Today's flea market find, a horn scaled Victorinox...

According to SAKWiki:

Victorinox introduced the toothpick and tweezers in models in 1942.
Until 1960, many were carved from ivory.

I hope that helps you date it.
 
It seems that the tang stamp on Victorinox knives can make it pretty easy to find a vintage. I just looked it up for this knife, and it's a stamp used from 1943 to 1951.
To be honest, with it being in such nice shape, I was hoping for at least a 1970's vintage. I'm pretty stoked about it being about two decades older than that :)
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
It seems that the tang stamp on Victorinox knives can make it pretty easy to find a vintage. I just looked it up for this knife, and it's a stamp used from 1943 to 1951.
To be honest, with it being in such nice shape, I was hoping for at least a 1970's vintage. I'm pretty stoked about it being about two decades older than that :)
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Whoever sold you that knife obviously had no clue what they were selling you :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: I need to find me some better flea markets :)
 
- very nice find, fella............good to see this after observing much of the utter tut one can come across ;)
 
marchone said:
According to SAKWiki:

Victorinox introduced the toothpick and tweezers in models in 1942.
Until 1960, many were carved from ivory.

I hope that helps you date it.
Click to expand...
With the knife dating from 1943 to 1951, I do wonder what the toothpick is made of. I would find it cool to have been ivory, but the brownish color puts a kabosh on this one being that material.
 
Thanks, guys!
I have seen that "How It's Made" video on Victorinox knives, and it sure shows what is likely the most automated knife manufacturing facility in the world. Very little "human hands on" is used in today's SAK.
That said, it seems SAKs were truly some hand made knives at one time. I wonder if they made a concentrated effort at some point to make them faster, (and cheaper in many of it's materials), or if it was truly a progressively done thing?

Btw, the horn handles on this knife are not only riveted/pinned together onto the liners, it also uses nickel silver for those pins & liners. Today, based on my modern SAKs, the liners are aluminum, and most scales are plastic that are pressed on.
It sure would be awesome to see a video showing "How It WAS Made" , to compliment the "How it's made" series :)
 
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Yes, ivory that old, could definitely be that color. Especially if it was handled a lot, or in a smokey environment. Ivory like bone is Very reactive to oils, smokes, tars, etc. Simply handling ivory once a day for 50 years can give a wonderful golden brown sheen from the oils on your hands.
 
View attachment 1054520 Here are some pinned plastic scales, a glued horn Executive, and a black Classic which I don’t know if it is snapped or glued. The 2 small black knives look like horn, but only a red hot pin can distinguish horn from plastic, and I don’t know where to stick the pin.
I just noticed that the Executive has no orange peeler, long file, or small blade. The short “blade” is a file.
 
SIG96 said:
Wow, Jimmy. You weren’t kidding when you said you knew a thing or two about flea markets.
Click to expand...

Thanks, buddy! :)
I enjoy the perusing of our local flea market every Sunday morning. I usually meet up with one or two of my friends, (Sean & Hannah), but they are more quick perusers, where as I take my time. I'm usually there about an hour earlier than them, and after one or both of them show up, we peruse together for about an hour, before they head out. Then, I usually do another 30 mins to an hour of searching.
It's not only that I am there a little earlier, or that I spend more time overall in the searching, but also that I go better armed with some knowledge that helps me seek out items that others may not realize have some pretty good value. I have a knack for finding little gems amongst the common stones. I also refuse to go there and pay big prices on anything, and that's because I look at my flea market excursions as a time to score on things that can be had for much less than their actual worth, and that adds to the fun of it for me, (the thrill of the kill/the search for little treasures). No Piccasso or Van Gogh... Yet! ;)
But, finding cool pocketknives, in great shape opera glasses, brand name toiletries, good quality protein supplements, and other items that may tickle my fancy, (and all on the cheap), keeps me going back every Sunday morning :)
I also find my time shared there with friends, as being a quality time thing, so it really is a pleasure for me :)

Yup, there are treasures to be found, and fun to be had, at one's local flea market :)

The following picture shows a Kutmaster I picked up at the flea market for $3. I knew it would be a project knife, but could see past the ugliness it had developed. I knew it would only need a little bit of my tlc upon it to get it right again.




These late 1800's Lemaire Opera Glasses only cost me $10 at the same flea market...



Here is a $2 flea market find. This knife shaped tie clip is 1940's vintage, and has all sorts of cool to it. It is almost in factory mint condition...



The following picture shows a set of pre 1940's vintage French Opera Glasses (La Reine brand) that are in mint condition, and that I only paid $5 for at the local flea market.

 
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Btw, I have tried finding out more about my recently acquired Victorinox buffalo horn scaled knife. Although the tang stamp puts it in the 1943 to 1951 vintage, I have not been able to find anything else that may help shrink that time frame more precisely. Also, it seems like it may be considered an 'accountant', but am not positive on that, or what it's model number may have been.
If there are any SAK/Victorinox experts reading this, and you can add some more insights for me, I will greatly appreciate it :)
 
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