Appreciation for the Explorer

[Monrogue]

Explorer with added saw is a Woodsman, Explorer with added metal file is a Modeler.  Both retired sadly, but the Woodsman Lite gets close with adding a saw but swapping the magnifier for a LED. 

I have heard of the Woodsman on here a couple times, but I don't think I've heard of the Modeler.  I would have liked that one  

I should add that the ideal beefy SAK I mentioned above is more or less what I went for with my Yeochamp, only at the time I didn't think I cared about having the small blade and the opener layer.  Well, now I do like them, so I kick myself for that one a bit   However, overall it's really not that big of a deal as with the Yeochamp, I stick to 5 layers, but with the Explorer with the added metal file and fish scaler, that takes it to 6 layers.  I'm sure I'd cope fine with that at this point though.  I'm beginning to think I can never let myself be satisfied with what I already have

[derv]

I just purchased my first SAK after not really having an interest for many years. It is an Explorer, and I love it! I volunteer at a library archive and a museum where the magnifier is quite useful, one of the reasons I chose the Explorer. The blades are great for everyday use, and the inline driver/large flathead works well for removing the cowling of a Cessna when the strut needs air or the engine needs service.

I don't know why I didn't care for The SAK as I grew up/started carrying a knife...The cheesy knock-offs and weird promotional logos gave them a "cheap" look, I suppose. Now that I have a genuine SAK, though...I love it. I just visited the Victorinox store in Paris, France, and it was incredible. I wanted everything Alox, and several of the Cellidor models. Their kitchen knives are also quite nice (I love to cook) and though they are belittled by the knife guys, the Victorinox watches are actually extremely nice. Sorry for the derailment...Explorers rock! 

[tosh]

I think we need a group shot showing the various generations of Explorers, including the Damascus.

I probably won't get chance now until the end of next week - and that's a damn shame because my  "White Explorer Plus"  is just

[Wilfried]

@Monrogue

"

I'm beginning to think I can never let myself be satisfied with what I already have    

I guess it's inherent to human nature never to be completely satisfied with anything, but I'm getting philisophical here so I better knock it of... 

Nevertheless, the Explorer is a hell of a tool      except for some minor drawbacks: I for one have no use for the corkscrew -it could have been left out as far as I'm concerned if only for esthetic reasons- and as I already mentioned the nail file should be there, whether on the hook or otherwise.

[Hyatt181]

I have enjoyed the explorer since 2000 when I saw a buddy with one and saw the phillips.
Went to local dealer and ended up with a scientist and an explorer.
now I have several and have taken them apart to add an electrician blade instead of the small blade and added a pair of pliers.
Also anodized the liners and used blue plus scales.

Have gathered all the pieces to make one with a nail file in the small blade. Will probably use a light instead of the magnifying glass across from the phillips.

[Hyatt181]

[Hyatt181]

Modified explorer

[jerseydevil]

Very nice.  I like that tool setup! 

[Hyatt181]

To those who have done it. How are you putting the can and bottle openers across from the Phillips?


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[Monrogue]

Modified explorer

Very nice   I would love the electrician's blade in place of the regular small blade.

[Ross]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/15/qyrynega.jpg

love what you have done here.

I bought my Explorer about three months ago and was encouraged buy some of you here - like that's never happened to any one else before lol.

I've been using it non stop adapt from the 30 day climber challenge and also have taken it with me to NZ. It's been the perfect companion while away and am not sure how I am going to get home and use something else. While I have been away I've used the main blade as my meat cutting knife especially while camping and cuts a steak beautifully and the other tools for this and that - I've not used the mag yet but I would like to get an old explorer with the old mag.

I can see your views on the mag looking a little cheap but overall Love this knife - I would kill for the Woodsman though

This is my Explorer at the beach

[abd1959]

I carry a Climber daily but as the eyes age I find myself wishing for the magnifier. I may have to start carrying an Explorer, probably sooner than later.

Before I purchased my Explorer yesterday, I was somewhat critical about the magnifier, but it soon turned out to be a great tool. It should however have been fitted into a metal frame, but that's really the only minor concern as far is I can see.   

Hear Hear!!
I've been sayin' exactly the same. 

The Explorer was the first Victorinox I ever bought (still have it). It' a shame Victorinox  never added the saw to it and maybe the file too!!

As for myself, I don't miss the saw, but it would have been nice if the nail file would have been engraved  on the back side of the hook as on the Compact. But again that's a strictly personal thing.

The magnifier looks somewhat cheap in a plastic frame, doesn't it? But it's a great tool nevertheless.   

A metal frame would be cool, and it would look more like it belonged so to speak.  As it is now, the magnifier stands out since it's not SS like the rest of the implements around it.  Minor issue though.  I too would like the metal file added, as well as the nailfile on the hook, which I have said before should be standard for all of the hooks...why it's not is beyond me.  I also like the fish scaler as a misc. type tool (don't go fishing though), and it has a ruler.  So to me, I think my ideal (beefy) SAK would be the Explorer with the fish scaler, metal file and hook nailfile added. 

The magnifier is a handy little thing   The Explorer I recently got has the old 8x glass version.  I like it, but I think I prefer the slightly larger view window of the newer version (which I have on my Yeochamp).  The only thing with that is that it's only 5x magnification, but it's probably not really a big difference, at least not from what I can tell.

