Just curios who else uses them. I have a Classic SD for when I am in a suit or dress clothes, a Fieldmaster, for everyday carry, and I just picked up the Hunter GT at Sportsman's Warehouse over the weekend to use for bowhunting this year. Which model do some of you have?

Have the fingernail clipper model that hangs on my keychain. I carry a hunter model (that my daughter in-law bought me while in Switzerland) in the field and it gets used gutting deer. Regards

Yours is the Hunter XT. I opened my deer with the gutting blade on mine. It worked well. I used the Vanguard after that. I also use the SAK Hiker, Fireman and Florist. I plan to get the Farmer next.

Joe

I carry an Alox Soldier or Farmer everyday.

I have three or four Victorinox camper models. I keep losing them. Found three of them in various furniture pieces during spring cleaning last year. Have carried one in my pocket for at least the last 30 years.

I have a Swiss Army Champ knife I keep in my truck. It comes in handy now and then.

Carry one daily. Love it.

Alox cadet or Alox pioneer here. For the money you can't beat them.

Out of the hundred or so knives that I own the one that is in my pocket every day and I couldn't get through the day without is my red Swiss Victorinox with scissors.

I love them, always have. I will gather them all up and get a picture posted.

I use and love them!!!

I carry the Victorinox Super Tinker everyday. I've had it since 1976. Use the scissors and phillips a lot as well as the toothpick. The blades are very sharp and hold an edge. I also have the big one but I rarely carry it except when gun hunting.

Here they are.

The one on top is a fishing model, lives in my tackle box. The one on the bottom, is a bicycle model, even has a chain tool.

On my first picture, the one on the bottom right, is a fake. That one means the most to me, I got it from my Dad. The one above it is my daily knife.

For the past few years I've carried a Wenger Handyman SAK in the watch pocket of my Wrangler jeans and I seem to use it several times a day. It looks very similar to the SAK in the middle of the opening post photo.

Nice, all of them! I've never seen the bicycle model. Really cool!

Joe

Am I the only one who hates them? Lousy blade steel, crappy screwdrivers, silly little tools.

I hate multi-tools too. Give me the -right- tool for the job and keep the rest in the tool box.

I've always had a couple of them. One of them is a gift from my wife given to me many years ago. I almost lost it at the Baltimore airport post 9-11...left it in my carry-on. Believe it or not a very caring airport guy took possession of it and mailed it to me 3 weeks later. Of course it holds a place of honor in my display.

DanaC I guess the "lousy blade steel" thing is subjective to the user. I have a friend who is a guide in the Yukon and lives on a ranch outside Whitehorse. He's guided for sheep, goats, grizzly, moose and caribou for decades, plus he's a horseman of the highest caliber. I once watched him completely skin, disassemble and bone out a bull moose with an Alox model sporting about a 3.5" blade. Periodically he paused to dress it lightly on a diamond stick. During the work (in which I helped) I asked him if he'd forgotten his main knife and he explained that WAS his main knife by choice. He used that very knife to do basically every animal his clients killed. He used it for hoof-picking and camp chores. I watched him slice bacon with it and it was his table knife. I really don't want to know all the things it did and the stuff he got on it, but darn....that one knife was a hell of a tool. Oh I forgot...I also watched him field-skin a black bear we took and then later use that knife to do all the caping, fleshing, paw and skull work.

If you run across the Victornox "Rambler" model, buy it! They are the same size as the small "Classic," but just a tad thicker because it has an incredibly useful tiny Philips screwdriver tip on a bottle opener blade. The scissors are excellent, too. I love this little knife.

I remember the Nuge saying he had an extensive knife collection but a little Swiss Army was his only hunting knife.

I carry one every day. I don't know the name of the model, but it's the basic 2 blade with can/bottle openers, screw driver(s), scissors, awl. tweezers, and toothpick.

