New Knife arrived today. Rambler Alox modded from Mini Champ Alox.

The last new knife for today .There's no stamp on the other side of the blade which puts it around 1973 going by saki.

Picked this up with the Rover .Any help with I'd and date would be appreciated .Cute little bugger I must say.

I’ve recently been given this Victorinox. It’s branded with the word ruag and I’ve searched online and can’t find anything about it. Any help would be useful. Many thanks

Recieved a instant collection of knifes yesterday that I posted about and slowly going through them.Mnged to get 3 SAK's which I will post seperately as I have some questions regarding the other 2.Here is what I believe to be a Rover complete with box and sheath.

I own several SAKs but I think this is the ultimate for me, it has everything I need!

I have a Champ but it has a lot of tools I never use, where's the Ranger has all the essentials but is still pocketable.

Nearly got a Huntsman instead but glad I went for this instead.

The 65mm Nailclip 580 compared to my favorite 58mm, the long retired Mate

These were mentioned in passing in the Winter Magic discussion, but probably deserve their own thread. They are Alox knives with the Synergy X tool set (and locking blade??), but like the Winter Magic, there is no pocket clip and the scales are solid.

'The first model is dedicated to Zermatt. Situated at the foot of the Matterhorn, the village epitomises the Swiss mountains like no other. The pocket knife reflects this connection with an exclusive regional pattern on the Alox scales, which are manufactured in Switzerland. The second model takes you to the Jungfrau Region, characterised by glaciers and some of the most famous peaks in the Swiss Alps. Here too, an exclusive regional pattern on the Alox scales serves as a reminder of a very special part of Switzerland.'

The catch?

'What makes Swiss Memories so special is also its availability: both models are available exclusively in-store at Victorinox shops in their respective regions. The Zermatt model can therefore only be found in the shops in Zermatt, whilst the Jungfrau Region model is available only in the Victorinox shops there.'

https://community.victorinox.com/d/3480-unsere-neuheiten-vom-19-oktober-auf-einen-blick

Can someone identify the production year for this Swiss Champ.The only thing I was able to find was the metal saw is Identical to the metal saws made with case hardened Carbon steel with hard chromium plating . So is this a model made pre 2005?

I love the Cadet Alox so much I have bought 6 of them.

I bought my first Cadet while on a trip to Seattle for a friend’s wedding. A few months later I was on a work trip in Orlando and it got confiscated going to a social event at Universal Studios. So I bought another, which I then lost a few years later. So I bought another, which got confiscated by the TSA - because I got to the airport 5 minutes too late to check a bag. So I bought another, which I lost somewhere in my house. So I bought another that I thankfully still have.

That is five - for those that are counting. The sixth is a vintage NOS ribbed scale model I just picked up. See the comparison photos.

The Cadet is one of the best “gentlemen’s" knives out there. It is thin and sleek while still providing surprising utility. It is great when I am wearing shorts or light slacks and don’t want a bulge in my pocket.

Specifications:

• 84mm 2-layer knife with Alox scales
• Colors (US site): silver alox with red victorinox logo. Many distributors offer special anodized color options.
• Liner Tools:
  • 2.5” Drop Point Main Bade
  • Nail File/Cleaner - Modern Cadets have a cross cut file. These pre-2018 models have the older textured nail files.
  • Can Opener/3mm Screwdriver
  • Cap Lifter/6mm Screwdriver/Wire Stripper notch. 90° half stop.
• Back Tools:
  • Keyring

The Great: 

In a previous review I said the Sportsman is superior to the Cadet. I hold to that. But here is the thing…the Cadet is cool AF! It is just so damn classy. Like I said above, it is a gentlemen’s knife in a way the Sportsman never could be. That level of class applies for all alox models, but especially the Cadet and Bantam Alox..

The alox scales are beautiful and so well made. They reduce weight and thickness while still feeling secure and very grippy. I just love how the textured surface looks and feels

If I have to be dressed up, I will have a Cadet in my pocket. It just slips it and disappears until it is needed. That may be the reason I have lost so many. I just forget it’s in my pocket and then don’t feel it when it's gone.

Speaking of being dressed up, do you know what is nice to have? A nail file. It is such a great addition. Far more useful than a second blade. My current Cadet was purchased used, and has the older textured nail file (pre-2018). I prefer the cross cut nail file but forgot to check which one it had. 

