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Need Advice on EDC

in Offline FanaticExplorer

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Need Advice on EDC
on: November 02, 2020, 09:39:34 PM
Hello there,

Thank you for taking the time to read this
So a little background on me:
I am a dental student living in a urban environment and quite often travel by public transport. I am looking for a good EDC pocket knife. I am looking for something minimal and incospicouous as people don't usually react well to seeing someone carrying a big knife. I prefer a Swiss Army Knife since the are are universally accepted as non scary and I love Victorinox SAKs. The tools that are most used and really essential are:

Large Blade
Scissors (my most used tool)
Pen Blade
Bottle Opener with large flathead
Can Opener with 2d Philips
Reamer/Awl
Magnifying Lens
Tweezers and Toothpick
Straight Pin
Backup Pen
A small light (for practical work)

 I am currently carrying the Explorer but it is a little too thick for my liking and comfort. The Climber :climber: is probably a pretty good choice but I was thinking of buying my first ALOX knife.I think I might have a case of mild Alox pox :facepalm: probably from the folks on here or the subreddit.
So I came up with a combo Pioneer X in my pocket and the Swiss Card Lite in my wallet (I carry one of the old traditional types of wallet that can fit it easily) so that way I also get an extra mini scissors and that 4 sided Screwdriver thingy idk what its called  :dunno:bbut I lose the useful Toothpick.

Any suggestions are welcome and greatly appreciated  :hatsoff:
Really sorry if I can't respond immediately to your replies due the large time difference


ie Offline McStitchy

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #1 on: November 02, 2020, 09:58:44 PM
I think you have a great solution already  :tu:

For urban/public situations I have a Swisscard lite in my wallet and pair that depending on the situation with a...

- Cadet
- Pioneer
- some small traditional folder
- Leatherman Mini tool
- Leatherman PST

Or minimalist with just an...

- Alox Minichamp
- Executive
- Leatherman Squirt
« Last Edit: November 02, 2020, 11:30:48 PM by McStitchy »


us Offline Nix

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #2 on: November 02, 2020, 10:03:32 PM
My first SAK was a Climber and served me very well for years. It is hard to beat the combination of a good knife blade plus a pair of scissors. The Compact is worth considering if you are looking for a thinner SAK. However, the opener layer is a great addition and very useful at times. And I use the awl a good bit for small incidental tasks. The Evolution 14 or 16 is another attractive option. At 85mm, these are essentially smaller versions of the Climber. I'm not crazy about the ergonomic scales, but my Evo 14 gets regular carry because it is such a good size for EDC. The Victorinox Executive is another brilliant EDC knife. A couple of blades, scissors, and a nail file. The Executive will cover most of your daily needs and more!

I love the Pioneer X (PX). It is a nice sturdy SAK. As an awl fan, I also really lie the in-line awl. So the PX does have some nice advantages, despite not storing the T&T in the scales. It is really hard not to like the PX.

I went through an Alox phase for a while. I really liked the ruggedness of the Alox scales. But, you know what? I've had some Celidor models that have last a long, long time. Decades. The Celidor does get scratched up...but I kind like the nice worn look of old Celidor scales. And you get the Toothpick, tweezers, a pin, and maybe a small pen (with plus scales). If the scales break (never happened to me), you can replace them easily.

My recommendation for a first time EDC SAK would either be a Climber or a Compact, leaning a bit more toward the Climber.  :tu:

 :climber:


ie Offline McStitchy

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #3 on: November 02, 2020, 10:06:26 PM
 :iagree: :like: :like:

... if you find a Climber still minimalistic enough.


us Offline Nix

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #4 on: November 02, 2020, 10:08:36 PM
I think you have a great solution already  :tu:

For urban/public situations I have a Swisscard lite in my wallet and pair that depending on the situation with a...

- Pioneer
- some small traditional folder
- Leatherman Mini tool
- Leatherman PST

Or minimalist with just an...

- Alox Minichamp
- Executive
- Leatherman Squirt

What are you talking about?  ???

He needs scissors!  :rant:



ie Offline McStitchy

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #5 on: November 02, 2020, 10:09:31 PM
What are you talking about?  ???

He needs scissors!  :rant:

Swisscard has some already  :pok:

 :D


hr Offline enki_ck

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #6 on: November 02, 2020, 10:09:37 PM
If the Explorer was too thick, so will every other sak that has a mag glas, opener layer and scissors. There are a few models that have the flashlight opposite the mag glass, but the flashligt is weak at best.
I'd go with a Climber with plus scales and add a magnifying card, a thin fresnel lens to the wallet and buy a more capable AAA fladhlight to the mix. There are a few good options that offer far more usable light


us Offline ElevenBlade

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #7 on: November 02, 2020, 10:12:55 PM
You must resist the Alox Pox... You're going to lose the scale tools and the small blade for a more rugged tool that you'll use as a science student in the city.  It's not worth it, on once you go Alox ... You're stuck.

A Climber with plus scales and a micro flashlight attached to the keyring would be ideal for your needs.  The flashlight might be more practical for your uses as an attachment to a SAK that has everything else you need.


ie Offline McStitchy

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #8 on: November 02, 2020, 10:15:59 PM
If the Explorer was too thick, so will every other sak that has a mag glas, opener layer and scissors. There are a few models that have the flashlight opposite the mag glass, but the flashligt is weak at best.
I'd go with a Climber with plus scales and add a magnifying card, a thin fresnel lens to the wallet and buy a more capable AAA fladhlight to the mix. There are a few good options that offer far more usable light

 :iagree:

... as for the magnifier the Swisscard lite got that covered too  :P

Here's one accompanied by an Executive...


