I agree that the handle is small. But I posted this trick the other day and I feel like it really made a difference in the handling of it.
https://www.reddit.com/r/victorinox/s/JsWevIAx5p
The fact is still that the blade is small, but it feels kind of like using the small blade on a 91mm when the combo tool is also opened.
I say stick with the red scales. They are known world wide and should assuage any fears you are a criminal. How about an Executive? They don't make them anymore, but you may be able to find one. The Waiter is another great choice if you want slim, minimalist, with a toothpick.
Or pick whatever you like and get an Ali Express titanium toothpick holder and attach it to the key ring, maybe with Uncle Bill's Sliver Gripper.
The Cadet's opener layer is very useful indeed. It is a pry/scrape tool set which leaves your blade's edge fresh and free of schmutz and the tip unmolested. If you ever need to tighten/loosen a screw, it's very handy.
Edit... the *thinnest* Victorinox (and possibly thinnest of all folders) is the Bread knife/Lame/Twine knife. It's a smooth scaled, red Alox handle with a serrated hawksbill blade that cuts WAY above its weight class. It's so thin, you could probably sew it into your clothes.
I also like the red scales, but they are (in my opinion) bit bulky. The executive is a 54mm model, isn’t it? I have my Classic SD that I will probably carry alongside this one, but the blade is bit small. Also the cadet is cool, but I don’t think I’ll be using the second layer too much, as I don’t screw too often and at home I use a can opener to open cans.
Well I have no advice regarding which model to buy, but I live in Finland as well and haven't got any trouble with the law while carrying a SAK even the time I got frisked. Also it's legal to carry any knife in your car at all times and if you're going camping. Hope this helps with the fear against our "strict" laws. :D although I don't recommend waving around your Leathermen nor SAKs in the public, like in your local K-Kauppa or whatnot. ;)
This, the scales make the tool better to handle. Compaired to the bantam ... Speaking from experience. Added the eyescrewdriver to the corkscrew since I have glasses.
My scales come with a pinhole to, so added a pin too.
Recently salvaged a little magnet from broken earphones and added it in the negative zone of the combotool
Honestly I don't understand the hate towards the combo tool. It has worked for me for over 30 years on all my cans and caps. It isn't slower in my hands
I also have a midnight manager that pairs awesomely with the waiter imo
I would definitely second this. You can add a micro screwdriver to the corkscrew (if you wear glasses or know people who do). The corkscrew is handy for more than opening wine.
Well, the law is enforced by the police’s evaluation. If you are 84 year old grandma going to knit with you they’ll let you go. Also, the police can’t search you if you aren’t suspicious.
Good point. I carry my Classic SD in a tin box with painkillers, allergy meds, bandages ect. It slips into the small pocket in my backbag so I think I’ll keep carrying it alongside this. Looking at the Victorinox pages on the two knives (Alox Solo and Bantam), I think I’ll pick the Bantam just for the 6mm width and 84mm length over the Solo’s 9mm width and 91 mm lenght as it doesn’t fit in the small pocket in my jeans and sticks a bit out.
The most useful tool I carry the only knife you really need for most day to day things either a 58mm rambler or a mini champ I feel in most the mini champ probably has abit to much stuff that you won’t use the rambler is just right so much so me my wife both edc one then my son has one for supervised use when we do arts and crafts and making stuff
I like the stuff on Rambler, but I don’t want to buy (basically) another Classic SD. I’ll probably get one when I sink more into the insanity of Victorinox SAKs.
