Reply With QuoteI guess, but I reckon victorinox must be missing a trick here.
There are plenty of customisers out there.
I guess, but I reckon victorinox must be missing a trick here.
I have ended up with all sorts of penknives as I used to buy a sharps box from auction, basically knives confiscated at airports, mostly Victorinox of different sizes and tools but amongst them I picked up the odd gem, one being this Lone Wolf Tighe Pan designed by Brian Tighe, extremely well made and a beautiful blade made of S30V but not EDC - pic robbed of the net but exactly the same as mine..
I had a Squirt PS4 on my keyring until recently when the keyring attachment thingy snapped. Before that, I had a Victorinox SD on there for years. I have just replaced that with the rambler, which is probably the perfect replacement for the Squirt if you don't care about the pliers. I actually probably used the pliers more than anything, but I am now enjoying having a much lighter set of keys again!Originally Posted by andyb
The rambler does pretty much everything the Leatherman does, except for pliers and it only has a nail file instead of a proper metal file. But it also has tweezers and a toothpick!
Cheers. They do look a lot smaller than the squirt. Just been doing a little online window shopping, there's a manager too which is the same thing but with a pen. And the mini champ looks like a load of random stuff thrown together.
Too much choice out there with the possibility to keep going up the chain, so to speak, until the original point of the purchase is lost.
It's also thicker. Depends if the pen is useful enough to offset that. I actually used to have a full Spacepen on my keyring, which admittedly adds even more bulk, but on the other hand, it's an actual, fully usable pen, which I doubt the manager is.
Alternatively, there's Ohto Minimo. I used to have one of these in my wallet until I stopped carrying a wallet altogether. The picture doesn't fully get across how small it is. But it's just big enough to be able to hold and write with.
It does a bit. Apparently it has every tool they make in that size. The Swiss Champ is the same idea, but in the larger size. It's a "flagship" in the sense that there's nothing missing. Doesn't make it especially practical though. I still don't know what that weird rectangular spoon thing is for.
Indeed. I've bought far too many of them & now trying to find specific uses for each one.
Have had two of the thiers compacts - lost both from my pocket, loved those knives - but too expensive to keep replacing so found knives that were cheap enough to lose....which got lost....So I took some advice from this forum and got a CRKT rogers design - really very lovely knife and stays in the pocket !! Cut my finger a treat before I got used to how it handles, pleasure to use now. Carry it everywhere and use it all the time.The knife that gets the most use at Cornholio Towers at the moment is the juniper Compagnon par Chambriard. However, it is too large to leave the house. To this end, I took delivery of a Compact last week. A slipjoint with a small enough blade to be 'UK legal'. Same lovely 13C26 stainless as the larger model.
The knife in my pocket continues to be the Victorinox Bantam. Very small and light, won't scare anyone and has a useful multitool thingy.
Finally, with regards to the question about eating with a pocket knife, I find a Laguiole to be an absolute joy at the table. It feels so nice in the hand. I have a custom ebony and stainless model from Artisan Coutelier (a little like this) that I use when camping and hillwalking. There's no problem keeping the blade clean. In some of the more enlightened parts of the world they would think nothing of you taking one of these out of your pocket in a restaurant and using it to cut your steak. However, in the UK they are offensive weapons and may not be carried without good reason.
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Last edited by Mr G Imp; 4th August 2020 at 23:25.
The best legal carry i had was the Enzo pk70. I bought a used one that had been badly neglected but instead of being disposable, they can be mostly stripped down, cleaned, oiled, put back together and adjusted. Fantastic
Anyone know of any British brands that produce these types of knives?
On the basis that, like a camera, the best knife is the one you have with you, this is a very useful penknife. It's a tiny Spyderco - the blade is just over an inch long and has been used countless times for opening parcels and cutting string etc.
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That's neat! I've had a search - is that a Spyderco Bug?On the basis that, like a camera, the best knife is the one you have with you, this is a very useful penknife. It's a tiny Spyderco - the blade is just over an inch long and has been used countless times for opening parcels and cutting string etc.
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That's the one!
