If the rambler was as available all over like the classic, for almost the same price, (I'd be willing to pay a small bit extra for the mini phillips) I'd probably agree with you. But and here's the big thing with the classic, it's the combination of availability, price, and variations of the theme that does it.
...Carried a lot but used little. I'll stock up and buy a bunch and use them as give aways for people I see without knives. I think of classic's as the Giddeons Bible of pocket knives.
If more stores sticked the rambler or manager in the numbers of the classic, for a price that was closer, it would be a different game. But they don't, so the classic is Victorinox's gateway drug to SAK's. And for most people in a modern urban/suburban environment it's good. Handles all the basic functions of knife cutting, scissors, small phillips screws, and can even open a bottle if you use the SD tip of the nail file the right way. Most people just put ne on their keychain and forget about. And it's there when you need it. The classic is the Bic pen of pocket knives.
Well said, Carl (as usual)! :thumbup::thumbup:
"The Gideon's Bible of pocket knives" is a magnificent description.
Since I became re-interested in pocket knives a little over a year ago, I've over-reacted to my many knifeless years and carry way too many pocket knives with me each day. But the Vic Classic is the one I use the most, by far, for day-to-day tasks.
I need a lesson, though, on the right way to open a bottle with the nail file!
- GT
Take the beer bottle in your left hand, and with your right, put the SD tip of the naolfile under the flange of the cap. Gently twist the SD tip so it bends out the flange a bit. Then move it along tot he next ripple and do it agains. Don't lift up and pry with the nail file, but just twist it until it bends up the aluminum edge of the cap. By the time you've went about 1/3 of the way around the top, it pops off with a thumb. Takes about 10 to 15 seconds to do it. There's a zillion ways to open a cold one, ranging from a Bic lighter, a folded up dollar bill, a spoon, house key, and others. When my son came home after his first semester at college, he showed me all the beer opening tricks. I'm glad I got something back for all the money we spent on his college education!:grumpy:
Fine, if you have the patience. I have tried several of these techniques, too often winding up with frustration or a mess. Anymore, I don't even make attempts at field expedient decapping tricks but prefer to pop a cap with my Rambler, even more with any 91mm SAK. Takes a second, therefore much more satisfying (I have a short attention span for these light chores, I want my beer NOW.) However, it's good you got some return on your son's educational investment .
Good debate on the Rambler...thanks for the words of wisdom "Jackknife". I agree...if the big box stores had a $10 Rambler, I'd snatch one up in a moment. But over twice that price online just isn't worth it to me right now. I can add a couple of attachments to my keyring, if need be, to make up for the difference between the Rambler and the Classic tools. A Gerber Shard or a 4-way screwdriver will still fit in my watch pocket...
That's where I am. I'd like the rambler, in theory, but if you double the price for just one added tool, then it's reaching the point of diminishing return very fast. Do I need the bottle opener? no, so it's a waste for me. Do I need the very small phillips? Again no, I don't do IT work or other fine electronics work, so the SD tip on the Classic is good for me. It deals with the more common size phillips well. So, for a case of my own use, as in YMMV, the standard classic does great.
I'm sure there are people who find the rambler a better tool. I'm sure there are people who find the manager, and even the mini champ a better 58mm. But I think the classic is rightly named. Since it's Victorinox's most popular model, a lot of people must find it the best for them.
If I think I'm going to need more tool capability, then maybe I'd just go for a Leatherman micra that I am becoming fond of. But 99.999% of the time, it's the classic on my keyring.
I have a small blue alox classic on my keyring, and carry my keyring on a carabiner clipped to my front belt loop. No one bats an eye at the classic, and it comes in handy. I carry a peanut every day as well. I would like to extend an olive branch to the new Clan of the Classic from the Cult of the Peanut.
Darth Vanadium
Grand High Muckba of the Cult of the Peanut