Where should I go next?

[Chako]

I am wondering where I should go next in my SAK collection. I will be the first to admit that I do not know everything there is to know about Swiss Army Knives. I have just completed a rather time consuming inventory of my collection so far.  I am just wondering where next to go. Any advice is welcome.

I know that I would like to get a few more 108mm models that I don't have right now, and I am looking at a later date to get the special scaled SwissChamps.



01. Victorinox SwissBianco Modified New Soldier.
02. Victorinox First Run 1 of 1000 US New Soldier.
03. Victorinox New Soldier.
04. Victorinox German Army Knife (GAK) New Solder.
05. Victorinox Solo with clip.
06. Victorinox One Hand Trekker (OHT).
07. Victorinox Jump Master.
08. Victorinox Rescue Tool.
09. Victorinox Hercules.
10. Victorinox WorkChamp XL.
11. Wenger Old Soldier.
12. Victorinox  08 Old Soldier.
13. Victorinox  08 Old Solder Last run 1 of 5000 US.
14. Victorinox  08 Old Solder Last run 1 of 5000 US.
15. Victorinox Red Alox Pioneer.
16. Victorinox Red Alox Farmer.
17. Victorinox Blue Alox Farmer.
18. Victorinox Silver Alox Electrician Plus.
19. Victorinox Solo Adventurer.
20. Aitor German Army Knife (GAK).
21. Mauser.
22. Victorinox Safari Trooper.
23. Victorinox Safari Stag Hunter.



24. Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver & Gold SwissChamp.
25. Victorinox Stag horn SwissChamp.
26. Victorinox Sapphire SwissChamp.
27. Victorinox 100 year Commemorative SwissChamp.
28. Victorinox 125 year Jubilee Soldier.
29.  Victorinox 125 year Jubilee Cybertool 34.
30. Victorinox 125 year Jubilee Hiker.
31. Victorinox 125 year Jubilee Classic.
32. Victorinox 125 year Jubilee Swiss Card.
33. Victorinox Stainless Steel Director.
34. Victorinox SMKW Exclusive Master Gardner.
35. Victorinox SMKW Exclusive Master Electrician.
36. Victorinox Ranger.
37. Victorinox Altimeter Plus.
38. Victorinox Matterhorn Climber.
39. Victorinox SMKW Exclusive Turkey Hiker.
40. Victorinox Wood Scales Super Tinker.
41. Victorinox  Silvertech Spartan.
42. Victorinox TimeKeeper.
43. Victorinox Nylon Huntsman.
44. Victorinox  Nylon Camper.
45. Victorinox Nylon Spartan.
46. Victorinox Nylon Recruit.
47.Victorinox Classic SD.
48. Victorinox Red Alox Classic SD.
49. Victorinox Whistle.
50. Victorinox Mini Champ Variant.
51. Victorinox Mini Champ Variant.
52. Victorinox Gold Ingot Classic SD.
53. Victorinox Hand Engraved Sterling Silver Classic SD.
54. Victorinox Sterling Silver Custom Space Classic SD.
55. Victorinox Sterling Silver Barleycorn Classic SD.
56. Victorinox Sterling Silver Swirl Classic SD.
57. Victorinox Sterling Silver Hammered Classic SD.
58. Victorinox Sterling Silver Basket Weave Classic SD.
59. Victorinox Sterling Silver Satin Classic SD.
60. Victorinox Sterling Silver Polished Classic SD.
61. Tiffany & Company Sterling Silver & Gold Classic SD.
62. Victorinox Pruner.



63. Wenger SwissGrip.
64. Wenger PocketGrip.
65. Wenger Mike Horn Ranger.
66. Wenger Ranger 172 Gardner.
67. Wenger RangerGrip 178 OD.
68. Wenger Heritage Soldier.
69. Wenger Pattrouille des Glacier.
70. Wenger EvoGrip 14.
71. Wenger Evo 10.
72. Wenger Nail clipper.
73. Wenger Handyman.
74. Wenger Stainless Steel Traveler.
75. Wenger Black Traveler.
76. Wenger Red Traveler.
77. Wenger Vintage Red Traveler with chain.
78. Wenger Black Viking.
79. Wengerinox.
80. Wenger Ruby Red Highlander.
81. Wenger Black Esquire.
82. Wenger Red Esquire.

