It pays to dig in your own closet. (SAK Question)

not2sharp

not2sharp

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Jun 29, 1999
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I was cleaning out a closet and found an old beach bag that probably has not seen use in over 20 years. Inside were a couple of nastagic beach towels, some vintage tanning lotion, and an old Victorinox SAK. I don't even recall the knife; somebody probably threw their stuff in there, and fogot about the knife.

Its a five blade wide knife style, that looks like an earlier version of the Huntsman. Red handle with Swiss army cross and large bale. The blades include:

(top)
1) Small clip
2) Large Sprey
3) File/Metal saw
4) Wood saw
5) Sissors
6) Cap Lifter/screw driver
7) Can opener screw driver
(Bottom)
8) Awl
9) Cork Screw
10) Tooth pick
11) Tweezers

Markings: Can Opener - (swiss cross) PAT
Main Blade: VICTORINOX/SWITZERLAND/STAINLESS/ROSTFREI + VICTORIA/OFFICER/SUISSE

Can anyone tell me the model name or the approximate age of this knife?

n2s
 
it is older...working on trying to age swiss army knives myself. when i figure something out, ill be back.
 
What you've got is an old version of the Ranger SAK. I the small clip point and the Victoria tang stamp are old, I'm not sure old.

Since it doesn't have the multipurpose hook, it is pre-1991 for sure. Since it has the new can opener it is from after 1946.

Does it have a keychain ring? If it does, it is post 1968.

Does it have the new awl (the one we are used to on regular SAKs, with the sewing eye)? If it does, it is post 1961. Same goes hidden rivets, they were introduced in 1961.

I think the current Ranger model comes with a chisel in the back (opposite the metal saw), and that tool was introduced in 1985, so we know that your knife is at least 20 years old.
 
Franciscomv has some great dating methods.

Also to check the dates - look at your scissors. Are the blades connected with a rivet or a screw? Is the screwdriver fluted? Is there a wirescraper built into the bottle openers opening or is it close to the hinge?

It's sometimes difficult to date by tool implementation, due to stock has to be used up, before the new tool is implemented. But it can help you guestimate.
 
S&S, the shackle appeared in 1961 and was replaced by the keychain ring in 1968.

However, Saunterer is right, tools are not the best dating method. But since I never seem to remember info about tang stamps they help me get a ballpark date.

BTW, it's nice to see some SOSAKers here!
 
I bought a Victorinox SAK w/o the saw in 1972 in Shannon Ireland airport. It had the awl w/o the eye and a shackle not a key ring. Doubt it was old stock since it was being sold in the duty free shop where there was a huge amount of traffic. Bought with my first dog race winnings from a race fixed by my Irish cousins. :) Still have it.
 
Brownshoe, was it a cellidor (plastic handle) model or an alox one? If it is one of the aluminum handled models, then the awl on those is different to the one in the cellidor models, it's a great drill!

It's always possible to get older tools in a new model, though.
 
Plastic handle. The shackle is held on by the pivot pin. That's been helpful with this old knife since it needed a tightening a few times over the years. Can't do that easily without access to the pin.
 
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