- Joined
- Jun 26, 2007
- Messages
- 621
INTRODUCTION
Born on 1891, the Soldier knife has a log story behind, and in his own way it’s similar to other human creations like Coca-Cola logo (1886), the Statue of Liberty (1886), Pizza Margherita (1889), Eiffel Tower (1889).
BRIEF HISTORY
On year 1886 the Swiss Army decided to provide a folding knife to his soldiers. Initially, the knives were provided by Solingen industries: they were simple one blade folders, the handle was in oak wood, nearly black for the oil used to protect the wood.
On year 1889 the Swiss Army adopted the Schmidt-Rubin model 1889 rifle. For the maintenance of this rifle a flat screwdriver was mandatory, so the Army asked for a knife with: a. flat screwdriver, b. can opener for the military rations, c. a reamer to repair the leather parts of the equipment.
Immediately, Carl Elsener, the founder of Victorinox, make a proposal for a multitool knife to the Army: on year 1891 the Soldier “model 1890” was adopted by the Army as part of the soldier’s equipment. The Soldier “1890 model” handles were made in wood, the blade was a spear-point carbon steel 100mm long, the total weight was 144 grams.
On year 1901 the handles were made in fibres instead wood (the wood was prone to crack).
The 1908 is the year of the new Soldier “model 08”: the blade was modified from spear-point to clip-point, all the knife was made more light, for a total wheigt of 125 grams.
1915: the knives’ handles made for the Army are marked “W-K” (“Waffen Kontrol” - “Weapeons Control”
1921: on the blade of the Soldier you may find two numbers, marking the year (21 for 1921, 22 for 1922 and so on). You may also find the “P” (“Private” letter on the knives made for the civilian market.
1951: a new version of the Soldier appears, is the “Modell 51”: fibre handles, spear-point blade 93 mm long, total weight was 91 grams.
On 1961 again a new versions: the fibre handles are changed with aluminium handles, the total weight is now 72 grams. This model remain fairly the same until 2008.
2008: an entirely new Soldier model, the Soldier 08 born. Blade is one hand opening, long 87 mm, many more tools including a wood saw, handles are in plastic and rubber, total weight is 129 grams.
MY 3 SOLDIERS
I had the chance, thanks to a forum member, to own a Soldier “Modell 08” from the period 1943-1950, in great shape. Here compared to the new Soldier 08
Swiss Cross and the “W-K” mark (“Waffen Kontrol” - “Weapons Control” on the handle
Tools evolutions: blade, can opener, screwdriver and reamer on “Modell 1908” e Soldier 08
Soldier 1961: same tools, different handles, thickness, liners
Blade’s confrontations: Soldier “Modell 1908”, Soldier 1961 and Soldier 08
Soldier “Modell 1908” screwdriver, designed to the maintenance of the Schmidt-Rubin model 1889 rifle
CONCLUSIONS
I consider a great privilege to own and handle a folding knife from 70 years ago in perfect shape. The Victorinox Soldier is a piece of history in your hands, I really feel that when I handle my “Modell 08”, my Soldier 1961, and even handling the new Soldier 08.
Ciao,
Alfredo
Born on 1891, the Soldier knife has a log story behind, and in his own way it’s similar to other human creations like Coca-Cola logo (1886), the Statue of Liberty (1886), Pizza Margherita (1889), Eiffel Tower (1889).
BRIEF HISTORY
On year 1886 the Swiss Army decided to provide a folding knife to his soldiers. Initially, the knives were provided by Solingen industries: they were simple one blade folders, the handle was in oak wood, nearly black for the oil used to protect the wood.
On year 1889 the Swiss Army adopted the Schmidt-Rubin model 1889 rifle. For the maintenance of this rifle a flat screwdriver was mandatory, so the Army asked for a knife with: a. flat screwdriver, b. can opener for the military rations, c. a reamer to repair the leather parts of the equipment.
Immediately, Carl Elsener, the founder of Victorinox, make a proposal for a multitool knife to the Army: on year 1891 the Soldier “model 1890” was adopted by the Army as part of the soldier’s equipment. The Soldier “1890 model” handles were made in wood, the blade was a spear-point carbon steel 100mm long, the total weight was 144 grams.
On year 1901 the handles were made in fibres instead wood (the wood was prone to crack).
The 1908 is the year of the new Soldier “model 08”: the blade was modified from spear-point to clip-point, all the knife was made more light, for a total wheigt of 125 grams.
1915: the knives’ handles made for the Army are marked “W-K” (“Waffen Kontrol” - “Weapeons Control”
1921: on the blade of the Soldier you may find two numbers, marking the year (21 for 1921, 22 for 1922 and so on). You may also find the “P” (“Private”
letter on the knives made for the civilian market.1951: a new version of the Soldier appears, is the “Modell 51”: fibre handles, spear-point blade 93 mm long, total weight was 91 grams.
On 1961 again a new versions: the fibre handles are changed with aluminium handles, the total weight is now 72 grams. This model remain fairly the same until 2008.
2008: an entirely new Soldier model, the Soldier 08 born. Blade is one hand opening, long 87 mm, many more tools including a wood saw, handles are in plastic and rubber, total weight is 129 grams.
MY 3 SOLDIERS
I had the chance, thanks to a forum member, to own a Soldier “Modell 08” from the period 1943-1950, in great shape. Here compared to the new Soldier 08
Swiss Cross and the “W-K” mark (“Waffen Kontrol” - “Weapons Control”
on the handle
Tools evolutions: blade, can opener, screwdriver and reamer on “Modell 1908” e Soldier 08
Soldier 1961: same tools, different handles, thickness, liners
Blade’s confrontations: Soldier “Modell 1908”, Soldier 1961 and Soldier 08
Soldier “Modell 1908” screwdriver, designed to the maintenance of the Schmidt-Rubin model 1889 rifle
CONCLUSIONS
I consider a great privilege to own and handle a folding knife from 70 years ago in perfect shape. The Victorinox Soldier is a piece of history in your hands, I really feel that when I handle my “Modell 08”, my Soldier 1961, and even handling the new Soldier 08.
Ciao,
Alfredo
