Contemplating the New Cellidor Companion

[gustophersmob]

Howdy all,

I’d like your input and thoughts about maybe switching up my EDC SAK. Keyword is “maybe.”

I’ve been carrying the same combo of an alox pioneer in my pocket and alox classic on my keys for going on 13 years now. I mainly use the classic for grooming. Scissors to trim mustache/beard hairs, file for fingernails, etc. I almost never use the knife and I occasionally use the driver tip, primarily for recessed Philips. I use the pioneer for a variety of tasks. The blade sees normal blade use, the large flat driver is used as a driver and pry tool, can opener is used as a Philips and metal fingernail for all kinds of random things. The awl is used as a secondary blade and general pokey type thing.

I’ve not been one to like a large pocket tool, tending always towards minimalism.  I don’t usually see a need to try to have every tool imaginable available on my SAK as I’m usually not far from dedicated tools. I also don’t like plastic in my EDC, so have gravitated towards alox. Their general robust, bomb proof construction appeals to me.

All that said, there have been several times when the other normal SAK tools would be handy like the eyeglass screwdriver, tweezers, pen, and sometimes larger scissors.

Now, with the recent introduction of the Companion in regular red cellidor, I’ve been considering whether it would be a good EDC that could replace both the pioneer and classic. It adds scale tools, has the eyeglass driver, has a nail file unlike other 91mm. The package opener is neutral for me. I rarely use the can opener as a can opener, and the package tool seems like it would still double as a metal finger nail. It’s also nice that the fingernail file could double as a light duty long reach Philips.

That being said, it still has the issues (at least to me) of plastic materials, less robust construction (snap on scales, aluminum liners, thinner blade and tool stock, smaller brass pins, etc), and lots of fiddly bits and bobs to potentially lose. I do occasionally need to pry with the large flathead, and the less robust construction of the Companion here gives me pause.  I also don’t love the recessed back springs for comfort and cleaning, and generally find cellidor SAKs more of a hassle to clean in general.

But…it also seems like an ideal “dad edc” for splinter removal, scissor use, eyeglass screw tightening, etc.  It would also have some slight benefit of social acceptance at work in a mostly office environment (though the lab and manufacturing floor are where I often need to pry stuff).

So, what say all of you.  MTO collective, impart your wisdom to me! 

[Myron]

It's truly part of the joy, shaking up your everyday carry, isn't it?   If it were me, I think I'd give it a whirl.  I recently got the Pioneer-sized Companion and love it.  The box cutting tool is really cool and saves silly wear and tear on your knife edge. 

But I think you might find the cellidor Companion kind of bulky to carry in your pocket.  It's three layers, one more than your Pioneer, but a little shorter (obviously, and as I'm sure you know). 

I'm hardly one to give advice here, since I just buy any new SAK that intrigues me, but if it were me, I think I'd buy one before the silly tariffs hit and just see if you like it!

Myron

[IMR4198]

   I say buy one if you want it.  If it turns out that you hate it, you can probably sell it here or give it to a friend.  Reclaim most of your money, or make someone else happy.  Never a bad choice.  I know you don't like cellidor, but these things don't exactly fall apart.  Best wishes.  G
 

[gustophersmob]

Good points guys. $48 isn’t exactly life changing money. Probably worth a shot. I’ll give it some thought.

[LoopCutter]

I do have the COMPANION, in RED.  It arrived last week.

It is 3 layers, same as my CLIMBERS!

The package tool is niffy, yet requires some technic to use properly.

Back in the spring I thought I was ordering a COMPANION, but I was confused.  Actually confused it to the COMPACT because of the ink pen.
So the COMPACT is two layer. Has the scissors, cap lifter with flat blade.  The nail file is on the back side of the hook tool. 

I compared both side by side, as a new (2nd) COMPACT arrived that was accidentally ordered. But it was really discounted.  Apparently an Amazon error that they still honored.

A PIONEER X would provide scissors, yet 3 layers also.

If you like your PIONEER, keep it.

