I recently bought a new Swiss Army Knife – the Victorinox Cadet with red Alox textured aluminum handle scales.
It’s around 3.3″ long, 0.75″ wide, 0.25″ thick. The Cadet features a 2.5″ knife blade, a nail file, can opener, bottle opener, large and slotted screwdrivers, wire stripper notch, and a key or lanyard ring.
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I don’t see anyone using that wire stripper notch, but maybe it’ll come in handy in a pinch.
I was also surprised to find that the larger slotted screwdriver can lock in at 90° or the usual 180°. I’m guessing the right angle position is for higher torque applications?
My new Victorinox Cadet only just arrived from Amazon, and I can’t wait to start putting it to use. The knife blade looks to be a useful size, and the other tools might see some use too.
I chose the red color, and it’s more vibrant than I anticipated. Silver and black handles are also available. If you’re willing to spend a little more, you can find the 2016 special edition, with purple (“Orchid Violet”) handles.
This was my first Victorinox purchase in a few years. I’ve used the mini “classic” keychain Swiss Army Knives plenty of times, but I really prefer Leatherman’s Style CS better. Anyways… the Cadet is quite a bit larger.
I don’t see myself adding the Cadet to my keychain, but it’ll serve nicely as a compact pocket knife, in rotation with the Moki Ezo Red Fox that I reviewed some time ago.
One of the best parts is that the Cadet weighs almost nothing.
Its textured handle gives a good grip, the knife and tools are well-made and useful, and it’s highly pocketable.
Made in Switzerland.
Price: $30
Buy Now(via Amazon)
I have 2 regrets. The major regret is that I didn’t buy one sooner! But ask me again after I’ve used it some more. Right now the only use has been the typical “ooh, I’ve got a new knife/tool” checkout, and I’m still in the honeymoon phase.
Second – I kind of wish I went with the silver or black color. I didn’t go silver because I have too many bare metal-colored pocket knives. I debated about black or red, and went red because that’s the traditional Victorinox Swiss Army Knife color.
P.S. Happy New Year!