Swiss Army Knives

Do you love sak's? This is the place to be

Load Previous Comments
  • Carlos Rodríguez

    Thanks!!!!, nice image!
  • Wayne Whitted

    Shot Show photos are starting to appear and it looks like Victorinox will release a new 111mm line with Dual Density scales, basically a 2 part scale with rubber type grips. Also soon to be released is a model called the "Dual Pro", which has a liner locking main blade and a liner locking rescue blade. Looks like it will come in a variety of blade/tool setups. Here is a photo I found on the web.

  • Wayne Whitted

    I have a few larger 111mm knives in my collection but like you I lean towards the "traditional" SAK. My favorite 111mm knife is the "Outrider" with its exceptional group of tools that seem to fit most situations.
  • Wayne Whitted

    More Shot Show news about Wenger this time. Wenger is adding some yellow grip scales to several knives including the RangerGrip 178, EVO Grip18 and EVO Grip 81. These scales will have an engraving on the rubber inserts for the "Patagonian Expedition Race". Also they are showing a revamped "Alinghi" model with newer Grip style scales. I do not have any photos I can share at this time, maybe later.
  • Glenn K

    Greets all in the group. Ive got a couple SAK's so figured I would sign up. PS Just uploaded a pic of one to am album in my profile, Anyone here know the name of it ? Model number etc would be helpful ! . Thanks and Enjoy. Glenn

    Opps inserted pic here too !

  • Wayne Whitted

    Looks like an older "Fireman" model.

  • Glenn K

    Thanks for the prompt responce . I have had this knife for quite along time, will do some more searching on that name . Thanks so very much. Glenn
  • Wayne Whitted

  • Glenn K

    Thanks ! Yes there is a differance that I can see otherwise the same knife. Mine the main blade is not a liner lock. I will take a pic of the other side. There is a release button intergrated into the knife on the other side. Thanks again ! Glenn
  • Glenn K

    Opps perhaps it is a liner lock, just with a retention bar inside the liner at top of blade. GK
  • Glenn K

    Ok in reading further it is refered to as a "button lock" Thanks for the most helpful link !
  • Wayne Whitted

    The original is a "Slide Lock" using the gray or red plastic slide switch on the back and it moves a small pin out of the way of the lock to allow it to close. There are newer variations and liner locks are part of that but your's looks older so it is probably just the Slide Lock.
  • Noah Myers

    Hey yall, i was fortunate enough to spend 5 months in Germany this past year and made it to the Factory in Ibach, Switzerland. Got some pics posted in my Gallery. It was a Saturday so outdoor pics only. Check em out!

  • In Memoriam

    D ale

    Came across some pics & thought about this grp .. enjoy ..

  • Arjun Gandhi

    I've lost my favorite SAK (my Alox soldier). When we were moving, my SAK was in a box with some other stuff and that went missing.

    I guess I'm going to have to grab another one.
  • Mackenzie Soileau (sebenza100)

    Does anyone here make custom carbon fiber handles for SAK's (swiss army knives)
  • Jakub Capek

    I just bought a SAK type knife I wanted to share with you. It was made in Japan and amd I would really like to get some info about it. maybe you could help me? The master blade has "Stainless steel Japan" on it and the handle the name STEVE along with some sort of shield, inside of which is an X and a crown.   

  • Tobias Gibson

    Jakub, it appears to be an older Royal Crest 16 function knife.  They are relatively inexpensive knives.  I haven't seen the ones made in Japan, but the ones from China are very cheaply made with very thin blades. Hopefully the Japanese are better
  • Martin Desax

    I hope you didn't pay more than 10 Cents for it  :-)
  • Jakub Capek

    Thank you for the information. I bought the knife at a flea market for aprox. 2USD, so it was not an expensive deal. The blades are not thinner when I compared them to my SAK knives.  
  • Tobias Gibson

    I suspect that it is an older model and may have been of better quality than the current Chinese made Royal Crest line.   The scissors don't have the tell tale hump of the current production

     

  • Tobias Gibson

    Okay, I'm going nuts looking.  What current production 91MM Victorinox SAKs   have both a corkscrew and a file blade instead of the  small knife blade?  Or is such a combination even offered?  Do I need to look at Wenger?

  • Martin Desax

    You may use the selector to find a model. But as Keijo already mentioned, in 91mm there is only the long one.

    Some models: Mountanirer, Ranger, Handyman, SwissChamp, Champion....

