Which swiss army?

**Tye Possum** · 11-02-2009, 21:29

Ok so I'm looking into getting a new swiss army knife, Victorinox swiss army knife that is. I've narrowed the choices down to two, a camper or a farmer. I have a spartan already but I'm looking for something that may have some more woodsy uses such as a saw but I'm wondering, is the farmer worth getting if it doesn't have some of the tools that the camper does? I've heard it's tougher and the knife is a bit bigger on the farmer so do you think that makes up for the missing tools or should I just get a spartan with a saw (camper). I've been thinking about this for a while and since I read the thread on who owns a swiss army knife I figured you folks could probably help me decide. So what do you think?

**Magentus** · 12-02-2009, 11:48

I think it depends on the amount of times you expect to use the saw. I have one on my Victorinox Rucksack which I've occasionally used but for regular sawing I use a proper folding one. I always think a SAK is a good knife for minor tasks; I use mine for opening cans, bottles, prising things open, cutting/whittling etc but I don't think they replace a dedicated tool (obviously they're not meant to). As a small knife to keep with you I'd say the farmer is excellent. I have just received a soldier which I believe is the farmer without the lanyard ring and I'm keeping it as my legal every day carrier. Very tough and I can see myself using all the bits on it.

Hope that helps. It's a bit of a minefield, the old SAK question!

Magentus

**Tracer1969** · 12-02-2009, 12:04

I bought myself a Farmer and the One Hand Trekker.
Must say i like the One Hand Trekker so much that the farmer is now in the car as a backup.
It's a little bigger, more solid for heavyier tasks.
One minus point is no clip, otherwise i would be perfect for me.
But that makes it difficult for you, now you have 3 choices :-)

**Tye Possum** · 12-02-2009, 16:26

Well thanks for adding another choice there but I can't seem to find the trekker model... It is a swiss army knife right? Anyways, the site I'm going to buy from is www.bensbackwoods.com and they only have: The rucksack, hunter O.D., hiker, farmer, camper (red), camper (black), classic and the little eyeglass screwdriver. The classic is out right away due to it's size, the hunter O.D. and the rucksack are out because I'm looking for a smaller pocket knife, just something to whittle with and do the odd camping task. The hiker is out because it's a camper with a screwdriver which I don't need. So then it's down to the camper or the farmer. The farmer is tougher and has fewer tools which means it can do less but also means there's nothing just sitting there that you don't need. The camper has a couple tools I wouldn't really need but still... I find the corkscrew works well for untying(?) knots in string, the tweezers are good if you had a splinter, of course they aren't perfect as they're not pointy and the toothpick is handy for cleaning gunk out of the knife. If the alox scales of the farmer weren't there I'd definately get the camper but they're just so darn cool... I guess it's the camper that would be more handy then so now the question is... Which camper, black or red scales?

**Magentus** · 12-02-2009, 16:40

I would say red in case you drop it.

**gzornenplat** · 12-02-2009, 16:57

I carry a traditional SAK normally (Officer Suisse of some kind) but my Rucksack
gets the most use and taken with me on trips. Mine has scissors and a Philips
driver as well as the features of the one on bensbackwoods.com

I'd consider the advantages of 7/8" extra length for the blade and saw for the
Rucksack/Hunter over the Camper - it doesn't sound much, but it's quite a
percentage increase - as well as the fact that the Camper blade
doesn't lock. I don't know for sure, but I'd imagine that the Camper's blade is
also thinner - my Officer's main blade is definitely thinner than my Rucksack.

**Barn Owl** · 12-02-2009, 19:16

My farmer has replaced my sak explorer as a legal edc.

Can't say i'm missing any of the tools on the latter,it now remains in the car.

**Tracer1969** · 12-02-2009, 19:34

Here is a picture of the one hand trekker
http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/...product=54876&

**trail2** · 12-02-2009, 22:14

Try these people. I know they have the Trekker on there someplace.
Excellent service and prices.
Usual disclaimers apply.
http://felinevet.sosakonline.com/ind...pshop&Itemid=1
Jon R.

**Tye Possum** · 12-02-2009, 23:27

Well those one hand opening ones have partly serrated blades which I don't like. That sites cool, if I need another swiss army knife in the future I'd probably buy from them but I'm still buying from bensbackwoods this time because they have some other stuff that I need.

Originally Posted by gzornenplat

I'd consider the advantages of 7/8" extra length for the blade and saw for the Rucksack/Hunter over the Camper - it doesn't sound much, but it's quite a
percentage increase - as well as the fact that the Camper blade
doesn't lock. I don't know for sure, but I'd imagine that the Camper's blade is
also thinner - my Officer's main blade is definitely thinner than my Rucksack.

That's a good point and if this was going to be my main knife then I'd get a locking one but I have a belt knife and so all I really need is an average sized pocket knife. The thinner blade also comes in handy with details in carving and the fact that the blade doesn't lock doesn't really bother me, I've come close once but never closed the blade fully on my fingers yet. I think I've changed my mind now... I think I might go with the farmer. I mean I have a spartan already so I might as well get something different and I have a leather pouch for swiss army knives that I could wear on my belt so if I needed to I could carry both swiss army knives. Ok I guess the farmer it is! Thanks everyone for your help.