I've carried one (not the same one-lost a few) since I was a kid (now 62). I like the fairly simple ones, always had a Climber model (what Lowcountry describes), now one close to it but without scissors. Also had one of the larger locking blades - that one had a saw, which was remarkably efficient. Got stolen, haven't replaced it yet.

My edc is a tinker model with my badge number on it. For work I carry a centurion then always have a hunter model in my pack when hunting. Not a day goes by I don't use one of them for something. I find the steel perfectly adequate for my uses.

Back in the 70s when I wouldn't go camping, canoeing or hunting without my Swiss Army Knife and a set of pliers. Now I find it easier to carry a leatherman. Even now I don't think you can beat the Swiss Army Knife little saw.

DanaC I have a feeling the "lousy steel" and silly tools you experienced was with the knock off brand "Swiss Army Knife". The Victorionox are the only ones with good steel.

I carry one of three knives daily depending on plans, a SA Tinker, a Gerber 200, or a Gerber multi tool on my belt.

I'm with Backcountry, the Rambler is a great little multi knife tool to have in your pocket or on your key chain. I have a few of them.

I carry one every day. My favorite is the Pioneer. It is the handiest pocket knife I have ever owned. I started out carrying the Cadet and after I found the Pioneer I liked it much better. The Pioneer has a little more heft.

I really like them too. Very handy. Always loose that dang toothpick though!

Another picture of the Pioneer and Cadet side by side comparison.

I still have the one I got in Bern Switzerland in 1962.

I've had them, and carry one in my pack, but not for daily carry, for that I carry nothing that I can't open with one hand.

These knives can be reconditioned easily.

I recently inherited an "Officier" model my dad used to carry daily. When I got it, the scales were rough, scratched and (in places) discolored, as though it had been bounced around in a tool box. The edges of the blades were in poor shape, and there was some dirt and lint in the recesses.

I sanded the scales with very fine sandpaper (600-1400 grit IIRC) until all the scratches and discoloration were gone. Then I polished the scales and blades with simichrome polish, and now they look like new again. I believe any good brass polish would work. The "crosses" on the scales were not effected (but I did try to go easy on them).

I cleaned up the blade edges on my belt grinder with very fine belts and got them shaving sharp with leather belts and compound. Finally, I cleaned out the recesses with pipe cleaners, paper towels, and WD-40, then put a little oil on tool pivot points.

I was surprised how quick and easy it was to make it look like new again. I hope some of you can do the same. - John

I have a bunch of them, several different sizes, but the Compact is the one I use most. It has a great selection of tools for travel, camping, etc. Even a ballpoint pen.

My EDC that I received as a gift about 20 years ago. I think it's basically a Farmer with the Nuge logo...

I've had this "camping" model since 1987.

Yes I have a few to.

Really love my Victorinox swiss tool, to.

Frisky, that bicycle model is the only one I have seen, it is the Holy Grail! My room mate got it for me when she went to Europe, around 2003.

I am really liking the ones with the aluminum, riveted scales. I think my next one will be the Farmer model, and yes, you are correct, Frisky, mine is the Hunter XT model. I don't know where I got "GT" from.

Pete, did you get Victorinox to put your name on your knife for you or someone else?

I have the paramedic (I think) maybe fireman. I love the seat- belt cutter for unzipping deer.

Carl

Ken, my room mate brought that one back from Europe for me circa 2003. I think she toured and got the knife at the factory. I don't know for sure.

Pretty nice gift

She was a very cool lady. She rented me a room because I had a dog. She loved dogs but did not have her own because of her busy schedule. Try to find a place to rent in Sanoma county Cali that allows dogs... Anyhow, I have my own place in Colorado now, life is good.

Kevin Dill - That is the very best testimony for SAKs that I have ever read.

The bicycle model is by Wenger, now owned by Victorinox. It's the Mountain Biker. I wasn't that up on Wenger knives, but they're good too!

