Soldier On! 2026

BPRoberts · **Reply #690 on:** April 27, 2026, 01:05:29 AM

D+84

This can was left in the camper since last summer and bulging weird. Decided I probably didn't want to drink it. The can opener opens that part of a can too (I made a mess).

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D+85

Refilling and adjusting my butane Zippo insert.

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WECSOG · **Reply #691 on:** April 27, 2026, 03:53:46 AM

WECSOG · **Reply #692 on:** April 27, 2026, 05:34:54 PM

D+86

I've heard that fishing lures are designed to catch the fisherman. If it also happens to catch fish, that's a happy bonus. I've found that to be true. This one caught me recently.

These Rooster Tails have proven to be reasonably good for catching creek bass, if they don't catch a snag first!

BPRoberts · **Reply #693 on:** April 28, 2026, 02:03:45 AM

D+86

Slightly odd mini-challenge completion. My old Coleman messkit from my BSA days (not made in the USA, unfortunately) lives in this sailor's laundry bag, which my first pack of MREs came in. For some reason, I started throwing the spare accessory packs and stuff in there, and I just never stopped. I guess I'm set if the stores ever run out of TP again.

WECSOG · **Reply #694 on:** April 28, 2026, 07:15:40 PM

Quote from: BPRoberts on April 28, 2026, 02:03:45 AM

D+86

Slightly odd mini-challenge completion. My old Coleman messkit from my BSA days (not made in the USA, unfortunately) lives in this sailor's laundry bag, which my first pack of MREs came in. For some reason, I started throwing the spare accessory packs and stuff in there, and I just never stopped. I guess I'm set if the stores ever run out of TP again.

Nice kit!

D+87

This is my USGI M1942 mess kit. Stainless steel, dated 1961.

BPRoberts · **Reply #695 on:** April 29, 2026, 01:23:56 AM

I might have to dig mine out and check the date now.

D+87

I have one of those doctor knives, but a challenge is a challenge...

WECSOG · **Reply #696 on:** April 29, 2026, 01:46:56 AM

Quote from: BPRoberts on April 29, 2026, 01:23:56 AM

I might have to dig mine out and check the date now.

D+87

I have one of those doctor knives, but a challenge is a challenge...

Indeed it is! Good job splitting that pill.

I wonder if the serrated edge on my '08 would be an advantage. I suspect it might. Maybe I'll try it on an aspirin tomorrow.

WECSOG · **Reply #697 on:** April 29, 2026, 10:52:41 PM

D+88

I did try the serrated edge on an aspirin. It seems to require less effort than a plain edge, or maybe it's just my imagination. Half of the aspirin broke into pieces, though. Results: inconclusive.
It does work though, so that's good.

One more day to go!

WECSOG · **Reply #698 on:** April 30, 2026, 06:45:13 PM

D+89 AKA Day 90!

Used the saw to remove and section a boxelder maple that was shading my garden. MREs keep you in the fight, but it's good to eventually have some fresh food!
Wild grape vines were tangled in the upper part of the tree, so I used the knife blade to disconnect those.

BPRoberts · **Reply #699 on:** May 01, 2026, 01:37:52 AM

Closing out 88, 89, and 90!

We made it, team!

Last job for Ol' Red was opening some kitchenware.

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Here's all my Soldiers. I planned to space them out one a week or something, but I think I only posted 3 or 4 of them over the course of the challenge.

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And some final patina shots:

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Some nice "character development", especially on the front.

Pvt. WECSOG, you are relieved!

I compliment your dedication to the noble Order of the Swiss Army Knights. You're a real Soldier in my book.

If you're up for it, I'd be honored to see you in the Orange challenge next month. If not, take some well deserved R&R.

Either way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fWr6CBARMw

WECSOG · **Reply #700 on:** May 01, 2026, 02:24:43 AM

Quote from: BPRoberts on May 01, 2026, 01:37:52 AM

Closing out 88, 89, and 90!

We made it, team!

Last job for Ol' Red was opening some kitchenware.

[ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]

Here's all my Soldiers. I planned to space them out one a week or something, but I think I only posted 3 or 4 of them over the course of the challenge.

[ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]

And some final patina shots:

[ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]

[ Quoting of attachment images from other messages is not allowed ]

Some nice "character development", especially on the front.

