40+ year old Victorinox

I came upon my old Victorinox Swiss Army knife this morning while cleaning some drawers out. I wasn't long turned 20 when I bought it, so it's about 42 or 43 yrs old. I used to have it on a cord in my pocket at work, then when we got the gas tight suits I got a more sturdy Leatherman in case I ever had to get out of the suit in a hurry. I gave the pivots an oil, cleaned it up and sharpened the blades on my Lansky with a 20 degree bevel. The steel is excellent, whatever it is, the blades have taken a fantastic edge, hair shaving sharp. I think the model was called a Spartan. Although I have a Leatherman Micra on my keyring I'm putting this Lands End Squarerigger shoulder bag that I carry around with me. I ordered a spring for the scissors too.


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-5jcmhrc-L.jpg


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...CDW352Z-XL.jpg

It’s an Explorer - the Spartan doesn’t have the magnifying glass/Philips screwdriver

The steel is great - easy to sharpen and takes a good edge. Glad you have resurrected it.

They're great tools, and the steel is really easy to keep very sharp (but it does lose an edge fairly rapidly too).

What you have isn't a Spartan; it looks like an Explorer but you don't have the parcel hook...not sure therefore what it is!

I'd recommend getting the mini screwdriver that fits into the worm of the corkscrew, and don't forget a needle that goes into the small hole near the corkscrew recess.

I remember receiving the very same model on my 10th birthday, 38 years ago.

I'd love to know where it went, but my abiding memory is slicing my finger open while closing it and not getting the digit out of the way quick enough.

It was a bloody and painful lesson learned.

Brilliant! Thank you for sharing 😊

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Originally Posted by hughtrimble

What you have isn't a Spartan; it looks like an Explorer but you don't have the parcel hook...not sure therefore what it is!

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Explorer. 30 years old +, no multipurpose hook

Whatever it was called when I bought it, it's now officially an Explorer, and it'll have it's first outing tomorrow when I go for a pint, wearing of course my 1016 Everest . . . ;-)



https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...nJnxbHZ-XL.jpg

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Originally Posted by hughtrimble

They're great tools, and the steel is really easy to keep very sharp (but it does lose an edge fairly rapidly too).

What you have isn't a Spartan; it looks like an Explorer but you don't have the parcel hook...not sure therefore what it is!

I'd recommend getting the mini screwdriver that fits into the worm of the corkscrew, and don't forget a needle that goes into the small hole near the corkscrew recess.

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No such hole on my knife, too old I guess.

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Originally Posted by BillyCasper

Explorer. 30 years old +, no multipurpose hook

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That's really interesting - I'd have guessed the hook would have had more uses then than now, rather than it being a more recent introduction.

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Originally Posted by magirus

No such hole on my knife, too old I guess.

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I'm not au fait with SAK-lore, so it could (like the hook) be a more recent addition. It's been extremely useful to have one to hand for desplintering when the tweezers can't dig deep enough, and handy for sewing a quick repair with the inner strands of the inner core of paracord.

Looks like you have two features particularly attractive to the SAK connoisseur.

Phillips Screwdriver.

The Phillips screwdriver is normally a back tool. The inline Phillips doesn’t appear on many models. It’s the preferred configuration. The added bonus is that yours looks to be the more elegant, longer variant. It was shortened at a later date to pair up with a light module on some models. Looks a bit stubby these days.

Magnifying Glass

I think yours is probably grey plastic with a glass lens. Mmmmm nice! All clear plastic these days and a bit of a cheap look and feel.

Otherwise:

The Explorer

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Explorer

The hook

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Hook

The pin

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.p...e=Straight+Pin

No hook? See what essential tasks you are missing out on. Top tips from Switzerland.

https://youtu.be/srbipWJYOGM


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The lens is indeed the glass variant.

I have a old victorinox butchers knife must be over 60 years old


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Originally Posted by BillyCasper

Explorer. 30 years old +, no multipurpose hook

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Another "tell" that it is old (as well as no pin hole) is that the corkscrew is the 'double' design - my recent Explorer has the (cheaper?) single design.

Magirus - do the scissors have a screw or a rivet?

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Originally Posted by thenikjones

Another "tell" that it is old (as well as no pin hole) is that the corkscrew is the 'double' design - my recent Explorer has the (cheaper?) single design.

Magirus - do the scissors have a screw or a rivet?

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Double corkscrew and screwed scissors. It sliced my lunchtime pear beautifully.

I just remembered the Leatherman that replaced the Victorinox on my hip, date stamp 04/98 inside the tool.


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...QNrqvwP-XL.jpg


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-92cBzBd-L.jpg

My everyday carry for work is a modified ‘Explorer’ (scissors removed) which technically makes it now a ‘Passenger’ model, saved me so many times when working out on site.
You can see how much thinner it is without the scissors in the comparison shots, also what an Explorer looks like in striped down component form. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...27a1c812b1.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...11b1006259.jpg

Dizz - nice rebuild, the scissors make that model for me though.

