30 day Cadet review

[Canuckdad]

19 years ago my wife bought me a silver alox Pioneer SAK and I have carried it to work ( I work in an office) Monday-Friday for that entire time. I switch it up on the weekend for a bit bigger SAK but always my  Pioneer for work. Then a month ago my wife bought me a black Alox Cadet. I was reluctant to carry it at first because I was so use to my Pioneer.  I have now carried it for 30 days , Monday to Friday. Here are my thoughts.

WHAT I LIKED

-Looks
The Cadet is a beautiful SAK. The Black alox makes it look very sleek. It looks more refined than my silver Pioneer. This is a really nice looking knife.

-Size
The Cadet is a very slim 84mm and fits beautify in the little change pocket that is inside most mens right pocket on our jeans. ( thats where I always carry my SAK)
Its great because I have to sit for hours at work and the Cadet is so slim that I barley notice it in my pocket.

-Quality
Like all my Victorinox SAKs, this tool is so well built and durable. I have used the screw drivers to pry things open and really leaned into it. it never snapped as I had feared it might.   

-Tools
  I use the Nail File almost daily. The particular style of nail file ( I think its the newer version) on my Cadet is not like the old sandpaper looking file I have on my other SAKs. This thing is a BEAST(I will post pics bellow ). ITs more like a metal file I used to use when I was a welder. Its very functional. I used it for my nails but also to file sharp edges on children's toys, and even smooth a small , sharp nail that was sticking out of my desk drawer . Also this file could be used to help pry nails out of the wall that I cant get my big fingers on.
 I used both screw drivers and they are very solid.
The blade is perfect for opening letter, cutting strings and doing all those little jobs I may need it for at home or at the office. It  is also doesnt look threatening if I have to bust it out at work.
This SAK does not have all the tools I would need if I was camping but I'm a city guy and rarely leave my little town.
** I carry a Classic SD every day on my keyring so if I need a toothpick, tweezers or scissors , they are at hand**
 
Here is a list of the tools:

Nail file
Nail cleaner
Can opener
Screwdriver 3 mm
Key ring
Blade, large
Bottle opener
Screwdriver 6 mm
Wire stripper

WHAT I DIDNT LIKE

-I do prefer the slightly beefed up large screw driver on the pioneer to use as a pry tool. But its not a deal breaker.
-Its Black Alox, rather than silver,  so I know some day that will get chipped or fade. I like my SAK to look like its brand new, so some day in the future that will be an issue


OVERALL
I have to admit, I have fallen in love with this SAK. As I mentioned above, On weekends I bust out other SAKs and I found myself wishing I had my Cadet in my pocket. I am a city slicker. The closest I get to the outdoors is on my mountain bike,  but even then, I ride close to my home and its only for an hour or two. The path I take is not very woody. I am also not very mechanically inclined so I dont require a plethora of tools. My SAK is more for opening letters or packages, cleaning my nails, prying nails out of the wall, cutting strings and tightening screws on kids toys. So for MY lifestyle the Cadet is PERFECT.

Its funny how some times we think we have the perfect tool until we try another one. I still love the Pioneer but I think the Cadet is my new EDC.

[BPRoberts]

Love the Cadet. You're right about the file, it's the best one I've found on a multitool to date.

It's my go to recommendation for people who want a discrete multitool to take to the office, or want a formal/"gentleman's knife" without sacrificing the extra tools of an SAK.

[Canuckdad]

Love the Cadet. You're right about the file, it's the best one I've found on a multitool to date.

It's my go to recommendation for people who want a discrete multitool to take to the office, or want a formal/"gentleman's knife" without sacrificing the extra tools of an SAK.

YES!! well said. a Gentelman's knife

[Farmer X]

Great review and photos! Sooner or later, I'll get my hands on a Cadet.

[Canuckdad]

Great review and photos! Sooner or later, I'll get my hands on a Cadet.

Thanks , I await YOUR review

[Echotech]

Another big Cadet fan here, agree with all of your comments, add a 58mm with scissors and the perfect city carry
We now have a cadet owners club on MTO so a great place to post your pics

[PitCarver]

Excellent review of the cadet.  Your black Cadet is beautiful.  Might try to find one... All I have is the silver.

[marlowe221]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

I really like the idea of these long-term reviews. It's also what happens at the end of the various 30 day challenges where people will post their thoughts on the challenge, what it was like to only use one SAK, etc.

[Old Boy]

Thanks for the review!
Yeah I carry a lot of things, but as a office guy I have to admit I can get away with a cadet most of the time.

[Canuckdad]

Thanks for the review!
Yeah I carry a lot of things, but as a office guy I have to admit I can get away with a cadet most of the time.

for sure

[Canuckdad]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

I really like the idea of these long-term reviews. It's also what happens at the end of the various 30 day challenges where people will post their thoughts on the challenge, what it was like to only use one SAK, etc.

