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Ivory Engraved "Ducks Rising" SwissChamp from late 80's?

I'd love to know if anyone has any history on this version knife. It's apparently a SwissChamp from 1988-1991? It has ivory (not white) colored scales, one with the traditional Victorinox logo, the other engraved with a detailed scene of ducks rising from a pond (or maybe they are landing, I am no ornithologist, birdwatcher, or hunter.) It's 91 mm, and has 7 (or 8?) layers--the disgorger/scaler is in the same section as the wood saw--is this one layer or two?

It has a 3 mm wide pliers,with a slight angle in the joint, and with no crimpers. It has the key loop on the corkscrew side. It has 1.5793 paper with it in what is clearly the original box, and the picture (in archive here under 1.5793) accurately reflects the blades available, as near as I can tell, with the addition of the pliers. It has a micro-screwdriver nested into the corkscrew. Wasn't this a much later option? How do I tell if my corkscrew is "fluted" or not? It has what looks like a screw holding the scissors together, with a slot. Anyone have a detailed photo of what the rivet looks like? There are no exceptional maker's marks or engraving on the main blade, just the usual.

When did aftermarket start adding custom scales?

Sorry for all the questions, but the more I know about this, the more questions seem to arise that I "need to know."

On a related note, what are the best book/magazine/web resources for learning more about SAK? I have discovered SAKWiki, and I am dying to have a read of the Victorinox centenary SAK history from 1984.

P5130091.JPG

Rob

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on May 14, 2011 at 19:59

Well Rob, you may have everyone stumped on that beautiful knife. If you have interest you might join our SAK group here and see if anyone can give a better idea. In fact if you have a real interest in SAK's in general we have a group dedicated to that purpose. Here is that link:http://www.iknifecollector.com/group/swissarmyknives

Beyond that, I am not aware of any artist/engraver/knifemaker making that pattern. For a moment I was thinking some tie in with the group Ducks Unlimited, which authorized several "duck themed" knives during the 80's but I think that was done either through Buck or Schrade. I am not aware of anything done with SAK.

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Permalink Reply by Wayne Whitted on May 14, 2011 at 23:46

I like the duck scene on the scales. I can not really give you any idea about who or when but it was probably an aftermarket add on. The white scales have changed color somewhat over the years too. I noticed a photo of an older white scaled SAK the surely looked a shade darker than today's version.

As far as the "layers" go, I count the springs, not the liners that separate the tools. There are exceptions of course like the Cybertool and several of Wenger's SAK's. Check out my SAK blog.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Klonoski on May 15, 2011 at 18:18

Thanks for the input. I've seen some Ducks Unlimited SAK's and they are nothing like this. I'm not so sure the scales on this were ever white either; they are slightly darker, but of generally the same tint as the toothpick. What's more, they are entirely uniform in color, and this knife hasn't been sitting somewhere exposed to heat and sun, it's been in it's box in a drawer. The only white plastic that I've seen darken this dramatically is bakelite, and I am pretty sure the scales aren't made of that, though I haven't tested. Even that tends to change color somewhat non-homogeneously across the surface, and to go to "butterscotch" or "wheat" rather than the look of real, old ivory. I'm enjoying the search.

I took your advice and joined the SAK group. What's proper etiquette here on posting to forums: should i repost my original there, assume SAK people will see my original itself, or somehow add a "pointer" from the SAK group forum to where it is?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on May 16, 2011 at 9:15

Rob, you can copy the link from this post and put it in a post in the SAK group. On a side note I really enjoyed reading your description of the knife and color of the scales. I could not describe it any better!

Robert Klonoski said:

Thanks for the input. I've seen some Ducks Unlimited SAK's and they are nothing like this. I'm not so sure the scales on this were ever white either; they are slightly darker, but of generally the same tint as the toothpick. What's more, they are entirely uniform in color, and this knife hasn't been sitting somewhere exposed to heat and sun, it's been in it's box in a drawer. The only white plastic that I've seen darken this dramatically is bakelite, and I am pretty sure the scales aren't made of that, though I haven't tested. Even that tends to change color somewhat non-homogeneously across the surface, and to go to "butterscotch" or "wheat" rather than the look of real, old ivory. I'm enjoying the search.

I took your advice and joined the SAK group. What's proper etiquette here on posting to forums: should i repost my original there, assume SAK people will see my original itself, or somehow add a "pointer" from the SAK group forum to where it is?

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 16, 2011 at 17:58

Robert,

I have looked for everything I can find. Your right. Plenty of SAK for Ducks Unlimited but nothing even remotely close to this type of an actual scene. We appreciate your sharing it with us and I agree with Hog, thats a great description of the coloring. Please let us know if you find out anything new on it