You can have legal carry slipjoints custom hand made in the UK but not sure about brands who make them
Got this last week - pretty good:
Go take a look at the Heinnie Haynes website (they're a good source for sharp things). There is an entire category for UK friendly knives, I saw one UK made on the first page on that list, I suspect there are others in there as well.
Dave E
Skating away on the thin ice of a new day
I’ve always liked folding knives and have a fair few, some destined for Sales Corner - have been around the block a few times and decided that Victorinox are really all I need - the blades are easy to sharpen which in this age of Supersteels, is a nice property to have.
The eternal SAK question - how big do I need, how small can I go - has a RELATIVELY cheap answer of “get multiple ones and carry as you need - just bought a Ranger so obviously now eyeing up a 3 layer tool for when Tinker is too small and Explorer etc are too big.
- - - Updated - - -
Shing is one who gets regular praise - I have one VERY strong spring though which some may not like.
I carry a Midnite Manager which adds a tiny torch. The pen is a decent size if you also fold out the Philips screwdriver to add to the length. Enough to take legible notes with.
The Mini Champ is pretty pointless (yes, I have one)
I've have a little LED torch on my keyring, though that's probably redundant now that every phone has an LED that can be used as one too. I like the alox look of the mini champ, it's a shame it's not available on the other little victorinox. I feel like I'm coming back to the leatherman squirt, but although I can't remember what I paid they seem expensive these days.
I also daily carry the Squirt PS4 as the spring pliers are fantastic and the knife blade is easily accessed for a fingernail chewer. The can/bottle openers tools are pretty rubbish compared to the SAK though - the magnetised Philips on the SAK 58mm tools is fantastic when you are changing batteries in kids toys.
I believe they do but only in store (London - Bond Street). I often wonder what I’d have.
the first model is the best.
I could only find this online:
https://www.newlyswissed.com/victori...ss-army-knive/
But it seems it's not a real knife and it's in Zurich. Maybe once covid has died down I could do a London visit.
its only build a Spartan.
That’s p*ss-poor - what’s the point of that? That said, scissors instead of the can and bottle openers... the Compact you posted recently would be perfect, if it had a small blade too (I use one and keep the other for emergencies when I NEED a sharp blade)
Swisstool.co.ik offers different colours and the option of ‘Plus’ scales for an extra £10 - if you think that is worth it for the pen, pin and mini screwdriver, then it is an option. I haven’t bitten yet but am tempted.
Fair point. My dad bought me one from a shop with a large display in Cambridge when I was about 14 - well over 30 years ago - long lost but think it was a Huntsman. I should get one of those and try to call it a day
I was referring to the Squirt PS4.
Same sort of thing here. I got given what I now realise was a Huntsman. It must have been more than 30 years ago, because it didn't have the hook which was apparently added in 1991. I used that one a lot until I lost it about 15 years ago. Ended up being disappointed with various different SAKs I tried. For some reason, until very recently, I could never find the exact same model again. Now having started finding them online and with many of them being quite cheap on Amazon, I have discovered that it was definitely a Huntsman. One of my favourites. So much so that I now have two. It's not the absolute smallest, but it's by no means too big to carry in a pocket. It's about what I would consider to be "full-sized penknife size" and it has all the tools that matter. Some people don't care about the saw, but those people have probably never actually used the Victorinox saw. I did loads of DIY with mine & actually found it more effective for smallish jobs than the (admittedly probably not very good) full size saw that I had at the time.
If I was going to only have one SAK, wasn't too bothered about it being insanely small & just wanted one that can do everything without being unweildy, the Huntsman is absolutely the one I would go for. If I could only keep one it would by my Huntsman with wooden scales, although it is really a pity they don't make an Alox version.
I’ve had all-sorts, over the decades, from Normark Big Swede to Gerber EZ-out.
Nowadays - I appreciate the simplicity and tradition of the French Opinel (carbone).
(probably an ‘age’ thing)
But - not expensive, cuts well, nice to handle.
A wealth of information.
https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php
The alox Farmer X is not far off. Lose the back tools, but gain sturdier main tools.
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If you want another, buy now, as they stopped making them.
Rob.