If you have the itch for new or different, go for a CompaNION ALOX  version that is bladeless.   The RED or  GOLD are awesome.

For me the COMPACTs are assigned to personal carry bags. The COMPANION CELIDOR  is on standby in with other SAKs in storage for now.

May revisit in fall when attire changes for the weather.

[gustophersmob]

Good thoughts, and I have gone down some of those paths in the past and ruled them out for various reasons. 

1) compact - I theory it has all the important tools, but the combo tool is too thin for what need. It also doesn’t really do Philips.
2) pioneer x - it felt too heavy and unwieldy in the pocket to me. Plus the lack of a file means it doesn’t really replace both the pioneer and classic
3) baseless companions - kind of a non-starter for me as I use the blade quite frequently. If I was to work in a more restrictive environment I’d reconsider these.

[LoopCutter]

And, for me, the SPARTAN is a favorite for my needs and a CLIMBER  is my 2nd favorite.

I have learned that the CORKSCREW is an essential tool on my SAKs.  Besides the eyeglass driver, you can store many different adaptations to customize to your needs.

And, everytime, there was a corked bottle requiring cork screw, I did not have either a Spartan or a Climber!!!!

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  
A Compact

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A Companion

[nate j]

Another vote for giving it a shot.  If you get it and don’t like it, at least you’ll know.  If you don’t try it, you’ll always wonder.

And if you’re really worried about prying with it, get yourself a OPMT/mini-prybar to go along with it.

[Huntsman]

Definitely go for the Companion
It's got great scissors (compared to your Classic) and replaces the (redundant - IMHO) small blade with a very nice nail file (not like the crappy one on the Compact). The screwdriver/prybar is decent - especially compared to the Combi tool 

For me it's the perfect EDC - Although it sounds like I am more of an office worker than you.

I definitely concur with you on the sturdiness of the Alox range - They feel so tough and strong compared to the 91mm Celidors
Having said that, I have never had any issues with strength, broken scales, bent tools etc etc with the 91mms and they have been my usual ED carry for the last many, many decades!!

Check out Anne's video - It should help - She calls it the Companion the Compact killer
Although she is reviewing the Swiss Spirit version of the Companion - So you can ignore those bits!

[z1913]

Based on your other comment about Pioneer X beiing too unwieldy in the pocket I think the three layer companion would be too thick for you - just my guess.
But of course it might be worth to try.

[gustophersmob]

Based on your other comment about Pioneer X beiing too unwieldy in the pocket I think the three layer companion would be too thick for you - just my guess.
But of course it might be worth to try.

That's a good point, and one I'm considering.  I think with the pioneer X it just felt so dense, like a little brick in the pocket.  I know cellidor is usually lighter per equivalent layer count, so I don't know if it would be enough to make a difference.

[gustophersmob]

As I ponder this more than a middle aged man should, one thing I've realized is that alox, specifically the pioneer, just gives me the warm fuzzies.  There's a certain je ne sais quoi about it.  The Companion, and other cellidor for that matter, just feel more like function over form; strictly a tool and lacking that aesthetic in some way.  Not that just a tool is bad, but that is part of the decision difficulty for me.

As a musician, the analogy comes to mind that trying to get excited about cellidor is like getting excited about new tires or something, whereas the pioneer is like getting excited about a new guitar.  There's a "there" there.

If any of that makes sense...   

[Myron]

Makes perfect sense!   (And I'm a guy who gets all excited about new tires.) 

[z1913]

There's a certain je ne sais quoi about it.

Love is impossible to explain! 

[LoopCutter]

~
As a musician, the analogy comes to mind that trying to get excited about cellidor is like getting excited about new tires or something, whereas the pioneer is like getting excited about a new guitar.  There's a "there" there.

If any of that makes sense...   

Yep, perfect since to this old timer!

Brought back memories when in grade school, 66 years ago.  I recall my mom always made a packed lunch, I apparently was too picky to trust the school’s cafeteria.
Mom always fixed a bologna pickle spread and but on two pieces of store bought white bread.   I was happy.

