Help id SAK

pahl · Mar 23, 2003

I think I bought this SAK about 10 years ago.
I like to wittle with the small blade.

On the tang of the big blade it reads

VICTORINOX
SWITZERLAND
STAINLESS
ROSTFREI

What does ROSTFREI mean?
What is the name of this knife?
Is this model still being made today?

I would like to buy one or two more to put away. It seems to me that I only paid around $7 for this one when I bought it.

Thanks for the info.

pahl · Mar 23, 2003

Is this the same knife I have in with a differant handle?
I don't see were it give blade sizes.

What is ribbed eloxy?

swiss link

Thanks,

Ed T · Mar 23, 2003

hey, Pahl.

The rostfrei just means rust free or stainless.
I think it is actually closer to the pocket pal or secratary model on this page:
http://www.newgraham.com/victorinox.htm
It is a nice size knife for dropping in the pocket. My son has the one blade cub scout verion.

Matt Shade · Mar 23, 2003

I was about to say that a pioneer would probably be similar if not the same knife, before I looked at your second link. Now I'm pretty sure it is the same knife. That particular one in the link has a checkered/ribbed handle. I have seen the pioneer with the classic red scales also, if you look around a little you can probably find one.

UnknownVT · Mar 23, 2003

This looks like the Pocket Pal (#53281)

size:84 mm | 3 1/4 inch
Large blade
Small blade

with one exception - the shield logo looks worn on your photo - so this was probably Victorinox's "budget" range with an imprinted shield logo instead of the regular embedded metal shield.

But since the "budget" range is no longer available in the USA - it probably is much more econonmical just to get the regular version. The MSRP is $10 and if you shop around (use froogle.com) it can be had as low as $6-7

A nice variation is the Alox (metal) handled (low price - under $9)
secretary (US#54289)

pahl · Mar 23, 2003

I'm glad to hear I should still be able to find one. As cheap as they are I may have to try and get one of each handle type.

I hope this does not lead to a collection of SAK's

Thanks for all the links and info,

UnknownVT · Mar 23, 2003

Originally posted by pahl
I hope this does not lead to a collection of SAK's

BladeForums... so that statement has to be rhetorical......

If not, then take a look at this
Swiss Model # 0.2300.26

if you can live with just one blade - instead you get the "Combo" tool with all these functions:
Screwdriver
Cap Lifter with Can Opener
Wire Stripper

I have one with parallel/line ribbing - and you can't see by the photo - but the knife is very slim/thin - so fits easily in the pocket - almost as if it's not there.

Unfortunately I don't think that model was ever available in the USA, and the price on that website looks high.

However for any current model not imported to the USA one could contact Mr. Paul Elsener - son of the current owner of Victorinox - and he can get any current Victorinox model made - at one time (years ago) he had some of the parallel ribbed models in stock -
contact him c/o

Victorinox Stores Inc
(914) 428-8473
125 Westchester Ave
White Plains, NY

Victorinox Stores Inc
(860) 521-1806
Westfarms Mall
Farmington, CT

For something eaily obtainable - this is what I think of as the "minimalist" SAK
Victorinox Waiter (US# 53891)

all these tools/functions:
Large Blade
Cap Lifter with Can Opener
Screwdriver
Wire Stripper
Key Ring
Toothpick
Tweezers
Corkscrew

all in a knife that's one backspring wide....... and costs under $12...

Take a look at this tool-by-tool comparison/analysis:
SAKs - Victorinox or Wenger

numberthree · Mar 23, 2003

Don't forget the 'Plumber' model, which is what I consider the ultimate minimalist SAK. I can't do without the excellent SAK saw, so that influences my opinion....here's a link: http://www.swiss-knife.com/asp/detail.asp?lan=EN&code=2.2313&shop=SK

SPHayes · Mar 23, 2003

UnKnownVT,
The single blade with combo tool is sold in the US with the red scales as the Bantam model. About $10 if I remember correctly. I just traded one off a few months ago.

UnknownVT · Mar 24, 2003

Originally posted by SPHayes
The single blade with combo tool is sold in the US with the red scales as the Bantam model. About $10 if I remember correctly. I just traded one off a few months ago.

You're absolutely correct, many thanks.

Victorinox Bantam (US# 53941)

The main problem with the Bantam with the red cellidor/plastic scales - is that the Waiter model (referenced in my previous post above) is basically the same thickness but adds the "essential" (for me) corkscrew -
whereas the same tooled aluminum/Alox scaled model is quite a bit thinner
(although the plastic scaled Bantam does add toothpick and tweezers).

rev_jch · Mar 24, 2003

pocket pal
rostfrei= German for "rust free".
they cost about 9.99 now
yours may be one of the ecoline models which means it probably still costs around 7.00. The ecoline is a line of victorinox saks that have nylon handles, instead of the cellidor (yours may be one of these do to the fact the shieled looks to be have been printed on, not set into the handle).

mnblade · Mar 24, 2003

pahl: That Pioneer that you linked to is 3.75" long. A half inch bigger than the Pocket Pal. That could be a good thing, if you're looking for a sturdier knife.

Help id SAK

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