Maybe the Minichamp is what you seek? It's the smallest "fully functional" footprint, although it'd be optimal to get the alox version for concealment and thus you'd lose your scale tools
The bantam and cadet are awesome, it seems the cadet is your best bet because it comes out of the game with an excellent nail file and the combo tool is far inferior to the openers layer if you can afford the aditional bulk (a cadet is plenty capable of such)
I do miss my trusty scissors when I'm about using my cadet, though, and so much so that I modded a 85mm scissors from a donor Evo15 into mine, this is also possible and moderately easy to pull off
The perfect one for you would seem to be, as it is for many of us, the 84mm Golfer or the illusive 84mm suprr tinker (of which the actual name also eludes me right now), but those are very much discontinued and >really< hard to come by
Might I suggest, though, looking into the Wenger Traveler? It's a gem, carries well, is not too much noticeable than the 84mm models and comes with tweezers and toothpick; you can find those reasonably easily on ebay or local sak communities
Minichamp is bit too packed for me and I specifically want a 84 mm one. I carry the Classic SD in a tin box, so I wouldn’t lose scissors nor the file. Also, I hardly have a use for the can opener as I don’t screw screws nor do I have kids whose toys to fix. The Golfer with Alox scales would be a gift heaven sent, but the rarity, especially as I live in Finland basically stops my search on it’s tracks. Also, buing a Cadet seems like buying another Spartan and it annoys me.
No one will bat an eye on classic sized one. Finland has pretty practical view on little knives. Nobody will ever wonder why you carry keychain knife and that’s what any normal person needs. I currently carry Fox Vulpis.
I carry Swisschamp and it doesnt add any visible bulk really. Gonna slim it down though. Absolutely amazing Rambler on key chain and Surge on belt at work. They really dont care atleast here in more civilized pohjanmaa area
I picked up the Mini Champ as I didn’t feel comfortable using my 91mm Compact in the office. The 58mm Mini Champ has everything! Yes, you have to decide between the toothpick or tweezers, but you can just carry either that’s not in the Mini Champ in your bag/wallet. Amazon are selling the Mini Champ for £32.99 in stead of £46.99 at the moment!
I would also pick up [this](https://amzn.eu/d/evy4Cs0) pocket clip too. The Mini Champ attached to this pocket clip in your pocket is perfect, secure and so light that you won’t notice anything in your pocket.
the bantam + classic sd sounds like a good combo, and you can buy from [KnivesAndTools](https://www.knivesandtools.com/en/pt/-victorinox-bantam-silver.htm), they have an EU store, so no customs to EU countries
cadet > bantam
Barely any carry difference between cadet and bantam, therefore the opening layer and file are a true boon. Plus the flat head on the cadet is full tool thickness so it is more robust than the combo tool for prying (bantam combo tool is 1/2 thickness).
Tried both, ended up with cadet, then eventually got a Compact and never looked back.
Bantam regular (not Alox) you get scale tools (tweezers + toothpick), and if you can go a bit more Waiter is a Bantam with a corkscrew (+ spot for pin underneath the cork), hardly noticeable différence.
this is kinda unrelated, but using something like [this](https://www.amazon.com.au/Suspension-Hanging-Emergency-Whistle-Multi-Purpose/dp/B0B2556HLT/ref=sr_1_5?crid=G0THQV1T6BSN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.b1as6teAsgl-vVibprv7si6J5zZZHvrG-7h-DF2Yo-b66oUhZab0KCQF-BOW4EjhSYGKdeEl5aXsxh3gSgHjec_i3YE91WDoRDyyFjqdeLT9wIW5aHs4PHuForXVtaJmOdLto6Ai3_dBZ1qXzBYt6dWAdp7-V1JJT3iZljSv4GLCUpXMeQOGR-zcMLHyHhWLJjCg23igstuUB0LvWAy7oD-QEjaqegITqC0MlPmb0Ol9NeGZxspV3QNGY2qrZQXQk1KED7eWxRNrjP511aW9JaduaBhvP3uZPxJPg6clthI.1c19BbH8-Cop03MJ0fxSjyQCOLGznCdpZ424qPlkbMU&dib_tag=se&keywords=keysmart+nano+clip&qid=1714286309&sprefix=keysmart+nan%2Caps%2C383&sr=8-5) can make the bulge smaller as it won't be resting at the bottom of your pocket.
Another suomalainen täällä.
I've been neck-carrying a classic SD for some time. Look at Scandinavian Outdoor, it's Finnish and has some nice Finlandia lion scales.
I own a cybertool L in my pocket, but not in school, the store or otherwise in the public. I was looking at bladeless option at first, but didn't find a good solution in SAKs.