When was the changeover from 8X to 5X magnifiers? Is the 8X lens glass and the 5X lens plastic?

[Gareth]

The 8x magnifier was the older style with the grey plastic housing holding a glass lens.  When they moved over to the plastic lens (with clear housing) they changed to the 5x magnification.  Going buy my eye I'd say the new glass lens (with clear plastic housing) is still 5x magnification. 

[Wilfried]

The 8x magnifier was the older style with the grey plastic housing holding a glass lens.  When they moved over to the plastic lens (with clear housing) they changed to the 5x magnification.  Going buy my eye I'd say the new glass lens (with clear plastic housing) is still 5x magnification.

According to SAKWIKI:

The Magnifying Glass was first introduced in 1973 and featured a glass lens with an 8x magnification in a Grey plastic housing.

In 2007 the Magnifier was changed to a new model in a transparent plastic housing with a plastic lens and a magnification of 5x. The 2007 magnifier has a slightly lower level of magnification, and a slightly wider area of view due to the slimmer housing and lower magnification.


On the website of the shop were I purchased my Explorer however, the magnifier was advertised as an 8x. Nevertheless a magnification of 5x is sufficient for what I need the tool for.

What I would have liked to see on the Victorinox should have been similar to the magnifier on the Wenger Minathor Evo.

http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-browse_image.php?imageId=3113

The identifier of my Explorer is as follows: 1.6703 Victorinox AN: red Cellidor scales

[bmot]

Modified explorer

That does look like you could call it a Victorinox 557

[tosh]

I think we need a group shot showing the various generations of Explorers, including the Damascus.

I probably won't get chance now until the end of next week - and that's a damn shame because my  "White Explorer Plus"  is just

Well, I managed to sneak off for 5min, apologies for the quality - its pitch black here in the UK so I had to improvise using a torch 

[tosh]

A couple more.....


Note the state of the end grain in the bottom picture. Quality huh 

[tosh]

I think we need a group shot showing the various generations of Explorers, including the Damascus.

I probably won't get chance now until the end of next week - and that's a damn shame because my  "White Explorer Plus"  is just

Well, I managed to sneak off for 5min, apologies for the quality - its pitch black here in the UK so I had to improvise using a torch 

Black - 1st Generation grey housing/glass lens
Red   - 2nd Generation plastic housing/plastic Len
Damascus - 3rd Generation plastic housing/glass lens

White - 2nd Generation with white "Plus" scales fitted 

[sir_mike]

The 8x magnifier was the older style with the grey plastic housing holding a glass lens.  When they moved over to the plastic lens (with clear housing) they changed to the 5x magnification.  Going buy my eye I'd say the new glass lens (with clear plastic housing) is still 5x magnification.

I still love the Explorer!  To me it has the best tool set for it size! 

What magnification is it on the new ones? 

The newest Explorers (and Swisschamps) have the clear housing but now have actual glass (I think) that you can pop out!

[Mr. Whippy]

Thread has inspired me.  I had this older Explorer in my box of donors.  I decided to put these sapphire scales on it.

[Monrogue]

Nice Explorers Tosh and Mr. Whippy

[splico]

The 8x magnifier was the older style with the grey plastic housing holding a glass lens.  When they moved over to the plastic lens (with clear housing) they changed to the 5x magnification.  Going buy my eye I'd say the new glass lens (with clear plastic housing) is still 5x magnification.

@sir_mike

6x
http://b2b.victorinox.ch/A219/evolution%20of%20magnifying%20glass.pdf

[Wilfried]

The 8x magnifier was the older style with the grey plastic housing holding a glass lens.  When they moved over to the plastic lens (with clear housing) they changed to the 5x magnification.  Going buy my eye I'd say the new glass lens (with clear plastic housing) is still 5x magnification.

@sir_mike

6x
http://b2b.victorinox.ch/A219/evolution%20of%20magnifying%20glass.pdf

Good info!   

[burnside]

This thread has inspired me to carry my 80's era red Explorer today.
 

[ICanFixThat]

Soon to be EDC.

[sir_mike]

The 8x magnifier was the older style with the grey plastic housing holding a glass lens.  When they moved over to the plastic lens (with clear housing) they changed to the 5x magnification.  Going buy my eye I'd say the new glass lens (with clear plastic housing) is still 5x magnification.

@sir_mike

6x
http://b2b.victorinox.ch/A219/evolution%20of%20magnifying%20glass.pdf

Thanks for the info.  I was curious!

[Gareth]

The 8x magnifier was the older style with the grey plastic housing holding a glass lens.  When they moved over to the plastic lens (with clear housing) they changed to the 5x magnification.  Going buy my eye I'd say the new glass lens (with clear plastic housing) is still 5x magnification.

@sir_mike

6x
http://b2b.victorinox.ch/A219/evolution%20of%20magnifying%20glass.pdf

Good to know.

[ICanFixThat]

Carl Elsener Sr. Explorer - 2013 Damascus Limited Edition.

[NG VI]

The orange alox Explorer a few pages back is gorgeous!

[Monrogue]

Looks good ICFT