Victorinox slide lock

M

Maximumbob54

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I had an older SAK that had the slide lock on the side of it. If it didn't have a full serrated blade I feel like I would have been far more enamored by that knife. So I kept an eye out for a similar model with a smooth edge and just never saw one for sale. Even just finding the slide lock was rare as hen's teeth. Now I guess I missed it since the slide lock has been discontinued.

Was the slide lock not a good design? I would have loved to have a Tinker with a slide lock but it also looks like it was only in the 111mm models and not the more pocket friendly sizes. Would it not fit in the smaller models? Just seems like it was a good idea that wasn't used much only to be discontinued. If it was due to lackluster sales then I question the sales on something with from my perspective a limited availability.
 
I for one am a fan of the slide lock and prefer it to the liner lock they switched to, I thought the design was excellent, didn’t take up any space, was more than secure enough for me, and didn’t create that lump where the liner lock protrudes like they do now, it was also kinda fun to fidget with, had a nice feel.

The biggest advantage imo was the blade shape, that long slender blade cut better than the new design that’s thicker.
I didn’t mind not having the one handed opening and just preferred the aesthetic without that big blade hump and stubby tip.
 
I only have one with the slide lock and I like it quite a bit. I think it's my only locking Victorinox but for one of their multi-tools.
 
I'm a fan

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Dan 🦘 🇦🇺
 
I found her!!!

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I found her in England I think in 2001 during a port visit. We were at Portsmouth but I think the shop was in Southsea. Funny now how much UK knife laws have changed.

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No longer a fully serrated edge fan. :(

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I'm only now seeing the lock side is slightly thicker.

Still seems a shame they are gone.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
I had an older SAK that had the slide lock on the side of it. If it didn't have a full serrated blade I feel like I would have been far more enamored by that knife. So I kept an eye out for a similar model with a smooth edge and just never saw one for sale. Even just finding the slide lock was rare as hen's teeth. Now I guess I missed it since the slide lock has been discontinued.

Was the slide lock not a good design? I would have loved to have a Tinker with a slide lock but it also looks like it was only in the 111mm models and not the more pocket friendly sizes. Would it not fit in the smaller models? Just seems like it was a good idea that wasn't used much only to be discontinued. If it was due to lackluster sales then I question the sales on something with from my perspective a limited availability.
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The Side-locks were introduced in the mid 80's, so there will be zillions out there.
As for the design, it was more than strong enough for everyday use. (I like it)

The design was changed slightly in the late 90's (1999?) to be more resistant to dirt ingress in the internals.
(First type side lock has a round hole for the lanyard, second type has an oval hole)

This upgrade existed until the side lock was discontinued in 2017.
 
Maximumbob54 said:
I had an older SAK that had the slide lock on the side of it. If it didn't have a full serrated blade I feel like I would have been far more enamored by that knife. So I kept an eye out for a similar model with a smooth edge and just never saw one for sale. Even just finding the slide lock was rare as hen's teeth. Now I guess I missed it since the slide lock has been discontinued.

Was the slide lock not a good design? I would have loved to have a Tinker with a slide lock but it also looks like it was only in the 111mm models and not the more pocket friendly sizes. Would it not fit in the smaller models? Just seems like it was a good idea that wasn't used much only to be discontinued. If it was due to lackluster sales then I question the sales on something with from my perspective a limited availability.
Click to expand...

I have 2, I like it a lot more than the linerlock large SAK I have (hercules). I think I had one like yours but without the serrated blade (skipper model?).

I'm a fan of the slide lock. I have one other SAK with a weird button lock thing, not a side button like a plunge lock, that I dislike a lot. I think it's one that came from the Wenger acquisition lineups which just the letter/number naming convention instead of names. It's somewhere in my camping boxes as it has a lot of tools for the weight and it's the only reason I keep it.
 
I have a couple of the slide-lock models and like them a lot. I find the slide locks to give a slightly more solid lockup than Vic’s liner locks. And the slide lock can be easily closed one-handed, unlike the odd “reverse” liner lock (if you’re right handed).

M Maximumbob54 That’s a really great discontinued model you have there! I believe it’s called the Skipper and includes a marlinspike with shackle key cutout. That full-serrated blade is really great for cutting rope!
 
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Roamad said:
I have a couple of the slide-lock models and like them a lot. I find the slide locks to give a slightly more solid lockup than Vic’s liner locks. And the slide lock can be easily closed one-handed, unlike the odd “reverse” liner lock (if you’re right handed).

M Maximumbob54 That’s a really great discontinued model you have there! I believe it’s called the Skipper and includes a marlinspike with shackle key cutout. That full-serrated blade is really great for cutting rope!
Click to expand...
It was a spur of the moment purchase at some marine goods shop. We were on whatever boondoggle search for something and my eyes went right to the display rack. I want to say they were looking for some specific local charts. They found their charts eventually and I bought a new knife.
 
I far prefer the slide lock 111mms to the liner lock ones. The Victorinox “reverse” liner locks are oddly un-intuitive. The slide locks are strong enough, never ever had one fail on me.

It’s good enough even for military use, as the Outrider versions issued to the Malaysian Armed Forces were also slide locks.
 
Same here, I got two 111mm slide lock Rucksack models and they are great.
One is in my EDC bag, the other in my hiking bag. Both have been nothing but 100% useful and functional.

I actually could do without any lock on my folding knives, but it's easy to use and less hassle than the liner locks.

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The thin balde cuts like a champ but the saw has seen more action that the main blade itself :)
 
The slide locks are more than strong enough, but I've seen some rumors from Vic that they didn't land well in the US market, and they saw no reason to keep two locking knife designs running side by side. I like mine, I think it's a great design, but they gave it a decently long run and it just fell behind.
 
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