sm
member
http://www.smartknives.com/Victorinox-Knives/Victorinox-Solo.htm
Victorinox Solo is a large, non-locking, single spear blade, ribbed nylon pocketknife with a lanyard hole.
Closed length is 4 ¼”
Blade measures from pivot hole to blade tip – 3 ½”
Knife came with a plastic sheath, and simple cardboard box that opens like a box of kitchen matches with a very simple, still informative care and use instruction sheet.
Price: $ 7.99 before shipping.
Mine was a gift.
This knife closely mirrors a Case Bare head Trapper, like I EDC with Chrome Vanadium Blade in closed length, blade length, and thickness to give one an idea for comparison.
http://www.vintageknives.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jmqrgmorq
Fit and finish is excellent! Main blade is lined up perfect inside handle.
Upon opening, this knife has a good nail nick and strong back springs.
Folks use the term “Walk & Talk – this knife has definite “Walk & Talk”!!
It SNAPPED open! I mean it has more “assurance” than locking knives be they liner lock or lock backs many are familiar with.
It takes a bit of effort to close the blade; more resistance than some lock backs.
Meaning, there is NO give – until enough pressure overrides the back spring.
Sharp out of the box!!
Red nylon composition handle is very comfortable in my hand which takes a size 7.5 surgical glove. The texture or ribbed design gives one a solid assurance in dry hands naturally, but even with wet, soapy wet, greasy wet hands, one has control of this knife.
Right out of the box this knife is ready to be used, and used hard!
I did the “nail test” again to check how sharp the blade was and decided lunch could wait. Went to the garage and promptly cut a scrap piece of garden hose into with no effort.
Sisal rope, just the typical stuff one gets free tying something in from a hardware store, cut with ease. So I doubled, tripled, and still no effort.
Cardboard boxes are usually a good test on blades, as cutting them generates heat.
Got bored with making a mess of a box and went outside to find something else to mess with.
Rose bush has some areas dead and cut right thru. I have been meaning to grab the limb cutter and take care of some limbs about as big around as my thumb. Walking back to the garage to get limb cutters is too much trouble, and these are within reach of me standing.
Cut a “V” notch, no problem, and little ‘snap’ and done with that chore I have put off.
Put away the mess I had made in trash can and time for lunch.
Hot soap and water, and tooth brush to clean knife. Did the “nail test” on blade and …
Nah, I’m hungry!
No problem slicing Cure 81 ham, tomato, apple, cheese and spreading some mustard,
I normally do not cut my sandwiches in half; still even I know cutting a sandwich diagonally means bigger halves than cutting into and getting two rectangles. *grin*
I didn’t really want peanut butter on an apple slice, then again I do have this knife and one should do the “Peanut Butter Test”. Solo passed with flying colors. *smirk*
Do the “nail test” and still holding up. Still, I do have that nice piece of cardboard I use to strop knives on, so why not? No compound, just spine back and strop a bit and do the “nail test”. Whoa! Back to the way it comes out of the box!
Time passes…
Sharpened pencils, whittled, make shavings, used with magnesium fire starter to start a fire, made a slingshot, include cutting the leather for pouch.
Cleaned rabbits, squirrel, cleaned fish (fillets, catfish steaks)…
Food prep from cutting up meat for a stew, peeling potatoes, peeling carrots, slicing tomatoes, apples, coring apples and onion for baking these…
Cut my meat , from ham, chicken, steak , chicken fried steak , rack of ribs,at a restaurant, and you name it.
Rope, string, boxes, leather, yard work and for some odd reason, got a wild hair to cut a notch out of a busted heavy mop bucket, cut heater and radiator hose, and more garden hose to use as a siphon [Oklahoma Credit Card as we call these] to remove gas from my lady friend’s vehicle into a gas can.
Never had the non-locking blade attempt to fold on me- granted I grew up learning correct basic fundamentals of pocket knives / slip-joints, then again this Solo “resists” wanting to close as I shared earlier with its strong back springs.
Upkeep:
Well if I dig out my Norton India IB6 combo stone, that means I have to put it up.
Can’t have that now can we? Reality is, out and about I am not always going to have a hone, or want to lug one, or other reasons.
This Solo I am familiar with, I have had these before. So this gift knife was given for me to put back in a “grab and get” bag.
Rapela and Gerber make a $2 small “crock stick” if you will. This I used when I needed to sharpen it after lots and lots of use.
Between times, simple piece of cardboard to strop, bottom of ceramic coffee cup, or whatever handy.
Clean with soap and water , used a pipe cleaner if need, and lubed pivot with anything from food grade mineral oil, Ballistol, Singer Sewing machine oil…normally just the Singer sewing machine oil as I keep it out and therefore easy to put back up.
