✬ 2022 Chuck Yeager Memorial Challenge ✬

[marlowe221]

I have a feeling that after this challenge, I’m going to be very upset that Victorinox has ended production of the Executive…

[PitCarver]

I have a feeling that after this challenge, I’m going to be very upset that Victorinox has ended production of the Executive…

That's the way I felt last year.  The 74mm platform really had a lot of potential... Imagine an Alox MiniChamp in 74mm.  That could have been a perfect knife..

[Sos24]

After carrying the MiniChamp for the November challenge, I was considering dropping out of this one due to withdrawal from my 91mm SAKs and traditional knives.  There is something to be said for the nice feel of the larger SAK or knife in the hand. 

But then I figure the rules don’t say you can’t handle other items, just not carry or use,

[Barry Rowland]

Awesome Sherry! 

[Nix]

After carrying the MiniChamp for the November challenge, I was considering dropping out of this one due to withdrawal from my 91mm SAKs and traditional knives.  There is something to be said for the nice feel of the larger SAK or knife in the hand. 

But then I figure the rules don’t say you can’t handle other items, just not carry or use,

I hear ya. I myself have become really fond of the feel of the 111mm's. 

However, I've been carrying the Executive for the past few days and find it to be a very nice size to carry and use. I will say, I'm annoyed with Vic for dropping the excellent 84mm size, especially those with scissors. 

[Sos24]

I hear ya. I myself have become really fond of the feel of the 111mm's. 

However, I've been carrying the Executive for the past few days and find it to be a very nice size to carry and use. I will say, I'm annoyed with Vic for dropping the excellent 84mm size, especially those with scissors. 

Agree, on the 84mm with scissors.  The Voyageur is just perfect for a light carry.

As far as the 111mm, I’d love to see a oho Outrider.  It would be a perfect outdoor hiking & camping companion.

[marlowe221]

I hear ya. I myself have become really fond of the feel of the 111mm's. 

However, I've been carrying the Executive for the past few days and find it to be a very nice size to carry and use. I will say, I'm annoyed with Vic for dropping the excellent 84mm size, especially those with scissors. 

You mean 74mm size, right? Right Nix???

Don't take the 84mm SAKs away from me!             

[Nix]

You mean 74mm size, right? Right Nix???

Don't take the 84mm SAKs away from me!             

Oh, that it were so.....

Not only are the marvelous 74's disappearing, but the 84's with scissors are a thing of the past.

What is the world coming to!?   

[marlowe221]

Oh yeah, I know about the infamous 84mm scissors. But I thought you meant the REST of the 84mm line was going away too!

I almost bought 20 more Recruits!

[Storm]

Buy them anyway, you'll have a whole platoon of new recruits to keep the fear of loss away 😁

[Fast Bill]

Day -1

So, Let's kick this Challenge off a day early. That sound like fun to me. After all as Nix quoted General Yeager:  "Unfortunately, many people do not consider fun an important item on their daily agenda. For me, that was always a high priority in whatever I was doing."

And even though Nix has set some Rules for this challenge I also believe that Chuck rightly said "Rules are made for people who aren't willing to make up their own." and I may well decide to stretch the envelope later so I'll get ahead early.

So a bit of battery replacement in one of my bike computers and Garmin sensors (from a different bike). Scissors and nail file all handy for packaging and leverage. Plus my current read.

[aicolainen]

Mine got a matching piece of black paracord fitted to the lanyard ring and went in a day early as well. More to avoid forgetting it tomorrow than anything else.

[Barry Rowland]

Great job Phil and looking like a good read!

[marlowe221]

Day -1

So, Let's kick this Challenge off a day early. That sound like fun to me. After all as Nix quoted General Yeager:  "Unfortunately, many people do not consider fun an important item on their daily agenda. For me, that was always a high priority in whatever I was doing."

And even though Nix has set some Rules for this challenge I also believe that Chuck rightly said "Rules are made for people who aren't willing to make up their own." and I may well decide to stretch the envelope later so I'll get ahead early.

So a bit of battery replacement in one of my bike computers and Garmin sensors (from a different bike). Scissors and nail file all handy for packaging and leverage. Plus my current read.

Nice! I look forward to testing out the Phillips capabilities of the end of the nail file on the Executive. I'm sure I'll get a chance on kid's toys since it's December...

[Fast Bill]

Great job Phil and looking like a good read!

Just started and another one of those history books where you think "You should've seen that coming" ...

