The red headed executive stepchild.

J

jackknife

Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
17,501
Okay, its been on my mind for a long while, and I have to ask;

Why is the executive the red headed step child of the Victorinox line up?

There's hardly an Academy Spots, R.E.I., Dick's, Bass Pro, Eastern Mountain Sports, Orvis, let alone Walmart or Target that you can't pick up a Classic, tinker, recruit, and some of the larger models. Heck, the local sports stores have the classic and recruit for almost the same price in the bulk blister package.

But try to find an executive someplace.

I know that for many years, that fact kept me from having one, the fact that I had to order a knife sight unseen, no idea how it would be in real life, and it costs almost three times what a common classic does. Its like a best kept secret from Victorinox, that they don't really want the world to know about and experience what a great pocket knife the executive is. Like its a hidden asset known only to the devout SAK fans. For the ordinary guy looking for a SAK of modest size, its not available out there. But the public is clobbered with classics. Last time we were at Mammoth Lake California for the trout fishing, even the souvenir store had real Victorinox classics with the Mammoth Lake logo on them. At the Yellowstone Lodge in Yellowstone National Park, there were souvenir real Vic classics with the appropriate logo.

I've never seen an executive in any retail store in my memory. Tons of classics, lots of recruits in blister packages, zip on the executive. Same for the Ambassador, an executive "Light".

Why??????
 
Are you talking about the Executive with the orange peeler...or the Executive 81, which looks like a Classic but with a pointy nail file?
 
I bought my Executives back in the late ‘90s, one from the now-defunct Sport Chalet, and the black ones from a long-defunct cutlery shop in a mall. But I noticed that while Sport Chalet did carry the Executive for awhile, before long they had stopped carrying them. I’m assuming it’s not small enough for minimalists (like the Classic), and not big enough for those who think of an SAK as the standard-sized ones (Tinker, Spartan, Camper, etc.).

Another reason may be that the Executive tends to cost more than even the Tinker or Spartan, even though it’s smaller. The price was never a problem for me. Mine cost about $35 or so apiece. I love (and still love) the design enough that the price difference wasn’t even close to a deal-breaker for me. Although I own 3 Executives (one red, two black), I’ve been carrying and using the same black one for 21 years now as my most consistent EDC ever.

Its higher cost might possibly have to do with the fact that many premium pen knives were historically more expensive than even larger jackknives. Of course, the Exec doesn’t have pearl handles like a ‘premium’ pen knife from the Victorian era, but it may also be a bit more difficult to manufacture(?).

Jim
 
Last edited:
Amazon $24!!

I just received one and I love it! I like the size, two blades, and the orange peeler.

But, I am not sure about the file, it is different.
 
Daniel said:
Amazon $24!!

I just received one and I love it! I like the size, two blades, and the orange peeler.

But, I am not sure about the file, it is different.
Click to expand...

IMO, the file is better than the “pebbly”-textured ones like on the Classic, the Cadet, etc. While the Executive’s file is not as aggressive, it wears the nail far more cleanly than the other type. The “pebbly”-textured ones leave the edges of my nails thicker, with the nail’s version of ‘wire edges’ that are much easier to avoid using the Executive’s. The tip is also great for cleaning under the nails, if you’re so inclined, and in a pinch is also lightly useful on some Phillips screws. The Executive’s nail file looks like the type you might find in a manicure kit, though I don’t own one.

Jim
 
jackknife said:
Okay, its been on my mind for a long while, and I have to ask;

Why is the executive the red headed step child of the Victorinox line up?

There's hardly an Academy Spots, R.E.I., Dick's, Bass Pro, Eastern Mountain Sports, Orvis, let alone Walmart or Target that you can't pick up a Classic, tinker, recruit, and some of the larger models. Heck, the local sports stores have the classic and recruit for almost the same price in the bulk blister package.

But try to find an executive someplace.

I know that for many years, that fact kept me from having one, the fact that I had to order a knife sight unseen, no idea how it would be in real life, and it costs almost three times what a common classic does. Its like a best kept secret from Victorinox, that they don't really want the world to know about and experience what a great pocket knife the executive is. Like its a hidden asset known only to the devout SAK fans. For the ordinary guy looking for a SAK of modest size, its not available out there. But the public is clobbered with classics. Last time we were at Mammoth Lake California for the trout fishing, even the souvenir store had real Victorinox classics with the Mammoth Lake logo on them. At the Yellowstone Lodge in Yellowstone National Park, there were souvenir real Vic classics with the appropriate logo.