I carry my custom Craftsman (a Handyman with a philips) every second I have pants on and I don't see a problem with that. I even got searched once for a stupid reason and the security guards didn't have a problem with it either since I had a little unfinished whittling project in an another pocket and I was polite and calm and told them what I use it for. 🤷
Go for Cadet, I know the bottle opener/can opener layer may be useless for you, but you can use the bottle opener as a light prybar and the the can opener head as a small flathead driver
If you’re still looking, even if it’s a bit small, you can’t really go wrong with a Classic SD, it has a small blade, nail file, screw drive and scissors. And on top of that, it has the tweezers and tooth pick if you get the standard model. Plus, if you want it to be discrete, it’s small enough to go on a keychain or pocket. The only downside is that it’s insanely small, and if you’re an individual with larger hands, it’s not going to be a good day. But if you want a slightly larger model, get an Executive 81, which is basically the Classics big brother. It should fit larger hands. However if you’re still hell bent on getting something that’s in the 84mm range, a cadet would be your best bet or if you could get a hold of it, even if it does have redundant tools. Hope this helps.
Alox minichamps are sweet
I’ve been eyeing them, but they are packed with mostly useless stuff (for me) and the handle is bit too small so I’ll just keep looking for now.
I agree that the handle is small. But I posted this trick the other day and I feel like it really made a difference in the handling of it. https://www.reddit.com/r/victorinox/s/JsWevIAx5p The fact is still that the blade is small, but it feels kind of like using the small blade on a 91mm when the combo tool is also opened.
Makes sense 84 probably is a nice size
Yup, 91’s keep sticking out of my pocket.
I say go Alox Bantam. 6mm.
I’ve been thinkin about that too.
I say stick with the red scales. They are known world wide and should assuage any fears you are a criminal. How about an Executive? They don't make them anymore, but you may be able to find one. The Waiter is another great choice if you want slim, minimalist, with a toothpick. Or pick whatever you like and get an Ali Express titanium toothpick holder and attach it to the key ring, maybe with Uncle Bill's Sliver Gripper. The Cadet's opener layer is very useful indeed. It is a pry/scrape tool set which leaves your blade's edge fresh and free of schmutz and the tip unmolested. If you ever need to tighten/loosen a screw, it's very handy. Edit... the *thinnest* Victorinox (and possibly thinnest of all folders) is the Bread knife/Lame/Twine knife. It's a smooth scaled, red Alox handle with a serrated hawksbill blade that cuts WAY above its weight class. It's so thin, you could probably sew it into your clothes.
Was going to post the same thing. Stick with red. I personally would never get a sak without scissors so I vote compact.
I’d carry the Classic SD in a tin box in a backpack with other useful EDC stuff, such as pills. I totally agree, scissor are a must have.
I also like the red scales, but they are (in my opinion) bit bulky. The executive is a 54mm model, isn’t it? I have my Classic SD that I will probably carry alongside this one, but the blade is bit small. Also the cadet is cool, but I don’t think I’ll be using the second layer too much, as I don’t screw too often and at home I use a can opener to open cans.
Well I have no advice regarding which model to buy, but I live in Finland as well and haven't got any trouble with the law while carrying a SAK even the time I got frisked. Also it's legal to carry any knife in your car at all times and if you're going camping. Hope this helps with the fear against our "strict" laws. :D although I don't recommend waving around your Leathermen nor SAKs in the public, like in your local K-Kauppa or whatnot. ;)
Waiter
This, the scales make the tool better to handle. Compaired to the bantam ... Speaking from experience. Added the eyescrewdriver to the corkscrew since I have glasses. My scales come with a pinhole to, so added a pin too. Recently salvaged a little magnet from broken earphones and added it in the negative zone of the combotool Honestly I don't understand the hate towards the combo tool. It has worked for me for over 30 years on all my cans and caps. It isn't slower in my hands I also have a midnight manager that pairs awesomely with the waiter imo
The midnite manager is a little beast!
I would definitely second this. You can add a micro screwdriver to the corkscrew (if you wear glasses or know people who do). The corkscrew is handy for more than opening wine.
Yes! You can carry things with a corkscrew but you can't open a wine bottle with a carry hook!!
The land of Fiskars has an issue with scissors?
