Victorinox Astronaut - its the real thing!

[stressmaster5000]

OK, so I am sure anyone here who is an SAK fan has heard about an Astronaut knife. Well Victorinox has made 2 or 3 depending on your point of view. In late 1978 NASA bought 50 knives from Victorinox, models unknown but they were probably the Master Craftsman. During the 1980's (specifically 1986-1991) Victorinox released the Master Craftsman renamed as the Astronaut, no image or anything different and then later in the 1980's they made the now famous Space Shuttle model from the same model of knife except it has an image of the Space Shuttle on the front scale. Due to overlapping of early model (pre 1991) and later models (post 1991) you will find a couple of Space Shuttle variants with a slightly different blade setup but sticking closely with the Master Craftsman.
OK, so during the late 1980's (1989?) Victorinox released this Astronaut you see below. It is a commemorative knife having the Spacesuit Astronaut on the front scale, special writing on the main blade commemorating the event and is serial numbered on the liner behind the Phillips Screwdriver. It is created from an early Craftsman model without the Hook. The serial number indicates at least 2000 might have been made but I am waiting to hear back from Victorinox in Switzerland for sure. I have been told these were available in both Red and White. I do not have the original packaging or paperwork so I am dependent on what Mr. Elsener tells me and maybe he will have a press photo of the original.

Enjoy!

[I'm Still Bison]

Never having seen neither the Astronaut nor the Space Shuttle in person,I can't tell if the astronaut is inlaid like the Swiss shield or stamped. Thanks for sharing a rarity.

[stressmaster5000]

The Astronaut image is inlaid metal just like the Vic shield.

[Gadget Guy]

Wow, that is simply awesome! Thanks for sharing....   

[Poncho65]

  Where's Neil at

Thanks for sharing SM5000

[Pacu]

That's a def keeper.  Thanks for sharing

[cliosguy]

cool, ive never seen one before, thanks for the pics

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

 

That thud, was Neil fainting

[Neil]

That thud, was Neil fainting

  Where am I again.

Neil

[MultiMat]

WOW they look cool. Stressman how did you come by those rare SAK's 
Thanks for sharing the great photos mate 

[Gareth]

You're a lucky guy Stressmaster and thank for the info. 

Do we reckon Tinnie could make an Astronaut scale for Neil?

[AndyTiedye]

[nuphoria]

Nice to see it such great condition 

[Craig]

Here's the letter confirming that Mastercraftsman was being issued to Astronauts:

http://www.e-webtechnologies.com/sak/Victorinox_Letter_From_NASA.pdf

[max6166]

Those models are so nice. 

 I think it is no accident that NASA got those models. The Master Craftsman and Craftsmen are my favourite larger tool configurations.

[Gareth]

A little section from a letter to Victorinox:

"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Edward M. Payton of Rock Island, Illinois, USA. My brother is an astronaut and last year flew with the ?Discovery? space shuttle. He took one of your pocket-knives with him: my brother flew with a Master Craftsman Swiss Army Knife as part of his equipment. He, and all the other astronauts, were given a knife like this so they could use it during their flight. My brother needed this knife for a number of tasks during the flight . He was full of praise for the Master Craftsman because it functioned well even under the difficult conditions of space flight - weightlessness..."

Full thing can be read here:

http://www.victorinox.ch/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=220&lang=E&highlight=astronaut

[MultiMat]

Here's the letter confirming that Mastercraftsman was being issued to Astronauts:

http://www.e-webtechnologies.com/sak/Victorinox_Letter_From_NASA.pdf

So Neil just needs to 'roll' an NASA Astronaut , simple  .

You could put on one of those adult nappies drive non stop across the USA.............  that has already been tried hasn't it   

[Neil]

Here's the letter confirming that Mastercraftsman was being issued to Astronauts:

http://www.e-webtechnologies.com/sak/Victorinox_Letter_From_NASA.pdf

So Neil just needs to 'roll' an NASA Astronaut , simple  .

You could put on one of those adult nappy drive non stop across the USA.............  that has already been tried hasn't it   

   You scare me Mat

Neil

[MultiMat]

Here's the letter confirming that Mastercraftsman was being issued to Astronauts:

http://www.e-webtechnologies.com/sak/Victorinox_Letter_From_NASA.pdf

So Neil just needs to 'roll' an NASA Astronaut , simple  .

You could put on one of those adult nappy drive non stop across the USA.............  that has already been tried hasn't it   

   You scare me Mat

Neil

Well how much do you want an Astronaut + Space Shuttle SAK's Neil.
What would you be willing to do 

[Neil]

Well I've already got a Shuttle so I figure something only mildly depraved

Neil

[I'm Still Bison]

Well I've already got a Shuttle so I figure something only mildly depraved

Neil

Ain't no fun in mild depravity...either go whole hog,or go home

[Neil]

Well I've already got a Shuttle so I figure something only mildly depraved

Neil

Ain't no fun in mild depravity...either go whole hog,or go home

  Tart

Neil

[I'm Still Bison]

Well I've already got a Shuttle so I figure something only mildly depraved

Neil

Ain't no fun in mild depravity...either go whole hog,or go home

  Tart

Neil

You've had a peek into my resume,haven't you?

[Neil]

Well I've already got a Shuttle so I figure something only mildly depraved

Neil

Ain't no fun in mild depravity...either go whole hog,or go home

  Tart

Neil

You've had a peek into my resume,haven't you?

I'm not that brave!

