Victorinox Swiss Army Knife - Alox - Cadet - Commemorate Covid Era

Gear Review

Commemorating the Wild Year with a Victorinox Alox Cadet

A tactile transition from plastic scales to the refined durability of the Alox series

~12

Months

Years

111mm

Model

Section I

A Wild Year

The past 12 months have been the wildest of my life, and even that is an understatement. To commemorate the COVID-19 years and remind myself of how crazy it’s been, I picked up a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife - Alox - Cadet.

Section II

Design and Evolution

A Design That Captivates

I've always wanted an Alox model ever since I purchased the Alox 8GB USB drive and found the all-metal design truly breathtaking. There is a certain feeling of assurance in its durability when you hold it in your hands, and while it’s smaller than my Spartan, it weighs about the same.

Trusty Companion — The Spartan

My trusty Spartan has been by my side for several years, and unfortunately, it has begun to show its age, with the plastic scales warping and coming undone.

→Spartan — My long-term EDC that has served me for at least seven years.
→Alox Cadet — The new, durable replacement chosen to avoid regular maintenance.

Tip: While moving to a new EDC can feel strange, the Alox build provides a substantial, high-quality tactile experience that justifies the adjustment period.

Future Possibilities

I’m already eyeing other Alox models, including possibly the Pioneer X. I think the concern with weight might be overrated. While I had some difficulty in the past with my 111mm Trekker, that was more about its substantial size. Although it fit perfectly in jeans and khaki shorts, it felt like a rock in dress slacks.

Emblematic Choices

I’m really liking the look of the Cadet and the red emblem on silver. I might spring for a black or blue Alox with a red emblem, but those might be special or limited editions.

Model	Material	Notable Characteristic
Spartan	Plastic	Familiar grip, long-term wear
Alox Cadet	Metal	High durability, refined look
111mm Trekker	Mixed	Large, heavy in dress slacks

Comments

Sony MDR-ZX100 vs ZX-110 vs ZX-310 Series Headphones

Gear Review Budget Audio Face-off: Sony ZX Series Review Comparing the ZX-100, ZX-110, and ZX-310 for your everyday carry ~3 Models ~$10–$20 Price 2.5+ Years Longevity Table of Contents ① Build Quality ② Cost Comparison ③ Sound Quality ④ Overall Value ⑤ Upgrade Path Section I Build Quality The Sony ZX series headphones primarily feature a durable plastic construction. My ZX-100 has lasted over 2½ years, enduring countless tosses into my backpack and car without any issues. However, the lower-end ZX-100 and ZX-110 models have a significant downside: poor-quality earpads. The Earpad Problem Over time, the earpads on the ZX-100 and ZX-110 disintegrate, leaving vinyl flakes that stick to your hair and ears. The ZX-310 comes with upgraded earpads that don't suffer from this problem — a clear win in the build department. Tip: If your earpads start to flake, it is a sign of material degradation; consider replacing the cushions or upgrading to a model with more durable synthetic lea...

Casio G-Shock - DW5600e vs DW5600ue - EL vs LED

Watch Review · G-Shock The G-Shock Square Evolution DW-5600E vs. DW-5600UE 200m Water Resistance 3 Generations Compared 1987 DW-5600C Debut Table of Contents ① Overview ② The Backlight Battle ③ Comfort Out of the Box ④ The DW-5600C (Vintage) ⑤ The Verdict Overview The Gold Standard, Quietly Updated For decades, the DW-5600E has been the "Gold Standard" for G-Shock squares. It's the watch that replaced the original screw-back models in the 90s and became the definitive tool watch for millions. But recently, Casio quietly updated this legend to the DW-5600UE. I've had both on my wrist recently, and while they look nearly identical at first glance, the differences in daily wear are surprisingly distinct. Section I The Backlight Battle: EL Nostalgia vs. LED Efficiency ...

MacBook Air 2017 - A1466 - Linux - Project + Install Advice

Linux · Dev Hardware · Field Notes My "New" Linux Laptop 2017 MacBook Air — $120 on eBay, Running Linux Mint $120 Per Unit (eBay) 2× Units Acquired 6–8h Battery Life 2.96 lbs I needed a portable laptop with good battery life and decent specs to write code while outside — mostly small-to-medium Python or ASP.Net projects and a few basic ML models. My HP 2016 i7 is too bulky, the HP i3 is hideous, so I replaced my old Linux laptop with not one but a pair of MacBook Airs picked up on eBay for $120 each. Why two? Originally I got the 256GB MQD42LL/A, and when pricing a 512GB SSD upgrade it was basically the cost of a whole 512GB A1466. Why pay $80 for a drive when $120 gets an entire computer? Eventually I'll get a newer M-series MacBook to fulfill my programming needs — but for $120, this is unreal value. Even after 9 years it looks modern and...

Modern Simple Living

Search This Blog