Rethinking My Perfect Companion Knife

Lately I have been rethinking what would be my perfect companion knife to compliment the Leatherman Surge. I had a custom knife built, which I very much like, but I would actually prefer an Alox knife. So I have chosen 4 different Victorinox knives to highlight what my perfect companion knife would look like. What would your perfect companion knife include?

[jaimeleondelaparra]

I love my old school Leatherman Wave, and I pair it with the SAK Rambler that rides on my keychain. Perfect combo for me.

[drengskap]

Hello Ben - you're right, Leatherman and SAK is a great double act. I have many different models of both, but for general workshop and DIY purposes, I usually go with the Victorinox Farmer and Leatherman Rebar, which between them can get a lot of stuff done. There's a certain amount of redundancy there, of course, e.g. you have two wood saws, but I appreciate the fact that the Pioneer/Farmer range of SAKs are just that little bit bigger and beefier than the standard SAKs, the aluminium handle scales are much more durable than the plastic ones, and that awl/reamer is just fantastic! If I'm camping or outdoors, I favour the Victorinox Outrider, with its larger locking blade. I used a Forester for years, and I still have it, but the Outrider has an extra layer, so you get everything that's on the Forester, plus scissors and a very nice small Phillips driver, which I haven't seen on any other SAK model.

[palerider]

Ben, I had a Climber and A Signal for years and was quite content. That’s until I started watching your channel. To keep it germane to the topic and to a manageable number, I have acquired a Deluxe Tinker, an Alox Mini Champ and just ordered a Pioneer X … All I can say is thanks.

With the popularity of modding SAK I wish Victorinox would offer either a build to order service or allow us to buy parts, maybe even higher grade steel options, on an assembly yourself frame with Torx or other fasteners. American Service Knife has that concept but the tool sets are very limited and with the prices running between $175-260 for single to 3 tool options I don’t think it really accessible to everyone! One can dream.

Thanks again and keep the vids coming.

[philipirwin]

My favorite companion tool to my Leatherman is the SAK Compact, and it is mostly because of the scale/extra tools. I did get a SAK Pioneer X for Christmas this year, and like it. I have resigned myself to keeping my SAK Explorer Plus in a nearby possibles bag so i can retain all the tools i like, but personal carry different things.

[leevickery]

Hello Ben. Video series idea: 'acceptable cheaper versions of high end tools.' For someone that has to deal with the possibility of their tools being stolen, or those on a tight budget. I believe your knowledge and attention to detail would make a great video or video series. All the best, keep up the good work. Thanks

[jedipoodoo]

Great video sir. Personally I've had great luck carrying a combo of a Leatherman Rebar and a Victorinox Fieldmaster. Good to see I'm not the only one who does something similar.

[miguelramirez]

I run an alox classic around my neck for scissor and file access.

In my pocket, I carry either a compact, or what I have replaced it with, a tinker. I like the scale tools on them, but I don’t need the scissors of the compact, but I like the wide spread availability and lower cost of the tinker.

Then I run aa micro cobra Knipex in lieu of a multiTool. Otherwise I use a skeletool.

[tmapes]

Hey Ben, I EDC a Surge, an Opinel No. 10 for food, and an Original pair of Raptor medical shears. The Raptor is great for cutting everything from Leather belts, to seatbelts, to ranger bands!!! The Opinel is great for food tasks (I prefer carbon for the edge)!!! The Surge is great for my large hands. I am 6'2" 265 lbs!!! The No. 10 Opinel for the same reason, as I misplaced my No.8, so decided to go with the slightly larger No. 10!!! As a former mechanical/electrical assembler, the Surge is perfect. Also, I have a Wave+ as a backup and a Leatherman Micra on my keychain next to my Sharpenal sharpener with the sharpening rod, steel and ceramic sharpeners and the ferro rod!!! Keep up the Awesome vids!!!

[ryanduff]

I’m interested the SAK Compact . I carry the Leatherman Bolster and the compact will add lots of convenient functionality with only a little overlap.

[AL-hszl]

I’ve regularly carried a black Pioneer for about six years and it’s never let me down. If I had to start over I’d have gotten one with scissors but it hasn’t been a big loss.

[kevola]

If you carried the Farmer X Alox you would gain a saw blade and then not have to fumble with changing from file to saw on the Surge. This would also open room for another tool you could carry for the Surge if room was tight. That said, the Surge is pretty much complete as a stand alone tool so you may only be adding repetition or some convenience.

[jelkel]

Yes, there's a Victorinox store in London where they will build you a custom knife right there. I'd like to change a pen blade for one of the little hook knives and drop the tin and bottle opener for the one that does both, a notching saw, forward facing awl, an alox sized main blade and alox scales/construction.

[peddypeoples]

The perfect companion to my Swisstool x is a Victorinox Classic, it brings the scale tools, great nail cleaner and backup knife/scissors. Everything else is already in the Swisstool, great quality, precise tools.

[Jeremy-Two]

I was using the Leatherman PS with my Leatherman Signal. Now, I use Victorinox Mountaineer and my Leatherman Signal.
Swiss Tool Spirit MX Clip paired with the SOG PowerPint seems like a good upgrade from what I have.

[RedIron]

Again…another great presentation!
I tend to pair my Surge or Wave+ with the Victorinox Explorer, but for the last year or so, I’ve also carried a Milwaukee utility knife with screwdriver.
More useable bits, and it’s sure nice to have one blade you can mistreat.

[mksonmor]

My double edc is a Victornox climber and a Gerber 600 multi plier in black. The Leatherman seems like a blaster compared to a Gerber being a lightsaber. My opinion of course. Great video.

[enricobuffagni]

Hi Ben, first of all thank you for all the great content you create.
working in an office I'd say my perfect Victorinox, would be a Compact (which I just recently bought), but I would swap the regular blade for the electricians one.
I never find a use for the regular blade since I used to carry a Climber model with the smaller one, which is more than enough for opening packages.
Now I'll be forced to use the bigger one but here in Italy it's not normal to carry any sort of blade, doesn't matter the size and my colleagues found it intimidating at first.
I think the electricians blade would be a perfect replacement, a small non-threatening blade in that shape, no one would be concerned

[hundun]

Oh.. I didn't know the scissors spring is replaceable. tyvm for telling me! I've 2 SAKs, both with scissors. The scissors spring broke off, so I bought a new SAK with a different scissors design.

[aaronfuentes]

Knife enthusiasts generally want something they can maintain, but haven't came across anything yet that the serrated blade w/razor edge tip on my Leatherman doesn't excel at...
When camping I'll bring a small bushcraft knife for batoning wood& lightweight plastic knife for food prep.

[MichaelBL]

I had a custom SAK built 93mm Alox, large blade, scissors, flathead/bottle opener, electrician blade, awl and pruner/hook bill blade. I don’t carry in as I find it too thick in pocket. The Electrician is pretty perfect for my needs. Shame it doesn’t come in black haha!