Slots in general?

[stugumby]

There seems to be lots of discussion about the slots on the Victorinox Synergy. Lots of it will allow in dirt and debris. Then look at the many multi tools that have skeletonized handles. Example Gerber Truss. Any pocket knife or multitool has the potential to get dirt and debris in it. It seems to be a non issue to the companies that made them?

[Chako]

It is a non issue.

Dirt will get into anything. Frankly I have yet to see a hermetically sealed knife blade on any knife. This means all knives will allow dirt in.

You could reverse the issue and claim those exact slots will make cleaning the knife easier.

[lister]

They keep the material and charge more for the holes! What do they think they are??? The swiss and their cheeses? 

Oh wait, they are swiss. Welp, I've got nothing then... 

[nate j]

It is a non issue.

You could reverse the issue and claim those exact slots will make cleaning the knife easier.

Folding knives have been made for many years with what I would call “open” or “partially open” designs.  There has not been some major problem with these getting junked up as opposed to “closed” designs.  If anything, as noted above, they are probably easier to clean.

L to R:  closed, partially open, partially open, open

[AzteCypher]

They keep the material and charge more for the holes! What do they think they are??? The swiss and their cheeses? 

Oh wait, they are swiss. Welp, I've got nothing then... 

Well... now I want a ham and swiss cheese sandwich.

[lister]

 

 

[Grant Lamontagne]

IMHO the slots are a non issue in the Synergy with regard to dirt ingress, largely for the points already made above.

I don't like them, but they aren't an issue.

Honestly though, I am not a fan of the slots or fancy cutouts in a lot of tools.  Some are well enough designed that they are legitimately shedding weight while maintaining strength, but in most cases the amount of weight in structural supports that have to be added to offset the inherent weakness of the holes also offsets the weight saving. 

Sure they look cool, but that gets you into the question of "Am I buying this because it's useful and fits my needs or because it looks peachy keen?"

There's value to each of those arguments, provided you are aware of them and willing to accept the reality of it.  I am the last person to throw shade at anyone for buying something because it looks cool.

Personally my dislike for them in the Synergy series is why I also dislike the locks in the Synergy series, and it's not anything wrong with the design, it's that it is different and I can't get used to it.

I've been using ALOX models for decades.  I have been using three layer ALOX models since long before there were three layer ALOX models.  The one thing they have all had in common is they felt and worked a certain way, and now they are different and changing my habit to use them differently despite everything else being the same is weird and scary.

As for the slots themselves?  There is probably no legitimate reason to complain about them.

But I am going to anyways.

And then I am going to go yell at some clouds.

Def

[Chako]

I've been using ALOX models for decades.  I have been using three layer ALOX models since long before there were three layer ALOX models.  The one thing they have all had in common is they felt and worked a certain way, and now they are different and changing my habit to use them differently despite everything else being the same is weird and scary.

 

I have mentioned already how much I dislike the very strong backspring combined with a liner lock that feels like Russian Roulette every time I go to close it. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

And in traditional Victorinox fashion, the liner lock is left handed.

Def

[Chako]

Hmmmm. You are correct. I never noticed that. I have to wonder if that played a part in my disliking it. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I carried the OHT often enough that I got used to a left handed liner lock, but the 111mm series feels very different from a 93mm ALOX model.

I wouldn't honestly mind the Synergy much if they had changed the handle shape, even slightly.  Maybe that's why they did the slots?   

But as it doesn't change the feel of the knife significantly it just feels like every other ALOX knife and I revert to standard ALOX programming.

Especially since, as you pointed out, I also had to fight a back spring to get it open

Def

[Petri Lipponen]

Holes looks questionable and like the knife is designed by AI but they dont have anything to do with how the knife works

Maybe thats how you market liner lock as something innovative and modern in 2020s

Id love to own one even though I dont love the design visually but local Victorinox importer doesnt care

[Richard Zheng]

It is easier for stuff to get in, but it is also easy for stuff to get out when cleaning.

Just run it under a tap when you notice it getting gunked up and then oil it afterwards