Victorinox did me right!

Hashishiin

Hashishiin

Joined
Dec 29, 2021
Messages
4,138
So, I sent in my fiance's late grandfather's Executive, as it was too gunked to clean myself. We intended to put it in a shadowbox later at some point, his hat, knife, pistol, replica model of his car, his biker vest. I paid a few bucks to them, but got an email stating I would have to pay five more. "Alright," I thought "I'll give 'em a call and figure out what's up with the Exec.," but I get a shipping message a few days later, before I sent cash. They included the old knife (in pieces, I think it was too gunked for them to want to try) and a new Executive! Thanks, Victorinox! One to put away in the box, his actual knife, one to use. Glad that such a large company still has such good service.

First red cellidor SAK, as well. I had really been wanting to try carrying a model of this size, too, on leisurely days. Orange peeler is a package opener, too, folks!
20220803_163445.jpgView attachment 1889707

It is no biggie since the second is for display, but they didn't include scales, and I think they gave me back-lock pieces? What? That's a bit random, but I am not complaining, ha.
 
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kamakiri.knives said:
Looks like one of the backsprings was broken and they sent back all the parts.

I’m always impressed by the service they provide for older knives.
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Yeah, I did not immediately recognize all of the pieces. The old versions didn't have the liners, huh?
First exp with any type of warranty, and I am happy. Buck has treated me great, too. But the size... very happy about the way Vic still cares.
 
Hashishiin said:
The old versions didn't have the liners, huh?
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The only ones I know of that delete the outer liners are really old stainless engine-turned patterns. Later stainless versions got liners that fit completely under the stainless. Maybe these were too damaged or corroded? I assumed they returned everything but the pins.
 
Hashishiin said:
Yeah, I did not immediately recognize all of the pieces. The old versions didn't have the liners, huh?
First exp with any type of warranty, and I am happy. Buck has treated me great, too. But the size... very happy about the way Vic still cares.
Click to expand...

Victorinox and Buck always give outstanding customer service, even when its not right.

In the mid 1980's, I had a flat tire on my BMW motorcycle, on a very country road. Broke out the repair kit took off the rear wheel and went to remove the tire so I could get at the tube. I had one of the tire tool, but was missing the other one to get the bead off the rim. I had to use the screw driver tool of my old Pioneer. I got the tire off, patched the tube, got the tire back on, but by that time had dragged the pivot of the SAK.

I sent the SAK back to the Shelton Connecticut facility, with a letter explains how I missed the tool, and send a bill for the repair, and that I DID NOT expect a replacement because of my miss use. A week and a half went by, and a new red pioneer appeared in my mailbox. In the box was also a letter stating that the circumstances constituted an emergency and as I had no choice, that they are happy a SAK got me home, and please accept this new pioneer as a token of appreciation for using Victorinox products. Even though I abused the ever lovin dog poo out of their product, they replaced it. Two of my friend went out and bought a SAK for their new pocket knife.

My wife had a Victorinox rolling suitcase for years and years. It had traveled literally all over. Europe, Argentina, Costa Rica, all over the U.S.One of the wheels finally gave out. If it was a car, it wold have had 300,000 thousand tough miles. She sent it in to Victorinox and they fixed the wheel, and replaced all the wheels, reconditioned it, replaced a zipper that was aa little hinky, and no charge.

Karen and both are Victorinox users for life. As is son John, daughter Jessica, Grandson Ryan, granddaughter Briana. If the jackknife family ever got a family crest, it would be the Victorinox Cross right in the middle of it.
 
jackknife said:
Victorinox and Buck always give outstanding customer service, even when its not right.

In the mid 1980's, I had a flat tire on my BMW motorcycle, on a very country road. Broke out the repair kit took off the rear wheel and went to remove the tire so I could get at the tube. I had one of the tire tool, but was missing the other one to get the bead off the rim. I had to use the screw driver tool of my old Pioneer. I got the tire off, patched the tube, got the tire back on, but by that time had dragged the pivot of the SAK.

