Another SAK find! (with pic)

S

SkunkWerX

Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
1,730
I found this in our local classifieds. A *mint* condition "Champion".
http://www.smartknives.com/Victorinox-Knives/Victorinox-Champion.htm

Here is an actual pic, arrived home, on my desk.
SwissArmyKnife.jpg


It's never been used, per the owner, and per looking at it.
a few finger prints, but, never has seen a sharpener.

Came with the nice leather case, as well, and again, not even a scuff mark on the leather!

What did I pay, you ask? $25

How did I do? Good Deal?
(I am very pleased , and ready to do the happy dance.)

I did intend to use it, but, should I reconsider given that the Champion model is Discontinued?
 
Yes, from what I have read tonight, the SwissChamp replaced the Champion.

If I have it correct, The Champion was the original "Big Bertha" wide body with all the bells and whistles.

The owner was in the US military (Germany?), visited and bought it while in Switzerland.
 
That Champion was manufactured before 1991 (and actually earlier). If you look at the corkscrew there is fluting on it, the awl has no hole (for sewing), there is no parcel hook, no small screwdriver on the backspring and the scissors are probably held together with a screw versus a rivet. I bought this same model back in 1985, but my corkscrew is not fluted (can't remember the year this was discontinued). Based on different years when the tools were implemented; you probably have a 20+ year old SAK. Now whether to use it or not is up to you.

I say use it and enjoy it for many years.
 
Saunterer,
Thanks for the education, yes, the corkscrew is fluted reminding me of the one on my parents good old Swiss knife they kept in their camper.
To me that fluting is "normal". I guess I'm getting old :)

the scissors do, indeed, have the small screw (again, something I take for granted).

Thanks for the "use it and enjoy it" vote.

I add it to my Spartan and my Trekker.
It's now a trio.
 
I have one of those that I bought at Service Merchandise when I was in college. I used the crap out of it until I got a SwissChamp some time in the early 1990s.
 
Saunterer said:
That Champion was manufactured before 1991 (and actually earlier). If you look at the corkscrew there is fluting on it, the awl has no hole (for sewing), there is no parcel hook, no small screwdriver on the backspring and the scissors are probably held together with a screw versus a rivet. I bought this same model back in 1985, but my corkscrew is not fluted (can't remember the year this was discontinued). Based on different years when the tools were implemented; you probably have a 20+ year old SAK. Now whether to use it or not is up to you.

I say use it and enjoy it for many years.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I have a 1986 vintage SwissChamp that I was bought while on holiday in Switzerland. The corkscrew has the fluting, there is no parcel hook or pin and the scissors do have a screw rather than a rivit. However, the awl does have hole and there is a small screwdriver on the backspring.

I also got a pouch with the SAK shield on it that also had a bunch of stuff in it (sharpening stone, string, ruller/compas & pencil) and came with corkscrew mini screwdriver.

It went with me everywhere on travels around the world and it is still my most prized SAK.
 
Gatch,

When Victorinox introduces a new implement, it may be some time before you see them on the knives themselves. With a production output of over 100,000 knives daily it might take a while before the old parts bins are cleared before the new tools are incorporated into the knife. (An example are Alox models with years stamped on the blades that are ordinarily for Soldier models.) Over on SOSAK other examples have been discussed.

Here are some tool implementation dates that may help others figure the relative dates on their SAKs:

* Separators – Nickel silver until 1951; Alox since 1951.
* Can opener – Patented in 1951.
* Bottle opener – Introduced in 1942.
* Keyring – Replaced shackle in 1968.
* Tweezers – Introduced in 1902.
* Wood Saw – Introduced in 1902.
* Scissors – Introduced in 1902.
* Multi-Purpose Hook – Introduced in 1991.
* Fish scaler – Introduced in 1952.
* Nail file – Introduced in 1952.
* Chisel – Introduced in 1985.
* Phillips screwdriver – Introduced in 1952.
* Ballpoint pen – Introduced in 1985.
* Mini-screwdriver – Patented in 1983.

The transition date from the screw to rivot in the pivot of the scissors is around 1992 to 1993.

Still haven't found when the sewing eye was put on the awl...
 
Saunterer, thanks for that.

Do you have dates of when certain model knives/tools were introduced? Such as the Champion, SwissChamp, Cybertool, SwissTool and Spirit?

A while ago I saw a brouchure in a shop that had such a milestone history in the back. No matter how much a begged, pleaded or offered for it the shop owner would not sell it to me :grumpy: I haven't seen it since and can find no such listing on their web site.
 
gatch said:
Interesting. I have a 1986 vintage SwissChamp that I was bought while on holiday in Switzerland. The corkscrew has the fluting, there is no parcel hook or pin and the scissors do have a screw rather than a rivit. However, the awl does have hole and there is a small screwdriver on the backspring.

I also got a pouch with the SAK shield on it that also had a bunch of stuff in it (sharpening stone, string, ruller/compas & pencil) and came with corkscrew mini screwdriver.

It went with me everywhere on travels around the world and it is still my most prized SAK.
Click to expand...

Gatch, check out the pliers on your SAK. I'll bet that it does not have the crimper with it.
 
bama_lou said:
Gatch, check out the pliers on your SAK. I'll bet that it does not have the crimper with it.
Click to expand...

Correct. There is no crimper on the pliers. I first noticed that difference when I purchased a Cybertool 34 in 2002. When was that introduced?
 
Gatch,

I believe the Champion was released sometime in the late 60's IIRC. The Swisschamp was released in 1986, Cybertool 34 in 1999, Swisstool in 1986, and the Sprit was 2005. This is based of my overtaxed memory, but I believe is close. The crimpers on the pliers were introduced sometime after 1993 (based on catalogs).
 
I have one like that, I have had it for 20 years. I love it, it was a gift from my dad when I was in the USAF. I wanted one sooooo bad when I was a kid. I carry it every day. I sort of baby it now that it has sentimental value. I look at the other models, but I can't give up a tool and downsize. I don't know how hardy the pliers on the new ones would be, and I could just slip a small pair of pliers in my bag. I am usually the only one around with a corkscrew and magnifying glass...when you need one you need one!
Use yours don't save it (unless you want to give to a worthy soul)
It's not an investment, it's a tool.
 
Saunterer said:
Gatch,

I believe the Champion was released sometime in the late 60's IIRC. The Swisschamp was released in 1986, Cybertool 34 in 1999, Swisstool in 1986, and the Sprit was 2005. This is based of my overtaxed memory, but I believe is close. The crimpers on the pliers were introduced sometime after 1993 (based on catalogs).
Click to expand...

I thought the Swisstool was later , about 96 /97 ?

Dunc
 
Saunterer said:
Gatch,

I believe the Champion was released sometime in the late 60's IIRC.
Click to expand...

In the book "Swiss Army Knives: A Collector's Companion" by Derek Jackson there is a page with a panel titled "Evolution of the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife" which states that the magnifying glass was added in 1973. Do you know if there was a prior version of the Champion in the 60's that did not have the magnifying glass? If so what was in its place opposite the philips screwdriver (which according to this book was added in 1952)?

This book is nice, but omits some historical deatails.
 
Yep. Here's a scan; credit goes to Vincent (UnknownVT). He scanned this from a 1967 catalog. Original thread is over on SOSAK -> SOSAK Thread

1967 champion.jpg


Also confirms the keyring replacing the shackle in 1968. Note the corkscrew has the philips in its place, thus the knife was a layer thinner.
 
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