[max6166]

I don't know if Tim still has any, but how about one of those Scibeer custom HA alox models with scissors and pocket clip?

Scibeer is temporarily out of commission, but I think he will have his shop up and running again soon.

You might also consider getting a few real vintage soldiers.

[ufox9al]

You seem to have a... ahem... good sample of all kinds of SAKs One area not represented is 84mm alox (Your #15 is old Pioneer, not a Cadet). You may also want to get an Executive to see how you like 74mm cellidor models. And, as far as individual models, you are missing my favourite SAK - the Rambler!
On the "collecting" side of things, you'll have to decide for yourself what excites you more. There are people who collect all possible colours of Classics, all models with magnifiers, etc. Your niche could be all the possible sterling silver models! 

Edit: And I agree with max6166, you should check out pre-alox soldiers.

[Chako]

Good catch. When I first got it, I looked at SakWiki and matched it to a cadet without realizing that it was the wrong size. Fixed and thank you.

Some good advice.

What I have on tap but not in yet....

- Wenger Porsche Executive SAK.
- Victorinox 100 year Spartan.
- Victorinox Swissbit S Beat 2GB MP3 player.
- Wenger 2007 World Scout SAK.

[GraysonK]

I don't know about where you should go next, but if that's all of your collection am I wrong or do you not have any Cadets?  You also don't have a regular Tinker that I could see.  Are  you after just the rare or hard to find ones or are you after them all?  I personally think you need some Cadets. 

[Zack]

You need a Yeoman and a Scientist.

[Chako]

I also don't have a scientist, explorer or any of the magnifier SAKs other then the SwissChamps. I thought I had a cadet. Never realized they were smaller then the 93mm ones I seem to like. Those are cheap and plentiful I would wager. Shouldn't be a problem in getting one or two.

I am more interested in the weird models. For instance, I can see myself down the line buying a Wenger Bernina and a Minotaur if given half the chance.

[Zack]

You can find cadets at your target in a at least three colors.

[Freudian Frog]

... to hell!

[Chako]

Don't have a Target for hundreds of miles around.

I still don't see the interest that the Scientist gathers. It is a rather plain looking SAK with limited numbers...but plain as all get out. Tim had one listed but it seems to be gone now.

OLF....  

[Black Rose]

I thought I had a cadet. Never realized they were smaller then the 93mm ones I seem to like. Those are cheap and plentiful I would wager. Shouldn't be a problem in getting one or two.

You can get the silver Cadets at MEC for $23.

I've never seen the coloured Cadets at a B&M store.

[Chako]

MEC?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

How about mod's

You could either have a crack at one yourself, or have Neil the Master Modder of Doom do you one

[Ninjaz]

There are so many SAKs you can get...
But I don't see the point in just go and buy all the models you can put your hand on .

Where is the fun in building a collection, learning about every sak you got, read and see other people post and see what saks they got, looking for interesting saks you want to add to your collection, place a bid and lose because someone over bid you for one cent because you want to get good deal on a sak, place a bid ofr ridicules amount and actually win, talk to great people around the world when searching a specific model, get your hurt pumping when you get a package with a small sak you was looking for months/years. All those things are the things that make collecting fun.

In my opinion you should relax and take your time to think in what direction you want you collection to move to. Read posts about what saks is out there. Get some knowledge (collector with out knowledge is not really a collector, it just a person with money).
Sometimes after you bought many saks you find out that they are not what you want from your collection and then you want to sell them and usually lose few (more then few) bucks on them (at least that what happened to me).

Well I wish you the best and I really enjoy see pictures of your great collection (there are few items there I want to get) but collecting should be fun and I don't see the fun in just order any thing you see.

