A Fine Wiki Article on Swiss Army Knives

[Texas Star]

Swiss Army knife - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I noticed this link in the Wiki story on bear attacks, cited in a separate thread. Not a lot new here to those of us who have learned about these knives for years, but the steel analysis, etc. impressed even me.

This is the best overall general article on SAK's that I've seen, and I've published some, myself. I'd like to thank Victorinox's Export Director for assistance with some of those stories.

Those who ask questions here about these knives really should read this treatise first. It's quite informative and entertaining. (No, I didn't write it. I think some Brit did, given the spelling and other subtle clues.)

I have maybe 20 of these knives in various models, some duplicates in case I ever lose a treasured one and it might be discontinued. Few items offer so much value for money as do genuine Swiss Army knives.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Thank you for posting, I collect these, along with wine, they were what I chose to bring back from Europe. Agree with your comments. Rick

 

[Texas Star]

Thank you for posting, I collect these, along with wine, they were what I chose to bring back from Europe. Agree with your comments. Rick

Rick-

Hi, counselor! Do you have the repro of the original wood handled one of 1890? I couldn't afford one. They listed for about $495. BTW, there's a good video showing one on YouTube.

Which is your most-carried model? For me, it's usually the Spartan. But I carry the Executive a lot and the Camper some, too. I keep a SwissChamp in an SOS Kit in my briefcase, too.

Which wines did you choose? My barber's daughter brought her some wine from France and had no trouble buying there, although she was just 16. Did you save much over what those wines sell for here? Do you ever open wines with a SAK corkscrew? I have and it works, but the larger corkscrew on my Puma Model 943 folding hunter's knife works better. Of course, one of those wooden corkscrews with two handles is better, if one's at home or packing for a picnic.

There have been occasions when my Swiss Army knife had the only corkscrew present at a party. That was usually a matter of a hostess misplacing hers or forgetting to buy one. I'm always upset when I see a YouTube video by some slob reviewing SAK's when he clearly knows little of them. Some of these guys say they see little use for a corkscrew. Makes me think they stick to Boone's Farm if they drink wine at all. Might be funny to ask them to pronounce, say, Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou.

 

[Bat Guano]

I bought an Explorer from REI somewhere around 1979 and have worn (and used) it daily since. It went in once for a rebuild and really ought to go back again. I think it's the most useful thing I own.

 

[shouldazagged]

I alternate carrying a Farmer and a Super Tinker these days, and both are great values for the money. I've owned a few other models, but those just suit me best. Everything I need and no gizmos I don't. If I could have only one it would be the Farmer.

I've given a lot of them as gifts, including to my son and each of his three boys.

 

[Texas Star]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KNSDy99Awg

Here's a good video review of the SwissChamp.

The pouch he shows is not the same as the SOS Kit that I use. That includes a small compass on a ruler, fish hooks, line, pencil, etc.

 

[walkin jack]

Very interesting article. Thanks for posting.

 

[hoc9sw]

My two "most-used" are a Swiss Air logo gift (from the old / original airline) for having been a loyal customer (some 20 years ago), and a "multi-tool" variety that was intended for bicycle riders, but had some features (pliers) than made it useful for working on other things as well.

I'm sure I have several others, but many have been given away over the years. I rarely got home from the old eastern European countries with knives or Levis. They were great trade material.

My favorite "extra" from Europe is the mini screwdriver (for glasses frames) that threads into the corkscrew.

 

[Texas Star]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8bqDCyrmHM


Here's a repro collectors edition of the original Swiss knife. I think Victorinox made it from 1890 and Wenger from 1893.

I believe that both companies made these repro knives. Price was $500, so not many buyers will carry them. But an original sells for some $5,000 in good condition!

Note the larger size and the wooden handle scales. The tools are quite robust. The screwdriver fits screws in the Schmidt-Rubin rifle.

This is a really good video, much sharper than most. The narrator is also better organized and more knowledgeable than some. I've seen SAK videos where the yo-yo making the video didn't even know the names of some tools! (Or their functions.)

By the 1920's, stainless blades were used and more models were offered, many being smaller and lighter than this big official model. Red fiber scales seem to precede WWI, and the Swiss shield was added to the scales in the '20's, I think. BTW, it isn't printed on the scales: the silver is actually inlaid.

Aluminum liners appeared in 1951, making the knives much lighter to carry. The patented Victorinox can opener also dates from this period. It was also allowed on Wenger knives of the official model only.

The cross in the shield is called the Helvetian or Helvetic cross, the Helvetii being the tribes that Caesar fought his way through to conquer Gaul. They eventually unified to form the Swiss nation.
If you see one of those oval bumper stickers that reads, CH, it means Confoederation Helvetica. Presumably, the driver is Swiss.

