Soldier On! 2026

[Farmer X]

Time to give this one the ol' Is anyone else prepared to sign their name on the dotted line?

[BPRoberts]

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2. Barry Rowland
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Haven't decided on a carry yet, but I'm in.

[WECSOG]

I'm in, so long as it doesn't interfere with the January Black Out Challenge.

1. Farmer X
2. Barry Rowland
3. BPRoberts
4. WECSOG
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[WECSOG]

Previously in this space, I had asked some questions that demonstrated that I had not properly read the destructions prior to engaging my noisemaker. So I deleted all that and will just say that I plan to use my 08 marked 1961 Soldier. Unless of course it is deemed kosher to use my Swisschamp. Or, I decide to get myself an 08 Soldier, which is tempting but I don't think I would want to use a chisel grind or serrated blade (let alone a combo of the two) for all of my knife chores. So if the Swisschamp is no bueno, it will be my '61 Soldier.

[Farmer X]

Haven't decided on a carry yet, but I'm in.

Looking forward to seeing what you decide on!

If the Swisschamp is no bueno, it will be my '61 Soldier.

The '61 Soldier will work great. I completed the first Soldier On! challenge with a Pioneer. And this challenge won't interfere with the Black Out challenge, as it starts on 31 January.

[WECSOG]

Looking forward to seeing what you decide on!
The '61 Soldier will work great. I completed the first Soldier On! challenge with a Pioneer. And this challenge won't interfere with the Black Out challenge, as it starts on 31 January.

Thanks! 

[fullbreakfast]

What are the rules about carrying other things?  Is it forbidden to carry other SAKs / MTs?

[Farmer X]

Yes, unless you encounter a task that your soldier is not equipped to handle.

[Goodnight Robicheaux]

Would a Pioneer X with Alox handles qualify for this ?

[campussecurity]

The ideas here get my thoughts flowing back to the Scouts days. May join with this, pulled out of a shed after grandpa in law passed. Or may ebay an 08 Soldier or Trekker.

[fullbreakfast]

Yes, unless you encounter a task that your soldier is not equipped to handle.

Thanks. I don’t think I could put myself through 90 days without the full size Victorinox scissors, so I won’t join in this time.

[Farmer X]

Would a Pioneer X with Alox handles qualify for this ?

As it was never military issue nor a functional civilian equivalent to same, a Pioneer X would not qualify for this challenge. A Pioneer would, though.

May join with this, pulled out of a shed after grandpa in law passed. Or may ebay an 08 Soldier or Trekker.

This is strictly an SAK challenge. Check eBay for 08s, one-hand Trekkers, and Pioneers. I'd love to have you join in! Those GI knives are cool, though; do you have a Camillus, a Schrade, or another make?

I don’t think I could put myself through 90 days without the full size Victorinox scissors, so I won’t join in this time.

You could always do the 30-day Soldier challenge if 90 days is too much.

[fullbreakfast]

You could always do the 30-day Soldier challenge if 90 days is too much.

This is going to sound pathetic, but it would still be too long for me. I could do it, but I know it would be a source of daily annoyance to me not to have Vic scissors in my pocket.

[Farmer X]

I won't begrudge you for not wanting to give up the scissors. For many years, they were one of my most-used SAK tools.

[WECSOG]

Brave AI sez:

Several countries have officially issued or approved Victorinox knives for military use, including:

    Switzerland – The originator and primary user, issuing the Victorinox Soldier 08 as the standard military knife since 2008.

    Germany – Uses the Gewehr- und Jagdmesser (GAK), a 111mm model designed by Victorinox to German military specifications.

    Netherlands – Issues the Dienstmes (DAK), a version of the Soldier model that includes a seatbelt cutter for emergency use.

    Norway – Officially uses a Victorinox model, often customized for arctic conditions.

    Malaysia – Issues a camouflaged version known as the ATM (Army Tactical Model), based on the Outrider design with a Phillips screwdriver.

    France – Has approved and issued various Victorinox models to its armed forces.

    United States – While not standard issue, the U.S. military has approved certain Victorinox models (e.g., NSN 1095-01-653-1166) for procurement and use, and some units have purchased them through the Defense Logistics Agency.

    Singapore – Issues the Trailmaster/Trekker model to its armed forces.

Victorinox has supplied knives to the armed forces of over 20 countries, either officially or through unit-level adoption, often with custom modifications for local requirements.

Victorinox military issue knives

[Farmer X]

That's quite the list...and with so many of those being 111mm, it's making me wish I wasn't so light of wallet.

[WECSOG]

That's quite the list...and with so many of those being 111mm, it's making me wish I wasn't so light of wallet.

  I wish I could find one of the Malaysian Army Outriders. It looks like the ideal knife for rhis challenge. It has everything the '08 has plus scissors, the inline Phillips screwdriver, and even the tweezers and toothpick! And, it has a plain edge blade, which I prefer. It awlso has a slidelock which I prefer over the linerlock. The blade is not OHO, but I actually don't mind that either.

There is one on Ebay, but it's $420! 

I would be asking if the standard Outrider would be a suitable alternative, but I figure it wouldn't because it has a corkscrew instead of the back layer Phillips.

ETA: I did order an '08. Nix made it through the original Soldier On with one, so maybe I can too. Or, I have until Jan. 31 to return it if I decide to just use my '61.
I had a $50 Amazon gift card burning a hole in my pocket, and there the '08 was on Amazon staring me in the face for $50. What's a fellow to do?

[Barry Rowland]

I'll second the slide lock.  I wish all mine were sliders, but the RAF Hunter is my only one presently. 

[WECSOG]

I'll second the slide lock.  I wish all mine were sliders, but the RAF Hunter is my only one presently. 

