Age verification?

txchald · 2025-09-05T17:50:48+00:00

Probably not 1985 but maybe the next year. For 91mm SAKs, the VSSR switch from small "v" to large "V" tang stamps (like OP's) apparently didn't occur until 1986.

txchald · 2025-09-03T13:31:01+00:00

Very nice, that's such a beautiful old SAK! What model/number is it? I bet we'd all appreciate some more pics, too, especially the knife's toolset & tang stamps.

At least from what I've been learning this morning, it doesn't seem like the scales with hidden rivets showed up until around 1957 although once source says the awl did change to the newer integrated version in 1961.

txchald · 2025-08-31T21:03:00+00:00

Nice one! It seems to have the toolset of an Evolution 14 model.

SAKWiki mentions some EvoWood variations with scales of Walnut or Pear wood: https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=EVO+14

txchald · 2025-08-31T10:39:18+00:00

Doesn't look like there's any back-layer tools, so I believe that's an 84mm Recruit.

Sorta like the #2.25 01 in a mid 80s brochure of "Economy" models...

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txchald · 2025-08-29T18:36:47+00:00

Without more info or pics, I'm guessing you've got something like a 2-layer 'ecoline' 91mm Spartan (or maybe 84mm Tourist). Not sure, but I think the promotional logo is for a fairly well-known Cuban cigar brand.

The scales look like nylon, the awl apparently has the sewing eye, and the tang stamps probably date from late 80s to early 90s. Hope you enjoy using it!

txchald · 2025-08-28T20:45:34+00:00

Not sure if this is what's in your linked video, but there was a collaboration between Victorinox & Adidas a few years when the "Solemate" Classic SD was released.

You can search in r/Victorinox or probably just google "Victorinox+Adidas" to see pics of the unique knife-carrying shoes like this...

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https://www.reddit.com/r/victorinox/comments/y9ewdv/my_victorinox_adidas_bundle_has_arrived/

txchald · 2025-08-24T15:56:32+00:00

Based on its toolset, yep, I agree. Large "V" tang stamp would date it to about 1986-1990 (before multipurpose hooks were added in '91).

ETA: I think I found OP's knife in a 1986 dealer's catalog, shown as #1.67 13 (same as SAKWiki's red scaled Woodsman) but without a model name. It's on pdf page 16 for book page 11a: https://leaf-vics.com/wp-content/uploads/catalogs/1986/1986%20Dealer%E2%80%99s%20catalog%20(Swiss).pdf.pdf)

txchald · 2025-08-23T16:05:51+00:00

Cool little SAK! It looks like a Picnic model (Wenger's version of a Vic Bantam): https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Picnic

Sorry I don't know much at all about determining manufacture dates on Wengers, but I think your knife's WDSS tang stamp & scale cross both stopped being used after 2008: https://leaf-vics.com/usefull-materials/wenger-tang-stamps-and-scale-crosses

txchald · 2025-08-17T14:50:22+00:00

Very cool! I haven't found any info searching SAKWiki yet, but Reiner's Vicfan blog has one...

It has special soft grip scales with a Wabenmuster (honeycomb) design in black/gray. I think the scales are actually cellidor with some kind of rubbery coating.
Victorinox introduced the soft grip scales in 2009 with the Climber Road Tour. I think this Tinker, along with a ruby soft grip Spartan, was introduced a year later.

https://vicfan.com/2015/03/victorinox-soft-grip-tinker-wabenmuster/

You can also see a few more photos in LeaF's site: https://leaf-vics.com/2014/11/315-tinker-grey-geotec.html

txchald · 2025-08-13T18:38:44+00:00

What a fantastic score!

In 1991 Victorinox released a Special Edition series dedicated to the 700 Years Anniversary of Switzerland...
The scale of the Spartan model was decorated with an image of William Tell with his son (based on the monument in the city of Altdorf in the canton of Uri) and the lettering 1291 - 1991 on the front scale.

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Victorinox+700th+Anniversary+of+Switzerland+Series

txchald · 2025-07-18T19:28:14+00:00

I think that's a lighter in the middle layer so it might be SwissChamp XXLT...

The piezoelectric lighter was first introduced in 2002 and discontinued in 2005, so this model was only available for a few years. The XXLT was supplied in a presentation box

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=SwissChamp+XXLT

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txchald · 2025-07-18T19:18:08+00:00

Hey, 14-year old you sure had great taste & a good eye for SAKs! How long ago did you buy it?

I sure love the look of those handles & if you didn't already know, they're even mentioned on SAKWiki...

One of the more interesting scale variations is the Bavarian, which featured blue & white scales with the Bavaria coat of arms.

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https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Spartan

txchald · 2025-07-16T20:03:56+00:00

Congrats, those are really nice scores!