00 Offline Simon_Templar

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #9 on: November 02, 2020, 10:29:48 PM


Large Blade
Scissors (my most used tool)
Pen Blade
Bottle Opener with large flathead
Can Opener with 2d Philips
Reamer/Awl
Magnifying Lens
Tweezers and Toothpick
Straight Pin
Backup Pen
A small light (for practical work)


Looks as if you figured out the best options already. If you can bring yourself to ditch the mag glass, you could combine a 58 mm Jetsetter with a Sportsman, Spartan (Lite) or Pioneer.


us Offline Sos24

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #10 on: November 02, 2020, 10:30:01 PM
If the Explorer was too thick, so will every other sak that has a mag glas, opener layer and scissors. There are a few models that have the flashlight opposite the mag glass, but the flashligt is weak at best.
I'd go with a Climber with plus scales and add a magnifying card, a thin fresnel lens to the wallet and buy a more capable AAA fladhlight to the mix. There are a few good options that offer far more usable light

This is the route I was thinking. 

I love the Yeoman which gives you one less layer, but the opener layer is replaced with the combo tool, you lose the pen knife, and due to being discontinued they are hard to find.  Fresnal lens wallet cards fit in the wallet even easier than the SwissCard and are cheap.

As far as flashlight, I think a seperate one like AAA or even smaller rechargable 10180 type are more capable and will give you more options.


us Offline Nix

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #11 on: November 02, 2020, 10:36:48 PM
If the Explorer was too thick, so will every other sak that has a mag glas, opener layer and scissors. There are a few models that have the flashlight opposite the mag glass, but the flashligt is weak at best.
I'd go with a Climber with plus scales and add a magnifying card, a thin fresnel lens to the wallet and buy a more capable AAA fladhlight to the mix. There are a few good options that offer far more usable light


 :like:


us Offline Nix

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #12 on: November 02, 2020, 10:39:07 PM

Climber, PX, Compact, Evolution 14, Executive, Cadet


The Cadet doesn't have scissors, but makes for a brilliant EDC in my experience.  :tu:



us Offline powernoodle

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #13 on: November 02, 2020, 10:46:21 PM
I would say Man Up and get used to an Explorer Plus.  :cheers:  Once your brain accepts that its going to live there forever, you no longer notice its in your pocket. 


The new clear, Lexan blade on the Explorer Plus is awesome.


us Offline Nix

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #14 on: November 02, 2020, 10:47:49 PM
 :rofl:


But...it's true....doesn't take long to get used to your Explorer in your pocket. Great SAK.  :tu:


ca Offline Greg Jones

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #15 on: November 02, 2020, 10:58:42 PM
You're fooling yourself, you need them all  :facepalm:


us Offline Nix

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #16 on: November 02, 2020, 11:14:57 PM
You're fooling yourself, you need them all awl   :facepalm:

Fixed!


ca Offline Greg Jones

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #17 on: November 02, 2020, 11:33:21 PM
 :tu: :cheers:


ie Offline McStitchy

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #18 on: November 02, 2020, 11:33:35 PM


ie Offline McStitchy

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #19 on: November 02, 2020, 11:34:38 PM

... 

(Image removed from quote.)
The new clear, Lexan blade on the Explorer Plus is awesome.


 :ahhh


us Offline Nix

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #20 on: November 02, 2020, 11:39:42 PM



 :rofl:


Just wait until Fuzzbucket shows up.......   :whistle:


us Offline Barry Rowland

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #21 on: November 02, 2020, 11:53:42 PM
Yeoman, Climber or Scientist.  Even better, have Robert do an Alox Yeoman!
Barry


us Offline Nix

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #22 on: November 02, 2020, 11:57:07 PM
 :iagree:

(But....I do like the hook..... :dunno:)


us Offline Nix

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #23 on: November 03, 2020, 12:26:56 AM
Just thinking out loud here.....

A Tourist or Small Tinker would make a great EDC.

I carried a Small Tinker for a while. Excellent SAK.  :tu:


ca Offline Greg Jones

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #24 on: November 03, 2020, 12:36:23 AM
Just thinking out loud here.....

A Tourist or Small Tinker would make a great EDC.

I carried a Small Tinker for a while. Excellent SAK.  :tu:

I've been eyeing the Tourist myself, I was so comfortable with a Recruit the addition of a couple of backside tools would knock it out of the park


us Offline Nix

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #25 on: November 03, 2020, 12:37:06 AM
I haven't had a tourist.....I don't think.........wait a minute.......   :rofl:


ie Offline McStitchy

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #26 on: November 03, 2020, 12:39:02 AM

 :rofl:


Just wait until Fuzzbucket shows up.......   :whistle:



nz Offline Storm

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #27 on: November 03, 2020, 12:41:54 AM
I've been eyeing the Tourist myself, I was so comfortable with a Recruit the addition of a couple of backside tools would knock it out of the park
But then you lose the smooth back which makes it so comfortable in the hand
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are "


us Offline Nix

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #28 on: November 03, 2020, 12:45:06 AM
Greg, I have a Sportsman, not a Tourist.

Barry sent me a Sportsman, and I love it: Main blade, nail file, openers, corkscrew, awl, pin, T&T. A huge set of EDC tools in an 84mm package.  :tu:


ie Offline McStitchy

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Re: Need Advice on EDC
Reply #29 on: November 03, 2020, 12:46:29 AM
Greg, I have a Sportsman, not a Tourist.

Barry sent me a Sportsman, and I love it: Main blade, nail file, openers, corkscrew, awl, pin, T&T. A huge set of EDC tools in an 84mm package.  :tu:

Ok... that's it


....I want one  :facepalm:


 

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