SAK with better steel?

S

Seb

Joined
Oct 1, 2000
Messages
188
Why doesn't Victorinox produce a line of SAKs with say ATS 34? I think they would sell lots of this model. Has anybody ever made this suggestion to them?

Seb
 
Seb,
They have no reason to do so.
1st. Ats-34 and other such steels do not lend themselves to mass production on the scale of the two SAK companies.
2nd. Why should they do it? The knife design isn't that strong and the high cost of tooling wouldn't be returned in sales.
3rd. They're selling everything they can produce now.
So if you've got your heart set on such a venture, I'm afraid you're just outtaluck.
Dan
 
I'm inclined to agree with Seb. There are plenty of high volume, factory knives made with better steels than are in SAK's. The tooling wouldn't need to change, and the only part of the knife that would need better steel is the primary knife blade. If they are in fact production limited, it would be a good way to increase their gross margins without increasing volume, since they could charge substantially more for the premium steel line. They could even buy the premium blades from another company, and simply assemble them into their knives.

I'm presently wearing a $300 Wenger Titanium SAK watch, and would jump on a $300 Titanium Framed SAK with Ti tools and 420V blade to go with it.

------------------
Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The New Tom & Jerry Show
 
I agree with Dan K - the market is probably not big enough for Victorinox to bother. According to "Swiss Army Knives: A Collector's Companion" by Derek Jackson, they produce 34,000 knives daily in the factor in Ibach!

The next important question is does anybody customize SAKs? It probably would not be a really big job to replace the main and small blade with one of say BG42. In my opinion, the other tools are fine as they are and do not need better steel. I'd definitely buy some!
 
I agree with Seb and Jerry. As for the moment, I own one SAK, a SwissChamp. I like everything on this knife, except the poor French Bonpertuis steel. It is hardened to low 54-55 RC, yet quite brittle, as I experienced with my previous SAK. The blade just snapped while aplying a moderate lateral presure.

IMHO, that that Victorinox would make even more bucks, offering their knives in two versions; one with a better steel Q and the other (for the common user) with the original steel.

Regards!
 
Look at it from their point of view.. why change something when business is going good?

Besides, if you want good steel, you know in advance you don't need to buy a SAK. The other tools, along with the knife make a SAK a SAK.

If you want better steel, check out Richardz in Germany. I believe they use Bôhler 440C.

greetz, Bart.

------------------
"If the world wouldn't SUCK, we'd all fall off !"

You can E-mail me at any time....guaranteed reply !

member of the BKS
http://www.expage.com/belgianknives
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Bart student:
Look at it from their point of view.. why change something when business is going good?
</font>
Click to expand...

Is it possible that this was the answer given by the president of Atari when asked by a junior executive if it might be a good idea to try and develop a new game to compliment Pong?
wink.gif


My apologies to those of you born after 1975 who have no idea what the hell I'm talking about.
smile.gif


------------------
Semper Fi

-Bill

[This message has been edited by Bronco (edited 02-05-2001).]
 
Don't know how the SAK is assembled, but would it be possible for a knifesmith to manufacture and install a premium blade replacing the factory blade? Would it be prohibitively expensive? The SAK has some devotees that might pay a $100 to retrofit their SAK. Someone should take this idea and run with it.
 
Yep, when business is going good is precisely the right time to change. When it falls off, it's too late. And the best time to deal with competition is before it arrives. Besides, either of the SAK makers could use something to distinguish their quality from the other's.

------------------
Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The New Tom & Jerry Show
 
Seems like they are always coming out with something new so I doubt it would be any big deal to crank out an SAK on steroids. I'd sure love a hunter, rucksack or similar SAK with VG-10.

------------------
Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top