Joe

I have a SAK Farmer model in my left front pocket, another on my keychain and a soldier model on a small carabineer on my belt loop.

Nobody will ever accuse me of being a steel snob, but I've owned knives by Chris Reeves and Rick Hinderer. I will concede that there are advantages to the "super steels" of the past decade (S30v and all the offsprings it spawned) but the fundamental question always came down to was it really worth $300 more for what was going to spend most of it's days being a "safe queen"? For real users I've always preferred the plain old carbon steels, (properly heat treated) over yesterday's stainless offerings with regards to ease of sharpening and keenness of edge, if not retention. Having said all that, I do not know what stainless Victorinox/Wenger used but make an exception and will give credit that it was always a pleasant surprise and I found it on par with my 1095. Part of that may have been the thinner blades.

Yes, edge geometry and heat that are where it's at. The stainless used by the Swiss is similar to our 420HC. They heat treat according to each individual tool. They, like Opinels, are great cutters due to the thin blades, and they retain their edge well enough and resharpen in a minute using a simple steel. In fact, the only blade that can out-slice a SAK are the Opinels. An Opinel is a better slicer than anything, but the SAK quality is unbeatable, unless you care to spend hundreds or thousands on something like a Rockstead.

Joe

use and abuse for 30+. over the years the sharp little awl is the surprise. never thought it would come in handy as much as it has. I think mcgiver new his stuff lol

I take mine everywhere. Jawge

Have had the same one goe forty years. Have fixed a lot of fishing equipment and trail repairs with it.

I had a small Victorinox SAK pocket knife. Single small blade, nail file, toothpick, and tweezers. That one. Very well made and nothing to carry around. I lostnit several years ago. I sure hope somebody found it and is using it themselves.

I had a small swiss knife with a light in the end of it, I wish they still made them that way.

More of a Case and Imperial Barlow person myself.

Also caried a leatherman kick for some time.

Shoe, there are at least 4 smaller Victorinox SAK models that currently have a built-in LED light. I checked their website:

http://assets.victorinox.com/medias/sak-product-catalog-en-us-2016.pdf?context=bWFzdGVyfHNha3w3NDczMjg2fGFwcGxpY2F0aW9uL3BkZnxoZWQvaDExLzg4MjU0NDY0OTgzMzQucGRmfGNiZGU2OGUzZGFjYjg3NTk4Zjc4OGM0YzkwMGRiMWRlMmVhYjIxMzdjNjNlYjQ2MDU1YjQxMTliZmFkYWFlOTc

I think they still do, Shoe. Check Victorinox's website under "small pocket knives"

Thank You Kevin Dill and Kevin Williams, by golly they do still make them with lights.

Excuse me that would be Ken Williams.

Here are mine, but all the key chain versions are scattered around the hunting stuff. I do carry a small one daily. My favorite is the Hunter Safari in green, and the model with the magnifying glass, scissors, and saw. One thing I do is buy a small eyeglass screwdriver that goes in the corkscrew.

I had been looking for a pocket knife, saw this thread, and went out and bought a Tinker. Initial thoughts are that it might be the perfect pocket knife, time will tell

How many have burn marks on the tweezers? - or did you somehow lose them altogether?

If you are interested in getting a Swiss Army Knife, first do your research, then check out the big auction site and you will find a lot of good bargains, especially groups of knives sold by those confiscating scoundrels at the TSA.

Good tip Crossed Arrows.

Thanks.

I have a camper with my name on it that my dad gave me when I was 8, I'll give it to my daughter in a few years. I have a new camper with my initials that my brother got me when he was in Switzerland, and a cadet my cousin picked up for me at the factory when she was there...all wonderful knives.

My Wife bought me one a year ago to replace a badly worn (well used) pocket knife that I'd had for almost 40 years. I use it a lot it has a saw blade, sissors whic is great for cutting the dates out on Elk tags, two knife blades, & several other tools. I carry it daily & use it a lot. I like them.

