GAK brands?

[Lenny_Goofoff]

I'm about to buy one of these. One is marked Victorinox and another is I.C.A.R.
Does it make any difference? can you recommend one brand over another?

 

[newadventure]

I am a big Victorinox fan, so If I had a choice that's what I would take presuming the condition of the knives is comparable. However, these were made to specs and in theory should be equal. The non-Vic GAKS I have seen were all of high quality and should be very good knives. Keep in mind that a lot of these have seen hard use, so check the condition. If they are priced right, get 'em both! I would be happy with any brand, but favor Vics. Good luck!

 

[newadventure]

I am a big Victorinox fan, so If I had a choice that's what I would take presuming the condition of the knives is comparable. However, these were made to specs and in theory should be equal. The non-Vic GAKS I have seen were all of high quality and should be very good knives. Keep in mind that a lot of these have seen hard use, so check the condition. If they are priced right, get 'em both! I would be happy with any brand, but favor Vics. Good luck!

Anyone else with comments? - please chime in!

 

[Lenny_Goofoff]

as seller stated they are in very good condition
price is $16 shipped

 

[GIRLYmann]

Dude! Why choose? The difference between a collector and an accumalator is that the collector collects varients of the same object or set particular theme; the accumulator on the other hand doesn't see the point in having the same object twice.
So with opportunity staring at you now, you could end up with what could be the start of another great collection of GAKs; but on the other hand I sense that you probably have only good hard use in mind?

 

[Lenny_Goofoff]

Dang… he already sold Vics
but choice now even easier…
and yes, Im not collector, and wouldn't mind to use em hard )))

 

[MG_Saldivar]

Here's some info from SOSAKOnline.

And, another article.

 

[bama_lou]

I do not own an ICAR GAK, but based from my needs and purposes, go for the Vic for one reason and one reason only: You can be assured that the eyeglass screwdriver will fit the corkscrew, which adds another feature to the already-versatile GAK, aka Victorinox Safari...

 

[MG_Saldivar]

Actually, on my Vic GAK, the corkscrew was bigger than on the 84mm and 91mm SAKs (actually, it's both wider and longer). I wasn't able to add a small screwdriver to either of mine.

Perhaps I have some freakish versions?

 

[newadventure]

I keep one of the eyeglass screwdrivers in my Vic GAK - I never noticed any corkscrew difference compared to the 91mms, etc. Interesting...

Anyway, back to the question - if the Vic is gone, I would go for the other one. I really like these!

 

[bama_lou]

Actually, on my Vic GAK, the corkscrew was bigger than on the 84mm and 91mm SAKs (actually, it's both wider and longer). I wasn't able to add a small screwdriver to either of mine.

Perhaps I have some freakish versions?

Funny, I have most of the versions, Olive Drab and even the original red scaled versions- and a Mauser version too- and they ALL have mini SD's.

 

[shecky]

I've found two versions of the mini screwdriver, and they both fit in my GAKs, one a Vic, the other not (I forget which make).

The differences in the mini screwdrivers seem more noticable on my Wenger SAKs.

 

[iSaur]

Actually, on my Vic GAK, the corkscrew was bigger than on the 84mm and 91mm SAKs (actually, it's both wider and longer). I wasn't able to add a small screwdriver to either of mine.

Perhaps I have some freakish versions?

I have the Vic Safari (red-handled civilian version), purchased in 1982 IIRC. The mini screwdriver will not fit in mine, either. I just compared it to my 1970's Spartan and a new 84mm Waiter. The Safari corkscrew is actually smaller in diameter. I can slide a 5/64" (1.98mm) drill bit down the center of the corkscrew on the Spartan or the Waiter, but I can't get even a 1/16" (1.59mm) bit into the screw on the Safari.

Maybe at some point Victorinox decide to standardize and increased the diameter of the screw on the GAK.

iSaur

 

[Lenny_Goofoff]

its here… not very sharp, but nice nonetheless
pics

 

[newadventure]

Nice! Looks to be in great shape - they are often very well used/abused. I think you will like it. Thanks for the pictures. Good luck!

 

[lotoblades]

Looks to be in great shape!The few I have seen have been used heavily,that one appears to be in great shape! Even a factory edge!

 

[ZombaiO]

I think tat's a mauser kinife.Vic made from Mauser.It's german.Check out in smartknifes.com
Vey rare now-they've been stop from producing in 1980 i think.

 

[ZombaiO]

The mini screwdriver does not fit in the corcscrew,because the older models have a groove corcscrew-it's bigger i think.

 

[felinevet]

I think tat's a mauser kinife.Vic made from Mauser.It's german.Check out in smartknifes.com
Vey rare now-they've been stop from producing in 1980 i think.

Here is a Mauser showing the clip point blade which the GAKs don't have.

 

[ZombaiO]

My mistake.