Yes! I agree. I hope to do another review after 6 months

[C T]

Very nice knife. You are right about the colour, but the patina that comes with time will give it character.
I am also blessed with a SAK gifting wife. She actually got me into Victorinox products.
Could you show us your old Pioneer also?
Thanks and have a sharp day

[Canuckdad]

Very nice knife. You are right about the colour, but the patina that comes with time will give it character.
I am also blessed with a SAK gifting wife. She actually got me into Victorinox products.
Could you show us your old Pioneer also?
Thanks and have a sharp day

Thanks for responding. here is my Pioneer . She is still a great SAK

[aicolainen]

Nice write up of my favorite SAK.
Carry one almost every day. My primary Cadet has the can opener grind down to be just a 3mm screw driver with a bit more reach.
I work with industrial electronics, so while mainly an office job there is some practical work thrown in from time to time.
The Cadet isn’t perfect, but it’s the tool that solves most of my typical sudden tool needs for it’s size.
The modified 3mm works well on most regularly sized terminal blocks, the file works decently as a 2D Phillips driver for smaller screws, and the large slotted driver is perfect for camera tripods, opening cabinets and other enclosures, as well as a pry tool.
I almost always carry a OHO folder, so I don’t use the knife blade a bunch, but it works too.

I don’t take my Cadets on lot’s of backpacking trips, but that’s exactly where I discovered it’s potential. As I was moving in the direction of UL backpacking, I had to look everywhere to cut weight, and one day I realized that the good ol’ Wave had to go. I didn’t have much to choose from at the time, so get any real weight reduction, the Cadet was really my only option. I reluctantly put it in my backpack, really feeling that I had cut off an important safety line.
As it turned out, for that specific type of backpacking, it worked just fine.
I’ve since added a few other models to fine tune my carry for specific trips, but the Cadet was my breakthrough experience, and while I now might take the Sportsman or alox Bantam instead.. there is no doubt what inspired me to try those models.

[Canuckdad]

Nice write up of my favorite SAK.
Carry one almost every day. My primary Cadet has the can opener grind down to be just a 3mm screw driver with a bit more reach.
I work with industrial electronics, so while mainly an office job there is some practical work thrown in from time to time.
The Cadet isn’t perfect, but it’s the tool that solves most of my typical sudden tool needs for it’s size.
The modified 3mm works well on most regularly sized terminal blocks, the file works decently as a 2D Phillips driver for smaller screws, and the large slotted driver is perfect for camera tripods, opening cabinets and other enclosures, as well as a pry tool.
I almost always carry a OHO folder, so I don’t use the knife blade a bunch, but it works too.

I don’t take my Cadets on lot’s of backpacking trips, but that’s exactly where I discovered it’s potential. As I was moving in the direction of UL backpacking, I had to look everywhere to cut weight, and one day I realized that the good ol’ Wave had to go. I didn’t have much to choose from at the time, so get any real weight reduction, the Cadet was really my only option. I reluctantly put it in my backpack, really feeling that I had cut off an important safety line.
As it turned out, for that specific type of backpacking, it worked just fine.
I’ve since added a few other models to fine tune my carry for specific trips, but the Cadet was my breakthrough experience, and while I now might take the Sportsman or alox Bantam instead.. there is no doubt what inspired me to try those models.

Thanks so much for sharing. I love hearing other peoples experiences with SAKs that I have come to appreciate .

[Old Boy]

I’ve been tempted to get this https://www.victorinox.com/us/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Medium-Pocket-Knives/Cadet-Swiss-Spirit-2022/p/0.2603.7L22?&utm_medium=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItLy_98D8-gIVRA-tBh2TXAPfEAQYAyABEgLWLfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

before they run out. Who knows maybe there are hidden slots in the scales you can mod. But I have to admit the reason I stuck with my cadet was the Alox scales. I’ve could have sworn I’ve put it through situations that a cellidor model could not survive as well.

I thought about getting the titanium version as well but saw in YouTube how it was slightly thicker and heavier. Alox rules!

https://www.flytanium.com/category/64/Cadet

[Canuckdad]

I’ve been tempted to get this https://www.victorinox.com/us/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Medium-Pocket-Knives/Cadet-Swiss-Spirit-2022/p/0.2603.7L22?&utm_medium=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItLy_98D8-gIVRA-tBh2TXAPfEAQYAyABEgLWLfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

before they run out. Who knows maybe there are hidden slots in the scales you can mod. But I have to admit the reason I stuck with my cadet was the Alox scales. I’ve could have sworn I’ve put it through situations that a cellidor model could not survive as well.

I thought about getting the titanium version as well but saw in YouTube how it was slightly thicker and heavier. Alox rules!

https://www.flytanium.com/category/64/Cadet

Yeah that Cadet is sweet I had considered it as well. I also agree that I have put my alox models through things that would have scratched up my cellidor models pretty badly. We seem to have similar taste in SAKs

[BPRoberts]

The Spirit Cadet is sort of a Recruit (file instead of small blade, but cellidor) which isn't a bad knife, but I think the Cadet really gains a lot from the thinness of the alox scales. Same with the Bantam, they make it nice and thin.

[Canuckdad]

The Spirit Cadet is sort of a Recruit (file instead of small blade, but cellidor) which isn't a bad knife, but I think the Cadet really gains a lot from the thinness of the alox scales. Same with the Bantam, they make it nice and thin.

I absolutely agree. Its the sleek, thinness of the Cadet that makes me want to carry it every day

[PitCarver]

I absolutely agree. Its the sleek, thinness of the Cadet that makes me want to carry it every day

I have one that rides in my phone case to balance out my folding reading glasses.

[Canuckdad]

I have one that rides in my phone case to balance out my folding reading glasses.