I sent the SAK back to the Shelton Connecticut facility, with a letter explains how I missed the tool, and send a bill for the repair, and that I DID NOT expect a replacement because of my miss use. A week and a half went by, and a new red pioneer appeared in my mailbox. In the box was also a letter stating that the circumstances constituted an emergency and as I had no choice, that they are happy a SAK got me home, and please accept this new pioneer as a token of appreciation for using Victorinox products. Even though I abused the ever lovin dog poo out of their product, they replaced it. Two of my friend went out and bought a SAK for their new pocket knife.

My wife had a Victorinox rolling suitcase for years and years. It had traveled literally all over. Europe, Argentina, Costa Rica, all over the U.S.One of the wheels finally gave out. If it was a car, it wold have had 300,000 thousand tough miles. She sent it in to Victorinox and they fixed the wheel, and replaced all the wheels, reconditioned it, replaced a zipper that was aa little hinky, and no charge.

Karen and both are Victorinox users for life. As is son John, daughter Jessica, Grandson Ryan, granddaughter Briana. If the jackknife family ever got a family crest, it would be the Victorinox Cross right in the middle of it.
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That's a great story. I love the respect they seem to have for people. If I were a company like that... I would like to think I'd be the same way! Savin' lives, helpin' people out of jams... that's how the Leatherman was born, Tim Leatherman getting caught out in a road trip and devising the Leatherman. Or so their commercials tell me, haha.

I mentioned this one was sentimental to them - probably why they gave me both. Definitely affects me somehow, cause I just ordered a lot of Victorinox just now 😂 No, it wasn't just for that reason. Honestly, ever since I've been posting those white Moomin knives, they're going out of stock everywhere and I wanted to grab a few before the feeding frenzy was up - oh boy, I will have some great editions come next week.

Ha! Awesome you have your whole family using SAKs! People tend to start loving them as soon as they start carrying them. I even have my mom watching MacGyver. Good to know their other items are reliable, too. I was actually in the process of designing a new crest for my own family, was trying to stick a knife somewhere in there. 😄

I gave my Fiancé one of those pink donuts SD Classics, a white Moomin Spartan, and I have a blue donuts SMKW Tinker coming for my mother, because she doesn't have a good SAK yet, and I just couldn't let her steal MY donut SD... so I bought her a more substantial one! I think someone has to start with something bigger than the 58mm so they know the SAK is a capable tool, not just a toy.
 
kamakiri.knives said:
The only ones I know of that delete the outer liners are really old stainless engine-turned patterns. Later stainless versions got liners that fit completely under the stainless. Maybe these were too damaged or corroded? I assumed they returned everything but the pins.
Click to expand...
I was just thinking about this - my main blade has "Victorinox - Switzerland - Stainless -Rostfrei" on it, I wonder if they used and sharpened the old original blade by chance? I think they did, as I had to touch up a liiiitle gunk, but they put the blade on a whole new Exec if so.

I think I know what happened here. I think they swapped the scales, gave me new tools as the rest were burnt, kept the main blade of the original knife (unless new Execs still have that marking? I don't know, my first SAK with this kind of blade set-up). I just wanna figure out exactly what I am looking at :)

Liners could have corroded - I could get a new/used Exec and use those liners to make two full knives. No main blade as well, for the one in pieces (cause I think it's on the "new" Executive). Still very happy, still gonna make two Execs out of these.
 
From my experiences with them, they will always reuse some of the tools. I think that that is at least in part to prevent abuse of the service. As long as those tools are the good ones that is great. (I've had a case where it wasn't...)
 
Seems like they only re-used the main-blade! And I enjoy the old markings, too, so no problem by me!
 
Hashishiin said:
I was just thinking about this - my main blade has "Victorinox - Switzerland - Stainless -Rostfrei" on it, I wonder if they used and sharpened the old original blade by chance? I think they did, as I had to touch up a liiiitle gunk, but they put the blade on a whole new Exec if so.