Pvt. WECSOG, you are relieved! I compliment your dedication to the noble Order of the Swiss Army Knights. You're a real Soldier in my book.

If you're up for it, I'd be honored to see you in the Orange challenge next month. If not, take some well deserved R&R.

Either way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fWr6CBARMw

Thanks and congrats, BPR! This has been fun, and I learned a lot about living with a serrated edge. Mainly that it is possible!
I'll check out the Orange challenge. Looking forward to seeing your choices in the GSMRE!

nate j · **Reply #701 on:** May 01, 2026, 03:27:35 AM

To those who made it the full 90!

IMR4198 · **Reply #702 on:** May 01, 2026, 03:37:41 AM

WECSOG · **Reply #703 on:** May 01, 2026, 05:32:42 AM

BPRoberts · **Reply #704 on:** May 01, 2026, 04:58:28 PM

I realized I neglected my traditional end of challenge review:

I'm really glad I did this one. I own a lot of Camp/Scout pattern knives (I'm going to guess it's probably around 50, depending on how precisely you define the pattern). From $10 Chinese Demo Knife knockoffs, to $100+ vintage ones with fancy scales.

Ol' Red is the best of the lot, by far.

Nothing else matches the clean Vic walk and talk, that awl is the standard which all others should aspire too, the can opener driver covers a lot of common screws, and the "Sturdy Boy" Alox construction looks good, but holds up to whatever stupid stuff I throw at it. Alox really shines with fewer layers. I carried the Farmer X for a month, and I didn't think the bulk difference was worth it compared to a Huntsman. The Soldier can hold its own against the Spartan no problem.

I've done scout challenges before. It's a solid toolset that'll cover 90% of people 90% of the time. Some kind of scout belongs in every collection, and is a fair choice for an "only" knife. If looking for a scout pattern, and willing to spend more than about $30 (or can find a good deal on a used one), there's nothing that can compete. (The Marbles scouts have the bargain market down cold).

WECSOG · **Reply #705 on:** May 02, 2026, 03:59:31 AM

After action report:

I actually bought the '08 Soldier specifically for this challenge. I'm not really a fan of serrated blades, and was originally planning to use my '61 Soldier. But I read who comments from the first Soldier On Challenge by Nix, who likewise was not a fan and likewise decided to use the '08, and after some thought I decided to go for it. After all, this is the format that several countries have chosen for their militaries. Maybe I can learn something.

Actually, I get it. Sometimes in a military environment rope, hose, belting, wire etc. has to be cut. A serrated blade is more effective on those things, and a dull serrated blade still retains some cutting ability. Perhaps more so than a dull standard edge.
Of course the half serrated, half chisel edge is more difficult to sharpen than a standard edge. To be honest, I was just as hesitant to sign on to the chisel edge as the serrated. But again, various militaries apparently think it's a good idea.

As an aside, I started thinking of my military days and how one or two guys would learn how to do some gear maintenance chore that most of us couldn't do well or didn't want to bother with. That that one or two guys would barter with the others to do that job. Sharpening knives definitely falls into that category.

Anyway, back on topic. Yes, I still prefer a plain edge. But I was somewhat surprised to find how easy it was to live with the combo edge, even for normal jobs like slicing and dicing food. The plain edge is better for those jobs, but the combo edge is still fine. No real hassle. And the chisel edge? Not a problem. Not really even noticeable, for most jobs.
Now, some jobs did require a different approach. Stuff like opening heavy bags and boxes, where I would stick the point in and cut with the plain edge up, with the combo edge I slashed with the serrated edge down. The serrations worked well for using that technique; on the flip side, the serrations at the end of the blade made poking/stabbing really not very workable.

Overall, I found the blade to be very usable. Not too bad to sharpen, either. In fact the chisel edge was very easy to sharpen.

I used all of the tools. I would have really missed out on having the saw, had I gone with the '61. And that beefy, locking bottle opener/screwdriver/pry bar is one of the '08's best features. I've used the one of other SAKs as a pry bar too, but the one on the OHO 111s are a whole new level of strength.

I give it two thumbs up. I still wish they would bring back the plain edge OHO Trekker, though.