Pioneer Old Home Days
In my normal EDC travels on the Gulf Coast, I typically carry a double-stack 9mm (currently the Hellcat Pro as I have 3K rounds through it without a single reportable issue) IWB as my primary piece, often augmented by a backup gun of the single stack 9mm or 38 snub variety. Added to this is a small tactical light, a small fixed blade or large folder, and a multitool, the latter typically a Victorinox Cadet Alox as I just love Swiss Army knives.
Well, on a recent 18-day working trip to Western/Central Europe to attend IWA and visit three historic firearms makers (more on this to come), to comply with local laws my EDC was whittled down to just a SAK and a light.
The SAK of choice? A 9-tool Victorinox Pioneer X Alox, which is larger and beefier than the slimline Cadet while still falling within acceptable limits for pocket knives in the countries in which I was traveling.
It came in handy on numerous occasions, particularly in building and taking down camera gimble frames and chassis.
And, of course, there was a moment of pause to salute it when passing through its Alpine birthplace in the Swiss Confederation.
Up until 9/11 I carried my Swiss Army Knife with me around the world. I worked for the Navy as a civilian tech rep so I was always on the go, all over Europe, the Mid East and Asia
Thank you for the hit of nostalgia! Gotta love Swiss Army Knives!
I’ve travelled with a Swiss Army Knife as well, usually the Recruit model. I also sometimes took along a Svord Peasant Knife, as it’s so simple and easy to clean after cutting up sausage, cheese and bread for a quick meal in our room. Svord makes three sizes of the Peasant. The Mini and the Micro–especially with wood handles–might be more suitable for travel in hoplophobic countries, though one needs to check knife laws in advance. I generally left it in the hotel room for food prep and carried the SAK with me.