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Review: Victorinox Pioneer (slightly pic heavy)

Discussion in 'Gear Reviews' started by sungame, Dec 4, 2012.

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    • In Omnia Paratus

    Vesp Uber Prepared

    ^Love that Pioneer Buzzbait!
    I think I went that whole sircle in a year.. From SAK to high end knives, back to a Pioneer.
    Just needed to be honest with myself. A Pioneer is really all I need for most EDC tasks.
    If I know I'm going to need some more, I take a OHO or a fixed blade with me.
    Vesp, Dec 7, 2012
    #21
    ramjet and sungame like this.

    watchcollector1968 Loaded Pockets

    Well after reading your review I had to pop over and order one. Nicely done.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    watchcollector1968, Dec 17, 2012
    #22
    SurvivePenna, sungame and Vesp like this.
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    sungame Uber Prepared

    That's a beautiful knife you've got there. I've always liked the old red alox models, especially after some wear.

    That seems to happen a lot, at least if I am to judge by this forum. Personally, I wouldn't exactly say that I've come full circle, as I still don't see the point in the fat plastic SAKs with dozens of all but useless tools in a very awkward package. However, I have discovered that a SAK can be something different than that. The slim alox models are both works of art and infinitely more useful in real life than the more McGyverish models, IMHO.

    I think a lot of the knife nuts who hate Victorinox' blade steel don't get the purpose of this kind of knife in the first place. On a bigger, heavy duty knife, a better steel would definitely be in place. That's why I would love to see some 154CM or similar on Vic's 111mm knives. However, for a smallish EDC knife like the Pioneer, I find the proprietary Vic steel just about perfect. Well, the perfect compromise between edge holding, price and ease of sharpening, that is.

    Personally, I think that every folding knife would be better with a lock. However, once again, it is all about the best possible compromise, and a lock would probably add to much bulk and heft to this slim little classic. Also, I quite agree that on a knife of this size and for realistic everyday tasks, you don't really need a lock.

    In the words of Vesp the Wise:
    sungame, Dec 18, 2012
    #23
    k.o.milo and Vesp like this.

    Freddo4J Loaded Pockets

    Great review sungame - thanks! I have a few SAK's (styles and shapes but don't know the model names). Thanks for the pointer to the SAKWiki site so I can learn more. Now that I started carrying an EDC knife there's no turning back.
    Freddo4J, Jan 4, 2013
    #24
    ramjet and sungame like this.

    ramjet Loaded Pockets

    Like I stated in Alox Pox, I also "gifted" myself for Christmas a silver Pioneer. Already using it daily. Mine is EDC'd in a Maxped organizer with other essentials. My older Vic is in my GHB and gets used occasionally. I agree on the slimness.
    ramjet, Jan 4, 2013
    #25
    sungame likes this.

    Freddo4J Loaded Pockets

    I got so excited about being able to "name" my SAK models (yep - you know you're an EDCF'er when...) by researching them in SAKWiki:

    Money Clip Red Alox scales
    Classic SD Red scales
    Classic SD Blue scales
    Super Tinker Blue scales ("L.L.Bean" is on one of the scales toting the Victorinox logo)

    Thanks again sungame - I may need to grow my collection; loving the Alox look!
    Freddo4J, Jan 4, 2013
    #26

    Guardian Angel 1983 Loaded Pockets

    Excellent review, I would love to have a Victorinox Pioneer, but I already have the Farmer. It's the same SAK plus a saw blade. But it's still on my list of should have items.
    Guardian Angel 1983, Jan 13, 2013
    #27
    Vesp and sungame like this.
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    sungame Uber Prepared

    Thank you!

    I love Victorinox' saw blades, and am very happy to have one on my Swiss Tool and my 111mm Rucksack. For the size, they are amazingly efficient little wood saws, and invaluable in the back country. However, IMHO, on an EDC tool, a saw blade is just a waste of valuable pocket real estate.

    As stated in the review, the Pioneer isn't perfect, but it might very well be the best possible compromise for every day carry.
    sungame, Jan 14, 2013
    #28
    Vesp and Guardian Angel 1983 like this.

    Guardian Angel 1983 Loaded Pockets

    I see where you're coming from on the saw and I respect that, but the Farmer is the only thing I carry in my left pocket so the extra bulk isn't really that big of an issue to me. I used to run my Victorinox Trekker instead, but after a week I decided to down size to the Farmer. I have considered the Pioneer, Cadet, and Recruit also but I just figured since I already have the Farmer I might as well use it.
    Guardian Angel 1983, Jan 14, 2013
    #29
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    powerring Uber Prepared

    Great review and I liked this part the best! I love the Solo and the Bantam, which are the least feature packed of the alox lineup. Besides the irony of being SAKs with almost no extras, they're both impossibly thin and solid. The Bantam is one of two knives that always live (in rotation) in my coin pocket. I bought several extras of both models as they were discontinued by Victorinox at bargain prices.
    powerring, Jan 14, 2013
    #30
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    sungame Uber Prepared

    I like that line of thinking! I, too, try to appreciate and work with what I've got instead of buying new stuff all the time. There is always something better somewhere out there, but the best EDC gear is what you've actually got on person, not what you might buy sometime.
    sungame, Jan 14, 2013
    #31
    Guardian Angel 1983 likes this.
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    sungame Uber Prepared

    I never actually liked the Solo all that much. When I carried it, it was mostly for sentimental reasons. I have to agree that it is a well built and solid little knife, and it is very slim and pocket friendly. However, if I were to carry a single purpose, blade only folder, I would prefer something with a blade lock, like a small Buck Vantage or Nobleman. Or a small Sebenza...

    The Bantam, on the other hand, is a nice little tool. It's got the most important tools in an almost impossibly slim package. However, I prefer the larger blade of the 93mm knives, and I like the driver/can opener tool to much to let it go.
    sungame, Jan 14, 2013
    #32
    powerring likes this.
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    powerring Uber Prepared

    I like the Solo when I need a very thin, or somewhat dressier knife (and the Bantam is perfect for this role too). The Victorinox cross is well known and knives bearing them are generally regarded as benign by almost everyone, no matter the size. I do prefer a locking blade as well and the Buck Vantage (small) is my favorite by far in that size range.

    I alternate between the Bantam and a Ladybug 3 in H1 for coin pocket carry.
    powerring, Jan 14, 2013
    #33

    Guardian Angel 1983 Loaded Pockets

    That's exactly how I see it. No matter how many guns, knives, multitools or SAKs I want they are not as affective as the items I have with me. :)
    Guardian Angel 1983, Jan 14, 2013
    #34

    batteur Uber Prepared

    I don’t really use a bottle opener or can opener, but a pioneer with blade, awl and scissors would be very useful and still thin enough.
    batteur, Jan 15, 2013
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    sungame Uber Prepared

    I don't really use the actual openers all that much either, but I use the screw drivers quite a lot. Besides, you never know when you'll need to open a bottle or two, and I don't carry a lighter...
    sungame, Jan 15, 2013
    #36

    Gossimer82 Loaded Pockets

    I've owned my Pioneer for 2 days... I've opened 2 beer bottles, and used the awl to re-punch the air vent in my "not quite fully punched" coffee lid. Defintely worth having those 2 tools in the mix!

    (ok, I could have used anything to punch the hole... but the thing is only 2 days old. Any excuse is a good excuse at this point!)
    Gossimer82, Jan 25, 2013
    #37
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