[max6166]

MEC?

Mountain Equipment Co-op. Fantastic store.

[Chako]

Ninjaz. I find your post to be generally condescending.

There are many points in it that I find a bit offensive.

1. I ask only because right now, there are few models that I am interested in.
2. People collect things for different reasons. It matters not how long or how extensive the collection is. Another thing, people don't collect things they are not interested in.
3. Yes it is true, and I have been quite upfront about this fact. I am a relatively new SAK collector. I don't know everything there is to know about SAKS. However, I am a very quick learner. When I do something, I never do it in half measures. I get myself up to speed rather quickly. So although I do make some mistakes on occasion (i.e the Pioneer), I don't make the same mistake twice. I am also a rather humble person. Please do not insult my intelligence.
4. I never sell parts of my collections off. I have never done it with anything I have ever collected. I do not plan on starting now. Each and every piece I have, I bought for a reason. Either I found it interesting, or it was easy and local to get and viewed as a foundation, etc... I have never bought lightly either, or thrown money around. I never buy things I don't want.
5. I have said this before, I view collecting as a hobby. Hobbies in my eye, are things you lose money on. I never look at them as an investment. See point 4. Collections look great on display and not hidden in boxes somewhere deep. A big part of my enjoyment is seeing them displayed on shelves. They make great conversation pieces for visitors, etc. I not only get the pleasure of finding them, but I also get great pleasure in continually seeing them. Heck, I even have a few models that I use and carry with me (duplicates mind you).
6. Who said that I am not having great fun in collecting SAKS? 
7. I do not order everything that I see. If I did, I would have every easily bought SAK known to mankind. You may not realize this, but I do show constraint in my acquisitions.

So, although you did not mean to offend (I would like to think this), it is what happened. I do not expect everyone on here to understand why I do things (Although I strongly suspect I have let quite a bit of the cat out of the bag in this one post). Personally, I am not here for the psychological aspects. Yeah, I do like to take lots of photos, and it may seem that I am bragging, but I can assure you that is the furthest from my mind. I just know that plenty of people on here like to see photographs. I also tend to do many reviews. I feel that is me giving back to this community.

I just don't know why I feel the need to explain myself once again. However, the general gist of your post was that of condescension. That I just don't get. I was not asking you why you collect. It would also appear that you disapprove of my methods. I am simply asking for some direction from members who may have an angle that I haven’t seen yet.  My collection has grown in areas I did not anticipate once I started to collect SAKS. To me, that is a very intriguing and interesting part of collecting.

Then again, I could have misread your post. And if I did so, then I apologize. No hard feelings either way. you are always welcome to express your opinions as am I.

[ufox9al]

Chako, you don't need to explain yourself. I find that everything you said about yourself applies to most collectors. You did spend a lot of money in a short period of time, establishing the base for you SAK collection, and being public about it (with excellent pictures and reviews), you set yourself up for being teased about "buying all the SAKs on the planet". I fell that your timing for asking yourself (and fellow SAK fans) about both the short-term gap-filling (get a Cadet!) and the longer term direction is perfect, and, as you've seen from the posts, people are glad to share their recommendations.

[Ninjaz]

Chako, I never meant to offend you in any way. I am sorry I wasn't clear enough. I tried to tell you what I am thinking and what I learned from experience I had.
I started with collection multitools in general (Leatherman/SOG/Gerber/Victorinox and so on) and bought all kind of things that was intrested me at the time. With time I learned more about multitools in general and alot more about Victorinox SAKs. After a while I understood that big part of the collection I created isn't what I was hoping for - the items I collected are nice but I would like to get different items instead of them. I mean I build a collection that I am not really happy with the result. So I sold and trade big part of it and got other items for the collection.

What I was trying to say and maybe it was offending you (probably because I didn't explain it right) is that: You shouldn't go and buy every item that look good right now. You should slow down and try to learn more about the items and try to build you a wish list of item you like. And then say something like I get two items per month from the wish list. You will see that some times you will remove item from the wish list and replace them other items that you learned about and now look more important.