What I have used and prefer is, okay, let me be honest. I grew up learning to sharpen freehand.
I apprenticed using hand tools, properly heated carbon steel I might add.
I used Norton India stones on these quality expensive carbon steel tools. Pike is the other name in conjunction with Norton (you folks knew that)
So for camping, hiking or having in a farm/ ranch truck a pocket sized Norton Combo stone I can do wonders with . I also know toting one of them bigger padded Emery boards sharpens a knife. Also I often sharpen knives using Emery paper, about 50 cents a sheet at the hardware store.
Out and about, in a day pack, in vehicle, desk drawer at the office, wherever, a couple of girts of this emery paper stapled to a small piece of cardboard makes a great portable sharpener.
I am pretty sure someone saw what I did and stole my idea , and that is how them them big Emery board ladies do their nails with now come to be.
I knew I should have gotten a patent on that idea...*smirk*
Dead Serious - we passed out These Solo and Old Hickory knives after a natural disaster and Emery paper on cardboard for folks to keep them up.
This knife I knew as I have had them would again prove itself to be an inexpensive, quality tool to have in case of emergency, for a back up or loaner if matters get serious.
Tool for home, office, vehicle, camping, and hiking; or …
Like the ones I have given to folks over the years going through a natural disaster.
Lanyard hole I like for the option to wear around the neck for a back-up while hiking, camping, doing emergency cleanup, and for working around water, scaffolds, ladders and such.
Note:
Knife laws where I am “say” 3.5 “is legal limit.
I mention this as I know we have members in the UK, where 3” is the max allowed length limit.
Some businesses and other areas may have restrictions as well, so always check YOUR knife laws please, or those you may consider giving these as gifts.
Again, I measure from pivot hole to tip to alleviate any questions on “interpreting” blade length.
Solo measures 3.5” from pivot hole to tip.
$8 for a quality knife that has proven to me, and others on farms, ranches under actual hard use, this Solo is something everyone should consider as another tool in the toolbox.
I am not affiliated or receive any compensation for any of the products mentioned or links provided in the above.
I do not have means to take pictures and respect those with dial-up ISP and downloading pictures.
Yes I am still true to 1095 steel and Case Chrome Vanadium blades. Just accepting the fact, not everyone is going to spend the money to have a bunch of what I like, put back in "get and grab" gear or stashed in umpteen places. Just wanted to make sure some you folks did not tease me too bad or send a doctor over to see if I am sick or something. *smirk*
Regards,
Steve
Victorinox Solo is a large, non-locking, single spear blade, ribbed nylon pocketknife with a lanyard hole.
Closed length is 4 ¼”
Blade measures from pivot hole to blade tip – 3 ½”
Knife came with a plastic sheath, and simple cardboard box that opens like a box of kitchen matches with a very simple, still informative care and use instruction sheet.
Price: $ 7.99 before shipping.
Mine was a gift.
This knife closely mirrors a Case Bare head Trapper, like I EDC with Chrome Vanadium Blade in closed length, blade length, and thickness to give one an idea for comparison.
http://www.vintageknives.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jmqrgmorq
Fit and finish is excellent! Main blade is lined up perfect inside handle.
Upon opening, this knife has a good nail nick and strong back springs.
Folks use the term “Walk & Talk – this knife has definite “Walk & Talk”!!
It SNAPPED open! I mean it has more “assurance” than locking knives be they liner lock or lock backs many are familiar with.
It takes a bit of effort to close the blade; more resistance than some lock backs.
Meaning, there is NO give – until enough pressure overrides the back spring.
Sharp out of the box!!
Red nylon composition handle is very comfortable in my hand which takes a size 7.5 surgical glove. The texture or ribbed design gives one a solid assurance in dry hands naturally, but even with wet, soapy wet, greasy wet hands, one has control of this knife.
Right out of the box this knife is ready to be used, and used hard!
I did the “nail test” again to check how sharp the blade was and decided lunch could wait. Went to the garage and promptly cut a scrap piece of garden hose into with no effort.
Sisal rope, just the typical stuff one gets free tying something in from a hardware store, cut with ease. So I doubled, tripled, and still no effort.
Cardboard boxes are usually a good test on blades, as cutting them generates heat.
Got bored with making a mess of a box and went outside to find something else to mess with.
Rose bush has some areas dead and cut right thru. I have been meaning to grab the limb cutter and take care of some limbs about as big around as my thumb. Walking back to the garage to get limb cutters is too much trouble, and these are within reach of me standing.
Cut a “V” notch, no problem, and little ‘snap’ and done with that chore I have put off.
Put away the mess I had made in trash can and time for lunch.
Hot soap and water, and tooth brush to clean knife. Did the “nail test” on blade and …
Nah, I’m hungry!
