2 Hoffritz knives: Vic +/or Wenger mfg'er?

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polk09

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May 28, 2006
Messages
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I acquired two SAK that have Hoffritz on the scale. [1] First is an Original Climber Knife. It does NOT have the tooth pick and tweezer slots/tools! The scissors use a screw; grooves on the corkscrew; and no eye in the awl. The main blade is stamped with the usual "Victorinox Switzerland Stainless Rostfrei" stamped on one tang; "Officer Suisse" on the opposite". [2] The other is a
"Wenger Canyon No Key Ring Knife". Its main blade tang is stamped Hoffritz, with other side stamped "Switzerland Stainless Rostfrei".
Questions:
[a] When was Hoffritz a supplier?
Are Hoffritz knives 'special' re collectors?
Anything else of interest would be appreciated.
 
Hoffritz was an importer of many knives from overseas, mostly from Europe. My first SAK was purchased from them by my dad in the 70's. They had giant window displays of knives in their showrooms in NY that he remembered seeing as a kid back in the 1930's. I don't think it adds much to the value of the knife to be marked Hoffritz (of course people will collect anything now). The name is still used on kitchen cutlery items. I believe that they stopped carrying sporting knives several years ago when the name was sold off to new owners.
 
Thank you. Their name on knife #2's tang suggested to me they did some manufacturing, but maybe not. Know of any other importers who put their name on the scale?
 
Hoffritz had a lot of pull back in the day. They only carried quality. Most of their products were stamped with their name. The window displays were real works of art, with knives arranged in patterns. I recall a lot of knives and scissors from Germany. It was not uncommon to have items stamped with the retailer's name, like hardware brands made by Camillus and Schrade. I am unaware of other retailers beside Hoffritz having Victoriox stamp their name on the tang. As I recall, most Hoffritz products carried only the Hoffritz markings while the SAKs made by Victorinox carry both the Hoffritz name and the Victorinox stamp (on the reverse side). I believe that several years ago, Buck had some knives made for them by Wenger (or Victorinox), carrying the Buck name on the scale (I don't recall the tang stamp though).
 
My Dad purchased a Hoffritz carving knife in the early 1950s. it is 12" by 5/8 and has a rounded end and is very flexible. It is a great, great knife for carving smoked country hams into thing slivers to put on small biscuits.

I don't think they make them any more , but would really like to buy one or more used ones. anyone have one or know what I'm talking about. thanks

vanfleming@gmail.com
 
The Buck colaboration was called "Swissbuck" and made by Wenger before being acquired by Victorinox - Hoffritz was a retailer - and contracted to have their product made by others -like Wenger and Victorinox - I have one from the 60's with only the Hoffritz marking but Victorinox repaired a broken scissor spring.
Peace
Revvie
 
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