Neil

[I'm Still Bison]

Well I've already got a Shuttle so I figure something only mildly depraved

Neil

Ain't no fun in mild depravity...either go whole hog,or go home

  Tart

Neil

You've had a peek into my resume,haven't you?

I'm not that brave! (Image removed from quote.)

Neil

Discretion is the better part of valor...or something like that

Seriously...I live in a part of the country,where the rare,and oddball shows up in the most unlikely places..if I run across one..I'll give you a shout.

[stressmaster5000]

A little section from a letter to Victorinox:

"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Edward M. Payton of Rock Island, Illinois, USA. My brother is an astronaut and last year flew with the ?Discovery? space shuttle. He took one of your pocket-knives with him: my brother flew with a Master Craftsman Swiss Army Knife as part of his equipment. He, and all the other astronauts, were given a knife like this so they could use it during their flight. My brother needed this knife for a number of tasks during the flight . He was full of praise for the Master Craftsman because it functioned well even under the difficult conditions of space flight - weightlessness..."

Full thing can be read here:

http://www.victorinox.ch/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=220&lang=E&highlight=astronaut

I remember reading that story before but I had missed that here recently. Thanks for pointing it out Gareth. I also found a couple of other things relating to this.
Here in this article about 3/4's the way down the page there is a sub-article named "More on NASA knives", you will see a couple familiar photos and some interesting reading from Tom Wolfe who wrote an article for "Blade" magazine.
http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/knife_knotes_10.htm
Also, if you read the question and then click on the reply from Robert Elsener on the Victorinox Forum over at the Vic.ch Swiss website it helps explain that other "Astronaut" knife which is really no more than an early Master Craftsman that was renamed to fit the popularity of the times. Be sure and click on the link just under the question and you can read Robert Elsener's reply. I have another inquiry on this commemorative waiting for a reply from Mr. Elsener as well.
Here is a link to that other "Astronaut" knife over at Bond's of London.
http://www.bondsoflondon.com/catalouge/moredetails.asp?id=2078&cid=28
http://www.victorinox.ch/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=107&lang=E&action=show&for_thema=Taschenmesser&for_page=1&for_msg=20090415105535

[Neil]

Well I've already got a Shuttle so I figure something only mildly depraved

Neil

Ain't no fun in mild depravity...either go whole hog,or go home

  Tart

Neil

You've had a peek into my resume,haven't you?

I'm not that brave! (Image removed from quote.)

Neil

Discretion is the better part of valor...or something like that

Seriously...I live in a part of the country,where the rare,and oddball shows up in the most unlikely places..if I run across one..I'll give you a shout.

I would be more than grateful for any assistance in my hunt for Moby

Neil

[Neil]

A little section from a letter to Victorinox:

"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Edward M. Payton of Rock Island, Illinois, USA. My brother is an astronaut and last year flew with the ?Discovery? space shuttle. He took one of your pocket-knives with him: my brother flew with a Master Craftsman Swiss Army Knife as part of his equipment. He, and all the other astronauts, were given a knife like this so they could use it during their flight. My brother needed this knife for a number of tasks during the flight . He was full of praise for the Master Craftsman because it functioned well even under the difficult conditions of space flight - weightlessness..."

Full thing can be read here:

http://www.victorinox.ch/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=220&lang=E&highlight=astronaut

I remember reading that story before but I had missed that here recently. Thanks for pointing it out Gareth. I also found a couple of other things relating to this.
Here in this article about 3/4's the way down the page there is a sub-article named "More on NASA knives", you will see a couple familiar photos and some interesting reading from Tom Wolfe who wrote an article for "Blade" magazine.
http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/knife_knotes_10.htm
Also, if you read the question and then click on the reply from Robert Elsener on the Victorinox Forum over at the Vic.ch Swiss website it helps explain that other "Astronaut" knife which is really no more than an early Master Craftsman that was renamed to fit the popularity of the times. Be sure and click on the link just under the question and you can read Robert Elsener's reply. I have another inquiry on this commemorative waiting for a reply from Mr. Elsener as well.
Here is a link to that other "Astronaut" knife over at Bond's of London.
http://www.bondsoflondon.com/catalouge/moredetails.asp?id=2078&cid=28
http://www.victorinox.ch/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=107&lang=E&action=show&for_thema=Taschenmesser&for_page=1&for_msg=20090415105535

Thanks Wayne, I'd seen the bit on the Vic. forum but the other was a new read    I wonder what the varying astronauts are carrying now?  Reading the piece, I wonder if we'll ever find out.

Neil

[stressmaster5000]

I have yet to get an answer from Mr. Elsener in Swiss but personally I feel like the Master Craftsman was the knives bought by NASA in the late 1970's and then when the fame of the new Space Shuttle launches came about in the 1980's, Victorinox changed the name so folks would know which ones the Astronauts were using. It probably didn't hurt sales either to have the name change. Then to add even more sales drawing power they add a Space Shuttle to the scales. All of these knives were Master Craftsman models overlapping 1991 so the Space Shuttle knives had different blade configurations due to new tools being released. Back in 1989 when the Astronaut Commemorative was released I am unsure why they changed to a different model of knife.

I am hoping Mr. Elsener will have some details to answer some questions and suppositions about these NASA related knives.

If you have not been to the SAKWicki.com lately I have added some of the photos to the "Craftsman" model page describing this knife.

[Bill.H]

If you have not been to the SAKWiki lately I have added some of the photos to the "Craftsman" model page describing this knife.

(fixed link)

Thanks for updating the wiki  and please, everyone who has the knowledge and/or pics do the same. It can be an invaluable resource for all of us but we have to make it so. A little bit at a time.