No problem slicing Cure 81 ham, tomato, apple, cheese and spreading some mustard,
I normally do not cut my sandwiches in half; still even I know cutting a sandwich diagonally means bigger halves than cutting into and getting two rectangles. *grin*
I didn’t really want peanut butter on an apple slice, then again I do have this knife and one should do the “Peanut Butter Test”. Solo passed with flying colors. *smirk*
Do the “nail test” and still holding up. Still, I do have that nice piece of cardboard I use to strop knives on, so why not? No compound, just spine back and strop a bit and do the “nail test”. Whoa! Back to the way it comes out of the box!
Time passes…
Sharpened pencils, whittled, make shavings, used with magnesium fire starter to start a fire, made a slingshot, include cutting the leather for pouch.
Cleaned rabbits, squirrel, cleaned fish (fillets, catfish steaks)…
Food prep from cutting up meat for a stew, peeling potatoes, peeling carrots, slicing tomatoes, apples, coring apples and onion for baking these…
Cut my meat , from ham, chicken, steak , chicken fried steak , rack of ribs,at a restaurant, and you name it.
Rope, string, boxes, leather, yard work and for some odd reason, got a wild hair to cut a notch out of a busted heavy mop bucket, cut heater and radiator hose, and more garden hose to use as a siphon [Oklahoma Credit Card as we call these] to remove gas from my lady friend’s vehicle into a gas can.
Never had the non-locking blade attempt to fold on me- granted I grew up learning correct basic fundamentals of pocket knives / slip-joints, then again this Solo “resists” wanting to close as I shared earlier with its strong back springs.
Upkeep:
Well if I dig out my Norton India IB6 combo stone, that means I have to put it up.
Can’t have that now can we? Reality is, out and about I am not always going to have a hone, or want to lug one, or other reasons.
This Solo I am familiar with, I have had these before. So this gift knife was given for me to put back in a “grab and get” bag.
Rapela and Gerber make a $2 small “crock stick” if you will. This I used when I needed to sharpen it after lots and lots of use.
Between times, simple piece of cardboard to strop, bottom of ceramic coffee cup, or whatever handy.
Clean with soap and water , used a pipe cleaner if need, and lubed pivot with anything from food grade mineral oil, Ballistol, Singer Sewing machine oil…normally just the Singer sewing machine oil as I keep it out and therefore easy to put back up.
What I have used and prefer is, okay, let me be honest. I grew up learning to sharpen freehand.
I apprenticed using hand tools, properly heated carbon steel I might add.
I used Norton India stones on these quality expensive carbon steel tools. Pike is the other name in conjunction with Norton (you folks knew that)
So for camping, hiking or having in a farm/ ranch truck a pocket sized Norton Combo stone I can do wonders with . I also know toting one of them bigger padded Emery boards sharpens a knife. Also I often sharpen knives using Emery paper, about 50 cents a sheet at the hardware store.
Out and about, in a day pack, in vehicle, desk drawer at the office, wherever, a couple of girts of this emery paper stapled to a small piece of cardboard makes a great portable sharpener.
I am pretty sure someone saw what I did and stole my idea , and that is how them them big Emery board ladies do their nails with now come to be.
I knew I should have gotten a patent on that idea...*smirk*
Dead Serious - we passed out These Solo and Old Hickory knives after a natural disaster and Emery paper on cardboard for folks to keep them up.
This knife I knew as I have had them would again prove itself to be an inexpensive, quality tool to have in case of emergency, for a back up or loaner if matters get serious.
Tool for home, office, vehicle, camping, and hiking; or …
Like the ones I have given to folks over the years going through a natural disaster.
Lanyard hole I like for the option to wear around the neck for a back-up while hiking, camping, doing emergency cleanup, and for working around water, scaffolds, ladders and such.
Note:
Knife laws where I am “say” 3.5 “is legal limit.
I mention this as I know we have members in the UK, where 3” is the max allowed length limit.
Some businesses and other areas may have restrictions as well, so always check YOUR knife laws please, or those you may consider giving these as gifts.
Again, I measure from pivot hole to tip to alleviate any questions on “interpreting” blade length.
Solo measures 3.5” from pivot hole to tip.
$8 for a quality knife that has proven to me, and others on farms, ranches under actual hard use, this Solo is something everyone should consider as another tool in the toolbox.
I am not affiliated or receive any compensation for any of the products mentioned or links provided in the above.
I do not have means to take pictures and respect those with dial-up ISP and downloading pictures.
Yes I am still true to 1095 steel and Case Chrome Vanadium blades. Just accepting the fact, not everyone is going to spend the money to have a bunch of what I like, put back in "get and grab" gear or stashed in umpteen places. Just wanted to make sure some you folks did not tease me too bad or send a doctor over to see if I am sick or something. *smirk*
Regards,
Steve