[Barry Rowland]

I agree.  Hard to believe it's close to 41 years ago.

[Nix]

I have a feeling that after this challenge, I’m going to be very upset that Victorinox has ended production of the Executive…

 

[Nix]

Day 00:

[BPRoberts]

Day 0

Hand off day! Putting the PST away and switching to my trusty Executive.

   I try to do a little bit longer post at the start and end of each challenge so I can look back on how I expected the month to go, and compare it to what actually happened. This challenge is a little different than most of the others I’ve done, since I already carry the Executive almost every day. I think the 74mm frame is pretty close to the ideal size for a keychain knife, and the Executive is the best one in the series. If nothing else, I’m excited to be back to SAKs after spending close to 2 months mostly carrying Leathermans.

   For the most part, the Executive (like most of the 74mm line) is just a scaled up Classic. The extra couple of millimeters on the large blade are a solid step up on food prep, which is one of the things I use the Exec on pretty frequently. Much easier to chop up a hotdog or slice an apple if the blade can reach all the way across what you’re cutting. The scissors are just a smidge bigger than the Classic’s also. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a job where the extra millimeter or two (most of the added length is in the handles) really made a difference, but Vic scissors are just about the best small scissors around, regardless of size. Tweezers and toothpick are tweezers and toothpick.

The nail file is the first serious diversion from the 58mm set. 74mm got to keep the striped file long after the 58s got swapped to the textured one (although the wiki has a pic of a recent 74mm textured files, I’ve never seen one in the wild, and some of my Execs are fairly new). It’s a lot longer than the 58mm file. Combined with the striped surface (which I prefer) this is a big improvement. Between the file and the scissors, the Exec has saved the day quite a few times when I was out at an event and someone broke/chipped a nail. The tip is just the right size for the small screws that hold on battery doors, laptop backs, etc. so it gets a fair amount of use there. I still like the 84mm file ala the Cadet a bit better (I feel like it bites a bit harder, even though it’s almost the same design), but this is still a great file for light day to day use.
The trademark tool of the Executive is the Orange Peeler. Like most people, I was kind of skeptical at first. How many oranges do I eat in a year? Are they really that hard to peel anyway? Can’t I just use the knife for that? Victorinox’s ad copy about European executives’ lunch habits (are there any mid 80s European executives on the boards who can enlighten us? Did you really have an orange every day after lunch?) didn’t really help. But like the equally maligned (and similarly named) fish scaler, this is actually a really useful tool. First of all, it does peel oranges pretty well, if that’s a concern for you. This is accomplished mostly by the pseudo-guthook on the back end of the tool. This also makes it a great for opening clamshells, taped up packages, etc. it slices right through, and is easy to clean if it gets goopy. Besides that, the main edge of the blade is lightly serrated (while I prefer plain edge for my main blade, a secondary serrated is nice) and you get a screwdriver (pointy enough to poke through an orange skin or clamshell package) on the tip. I haven’t used the screwdriver much, since I usually have a larger SAK with me, and it looks pretty easy to break. It’s done fine the few times I have used it, and the skinny blade arm does give it good reach. This is also your impromptu bottle opener. Depending on how stubborn the cap is, you may need to start by undoing a few crimps with the driver tip, then use the hook to lever up a wider section. They tend to pop off pretty dramatically, which is a fun little bonus.
The smaller blade doesn’t see much use for me, and I’d argue it’s probably the biggest “miss” on the design here. While I use the smaller blade on my 91s s a fair amount, the orange peeler covers well enough that I don’t need a third blade on such a small knife. Still, they had to put something in that free half layer, and they didn’t have a lot of other options (maybe the 58mm divot tool?) so I won’t complain too much.

   My dad always kept a Classic on his keys, and I started doing the same as soon as I was out of school. Over the years it was (briefly) surplanted by a Gerber Clutch and a Rambler, before I got my first Executive early this year. I think adding a small multitool to your keychain is one of the best things you can do for your EDC. I don’t usually leave the house without a knife in my pocket, but when I do, it’s nice to know the Exec is there. The Executive keeps thing thinner than a Minichamp, handles most light day to day work, and gains some utility on the Classic with a longer blade (and the ORANGE PEELER!), but is short enough to not bulk up my keys too much. I’ve tried keychain carrying Bantam or Cadet a few times, but it was never comfortable.

