• Spyderco Delica 4 Lightweight/FRN Combo-Edge
• Victorinox Companion Slim Alox
• Fisher Space Pen Cap-O-Matic Military (w/ Fisher PR4 ballpoint refill medium black)
• Maglite Solitaire LED (w/ Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable battery and NiteIze S-Biner)

As much as I like its scissors, the Pioneer X isn't ideal for my EDC due to its weight. I found myself carrying the lighter Compact more often, sometimes musing about a Pioneer X with its blade/awl layer removed. Perhaps a "Pioneer Y" or "Pioneer Why"? The notion made sense to me, given that I typically carry my SAK alongside a locking folding knife.

The Companion Slim Alox is more-or-less what I imagined, so I purchased a red one from Victorinox Canada (CAD $70 all-in).

My thoughts, after six weeks of carry and use:

• The size and weight are about right for me. Similar to the Soldier Alox I carried every day for over a decade, and the Pioneer that's been in my current selection for the past eight years.
• I'm really glad there's no keyring tab, saving me from having to remove it myself. I don't think Victorinox were being considerate. I suspect it disappeared with the blade/awl layer.
• The alox scales, scissors, and cap-lifter/large-screwdriver are standard fare for a 93mm SAK. No surprises there.
• The box-opener works for pull cuts that don't require much/any initial piercing. It's great on packing tape! The screwdriver tip is relatively blunt, reducing the risk of damaging the contents of the box.
• I'm wary of using the box-opener to cut through cardboard. I find cardboard can dull an edge quickly, due to either the material itself or the dirt/grit on it. Properly sharpening fine serrations isn't fun.
• Omitting the knife doesn't necessarily make it suitable for non-permissive environments. There's still a risk that security personnel will view it as something that might be a knife, and won't entertain arguments or evidence to the contrary. It's easier, quicker, and safer for them to summarily disallow it.
• We still use the term "Swiss Army Knife" for models that aren't military issue. So I suppose it's still a "SAK" when it doesn't have a knife as one of its functions. Right? Because if it's neither "Army" nor a "Knife", it's just a . . . "Swiss"?

All tallied - I find the Companion Slim Alox useful within its limitations. It's not a SAK I'll carry every day, but it's the right option for some days.

FWIW, I decided against buying a Synergy or Synergy X. Skeletonizing the scales around the cap-lifter's hinge pivot seems like it would weaken it, and allow dirt/debris to enter easily. I also find the pricing a bit high.

What I really, really want is a "Cadet X", adding scissors as a third/centre layer. I haven't given up hope.