COLLECTION: Wenger Delemont Standard Issue (Soldier) 93mm (1963)

This is the Wenger equivalent of the Victorinox Soldier. Models produced during 1962 to 1964 had Red Alox scales and brass liners. This practice was discontinued as the red finish usually fades or get scratched up during normal use.

Some more background information from www.sakwiki.com "These new knives were produced with red Alox scales from 1962 to 1964, after which they changed to silver Alox. Red Alox models for 1965-1975 are also known to exist with the exception of 1974. As part of the new design the wire stripper notch was added, and hollow rivets were introduced. This model was standard issue to the Swiss military and many others until 2008 (08 is the last tang stamp).

Since the knives were issued to soldiers in part to maintain their firearms they were under the supervision of the Waffenkontrolle, and early models contain their 'approved' stamp on the scales."

I got this from a fortunate ebay win! Got it cheap together with another Swiss knife (a Victorinox Super Tinker) and two other old pocket knives (a Nomad and a Repeat Needham Brothers - Sheffield).

After cleaning thoroughly, polishing out some of the deep scratches in the main blade and removing the oxidation in the brass liners, the end result was quite acceptable.

Here are the photos plus the before and after cleaning shots.

Original state of the knife when I received it from the ebay seller, not bad at all! Apart from some fading of the red anodized color, oxidized brass parts and a small chip on the main blade, it was actually in a very good condition considering it is more than 50 years old!!!

After a thorough cleaning and some touch ups.

More photos:

The scales were a bit faded specially on the edges (left). A quick touch up did the trick (right).

The brass liner has oxidized already (left) but cleaned up nicely after (right).

The Standard Issue was produced by Wenger in their Delemont plant and formed part of the contract to supply the Swiss Army together with Victorinox based in Ibach.

The "+ PAT" stamp on the can opener was still used in 1963.

The bottle opener/screw driver tool included a scraper too but without the wire stripper.

The money shot! 1963 tang stamp.

References: 

www.sakwiki.com

www.swissarmyknights.com

www.aloxworld.com

COLLECTION: Victorinox 240kU Camper (Small) 84mm (1960s)

This is the Victorinox 240kU or the Camper in 84mm. The Camper is one of the most popular tool set which is still in production today albeit only in the 91mm form factor.  It has the large blade, small blade, can opener, bottle opener, wood saw, awl, corkscrew.  It is essentially a Spartan with wood saw.

The Camper model has been in production since the 1940s or earlier.  Back then, Victorinox only used numbers to identify the models.  The Camper was known as 237k Bgl. with the old style can opener.  The "k" designates that this is the smaller version which is 84mm instead of 91mm.

In the 1950s, the model number was changed to 240kU.  This is the same model as what I have in my collection :)  The "U" denotes that it has a Bail attachment point.

In the late 1960s, Victorinox started naming their popular models and Camper name was used for the model with the Spartan tool set the we currently know today.  I further discuss this name changes in my previous 91mm 1970s Camper post. Starting in the 1980s, the Camper was used for the model with the wood saw and the Spartan name was introduced for the standard tool set.

This is the knife in my collection.  The bail has been damaged and back scale has a crack.  The large and small blade tip is chipped as well.  But apart from those problems, it is still in good condition for a knife which is already about 55 years old.  It still has very good snap and after doing my usual cleaning process, the scales are like new.

Thanks Mile for getting me this! :)

References:

Victorinox Catalog 1940s

Victorinox Catalog 1950s

Victorinox Catalog 1960s

Victorinox Catalog 1970s

www.sakwiki.com

COLLECTION: Victorinox Small Mountaineer 84mm (1960s)

This is the small counterpart of the 91mm Mountaineer.  This is one of the few 84mm models with metal saw/file tool.  The only other 84mm model (that I know of) with this tool is the Small Craftsman.

This particular model is from the 1960s, as evident on the bail that was in use until 1968.

Small Mountaineer with bail.

This model has been in production as early as the 1950s, the photo below is from the 1950s catalog.  The model number is 235 kmaU has exactly the same tool set as the current Mountaineer.

Model 235 kmaU from the 1950s Victorinox Catalog

The photo below shows the 91mm version from the 1970s Catalog. 

91mm Mountaineer from the 1970s catalog.

More photos of the 84mm Small Mountaineer shows "Victoria" tang stamp at the back of the main blade, single-leaf spring scissors, clip point small blade, "PAT" can opener, five-fluted corkscrew and the solid awl.  It also has the aluminum tipped tweezers, sadly the toothpick has been lost and the back scale damaged.

Reference:
1950s Victorinox Catalog
1960s Victorinox Catalog
1970s Victorinox Catalog

COLLECTION: Victorinox Tourist 84mm (1960s)

The Tourist is an 84mm equivalent of the Spartan 91mm model. The name "Tourist" is a recent identifier attached to this toolset.  On some old catalogs (SMICO 1980s) refer to the name "Tourist" referred to a ribbed alox 84mm with main blade, scissors and combo tool with the old shield (item number: 0.1500.26).

This toolset was called the Sportsman in the 1980s (SMKW 1989 Holiday catalog) with item number 0.3602).

This particular model is from the 1960s, when bails were used instead of key rings.  Also sports the clip point small blade.

It has the "+PAT" stamp in the can opener.

Victoria tang stamp in the main blade. 

Awl with no eye and five-turn fluted corkscrew.

This is the "Tourist" 84mm ribbed alox which is now referred to as Voyageur in sakwiki.com.

This is the Sportsman, the previous name assigned to the current Tourist toolset during the 1980s.

References:
www.sakwiki.com
SMICO Dealers catalog 1980s
Baskets and Blades Dealers catalog 1980s

COLLECTION: Victorinox Huntsman (1960's)

I've already written about the Victorinox Huntsman history here before.  This is another addition to the Huntsman/Woodsman timeline and will be third SAK with bail.  It will be a good together with the Champion and Spartan of the 1960's.

COLLECTION: Victorinox Alox Watch Case Opener 84mm

Victorinox and Wenger have produced versions of the watch case opener mainly for the various  Swiss watch companies. That's why most of the samples out in the wild have a company logo or name printed on the scales.  

Mine has a "Nivada" company name.  According to the history I read, Nivada is a swiss watch company founded in 1879 in the town of Grenchen, Switzerland.  The town of Grenchen has a large traditional watch industry and some of the famous manufacturers like Breitling SA, Epos, Fortis and Titoni Ltd are based here.  Nivada has since moved its manufacturing operations in Mexico in 2000 and re-focused its business towards entry level watches.

The "Elinox" tang stamp was introduced in 1957, it is not far off to say this particular SAK was produced in the 1960s.

References:
www.sakwiki.com Watch Case Opener
Nivada Wikipedia page