SAK Hindsight & Regret

[rhino]

I was looking at some pics of a very nice collection of SAK Soldier models (predating the current behemoth Soldier model) and thinking of all of the Soldiers that passed through my hands, but I had no idea 1) I'd want one later, and 2) both Victorinox & Wenger would discontinue them. I gave several away as presents and used a few and let them pass into history one way or another over time. I sure wish I'd kept one or two! Sure, the Pioneer is essentially the same knife, but when I look at the bevel on the inside of the screwdriver/caplifter on a Soldier, rhino wants one because now he has uses for it! (and yes, I could dremel the same feature on any Alox SAK, but that entails skill with tools and effort!)

The same story is true of the Mauser model. That may have been the perfect pocket knife, yet now they are expensive and rare on e-you-know-what.

And the German Army knife.

And pretty much the entirety of what Wenger once gloriously produced.

Part of it's nostalgia, I suppose, and at least some of the classic wanting what you can't easily get anymore. I also realize the regret isn't really rational since there wasn't a way to predict the future of any of those items. At least the experience has helped me avoid similar issues in the future. To paraphrase a pop singer, If you liked it then you should have put . . . one or two away in your collection for the future.

 

[Lee D]

So many knives have come and gone, and I do regret letting some of them go. I don’t think about value (there’s a few that would really sting if I started that), and remind myself it was a different time, I obviously didn’t need it.

 

[Rich S]

We all have such feelings. I certainly am sorry I sold/traded/gave some of my collection.

 

[315]

I wish I would have had more of an interest in them 25 years ago. Imagine the collection I could amassed back then.

 

[rhino]

The first knife I was allowed to keep was a Wenger Motorist from my parents on my 13th birthday. That started the entire knife journey!

 

[Quiet]

I have to say I agree 100%. I wish I'd become a serious SAK collector even just a few years ago, before the "collector" fever-pitch came to a head and everyone who has anything older or somewhat uncommon whatsoever now believes it's made of solid gold and prices it accordingly on Ebay. I'd have loved to have been able to score a SuperTimer back then, because they're quite expensive now.

 

[rhino]

I have to say I agree 100%. I wish I'd become a serious SAK collector even just a few years ago, before the "collector" fever-pitch came to a head and everyone who has anything older or somewhat uncommon whatsoever now believes it's made of solid gold and prices it accordingly on Ebay. I'd have loved to have been able to score a SuperTimer back then, because they're quite expensive now.

Back in the very early 90s, I found a box of used Germany Army knives in a military surplus store in Alameda, CA for cheap. I picked through it and got one of each of the major manufacturers and maybe a couple of the Victorniox versions and bought them. Unfortunately, I have no idea what happened to them since then!

 

[z1913]

I used to have very similar sentiment with Mauser - I got one from my parents in the early 90 as a present (I guess it cost them ~20 usd at that time) and I just use it - for hiking/camping - it was my only SAK/outdoor knife, without knowledge it was a rare model. It was confiscated by TSA in 2010… stupid mistake on my end. I bought another SAK but later on (around 2015) I realised I missed that knife, mostly for the emotional connection. I did several attempts to get one on eBay, but when the price moved north of 200 I always gave up - I could afford it, but it felt somehow stupid to spend so much. Finally, earlier this year, I got red 108 safari as approximate replacement. I tried hard to like it, but somehow did not happened - I am not sure why but it felt somehow flimsy in the hand (especially compared to my 111 forester wood) so I ended up selling it and it seems my old sentiment is finally over.

 

[rhino]

I used to have very similar sentiment with Mauser - I got one from my parents in the early 90 as a present (I guess it cost them ~20 usd at that time) and I just use it - for hiking/camping - it was my only SAK/outdoor knife, without knowledge it was a rare model. It was confiscated by TSA in 2010… stupid mistake on my end. I bought another SAK but later on (around 2015) I realised I missed that knife, mostly for the emotional connection. I did several attempts to get one on eBay, but when the price moved north of 200 I always gave up - I could afford it, but it felt somehow stupid to spend so much. Finally, earlier this year, I got red 108 safari as approximate replacement. I tried hard to like it, but somehow did not happened - I am not sure why but it felt somehow flimsy in the hand (especially compared to my 111 forester wood) so I ended up selling it and it seems my old sentiment is finally over.

That is most unfortunate, especially since it was a gift from your parents. It's even more tragic that it would have been fine on any US flight nine years before it was stolen from you.

 

[z1913]

Oh boy, that’s life… so precious and so futile at the same time!

 

[rhino]

Oh boy, that’s life… so precious and so futile at the same time!

I find the best way to cope is to acquire more knives.

 

[rhino]

I used to have very similar sentiment with Mauser - I got one from my parents in the early 90 as a present (I guess it cost them ~20 usd at that time) and I just use it - for hiking/camping - it was my only SAK/outdoor knife, without knowledge it was a rare model. It was confiscated by TSA in 2010… stupid mistake on my end. I bought another SAK but later on (around 2015) I realised I missed that knife, mostly for the emotional connection. I did several attempts to get one on eBay, but when the price moved north of 200 I always gave up - I could afford it, but it felt somehow stupid to spend so much. Finally, earlier this year, I got red 108 safari as approximate replacement. I tried hard to like it, but somehow did not happened - I am not sure why but it felt somehow flimsy in the hand (especially compared to my 111 forester wood) so I ended up selling it and it seems my old sentiment is finally over.

I should add that the Mauser I have was also a gift from my Dad. I still have it, but it would be nice to be able to snag a "user" just like it for a reasonable price that wouldn't cause anguish if something happened to it.

 

[z1913]

I find the best way to cope is to acquire more knives.

Better than new Porsche or new wife!

 

[z1913]

I should add that the Mauser I have was also a gift from my Dad. I still have it, but it would be nice to be able to snag a "user" just like it for a reasonable price that wouldn't cause anguish if something happened to it.

I am glad you still have yours! It is sad how originally everyday objects becoming collectors items… or rather it is ok if original purpose of the object was something useful/needed and it subsequently became collectible (like the Mauser - it was just a good and nice and useful knife at first) but I am really not overly excited about all the limited editions with the only intention to be sold at premium at put into drawer and actually never cut anything or even taken out of the box.

 

[rhino]

Better than new Porsche or new wife!

SMALL VICTORIES COUNT TOO!

 

[rhino]

I am glad you still have yours! It is sad how originally everyday objects becoming collectors items… or rather it is ok if original purpose of the object was something useful/needed and it subsequently became collectible (like the Mauser - it was just a good and nice and useful knife at first) but I am really not overly excited about all the limited editions with the only intention to be sold at premium at put into drawer and actually never cut anything or even taken out of the box.

Agreed! The "standard" versions appeal to more than special colors or designs.