A recent email newsletter from SwissBianco (supplier of Victorinox SAKs with replacement scales and special limited run models) includes the suggestion that Victorinox SAK quality levels might be slipping as the result of tough economic times. Has anyone experienced this?
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Victorinox Quality Situation
- Thread starter buckthorn
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No. Haven't noticed. I'd be shocked as Vic is known for very consistent quality and excellent quality control. They've worked hard to establish and sustain that reputation so I seriously doubt they'd take any action or inaction which would place it in jeopardy.
I too would like to see the newsletter article that says otherwise.
I too would like to see the newsletter article that says otherwise.
I haven't noticed a decrease in quality. Earlier this year I bought a few SAKs, amongst them a Victorinox RangerGrip and a Victorinox EvoGrip. Also in those models, originally known as Wenger models and slightly modified by Victorinox (like the can opener), I did not notice changes in build quality.
Victorinox is facing some challenges, due to the economic times and the changed position of pocket knives in general in a lot of countries, but they're investing a lot in other types of products, like watches, outdoor and travel gear and office items like laptop bags and such.
Where did SwissBianco notice quality issues?
Victorinox is facing some challenges, due to the economic times and the changed position of pocket knives in general in a lot of countries, but they're investing a lot in other types of products, like watches, outdoor and travel gear and office items like laptop bags and such.
Where did SwissBianco notice quality issues?
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if they're facing tough economic times, reducing QA isn't the way to go about fixing their woes. From the level of automation I understand their factory to possess, they should be saving money hand over fist. Can't say I know a thing about their product lines other than SAKs, though.
Agreeing with this!
With degree of automation that Victorinox uses, it won,d actually be hard to decrease the overall quality. I sense some butthurt from Roger over a decision from Victorinox over something.
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I agree with Swissbianco being butthurt about something. Vic is synonym of consistency and constant quality, that's what they're known for
I have bought four Vics this year, all four were excellent, with great and smooth action, nice F&F and usual Swiss-precision construction
I have bought four Vics this year, all four were excellent, with great and smooth action, nice F&F and usual Swiss-precision construction
I feel a bit uncomfortable about posting the text of the newsletter here but it can readily be found by going to the SwissBianco Facebook page. I'm hoping that what is being reported is an isolated incident. It would be sad if one of the few knife manufacturers whose strong quality control could automatically be assumed is having difficulties in that area. IF the report is accurate I wonder what is the length of the supply chain so that any reduction in quality would be apparent to us when we make new purchases.
Okay, I've gone and read what Roger has said in his news letter and it's butt hurt.
I've always been a bit mystified by Swiss Bianco and his business, and why people pay high dollar for an extra color or some such thing. It sounds like maybe Victorinox is backing away from the partnership as it's not worth their time and money to do the special runs that Roger needs for his business. Yes, the world economy is tighter, and it sounds like Victorinox is just quitting something that is not really all the beneficial for them. So, Roger gets a case of negative feelings about it.
Having seen interviews with Carl Elsner and his views of his families business, I don't believe we will see any drop in SAK quality. That given quality and reliability are too much a hallmark of the brand. What we will see is a trimming down of the models that don't sell well on the international market. Just like we've already seen the trimming down of the alox line that sent me into a depression involving heavy drinking.
In all seriousness, Victorinox is still the only knife company I will blindly order from to be sent to a location I am flying into and don't with to be knife less. If some guy calling himself Swissbianco can't get his special color SALK's anymore to sell at a high profit margin, I don't see how that affects us in general. That market is not even a drop in the bucket on the international market that Victorinox deals in. And I trust Victorinox to what they need to do to stay viable. Small 'special' runs are not it.
I've always been a bit mystified by Swiss Bianco and his business, and why people pay high dollar for an extra color or some such thing. It sounds like maybe Victorinox is backing away from the partnership as it's not worth their time and money to do the special runs that Roger needs for his business. Yes, the world economy is tighter, and it sounds like Victorinox is just quitting something that is not really all the beneficial for them. So, Roger gets a case of negative feelings about it.
Having seen interviews with Carl Elsner and his views of his families business, I don't believe we will see any drop in SAK quality. That given quality and reliability are too much a hallmark of the brand. What we will see is a trimming down of the models that don't sell well on the international market. Just like we've already seen the trimming down of the alox line that sent me into a depression involving heavy drinking.
In all seriousness, Victorinox is still the only knife company I will blindly order from to be sent to a location I am flying into and don't with to be knife less. If some guy calling himself Swissbianco can't get his special color SALK's anymore to sell at a high profit margin, I don't see how that affects us in general. That market is not even a drop in the bucket on the international market that Victorinox deals in. And I trust Victorinox to what they need to do to stay viable. Small 'special' runs are not it.
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Maybe Vic wants to start offering a rainbow of alox models on their own!
Now THAT would be a smart business move. Cut out the middleman, and price it better!:thumbup:
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Now that would feel like xmas morning.
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+1Okay, I've gone and read what Roger has said in his news letter and it's butt hurt.
I've always been a bit mystified by Swiss Bianco and his business, and why people pay high dollar for an extra color or some such thing. It sounds like maybe Victorinox is backing away from the partnership as it's not worth their time and money to do the special runs that Roger needs for his business. Yes, the world economy is tighter, and it sounds like Victorinox is just quitting something that is not really all the beneficial for them. So, Roger gets a case of negative feelings about it.
Having seen interviews with Carl Elsner and his views of his families business, I don't believe we will see any drop in SAK quality. That given quality and reliability are too much a hallmark of the brand. What we will see is a trimming down of the models that don't sell well on the international market. Just like we've already seen the trimming down of the alox line that sent me into a depression involving heavy drinking.
In all seriousness, Victorinox is still the only knife company I will blindly order from to be sent to a location I am flying into and don't with to be knife less. If some guy calling himself Swissbianco can't get his special color SALK's anymore to sell at a high profit margin, I don't see how that affects us in general. That market is not even a drop in the bucket on the international market that Victorinox deals in. And I trust Victorinox to what they need to do to stay viable. Small 'special' runs are not it.
Don't start none, won't be none
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More opinions on the subject, for the sake of further information and discussion
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,68119.0/topicseen.html
from the right forum to talk about these things in depth...:thumbup:
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,68119.0/topicseen.html
from the right forum to talk about these things in depth...:thumbup:
I've owned and used various Spartan SAKs for 50 years. I haven't experienced any decrease in quality but have experienced more useful do-dads showing up (the pin hole at the back of the corkscrew was a recent new one on me but now I am able to re-aim the tiny nozzles on car window squirters). Toothpick and tweezers certainly didn't feature on the 60s/70s models and I did like the small blade profile more so than the current versions.
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