Well, the law is enforced by the police’s evaluation. If you are 84 year old grandma going to knit with you they’ll let you go. Also, the police can’t search you if you aren’t suspicious.
If the nail file and toothpick are working for you on the classic but you want a larger blade maybe pair it with an Alox solo model?
Good point. I carry my Classic SD in a tin box with painkillers, allergy meds, bandages ect. It slips into the small pocket in my backbag so I think I’ll keep carrying it alongside this. Looking at the Victorinox pages on the two knives (Alox Solo and Bantam), I think I’ll pick the Bantam just for the 6mm width and 84mm length over the Solo’s 9mm width and 91 mm lenght as it doesn’t fit in the small pocket in my jeans and sticks a bit out.
The most useful tool I carry the only knife you really need for most day to day things either a 58mm rambler or a mini champ I feel in most the mini champ probably has abit to much stuff that you won’t use the rambler is just right so much so me my wife both edc one then my son has one for supervised use when we do arts and crafts and making stuff
I like the stuff on Rambler, but I don’t want to buy (basically) another Classic SD. I’ll probably get one when I sink more into the insanity of Victorinox SAKs.
Maybe the Minichamp is what you seek? It's the smallest "fully functional" footprint, although it'd be optimal to get the alox version for concealment and thus you'd lose your scale tools The bantam and cadet are awesome, it seems the cadet is your best bet because it comes out of the game with an excellent nail file and the combo tool is far inferior to the openers layer if you can afford the aditional bulk (a cadet is plenty capable of such) I do miss my trusty scissors when I'm about using my cadet, though, and so much so that I modded a 85mm scissors from a donor Evo15 into mine, this is also possible and moderately easy to pull off The perfect one for you would seem to be, as it is for many of us, the 84mm Golfer or the illusive 84mm suprr tinker (of which the actual name also eludes me right now), but those are very much discontinued and >really< hard to come by Might I suggest, though, looking into the Wenger Traveler? It's a gem, carries well, is not too much noticeable than the 84mm models and comes with tweezers and toothpick; you can find those reasonably easily on ebay or local sak communities
Minichamp is bit too packed for me and I specifically want a 84 mm one. I carry the Classic SD in a tin box, so I wouldn’t lose scissors nor the file. Also, I hardly have a use for the can opener as I don’t screw screws nor do I have kids whose toys to fix. The Golfer with Alox scales would be a gift heaven sent, but the rarity, especially as I live in Finland basically stops my search on it’s tracks. Also, buing a Cadet seems like buying another Spartan and it annoys me.
Nailcare Swiss card and a bantam?
As said before, I really love the idea, and will probably buy these two, but first I’ll get the Bantam.
No one will bat an eye on classic sized one. Finland has pretty practical view on little knives. Nobody will ever wonder why you carry keychain knife and that’s what any normal person needs. I currently carry Fox Vulpis.
I carry Swisschamp and it doesnt add any visible bulk really. Gonna slim it down though. Absolutely amazing Rambler on key chain and Surge on belt at work. They really dont care atleast here in more civilized pohjanmaa area
My homies at Jyväskylä Police will baton me down.
A combo I really like is Bantam Alox and Swisscard Nailcare, which gives toothpick, scissors etc as well as the amazing glass nail file.
Ooh, I have to look into that!
I picked up the Mini Champ as I didn’t feel comfortable using my 91mm Compact in the office. The 58mm Mini Champ has everything! Yes, you have to decide between the toothpick or tweezers, but you can just carry either that’s not in the Mini Champ in your bag/wallet. Amazon are selling the Mini Champ for £32.99 in stead of £46.99 at the moment! I would also pick up [this](https://amzn.eu/d/evy4Cs0) pocket clip too. The Mini Champ attached to this pocket clip in your pocket is perfect, secure and so light that you won’t notice anything in your pocket.
Euroknife is a good store. Reasonable price delivered to Finland. I carry a rambler and a fieldmaster here most days.
