Victorinox SoftGrip and Digital Camo

supratentorial

supratentorial

Joined
Dec 19, 2006
Messages
8,210
Victorinox, You're a SoftGrip Baby!

Left to Right: Wabemuster SoftGrip Tinker, Ruby SoftGrip Spartan, Digital Camo Huntsman and George Harrison.

victorinoxsoftgrip.jpg
[Youtube]nR8ml5Dq7zs[/Youtube]

I like the feel of the new SoftGrip handles on the Spartan and Tinker... The feel is similar to the rubberized handles on my SuperKnife, which made me want to cut down boxes all day.

By the way, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my Ruby SoftGrip Spartan included a pen though it wasn't listed in the description.

53156pen.jpg
 
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I haven't seen softgrip handles on these models here, are they like the softgrip handles on the New Soldier?
 
The outside edge of the 2008 Soldier two component handles is similar. The SoftGrip series has a different feel in the hand since the entire handle is soft.

soldier-softrip-2.jpg


soldier-softgrip-1.jpg


...From the photo on the Victorinox website it's difficult to tell but the Wabemuster SoftGrip Tinker is smooth, not textured (it's just an artistic design). I think it would be cool if they added textured grips as well.

vm_53107_sol_a02.jpg
 
Nice, I suppose it will give better grip when your hands are wet or greasy which I like. Do you find that it moves differently in your pocket? I had a SOG folder that had rubber handles and it was more noticeable in the pocket because it stuck to the pocket rather than sliding around.
Now if they put those handles out on the Super Tinker I'll get one so I don't have to keep pitting mine with a set punch to give it better grip.
adam
 
The SoftGrip handles are slightly tackier and less slippery than the Cellidor handles. With wet hands or greasy hands the smooth surface of the SoftGrip handles is still somewhat slippery (everything is somewhat slippery when your hands are greasy) but much less so than the Cellidor handles. A textured grip (such as the texture on the Spyderco Delica, for example) would be grippier. As far as pocket carry, it's not as grippy as some G-10 handled knives but you'll probably notice a difference compared to the Cellidor handled Swiss army knives - I wouldn't say it's bothersome though.

[Youtube]hXNGKlHYUpo[/Youtube]

By the way, the SoftGrip Spartan and Tinker both have the pin hole like the Cellidor handled versions.

softgrip-3.jpg
 
Awesome, love the 'plus' scales. I hope the scales are available on more models or at least individually.
adam
 
That stuff looks like a coating i have on my fishing glasses. How well do you think it will hold up? My glasses got ruined from bug spray and sweat. The coating got soft and any little touch would ruin it. I ended up taking a sponge and dish soap to them and stripping the coating off, i like the shiny look better anyways lol.
 
The SoftGrip handles appear to be solid (see the close up photos of translucent Ruby Spartan). I'm not sure how it would hold up with bug spray... What's the solvent in bug spray? I doubt that sweat would hurt it. The Digital Camo may wear with use - difficult to say so soon.
 
only time would show the coing is gonna durable or not.. but my feelings said it wont hold... i've never seen anything with some "soft grip coating" could hold...sometime theyh even expired to be sticky and makes gunk....

if they made a 84mm or 91mm with black nylon and metal shield inlet, i'll take it anyday since i've experience the durability of victorinox nylon handle..

those picture are goodlooking though... thanks for sharing...
 
I like them too, although I was disappointed that the Digicam handles weren't rubberized. They have a somewhat different feel, but definitely not rubbery.
 
I bet as the coating wears off, it will become shiny. The bugspray i was using was Off! Deep woods, with deet in it. Maybe the deet was the killer. I like the matte look, but i don't think it's going to be durable. Just a theory though. Maybe they'll sell spray on stuff for older SAKs?
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
I bet as the coating wears off, it will become shiny...
Click to expand...

Unfortunately that appears to be the case. It's a little disappointing how easily it's wearing off - I've only had it for a week. :(

Victorinox-softgrip.jpg


Here's a link to the MSDS for Deet. Deet is "soluble in ethanol, ether, isopropanol, chloroform, carbon disulfide, alcohol, benzene, propylene glycol, cotonseed oil, ketones, petroleum distillates; sparingly soluble in petroleum ether and glycerin". Not sure which they put in bug spray... maybe alcohol... hopefully not chloroform! ;)
 
thanks for the informative but a bit sad update... to bad the coating is not durable... i personally think that the handle should be made just with solid material... the goodthing for the user there is you could always purchase a replacement handle if the scratches become irritating to look...

i sish victorinox would made some nice micarta or G10 with their identity color... it would look great i think...
 
Yup, exactly like my glasses. Keep bug spray and sweat away from it! It turns a milky color and will rub right off and is kind of tacky when its milky colored. Like i said, i eventually just took it off. It gets clumpy kind of like eraser shavings after a while and sticks to itself.
 
My Wabemuster Tinker actually came out of the box with some wear on it already. Rattling around in the box during shipping was enough to rub some off.
 
I don't think so but I do think people will be disappointed about the durability of the SoftGrip handles. Another handle material (you already suggested a few nice ones) would have been a better choice - perhaps they'll choose something else in the future. There's also a large number of Swiss army knives with cellidor, nylon and alox handles... even some with sterling, wood, etc...
 
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