Thee point made earlier about the best one is the one with you was proved to me yesterday, I only bought this last week on a whim, probably the lowliest in the Victorinox range, the Escort, less than a tenner, very small and very unobtrusive on a key ring, just 2 blades, a knife and a file / flat head scewdriver, I was installing some equipment yesterday and forgot the tool kit, I cut a cable tie with the blade and attached a monitor to a stand with the driver! Saved me a walk.
Cheers..
Jase
Inspired me to order one for my keyring!Thee point made earlier about the best one is the one with you was proved to me yesterday, I only bought this last week on a whim, probably the lowliest in the Victorinox range, the Escort, less than a tenner, very small and very unobtrusive on a key ring, just 2 blades, a knife and a file / flat head scewdriver, I was installing some equipment yesterday and forgot the tool kit, I cut a cable tie with the blade and attached a monitor to a stand with the driver! Saved me a walk.
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I'm so glad you said that, it triggers me when people bang on about 'Illegal knives'.Far from me the idea of saying anything bad about those lovely slicers, cheap enough to not worry about that were my go-to knives throughout my teen years; indeed, I still have a trusty n°9, plus a mushroom knife and an oyster one.
However, while the size of the blade is under 3 inches, the «*virole*» makes it a locking knife in English law and as such you need good reason to carry it outside (I prefer this formulation rather than ‘illegal’ because they aren’t).
You can remove the virole by leveraging a screwdriver against it. It’s reversible (you can put it back on) and would make it acceptable for EDC. But it would be more dangerous to use, unless you only slice your saucisson with it,; however this in itself would constitute good reason
Might be made in China nowadays but they are so much bang for the buck. I have a Stockman and a Doctors knife by Rough Rider, quality of build is amazing for the cost. Brass liners, 440 steel, real confidence inspiring build quality; you can pick them up at car boot sales for pennies!
Some shed pivot snipping and peening lined up waiting for the next rainy day.
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I was offered one of these SOE knife/wire cutter tools the other day for £900
I didnt even know about them.
https://www.rockislandauction.com/de...e-escape-knife
I have a couple of SAK and wanted to treat myself so bought this hand made knife from Ben Orford, A bit different but a UK legal carry without a locking mechanism. Well worth the money and the wait, it won’t be an edc but a nice piece to own.
Arrived from HH this lunchtime, seems nice enough for the money.
I have a couple of knives and use them for the same purpose. Perfect for slicing the saucisson. My preferred knife of choice is an Opinel “Le Thiers”.Using my latest knife on my chorizo.
I have another 2 coming next week a Victorinon alox farmer X a recent model release and an old SAK I have forgotten the name of.
Sorry, no photo. It’s in France and the current isolation rules make it impractical (for me) to travel.
A lovely looking tool. It needs using though!I have a couple of SAK and wanted to treat myself so bought this hand made knife from Ben Orford, A bit different but a UK legal carry without a locking mechanism. Well worth the money and the wait, it won’t be an edc but a nice piece to own.
I had a couple of Michael Morris friction folders that I regret getting rid of, and a Shing (not friction) titanium, carbon fibre with a damasteel blade. Never mind, mistakes are there to be made.
I've been asked to include an after-peening picture.
Not my best, then I just was putting together left-over parts that would have otherwise been slung into a box. I cleaned up with sand paper, but prefer to leave the hammered finish if I do a decent job.
In the before picture, I showed new collars on the pivots. I actually used recovered scrap ones. The collars are not essential, they are for the press fit scales rather than using epoxy adhesive. Tolerances are tight to get the press fit ones to work.
The parts shown are mainly Adler as I cannibalised Adler knives as an economical source of Combo tools (cap lifter + can opener) for 91mm Victorinox frames. As I understand it, Adler was an East German then German maker under their own brand and for others, using Victorinox parts and patterns. There's a chap in Germany who sells surplus Adler knives and parts. The parts are pretty much interchangeable. I've used Adler Combo tools in Victorinox frames and replaced a broken Victorinox main blade with an Adler. I have put Victorinox scales on Adler liners and here I noticed differences, the liner sticks slightly proud. I reckon use predominantly one or the other, interchange only where necessary. I mixed up Victorinox and Adler parts and then had to sort them out.
