Nice. Where'd you get the clip?
Well said, sir. I too have not carried an Explorer for 30+ days because of the Alox Challenge. Though I love the thinness and aesthetic of Alox, its nice to have an Explorer back in my pocket. Its my all time fave.
I have such mixed feelings about the Explorer!I love it for nostalgia reasons - it was my first SAK that I got while in the Boy Scouts. But...I'm really of two minds about the Phillips/mag glass layer. Sure, they are fine tools. The problem is that the 2D can opener Phillips can do 90 - 95% of what the 3D Phillips can do. Not to mention the fact that the driver is too thick to reach many recessed screws I come across. It's also the wrong size - I wish it were more of a #0/#1 as opposed to the #1/#2 size that it is. That would make it have somewhat less overlap with the Can Opener. Also, it's too short (e.g. - too short to reach screws on a door knob, for example)! My original Explorer is a mid 90s model and the driver is longer. I bought a new one last year with the idea that I would carry/use that one from time to time and preserve my first SAK. But the driver is shorter for no apparent reason. I've read that it's because of the change in mag glass over the years, but I'm not sure about that. There's a pretty big gap between the two tools on that layer. The driver could be longer by at least 1/8" without any issue opening/closing the new style mag glass that I can see.I have actually found the 58mm Combo Tool Phillips to be VASTLY more useful and versatile. It can do anything from #00 to #2 screws! I keep a Rambler in my pockets at all times. To be fair, most of the screws I encounter are in electronics and kids toys where #0 and #1 size screws are by far the most commonly used. You don't see many #2 screws in that arena, though they are used much more in construction and furniture.The mag glass is great and I do use it from time to time when working on things like computer/networking equipment. But it's not something I need to keep in my pocket 100% of the time. Instead I keep my Explorer out on my desk so it's handy when I'm tinkering with stuff.So... yeah. I think the Explorer is great! And I don't end up carrying it much. I'm much more likely to be carrying a Spartan/Tinker/Recruit along with a Rambler. The Deluxe Tinker is attractive with the pliers though!
My exact feelings also...It's a good SAK for sure, it's also a "looker", i've carried it for a couple of months when i bought it.But it always felt like carrying a bulky 4 layer SAK for the same benefit of a Climber really... I honestly think that the inline Phillips is highly overrated vs it's actual function and usability. It looks great, but is it really that much more usable than the can opener SD for example...? For real life sporadic use...?I can get more SD variety and functionality with any other smaller SAK's (84 or 91mm) and a bit adapter with some bits than the inline phillips.Also the Mag glass has very limited use for me, it's very small, and if i want to quickly enlarge something to see, i'll just grab my phone and take a pic of it..., much more useful to enlarge anything, IMO. Also the Mag glass is by far the most fragile part on any SAK.So, even if i like the Explorer, i really don't actually carry it anymore. For 4 layers in an urban setting, i'd rather carry a Deluxe Tinker, much more real world functionality
I honestly think that the inline Phillips is highly overrated vs its actual function and usability. It looks great, but is it really that much more usable than the can opener SD for example...? For real life sporadic use...?Also the Mag glass has very limited use for me,So, even if i like the Explorer, i really don't actually carry it anymore. For 4 layers in an urban setting, i'd rather carry a Deluxe Tinker, much more real world functionality
Very interesting perspectives by awl. The in-line Phillips is definitely one tool that I miss when I’m carrying just a farmer. The screwdriver tip of the can opener really cannot compare to the full on Phillips for me. This is because the Phillips driver can handle many different sizes of Phillips screws even smaller ones without slipping out IME it is much more robust as well. I find that the can opener screwdriver on my farmer has lost a bunch of metal in my many attempts at trying to use it as a Phillips. It has worn down and chipped pretty well from use on the tip, although the in-line Phillips on my 1980s explorer may be worn down a slight bit from use, it still works like a champ. No slippage. It’s basically like having a screwdriver in my pocket I can’t really say the same thing for the screwdriver tip on the can opener. It’s just not even close.The other tool that I miss when carrying the farmer is the mag glass. I’ve actually had to start carrying a jewelers loop around with me bic I miss it so much. Ha The Explorer mag glass is great for looking at gold nuggets up close, a map, or text that is too small. I also like to open it at the top and put it down on the table to use it as a mini microscope. It makes a great fire starter and once even lit a cigar with it when my lighter failed. It’s funny how we all have such different perspectives because the two tools that are making me miss the explorer the most are the in-line Phillips and the mag I really wanna get some 91mm metal scales for one of my explorers… Alox Explorer
I completely understand what you are saying, and your perspective, but it obviously depends on the use, frequency, and user.I like the freedom of having the can opener for most incidental jobs, and using my bit adapter with the bottle opener, there for having as much inline SD's i want without having an extra thick layer dedicated just to one SD. However my usage is on a "in a pinch" needed situation, and not on recurrent or job retated situations, for that id carry an actual screwdriver, or dedicated toolset
I missed the bit adapter from your first post. How’s that set up? Is it a leatherman adapter?
That's a 3/8" drive (ratchet) to 1/4" bit adapter, correct?
No, just a regular hex bit adapter from one of my regular bits kit, it's square section fits bottle openers perfectly. (Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)
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