Victorinox Hiker Vs. Victorinox Tinker Small

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kbirk2003

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Jul 13, 2018
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I am looking to buy my first Victorinox (other than a Classic SD) and I am trying to decide between the Hiker and the Tinker Small. The only difference between the two tools is the addition of the saw on the Hiker and a small difference in length. If possible, could any of you guys take pictures of the tools side by side or compared to a different common object (Classic SD, Bic, Quarter, etc.)

Thanks for the help.

Edit: I am open to other suggestions, but I am leaning towards a tool with a Phillips and a can opener.
 
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Farmer!!!! The blade is thicker and the awl is heavy duty and lays out the end of the blade. The awl on this model is very useful, unlike the standard version. It is THE outdoor SAK IMHO .
 
jdk1 said:
Farmer!!!! The blade is thicker and the awl is heavy duty and lays out the end of the blade. The awl on this model is very useful, unlike the standard version. It is THE outdoor SAK IMHO .
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I would really like an alox model and I am still highly considering one, but I was looking for a tool with a Phillips and a can opener. What makes the awl so much more usable?
 
The Farmer's awl is essentially a short, stout blade with a chisel grind. It works well as a blade for abusive tasks such as scraping fire steels, tender, or cutting things you'd rather not use your main blade for. The main blade of the Farmer, and a few others, is thicker than standard i like that for woods use. I really don't need a screw driver or can opener when I camp, but did want tweezers. I added a set of sliver grippers to the split ring on my Farmer and it's pretty much the perfect camping folder for me.
 
jdk1 said:
The Farmer's awl is essentially a short, stout blade with a chisel grind. It works well as a blade for abusive tasks such as scraping fire steels, tender, or cutting things you'd rather not use your main blade for. The main blade of the Farmer, and a few others, is thicker than standard i like that for woods use. I really don't need a screw driver or can opener when I camp, but did want tweezers. I added a set of sliver grippers to the split ring on my Farmer and it's pretty much the perfect camping folder for me.
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Good call.
 
saws worth it. I use mine all the time. then again you ain't me so maybe you wont......
 
I have the 91mm tinker and the recruit, but from what I can tell the Phillips driver and awl aren't making the tool any wider beyond what sticks out for opening.
That'd make the 84mm tinker essentially the same overall package as my recruit which is really compact and pocket friendly for what you get.
I would suggest getting the 84mm mini tinker, the tinker awl and Philips driver are great in my experience.
The awl is great for sewing tasks, and the Phillip driver comes in handy with it's T handle orientation.
It's not perfect for all situations, but you can use the can opener on many Philips screws as well ( not good for high torque, but works fairly well )
Btw as I'm sure you already know from your classic, the toothpick and tweezers are very useful.
If you get something alox you'll probably want to always have that classic along as well.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I only have the 91mm tinker and the recruit, but I from what I can tell the Phillips driver and awl aren't making the tool any wider beyond what sticks out so you can open them.
That'd make the 84mm tinker the same size as my recruit which is really compact and pocket friend for what you get.
I would suggest getting the 84mm mini tinker, the tinker awl and Philips driver are great in my experience.
The awl is great for sewing tasks, and the Phillip driver comes in handy with it's T handle orientation.
It's not perfect, but you can use the can opener on many Philips screws ( not good for high torque, but works fairly well )
Btw as I'm sure you already know from your classic, the toothpick and tweezers are very useful.
If you want something in alox get it, but you'll probably want to always have that classic along as well.
Click to expand...
yep agree. well thought out and said.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I have the 91mm tinker and the recruit, but from what I can tell the Phillips driver and awl aren't making the tool any wider beyond what sticks out for opening.
That'd make the 84mm tinker essentially the same overall package as my recruit which is really compact and pocket friendly for what you get.
I would suggest getting the 84mm mini tinker, the tinker awl and Philips driver are great in my experience.
The awl is great for sewing tasks, and the Phillip driver comes in handy with it's T handle orientation.
It's not perfect for all situations, but you can use the can opener on many Philips screws as well ( not good for high torque, but works fairly well )
Btw as I'm sure you already know from your classic, the toothpick and tweezers are very useful.
If you get something alox you'll probably want to always have that classic along as well.
Click to expand...
The alox farmer keeps looking better and better, I already carry a Leatherman Style PS so I have the tweezers covered.
 
I've used the can opener's small screwdriver on some Phillips screws. Sometimes a purposely-built Phillips driver is better for that, but I don't always like the back tools that only open halfway. Sometimes the back-opening Phillips can't reach into certain spaces. On SAKs with back-opening tools, I actually like the Spartan's corkscrew over the Tinker's Phillips. I use the corkscrew a good deal for loosening overly-tight knots, and it also holds my mini-eyeglass screwdriver.

My favorite Alox SAK for EDC is the basic Pioneer. The same as the Farmer but without the saw.

Jim
 
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