Magirus - how old is the Leatherman? I have one from about 1991 and the blade isn’t serrated. I’ve somehow lost my Leatherman but the case is a work of art - very slim design

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Originally Posted by thenikjones

Dizz - nice rebuild, the scissors make that model for me though.

Magirus - how old is the Leatherman? I have one from about 1991 and the blade isn’t serrated. I’ve somehow lost my Leatherman but the case is a work of art - very slim design

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If you take a look through the Leatherman pages on SmartKnives you should hopefully be able to ID your tool.

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Originally Posted by dizz

My everyday carry for work is a modified ‘Explorer’ (scissors removed) which technically makes it now a ‘Passenger’ model, saved me so many times when working out on site.
You can see how much thinner it is without the scissors in the comparison shots, also what an Explorer looks like in striped down component form. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...27a1c812b1.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...11b1006259.jpg

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Is it easy to modify these - i love my swiss army knife which was a gift nearly 20 years ago, but would love a phillips screwdriver on it

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Originally Posted by Ummar01

Is it easy to modify these - i love my swiss army knife which was a gift nearly 20 years ago, but would love a phillips screwdriver on it

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It’s not too hard if you have some diy skills, there are also some good YouTube videos showing step by step help.
You will need a donor knife for the Philips as individual tools/blades are not available for purchase.

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Originally Posted by dizz

It’s not too hard if you have some diy skills, there are also some good YouTube videos showing step by step help.
You will need a donor knife for the Philips as individual tools/blades are not available for purchase.

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Thanks... been doing a bit of googling and actually I think for my day to say needs I’m better served with a smaller second to go on my keys.
The Rally looks a good shout.... if only it was available in black!
https://www.victorinox.com/mediahub/...0_6163__S1.jpg

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Originally Posted by thenikjones

Dizz - nice rebuild, the scissors make that model for me though.

Magirus - how old is the Leatherman? I have one from about 1991 and the blade isn’t serrated. I’ve somehow lost my Leatherman but the case is a work of art - very slim design

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You have the original PST

That’s the second version with scissors and combo blade.

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Originally Posted by Ummar01

Thanks... been doing a bit of googling and actually I think for my day to say needs I’m better served with a smaller second to go on my keys.
The Rally looks a good shout.... if only it was available in black!

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It says here that the Rally is available in black, that or you could change the scales yourself which is an easy operation..... https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Rally

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Originally Posted by Artistmike

It says here that the Rally is available in black, that or you could change the scales yourself which is an easy operation..... https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Rally

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I noted that too but cant seem to find one for sale anywhere. The Victorinox site seems to say red only though

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Originally Posted by Ummar01

I noted that too but cant seem to find one for sale anywhere. The Victorinox site seems to say red only though

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You can get the scales though so a quick swap over and you're there.... In fact there's quite a choice of colours :smile-new:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/8521...=1&frs=1&col=1

I've just this minute swapped out the old red scales on one of my SAKs, an Explorer, to the upgraded "Plus" scales which have room for the pen and pin in addition to the tweezers and toothpick. A handy upgrade and done in a matter of a couple of minutes.... :fat:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...56c6f72f_c.jpg

Just fitted a new spring to the scissors on my oldie and also noticed the Araldite repairs done on each end many years ago after being dropped, along with my Brigade number that I marked all of my kit with.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...XxGXfKT-XL.jpg


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-D9SSFWp-L.jpg


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...PGvqNJ6-XL.jpg


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...dgChmpL-XL.jpg

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Originally Posted by magirus

Just fitted a new spring to the scissors on my oldie and also noticed the Araldite repairs done on each end many years ago after being dropped, along with my Brigade number that I marked all of my kit with.

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Nice to have some history with one like that, I have a forty year old Victorinox 'Spartan' which shows similar wear and has been on a good few fishing trips with me over the years.. :tears_of_joy:

Both blades razor sharp now courtesy of my Lansky kit . . .


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...HnfSN2K-XL.jpg

The first major, and very important task for the newly resurrected Victorinox ;-) . . .


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...CG8wXXj-XL.jpg

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Originally Posted by magirus

Both blades razor sharp now courtesy of my Lansky kit . . .

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Which Lansky kit do you use?

I have a Turn Box which (whilst cheap) quickly and reliably creates a shaving edge when used with a strop. However, I'm always on the lookout for a new toy... 

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Originally Posted by Cornholio

Which Lansky kit do you use?

I have a Turn Box which (whilst cheap) quickly and reliably creates a shaving edge when used with a strop. However, I'm always on the lookout for a new toy... 

