It is at times fun and practical to explore alternate ways to carry the bits of kit that you prefer. With a little imagination, you can expand your options.
To keep your Cadet handy and reduce or eliminate pocket clutter, attach an additional Vic key ring. The small size ring works well. Then add a P7 pocket clip. Why add a second, identical key ring to the Cadet? It keeps your pocket knife flat against you, and if you want to try carrying your Cadet clipped inside your trousers waistband, adding the second ring prevents the clip from walking (gradually creeping) off your waistband as you move about. For the last five years or so, and after twice nearly loosing my Cadet when it slipped out of my jacket pocket, this is now my preferred method to carry my Cadet. After adding the second key ring it has never worked loose from my waistband, yet it can be quickly retrieved when needed. I know exactly where it is.
My belt almost completely covers what little can be seen of the small P7 clip, so waistband carry is quite discrete. I quickly became used to the negligible feel of the Cadet against my hip. It truly is not noticed. Using the screwdriver or nail file means I just hold the P7 clip against the handle. It is less awkward than it sounds. I'm used to the clip, and I would not be without it.
Additionally the P7 clip allows the Cadet to be clipped inside a suit coat pocket, so it is there next to a pen, etc but still handy. This keeps trouser pockets free.
Alternatively, if you favour waistcoats with your suit, it is feasible and quite comfortable to clip your Cadet under your armpit so that it is suspended along your side, out of the way inside your waistcoat. With this method, even without a suit jacket, only the slim tiny P7 clip is visible, when your arm moves away from your side. Again, this frees up one's pockets yet easily keeps the Cadet to hand.
Be aware of the thickness of wherever you clip your Cadet. Obviously thin fabric is probably going to be too loose and thick material like a belt or a thick pocket edge will be too tight for the little P7 clip. Ideally you want it to keep its spring tension and gripping ability. Try a new carry method at home first to see if it suits you before going outside.
Also, I find that shirt pocket carry with the Cadet is comfortable, convenient, and unobtrusive, especially in cooler weather when wearing layers of clothing. If you decide that you like the convenience of shirt pocket carry, but the Cadet is too bulky or heavy for you, consider the wafer thin Alox Bantam. Offering equally nice build quality and reduced to a minimal single layer tool selection, the Bantam, although lacking the useful key ring, absolutely vanishes in a pocket.
A Cadet is not super expensive; Vics are widely available, so it can be replaced easily if need be.
For a while I carried my Vic Farmer, another superb Alox pocket knife, in my trouser pockets, but once in a while the key ring, an item I like and prefer to leave on, was snagging in the small strip of material at the bottom of my pocket, at the seam. Pulling my Farmer out was turning the whole pocket inside out. So I tried the Farmer with a P7 clip, and eventually found I preferred waistband carry rather than the edge of my pocket.
The Farmer, at 86 grams, is of course heavier than the Cadet, plus I found that while I appreciate the sturdiness of the Farmer, for most days the saw was not needed. Nice to have, but, for me, rarely used. The back of the saw makes a good scraper on Vics, by the way. Often, the edge of the blade can be spared when a scraping tool will suffice.
Carrying the Cadet in the waistband is more comfortable than you might think. It is easily accessible even when seated - probably easier, if anything, to deploy than digging around in a trouser pocket. And with the extra ring and P7 clip, it only weighs 55 grams. It is easy to forget it is there.
I haven't tried back pocket carry; in theory, it too would be discreet and convenient, but maybe a little awkward whilst sitting. I prefer waistband, for now.
As to the Cadet itself, yes, it's a fantastic little pocket knife! Lighter and nearly as capable as its esteemed big brother, the Vic Pioneer, another favourite. I miss the Pioneer's reamer when carrying the Cadet. But the trade off in light weight and the Cadet's thin flat profile are worth it. Every single tool has been used.
Recently I paired up the Cadet with a Leatherman PS4, after carrying a Leatherman Micra for some time. On a separate P7 clip, it hangs from a secure flat lanyard, also on the waistband, on the opposite side from the Cadet. Don't laugh. It really is unnoticeable and, for me, comfortable. I prefer the pliers on the tiny PS4, although the Micra is an excellent pocket tool, too.
So between the Cadet and the little PS4, the tools I need the most are right there.
The Cadet makes a wonderful gift, too. Useful, affordable, and invariably received with gratitude.
The Vic Cadet is my favourite of its type. By the way, the pattern is usually referred to as a Scout, by various manufacturers. Overall, within its class, for aesthetics, ergonomics, versatility, ease of replacing, lifetime warranty, durability and quality, as well as value for money, the Cadet comes out on top.