     

    http://sakselector.info/cgi-bin/sak_selector.cgi

  • Wayne Whitted

    I think the closet thing you might find is the 84mm Sportsman model with the small nail file instead of the small blade. 91mm models do not offer the small nail file replacing the small blade.

  • Tobias Gibson

    This is just confounding, when you think about it.  the 91 mm is pretty much their flagship size with more option than most can imagine and it doesn't have a nail file blade like the Classic SD.   Am I the only at a loss for words over this?

     

  • Tobias Gibson

    The Victorinox that was almost made especially for me: The Spartan Lite.

    It hwas what I use all the time and doesn't have a bunch of stuff I don't use every day.  The inline Phillips is the real charm for me.  I've already got the little screwdriver for the corkscrew.  The only other thing I want is a pen.  Will the removable pen fit in the Tweezers' slot? (I don't really need them as I also always have an SD with me.)

  • Wayne Whitted

    No the tweezers slot will not fit the ink pen. Best thing to do is find a set of Plus scales to replace yours. They can usually be bought for around $10 or so. Message me if you can not find a set as I have a couple of sources.

  • Tobias Gibson

    Shot Show Vics.  These just showed up in my face book feed from the LV shot show.

  • Luca Vignelli

  • Luca Vignelli

    I just saw the sick knife below on ebay!

  • Tobias Gibson

    Well, I got my hunter green plus scales and and now have a Hunter Green Spartan Lite, Plus for my EDC.   Now if it had a nail file instead of a small pen blade, I could take my Midnight manager off my key chain. (But who am I kidding, I would still carry the MM, too!)

    It took five minutes to swap out the handles.  I've never done it before but it is quite easy and if you are careful, the old handles won't break.  Along with the pressurized blue ink pen, I also have the little straight pin (not shown).  I also have the little screwdriver for eyeglasses which store in the corkscrew.  I love the Spartan lite frame mainly because it is the smallest 91 mm with the inline Phillips.  The white LED light is also handy. The Spartan Lite is similar to the Passenger which is an Explorer without the Scissors.

  • Wayne Whitted

    I just ordered me a Cobalt Blue and White scales both "Plus" models. Now to decide which knife gets the new clothes.

  • Tobias Gibson

    Hi Wayne,

    I'm also looking at some cobalt blue scales.  Those look mighty nice.  I'm planning on swapping out handles on many of my red handled dupes (Climbers.)  I'm also thinking a "Compact Plus" is in my future.

    Also,

    I've been told that once you pop the handles off, you really can't use them anymore.  Is that your experience?

    Toby

  • Wayne Whitted

    "I've been told that once you pop the handles off, you really can't use them anymore.  Is that your experience?"

    Not entirely. The rivet has a collar that "mushrooms" the plastic out over it and once you force the scale off it sometimes breaks out a bit of the plastic. If that happens they will no longer fit snugly without some kind of glue. The best thing is to be very careful when removing the scales. Warm the up some without getting them hot, and then try and pop them off. That will lessen the chance of breaking out too much plastic.

    If you have to glue them back on a knife, remember to use a glue that is not permanent and can be removed somewhat easily. I have heard "Goop" is good but have no experience with it. Also be careful not to get any glue near the toothpick and tweezers slots.

  • Todd Helmkamp

    Thanks for the info, Wayne and Toby.  I didn't know you could swap out Vic scales.

  • Wayne Whitted

    Here is a good video showing how to do it. There are several places to buy NEW factory scales for Victorinox SAK's. If you need help in finding some send me a personal note and I will give you a short list.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdf-bBOuI5Q

  • Ron Cooper

    wayne, i'm glad i was dialed into this convo between you tobias and todd about swapping scales on SAK's. i have a couple of really nice knives that i got some years back when i was still smoking marlboros. it's been almost 8 years since i quit smoking and i think it's about time to pop the marlboro ad off of my knives and replace those scales with the color of my choice. i really liked the yellow scales in the youtube vid that you provided the link for, wayne! thanks!

    here's what i'm talking about in case you're not already familiar with the old marlboro miles incentive program marlboro/phillip morris used to promote smoking their brand...

    i'm thinking yellow on one and black on the other?

    anyway...thanks, guys!

