Dutch Army Knives

[Ivo]

Arrived this week ALOX KL85 and KL86 

[Osos]

Yes, this Chinese collector had some very rare Dutch Air Force SAK's!
At least three are not in my collection {encircled in red).
And I have a spare one which is not in his collection...
Does anybody knows who this Chinese collector is?

His name is Haoran Yang, start collecting in 2013, just Victorinox fan.
But I didn't see him at knives group.

Oh how happy I would be with just one of this Victorinox...

[glenfiddich1983]

Arrived this week ALOX KL85 and KL86 

  

[Ivo]

These are my first from the Dutch Army 

[EMZ]

These are my first from the Dutch Army 

WELCOME to the club!
(What took you so long??)

My favorite KL Vic is the 1983 version with brass liners.

[Ivo]

Thanks EMZ 

[EMZ]

His name is Haoran Yang, start collecting in 2013, just Victorinox fan.
But I didn't see him at knives group.

Oh how happy I would be with just one of this Victorinox...

Thanks Osos!
Maybe I send him an e-mail.

[Ivo]

3 DAK's that I received last week 
The one in the middle is not a VIC.

[Agamemnon]

The one in the middle is the Zwanenburg and known for its poor quality. Rusting, poor locking and the oval opening was no success.
In the time before the Zwanenburg there was strong 'lobbying' to buy 'Dutch' knives instead of the Victorinox and so the Zwanenburg was purchased (cheaper). No success.

The Zwanenburg has the same NSN as the successor Victorinox Model 2010 (NSN 5110-17-106-2332), order: 872.2666.0336.11 - date 2008/05.
There are two versions of the Zwanenburg; the first version has 'normal' liners and weighs 158 gram. The second version (in an attempt to improve the knife) has thick liners (182 gram). Still no success.

So, back to Victorinox!

[Ivo]

Thanks for the explanation Agamemnon 

[Agamemnon]

Last week I received a few new knives.

The first one is a new Victorinox DAK. It is a different model which I do not know and have not seen before.
The pocket knife has the same scales as the DAK 1993 and DAK 2010. The back layer tools are, as usual, the Philips screwdriver and the reamer/awl.
The layer tools: the locking cap-lifter/screw driver / wire-bender and the can-opener / small screw driver. So far nothing special.

But now it comes:
The partially serrated locking blade is liner-locking and one-handed oval opening, like the blade of the German 111 OH-GAK 3 (2003-2007). The stamp: “Victorinox / Switzerland / stainless steel” is on the tang.

On the same side as the blade is a belt cutter (version 1a) as can be found on the civilian “Fireman”.
It is suggested that it would be a prototype and could be placed on the timeline between the "Zwanenburg" and the "DAK 2010".
The pocket knife is not issued and therefore brand new.

So, who can tell me something about this knife?

And my second ‘new’ knife is the U.S. Victorinox ‘Knife, Combat, Utility’, NSN 1095-01-653-1166, dated 2017. Brand new and straight from the ‘supply sergeant’.

[Reinier]

That Fireman DAK is very cool! Never knew about its existence.

And welcome to MTo

[EMZ]

Is it a Fireman or a Parachutist OH?

[glenfiddich1983]

Maybe someone placed the DAK scales on a Parachutist?

[Reinier]

Parachutist would make more sense yes!

[Agamemnon]

It's the OH Parachutist without the scale tools

[Agamemnon]

Further information from my old ‘comrades in arms’.

At some point in history it was decided that the 1st Interservice model of Victorinox Model 1992 (DAK1993) had to be replaced by a knife with 3 layers (this also happened in the German army). Whereas Germany opted for Victorinox's 111 OH GAK (with wood saw instead of a belt cutter and an oval opening), the Netherlands opted for the notorious Zwanenburg. In retrospect, this turned out not to have been such a wise choice.

Germany continued with the 1st model of the 111 OH GAK although there was criticism of the oval opening. In 2007 the second model, 111 OH GAK, came into use, this time with a round opening that made it easier to open the knife with one hand.

