Victorinox Yeoman

powernoodle

powernoodle

Power Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2004
Messages
11,969
Guys, I just want to show you this Victorinox Yeoman Plus marketed a while back by Swissbianco. While the Explorer Plus is my favorite production SAK, the Yeoman is to me even better. I think it was produced in limited numbers by Victorinox way back when, and it would do exceedingly well today. But, its not produced.

Whats the deal with the Yeoman? It provides essentially all of functionality of the 4 layer Explorer Plus, but at 3 layers. And thats a good thing. The Yeoman gives up the Explorer's awl (not a good thing), combines the can and bottle openers into one space-saving multi purpose tool, and loses the small blade. While I don't like losing the awl, the overall effect for me is certainly worth it for the benefit of easier pocketability. Just about everything I like about the Explorer Plus, but thinner for the pocket.

For me, this is the "best" ever Victorinox, and I only wish that they would produce it again. But I'm not holding my breath. Are you listening, Victorinox?

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3-layer Swissbianco Victorinox Yeoman Plus.

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4-layer Victorinox Explorer Plus.
 
Nice! Love the yellow. I need the same thing, but a saw instead of scissors. Great knife though :thumbup:
 
I've been lusting for a Yeoman for some time now (never thought I'd say those words). I have a mind to pay a visit to the factory and give them the what for!
 
I agree! I don't understand why they discontinued several models with the space-saving Combo Tool. I would love to either have a Yeoman, or as a second choice a Compact with the Phillips screwdriver instead of the corkscrew. (Do people really find themselves in situations that often where they need to open a bottle of wine RIGHT NOW?)
 
Guyzero said:
I agree! I don't understand why they discontinued several models with the space-saving Combo Tool. I would love to either have a Yeoman, or as a second choice a Compact with the Phillips screwdriver instead of the corkscrew. (Do people really find themselves in situations that often where they need to open a bottle of wine RIGHT NOW?)
Click to expand...

You clearly don't live in Europe! ;)
 
Guyzero said:
I agree! I don't understand why they discontinued several models with the space-saving Combo Tool. I would love to either have a Yeoman, or as a second choice a Compact with the Phillips screwdriver instead of the corkscrew. (Do people really find themselves in situations that often where they need to open a bottle of wine RIGHT NOW?)
Click to expand...

I prefer the corkscrew. If I were about to get a piece of a**, I'd be fumbling to get that corkscrew out of my pocket. On a serious note: I like the corkscrew for the eyeglass driver. Most of my philips screw work is done with the small flathead on the tip of the can opener.
 
Armadew said:
You clearly don't live in Europe! ;)
Click to expand...

Corkscrews used to be common on traditional American Sportsman's knives, but America is starting to lose any sense of tradition they have and replacing it with apathy. I admire Europeans for their steadfastness in upholding tradition and quality of life and work, which is why I carry a SAK :thumbup: We forgot what good wine tastes like too.
 
powernoodle said:
Guys, I just want to show you this Victorinox Yeoman Plus marketed a while back by Swissbianco. While the Explorer Plus is my favorite production SAK, the Yeoman is to me even better. I think it was produced in limited numbers by Victorinox way back when, and it would do exceedingly well today. But, its not produced.

Whats the deal with the Yeoman? It provides essentially all of functionality of the 4 layer Explorer Plus, but at 3 layers. And thats a good thing. The Yeoman gives up the Explorer's awl (not a good thing), combines the can and bottle openers into one space-saving multi purpose tool, and loses the small blade. While I don't like losing the awl, the overall effect for me is certainly worth it for the benefit of easier pocketability. Just about everything I like about the Explorer Plus, but thinner for the pocket.

For me, this is the "best" ever Victorinox, and I only wish that they would produce it again. But I'm not holding my breath. Are you listening, Victorinox?
Click to expand...

I too love the tool set of the Explorer/Explorer Plus and fortunately I have managed to acquire several Yeoman's over the years. Two NIB...one from BSA store...old inventory right about the time they started selling the Yeoman that was actually an Explorer/Plus. The other one I don't really remember where I bought it...my guess was a gun show...it came in a blister pack. I found a used one in like new condition for sale on here on BFC a few months ago...along with an Explorer Plus...both BSA editions...I got the Explorer mainly because it had the old style magnifying glass on it. if SwissBianco produces more of these I think I'll buy at least one!

John
 
Question: how come Swissbianco never made a limited run of Scientists? Or can anyone have Victorinox make a limited run of any knife with enough quantity? We could put together a group purchase of Scientists or Yeomans!
 
Guyzero said:
I agree! I don't understand why they discontinued several models with the space-saving Combo Tool. I would love to either have a Yeoman, or as a second choice a Compact with the Phillips screwdriver instead of the corkscrew. (Do people really find themselves in situations that often where they need to open a bottle of wine RIGHT NOW?)
Click to expand...

In more than 20 years of carrying SAKs or Leatherman with corkscrews, I have had to use them exactly twice. One time was at that inevitable picnic where nobody brought a corkscrew; the other was to make a field expedient handle for a large block of soft wood. This doesn't count many other times when I used it "just because." At first it was a challenge, but thanks to a post on this very forum some years ago I learned the best way to pull cork with the corkscrew is to turn it in in almost all the way, lever the SAK against the bottle lip to break the adhesion (on the tool side, not the naked back spring) then muscle it out. It's killer at social gatherings... makes the ladies swoon and all the fellows finally accept you as one of them.

TheGent said:
Corkscrews used to be common on traditional American Sportsman's knives, but America is starting to lose any sense of tradition they have and replacing it with apathy. I admire Europeans for their steadfastness in upholding tradition and quality of life and work, which is why I carry a SAK :thumbup: We forgot what good wine tastes like too.
Click to expand...

Just between us, I always thought it nutso to lug some clunky, heavy glass bottles along on outdoor activities (don't forget to carry the empties back). Yes, I've done it, but somehow it seems inappropriate to the experience of being out in nature. I much prefer to guzzle my fine wines at home or bistro.
 
znapschatz said:
In more than 20 years of carrying SAKs or Leatherman with corkscrews, I have had to use them exactly twice. One time was at that inevitable picnic where nobody brought a corkscrew; the other was to make a field expedient handle for a large block of soft wood. This doesn't count many other times when I used it "just because." At first it was a challenge, but thanks to a post on this very forum some years ago I learned the best way to pull cork with the corkscrew is to turn it in in almost all the way, lever the SAK against the bottle lip to break the adhesion (on the tool side, not the naked back spring) then muscle it out. It's killer at social gatherings... makes the ladies swoon and all the fellows finally accept you as one of them.



Just between us, I always thought it nutso to lug some clunky, heavy glass bottles along on outdoor activities (don't forget to carry the empties back). Yes, I've done it, but somehow it seems inappropriate to the experience of being out in nature. I much prefer to guzzle my fine wines at home or bistro.
Click to expand...

I've done that, but one time the corkscrew bent out of place, and then would't even close in its place. . So all brute force now.
 
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I recently put yellow scales on my Yeoman and Explorer. I do like that alox Yeoman!!
 
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