No More Blades? Nah.

Status
Not open for further replies.
EngrSorenson said:
What changed recently was a downturn in Victorinox knife sales that they're just now starting to get out from under.

Is there some specific event you're referring to that I'm not aware of? or is this one of those "impressions"?
Click to expand...
I'm referring to the events referenced in the articles about why they are doing this.

What downturn are you referencing? As far as I know any recent downturn, whether due to lock-downs or otherwise, is likewise speculative.
 
DocJD said:
Why stop with just blades ? 🤨

All manner of murdery implements of doom remain to ban from SAK . :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

See, that's the thing. No one's banning anything from a SAK.
The company is electing, of their own free will, to offer a few bladeless models to reach new markets.
They also offer 'safety' (literally pointless and locking) bladed variations for children and contracted toy mock SAKs for toddlers.

Make the product meet the needs of the customer. It's like the number one rule of business.
 
gustophersmob said:
What downturn are you referencing? As far as I know any recent downturn, whether due to lock-downs or otherwise, is likewise speculative.
Click to expand...
Don't worry, it's not speculation- I've got you covered.

gustophersmob said:
I'm referring to the events referenced in the articles about why they are doing this.
Click to expand...
Are you referring to the first article? because I've read that and I don't see anything that indicates there was any political action against specifically SAKs.
From what I've read, there's a general issue with pocket knives, and SAKs happen to meet the definition of "pocket knife".

If you're referencing another article, could you point me to it?
 
Victorinox would never permanently remove the knife from all of their models, that would be company suicide, they can make bladeless models for cyclists and golfers all they want, likely the models will be called "cyclist" , "golfer" they will be modded tinkers, with no blades, people will buy them as a novelty, something new to collect. They will be bought as a gag gift for a friend who asks for a sak for his birthday " let's get him one without a knife, to mess with him". Outside of those "ew, knives" people the knife free models will likely sell worse than a bantam. Sure passengers will appreciate them, but who needs a pocket toolbox on a average 4- 6 hour flight? Their bladed saks are packed away in checked luggage ready for use before long. I could be wrong but I feel like maybe I'm not
 
EngrSorenson said:
Don't worry, it's not speculation- I've got you covered.


Are you referring to the first article? because I've read that and I don't see anything that indicates there was any political action against specifically SAKs.
From what I've read, there's a general issue with pocket knives, and SAKs happen to meet the definition of "pocket knife".

If you're referencing another article, could you point me to it?
Click to expand...
This is the article I was referring to: https://archive.fo/39R8w#selection-1659.0-1663.201

This part: "Last year, a man with a Victorinox knife in his pocket was fined in Osaka, Japan for carrying a dangerous object, Swissinfo reported in December. In Switzerland, a proposed minor revision to the weapons ordinance in 2016 prompted a member of parliament to ask, “Will the famous Swiss Army knife be banned?,” according to the report."

The linked article in the quote is good as well. It is interesting that it states the UK has more restrictive knife laws than Europe, but earlier you said they were banned in France. Did France change its law recently?

Admittedly not much to go on there. There's also things like the guy who recently got convicted of murder for stabbing a kid who was beating him up here in the states. At least initially, it was claimed he used a SAK (IDK if hew really did or not).

Thanks for the link, so they did have a downturn during covid. But, I'm not sure how your link supports them trying to recapture lost sales now, as it states they have basically recovered from that downturn.
 
Last edited:
gustophersmob said:
This is the article I was referring to: https://archive.fo/39R8w#selection-1659.0-1663.201

This part: "Last year, a man with a Victorinox knife in his pocket was fined in Osaka, Japan for carrying a dangerous object, Swissinfo reported in December. In Switzerland, a proposed minor revision to the weapons ordinance in 2016 prompted a member of parliament to ask, “Will the famous Swiss Army knife be banned?,” according to the report."

The linked article in the quote is good as well. It is interesting that it states the UK has more restrictive knife laws than Europe, but earlier someone said they were banned in France. Did France change its law recently?

Admittedly not much to go on there. There's also things like the guy who recently got convicted of murder for stabbing a kid who was beating him up here in the states. At least initially, it was claimed he used a SAK (IDK if hew really did or not).

Thanks for the link, so they did have a downturn during covid. But, I'm not sure how your link supports them trying to recapture lost sales now, as it states they have basically recovered from that downturn.
Click to expand...

“We are concerned about the increasing regulation of knives due to the violence in the world,” Elsener said, citing laws in the UK and in Asian countries that permit knife-carrying only for work or outdoor activities. “In some markets, the blade creates an image of a weapon.”
Click to expand...
So that's the whole quote. Alright, so Victorinox is responding to the generally increasing regulations on knives around the world.
I don't think that means it's a bad move for them. This is how a company adapts to changes it can't control.
 
EngrSorenson said:
So that's the whole quote. Alright, so Victorinox is responding to the generally increasing regulations on knives around the world.
I don't think that means it's a bad move for them. This is how a company adapts to changes it can't control.
Click to expand...
They can still be smeared even if they offer bladeless models, because they still offer bladed models --- someone can point their finger to them and scream "weapon" all the same
 
ShaiHulud said:
They can still be smeared even if they offer bladeless models, because they still offer bladed models --- someone can point their finger to them and scream "weapon" all the same
Click to expand...
sure, but if it's not a weapon, it's not a weapon. There's nothing you can do about people being wrong, and you can't fix stupid. Good faith attempts to follow the letter of the law are just that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BJE
I have been to a convention which makes attendees do bag checks and walk through metal detectors. No knives or scissors of any kind are allowed, according to the rules. Been curious whether those small emergency sewing kits would get flagged because of the small pair of scissors in them. If the 'bladeless' Swiss Army Tool has scissors, awl, or can opener, they could still be considered blades if someone wants to be a big enough jerk. Wanted to carry the "TSA approved" Leatherman in my camera bag, but that has scissors on it, so no go.
 
DocJD said:
Not knife / tool co.s ...but governments certainly have been ,and still are , continually pushing to ban anything "weapon" for civilian carry .
Click to expand...
Yeah, but I feel like that’s missing the point. Nothing that Victorinox does is going to change that, and if they want to keep selling stuff, they’ll have to adapt.

The impression I get from some people is that this is viewed as Victorinox knuckling under when they should be doubling down and taking a pro-knife stand. I think Victorinox’s response is the correct one. Give people options.

The more I think about it, the more I like it. I want Victorinox to do well so that they keep making the real knives I love. If they think they have a shot at staying competitive by offering bladeless versions, I’m all for it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BJE
A.L. said:
All right all right let’s not put your MAGA hats on just yet - they are offering alternatives, not replacing knives.
Click to expand...
They are making a less useful tool set in order to make sales in countries that have succumbed to hoplophobia and have decided that disarming the law abiding is the best way to control... Er protect the law abiding. No red hat required.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DMG
ephsea said:
Of all the folding knives I own and have owned (maybe 60-ish), the blades on the SAK are my least favorite. The folding tools are unparalleled in their lightness and portability, I don't even like to walk across the house without them in my pocket (along with a better knife).
I've never seen so many people act threatened by a pocket multitool before, it's not like they're going to stop making bladed models. I'd like to order one with pink and rainbow covers and parade it around here just to push buttons.
psJ7csuh.jpg
Click to expand...
Threatened? No. Think its pathetic? Yes.
 
EngrSorenson said:
So that's the whole quote. Alright, so Victorinox is responding to the generally increasing regulations on knives around the world.
I don't think that means it's a bad move for them. This is how a company adapts to changes it can't control.
Click to expand...
It's not a bad move for them, its a commentary on a pitiful state of world affairs.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top