Victorinox will even sell you one with one gram of Swiss gold embedded into it. :-) I downloaded the catalog and I was AMAZED. I never knew Victorinox offered so many different models

You always need a backup Swiss Army Knife..love my Farmers

I have one with all the blades and tools on it and I used to throw it in the tackle box. Now it has a big gouge in the red handle from a plastic worm. I always thought they were a little big and heavy for every day carry. I carry a Buck 303 for that.

My favorite is the one I don't have- the Farmer.

Joe

Same here Joe, but I have a feeling I'm going to be getting one soon.

So am I! What I really like about it is it has the saw. I use SAK saw blades all the time.

Joe

Farmers are a great tool another is a Harvester..

My next one will be the Craftsman.

How many of you have used that serrated gut hook on some of the hunting models? How well does it work, I saw one positive response on here.

Part 2, for those of you who have both, Swiss Army Hunter or Hunter XT? This thread has me excited, I NEED a new knife!

The gutting blade on the Hunter XT opens smoothly, locks and does a good job. I don't have the Hunter, but I suspect its gutting blade would do as well but it likely doesn't lock (doesn't need to) and is not a one-hand opening blade. Neither is its main blade. I like both knives and they're close in price. You get a nice pouch with the XT. I also like the fact that both blades on the XT lock and are one-hand opening.

Joe

Thank's Joe

Yep. No problem.

I carry the Lumberjack (discontinued), simple and gets the job done. Their replacement is called the Walker.

and it does get put to good use.

Now this is more my kind of thread! If you like SAKs, you should seriously try Opinels.

Joe

i have carried a swiss army knife for i would say 30 years i wear them out i mean i sharpen the blades till they are worn down .i like all the extra tools etc. i just buy the smaller ones like 2nocks shown that is all you really need .they are handy

I've carried a "Tinker" model since about 1970. Not the greatest steel in the world but they are handy.

Original Swiss army issue. My Dad’s 1941 and mine from 1973

The one I keep in my computer desk drawer.

Well Joe, my Farmer came in the mail yesterday and I am impressed with it.

Great buy! Over the last month, I've got a new favorite. I'm going to get a Swiss Bianco Bushcrafter. It's a Farmer with the two opener blades removed. Color I want is a bright green with red shield. It's perfect!

Joe

I just Google'd "Swiss Bianco, and that green is way cool. That guy has some nice knives.

It's Apocalypse Green. They cost around double the regular Farmer. In that sense, they're no deal. You pay more for less. However, they are lighter and slimmer in the pocket, and I don't use the opener blades. It will be my EDC for life, unless I just do what I had planned on doing and getting the regular Farmer. Yours is slim enough and more capable. The silver stays nice too, while the painted models wear and don't look that great. I think you made a great choice, in that the Farmer might be the best SAK ever!

Joe

I've only got a few. The one on the right was EDC for quite awhile.

I actually think the Farmer model is about the best pocket knife you can have when in the woods. I did a bushcraft/survival weekend with just the stuff I had in my pockets or on my belt. even though I had other knives on me I used the Farmer most when processing wood for my fire and building my shelter. The saw is amazing considering its size.

What is the difference in the farmer and the pioneer? are they the same size?

I've got a mechanic model I won in a raffle. It sits in the box, in my safe. I see it more as a novelty than as a working tool, and I am a professional mechanic. I must say though, from the factory, that is one wicked sharp knife blade.

Well Joe, I liked your Buck 110 thread so much, that I went out to get one today, but I ran into this SAK Dual Pro X on sale at my local Gander Mountain for $35 and ended up with it instead.

Ken- That's a great knife! It's similar to the HunterXT except it has an awl and the bottle opener/can opener blades instead of a saw. That seat belt cutter blade works as a gutting blade.

Joe

Thanks, Joe. I am a sucker for SAK's. If I see a model I don't have, I am probably going to buy it.

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