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 Pink Alox Cadet 84mm (2010s)

This is a new limited edition (initially 100 pcs only) Alox Pink Cadet (Item Code: Vic0260125R) from German e-commerce company Seitz-Kreuznach.  Seitz-Kreuznach E. K. is based in Bad Kreuznach primarily deals with writing and cutlery related products.

I was lucky to be awake in the wee hours of the morning (~2AM) of 31st March 2015 when this "sale event" was posted in the Swiss Army Knives Collectors and Victorinox Alox facebook groups.  I was able to buy for myself and two other friends (I just assumed they wanted it during that moment as they were sleeping by then hahaha).

Update: SK released a pre-order for additional Pink Cadets on their website last 17/4/2015.

COLLECTION: Victorinox Cadet Five Colors Limited Edition 84mm (2010s)

This is my Victorinox Alox Cadet Five Colors Limited Edition.  This limited edition set was released last 2012.  These are still available for purchase in the normal distribution channels albeit running in low stocks.

This set is composed of the ff:
Black - VIC-0.2600.L1223
Blue - VIC-0.2600.L1222
Orange - VIC-0.2600.L1229
Red - VIC-0.2600.L1221
Silver - VIC-0.2600.L1226


These Alox Cadets doesn't have a key ring attachment point.  Each cadet comes with a tan-coloured cow hide pouch with a Victorinox logo on the flap and a special presentation box.  A must have for any Alox Cadet collectors!

References:
www.sakwiki.com

REFERENCE: Victorinox Alox Cadet Colors 84mm (2000s)

There's a Victorinox collection sub-group which has a loyal following of international collectors that are always waiting for new limited edition (LE) releases from Victorinox.  It's the people who collect Victorinox Alox Cadets.  The alox Cadet is an 84mm 2-layer SAK which is very popular intro SAK for users and collectors alike. The tool set consists of a main blade, nail file, cap lifter, can opener and sometimes key ring attachment.  It measures 84 x 22 x 8 mm in length, width and thickness respectively.

The Silver w/ red filled shield is the "normal" model

List of colors released:

2006: Copper
2007: Silver, Red, Black, Gunmetal Blue, Autumn Orange, Olive Green
2008: Hunter Green (Target stores in the US)
2011: Bright Orange (Item Number: 53048)
2011: Dark Blue w/ silver outlined shield/logo, numbered, 50 pcs only
2012: Red, Silver, Blue, Orange, and Black - 2012 LE - no key ring
2012: Bright Green - no key ring, numbered, 50 pcs only
2012: Violet - no key ring, numbered, 50 pcs only
2012: Violet - w/ key ring, 35 pcs only
2012: Blue including shield/logo, 50pcs only
2012: Gold including shield/logo, 50pcs only

2013: Black, Green w/ red shield background, Denmark only

2013: Blue w/ red shield, numbered, 50 pcs only

2013: Moonlight Silver Gray - Swissbianco exclusive

COLLECTION: Victorinox Alox Classic SD 58mm

My first Victorinox Alox Classic SD in green! I'm liking the feel of alox. If only Victorinox can do one with an LED light and a retractable pen, I'll be a happy man!

I'll have to find a cheaper practice knife to test my Alox lite mod. 

This one is a keeper!

COLLECTION: Victorinox Popular 84mm (1980s)

The Victorinox Popular (0.6901.20) is a ribbed alox SAK with a simple toolset - Large blade, small blade and a key ring.  This tool set has been implemented by Victorinox on a number of 84mm models as well with only a few differences like - Excelsior (0.6900.27 - no key ring), Secretary (0.6900.16 - smooth alox, no key ring), Pocket Pal (0.6900 - cellidor scales, no key ring).  It is usually in red alox with silver (/aluminum) cross.

This photo is from a Victorinox catalog from the 1980s showing the difference of the Popular and Excelsior 84mm models.

This is from the SMICO catalog with most of the two bladed-84mm models.

References:
Victorinox Catalog 1980s

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

COLLECTION: Victorinox Alox Farmer

This is one of my few alox Victorinox SAKs - the Farmer (Item Number: 0.8241.26). One of a few alox with a wood saw.

This one is in a pretty good condition. There's a very slight bend near the tip of the main blade but it's very slight that it's difficult to photograph it. There's a very small nick in the awl but except those two, the tools are very good. No sign of being sharpened or scratched.

The alox scale has pocket wear with a few nicks on the corners usually seen on pocket carried alox saks. There's a CMM engraved on the engraving panel.

COLLECTION: Victorinox Soldier Year 2003 (1961 Model) 93mm (2000s)

As I was thinking on what to focus on the Swiss Army Knife collecting, I decided that one of the model series I want to collect is the Soldier's Knife series, the knife that started it all for the Victorinox brand.

The Soldier model is being produced by Victorinox and Wenger (SI) for the Swiss Army every year since 1891. There has been four models so far, the original 1891, the 1951, the 1961 and the 2008.  You can read more about the model changes at www.sakwiki.com.

Since collecting all of the Soldier's knife for every year that it has been produced will be cost prohibited, I've decided to just collect the Soldier's knife produced in every year of my family members' birth years.

This is the first of my "Birth Years Collection" series.  2003 is my eldest son's birth year. The 2003 is part of the Soldier 1961 model where the Alox scales were first used for the Soldier's knife.

This particular knife was part of a big lot I purchased from one of my favorite ebay sellers. I got another Soldier's knife in this lot that I will post in a later date.

References:

www.sakwiki.com

COLLECTION: Victorinox Electrician Silver Cross 93mm

This is one of the popular variant in the Alox Pioneer series.  As per the catalogs, back in the 1970's the Alox range had just four major model ranges, the Junior, the Cadet, the Souvenir and the Pioneer. Under these major ranges, Victorinox used model numbers to identify the different variants (different tool sets).  The Alox Electrician had an initial model number of 2212 (Tool list: Klinge-Blade, KabelKlg.-Cable Blade, Scraubenzieher - Screwdriver, Bohrahle - Awl).

In the 1980's the model number changed to 0.8120.27 and received the model name of Electrician.

I got this in another ebay deal of one lot with two Alox Electricians, one Signature lite and a Wenger Traveler.  Apart from some tarnish in the tools, the condition was great! A little bit of cleaning and some metal polish did the trick.

By the way, the Alox with the Red Shield started replacing the Silver Cross in the 2000s. 

References:

Victorinox 1970's Catalog

Victorinox 1980's Catalog

Victorinox 2000's Catalog