Most popular SAK

Out of curiosity, I sent Victorinox an e-mail asking for their 'top ten' most popular models. If I receive a response, I'll be sure to share...
 
I agree 100% with znapschatz. The right tool for the job works best for me. Why are cap lifters such common household tools if other methods work just as well? And yes, I've used the magnetized screwdriver of the Rambler/Rally on a couple of occasions for those pesky little Philips screws.

I wonder why so many people wanted a cap lifter on the 2011 Forum knife.:confused:

Product loyalty is admirable, but it can be carried too far. The Classic is a great little keychain knife for the money, but it doesn't suit everyone's needs.
 
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Classic, Climber, Huntsman, Spartan, SwissChamp, Camper...

I think the 74 mm models are much better and more practical than 58 mm Classic, but are not forced by the Victorinox.:(
eg. Executive, Ambassador, Prince...
 
I can open a cap pretty easily with a screwdriver tool, such as the small screwdriver tip on the Classic SD. If I were doing it daily, there are plenty of SAK models with a cap lifter. But honesty I use the scissors tool on the Classic literally 10X as much as a cap lifter tool. I agree a cap lifter is more elegant. But the scissors are more necessary for me.
 
Popular? you would have to get their sales #'s for that. For me it's a toss up, but I think the Explorer is my favorite, with the Tinker, and Soldier not too far behind

For a keychain Blade, it's the Rambler for me, no question
 
I, too, don't understand that attitude that cap lifters are not needed. I CAN open a bottle with a lighter, but I'd rather just use the correct tool. I use it on screw caps as well, I don't like tearing up my hands.

Not to mention the handiness of having a screwdriver and mini-pry bar handy. It's probably my most used tool after the blade.
 
It is hard to sharpen tiny blades. Scissors work better than a dull blade for a lot of tasks. Hence the Classic. However, I do think a cap lifter is handy for a beer/soda drinker.
 
znapschatz said:
Kudos to those who can open their pops easily and without mess, using a Bic, table edge, striker plate or who knows what, but I am not among their number. Also, it seems to me just more elegant ;) to access my beverages with a dedicated cap lifter. It is a matter of standards; they must be maintained or we descend into savagery. :eek:
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Precisely, my good man! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Django.cj said:
I, too, don't understand that attitude that cap lifters are not needed. I CAN open a bottle with a lighter, but I'd rather just use the correct tool.
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Agreed. I CAN "cut" open a large box with a key, but I prefer to slice the tape with a knife. Likewise, there are many ways to open open a good bottle of beer (and here in Europe -- thank God -- that means most of them). But thanks to the Rambler on my keychain, I always have the right tool at hand. :cool:
 
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If I exclude the 58mm, my guesses would be Camper, Climber, Soldier(old version)/SI, Farmer, Tinker, Spartan, Swisschamp, Soldier (new model) Trekker. I've left off several of my favorites and none of my EDC made the list but noticed I included many with the saw. That may be a personal bias. I love the saw.
 
My bets:

1) Classic by a mile
2) Tinker
3) Soldier (armies and private sales)
3) Super Tinker

Maybe one good way to guess would be to see which models are carried by department stores like Target and Walmart?

My local Walmart carries the Classic in three different colors: red, black, and pink. They carry the Tinker with a pouch
My local Target carries the Classic in one or two colors, the Spartan, and SuperTinker.

Walmart also carries the classic Buck 110. At $36, it is pretty expensive for a Walmart knife, but apparently, folks do see the value in it. Everyday knife, hunting knife, and maybe even a weapon, all rolled into one.
 
Went to a sports store a few weeks ago to check out sleeping bags and they do have some Victorinox SAKs too. Mostly two and three layer 91mm SAKs. Based on the models they sell, it seems the Camper is quite popular. Of course it is a sports / outdoor store....
 
timberweasel said:
Out of curiosity, I sent Victorinox an e-mail asking for their 'top ten' most popular models. If I receive a response, I'll be sure to share...
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Victorinox AG is an Aktiengesellschaft or joint stock corporation, but their stock is "privately held," i.e. it isn't traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange or the Berne eXchange and you have to know the right people to own it. Publicly traded corporations typically have a shareholder relations officer who can tell you all sorts of interesting things, some of which may even be true. Privately held corporations are typically closed-mouthed and don't respond to private inquires.

Judging from their catalog, Victorinox thinks the humble 58 mm keychain knife with a pen blade, nail file and scissors is the bread and butter of their business. Here are the principal variants with the number of different scales available for each:

Classic with screwdriver tip: 10 (including alox)
Classic with nail cleaner tip: 5
Signature: 3
Signature Lite: 4
Swiss Lite: 3

Here are the runners up:

SwissChamp: 9
Climber: 7
Spartan: 6 + Spartan Lite
Huntsman: 5 + Huntsman Lite

SwissChamp is their flagship (corporate ego) model, but I think the other numbers represent what sells.
 
Knife Crazied said:
The best sak? Well that would be my modified blue alox farmer with scissors.
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As nice as your custom Farmer is Ash, he didn't ask what we thought was "best." He asked "most popular".

I think your Farmer would be quite popular if it were offered as part of the main catalog. But it isn't. So it is probably the least popular SAK. ;)
 
I think Piso Mojado's rationale is probably right. It seems like it would be good business to make the most variants of the most popular models, because the extra costs involved (however small) would be justified.

Off-Topic: In other Victorinox news, I read an article somewhere that suggested that Victorinox launched all those other product lines as a response to the Chinese copying everything and making cheaper versions. This way, on the off-chance that the Chinese start to beat the Swiss at their own game, (like the Japanese did with watches in the 70s) they would have other product lines to fall back on.
 
Smaug said:
Off-Topic: In other Victorinox news, I read an article somewhere that suggested that Victorinox launched all those other product lines as a response to the Chinese copying everything and making cheaper versions. This way, on the off-chance that the Chinese start to beat the Swiss at their own game, (like the Japanese did with watches in the 70s) they would have other product lines to fall back on.
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Makes sense. I think Victorinox also aims to be a "lifestyle brand," rather like Harley Davidson, wherein sales of branded swag becomes a major part of the company's revenue stream, not to mention free advertising for the brand itself.
 
The problem is that customers sometimes lose respect for the company when they outsource production of certain product lines, then apply a hefty mark-up for putting their logo on it. I occasionally get emails from Victorinox telling me about their latest luggage. I thought: "Well, THIS could be good stuff..." Then, I look at it and it costs double or triple what an equivalent Samsonite piece would cost.

Ditto for their watches. I'm a watch collector too, and there are lots of Swiss-made watches of the same quality level for a lot less money. Especially so for mechanical watches.

But we can't really say that about their knives. For the money, their quality and value is unbeatable. They've done a good job holding the Chinese at bay with knives.
 
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