   All in all I’m very comfortable (and looking forward to) having this as my main knife day to day for a month. I’m a little concerned about not having a larger tool to compliment it, but December isn’t really a tool heavy season for me, so I think I’ll get by fine. If nothing else, my pants won’t have any problems staying up for 30.

[Farmer X]

We're off to a great start, and the challenge hasn't even officially commenced!

Day 0

Here's the Executive that I'll show through most of this challenge, flexing its muscles.

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[marlowe221]

Day 0

Well, this challenge is going to involve some new experiences for me. Until the collecting bug bit me about a year ago, I didn’t know the 74mm line even existed. And by the time I found out about it, it didn’t exist! At least, not from a current production standpoint.

The only reason I even bought a couple Executives was because of my goal of collecting every SAK known to have been used in Macgyver by RDA. I’ve never even had one in my pocket. Tomorrow will be the first time!

As far as expectations go, I’m not sure just what to expect. As always, I worry that I will miss the brilliant 58mm Phillips on my Rambler. I know the end of the nail file is supposed to work… we’ll see!

I’m not so worried about blade length or anything like that. I never have worried about that kind of thing very much. Age and experience has done nothing but to confirm that it usually doesn’t matter - if a small knife won’t do something there’s a good chance a larger one will have a tough time too. At least I’ll have scissors this time though, unlike the Spartan challenge a few months ago.

I am curious to see if I get any use out of the weird “orange peeler “ blade at all. Especially since I don’t eat many oranges!  But I’ll definitely be looking out for opportunities to try it out for…. various things. 

Otherwise, I’m looking forward to the process of the challenge itself. It being December, the holiday activities involved may lead to some interesting uses. Let’s hope so anyway!

[Barry Rowland]

Day 1: Good to fly with you again old friend!

[Explorer]

Coming off the MiniChamp challenge I wasn’t sure if I could hang doing another challenge- however this one just looks like it’s going to be so much fun. Is is too late to join? Or have i hummed and hawed too long? 
Totally understand if that’s the case. I’ve got a black executive and a director (not sure if those are allowed)

[pa_strunk]

Day 1, going with classic executive with walnut scales and black  toothpick and tweezers. About to use my peeler to get some vitamin C.

[comis]

Day 1



Good to see you all in the challenge!  Executive helped to install a tripod plate to a camcorder today.

[comis]

Coming off the MiniChamp challenge I wasn’t sure if I could hang doing another challenge- however this one just looks like it’s going to be so much fun. Is is too late to join? Or have i hummed and hawed too long? 
Totally understand if that’s the case. I’ve got a black executive and a director (not sure if those are allowed)

It would be great to have you onboard, we are just getting started. 

[CM Yo]

DAY 01

I head out the door daily with this Executive and it has been on this keychain for about the last 3 years. Always at the ready. Interesting to see what trouble it might see over this month.

Sent from the Dusty Desert

[marlowe221]

Day 1 (so far...)

No uses so far today, but it's only 10:45 am on the west coast so there's still time!

Here's my primary Executive for this challenge.

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I have another one too, but it's not in as good condition as this one. I put some new scales on the one in the picture though and it will be my in my pocket most of (if not all of) the month. The tools appear to be essentially unused - the scales were falling off when I got it but it otherwise looked and felt like a pretty new-ish SAK.

I'll say this - I don't notice it in my pocket! I'm going with loose pocket carry, which is the only way I carry any SAK. No key chains, pocket clips, or belt pouches for me. I may see how it rides in the 5th pocket of my jeans but right now it's in my left front pocket next to my wallet where I carry any 84 or 91mm SAK.

[aicolainen]

Day 1:
Off to a slow start. Headache and a slight fever is killing my creativity today. Not much use for tools of any kind.

I had a missed opportunity on day 0, peeling an orange not realizing I had a dedicated tool in my pocket.

Like I said before, I don’t think this is a tool that would work well for me any other time of year, but December is a bit different. Scissors and very people friendly knife blades isn’t typically something I care to carry, but I can totally see how those can prove useful in the coming month. The capacity to work as a slotted and Phillips driver appears limited, but could turn out to be just enough for the light tasks I anticipate.
I definitely like my pocket tools to be as small as practically possible, but I quit carrying keychains years ago, so the whole keychain tool genre has no appeal. So as I carry individual tools anyway, it typically makes sense to go slightly larger than the 58 and 74 options.

[Fast Bill]

Day 01. Used the small blade to open a granola packet. Later on used the scissors at work to cut up a newspaper headline for a team building task.