I am sorry again if I offend you in any way that wasn't my goal. I just tried help and some times things I wrote not come out the way I was hoping they are (sorry English is my second language…)

I love your collection and you got great items them but I think you need to enjoy the little things I mentioned because that is the fun in collecting. But maybe what are fun for me isn't for you.

Keep up the good work

[Chako]

See Ninjaz. I do enjoy the little things. That was my whole point. You just assumed that I didn't. I got a bit miffed with that. I would have ignored that except for the whole concept that because I lacked total knowledge, I wasn't a collector but a guy with money. That one I wasn't sure how to take. That statement was the reason why I posted the reply in the first place. I would have ignored the rest and taken my lumps in silence not to rock the boat if it were not for that one statement. I also know how difficult communicating in forums is, and that is why I also apologized if I misread your intent and/or content.

ufox9al, I don't mind the teasing. In fact I encourage it. It makes this site something special. I so enjoy the members bashing each other in good hearted fun. That is a big part of my wanting to continue and participate on this web site. Those guys and gals give this place a unique friendly and very inviting atmosphere.

Ninjaz, it is all good. I also extend to you my heartfelt apologies as well. 

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

My only real collection goal was based on this...

[Zack]

I have to agree with the Scientist about being plain, as I don't really see the desire either.  However, the Yeoman is working it way to my edc rotation as it will do almost everything I can want is a fairly slim package.  Now I just need to stop biting my nails so I can open it without using my teeth.

[GraysonK]

I have to agree with the Scientist about being plain, as I don't really see the desire either.  However, the Yeoman is working it way to my edc rotation as it will do almost everything I can want is a fairly slim package.  Now I just need to stop biting my nails so I can open it without using my teeth.

If I can do it, you can do it, Zack!  In fact, being able to open my knives is mostly why I did it!  Good luck!

[Chako]

Spork, I must admit, I didn't see the interest on the 108mm Vics at first. I tentatively got the Solo Adventurer from Tim and immediately saw why so many people liked them. One of my plans is to get a few more models that I don't have at the moment. They are not so easy to find though.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

You have an excellent start on the 108s...the Mauser and the Hunter are the most elusive models.

[Sea Monster]

I have a soft spot (or a hard spot?) for Silver & Stainless - are they're any more shiny scales out there you have not collected?

[Chako]

I only have a few actually.

I don't have any Wenger silvers yet. I also understand that two of my Vics with the round symbols are odd in appearance. I know those also come with the more traditional Vic symbol with red lacquer background. Likewise, I believe that the Tiffanys come in a variety of models if you only look at the classics alone. There are probably a lot more I know nothing about.

As for the stainless steel ones, there are tons out there.

[Sea Monster]

As for the stainless steel ones, there are tons out there.

Right, so collect them.


Glad I could help solve this puzzle.

[Zack]

You have an excellent start on the 108s...the Mauser and the Hunter are the most elusive models.

Don't forget the Walther which is just a rebranded Mauser with Black scales.

[duder]

I collect 108mm knives, soldier knives from different countries and alox knives (93mm and 84mm).
From what I know the rarest and most expensive 108mm knife is the real (genuine) stag hunter (about 500 pcs were made). When it was available it was about 3 times more expensive than a regular (plastic) stag hunter. You can tell the difference from the visible outer rivets on the real stag hunter.
Next is probably the Zürich fireman (less than 1000 pcs were made). It looks like a regular red hunter with a bail.
Next would be the normal fireman (2380 pcs), it has a white print on red scales.
Next is the Walther (4972 pcs).
About 240.000 pcs of the Mauser were made.
Also there are Troopers with NATO-print and Mauser-like knives with Brookstone-print. But I have no information about the number of pieces.

These are the "special" models I know beside the normal 108mm knives (Hunters, Troopers...).
Maybe there are even more models I don`t know yet...

[AHB]

BUY BEAR...!