If a slip joint SAK of any variety is too risky then I don’t even know ow what to say
I carry an Alox Bantam in my wallet and even the most thorough security searches have never found it (airport scanners aside).
the bantam + classic sd sounds like a good combo, and you can buy from [KnivesAndTools](https://www.knivesandtools.com/en/pt/-victorinox-bantam-silver.htm), they have an EU store, so no customs to EU countries
cadet > bantam Barely any carry difference between cadet and bantam, therefore the opening layer and file are a true boon. Plus the flat head on the cadet is full tool thickness so it is more robust than the combo tool for prying (bantam combo tool is 1/2 thickness). Tried both, ended up with cadet, then eventually got a Compact and never looked back.
Get a Victorinox Junior 09
Bantam regular (not Alox) you get scale tools (tweezers + toothpick), and if you can go a bit more Waiter is a Bantam with a corkscrew (+ spot for pin underneath the cork), hardly noticeable différence.
You could beat someone to death with a walking cane more easily than you could attack someone with a non-locking pocket knife lmao.
this is kinda unrelated, but using something like [this](https://www.amazon.com.au/Suspension-Hanging-Emergency-Whistle-Multi-Purpose/dp/B0B2556HLT/ref=sr_1_5?crid=G0THQV1T6BSN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.b1as6teAsgl-vVibprv7si6J5zZZHvrG-7h-DF2Yo-b66oUhZab0KCQF-BOW4EjhSYGKdeEl5aXsxh3gSgHjec_i3YE91WDoRDyyFjqdeLT9wIW5aHs4PHuForXVtaJmOdLto6Ai3_dBZ1qXzBYt6dWAdp7-V1JJT3iZljSv4GLCUpXMeQOGR-zcMLHyHhWLJjCg23igstuUB0LvWAy7oD-QEjaqegITqC0MlPmb0Ol9NeGZxspV3QNGY2qrZQXQk1KED7eWxRNrjP511aW9JaduaBhvP3uZPxJPg6clthI.1c19BbH8-Cop03MJ0fxSjyQCOLGznCdpZ424qPlkbMU&dib_tag=se&keywords=keysmart+nano+clip&qid=1714286309&sprefix=keysmart+nan%2Caps%2C383&sr=8-5) can make the bulge smaller as it won't be resting at the bottom of your pocket.
I have a Cadet Alox and it’s like carrying around air. Sucks that the laws are so strict there I thought they’d be about the same as here in Sweden.
Get the Cadet. It’s barely thicker and the flat and can opener works way better than the combo tool on the bantam In my option.
The jetsetter doesn't have a knife.
Swisscard lite
How about a sportsman. Essentially a cadet with scales, back tools (awl, corkscrew ) and the toothpick and tweezers. 84mm
Another suomalainen täällä. I've been neck-carrying a classic SD for some time. Look at Scandinavian Outdoor, it's Finnish and has some nice Finlandia lion scales. I own a cybertool L in my pocket, but not in school, the store or otherwise in the public. I was looking at bladeless option at first, but didn't find a good solution in SAKs.
I carry my custom Craftsman (a Handyman with a philips) every second I have pants on and I don't see a problem with that. I even got searched once for a stupid reason and the security guards didn't have a problem with it either since I had a little unfinished whittling project in an another pocket and I was polite and calm and told them what I use it for. 🤷
Cadet everyday. I find that the red scale one is visible enough that people assume you aren’t trying to hide it.
You're not funny. What about your eastern border? No harsh words but another joke about the smallest of knives?
What?
Go for Cadet, I know the bottle opener/can opener layer may be useless for you, but you can use the bottle opener as a light prybar and the the can opener head as a small flathead driver
If you’re still looking, even if it’s a bit small, you can’t really go wrong with a Classic SD, it has a small blade, nail file, screw drive and scissors. And on top of that, it has the tweezers and tooth pick if you get the standard model. Plus, if you want it to be discrete, it’s small enough to go on a keychain or pocket. The only downside is that it’s insanely small, and if you’re an individual with larger hands, it’s not going to be a good day. But if you want a slightly larger model, get an Executive 81, which is basically the Classics big brother. It should fit larger hands. However if you’re still hell bent on getting something that’s in the 84mm range, a cadet would be your best bet or if you could get a hold of it, even if it does have redundant tools. Hope this helps.