EDC Update- Victorinox Pioneer Alox review

Victorinox
www.swissarmy.com
Today we are reviewing the Pioneer. If the features of the Pioneer model look familiar to you, there is good reason, as it's basically the "civilian" version of the tried-and-true Soldier model first introduced in 1961. For the civilian market Victorinox added a couple of features the Soldier model did not have, specifically the key ring, and the flat area on the backside of the handle to accommodate those who wish to add engraving.
Specs:
Category End Use: EDC
Blade Steel: 1.4110
Blade Grind: FFG (full flat grind)
Blade Length: 2.75" (70 mm)
Cutting Edge: 2.44" (62 mm)
Length Open: 6.40" (163 mm)
Length Closed: 3.66" (93 mm)
Blade Thickness: .11" (2.8 mm)
Overall Thickness: .455 (11.55 mm)
Lock Type: Slip Joint
Handle Material: ALOX
Weight: 2.4 oz. (68 g)
Made In: Switzerland
Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty
Product Features:
Large blade
Reamer/Punch
Can opener with small (3mm) screwdriver (also for Phillips screws)
Bottle opener with large (7.5mm) screwdriver & wire stripper
Engraving panel
Key ring

[@ansonpanz1100]

Have carried a Pioneer since 1976. Most of the red is gone, all the blades work perfectly. Recently retired it for sentimental reasons. Bought another to carry .

[@lukasbocker6740]

I just got myself the Pioneer as my new EDC. I already own a Victorinox forester for more outdoorsy activities wgere I might use some more tools, but for EDC the Pioneer has everything I could ask for. I can cut my food, open a bottle and a can and if needed I can punch through cardcoard, a tin can, etc without wearing of the blade too much. Also the Alox is very sturdy and slim in the pocket, so it doesn't bother me when I'm carrying it around all day

[@Reviewing_Playing_and_More_RPM]

Cool detailed description of the knife, that info about the wire cutter was very cool, first time I've ever heard that about it before...Great video...

[@CampfireSteveOutdoors]

I also echo my appreciation of the wire stripper instructional.

[@SquireSCA]

Love the Alox series... For it to be "perfect" for my use, it would need to be a 93mm Alox version of something like the Deluxe tinker, with a saw added. It would be a bit fat and heavy, but it would be the ideal, robust and premium tool kit that still fits in your pocket... My issue with Alox is the limited tools... No philips screwdriver and no pliers... The Farmer X Alox gets close... If it added the Philips and pliers, that would be my holy grail SAK pocket knife...

[@marubahoppie]

Ive carried one since the mid 80's , when I replaced the crappy Canadian Army paper weight that was issued to me, still carrying, long after I got out , most of the red is wore off mine as well . Another good use of the reamer, digging out splinters.

[@nunyafuckinbizniz]

What knife did the Canadians issue you?

[@marubahoppie]

C5 pocket knife, IIRC it was made by Camillus , I think the Americans issued one like it at the time . I did exaggerate some , it was a decent piece of kit , just not as refined as the Victorinox Pioneer, and when new , the blades were very difficult to open , like nail breaking hard

[@nunyafuckinbizniz]

@@marubahoppie I know the one you mean!

[@thaddeusmikolajczyk9055]

Good review.

[@19tank81]

I didn't know that's how the wire stripper with the blade worked together like that lol, Thanks! Just ordered the same model off of Amazon.

[@Pinki2019]

This is a great model. I use all the tools a lot, and there's none that get rarely used (unlike most SAKs). (While I don't open that many cans with the can opener, I use the tool almost every day to peel an orange.) I like to pair the Pioneer with the keychain sized Wenger Esquire, giving me scissors, nail file, tweezers, toothpick, and an extra blade without having to carry a really thick model. (Victorinox still makes a version of the Esquire under the names "Victorinox Executive 81" or "Victorinox Wenger".)

[@elflakeador09]

I think this has the perfect amount of tools and the type of tools for edc.

[@GrognardPiper]

I’ve used the wire stripper. It actually works pretty well.

[@norby0418]

There is a video that shows how to sharpen the wire stripper notch so it actually strips wire like a wire stripper should and it does work!

[@greatamericansurvival]

That’s awesome I’ve done a couple mods like that. My problem was when I make it to sharp it cuts the wire.

[@norby0418]

@@greatamericansurvival Them you’re pushing too hard.

[@toolsgear2695]

I carry a Pioneer X and it covers 90% of my EDC needs, great knife!! 👍

[@greatamericansurvival]

Agreed. I just got a Serrated Spartan for Christmas just awesome. Thanks for watching Cheers

[@heathschwab]

Think I need to step up my knife review videos. Lol. Been telling Raven wish they would send me specs on my montly knives being it's a knife I've never seen till I get it. But love them Swiss knifes I have my fav and few small always wanted more but hardly see them at sales anymore. But great video thanks for sharing. God bless.