Then one day I open my lunch pail, and Wowzers, there were two hot dog buns with that same bologna pickle spread filling the center, TWO!!!

Made my day, told my mom the best lunch ever!!!

She said, “glad you liked it, I did not have regular bread so I just used the leftover hotdog buns in the drawer?”

To me it wasn’t the contents, it was the delivery system!!!

[Kale]

I have a pioneer X... my solution to the "little rock in the pocket" feeling is to use a leather pocket slip, which distributes the weight.  I pair that with the black cellidor classic on the keychain (version that comes with a slide-out pen, which is better than the 91 mm pen, imho).  I also find the little driver works great as a nail cleaner, and it also has the tweezers. 

Another option is to keep your pioneer and get that new single-layer alox with just scissors.  That thing should disappear in your pocket... if you put it in a different pocket!  If you're in need of a pocket pen, I'm a big fan of the Pokka Pen, which has an optional pressurized version.  It's basically a plastic space pen (much as I love the space pen, they just don't hold up to daily use, in my experience).  Likewise, there's keychain tweezer options as well (and as with the pen, much more capable than the Victorinox tools).

I know what you mean about the alox look and feel.  I'm in the camp who believes that a Cadet X would be the perfect gentleman's carry pocket knife.  The Cadet is a true featherweight while retaining decently robust prying and a really slicey knife.  I leave a note in Victorinox's electronic suggestion box every year... and I know I'm not the only one!  I'm hoping it's one of their upcoming releases, but we'll see.

[nate j]

much as I love the space pen, they just don't hold up to daily use, in my experience

Interesting, as that has not been my experience. Please elaborate.

The “worst” I’ve seen was on a chrome Bullet that I had carried for years.  The chrome finish had started to wear off and expose the brass, but the functionality wasn’t effected.

[gustophersmob]

I carried a black bullet space pen for 6-ish years. Held up fine except the finish. I stopped carrying it daily because I just never used it.

I’ve been carrying a zebra f-701 with a space pen refill for about 7 years during work and it’s held up fine as well

[Steelej1976]

I would agree to give it a shot, it is not a ton of money.  That being said the Pioneer is hard to beat, you could add a Cellidor Classic SD if you just want the tweezers and toothpick but I know you mentioned the larger scissors.  To me I think the 58mm scissors are better for EDC.  I don't like when the scissors spring breaks on the bigger scissors because you have a large tool that doesn't work well where as the 58mm you could still use fairly easily even if the spring breaks.  I also don't care for back tools all that much (I mostly carry a Recruit, Cadet, and Pioneer with a Classic SD).  Let us know what you decide and good luck with the Companion if you get one. 

[gustophersmob]

I would agree to give it a shot, it is not a ton of money.  That being said the Pioneer is hard to beat, you could add a Cellidor Classic SD if you just want the tweezers and toothpick but I know you mentioned the larger scissors.  To me I think the 58mm scissors are better for EDC.  I don't like when the scissors spring breaks on the bigger scissors because you have a large tool that doesn't work well where as the 58mm you could still use fairly easily even if the spring breaks.  I also don't care for back tools all that much (I mostly carry a Recruit, Cadet, and Pioneer with a Classic SD).  Let us know what you decide and good luck with the Companion if you get one.

I agree with all you said. I edc an alox classic on my keys as I do prefer the smaller scissor size. I also very much agree about the back tools. I really prefer the smooth, flush with the liner back springs on the alox.

[stugumby]

You can always go off the deep end and pack the full size Swiss tool without scissors and justify the purchase of the companion to compliment the tool set?? In either 3 bladed alox or full set in red cellidor. Then the alox minichamp, to compliment the above complemented set up. I'm currently saving up for the red cellidor to rotate into my jumbled edc fiasco. 30 plus Victorinox knives and tools and counting.

[LoopCutter]

 
You make a good point to compliment tools to your needs.