The results will be two simple penknives (main and pen blades) and an Adler made in the style of a Victorinox tinker.
Why? Just something to do, although a family member did ask me to make up a penknife with a specific toolset. A new Huntsman, removed the opener layer, replaced the small pen blade with an Adler Combo tool, custom 'slim' Huntsman.
Some shed pivot snipping and peening lined up waiting for the next rainy day.
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Last edited by BillyCasper; 27th August 2020 at 14:46.
good effort,can you link to the Adler site please.
do you take commissions and can you work on Alox?
Excellent job you’ve done there. Well done.
Nice, I think that would pretty much be the perfect model if Victorinox would make an official version and is probably what I'd do if I were to try out custom modding. Did you lose the reamer and was there no way to keep it instead of the hook?
Also, I quite like the look of the original Adler. I like the cyan scales, looks pretty cool. Might try to track one of those down if they are cheap.
lovely thread! some fabulous bits of engineering there!
i have a spyderco grasshopper on my keys, usually for opening boxes and helping at the BBQ opening packets and separating sausages and suchlike.
https://www.heinnie.com/spyderco-grasshopper
super handy to have with me all the time.
the other handy thing on my keys is a gerber shard which is a little multi tool featuring a much abused bottle opener.
https://www.gerber-store.co.uk/gerbe...saAjfkEALw_wcB
The seller is called Erich Fritzsch KG and email address is info@fritzsch-kg.de I dealt with a chap called Olaf.
They sell on Ebay.de, search for Adler Taschenmesser and Ebay.com, search for Adler pocket knife. Slightly different ranges between the sites. You can spot the seller as they take pictures of their knives with FB in the background and an identifying number. The knives cannot be bought through Ebay as British buyers are barred. I picked what I wanted on Ebay and then emailed.
I haven't done a price comparison, my instinct tells me that generally prices are not so different to Victorinox.
What interested me, was the availability of 91mm knives with Combo tools at €10 from Erich Fritzsch. I remember discussion that to get a 91mm Victorinox Combo tool would need a £40 Compact although someone pointed out that they were on Amazon for something like £25. I think it was you.
https://www.ebay.de/itm/ADLER-Messer...4AAOSwLABeLwnM
I was also interested in their pre-cut 2.25mm and 2.55 mm brass pivots and pivot collars as unless you have a pillar drill with centre bits, breaking down a knife can be destructive unless very careful.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/rivets-sets...sAAOSwLsBZWhB~
They also have a price list for loose parts: springs, tools, liners, scales.
Ha, I'm a long way off from that, I'm still at bodger level. Somebody did tell me that working on Alox is easier, but I haven't tried.
Last edited by BillyCasper; 27th August 2020 at 15:21.
Yes, lost the reamer. My 'customer' wasn't fussed as long as the corkscrew was there. I didn't try the reamer instead of the hook. The reamer is matched up with the opening layer and hook the scissors. The profiles of the opening layer and scissor layer springs are very different, my hunch is that they are not interchangeable.
Agree, I like the colour and the eagle logo. I bought one of these 'Spartans'. $15, plus postage, so pretty much the same as a Victorinox Spartan. I bought some other bits, so that spread the cost of postage.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ADLER-knife...gAAOSw-89ZT4mL
Thanks Billy I found those on ebay as you say I wasnt allowed to buy them, I sent him a message asking to buy one that took my eye.
The price is more than on Amazon I think, but its interesting as a collection piece.
I have quite a few Victorinox penknives kicking around. Some 30 to 40 years old or more.
But this isn't about them.
I was clearing out my Dad's house and came across this
Made by Lockwood bros in Sheffield. It has 'Real Knife' a running bird logo and the word 'Pampas' on the main blade.
I believe it is a 'jack knife' as both blades are hinged at the same end.
It was very stiff to open, I haven't tried to clean it, just put some oil in the hinge which has freed things up a bit and the oil took the surface dirt off the blade.
I doubt this has seen the light of day for over 50 years, it is still very sharp!
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