[@norby0418]

The Pioneer is a great knife. As for the can opener it can be used for several things like hogging out a wooden spoon or prying open the back of a watch to replace the battery. Personally I carry a Farmer more often because I’m always looking for branches to make canes and walking sticks so the saw comes in handy

[@greatamericansurvival]

I Agree 💯. Thanks for taking time to comment. My youngest son (10) just got his first SAK last Christmas.

[@miklospinter]

I love Alox knives. This was a good intro :) An interesting fact that you haven't mentioned: The Pioneer is not jut the civilian version of the Alox Soldier (model 1961) but it was also the base for the Soldier after being introduced in 1957. Regarding the differences between the Soldier and the Pioneer, you were not very detailed. Let me add a few things. 1. Key ring: MOST Soldiers did not have a key ring - but some civilian models did. And some Pioneers don't have one. 2. Engraving plate: that's indeed a difference between the new (post 2000) Pioneers and the Soldiers - but the "old cross" Pioneers (pre 2000) did not have an engraving plate either. 3. "Shield": for me, this is the biggest difference. The Soldiers had a thick cross (with a WK stamp) until '77, and the Swiss coat of arms since '77. The Pioneers had the old cross, then the new Vic logo. 4. Year stamp: All Soldiers had the year of production stamped on the back side of the blade tang. Some Pioneers (and other 93 mm Alox) had that too, because Vic used up remaining Soldier blades from previous years. 5. There are some more small "time-based" differences like hollow rivet and WK stamp. I could write so much more about these... :D

[@grizzlycountry1030]

Alright calm down 😁

[@greatamericansurvival]

Wow. That’s awesome I wish I’d know that before the video. I’ve always enjoyed all the history of SAK’s. Thanks for all the details. I agree I’ve read about them and even listen to podcast about other people that love them too.

[@mechanicmike7954]

It's not the "alox version" of the pioneer. That's like saying "This is the german version of the Audi A5." An Audi is always german. A Pioneer is always alox. A "non-alox version" of the Pioneer doesn't exist.

[@greatamericansurvival]

True. Hope your having a great week

[@stephenjohnmcgeoch]

Hi , I got for Christmas a pioneer alox , the blade looks bent , is it normal on the pioneer? My old good hunter has a very straight thinner blade, thanks

[@greatamericansurvival]

Most of mine are straight but I’ve had a few that weren’t as straight.

[@DaggetDesigns]

They kink the blade slightly to the left so that it fits within two layers my friend, they do it on old school stockman knives too! 😊

[@cocabandi]

My Pioneer is a great knife but certainly not my perfect EDC. Get rid of the friggin' can opener and install Phillips screwdriver and I'd be happy. Any way to make that mod? 🤔

[@greatamericansurvival]

Good question, have to see about it there are a lot of mods out there.

[@DaggetDesigns]

I grind the “blade” part of the can opener off and then it works VERY well as a “2D” phillips head. Works on many size screws.

[@joebeamish]

I’ve been through two power outages where we didn’t have a manual can opener, and this one worked great.

[@christiansalazar4604]

Great video, just ordered mine today. Can’t wait for it to arrive. Oh, also, it’s not pronounced Victoria-nox. It’s victor-inox. I know. It’s nit picky, just my OCD. Lol. Keep up the great videos.

[@TRPufnStuf]

Does yours not have scissors. Mine does.

[@greatamericansurvival]

No mine is the standard Pioneer. Yours is the newer Pioneer X. Thanks for taking time to comment though I haven’t gotten one of those yet. Yet!!

[@13579_dg]

I lost my trekker. The old style with the nail knick on the blade and not that silly looking thumb hole. I am replacing it with the pioneer model.

[@greatamericansurvival]

The Pioneer is a great choice, one of my personal favorites..

[@dualsportedc]

I have a gripe. A name like Pioneer doesn’t belong on a knife with no saw. The pioneers would have needed a saw

[@greatamericansurvival]

That’s a great point, and I totally agree with you on that. Do you have a personal favorite ?? Make sure you check out our Spartan video it’s got an active GAW going on still..

[@dualsportedc]

Great American Survival this is my personal favorite. I need to get another one. Sold mine to help my brother when he got hurt last year www.swissarmy.com/us/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Medium-Pocket-Knives/Swiss-Army-7/p/0.8150.26

[@simonh6371]

@@dualsportedc Yeah that one is a real beauty, I've thought about getting one. But it costs nearly double the price of the Farmer lol, weirdly my Farmer cost a couple of pennies less than the Pioneer on Amazon, both of which are the lowest prices for those.

[@kj-marslander]

don't read the measurements when reviewing a knife. We want your opinion on the knife, not the dimensions that I can find with a 5 second google search.

[@greatamericansurvival]

Karam J Thanks for taking time to comment we really appreciate it. Make sure you check out our SAK Spartan Give a way we have going on.

[@ogarzabello]

Wash your hands

[@greatamericansurvival]

That’s funny my wife says the same thing. But I work on cars all day and some days I just can’t seem to get them clean. Make sure you go check out our Spartan review it’s an active GAW going on. Hope your staying safe during all this crazy time.