I've never seen an executive in any retail store in my memory. Tons of classics, lots of recruits in blister packages, zip on the executive. Same for the Ambassador, an executive "Light".

Why??????
Click to expand...


Good question. I have to imagine it's a combination of cost, the orange peeler blade turn off, and...the name.

You have the classic that appeals to those who just want a tiny knife they can add to their keys. A non knife person knife. Also a favorite of the ultralight backpacker. When someone wants to move up to a heavier duty knife, I think they are apt to skip the Executive size and move on up to a Tinker/Spartan. Most likely due to the larger blade, perceived toughness, and just what you expect when you envision a SAK.

In my case, I never gave it a 2nd look until reading some posts on here. I thought the orange peeler blade was too niche of a tool and just didn't make sense to me. And the name "Executive" paired with the nail cleaner/file/scissors just made me think it was geared more toward personal grooming and not to handle day to day EDC tasks. That's until I bought and carried one of course. Now it's my daily carry. Going on close to a month now. The slightly longer blade is more useful, to me, than the classic without giving up the small/forgettable size that you still don't notice in the pocket. I'm still not sold on the orange peeler, but love the slotted screwdriver at the end and figure I can use it as a scraper.

I really wish they would expand this size of knife. It's perfect. And good enough for Chuck Yeager.
 
Doc, you've hit on the perfect tittle for the smaller SAk's; "A non knife person knife". That fits the bill soooo well. The humble little classic is the backpackers favorite and it is definable the worlds bestselling pocket knife. Sp ubiquitous its like a Bic pen. The 58mm SAK's are the choice of the non knife person who realizes they actually do need a small cutter for day to day use. But the 74mm's are the unknown SAK's to the general masses of consumers.

I agree that both the name and price are contributing factors in the lack of popularity of the CYS knife. Although in price, its about the same range as a Case Peanut, and small jack and small stockman, Boker pen knife, Buck 303 cadet, GEC boys knife, and certainly lots cheaper than a Spyderco lady bug or Manbug. Both small knives that don't have any of the executives wide capability of small screws and scissors duty.

I myself would never have given the executive a second glance if not for the photo of Chuck Yeager himself at the S.H.O.T. show showing his own well used executive on the palm of his hand when asked about what pocket knife he carries. And his appearance on the old American Sportsmen TV show when he and host Kurt Gowdey, and Grits Gresham, were fishing for trout up in the mountains and Yeager pulls a little red handle pocket knife out to trim a piece of fishing line and Kurt asks him what knife he has there.

Too bad Victorinox didn't recognize a very good thing and have an advertising campaign with Yeager as spokesmen for the little SAK that makes a great trout and backpacking knife. Could have been as good as his commercials he did for AC Delco auto parts back then.
 
jackknife said:
Doc, you've hit on the perfect tittle for the smaller SAk's; "A non knife person knife". That fits the bill soooo well. The humble little classic is the backpackers favorite and it is definable the worlds bestselling pocket knife. Sp ubiquitous its like a Bic pen. The 58mm SAK's are the choice of the non knife person who realizes they actually do need a small cutter for day to day use. But the 74mm's are the unknown SAK's to the general masses of consumers.

I agree that both the name and price are contributing factors in the lack of popularity of the CYS knife. Although in price, its about the same range as a Case Peanut, and small jack and small stockman, Boker pen knife, Buck 303 cadet, GEC boys knife, and certainly lots cheaper than a Spyderco lady bug or Manbug. Both small knives that don't have any of the executives wide capability of small screws and scissors duty.

I myself would never have given the executive a second glance if not for the photo of Chuck Yeager himself at the S.H.O.T. show showing his own well used executive on the palm of his hand when asked about what pocket knife he carries. And his appearance on the old American Sportsmen TV show when he and host Kurt Gowdey, and Grits Gresham, were fishing for trout up in the mountains and Yeager pulls a little red handle pocket knife out to trim a piece of fishing line and Kurt asks him what knife he has there.

