SAK EcoLine and US models starting to show up with II versions?

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chas0039

Joined
Feb 16, 2014
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I read that the EcoLine was not in the US and that they were identical versions of the standard models with Nylon handles.

I am starting to see a lot of models, Climber, etc., showing up on Amazon with II after the name and an occasional description indicating Nylon. Are these US versions of the EcoLine? I have also seen it show up in a MiniChamp which is not in the EcoLine series.

Any ideas what these are?

Thanks

http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Ca...&qid=1392586393&sr=1-1&keywords=Victorinox+II

http://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Sw...&qid=1392586393&sr=1-2&keywords=Victorinox+II
 
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Wow, I likey!!!

I can only hope that the nylon scales are becoming more common, as I have thought for a long time they are better and more durable scales. I prefer the 'pebble' texture and the increased ruggedness of nylon over the old cellidor.
 
Years ago (30-40) there were 2 grades of SAKs in Canada; dull cellidor scales with a stamped crest and the traditional shiny with inlaid metal crest. I'll be keeping my eye on the new nylon versions awaiting reviews about their durability. I have no complaints about cellidor other than that they don't tolerate boiling water and that they do chip if you drop them on a hard surface like ceramic tile.
 
Other than scales, are there any differences between regular and II in materials, fit or finish?
 
I like the look of that textured scale much better, also. Then again, I like the checkered nylon of the GAK, the best.
 
Does anyone know if they are the EcoLine or something else altogether?

I have found out that they are an Amazon exclusive and they are Nylon, and they have been around since at least 2006. It looks like they used to sell for a lot less, judging from the reviews, and now Amazon has raised the prices, some even more than the costlier version. I guess with Amazon's clout, even the Swiss will make what you want.
 
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I made a thread abut the ecoline/eurosport SAKs years ago, and from what I recall, the only difference (aside from the nylon scales) is that the ecolines did not have an extra QA/QC inspection unlike the cellidor models. That said, I found no difference, the walk and talk was excellent on the ones I bought.

I think the models in the OP are ecoline models. The giveaways are the nylon scales and hot stamped Vic logo.
 
Do the EcoLine models have shiny Nylon scales or dull textured like the Amazon versions?

Thanks
 
chas0039 said:
So no one knows for sure what these are?
Click to expand...

I bought a Waiter from Amazon. It has matte finish nylon scales, tweezers, toothpick, keyring, and a hot stamped indentation with a painted cross and Victorinox shield. I was surprised. New Cellidor scales are shiny and prettier — especially translucent ones — but they show dings and scratches from banging around your pocket and nylon scales don't. I prefer nylon. The painted cross and shield rub off, it's not an issue to me.

The original Ecoline had Cellidor scales, a hot stamped cross, and no tweezers, toothpick or keyring. Those are long gone except for TSA confiscations on the big auction site.
 
Thanks. I'm glad I passed on the Waiter for my collection. I have seen the dull finish and would not want it except for a knife I was going to beat to death.

And thanks for clearing up the EcoLine, Amazon version II issue. To make things more interesting, SAK has a few models with the II and they are NOT the Amazon finish. While I don't doubt your contention that they are long gone, they are in the 2013 Victorinox catalog. I kind of wonder what the point was if it was the same steel and the same Cellidor? Where was the economy?
 
chas0039 said:
And thanks for clearing up the EcoLine, Amazon version II issue. To make things more interesting, SAK has a few models with the II and they are NOT the Amazon finish. While I don't doubt your contention that they are long gone, they are in the 2013 Victorinox catalog. I kind of wonder what the point was if it was the same steel and the same Cellidor? Where was the economy?
Click to expand...

EcoLine models are on p.34–35. With two exceptions, they have tweezers, toothpicks and key rings, so they can't be the original EcoLine.
Look at the last listing on p. 35, for 2.6901 and 2.6910 which aren't pictured.

same 0.6901
(see page 8)
handles mat,
84 mm, imprinted cross
Click to expand...

In other words an EcoLine knife has matte finish nylon scales and a printed cross, and it is otherwise the same as a Cellidor knife. I haven't seen "EcoLine II" in a Victorinox catalog. Amazon's product descriptions are as flaky as their book reviews.

Getting back to the original EcoLine, I'm guessing that the economy was in the mind of the buyer. What are the production costs of tweezers, toothpicks, key rings and aluminum crosses? But Victorinox sold EcoLine cheaper, and I think they were aiming at people who ordinarily buy knives at flea markets. They are confident they will keep your business if you use one of their knives. That is the point of their military contract work.

Nylon scales were a Bundeswehr contract specification. I'm guessing someone at Victorinox said "we have the capacity, now let's see if we can make some money with it." But they had already spent X amount of money promoting EcoLine, and why throw that away by using a new name?
 
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