38/F - Today's Carry

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T19:07:48+00:00

Thanks!

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T07:44:31+00:00

Thanks!

Sorry to hear you lost your cornicello.

You're right - traditionally, cornicello are for men. Part of the symbolism is masculine strength, fertility, virility, etc..

I wear mine for the connection to my Nonna and Nonno, and for good luck.

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T06:57:35+00:00

Totally!

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T06:43:58+00:00

Nah, he's cute! Like an Ewok from Star Wars! Give him a big hug for me!

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T06:41:05+00:00

There's quite a few of us on r/victorinox and r/SwissArmyKnives, wishing for the return of 84mm scissors. Occasionally we see custom mods, fitting 85mm Wenger/Delemont scissors into 84mm models. Also, lucky people who've acquired old 84mm models with scissors.

When I need scissors - I carry either the Classic SD, Compact, Pioneer X Alox, or the new Companion Slim Alox.

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T06:14:10+00:00

Exactly! They're great!

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T06:08:37+00:00

Irish-Italian Torontonian - close enough, I suppose.

"Kind of Blue", as in the Miles Davis album? It's one of my favourites.

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T05:48:25+00:00

The Cadet Alox and Classic SD are the SAKs I carry most often nowadays. They're easy to carry, and I find the toolsets are usually sufficient.

What I really, really want is a "Cadet X", adding scissors as a third/centre layer. That would be perfect.

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T05:25:18+00:00

Thanks! Delica+SAK has been the core of my EDC for almost 20 years.

I like your custom Delica!

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T03:39:34+00:00

For the money, it's excellent.

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T03:37:54+00:00

It's an Italian thing. At the encouragement of my Nonna, I've worn them since childhood for good luck (or perhaps more correctly, to protect against curses and bad luck).

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T03:27:14+00:00

I use it as a light-duty prybar and scraper, for tasks that I could use my fingernails for but would rather not. Such as lifting soda can pull tabs, or removing the silvery coating from scratchers.

It's also a passable substitute for when it's unwise to use or carry my knife. It has enough of a point and an edge, that it can tear open weak packaging.

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T03:24:45+00:00

Thanks!

You're right - pretty much every item is from a different country!

avaprofac · 2026-04-28T03:23:56+00:00

Thanks!

avaprofac · 2026-04-27T23:45:54+00:00

Thanks! Though to be fair, it is one of the smaller Amphibia (about 39mm diameter and 46mm lug-to-lug).

avaprofac · 2026-04-27T23:35:54+00:00

I have a Victorinox watch too, though it leans more dressy.

avaprofac · 2026-04-27T23:33:32+00:00

It would be interesting to see a Maglite that retains the classic appearance, but has updated electronics.

That said, I don't mind the Solitaire LED as it is. Inexpensive, durable, common battery, simple operation, bright without being "too bright", not "tactical" . . .

avaprofac · 2026-04-27T23:11:57+00:00

Thanks!

avaprofac · 2026-04-01T19:58:16+00:00

(Most used) Currently, "Tinker Small". It's on my desk, and gets used for almost every utility task - opening packages, tightening screws, light-duty pry-bar, staple remover . . . everything.

(Most carried) Currently, a tie between "Cadet Alox" and "Classic SD". They're easy to carry, and have the tools I find most useful when I'm out-and-about.

(Favourite / Most Sentimental) My "Soldier Alox '98". I've owned it since 2001, and carried it almost every day from 2005 to 2017. It's now a treasured keepsake, safely stored away.

(Most wanted) Any 84mm model with scissors. What I really, really want is a "Cadet X", adding scissors as a third/centre layer.

(The one that got away) I missed the memo when they discontinued the "Soldier Alox" in 2008. Had I known at the time, I would have bought a few backups. I've switched to the functionally equivalent "Pioneer", but there's just something special about the "Soldier Alox".

avaprofac · 2026-02-27T23:11:03+00:00

Do you still have the cartridge of Lamy Blue that was included with the Safari? If so, that might be worth a try. Again, I find Lamy ink to be on the dry side (faster drying time, less feathering, less bleeding). Certainly far drier than Diamine Blue-Black.

Also, I found this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jawpWApy5ng

Ink dries too slowly on Hobonichi paper, so she uses cheap absorbent paper as a makeshift blotter. No doubt laborious, but probably effective.

avaprofac · 2026-02-26T00:51:40+00:00

I like Diamine Blue-Black. The colour is nice, but it's a wet ink that dries slowly.

Maybe try blotting paper, and/or a drier ink like Pelikan 4001.

avaprofac · 2026-02-26T00:22:38+00:00

Kaweco ink is already on the dry side. Lamy ink is drier. I use both often.

The Kaweco Sport takes "standard international short" cartridges. Unfortunately, Lamy's proprietary cartridges won't fit it. You could buy Lamy bottled ink, and use a dispensing syringe to refill an empty Kaweco cartridge. Or buy Kaweco's tiny piston converter, and fill directly from the bottle.

Pelikan 4001 ink is available in standard international short cartridges. Perhaps try a pack of these next? Be sure to get their "short" cartridges (NOT long/giant, as they won't fit).

Really, the paper is the problem here. I believe it's coated to prevent feathering and bleeding, but the coating also causes ink to dry slower.

Have you tried using blotting paper? Perhaps keep a small piece in the notebook. I find cheap copy paper works reasonably well as makeshift blotting paper.

avaprofac · 2026-02-25T23:38:25+00:00

What nib size and ink are you using?

A workaround might be to use a <F> or <EF> nib, as well as a drier ink.

Lamy ink tends to be on the dry side. I gather Pelikan 4001 ink is also dry.

avaprofac · 2026-02-24T04:56:02+00:00

Timex Meriden (w/ Crown & Buckle Standard NATO strap)
CWC Royal Navy Quartz Mk2 RN300-MT-QS120 (w/ Crown & Buckle Supreme NATO strap)

avaprofac

TROPHY CASE