Too bad Victorinox didn't recognize a very good thing and have an advertising campaign with Yeager as spokesmen for the little SAK that makes a great trout and backpacking knife. Could have been as good as his commercials he did for AC Delco auto parts back then.
Click to expand...


I've seen the S.H.O.T. show photo of the General...how cool was that! I wish I would have or could see his appearance on the tv show with his CYS. I'd probably go buy 3 more if I did. You are absolutely right. If Victorinox would have capitalized on his fame, the Executive might just be a best seller today. You have to wonder, how did Chuck Yeager get ahold of and even know about the Executive???
 
shopdoc said:
I've seen the S.H.O.T. show photo of the General...how cool was that! I wish I would have or could see his appearance on the tv show with his CYS. I'd probably go buy 3 more if I did. You are absolutely right. If Victorinox would have capitalized on his fame, the Executive might just be a best seller today. You have to wonder, how did Chuck Yeager get ahold of and even know about the Executive???
Click to expand...

I strongly suspect that Yeager may have procured his while stationed in either Germany of Italy. He's pretty widely traveled and has been stationed in some far flung places in addition to Europe. He's written of stag hunts in Southern Germany and fishing in the Alpine lakes. I know when I was in a knife shop in Rothenburg, Germany, they had a SAK display that had about every model made at that time. I suppose the executive would be a more popular model in Europe than here in the U.S.
 
Jackknife, I think the fact that it costs more than 3X the Classic and 2X the Spartan or Tinker answers your question.
I guess the price reflects the lower volumes produced, which is due to low demand (even in Europe).
I doubt that promoting it with Chuck Yeager would change this very much.
The good news is that there is still enough demand that Victorinox keeps it in production.
 
littleknife said:
Jackknife, I think the fact that it costs more than 3X the Classic and 2X the Spartan or Tinker answers your question.
I guess the price reflects the lower volumes produced, which is due to low demand (even in Europe).
I doubt that promoting it with Chuck Yeager would change this very much.
The good news is that there is still enough demand that Victorinox keeps it in production.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. Google is your friend. Do a search using the search term "red victorinox executive" and see what you find. You might be surprised.
 
Wardo46 said:
Not necessarily. Google is your friend. Do a search using the search term "red victorinox executive" and see what you find. You might be surprised.
Click to expand...

Read the first post.
Then check if your surprise price is online only or at a physical retail store.
Now reread my comment in that context.
So, are you still surprised, that you don't see the Executive at regular retail stores?
 
The tool set does not interest me on the Exec, apart from the scissors. In my day to day I prefer the Cadet or a Spyderco Roadie. The Cadet has real world useful tools and it is cheaper. I cannot tell you how many times a Cadet has saved the day for me, so to speak.
 
I've carried the Ambassador for years (and the Classic before then) but after catching this thread and seeing that Amazon has the red version for about $23.50, I ordered one today. I still don't get the orange peeler but I bet I can figure out using it for something other than peeling oranges. I like the second blade and longer nail file. The nail file on the Ambassador is actually shorter than the one on the Classic. I suspect this will replace the Ambassador as my EDC little knife (I also always carry a larger single blade knife clipped into the opposite pocket).
 
CSG said:
... I like the second blade and longer nail file. The nail file on the Ambassador is actually shorter than the one on the Classic. ...
Click to expand...

CSG, not only is the nail file on the Executive longer it is also an actual cut file as opposed to the textured type file used on the Classic and Ambassador. I like it better. :thumbsup:
 
Last edited:
Tha
Wardo46 said:
CSG, not only is the nail file on the Executive longer it is also an actual cut file as opposed to the textured type file used on the Classic and Ambassador. I like it better. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'd read that it was a real file vs. the pebbly one. That it's longer is a bonus. I'm so used to carrying the Ambassador I'll be curious to see if I notice the extra thickness of the Executive in my pocket.
 
Everyone keeps mentioning the “orange peeler”. If it’s too weird or useless to you, think of it as a screwdriver/scraper with a couple other uses. You don’t have to peel oranges. I peel oranges with a knife, myself, or just cut them up.

So, there are now 2 screwdrivers - one small flathead, and one small Philips (especially with the end of the nail file ground a bit, as mentioned by others). 2 blades, a file, scissors, toothpick, tweezers, and Bob’s yer uncle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top