  • Wayne Whitted

    I have those knives myself and must say I really like the tool layouts for them. If you are just wanting to rid yourself of the logo, they can be removed with some old fashioned elbow grease and hard work. If a color change is your motive I am with you there. I like various colors on my knives. You might consider a "Plus" scale set that includes a slot for the removable ink pen. The ink pens can be bought as well if you need one.

    One neat little trick for using the ink pen is too "clamp" it underneath the "hook" in the bottom tools section and then use the entire knife to write with. It adds some weight especially useful for guys like me with big hands and fingers trying to use that little stick of an ink pen. LOL Works well.

  • Ron Cooper

    i think i'm ready to take those knives in a whole new direction with some colorful new scales. like i mentioned, i like black and yellow. heck! i might even mix 'em up and do one side black and the other side yellow? hmm? i kind of like that idea. we'll see. thanks for the tip on the pen and the plus scales. i hadn't even thought of that.

  • Tobias Gibson

    Other than making several purchases from the place I have no other association with Central Valley Wholesales.  I saw this item on eBay and it looked kind of cool for those who might need it.  Its numerous replacement parts in a nice plastic case.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/130686578856


  • In Memoriam

    D ale

  • Jan Carter

    The original cutlery factory, located at Ibach in Switzerland, was opened by Karl Elsener in 1884

    GREAT Story Dale

  • Tobias Gibson

    I know they're not that rare  I was really excited to score another Huntsman Economy (also called the Woodsman) for $10 on a eBay bid!

    My first SAK ever was this model and I still love it but it has a nasty gouge on the back sclae and the small blade got chipped.  The new one has light surface scratches but has never been sharpened and looks pretty good.  It'll never replace the original but it is nice to have a second one!


  • Featured

    Craig Henry

    Has Victorinox made the Classic in pearl handles in recent years?

  • Ron Cooper

    Hi, Cindy!

    I can see the pic you've posted--thanks! However, I cannot see the tang stamp clearly. It does appear to be a vintage 2 layer 91mm Victorinox Officer's knife. I can't tell if the scales are fiber or celluloid? But it does have the old style can opener which would date it at pre-1946. If you can see a marking that indicates a date I will defer to your statement about the knife being around 1930. Victorinox started using the celluloid scales in 1937 I believe? So the scales on your knife must then be fiber? If the blades are stainless it would date between '23 and '37.

    What's it worth? Better pictures are needed. But, like any old knife, it will be worth as much, or as little, as some collector will be willing to pay for it. That is usually determined in a no reserve eBay auction. Like water rising to its own level, so does the value of highly sought after knives in eBay auctions...USUALLY, but not always!

    That's about all that I can contribute to your query. Here's a link to the online authority for all sharp things Swiss: http://tinyurl.com/SAK-Forum You might want to try there, also. And then, of course, there is always the SAK Wiki: http://www.sakwiki.com/

    Oh! And maybe Wayne will check in with his assessment? WAYNE!

    Cheers!

  • Tobias Gibson

    I just received a Wenger Snife Rhythm from an ebay bid.  Paid $12.  The knife is like new  but missing the packaging.  Does anyone have any info on these "snife" knives.  I'm not really up on Wengers.  I only own three, including this one.  I bought it on impulse.  What I kniw is it  made on the cmmander frame and it its model number 1 93 03 

    Any other info, Original sale price, when made, etc, much appreciated.

    Snife Rhythm,  Revers side

    Snife Rhythm Mark side

  • Ron Cooper

    Tobias,

    It sounds like you already know everything the SAK Wiki has to say about your Snife: http://tinyurl.com/Rhythm-Snife

    I own a few Wengers, but no Snifes. Sorry.

  • Ron Cooper

    Here's another link in the SAK Wiki: http://tinyurl.com/Wenger-Snife

    Not much more help, though.

  • Wayne Whitted

    Hello. Its been some time for me due to illness. The Snife was created to contrast the "Swatch" craze that was going on. There are 10 different large models and 5 Esquire sized smaller models. Average retail price was around $20 or so. Here is some of my blog posts about all of the different models including photos of each design.

    Snife blog posts

  • Ron Cooper

    Wayne!

    I am so glad to see you're back in action! A week ago I was hoping you might be around to give one of our new member's some counsel on an SAK she was attempting gain knowledge about. Any knowledge about SAK's that I have pales in comparison to yours. So, I was not of much help I'm afraid?

    In any event. I am certainly glad you're still around, and hopefully feeling a whole lot better, too!

    Cheers!