I liked the first release of the fashion COMPANIONS for the tool set.  Then this spring participating in the challenge, I began to study a bit more about the SAK models and differences.  And I thought I found the Celidor Companion. Wrong!   It was the COMPACT

It was special discounted sale too!  And, slightly disappointed when members here pointed out my misunderstanding.

Going back a few years, I was drawn in to the SAK world beyond the 58s, was the ALOX Farmer.  A tad bulky, I learned about the PIONEER. Then I found an online shoppe selling DARK GREY (black), Pioneers for $25, so I bought one!   My companion for a long time.

Then the Pioneer X appeared.  So I get one. I felt unbalanced with it in my pocket. The third layer made a difference!   When back to the first one.  (Better)

Then introduced to the SPARTAN model via a challenge.   I saw it as a version of my Pioneer. But lighter!

The toothpick and tweezers, were handy for me.  At at a two layer it was a good carry. 

So when that COMPACT arrived, I gave it a serious go and surprised I liked it and added to my kit.

Then the new actual COMPANION was released in Celidor, I bought one.    I used it for few days, and must admit, the newness wore off, the cap lifter was different than the COMPACT. The package opener did no more than a blade.   So it was left on the counter when venturing out.

Then one day I was on the River site,  ordering a new SPARTAN for a gift, I stumbled on the COMPACT at a very good price again, tagged it for future consideration!  Instead it went into my cart and was ordered and delivered with the SPARTAN. 

No issue, I ran a side by side of the COMPANION 3 layer to the just arrived COMPACT 2 layer.

The COMACT still has my favor, even edging out my SPARTAN and Pioneer for pocket duty.

Layers make difference to me apparently!  Specifically if carrying in a pocket.   
😊. Oh shoot, I said this out loud!  Rambling just ignore.

[gustophersmob]

LC, I can appreciate your thought process and experiment.

In theory, I like the idea of the compact. The list of tools check every box I want, and a two-layer to boot. The problem for me is the combo tool. I pushed my pioneers flat head to the limit a few times, to a point I know it would’ve damaged the combo tool. Maybe even a 91mm flat head. While those situations are few, and I could treat the knife as disposable, I’ just like having a little more confidence in the tool

[LoopCutter]

I understand fully.
Being a member here for as long as I have that is one item I appreciate, one man’s favorite will not be the next’s.

And, besides the PIONEER blade and lifter and can opener are much more stout than on the other Celidor sets.

Being retired now, I do not need a stout do it awl solution.  Comfort and convenience are good characteristics.   Maybe that is why a MT is usually with reach.   Including a SPIRIT MXBS, or what it is tagged, in a cross body bag. Or a LM BOND in a waist bag for  walks.

If interested, my current preference order as of today is;
SPARTAN, PIONEER, COMPACT, CLIMBER, MOUNTAINEER.

I do have other variations of the SPARTAN favor. The EVO 10, 14, SPORTSMAN, TINKER, TOURIST!  Mostly on property carry, just to see if they win favor 🙄

I am always amazed by the function of this knife/tools.

[nate j]

The package opener did no more than a blade.

Q:  What’s a package opener?
A:  It’s like a knife blade, except useless for anything other than opening packages.
 

[nate j]

In theory, I like the idea of the compact. The list of tools check every box I want, and a two-layer to boot. The problem for me is the combo tool. I pushed my pioneers flat head to the limit a few times, to a point I know it would’ve damaged the combo tool. Maybe even a 91mm flat head. While those situations are few, and I could treat the knife as disposable, I’ just like having a little more confidence in the tool

I feel like this situation cries out for carry combo of a OPMT with a Compact.  The combo tool can even be used to generate extra torque on the OPMT.

The Compact certainly packs a lot of features into two layers.  It’s biggest drawback, IMO, is not having a good option for dealing with Phillips screws.  (I’m aware the corner of the combo tool may work on some Phillips screws, but this is not a good option.)

