Recruit: What a lovely little knife!

[Smaug]

When we are looking at this size of SAK, we often overlook the simple Recruit, because if it's lower tool density compared to the Small Tinker or Sportsman.

I just ate a mango with my Recruit, and although the large blade is a little small for the job, I was struck by what a comfortable little knife it is! No tools in the back means it just feels GREAT in the hand.

With apologies to the alox fans here, the cellidor just has a great smooth, warm feeling too.

This does not factor in, but an Economy Recruit was also my first SAK as a lad.

I don't think I'll give up my Sportsman or Small Tinker, but as a pure user knife, it is sure hard to beat one of these little guys.

In other news, I think I will bring in my old Adventurer (tinker, but with a large locking blade) to replace the Recruit in my desk here at work. It seems I mostly use it for food prep, and this blade is just not quite long enough to handle it with grace. It gets 'er done with more comfort than a Rambler, but still not quite enough knife.

[magentus]

I'll second that. I got one in a swap with Rayraychil and I was struck by what a nice little knife it is - very comfortable as you say.

Mine currently lives in my tobacco tin FAK, but I do get it out to play with every now and then (!)

Lets hear it for the Recruit!

[Wire Edge]

I like the Recruit a lot.  It's my dedicated can opener in the kitchen, and the main blade is often used to shred junk mail.  It's a handy little tool.

[kitbeard]

Nice to see the Recruit appreciated because I believde it's a badly under-appreciated tool.  I've had a Recruit with ecoline scales for about eighteen months now and got more use from its secondary pen blade than the Cadet's nail file and prefer to carry it over both the Recruit and my Sportsman.  Completely agree about how comfortable the Recruit is in use and think that's partly the result of its width as well as the lack of backside tools.

[AimlessWanderer]

I have a lovely serrated Recruit and it does indeed feel good in hand.
Shame I plan on ripping it apart one day really, but no scissors & no corkscrew/mini driver is a bit of an obstacle for me

[clickstop]

+1  The Recruit is my most favorite knife out of all the SAKs I have, it got me addicted to the 84mm frame, as well as nylon scales. I agree with you too Smaug, alox is great but the warm feeling you get from those scales just makes it that much better.
Great knife, just wish it had scissors 

[Sazabi]

While I don't have a Recruit, I do have a Wenger Apprentice, the closest thing to a Recruit in the current Wenger lineup.  I do like it, but rarely carry it, as I prefer my Victorinox knives more.

[Smaug]

I have a lovely serrated Recruit and it does indeed feel good in hand.
Shame I plan on ripping it apart one day really, but no scissors & no corkscrew/mini driver is a bit of an obstacle for me

Did you consider buying a Compact, and keeping the Recruit?

[AimlessWanderer]

I have a lovely serrated Recruit and it does indeed feel good in hand.
Shame I plan on ripping it apart one day really, but no scissors & no corkscrew/mini driver is a bit of an obstacle for me

Did you consider buying a Compact, and keeping the Recruit?

One day  I'll be building myself a serrated 84mm with scissors, corkscrew and woodsaw 

[dks]

While I don't have a Recruit, I do have a Wenger Apprentice, the closest thing to a Recruit in the current Wenger lineup. I do like it, but rarely carry it, as I prefer my Victorinox knives more.

So, summarising, you need to get a Recruit 

[MARIOS7319]

+1 from me also 
Very nice SAK, simple but practical.

[Steinar]

The Recruit is a great knife. A sad thing about the hollow Vic scales is the Vics with no backside tools have an even more hollow sound when tapping the scales with a nail or similar. Strange thing to comment about, perhaps. I carried a Recruit as EDC quite a lot a while.

[Marius]

A Recruit with Economy nylon scales was my first SAK as well. That was 18 years ago and at the time I do not think it said "Recruit" on the box I got it in. I still have it, all scratched up from use but still in good working order.

 

[cbl51]

Of course after post my own recruit thread, I see this one a page back. I should have used a search function.

But the recruit does hold a very special place in my heart. It's like the most user friendly of the basic SAK, and with a smooth back, is most comfortable for whittling or extended cutting. The fact that I can replace it at the next big box store for the price of lunch for me and the better half is gravy for the potatoes. It has just the right amount of minimal tools that you need for day to day activities in urban or suburban areas.

The recruit is a great knife.

[volbu]

Yesterday just received my first 84mm vic which was a recruit eco.
I m really happy with the feel in my hands , I think it ll be my favorite since i ll mod the small blade a bit for whittling!
Already waiting for another recruit So I give a try to some modding! 

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

For me, the problem with the Recruit is no scissors. 

[gustophersmob]

Although I prefer Alox, I really like the recruit. IMO, it is the best stock SAK for whittling.

1) The 84mm frame is quite comfortable
2) No backspring tools
3) Springs are flush with the liner

#2 and 3 are what keep me away from every other cellidor SAK.  They are also what make this a great knife for whittling.

[charlie fox]

I've carried a Recruit almost constantly since 1987 all over the world. While other tools are nice, this one is the one I keep coming back to for my adventures. I've probably gifted twenty if them to folks I've met in many corners of the globe...

[colt 1911]

Just got the recruit and i have to say, sometimes less is more.  Love the sak