Which is the real Swiss army knife?

[James Y]

My first-ever SAK was a small Wenger I purchased in 1977 with only a pen blade on one end, and on the reverse back end, a nail file. It came in a plastic case with a small coin included. I suppose the coin was for if the knife was a gift, the recipient would return the coin so as not to 'sever the friendship'?

But I never became really enamored with SAKs until I got my first Victorinox, an older version of the Spartan, a few years later. Since then, I've always had some kind of Vic SAK on me; nowadays it's two, an Executive and a Pioneer. In spite of all the advances in knives, in materials, locking mechanisms mid-techs, etc., I will never outgrow my like and uses for SAKs.

Jim

 

[Mecha]

Which model is the knife with the clip?

The one on the bottom with the oval body almost looks like they didn't finish grinding the blades.

I didn't see the model of the small one. The oval one's blade was actually nicely finished, it's just that the photos are crappy low rez. The blade had two edges - the main one, and then the rounded top edge, which I think was chisel grind.

I know the internet is the greatest thing ever, but it really is nice to go into a store, take a good look, and buy the exact knife you found that's perfect.

 

[Lapedog]

Oh I agree. All my knives I buy from my local store since I live in Canada I'm worried about customs ganking my blades. Also I don't want to get a knife in the mail, have an issue with it, then have to send it to be repaired in the states.

Those of us that have brick and morter knife stores should be grateful. Especially if it is one with a good selection.

 

[mete]

Bronze insert ? One possibility would be as a scraper to safely remove a softer metal such as lead from steel without damaging the steel . Such as lead deposits from bullets in a rifle or shotgun . I always found it easy to make scrapers by taking a piece of heavy copper wire and hammer it to shape ,which also hardens a bit . A compensator on a pistol is an excellent example -that collects lots of lead !

 

[mete]

https://www.wired.com/2010/11/2000-year-old-roman-multi-tool/
Yes the Romans started it all !! But they probably got their iron/steel and tool ideas from the mines in Northern Italy and some Swiss spies stole it !

 

[017]

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[GIRLYmann]

To me, the term "Swiss Army Knife" holds true for as long as it's Swiss made,
It's a gimmicky marketing term since not every model is an actual government "Army Knife".
Legend has it that GI's from the last war had come up with that descriptive term.
German speaking Swiss calling SAKs Offiziersmesser (Officers Knife)
and Soldatenmesser (Soldier's Knife - the actual Swiss gov. issued knife)
Seems kinda like splitting hairs with the use of genuine or original designation
when gov. contract specs are suppose to turn out the same knife.
But I suppose it's all for the sake of putting a spin on the larger lucrative commercial market.
http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/30/348/471095/

 

[Mecha]

...but what's the bronze tab tool's function?

I see it on the giant version of the knife:

From the complete list of tools, I will guess it's the watch caseback opening tool, which would make the knife a watchmaker's or watch afficionado's SAK. That doesn't explain the blade's shape though...or does it?

• 2.5" 60% Serrated locking blade
  
• Nail file, nail cleaner
  
• Corkscrew
  
• Adjustable pliers with wire crimper and cutter
  
• Removable screwdriver bit adapter
  
• 2.5" Blade for Official World Scout Knife
  
• Spring-loaded, locking needle-nose pliers with wire cutter
  
• Removable screwdriver bit holder
  
• Phillips head screwdriver bit 0
  
• Phillips head screwdriver bit 1
  
• Phillips head screwdriver bit 2
  
• Flat head screwdriver bit 0.5mm x 3.5mm
  
• Flat head screwdriver bit 0.6mm x 4.0mm
  
• Flat head screwdriver bit 1.0mm x 6.5mm
  
• Magnetized recessed bit holder
  
• Double-cut wood saw with ruler (inch & cm)
  
• Bike chain rivet setter, removable 5mm allen wrench, screwdriver for slotted and philips head screws
  
• Removable tool for adjusting bike spokes, 10mm hexagonal key for nuts
  
• Removable 4mm curved allen wrench with philips head screwdriver
  
• Removable 10mm hexagonal key
  
• Patented locking philips head screwdriver
  
• Universal wrench
  
• 2.4" Springless scissors with serrated, self-sharpening design
  
• 1.65" Clip point utility blade
  
• Philips head screwdriver
  
• 2.5" Clip point blade
  
• Golf club face cleaner
  
• 2.4" Round tip blade
  
• Patented locking screwdriver, cap lifter, can opener
  
• Golf shoe spike wrench
  
• Golf divot repair tool
  
• 4mm allen wrench
  
• 2.5" blade
  
• Fine metal file with precision screwdriver
  
• Double-cut wood saw
  
• Cupped cigar cutter with double-honed edges
  
• 12/20-Gauge choke tube tool
  
• Watch caseback opening tool
  
• Snap shackle
  
• Mineral crystal magnifier with precision screwdriver
  
• Compass, straight edge, ruler (in./cm)
  
• Telescopic pointer
  
• Fish scaler, hook disgorger, line guide
  
• Shortix laboratory key
  
• Micro tool holder
  
• Micro tool adapter
  
• Micro scraper - straight
  
• Micro scraper - curved
  
• Laser pointer with 300 ft. range
  
• Metal saw, metal file
  
• Flashlight
  
• Micro tool holder
  
• Philips head screwdriver 1.5mm
  
• Screwdriver 1.2mm
  
• Screwdriver .8mm
  
• Fine fork for watch spring bars
  
• Reamer
  
• Pin punch 1.2mm
  
• Pin punch .8mm
  
• Round needle file
  
• Removable tool holder with expandable receptacle
  
• Removable tool holder
  
• Special self-centering screwdriver for gunsights
  
• Flat philips head screwdriver
  
• Chisel-point reamer
  
• Mineral crystal magnifier, fork for watch spring bars, small ruler
  
• Extension tool
  
• Spring-loaded, locking flat nose-nose pliers with wire cutter
  
• Removable screwdriver bit holder
  
• Phillips head screwdriver bit 0
  
• Phillips head screwdriver bit 1
  
• Phillips head screwdriver bit 2
  
• Flat head screwdriver bit 0.5mm x 3.5mm
  
• Flat head screwdriver bit 0.6mm x 4.0mm
  
• Flat head screwdriver bit 1.0mm x 6.5mm
  
• Magnetized recessed bit holder
  
• Tire tread gauge
  
• Fiber optic tool holder
  
• Can opener
  
• Patented locking screwdriver, cap lifter, wire stripper
  
• Reamer/awl
  
• Toothpick
  
• Tweezers
  
• Key ring

 

[017]

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[Revvie]

at the end of time- who gives a rip!

 

[Mecha]

at the end of time- who gives a rip!

The Swiss give a rip.