I carry an Alox Cadet and it is a freakishly useful tool for me! I don't ever need a corkscrew and can not remember the last time I opened a bottle that need a cap lifter? I also EDC a Spirit X with the Cadet and also a Pocketwrench and between these 3 tools I rarely run into anything I can't handle without needing to return to the vehicle for dedicated tools. My use is more industrial I suppose than casual but the SAKs that I have are up to the task regardless!
Carrying a Pioneer in my pocket and a classic with my housekey. Good combo. I use the awl for all package\box opening tasks to preserve the edge on the main blade.
ALOX Cadet ALOX Pioneer ALOX Soldier When I carry a SAK it is one of those and they are just fine for urban/suburban use. Mostly. I do love the pliers on my LMs
95% of the time, I carry a Spartan. The other 5% is either the Farmer, Pioneer, or Compact. I find those are the tool selections that fit me best. I simply find that I don't really need anything else most days. I do have other options in my bag though
Huntsman for me (still, I must say). I wanted to change it, downsize my EDC knife but it never happened. I don't like phillips screwdriver (as the T, it is pretty short) and I often open wine bottles so it's corkscrew for me - that keeps me away from aloxes unfortunately. And I need scissors OR at least a woodsaw as I don't have much use for the blade or other "Spartan" things usually (apart from the small screwdriver on can opener). So I've got the Huntsman and the only other option in the 91mm line is the Climber which I'm not sure is different enought to justify the payment (I've got other SAKs in different bags and pouches already lol). Custom alox copy of celidor Huntsman is far too pricey here. I'm eyeing the Farmer and Pioneer X though ...
I really struggle with carrying SAKs. I can't seem to let something like a Cadet or Pioneer replace my folder, and I have a Classic on my keychain anyway. That really just leaves the cap lifter, and I have a million of them anyway. I inevitably end up ditching the larger SAK even though I love them. They were a gateway for me into the EDC world but I'm in a different place now.
I don't know why but a few days ago I realized I got scared of the cellidor scales of my EDC knives (usually Huntsman/Spartan, sometimes Camper) will crack. I really don't know why this feeling appeared so suddenly ... :O So I removed the scales of all my cellidor SAKs, cleaned and sharpened the knives, used epoxy and vice to glue the scales and knives together and put those knives onto a shelf until such time I'll lose my scale-phobia ... Anyway, I ordered an alox Pioneer X to be my new EDC knife ... which I'm sure won't have any scale trouble lol. I would prefer the Farmer because I'd like to have the woodsaw but I know I use the scissors all the time and the woodsaw on small vics almost never ... so ... right ...
For urban EDC, I choose the Pioneer X. I find I use the scissors, bottle opener and tip on can opener for phillips head the most. The wood saw is nice but in urban environment, I wouldn't use it nearly as much as the scissors and for EDC I don't want to step up to the fieldmaster or huntsman to have both.
I just can't narrow it down. I do carry a Cadet but I can't pass up the Classic signature light for its usefulness.
I can't help with anything "urban" because, well, I'm not and have no intention of ever being a city dweller. Thus I have no recent experience with urban conditions. This fulfills my more rural needs rather well.
I carry an SAK classic alox or a cadet. I prefer the classic bc it is so small and non-threatening. All I ever use it for is opening boxes or bags, so a larger knife isn't necessary. I have a job where I'm at a desk and sometimes outside doing field work. If I'm outside I usually have pruners and take my farmer in my backpack. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
What I'd like would be an old Alox Cadet Voyageur, knife, scissors and bottle opener/screwdriver. Failing that, I'll probably get a custom titanium version.
If the scales cracking is worrying you at all, it is worth remembering that they can be easily replaced. Rather than shelving them because you are worried about something that might not actually happen, why not keep them in the rotation, see how the scales fare, and should the worst happen down the road then you will be able to replace the scales as needed. If scales cracking turns out to be a regular issue, maybe then I would consider shelving them, but honestly I can't really see too much of an issue - I have handled some very old and well used tools, and seen virtually no serious damage to the scales.