[Yanossauro]

I've been having the same questions as you do about the Companion Cellidor. To me, it just makes more sense to carry one as an urban EDC knife than my usual Mountaineer, that I carry almost every day, because I value scissors and file, and my beloved Spartans and Climbers don't have them.
I do have and carry often the Pioneer X, and like it so much that I don't feel the need to buy anothar alox SAK, BUT I do feel kind of naked when I don't have toothpick and tweezers with me, so I usually pair it with my CEO (a modified Rambler using 3D scales that pack toothpick, tweezers, pen and pin).
That being said, the price tag for the Companion is still too high for my liking, so I'll wait a little before I pull the trigger on a Companion.

Howdy all,

I’d like your input and thoughts about maybe switching up my EDC SAK. Keyword is “maybe.”

I’ve been carrying the same combo of an alox pioneer in my pocket and alox classic on my keys for going on 13 years now. I mainly use the classic for grooming. Scissors to trim mustache/beard hairs, file for fingernails, etc. I almost never use the knife and I occasionally use the driver tip, primarily for recessed Philips. I use the pioneer for a variety of tasks. The blade sees normal blade use, the large flat driver is used as a driver and pry tool, can opener is used as a Philips and metal fingernail for all kinds of random things. The awl is used as a secondary blade and general pokey type thing.

I’ve not been one to like a large pocket tool, tending always towards minimalism.  I don’t usually see a need to try to have every tool imaginable available on my SAK as I’m usually not far from dedicated tools. I also don’t like plastic in my EDC, so have gravitated towards alox. Their general robust, bomb proof construction appeals to me.

All that said, there have been several times when the other normal SAK tools would be handy like the eyeglass screwdriver, tweezers, pen, and sometimes larger scissors.

Now, with the recent introduction of the Companion in regular red cellidor, I’ve been considering whether it would be a good EDC that could replace both the pioneer and classic. It adds scale tools, has the eyeglass driver, has a nail file unlike other 91mm. The package opener is neutral for me. I rarely use the can opener as a can opener, and the package tool seems like it would still double as a metal finger nail. It’s also nice that the fingernail file could double as a light duty long reach Philips.

That being said, it still has the issues (at least to me) of plastic materials, less robust construction (snap on scales, aluminum liners, thinner blade and tool stock, smaller brass pins, etc), and lots of fiddly bits and bobs to potentially lose. I do occasionally need to pry with the large flathead, and the less robust construction of the Companion here gives me pause.  I also don’t love the recessed back springs for comfort and cleaning, and generally find cellidor SAKs more of a hassle to clean in general.

But…it also seems like an ideal “dad edc” for splinter removal, scissor use, eyeglass screw tightening, etc.  It would also have some slight benefit of social acceptance at work in a mostly office environment (though the lab and manufacturing floor are where I often need to pry stuff).

So, what say all of you.  MTO collective, impart your wisdom to me! 

[gustophersmob]

Well, look what the tooth fairy left on my porch today.

Initial impressions are…well, I don’t really know. The cellidor build is the same as always, with the drawbacks that I already knew about.

The package opener is much sharper than I expected, and I almost laid my thumb open pushing the tool open like I would the can opener. It’s too sharp to be used as a metal fingernail in the ways I usually do. I’ll also say, anyone thinking this tool on a blade less model is getting past TSA is going to be in for an expensive surprise.

I do like the inclusion of the nail file and hope that becomes an option on more tools.

I’m officially undecided, but unofficially I have a feeling this is being returned.

[nate j]

The package opener is much sharper than I expected, and I almost laid my thumb open pushing the tool open like I would the can opener. It’s too sharp to be used as a metal fingernail in the ways I usually do. I’ll also say, anyone thinking this tool on a blade less model is getting past TSA is going to be in for an expensive surprise.

Well, that’s disappointing.  Apparently, the package opener is going to be worth less than even I originally thought.

[gustophersmob]

Well, that’s disappointing.  Apparently, the package opener is going to be worth less than even I originally thought.

It probably comes down to what you need. I’m not necessarily saying it’s a bad tool, just that it won’t do what I want it to to replace the can opener.