Enjoy!

 

[LouisianaJoe]

In the 70's, I bought a Super Tinker. I tried to use it to pry something and snapped off the main blade. I bought another one. I met a Victorinox rep at the 1987 Shot Show in New Orleans and I told him about how I broke the knife. He told me to send in in and I did and received a new knife a couple of weeks later. Now that is what you call a lifetime warranty! I still have both knives.

 

[Texas Star]

In the 70's, I bought a Super Tinker(or maybe a Tinker). I tried to use it to pry something and snapped off the main blade. I bought another one. I met a Victorinox rep at the 1987 Shot Show in New Orleans and I told him about how I broke the knife. He told me to send in in and I did and received a new knife a couple of weeks later. Now that is what you call a lifetime warranty! I still have both knives.

I hope that you learned not to pry with knives. If you MUST pry with a SAK, use the screwdriver blade. Carefully!

Don't pry with any pocketknife. You may not break the blade, but use enough force, and you may loosen it.

 

[Donn]

My Wenger Swiss Army Traveler is like my American Express card, I don't leave home without it.

 

[steveno]

I have heard the scissors on the Wenger is better because it doesn't have the little spring like the Victorinox which is a real pain. is one brand any better than the other than the scissors? I have 3 or 4 of the Victorinox and I don't think I have ever seen a Wenger made knife. I think I heard the somewhere that Wenger is now owned by Victorinox but I don't know if that is true?

 

[Coldshooter]

I used to buy Swiss Army knives from Campmor at sometimes great discount and have them set aside for prizes at scout events. They were also popular at fund raisers for my son's ski team. Campmor occasionally got some varients I have never seen in retail stores.

 

[Texas Star]

I have heard the scissors on the Wenger is better because it doesn't have the little spring like the Victorinox which is a real pain. is one brand any better than the other than the scissors? I have 3 or 4 of the Victorinox and I don't think I have ever seen a Wenger made knife. I think I heard the somewhere that Wenger is now owned by Victorinox but I don't know if that is true?

I think it's mentioned in the Wiki link in my OP, but Victorinox bought Wenger about 2005. A couple of years ago, they decided to move all knife production to Ibach-Schwyz, where the Vic. plant is located. The Wenger name will now be used only on their watches and other lines.

Victorinox explained that this was required largely because of restrictions on carrying knives in public in various places since the 2001 attacks in NYC and other terrorist acts, and to intense competition from Pakistani and Chinese cutlers.
Some buy those cheap knives, looking only at price.

The result is that all good traditional cutlers in the US, Germany, and Switzerland are threatened by lower sales.
Victorinox could no longer afford to compete with themselves by selling both brands. This is pretty serious. Please patronize the better traditional knife companies. Don't buy cheap Oriental junk knives. The genuine Swiss Army knives are very fairly priced. Buy the cheap foreign copies and you deserve what you get. Most are junk, in comparison to the real thing.

 

[Texas Star]

I used to buy Swiss Army knives from Campmor at sometimes great discount and have them set aside for prizes at scout events. They were also popular at fund raisers for my son's ski team. Campmor occasionally got some varients I have never seen in retail stores.

Most retailers don't stock a wide selection, and Swiss Army Brands has imported fewer models in recent years. I think they sell directly, or will refer you to a retailer who has a certain model. Pretty sure about direct sales. Check their Online site. It also tells how to return knives for service, which they do in the USA. Their techs are factory trained.

If you can't find a knife here, I'm pretty sure that the factory
will still accept individual consumer sales. Customs duty is very low, if the postman even collects any.

Address the Export Director. They may also be able to provide an export catalog.

Export Director
Carl Elsener Messerfabrik (Victorinox)
CH-6438
Ibach-Schwyz
Switzerland

You will get a nice reply in English and the Swiss stamps are pretty.

(If you need to contact Puma or other Solingen cutlers, I seem to have lost the address, but you can call the Commercial Consul at the German Embassy. He/she should have that.)

 

[Onomea]

Thanks for the Swiss Champ video. Did not know about the pin behind/under the corkscrew, or that the ballpoint pen was a pen!

 

[johngalt]

I have a model 1961 that is my everyday knife.

 

[Old TexMex]

Wow, whatta ya know, I own one of those rare fine pieces of cutlery.
Given to me by a captain of industry from Austria, Michel Egger.
I love pictures so much more than words...
Hey, the "biro" works, too and the toothpick is never been used. The corkscrew hasn't been used since '96, but the leather awl gets a bit of use from time to time....but I'm waffling on, so I'll just show a picture, just to prove I actually have one.

 

[Onomea]

Old Tex Mex, just wanna say that the SAK toothpick is a very good toothpick. Nice and flexible. And, easy to get a replacement if you wish.

Use mine all the time.