Victorinox OD Green Safari

G

GIRLYmann

Joined
Nov 7, 2005
Messages
6,725
I have a question in regards to the discontinued "commercial" varient of the Victorinox German Army Knife (GAK) the "Safari".
http://cakeru.image.pbase.com/image/58136767/original.jpg
Just how useful is a nonlocking blade this size?
But more importantly, does the cap-lifter/screw driver on the tip of the sawblade cause any problems in the sawing motion?
What would be an average cost of this model?

Also what are the advantages of having an extra bowie clip blade as found on the Victorinox Mauser
http://www.gunsanddogs.com/tgs/assets/images/mauser.jpg
or the similar Walther?
http://www.gunsanddogs.com/tgs/assets/images/walther.jpg
Seems rather strange to have two full sized large blades on one folder as this.

BTW, these are GAK and not all were Victorinox.
http://www.sosakonline.com/images/stories/GAK_article/gakvic_a.jpg
source: http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=35

Thank's for any replies which you might have.
 
The OD Safari Trooper is a great knife. The 108mm's overall are my favorites. The saw works quite well and the end tool does not interfere in my experience. BTW, all Safari Troopers are Vic. The GAKs were produced on contract by many different manufacturers to gov't specs even though there are a number of slight variations. Price for the Troopers are generally around $30.-$40. when you can find them. Used GAKs can be found for a few $$$.

The Mauser Clip Point blade is very controversial. Certainly as a collector's knife the Mauser is near the top of the list. As a user, some like the clip point but most say it's a useless blade in a working knife. The Mauser was manufactured by Vic to German Army specs as a limited edition companion knife solely for the Mauser rifle. Only 24,000 pieces were made. For whatever reason, they wanted the 2nd. blade.
 
I wouldn't say the clip point blade is useless; there are times when you want a sharp point, and the typical SAK spear points aren't pointy enough. Get the "point"? ;)
 
Gryffin said:
I wouldn't say the clip point blade is useless; there are times when you want a sharp point, and the typical SAK spear points aren't pointy enough. Get the "point"? ;)
Click to expand...

I personally agree. I like the clip point.
 
felinevet: Thank's for the insight. Reason I posted was because I could get one at around $33.oo mint in box. Guess you sold me on its merits. Thanks, and I love your site too.
Tango44: Yeah well I sorta have that already. And I am mighty fond of mine. Compared to a standard sized Vicky, the GAK offers a whole lot of cutting pleasure
http://img25.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/391_9128_1.jpg
Just remember to physically inspect the linerlock
http://img25.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/391_9127_1.jpg
on the mainblade of the current GAK, as they don't always lock up a 100% without somekind of slight movement.
Gryffin: Point taken. A clip point makes a better skinning blade?
 
GIRLYmann said:
Gryffin: Point taken. A clip point makes a better skinning blade?
Click to expand...
Actually, for skinning you generally want a blade with lots of belly, but not a sharp point. (Don't want to puncture anything unintentionally.) But you need a point for caping (cutting away the skin at the eyes, nose, mouth, and other openings).

Personally, I like a sharp point for digging out slivers and such.
 
Gryffin: Did I say skining knife? Oops, make that small game/woodsman's knife.
Well then, I guess the Mauser package would most definately be perfect for you?
It has occured to me that the choice of spearpoint mainblade and woodsaw tools which make the Victorinox Safari Trooper/GAK or even the Mauser is much like that found on vintage european hunting folders. Can't believe that SMKW retails the GAK (under the brandname of Cigman & Company, LTD) for something a little over $6.00?!! Could this been an oversight? felinevet, where art thou?
 
GIRLYmann said:
Can't believe that SMKW retails the GAK (under the brandname of Cigman & Company, LTD) for something a little over $6.00?!! Could this been an oversight? felinevet, where art thou?
Click to expand...

I bought a lot of 150 of the GAKs from my European supplier and sold out within a few months (alas, all gone now). I got them for $3. each so SMKW probably did too. I have talked to several people who bought them there and they said that they got all different manufacturers, not just what was advertised (there were at least 8-10 contract manufactureres for the GAK, including Vic). There was great variability in the quality also and some were disappointed. But hey, for $6. bucks...
 
felinevet: You've been a wealth of information on this subject.
http://static.flickr.com/9/11360786_0e167e3f11_o.jpg
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/0/08/German_army_knife.jpg
Thank's for your personal insights. Hope you would give the "heads up" of any future goverment disposals you happen to chance by, especially so if its some "felinevet online exclusive".
 
Girlymann,

After using SAK's and acquiring GAK's, next step is the DAK's.

Dutch army knives, that is. Something like the Victorinox Soldier/ Wenger Standard Issue but with beefier blades and a keyring to boot.
 
bama_lou said:
Girlymann,

After using SAK's and acquiring GAK's, next step is the DAK's.

Dutch army knives, that is. Something like the Victorinox Soldier/ Wenger Standard Issue but with beefier blades and a keyring to boot.
Click to expand...

The prior issue DAKs (current issue are Vic Trekkers basically)are awesome. Made first by AMEFA, then Vic, these are very tough heavy duty knives.
 
Dang! You guys are most definately well ahead of the game. Here I was, just begining to wonder which European nations were stocking Victorinox made products for its servicemen. Be that NATO or EU troops. I understand the current GAK is a NATO issue thing, but which nations?

And there now seems to be an all black Swisstool Spirits in the offering. There's even a crimper (hole in the plierhead) version of the Swisstool. It's anyone's guess which particular nations have actually bought them for their respective Armed Forces.
 
IIRC, Austria is using the Swisstool Spirit with the spear point blade in place of the scissors. Australia, Norway and Switzerland are issued the black Swisstool. The current DAK is the Centurion model with the KL tampoprint.

Not only European nations, but Asian and some African nations are using Victorinox as their service knives as well. Singapore is currently using the black economy Bantam as their standard knife, Brunei, Cyprus and Malaysia's forces will be using the Outrider (in a hideous camo coloured scale), Nigeria is issued the OHT IIRC...a lot of them using Victorinox.
 
bama_lou: Thank's for the sharing. Now, if only someone could come up with a complete pictorial of these current military Vic's in their respective service colors....
 
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