds either. But this super light little knife is cheap and amazingly sturdy. Has a very firm half-stop on the combo tool/driver,  I bought a few, and find them very handy. A perfect gentleman's carry, and actually light enough for a key chain if that suits. I textured the shiny Cellidor, as I tend to do. Sacrilege. The Shinning not being my cup of tea (scratches just in a pocket with a few sheqels). 

The Helmsman is a long blade, a marlin spike, opener layer, and philips and awl on the back. I removed the locking pin, slide, and slide spring. Backspring only, but no problems. I grew up with only slipjoints. And it is fully legal now.

[Lynn LeFey]

Someone mentioned the other day that they had blade play on the lock-up of a slide-lock 111mm, so I went to check it on my Rucksack 111mm.

What I discovered was that it has REALLY good blade retention without the lock. Good, incredibly solid feeling backspring holding it in place. I always think of blade locks as a safety precaution, and if youre careful, it's not the most necessary thing in the world. The spearpoint blade isn't that great at thrust cutting anyway, so I never think of SAKs as really NEEDING bladelocks.

So, yeah, don't mind disengaging the locks at all, and I think it's nice that the locks on the slide-lock versions are pretty easy to remove.

I have to disagree with you on one point. I believe for the PERFECT gentleman's carry, you have to get an ALOX Bantam.

[Thunderpants]

A really nice pair of SAKs, and absolute opposites in terms of features, weight, width etc.
Treat yourself to an alox Bantam if you like super-lightweight!

[israelpiper]

A really nice pair of SAKs, and absolute opposites in terms of features, weight, width etc.
Treat yourself to an alox Bantam if you like super-lightweight!

I never see the Alox Bantam here in shops, except in colours. I have any number of good super-light gentleman's carry, and I am sure I would be happy with the Alox Bantam. I could of course order one, but browsing shops is a fond adventure. I am afraid if I start ordering I won't be able to stop. Not good on a pension...

Since I use a pouch on a light webbing belt instead of my pants pockets most of the time, I am not too bothered by weight. But I admire any firm that can make a very light knife that is genuinely useful.

[israelpiper]

Someone mentioned the other day that they had blade play on the lock-up of a slide-lock 111mm, so I went to check it on my Rucksack 111mm.

What I discovered was that it has REALLY good blade retention without the lock. Good, incredibly solid feeling backspring holding it in place. I always think of blade locks as a safety precaution, and if youre careful, it's not the most necessary thing in the world. The spearpoint blade isn't that great at thrust cutting anyway, so I never think of SAKs as really NEEDING bladelocks.

So, yeah, don't mind disengaging the locks at all, and I think it's nice that the locks on the slide-lock versions are pretty easy to remove.

I have to disagree with you on one point. I believe for the PERFECT gentleman's carry, you have to get an ALOX Bantam.

I always like to check the back-spring on a side-lock knife that I might want to disable. Most are plenty strong, but a few might not be.

I am sure that I'll pick up an Alox Bantam eventually...

[Myron]

Very nice pair of VSAK's!  I love the Bantam and carry an Alox specimen when I have to get dressed up.  It's so light you don't know it's there.

I did see somewhere that the Bantam has been discontinued in Alox.  I'm not sure if that's true, but bears consideration. 

Myron

[Thunderpants]

I did see somewhere that the Bantam has been discontinued in Alox.

 
Say it ain't so!
They're still on the official Vic products page... so presumably still I have time to buy 50 of them before they go the way of the dodo...

[ThePeacent]

yeah, Batman & Robin
Bantum & Horrmann
Barnes & Noble
Bartam & Yoda
Barman & Showman
are classics

I agree 

OK, I'll see myself out of there now...       

[Thunderpants]

Beavis and Bantamhead...

[smiller43147]

A nice SAK combo.


On a personal note, I've generally spent the extra dollar and gotten a waiter.  Doesn't really add any weight.


The alox bantam (and it's big brother the cadet) are also great knives.  Just be prepared to go down the alox rabbit hole.

[israelpiper]

A nice SAK combo.


On a personal note, I've generally spent the extra dollar and gotten a waiter.  Doesn't really add any weight.


The alox bantam (and it's big brother the cadet) are also great knives.  Just be prepared to go down the alox rabbit hole.

I do have a number of Pioneers, and I love the thick blades and strong back springs of this Alox series.  The Farmer is absolute classic. I'd love to have one with just a combo tool, and a scissors added, keeping the saw. 

[smiller43147]

So you are familiar with the 93mm alox.  That would be the concern, that the 84mm would be a "gateway" knife.


Many here have wished for a Farmer X.  I myself would like to see scissors added to the alox bantam or cadet.

[Thunderpants]

Yeah, the Cadet with a nail file feels incomplete without scissors. And if you add a Classic, you have two nail files which makes no sense!

[Don Pablo]

Yeah, the Cadet with a nail file feels incomplete without scissors. And if you add a Classic, you have two nail files which makes no sense!

Duh, it’s so that your servants have enough nail files to file the nails on one hand and one foot at the same time while on the limo trip from your house to the gala.
Four nail files would be preferable, one for each limb, but you can’t have everything, unfortunately....