MiniChamp November to Remember Challenge 2023

[FolderBeholder]

Thank you.
I thought I had done a MiniChamp challenge, but according to my badges I haven't. 

[powernoodle]

I thought I had done a MiniChamp challenge, but according to my badges I haven't. 

Same here.  But there are a similar Challenge or two, and those I have done.

[PitCarver]

    Now all you have to do is swear the MiniChamp oath.  Repeat after m...   What....?  Are you sure....?  There's no MiniChamp oath....?  You're sure....  She doesn't have to.....? 
    Correction.  No oath required.  You just need to have fun.  You're in.  Best wishes.  G
 
   

There IS a MiniChamp oath, but it's super secret.



So super secret that I don't even know it.
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But I still carry one all the time.

[Explorer]

"for the month of November 2023, I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will carry and use the MiniChamp by Victorinox on all tasks, big or small."

 

[PitCarver]

"for the month of November 2023, I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will carry and use the MiniChamp by Victorinox on all tasks, big or small."

 

I second this motion.

Do we need to call for a vote?  😎

[AzteCypher]

New to the forum but not new to SAKs.  Alright if I join this fun bunch?

1. Explorer
2. glenfiddich1983
3. Simon_Templar
4. MTSAK
5. IMR4198
6. PitCarver
7. ReamerPunch
8. Fireman
9. stoer
10. marlowe221
11. FolderBeholder
12. AzteCypher

[Explorer]

welcome aboard AzteCypher!   

and welcome to 

 

[IMR4198]

    Welcome.  This place is sort of like an AA for Sakaholics to begin with.  Biggest difference is whenever somebody feels like they are being tempted they don't call a friend.  Here they just give in to temptation and brag about it afterward.  Usually with photographic evidence. 
    You don't see much in the way of nasty comments and messing with people here.  Not like most forums.  Folks are friendly.  They share stuff.  Tell things about their lives and talk like neighbors.  Unique.   Best wishes.  Gary (IMR)
 

[Explorer]

 

[powernoodle]

This Challenge should be included in the first post of the 30 Day Challenges for 2023 thread.   

[Explorer]

yeah I did try to get it added but looks like it didn't get added- I'll see if I can 

[VICMAN]

I'm in.

1. Explorer
2. glenfiddich1983
3. Simon_Templar
4. MTSAK
5. IMR4198
6. PitCarver
7. ReamerPunch
8. Fireman
9. stoer
10. marlowe221
11. FolderBeholder
12. AzteCypher
13. VICMAN

[Explorer]

welcome aboard VICMAN! 

[VICMAN]

welcome aboard VICMAN! 

Thank you Explorer!

[PitCarver]

Ol' Grumpy is starting to get antsy now.
Dug out some bits from their boxes trying to find a grungy MiniChamp to go with the brass Chinese bird clip thingamobob.  Closest I could find was my fading camo scaled one that I got in a handyman special deal.

I'm looking for a set of brass scales that don't cost more that the knife itself , now.

[IMR4198]

Wowsers, Pit,
     That has to be the strangest clip that I have ever seen.  I hate to think of the convoluted mind of whoever designed it.  Someone told me that the camo Vics wear off to plain black.  Looks like that is true.  I'm starting to get enthusiastic about this MiniChamp program.  Best wishes. G

[Explorer]

nice one PC 

it's great seeing beat up minichamps

 

[PitCarver]

Wowsers, Pit,
     That has to be the strangest clip that I have ever seen.  I hate to think of the convoluted mind of whoever designed it.  Someone told me that the camo Vics wear off to plain black.  Looks like that is true.  I'm starting to get enthusiastic about this MiniChamp program.  Best wishes. G

I'd seen the clips pop up on the eBay from time to time and thought they were kinda cool looking, but just to much to justify.  This brass one was on Temu for about $4.00.  stainless was about $6.00 so I got both for less than one off the eBay.
It's sold brass too.  Started a patina to go with the rings (an eBay buy).

Black base. Yep, it's one of the things that I really think that Victorinox could fix.  All the nice Limited Edition SD's that end up wearing off if you use them turns me off on them.

nice one PC 

it's great seeing beat up minichamps

 

Thanks Explorer.  I had this one before I ventured into Alox and carried it a lot.  I tried tried to stave off the wearing away of the camo.   You can see that it didn't work.

[marlowe221]

I’m really looking forward to the challenge. It’s been a while since I participated in one.

But it’s going to be strange to only be carrying a 58mm SAK!

[powernoodle]

But it’s going to be strange to only be carrying a 58mm SAK!

Generalissimo E can confirm, but I believe that you can carry as many SAKs and MTs as you want - just use the Mini Champ whenever possible, and deploy the others only when the Mini cannot handle the job (like tightening a bolt).

 

[IMR4198]

    Explorer left a request for the MiniChamp challenge to be put on the list of challenges for 2023.  I never saw a reply. 
    I plan on carrying a MiniChamp for 30 days.  Post some boring photos.  Leave my SAKs and other multitools at home.  I can't tell anybody else what to do.  Sounds like it could be fun.  Obviously, if you work as a mechanic, cabinetmaker, plumber, carpenter, electrician, meat cutter, etc, there is no way to go 30 days without making a living.  Got to pay bills and keep Honey Bunny from making those frowny faces.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[Simon_Templar]

Generalissimo E can confirm, but I believe that you can carry as many SAKs and MTs as you want - just use the Mini Champ whenever possible, and deploy the others only when the Mini cannot handle the job (like tightening a bolt).