I think I know what happened here. I think they swapped the scales, gave me new tools as the rest were burnt, kept the main blade of the original knife (unless new Execs still have that marking? I don't know, my first SAK with this kind of blade set-up). I just wanna figure out exactly what I am looking at :)

Liners could have corroded - I could get a new/used Exec and use those liners to make two full knives. No main blade as well, for the one in pieces (cause I think it's on the "new" Executive). Still very happy, still gonna make two Execs out of these.
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👍 I think you’re right. That does sound like the original blade stamping. The parts they returned are the broken and not reused ones.
 
Hashishiin said:
So, I sent in my fiance's late grandfather's Executive, as it was too gunked to clean myself. We intended to put it in a shadowbox later at some point, his hat, knife, pistol, replica model of his car, his biker vest. I paid a few bucks to them, but got an email stating I would have to pay five more. "Alright," I thought "I'll give 'em a call and figure out what's up with the Exec.," but I get a shipping message a few days later, before I sent cash. They included the old knife (in pieces, I think it was too gunked for them to want to try) and a new Executive! Thanks, Victorinox! One to put away in the box, his actual knife, one to use. Glad that such a large company still has such good service.

First red cellidor SAK, as well. I had really been wanting to try carrying a model of this size, too, on leisurely days. Orange peeler is a package opener, too, folks!
View attachment 1889705View attachment 1889707

It is no biggie since the second is for display, but they didn't include scales, and I think they gave me back-lock pieces? What? That's a bit random, but I am not complaining, ha.
Click to expand...

Hey bud, what is/who is the cartoon character on the white scale SAK's? I kind of like it.
 
It is a Swedish series of books, comic strips and, later on, cartoons called Moomin, the one with the hat is his father, ha 😀 came about right after WWII to fill a need of some much-needed joviality with the second Winter War and WWII just behind their shoulder. Well-loved throughout Europe and Asia.

While the TV show is a little bit kiddy, the books are fantastic, and are "children's books" in the same way that The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien was a children's book. It's something that you could give to your kid and they would understand, but it is certainly an actual book with an actual story. There are some real gems to be had within it, for example, the best description of the very abstract concept of writing a song is contained within one of the books, not to mention a nostalgia factor. Genuinely good writing, adventurous and a pleasant weekend read, will be passing on to my kids for sure!

Helps that the white + small graphic style is my favorite style of SAK. I just love it, the graphics do not fade nearly as easily as others, say, the pink donut Classic. I just ordered a couple of Teemu Jarvi SAKs, a collaboration with this Finnish artist, in similar style (white/small graphic), a Willow Grouse Explorer and a Fox SD Classic. In love with the style. There's also a "Moominmama Dreaming" Spartan and a "Little My" Escort, but those belong to my fiance, who introduced me to the series.

Unfortunately, they are discontinued, but not well-known, so some are still find-able. I noticed after I started posting pictures, they started selling out everywhere 😂 So I couldn't get a few models, but now I have 6 out of like, 12, versions. Some were black with silver graphics. Some of the most unique SAKS I've seen. Though I think Moomin himself carried an Opinel...

moomink.jpg
 
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Last year I sent my dad's old Recruit to Switzerland for repair. The main blade was completely worn from sharpening. Scales were cracked and it had some other minor issues. One week after I had sent it to Ibach, I got a call from the Dutch Victorinox distributor. They had been contacted by the Victorinox repair department in Switzerland to ask if the repair could go ahead. Since every Victorinox has a lifetime warranty, all I had to agree with, were the fixed shipping costs for the return shipment at 10 euro. Of course I agreed. After about 8 weeks I got a call from the Dutch distributor telling me that my SAK had arrived from Switzerland and asking me to pay the 10 euro. I did and a day later my knife was back with me, fully restored with a new era matching main blade and the nylon scales I had specifically asked for. The worn parts were also included in a small plastic bag. I was thrilled. THIS is one of the reasons I will always be a loyal Victorinox customer. What an amazing company it is!
 
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