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I got the Deluxe set from Blades.co.uk . I've now done all of the kitchen knives, from small paring size up to 8-9 inch chefs knife, several Leatherman tools, even the diminutive Micra and all are shaving sharp. To be fair the Micra blade is too narrow to fit in the holder so I did it freehand and guessed the angle. I stropped them on an old belt, but have a paddle strop and compound en route. Once sharp a quick touch up with the fine and/or extra fine is all that is needed.

Thank you! That's an excellent price, there'll be one of those heading to Cornholio Towers soon ☺

Quote:

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Originally Posted by magirus

I just remembered the Leatherman that replaced the Victorinox on my hip, date stamp 04/98 inside the tool.


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...QNrqvwP-XL.jpg

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I had no idea Leatherman's were date stamped! I've just dug out my first Leatherman PST which is still in perfect condition including leather case like the one above, seems it's of June 1996 vintage.

Sharpening wise, I use a Spyderco sharpening kit which is very similar to the Lansky kit mentioned in this thread.

I just bought a paddle strop with a small block of compound from Ebay, for £5.97 it was worth trying. I touched up the blades on the Victorinox with the Lansky yellow extra fine stone as they'd been lightly used, then stropped them. An already very sharp knife is now even sharper!

I also use the Lansky TornBox for sharpening my Victorinox knives, it works very well on the Victorinox blades.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1325320853.jpg


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Thanks for posting...it's inspired me to buy my 1st one..went with the Hiker and the leather holder too. Let's hope it lasts as long as yours.

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I have this exact Victorinox 'Salesman' model, apparently these are pre-1968.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...Nl0NZIEgXYXuP9

Very sought after by collectors.

The now high polish of the bevel after sharpening made the blades look really tatty, so I spent 2 minutes with some Solvol and a cloth to gauge what might be done. I'll be able to get them back to a like new mirror finish with the Dremmel, but I think a decent hand polish will be enough, and more in keeping with a well cared for old tool. 15 minutes tomorrow should be enough.

Before . . .

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...bVqHXr2-XL.jpg

After . . .

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...xVbQQVp-XL.jpg

I've now brought the old girl up to date with a little addition . . .


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...q57ZQbL-XL.jpg

Had mine for 35 odd years. Not sure of the date, but I know I got it in Oban at an outdoor shop.
https://i.postimg.cc/Kc6bHmyp/0-D664...-DB588-A09.jpg
You can still just make out where the logo was
https://i.postimg.cc/DzpkdTgg/B93-B1...206-FEB5-A.jpg
It’s had a lot of use. The liner round the saw blade is especially worn.
https://i.postimg.cc/XvY6CJwq/CFFAFB...C5-E428-B5.jpg
Still used regularly, it’s like an old friend.

Dave

clean it up with some warm water and a razor or tooth brush,then a drop of oil and you will get the nice snap back.

you can easy fit some new scales,with plus scales you can add a pen and pin.

when the Vic stores reopen you can go in and they give you fitted new ones for free and you can send them of to get refurbished just pay postage.

jelly red is nice as is the white and non threatening.



https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...acat=0&_sop=15



https://ukoutdoorstore.co.uk/shop/vi...rinox-handles/

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Originally Posted by Dave S

Had mine for 35 odd years. Not sure of the date, but I know I got it in Oban at an outdoor shop.
https://i.postimg.cc/Kc6bHmyp/0-D664...-DB588-A09.jpg
You can still just make out where the logo was
https://i.postimg.cc/DzpkdTgg/B93-B1...206-FEB5-A.jpg
It’s had a lot of use. The liner round the saw blade is especially worn.
https://i.postimg.cc/XvY6CJwq/CFFAFB...C5-E428-B5.jpg
Still used regularly, it’s like an old friend.

Dave

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A clean, and oil the pivots perhaps, but don't change anything. It would be like those ***ex watches with the artificially aged bezels, false and horrid.

It gets an occasional clean and oil. It’s never getting “restored” - Part if it’s charm is the honesty of use, and I know where each ding and dent came from.
Both my kids have a newer version of the same knife to mark their 10th birthday. Not as a present, but at the grand sum of a penny. Old tradition in my family - never gift a knife, it will cut the friendship. Selling it cheap is however fine...

I did buy myself a couple of other knives about 2 years ago when the local outdoor shop was closing:
https://i.postimg.cc/6QQYktTG/9111-D...43-BA869-B.jpg
The SAK is the same without the saw - they only had one with, and that was destined for no2 child. It’s my daily knife now, as I rarely need a saw at work, but a knife is often handy.

The Swiss tool was a bit of an impulse buy, partially because it was a steal at the price and partially because I’ve often thought about getting a leatherman. Unfortunately because of the lock, which makes it a safe tool it’s also not as uncomplicated to carry all the time. As a result I’ve not really bonded with it, although it’s a fine tool and useful in a climbing rucksack or a dive kit box.

Dave