My only slide lock is a Rucksack.

[Farmer X]

I would be asking if the standard Outrider would be a suitable alternative, but I figure it wouldn't because it has a corkscrew instead of the back layer Phillips.

That is correct. And that Malaysian Army Outrider...

[SubMY]

This was a grand old time last time around! I'll have to think about whether I want to participate this time. My pioneer still gets carried occasional, but since I'm no longer in the military I tend to carry a huntsman nowadays. Back in the day I had enough tools and other things close by with a gerber or LM on my belt, that the slim tough pioneer was good. But nowadays I like having the scissors and saw on one tool.

 

Here's a picture of the pioneer from last time. Pictured with a rangergrip, which if I was in charge would have been chosen over the 111m series as the new issued knife in 2008.

 

[WECSOG]

Got my '08 Soldier a few days ago, and I've been carrying and using it some. Here it is shown with my '61.
I have until Jan. 31 to return it if I decide I don't like it. I think I'm gonna keep it and carry it for the Challenge. I definitely prefer a regular edge, but I'm liking this one more than I thought I would.

[Farmer X]

Oh, this is getting good. Somehow I think that 08 will make a showing!

[WECSOG]

Oh, this is getting good. Somehow I think that 08 will make a showing!

[IMR4198]

1. Farmer X
2. Barry Rowland
3. BPRoberts
4. WECSOG
5. IMR4198
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    I think I can make it for 30 days and try for that badge without boring myself and everyone else to death.  I have a Victorinox Trooper (big surprise, right?) that meets the 108mm GAK requirements.  I think.  I'm pretty sure I know where I stashed it.  I'm surprised so few people are signing up.  Lots of eligible SAKs out there and some big fans of the things.  Maybe the 90 day thing is keeping them back.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[IMR4198]

    I think I can make it for 30 days and try for that badge without boring myself and everyone else to death.  I have a Victorinox Trooper (big surprise, right?) that meets the 108mm GAK requirements.  I think.  I'm pretty sure I know where I stashed it.  I'm surprised so few people are signing up.  Lots of eligible SAKs out there and some big fans of the things.  Maybe the 90 day thing is keeping them back.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

    I took a little look at the last time the 30 day Soldier challenge was held in 2020.  It was very popular.  I am thinking that it was meant for the Wenger and Victorinox made 93mm Soldier models however.  Or their civilian counterparts like the Sturdy Boy or Pioneer.  Doesn't look like any further stretching of the rules would allow anything else.  That would put me out for that badge.   I like to follow precedent whenever possible.  I will leave my name on the list for a while but may end up taking it down.  I like all the friends who signed up for the challenge already.  It would have been fun being with them again.  Best wishes.  Gary (IMR)
 

[Barry Rowland]

I was in that challenge Gary.  I carried a 108mm GAK.  As long as it was military issued, it was good.  I don't believe you'll have any problems with yours.

[IMR4198]

  I appreciate the kind reply.  Perhaps I am not out of this one yet.  There weren't really any SAKs for sale in my town.  I put a lot of stock in poring over different catalogs of outdoor equipment when I could get them.  I remember looking at the Sturdy Boys and thinking they might be just the ticket for an all-purpose knife.  I watched some sort of travel show on TV where the host went to Switzerland.  He visited the Victorinox factory and then asked a soldier if he was in the Swiss Army.  When he answered yes, the host asked if he had a Swiss Army Knife.  He did, and produced from a pocket one of the issue aluminum handled beauties.  I saw that was what looked like the old Sturdy Boy model that I had been looking at. 
  By that time, I had actually acquired two SAK already.  I received a Pocket Pal for a gift and didn't care for it.  I never carried it and my Dad made it disappear.  Then I bought the 108mm sometime after that.  I didn't care much for it either and put it in a drawer for a while.  Finally I got out of a pocket knife and remembered the Trooper.  Got it out and started carrying it.  There was a Spartan and a Huntsman in the mix there somewhere.  I might have gotten them before the Trooper.  I didn't care for either of them and they got traded off.  It took quite a while to get over carrying a stockman.  I carried some other things like an Uncle Henry LB7 for a while.  I think I had a Puma that was the same sort of thing.  Some other stuff that I have forgotten about.  I have had hundreds of knives.  I decided that the Bear Paw and Puma or Buck 110 or maybe all three were too heavy.  I got rid of them and never looked back.  I didn't like wood handles much and really didn't like the weight and the way brass turned color and smelled. 
  After I carried the Trooper a while, I liked it.  Nylon handles.  Big but fairly light.  I used the screwdriver quite a bit along with the awl.  I got comfortable with it, and it with me.  My Dad wanted to carry it for a day.  Seems he had traded himself out of a knife.  He hated it.  Didn't like the size or the plastic, I suppose.  That knife was about all I carried until I joined this multi tool place.  Then I got corrupted by all the stuff on here.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[ThundahBeagle]

The ideas here get my thoughts flowing back to the Scouts days. May join with this, pulled out of a shed after grandpa in law passed. Or may ebay an 08 Soldier or Trekker.

^^^ THIS is what I was going to ask about.  As I understand it the US Combat Knife is. K-Bar.  Yes the first bunch of Vic stuff allowed was based on this design.

I dont own one but was reading through to see of it was allowed as it predated the Metal Army SAK by 15 years or so

[ThundahBeagle]

I'll second the slide lock.  I wish all mine were sliders, but the RAF Hunter is my only one presently. 

I've got a 111mm Rucksack slide lock.  Pretty old but I like it a lot.  Granted the lock is not as solid as the modern liner locks, but it's still good.  Got it from Lynn LeFay!