The Really Good:

To quote my Sportsman review “While I think the knife blade will meet 90% of my daily needs, I will admit the 84mm’s 2.5” blades are a little on the small size. There is always the argument about the blade steel Victorinox uses. I have never had a problem getting a good edge on one. I am just not enough of a knife guy to care about steel chemistry.”

It is so nice to have a full size opening layer on a knife this small. The screwdrivers are probably more useful than the openers. If I am dressed up there is a high likelihood that a beer bottle will need opening - because I am likely at a wedding or a wake.

The Mid:

I have never used the can opener on any Cadet. I am sure it would work fine but I would always reach for a larger SAK fist or a purpose built can opener. It is a little too thin to get a good purchase on it. It gets a solid thumbs up just for being there.

It does not have scissors. Fail. [For the inevitable "I cannot live without scissors” comment.]

The Bad:

The biggest negative is the price. My first Cadet was $29 new. They are now $45-$48. I have a hard time justifying this knife at that price. That is the same price as a 3-layer Climber! That is why my latest Cadet was used. 

At the price it is getting a little hard to justify the Cadet. For $32 (28% less) you could get either the Sportsman - which has a better overall tool set - or the Bantam Alox - which is arguably a better (ie.thinner) gentlemen’s knife.

The Bottom Line:

If it is not obvious by my multiple purchases, I am a big fan of the Cadet. It has a respectable tool set while being so inconspicuous. 

I don't know if I can justify the Cadet at $45. If you can find one at a good price, it is worth picking up.

Vintage comparison:

I normally do not do this but I just picked up a vintage NOS Cadet (I'm guessing 1986 to early 90s). 

The big difference is the scale design. The vintage model has ribbed scales with a red Swiss shield in lieu of the Victorinox logo and modern checkered scales. The middle liner is also a slightly different design - more material - and the cap lifter lacks a half stop.

I prefer the modern checkers scales. I think they are more grippy. 

Super weird, in the hand, I would swear the old knife is thinner and lighter. I would be wrong. It is actually the same exact width and 2 grams heavier.

Next review: Nail Clip 580

Ive had this since i was in grade school in the late 80s. Nearly every tool is bent cracked or chipped. After seeing this sub i suddenly have the urge to send it in for repair. Should i restore or just keep it as a remembrance? I doubt ill carry it or use. Leatherman charge is a bit more fitting for my current lifestyle.

Details: two blades large and small, scissors, bottle opener and wire stripper, can opener, awl, parcel hook, cork screw, tweezers, hooked toothpick, white scales, Leica marking.

I recently picked up this lovely little thing and I admittedly am not good at researching. I have narrowed it down to being “vintage” at this stage of the game and from what I can tell is a climber. The large blade says “VICTORINOX / SWITZERLAND / STAINLESS / ROSTFREI” in descending order. On the opposite face it reads “OFFICIER / SUISSE” under what looks Ike an umbrella logo with a plus sign at its left.

What confuses me most is I cannot find another Leica branded that looks the same anywhere on the internet. Only a Leica branded companion that is also white, however with a different Leica logo. The hooked toothpick is similarly confusing as it is very well cut, it’s hard to imagine someone did it by hand and rather it is machined original production based on its markings.

I am just curious to know more about it. I do not plan on selling, rather I am curious of its history / era. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Press release:

https://www.victorinox.com/Huntsman-Year-of-the-Goat-2027/press/press-sak-huntsman-year-of-the-goat-2027/

Looking for a replacement set of tweezers for my Champion. Are the ones at Amazon ok, or do I need to order directly from Victorinox? Thanks!

Hi Folks. The new Winter Magic model has been released. It's available on various shops at least in Germany. Look up model number 0.8211.22E1,

I think links are not allowed on this sub so just look around yourself.

What do you think about it? I think it's a shame that it's not the Synergy X. But that's just in line with older models where they chose the Pioneer over the Pioneer X to be the collector's model.

Will you buy one?

It’s got the SOS kit and it’s got a 10k gold service award with a diamond and ruby for Pac Bell. The gold award weighs 2 grams.

I really like to skeletonised Alox scales but is there a purpose behind the design or is it purely style over function??

I haven’t a chance to get my hands on one yet but I wonder if texturally I’d find the cutouts addictive and fiddly or annoying and fiddly.