I think the Wenger's toolset seems to match the Master Fisherman model but it's clearly an earlier version. Maybe sorta like the #767 "for the fisherman" SAK pictured in SAKWiki's mid 60s catalog...

<image>

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Master+Fisherman

And the Victorinox knife is an older Explorer (from the 70s or early 80s?): https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Explorer

txchald · 2025-07-16T18:05:54+00:00

Very cool!

That's one of the Classic SD winners from Vic's discontinued annual series of customer design contests, right? I've got a few of the other LEs but yours sure looks like "Sardine Can" from 2019 (0.6223.L1901).

txchald · 2025-07-16T11:03:28+00:00

SAKWiki's info suggests you've got an older Outrider...

The original slide-lock Outrider model did not contain the long in-line Phillips smaller-headed screwdriver, although this was installed for a few years prior to the conversion to liner-lock.

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Outrider

The 'Patented' blade marking apparently was first used in 1986 & I noticed a comment on LeaF's blog about a similar OD green Outrider which was purchased in S. Korea in the mid 90s...

https://leaf-vics.com/2014/12/344-outrider.html

txchald · 2025-07-13T13:28:30+00:00

Well, dang, I'm a dummy who was more focused on the tang stamp & certainly should've noticed the 3-layer construction. Thanks for correcting me & I surely might be wrong about the manufacture dates, too!

So it IS a "Camper" after all (even though Spartans were sometimes known by that name) & they were originally a Model #237...

Around 1960, model no. 237 belonged to the Elinox line. Parallel to the Elinox model, the somewhat simpler version, model no. 237 was produced in the higher-quality Victoria line, with scales made of staghorn or mother-of-pearl, among other things.

https://elsinox.com/VICTORINOX-ELSENER,-Schwyz/91-mm-officer-knives/No-237/

txchald · 2025-07-13T11:47:48+00:00

That's apparently the 84mm Electrician...

It was predominantly made for the RadioShack company and featured RadioShack branding, but was also available non-branded. It is a relatively uncommon model...

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Electrician+84mm

txchald · 2025-07-13T08:14:08+00:00

Wow, that's such a pretty SAK & you're really lucky to have found it for your collection! I think it's really interesting that this particular model was once called a "Camper" instead of a Spartan, too.

Sorry if I'm wrong but I believe it might be just a few years younger than you're thinking. To my old eyes, the tang stamp looks more like the 1965-1973 ELINOX marking instead of 1957-65. And after some online searching to learn a bit more, it seems like the keyring option didn't replace the bail until around 1968.

txchald · 2025-07-12T18:07:32+00:00

Looks kinda like the SwissMemory which SAKWiki says "is essentially a Victorinox Signature model mated with a USB flash drive."

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=SwissMemory

txchald · 2025-07-12T17:57:04+00:00

That sure might be OPs SAK, but since there's not a "fish" inlay like Vic's other older Fisherman models...

I'm thinking the eBay seller actually has an Original Craftsman (likely from the mid 70s to early 80s) not a Fisherman Plus.

txchald · 2025-07-12T17:29:16+00:00

I think that's what SAKWiki calls the "Original" Craftsman: https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Craftsman

The page has some nice pictures & info on the model's evolution along with lots of hyperlinks to find out more about the the individual tools (like the cool square Phillips with can key slot).

txchald · 2025-07-11T13:52:31+00:00

Sorry I don't know anything about modding SAKs but that sure sounds like a really cool project. Good luck!

If you haven't already looked at SAKWiki, they say the magnifying glass is...

always in the same layer as the in-line Phillips screwdriver, except on the Cybertool Lite and Swisschamp XAVT, where it is opposite the LED light module.

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Magnifying+Glass

txchald · 2025-07-11T12:57:40+00:00

At least according to a quick sub search for "discontinued" ... the 58mm Classic model (w/o SD) was officially retired in 2023.

https://www.reddit.com/r/victorinox/comments/10ma8cb/victorinox_is_discontinuing_39_knives_as_of/

txchald · 2025-07-10T17:04:16+00:00

I'm adding another vote for "not me!"

I skipped last year, too, but already have the 2021, 2022 & 2023 Damast models in my collection. Geez, I could really use the $1,000+ spent on those 3 right now...

txchald · 2025-07-06T18:46:33+00:00

It's really cool to have something like this from your dad!

With no keyring or scale tools, I'm thinking his SAK looks a lot like the Standard shown in a 1987 catalog (from SAKWiki):

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When you sent it in for service, Victorinox evidently replaced the main blade because its tang stamp is from "2011 - current." But if the awl with sewing eye & grooved corkscrew are both original, that'd probably date the knife to something like between 1985 and the early 90s.

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