The Netherlands did not need a wood saw, but rather had a belt cutter like it was in Zwanenburg. The OH-Parachutist from Victorinox came into the picture. A test model was introduced to replace the "Zwanenburg"; with the famous green scale and the Interservice logo and no scale tools - no need for..

For some reason (it is no longer possible to find out) they did not continue with this test model, so it was not used. In the end it was decided to continue in 2010 with Model 2010 that is still in use today.

My army friends had heard of this test model, but had never actually seen it. Their advice is to be very careful with this knife - there won't be many of them. Rare therefore.

[Rapidray]

Nice information there!

[Agamemnon]

 
Thanks.
In addition to collecting the Dutch Army Knives (I have collected 124 different knives over the years), I try to find as much background information as possible: who used it and where was it used.
I know the "background" of most of my knives.

[EMZ]

In addition to collecting the Dutch Army Knives (I have collected 124 different knives over the years)...
I know the "background" of most of my knives.

 

I have only 80. You can call me a 'novice collector' 

[Rapidray]

 
You guys have some serious knives there! 

[Ivo]

My DAK collection has grown a bit  and in addition I have more than 800 other knives and multi tool.

- AMEFA : KL66 - KL74 - KL75 - KL78 - KL84 2x
- Vic        : KL83 - KL85 - KL86 - KL87 - KL88 - KL89 2x - KL90 - KL91 - KL92
- Vic        : DAK93 DE-GM 9305297
- ZWANENBURG 158gr
- DAK10 2x

[Rapidray]

My DAK collection has grown a bit  and in addition I have more than 800 other knives and multi tool.

- AMEFA : KL66 - KL74 - KL75 - KL78 - KL84 2x
- Vic        : KL83 - KL85 - KL86 - KL87 - KL88 - KL89 2x - KL90 - KL91 - KL92
- Vic        : DAK93 DE-GM 9305297
- ZWANENBURG 158gr
- DAK10 2x

800 
That is a great collection! 

[Ivo]

Thanks RR 

[Agamemnon]

Hi Ivo,

Looking at the KL87: The stamp on these knives was "VICTORINOX". In 1986/87 the stamp was changed to "Victorinox".
The standard 93 mm blades are used for assembly. The old stock is first used up and then switched to the new one. As a result, both types of stamps can be found on the 1987 knives: "VICTORINOX" (old) and "Victorinox" (new).
This is also the case with the KM87 knives

[Agamemnon]

Hi Ivo,

DAK 93 with DE-GM (Deutschland-GebrauchsMuster) on the left ricasso was provided in the period 1994 - 2010 under the name DAK 1993. (NSN 7340-17-106-2332).
In 2006, Victorinox stopped with the DE-GM stamp (a "lighter form of patent” - according to Victorinox - and this had expired). The knives made after 2006 therefore no longer have a DE-GM stamp.

(By the way: I have 10 different DAK93 knives)

[glenfiddich1983]

(By the way: I have 10 different DAK93 knives)

I think we will be needing some picture evidence of that   

[Rapidray]

Hi Ivo,

Looking at the KL87: The stamp on these knives was "VICTORINOX". In 1986/87 the stamp was changed to "Victorinox".
The standard 93 mm blades are used for assembly. The old stock is first used up and then switched to the new one. As a result, both types of stamps can be found on the 1987 knives: "VICTORINOX" (old) and "Victorinox" (new).
This is also the case with the KM87 knives

That is some great information! 

[Rapidray]

10 different models...that is a great collection you have! 

[Ivo]

Hi Ivo,

Looking at the KL87: The stamp on these knives was "VICTORINOX". In 1986/87 the stamp was changed to "Victorinox".
The standard 93 mm blades are used for assembly. The old stock is first used up and then switched to the new one. As a result, both types of stamps can be found on the 1987 knives: "VICTORINOX" (old) and "Victorinox" (new).
This is also the case with the KM87 knives

Thanks I didn't know that, I will check my DAK's and see what I have, thanks for the info.