A Pair of Victorinox Pioneers

[Dave Markowitz]

My Victorinox Pioneer that I bought in the early 80s has been my favorite EDC pocketknife of late. It's a good size for pocket carry, has a very useful assortment of tools, is nearly indestructible with its alox scales, and is sheeple friendly. I've been on a bit of a knife kick lately, so when I found out that Amazon was carrying the Vic Pioneer Farmer model in red, I had to get one. (Most of the Victorinox SAKs with alox scales are now silver colored. IMHO, SAKs should be red.) The Farmer adds one implement to the Pioneer, a wood saw. I think this could come in very useful.

Here's a side view of the Farmer next to my old Pioneer, showing the saw:



Note the Swiss shield on the Farmer, compared with the plain cross on the older knife. On the other side of the Farmer there's a rectangular area suitable for engraving. The older knife doesn't have this.

Below, is a top view, showing how the Farmer is just a little thicker than the Pioneer. It's still very pocketable, the difference isn't noticeable.



The Farmer's knife blade came with a good sharp edge. The polish on the blades is up to Victorinox's usual high standard, and better than on the older knife, even taking into account the wear and tear it has.

You're probably wondering what the silver cylinders attached to each of the knives are. They're "Peanut Lighters" I bought from Countycomm.com. They are refillable, using standard fluid and flints. With the O-rings, they don't leak or let the fluid evaporate. They aren't windproof like Zippos but aside from that work great. For $5 a pop you can't go wrong with them.

I think I'm going to give my old Pioneer a break as my EDC, and start putting the Farmer in my pocket when I get dressed.

 

[daniel (australia)]

They are a good solid knife. I have one which I inherited from my grandfather. Mine is actually stamped "Elinox" on the tang, which dates it to the late 1950s/early 60s, but it is the same series by the same manufacturer. The blade configuration on mine is like the current "Rancher".

After close to 50 years this little knife is still tight, "walks and talks" and works perfectly, but pretty much all the red has worn off the scales. It is a great little EDC/small game knife, but I'm a bit loath to use it too much due to sentimental value, and more often carry my Victorinox Hiker nowadays, or the little Uncle Henry stockman which is in my pocket right now. I also have one of the Victorinox Hunters, a bigger knife (a bit too big for pocket carry) which is a brilliantly versatile hunting/camping tool.

 

[sm]

Dave,
Great Report.
Farmers are amazing knives indeed!
"Little Peanuts" intrigue me, and something I want as well.

Steve

 

[SaMx]

swiss army knives are my favorite multitools. I like them much more than the leatherman-style designs.

anyway, I found the link to those lighters, the regular and upgraded version.
http://www.countycomm.com/sslight.htm
http://www.countycomm.com/peanutlighter.htm

 

[lesjones]

Nice. I carry a Victorinox Soldier, which is almost identical to the Pioneer, in my backpocket. It's slim enough to sit on and has just enough functionality.

They're engravable, too. I've thought about buying a bunch for Christmas gifts engraved with the recipient's initials.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

http://www.countycomm.com/peanutlighter.htm

That's the one.

I carry a Victorinox Soldier, which is almost identical to the Pioneer

IIRC, the only difference between the Pioneer and the Soldier is that the Pioneer has the keyring, while the Soldier doesn't.

 

[hso]

I carry a 25 year old Swiss military standard issue folder much of the time.