VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

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Meridian_Mike
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by Meridian_Mike »

I have a stupid question:
I have 4 SAK's that are all labeled as "OFFICIER". They all 4 have a different (with some similarities) blades or tools. One of my OFFICIERs even has almost twice as many blades/tools as the other 3. Some OFFICIERs have the magnifying glass and some don't.

Now the question, What characteristics make an OFFICIER or a HUNTSMAN or a CHAMPION or any other SAK assume a given name?

::shrug::
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by jerryd6818 »

This is a very handy SAK web site and this link will give you a little history regarding the "Officer's Knife".
-- http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?p ... cers+Knife
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"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by Meridian_Mike »

WOW.... thanks for the link to the SAK site Jerry.
I can see right now that I have days of reading and study to try to figure out the SAK's.

(LOL)
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by jerryd6818 »

" to try to figure out the SAK's."

Good luck with that one. :lol:
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
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This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by tank »

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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by Meridian_Mike »

Thanks for that link Tank.
WOW..... the possibilities are endless.
The models are overwhelming...... BUT there is no OFFICIER in the model listing.
What am I missing?

:?
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by Capt. Farrel »

In 1897 Victorinox put a so called Officers knife to the market. Soon enough pocket knives coming from Switzerland were known as "Officers knives". Several different knives were officially issued to the members of the swiss army. The last change was in 2008 to this variant:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweizer_ ... r_08-2.JPG

To make a long story short: Every Wenger or Victorinox is an Officers knife! :lol:
Frank

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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by Meridian_Mike »

I see your point Captain.
Well, I guess where I am missing the over-all picture is this:
Why are some marked "OFFICIER" and then others are not? Is this a year model issue?

SO.... in actuality... there is no model specifically called "OFFICIER".

In my collection, the knives on the right are marked "OFFICIER" but the ones on the left are not.
SAK 005.JPG
It seems the number of blades and the type of blades or tools is going to designate the model of the SAK.
I think the light is starting to come on.

::doh::
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by tank »

There are two types of Swiss Army Knives, the Soldier's Knife and the Officer's Knife. The Soldier's knife is standard issue for Switzerland and Germany's military. The Officer's version boasts a wide variety of features, including the iconic corkscrew. According the Victorinox publication "Swiss Army Knives: A Collector's Companion," the generic term "Swiss Army Knife" was created just after World War II by American servicemen, who found its official German name "Offiziersmesser" too hard to say.
http://www.trails.com/about_3764_swiss-army-knives.html

Following WWII the PX retailers started marketing the "Swiss Officer's Knife" in big amounts to be able to National soldiers. The actual troopers Started calling it the Swiss Army Knife intended for small and also the label features stuck.
In this photo the Officer knives are on top and the real Soldier issued are on bottom.
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by Meridian_Mike »

Very good info Tank!
Thanks for adding the comments and great pic!!

::tu::
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by bembry »

I always gravitated more towards Wenger, but I have many a Victorinox too.

Anyone have one of these? I bought a red one for my wife--she loves it!
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by Meridian_Mike »

WOW.... a stapler.... LOL.
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by TripleF »

No clue how I've missed this thread...... ::shrug::

Here's a Victorinox Duchess "dogbone" I sold a couple weeks ago.....
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by Meridian_Mike »

WOW... that is a nice one Scott!

::tu::
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by jerryd6818 »

Impulse purchase today. Vic Spartan Silver Tech. I bought one at Target back in August, then turned around and took it back for a refund. Found it at Farm & Fleet today for 2/3 the price at Target. I guess it was just meant to be.
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Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by jerryd6818 »

Picked up another Victorinox Floral (thanks Scott). I love this knife.
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Victorinox Floral - Open Mark.JPG
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by TripleF »

Glad you likey Jerry!! ::nod:: ::tu::

I picked up this Champion Plus a few weeks ago.....LOVE it!

I also just posted an article to my blog regarding Swiss Army Knives - Which One Should I buy?
http://pocketknivesblog.com/what-swiss- ... rmy-knife/
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swiss army vicotrinox magnifying lens knife champion plus.JPG
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by jerryd6818 »

Great write up, Scott. Really makes trees out of the forest and simplifies the choices.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by TripleF »

jerryd6818 wrote:Great write up, Scott. Really makes trees out of the forest and simplifies the choices.

Thank you sir! ::handshake::
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by tank »

That's a great article Scott. Thanks for sharing. I bought my partner in crime the Classic SD with Argyle scales, a 2011 special edition, and it went directly on her keychain. She uses it constantly.
I carried a Tinker forever but now I think the Hiker might be the best edc in celluloid. In alox the Farmer is my favorite by far. What are you guy's favorite celluloid and alox?
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by TripleF »

Thanks Tank
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by TripleF »

My fav SAK is the Champion Plus shown above.

I've never owner an ALOX but have admired it from afar!
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by jerryd6818 »

The red handles on Swiss Army Knives are not Celluloid, they are Cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB) (generally known trade names are Cellidor, Tenite and Tenex) and unlike Celluloid are very stable.

My favorite CAB handled SAK is the Floral.
My favorite Alox would have to be the orange Cadet that Josh gifted to me (thanks Josh).
I tend to favor the Alox handle varieties over the CAB handle knives.
A perfect world would be a Floral with orange Alox handles. ::tu::
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Victorinox Floral - Open Mark.JPG
Victorinox Alox Cadet - Orange All Open.JPG
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by junebug »

GLAD YA LIKE IT,JERRY ::handshake::

CELLIDOR = Marlboro Series "TRAILGUIDE" HANDS DOWN BEST VIC CELL SAK FOR THE STUFF I DO.
PERFECT HOBBY TOOL IN GARAGE AND ON ROAD FOR ME ::nod::
MAIN BLADE
LARGE SCISSORS
METAL FILE - 2 GRITS :shock: - METAL SAW!!!! :shock: - AND PHILLIPS SCREW DRIVER TIP ::mdm::
COMBO flat head - cap lifter- wire stripper - wire bender -
CORK SCREW
MINI eye glass SCREW DRIVER in screw driver
NEEDLE - like a sewing needle - rides behind cork screw - SPLINTER GETTIN SUM-GUN ::nod::
HOOK TOOL - great fer pickin up hot stuff on side of road in heat or at a camp,welding,etc
TOOTH PICK
TWEEZERS
INK PEN .... LOVE HAVEIN IT HANDY FER NOTES!
KEY RING



ALOX = SOLDIER 8)
W/ GRENADE LAUNCHER HOLLOW RIVET ::nod::
RED & OLD CROSS IF POSSIBLE :mrgreen:
BUT MA 1992 (marriage year) SILVER UNIT WILL DO ANY DAY ::tu::
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Re: VICTORINOX knives 1884- present SWISS ARMY KNIVES

Post by tank »

Yes cellidor, I was typing faster than thinking. I know they're not celluloid.
Josh I like that model, I don't think I have either version. Great tool set. I'll definitely be adding one to my collection. It's discontinued so prices will go up. ::tu::
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