**Wilderbeast** · 13-02-2009, 00:05

might consider "the picknicker" it's got a locking blade and a saw amongst other things which is nice!

**bushwacker bob** · 13-02-2009, 00:26

Originally Posted by Tye Possum

Which camper, black or red scales?

Doesn't matter as long as you replace it with WOOD.

**traderran** · 13-02-2009, 02:57

I have a old alux farmer. It is in my saddlebags all the time.
If you can find one get the alux farmer the aluminum scales
are indestructible.

**JDO330** · 13-02-2009, 14:59

I have the Trakka and it is very nice, especially as the saw is that much longer than the Farmer for example. However, the only downside of the Trekka (IMO) is the actual blade (part serrated and a chisel grind on the straight part). Its still cuts well but is a real pain to sharpen. I might ask someone to re-profile it for me?

Not sure where you are but you might also want to consider EDC laws etc?

ATB, Jon.

**JDO330** · 13-02-2009, 15:03

Originally Posted by Magentus

I think it depends on the amount of times you expect to use the saw. I have one on my Victorinox Rucksack which I've occasionally used but for regular sawing I use a proper folding one. I always think a SAK is a good knife for minor tasks; I use mine for opening cans, bottles, prising things open, cutting/whittling etc but I don't think they replace a dedicated tool (obviously they're not meant to). As a small knife to keep with you I'd say the farmer is excellent. I have just received a soldier which I believe is the farmer without the lanyard ring and I'm keeping it as my legal every day carrier. Very tough and I can see myself using all the bits on it.

Hope that helps. It's a bit of a minefield, the old SAK question!

Magentus

Ive got a Soldier and it looks like the Farmer but your right it doesnt have the lanyard ring but more importantly (for me) no saw either

ATB, Jon.

**Armleywhite** · 13-02-2009, 15:29

Originally Posted by Tracer1969

Here is a picture of the one hand trekker
http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/...product=54876&

Same as mine, but mine is a black handled version with the swiss cross on it.

**Armleywhite** · 13-02-2009, 15:34

Oops, no it isn't

The one I have is the Victorinox centurian. They do look alike though, in terms of the tools it has.

**JDO330** · 13-02-2009, 16:34

I also really like my Explorer that I have owned for nearly 23 years (but no saw), its generally my EDC and very handy around the house too.

ATB, Jon.

Just noticed, this is my 100th post!!

**Magentus** · 13-02-2009, 16:44

Nice one Centurian!

**Walks with dogs** · 13-02-2009, 17:27

I'm a fan of the rucksack version. A decent sized locking blade , non serrated, and a decent saw . The bottle opener comes in handy too.

**Tye Possum** · 13-02-2009, 23:05

Originally Posted by JDO330

Not sure where you are but you might also want to consider EDC laws etc?

Well I could carry a swiss army around even with a locking blade as far as I know. If I've got a big knife on my belt and I'm walking around town then that's a problem but I'm pretty sure locking bladed and non locking pocket knives are allowed. If I had a concealed knife then that's not good but if it's just a pocket knife in my pocket then I should be alright. In the woods though, pretty much anything goes but the blade has to be, I think 5" or shorter and you don't need a permit or anything either which is handy. Knives like switchblades and butterfly knives aren't legal here at all but since those are pretty much fighting knives that doesn't bother me.

Originally Posted by traderran

I have a old alux farmer. It is in my saddlebags all the time.
If you can find one get the alux farmer the aluminum scales
are indestructible.

That's good to hear as that's the knife I've decided to get.

**Mountainwalker** · 14-02-2009, 00:23

I think I have the SAK camper, a friend gave it to me as a birthday present. Anyway it has a saw. For many years this was the only knife I would take on multiday treks. A few years back I strained a tendon in my knee whilst climbing Mt Pirongia in New Zealand. I was in deep trouble as I had made the summit for the night but was uncertain how I would descend the next day; I could not bend my leg very well or place much weight on it. With the little saw and the longer blade I made a walking stick and whilst the descent was a long one I got down safely. As you may imagine I am now very attached to my SAK camper.

**wizard** · 14-02-2009, 02:14

The Alox scale Victorinox knives have much thicker blades than the plastic scale SAK's like the Camper. A sturdier blade is a good thing. I have carried a Farmer for 30 years now and although I own a lot of Swiss Army knives, the Farmer is the one a take to the bush every time.

**MacFeegle** · 15-02-2009, 21:57

Alox Farmer lives in my pocket 24/7 ever since I bought it, comes in handy at work for everyday cutting tasks find that the thicker blade on the alox model cuts better than a standard SAK. I'm also a part-time bailiff on my local carp syndicate and believe me the saw has seen so much use that it is now indispensible, have fixed blades, folding saws and a small collection of axes but feel like I could do any job asked eventually with the farmer.

**Rui** · 16-02-2009, 12:05

I have de one hand trekker and I carry it everyday since 6 years ago.

The new version made to the Swiss Army is great to, but I didn't see at any shop yet.

http://bushcraft-pt.forumeiro.net/forum.htm

**Minotaur** · 17-02-2009, 11:33

Have a look at the Huntsman.

When I went looking for an everyday carry that is what I picked. In Black.

To be honest, I do not like them, and think the leatherman is such a better EDC tool, but the law is the law.

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