What’s the BEST Option with SCISSORS ??

N

Nalapombu

Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
303
Hey all.

I am going to pick up a left pocket knife/multi-tool as a backup to my large bladed EDC knife. I want a multi-tool that I can use for typical daily chores instead of getting out a large folder that might “startle” others that think even a butter knife is deadly. Better to keep that knife hidden away….I think. I don’t mind the extra weight a 2nd tool brings with it.

I am 95% sure that I’ll get a ASK PioneerX in ALOX. Really great looking knives especially the ones in different colors.

I am posting this so I can find out that I’m getting the best option. I know there are other tools out there that have scissors and other useful tools. I just don’t know what all is out there to check out before buying the SAK.

I don’t want to have to put a pouch on my belt. I don’t need pliers. I prefer a pocket clip. I wish the SAK’s came with one. I can’t have everything though.

Also, if there are other SAK’s that you think would also work well for me, please suggest. I need the help and ideas. I was set on the SAK FARMERX, but I figured I wouldn’t use the wood saw implement enough to justify it.

I’d like to hear opinions on the Leatherman, Gerber and other models that have a scissors option and how they compare to the SAK I am favoring.

Thank you all for your time and the help. I really appreciate it.

Larry
 
Pioneer is a good choice, also the compact is a good option.
Also you might want to have a look at the smaller leathermans such as the juice or squirt.
Good luck.
 
Vic makes the best scissors, and the pioneer x is no slouch. A compact is also a good choice, you likely won't need its combo tool as a can opener, but it's there if you do (and they do a really good job on cans where the ring pull is broken). There are several companies that make pocket hooks that will keep the knife a bit more oriented. If you want to just dip a toe into Victorinox, the cheapest mid-sized knives would likely be the climber and the super tinker. The difference is the climber has the corkscrew, tinker has the screwdriver. Everyone is different, but for my tastes, three layers are the max for pocket carry. Unless you are into really baggy pants and pocket bricks, I wouldn't go thicker.

The only other one I'd jump to would be the leatherman micra. I've got the small LM Style PS, and it's got decent scissors, but I think the micra ones are a bit better, and it's a bit better pocket carry. I've yet to come across many good small scissors. It seems like good scissors are almost as hard to do as a good slipjoint, or a centered pivot.
 
Having carried a lot of different SAKs and multi-tools over the years, I've found some implements getting a lot more use than others. (That includes when I'm trying to find uses for them.) I've come to appreciate having pliers, scissors, a file, and a small saw. At least some coverage for different screws is good. A bottle opener can be handy but lots of other tools either include one or can be used as one. So it should be no surprise that I've gotten the best use out of pliers-based multi-tools.

For a larger one, belt carry can be very convenient once you get used to it. I've come to prefer the SwissTool line to the Leatherman stuff. Since the blades on so many multi-tools use laughable steel versus my dedicated knives, I've come around to the serrated-only layout of the SwissTool XC.

When I don't feel like carrying anything on my belt, I'll often just grab the little Leatherman Squirt. It's decent for how small it is. The scissors are small but work well enough when I need them. (It's sad that Leatherman discontinued the Juice line in between these sizes.) Depending on what else I'm carrying, I might put a small SAK or something like the Ruike S22 on my key ring instead.

The Ruike stuff can be an interesting alternative to some of the SAKs. My only complaint with those is that the scissors move a little as they close. It's really not a big deal but somehow, it bugs me. You can see some different combinations on their website:

 
Nalapombu said:
Hey all.

I am going to pick up a left pocket knife/multi-tool as a backup to my large bladed EDC knife. I want a multi-tool that I can use for typical daily chores instead of getting out a large folder that might “startle” others that think even a butter knife is deadly. Better to keep that knife hidden away….I think. I don’t mind the extra weight a 2nd tool brings with it.

I am 95% sure that I’ll get a ASK PioneerX in ALOX. Really great looking knives especially the ones in different colors.

I am posting this so I can find out that I’m getting the best option. I know there are other tools out there that have scissors and other useful tools. I just don’t know what all is out there to check out before buying the SAK.

I don’t want to have to put a pouch on my belt. I don’t need pliers. I prefer a pocket clip. I wish the SAK’s came with one. I can’t have everything though.

Also, if there are other SAK’s that you think would also work well for me, please suggest. I need the help and ideas. I was set on the SAK FARMERX, but I figured I wouldn’t use the wood saw implement enough to justify it.

I’d like to hear opinions on the Leatherman, Gerber and other models that have a scissors option and how they compare to the SAK I am favoring.

Thank you all for your time and the help. I really appreciate it.

Larry
Click to expand...
If you are considering just the scissors and not much else in a multitool, you might go with a Victorinox SD Classic. Even if you settle on something else, it is a fine tool. It will fit right in your jeans' watch pocket or on your keys.

Zieg
 
Larry

I've been a SAK guy forever (well 40+ years). I'm a devoted Tinker carrier. A regular Tinker at home and a Super Tinker out and about. I use to carry a Deluxe Tinker, but never used the pliers, so why bother with the extra weight/size? IMHO the Super Tinker is your better choice vs the Pioneer X.
You get a small blade (I use a lot), a Phillips screw driver (seems everything around has Phillips heads) - you keep the awl (which I use a lot to start screw holes) and you get the scissors. Oh, and you get the hook - which I've never used). I like the red cellidor (if it isn't red, it isn't a SAK );).



