Budget SAK's?

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platbuck

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Nov 16, 2006
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I was in a reputable store recently and saw a bunch of victorinox products. They were SAK's in see-through clamshell packages. They seemed to be the standard size.

The first thing I noticed was some odd names like Driver and worker. There was even a thicker one with the name Fireman, although obviously not the standard Locking Fireman. The one exactly like a Spartan was called Sport. They look okay except for the handles which seem duller and darker, and the crest looks like someone drew it on with a silver marker. They were also cheeper than standard SAK's.

does anyone know anything of these knives. I am pretty sure they are genuine Victorinox products but can't find info on their websites.

thanks
 
I have about 4 of em. I think their called Economy SAK's. Never fear the blades & tools are as good as the higher priced SAK's. They have tough nylon handles compared to Cellidor & don't scuff up as easily in a pocket with change. The shield is painted on & will wear off..its not the good metal shield as on the standard line. I think they are going to an injected molded sheild on the newer models that will not wear off...not real sure here. They are a good deal unless you have to have the Primo Metal inlaid sheild!
 
They are probably made for a market that may not be able to have a SAK otherwise.

Like free crack! THEN youre hooked! :D
 
SO, are the tools and blades exactly the same, with only different scales, or are there more differences???
 
The scales are the only difference. I take the paint off with rubbing alcohol and a wooden toothpick.
 
+1 Bartleby -- I've owned a couple of Budget SAKs that were 'little brothers' to regular SAKs (Huntsman II and, I think, Recruit II were their designations to distinguish them from the 'big brother' Huntsman and Recruit with 'normal' scales). The budgets were, to my eye, identical to the regulars except for the scales.
 
MG-like the celludor versions there are three different sizes. I have in 91mm the Climber and the Tinker, in 84mm the Recruit and the Sportsman, and a nylon Classic on my keyring. At the low cost, they are addictive. Sure they aren't as pretty as the celludor handles, but it's nice to get a working man's version at a price that you aren't afraid to use it (or lose it) doing work.
 
Any idea where I could order these on line? I haven't seen them in stores and they would make great stocking stuffers.
 
The current "EcoLine" from Victorinox -
extracted from their 2006 catalog (Downloadable Catalog from Victorinox.ch)
Vic2006_EconoLine100Pic.jpg
Vic2006_EconoLine100Txt.jpg

(note: these Swiss/international model #'s are different from the US #'s)

There have been two different Economy lines -
cellidor scales (polished plastic like on the full priced Vics - but withOUT toothpick and tweezers and the simplified shield logo is press printed)
Vic_Bdgt_S.jpg
First_Waiter82.jpg

(my first budget/econo Waiter (circa 1982) was one of these)

Nylon scales and press printed scalloped shield logo (and from the model #'s these look like the current "EcoLine")-
VicEconomyS.jpg
VicEconomy2S.jpg


This is a Sportsman II I bought a couple of years ago -
SportsmanII.jpg


--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
Now that i compare the price with the one posted on Swiss Army's website, I see that they are not very much cheaper. So maybe an original is a better deal. I am interested in the idea that the econo-models may have more heavy duty handles though.

Decisions, decisions.
 
platbuck said:
Now that i compare the price with the one posted on Swiss Army's website, I see that they are not very much cheaper. So maybe an original is a better deal. I am interested in the idea that the econo-models may have more heavy duty handles though.
Click to expand...

The nylon handles are lightly textured so offer slightly more grip.

They also show marring/scratches less than the polished plastic (cellidor) handles - so yes, with them being slightly cheaper - I guess people will tend get them for harder/rougher use......

Mostly the EconoLine seem to be sold via local retail outlets like Walgreens (who no longer sell these) where I bought my Sportsman II for under $10 - when the lowest local price for the full-price Sportsman was just under $15.
Web prices (via froogle.com may be cheaper but one has to pay shipping which often makes it uneconomical for one SAK).

I have read Lowes seems to sell this line and often I see posts saying they were on sale (or closeout?)

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
hmm..so all these years I've been carrying an ECONOMY sak? Like unknownVT said...walgreens had mine for about $8. I had no idea it wasn't a 'top of the line' SAK...

The scales are still firm, although scratched up; and the logo paint is almost gone, but the tools look new, and the blade is like a razor.

So the other more expensive versions have smooth scales? I'd much rather have these 'cheap' ones that are tactile...

EDIT:
I think the scratched/worn scales give it character :cool:
 
I haven't spent more than ten bucks for any of those I have. Lowest price was the Recruit for under five dollars at Fry's electronics just after Christmas last year. Giving a few of those as stocking stuffers this year.
 
one more thing. is there any indication that the springs or locking mechanism might be different??
 
platbuck said:
one more thing. is there any indication that the springs or locking mechanism might be different??
Click to expand...

From my limited samples these economy line SAKs other than the scales (both matte nylon and polished cellidor) appear to be, and act, the same as any of my full-price line Vics.

I don't think Victorinox make any with locking mechanisms in these economy lines.

--
Vincent
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2006
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2005
http://clik.to/UnknownVT2004
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
thanks.

I didnt mean Lockback specifically, I just meant the standard spring lock which of course doesnt really "lock".
 
Canadian Tire sells them here in Canada. I've got a Driver (in this week's flyer for $9.99 Can!) As far as I can tell, they are identical to my Climber, Alox Soldier and Huntsman in terms of blade steel, backsprings etc. Just the handle scales are a dull red nylon.
 
If there is a Frys electronics store near you, or a Big Five sporting goods, you can find these models. Here's an old thread on these knives (do a search using keyword Ecoline and you'll find more):

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=401068&highlight=ecoline

I mistakenly called them Econoline (like the Ford van), but someone else corrected me - I believe they are called Ecoline :) I guess they also go by the name Eurosport. Now if they are comparable pricewise at online sites, I wonder why the Eurosport models I see at Frys and Big Five are so much cheaper?:confused:
 
The Fry's near me had a lot of them last year. I suspect they placed a pretty large order and were trying to clear them out. They were half off the initial price when I purchased them (the old price stickers were under the new ones).
 
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