Singapore military multitools: A vague timeline

[silentio]

I suppose the fact they are not home grown is a possibility, although as you saw from the same article, Victorinox supplies many knives to many military organizations, and they are all marked for their own country.  Even Malaysia marks their own Vic models.  You aren't telling me you aren't as good as Malaysia, are you? 

Def

Haha, you have a point there. Perhaps a certain colonel in charge of gear decided the Singaporean way of being extremely practical felt the extra cost of a marking a Vic wasn't worth it. Not a bad decision since both the Bantam and OHT only lasted a few years as standard issue.

Are the plier tools issued by other armies marked? That would require engraving on metal I reckon?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Some are, some aren't.  In the case of the Aussie SwissTool, it has the NSN number marked on it, not a crest.



In the case of the Australian Army Schrade they actually have them marked:



Beyond that I'm not really certain.

Def

[silentio]

silentio does your Jack knife have any 'made in' on it's blade tang  .

The only thing on the blade is a J. Don't know what that means. I doubt it's made by the British. When did the BAK go out of production?

[silentio]

10 years is an eternity. How long do you have to remain on reserve?

I have another 7 years to go. Here's more about conscription in Singapore if you are curious: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Service_in_Singapore

We have one of the longest conscription periods in the world for developed nations. The price of being a tiny nation.

[MultiMat]

silentio does your Jack knife have any 'made in' on it's blade tang  .

The only thing on the blade is a J. Don't know what that means. I doubt it's made by the British. When did the BAK go out of production?

BAK style knives are still in production all around the world , Maybe the 'J' is for Japan. The Aussie army in the 1980's used a Shelham branded BAK that was made in Japan 

[Sazabi]

Yep your 'Jack knife' looks like a basic BAK(British Army Knife) the fact that it has a weak back spring has me  though as these British made one's had a wicked strong back spring/nail breaker 

silentio does your Jack knife have any 'made in' on it's blade tang  .

Thanks for sharing mate 

I have a 2-bladed BAK that has a soft backspring; easily openable.

[silentio]

Ah, does it look just like the jackknife I have?

BTW, just wondering, is the protrusion near the base of the blades meant to be a screwdriver or something? Can remember if I was ever given a lesson on the parts of this knife.

[Grant Lamontagne]

If it is a screwdriver it's pretty well worn.  It doesn't look all that flat.

Def

[Sazabi]

Ah, does it look just like the jackknife I have?

BTW, just wondering, is the protrusion near the base of the blades meant to be a screwdriver or something? Can remember if I was ever given a lesson on the parts of this knife.

Different stampings, probably, but otherwise the same knife, I think.

[badwolf]

I just got one of these via ebay UK, very well made pocket knife and tool. This one has a real nice feel to it, polished from carrying and light use, has the biggest can opener I've ever seen, compared here with a Wenger Evo 16. I really like the blade shape, simple and functional, opens easily and has a real good snap to it, also like the bail, anyway, here's some pics
This one has a NATO number and /|\ broad arrow, dated 1988.

Like this blade shape, not to pointy but still very usable.

Huge can opener.

 

[silentio]

Nice. Which country did it originate? It certainly looks in much better shape than mine.

[scrappy]

Great info

[J-sews]

Great info

Agreed! Thanks for posting this silentio

[demonoflust]

The jack knife is made in china, copy of sheffield British Army issue knife. It's available around S$5. Before the black batam, I did have a cellidor red one and I thought the SOG come before the OHT?

[sjian]

The only thing lacking on this tool is a scissors. I'm hoping to get a hold of one and put it in. If anyone has one to sell, let me know

Have you contracted SOG about ordering a pair? http://sogknives.com/store/100-450.html

I understand you can buy all the parts separately and interchange them yourself.