Rich
 
Last edited:
I'm not suggesting you carry everything I do. I'm just showing the little scissors are an option.
 
Nalapombu said:
Hey all.

I am going to pick up a left pocket knife/multi-tool as a backup to my large bladed EDC knife. I want a multi-tool that I can use for typical daily chores instead of getting out a large folder that might “startle” others that think even a butter knife is deadly. Better to keep that knife hidden away….I think. I don’t mind the extra weight a 2nd tool brings with it.

I am 95% sure that I’ll get a ASK PioneerX in ALOX. Really great looking knives especially the ones in different colors.

I am posting this so I can find out that I’m getting the best option. I know there are other tools out there that have scissors and other useful tools. I just don’t know what all is out there to check out before buying the SAK.

I don’t want to have to put a pouch on my belt. I don’t need pliers. I prefer a pocket clip. I wish the SAK’s came with one. I can’t have everything though.

Also, if there are other SAK’s that you think would also work well for me, please suggest. I need the help and ideas. I was set on the SAK FARMERX, but I figured I wouldn’t use the wood saw implement enough to justify it.

I’d like to hear opinions on the Leatherman, Gerber and other models that have a scissors option and how they compare to the SAK I am favoring.

Thank you all for your time and the help. I really appreciate it.

Larry
Click to expand...

Victorinox sets the standard for scissors and there isn't a close second. Some other brands occasionally make a specific unit with scissors that work well, but Vic scissors almost always work.

The Pioneer X is a great choice, but I prefer having the second blade and toothpick/tweezers. If you like the tool selection of the Pioneer X, then consider the Climber. You don't have the Alox scales, but you get a second blade and the scale tools. On the other hand, if you need to use the reamer/punch a lot, the inline version on the Alox SAKs is on par with Victorinox scissors. If you rely on that tool, go Pioneer X or Farmer X if you also want a saw.
 
I agree with the others that Victorinox makes the best multitool scissors. The Pioneer X is a great choice; if you want to go a bit cheaper and lighter, the Super Tinker or the Climber are excellent three-layer 91mm SAKs. My default EDC is an Explorer, which is like a Climber with the addition of a Philips driver and a magnifying glass.

Just beware that buying a SAK is a slippery slope!
 
You want good scisors in a functional multitool look at Roxon, the plier based stuff is pretty bulky but they have a knife/ scissor combo, that will leave little sak or leatherman scissors in the dust.
 
elasmonut said:
You want good scisors in a functional multitool look at Roxon, the plier based stuff is pretty bulky but they have a knife/ scissor combo, that will leave little sak or leatherman scissors in the dust.
Click to expand...

I didn't know about these. The cheapest one is a knife and scissors in 5Cr15 for like $21. That's not a great blade steel but the norm for multi-tools is like 420HC, 7Cr17Mov, and whatever Victorinox uses so it's not way out of line. It's also $21.

The more complex S802 ($50) at least uses 8Cr13Mov for the blade (56-58HRC) and appears to have interchangeable parts.

I'm at least going to explore the reviews on these. Thanks for the tip.
 
The Zieg said:
If you are considering just the scissors and not much else in a multitool, you might go with a Victorinox SD Classic. Even if you settle on something else, it is a fine tool. It will fit right in your jeans' watch pocket or on your keys.

Zieg
Click to expand...
I second this. They are smaller but as sharp as the big ones. In fact in some very detailed jobs they are even better than the regular scissors.
 
SD Classic or SIGNATURE on your keyring might be another option to consider.
The scissors is big enough for taking care of the loose threads and wild hairs "life" sometimes throws in our path, and it is strong/tough enough to tackle trimming finger and thumbnails.

No one seems to notice an SD Classic or Signature (same knife, but the signature has a retractable ballpoint pen in one of the covers) on your keyring. I've never seen or heard of anyone freaking out at the sight of someone using it.
 
Thanks all for the advice. I’ve owned a few SAK’s, but it’s been a while. Time to get back into them. I really like the ALOX scales though. Not a deal breaker.

I really wish one of the ALOX models also had the small blade. I used the small blade on the one that I had years ago and I’d like to have that capability again but with the ALOX scales.

Anyone know of any ALOX like what I’m describing….a PioneerX or FarmerX with a small blade?

Thanks again.
 
Nalapombu said:
Thanks all for the advice. I’ve owned a few SAK’s, but it’s been a while. Time to get back into them. I really like the ALOX scales though. Not a deal breaker.

I really wish one of the ALOX models also had the small blade. I used the small blade on the one that I had years ago and I’d like to have that capability again but with the ALOX scales.

Anyone know of any ALOX like what I’m describing….a PioneerX or FarmerX with a small blade?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
The only Alox model that I know of with a secondary blade is the Electrician, which replaces the can opener with a sheepfoot wire-stripping blade, but it's not at all the same as the small pen blade of the 91mm and 84mm SAKs.

I would love to see a small blade on an Alox model as well, but not at the expense of the amazing awl.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top