This has been discussed before in this thread:

The official rules for the MCNTR challenge are as follows:

✅  Carry and use any variation of the Victorinox MiniChamp exclusively during the month of November.

✅  Post a photo daily of your MiniChamp.

✅   If you have to use a tool other than the MiniChamp, stand at attention and explain yourself.

✅  Participants who successfully complete the challenge can apply for the MiniChamp 30 day Challenge

Incidentally, I cannot help but wonder why one would want to participate in a challenge if one is unwilling to commit to carrying just one SAK for thirty days. This is the whole point of the exercise! Carrying all the SAKs one likes and just using the challenge SAK as a kind of "preferred option" hardly seems to warrant a badge, at least not in my book.

[Explorer]

Different strokes for different folks. everybody's got their own way of doing things and this is a pretty casual challenge. so feel free to carry whatever you like but try to exclusively use just the MiniChamp. if the job is too big for the MC to handle and another tool is required just let us know in the daily post.

i'll be carrying just the minichamp but I understand that may not be practical for everyone so do what's best for you and your situation.

there's no judgment in this dojo 

[IMR4198]

   That is certainly a big change.  Friend Simon and I had a nice discussion about the challenge and rules a couple of weeks ago via PM.  I suggested that the rule that no other tool could be used was impossible.  Spoons, forks, computers, pens, everything about being human is using a tool.  Simon made a cogent comment on my dilemma.  He said, "Let's try not to overthink this thing."  Then he went on to point out that a challenge should be about the experience of using just one tool to learn and stretch its capabilities and our ability to cope with that limitation.  Not a quote, just the essence of his comments. 
    It seems to me rather than 'only the Mini and no other tool' might be better modified to 'only the Mini carried every day and no other SAK or multitool.'  That might allow for you to make lunch and eat it without using your fingers.  Or keep your day job working on appliances. 
     The latest idea of carry anything you want and stick a MiniChamp in your pocket isn't really a challenge.  I only carry a full sized SAK now.  Replacing that with a Mini is a challenge to me.  Many members here carry two other SAKs, a plier type multi, a one-piece tool, two flashlights, etc. every day from what I understand.  Personally, I don't care if you carry 20 pounds of multi-thingies in a backpack with you.  Have fun.  It just waters down the event from being a challenge to being what many people do all the time anyway.  Carry a MiniChamp on their keys.  A Leatherman on the belt.  A SAK in a pouch on your side.  Many do that every day. 
     Run things any way you like.  I am in charge of only myself.  I planned on putting all my SAKs and multitools (I only own one Leatherman) aside for a month and doing an EDC of my Mini.  I can still do that.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[powernoodle]

so feel free to carry whatever you like but try to exclusively use just the MiniChamp.

Thank you, sir, for clarifying that.  I'd like to join the fun.  And thank you for hosting this one. 

I respect the full-on approach of carrying nothing but the Challenge item.  But since there are things that a Mini Champ cannot do, like smash out a car window to save sextuplet newborns (it could happen!  ), I'll carry additional toys to do the things the Mini Champ cannot. 

1. Explorer
2. glenfiddich1983
3. Simon_Templar
4. MTSAK
5. IMR4198
6. PitCarver
7. ReamerPunch
8. Fireman
9. stoer
10. marlowe221
11. FolderBeholder
12. AzteCypher
13. VICMAN
14. Powernoodle

Let's do this!

[Explorer]

welcome aboard powernoodle 


 


 

[PitCarver]

This has been discussed before in this thread:

The official rules for the MCNTR challenge are as follows:

✅  Carry and use any variation of the Victorinox MiniChamp exclusively during the month of November.

✅  Post a photo daily of your MiniChamp.

✅   If you have to use a tool other than the MiniChamp, stand at attention and explain yourself.

✅  Participants who successfully complete the challenge can apply for the MiniChamp 30 day Challenge

Incidentally, I cannot help but wonder why one would want to participate in a challenge if one is unwilling to commit to carrying just one SAK for thirty days. This is the whole point of the exercise! Carrying all the SAKs one likes and just using the challenge SAK as a kind of "preferred option" hardly seems to warrant a badge, at least not in my book.

This was the introduction into last year's MC challenge. 
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I've understood that the idea of a challenge is to use one style knife for the duration of the challenge.  Certainly there are things that are out of the realm of a MiniChamp, but the idea I thought was a single use challenge.

Also, the "stand at attention and explain yourself" actually comes from the Chuck Yeager memorial challenge.

[powernoodle]

I've understood that the idea of a challenge is to use one style knife for the duration of the challenge.  Certainly there are things that are out of the realm of a MiniChamp, but the idea I thought was a single use challenge.

I think we all agree on this. 

[AzteCypher]

I've been practicing by only using the small knife and the awl on my tinker.  So far so good but I've only been practicing for 2 weeks. 

[IMR4198]

Good idea.  Take a few practice swings before you step up to the plate.  Best wishes.  G