Chrome Plated Tools on Old SAKs?

ICanFixThat · **on:** June 10, 2012, 02:16:50 AM

I'm just wondering if anyone knows if Victorinox chrome-plated some tools on SAKs before they used stainless steel?

I have what looks like a quite nice and old 84mm SAK, standard officer's configuration with vintage awl, screwdriver, canopener, very small diameter corkscrew, and carbon steel blades.

The can-opener and the screw driver look to be chrome plated as it is peeling off and rusting through in a few places. Does anyone know if chrome plating was used? Maybe they used a different stainless steel on the other tools before they switched to stainless steel for the blades?

ps.. some pictures when I can clean it up a bit.

Neil · **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2012, 03:15:19 AM

I've come across what appears to be plating on the corkscrews of old economy SAKs during the fire red scaled period. Not seen anything else I don't think

ICanFixThat · **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2012, 07:30:31 PM

Here are some rough pictures. I was thinking this was maybe a good fake, but now I'm leaning towards this being a special release. The reason is the MOP handles, which certainly would not be typical. So they make an MOP release and decide to make it even more special by chrome plating the tools? Does it sound reasonable? I think ultimately maybe Victorinox would need to weigh in. Anyway any one with more thoughts?

ICanFixThat · **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2012, 07:31:21 PM

one more pic:

Syph007 · **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2012, 07:53:34 PM

Interesting, I've never seen anything like that before.

Neil · **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2012, 07:59:02 PM

It does look to be a very special piece so its not unrealistic that it was given a plating that other tools didn't get.

stressmaster5000 · **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2012, 08:30:10 PM

What strikes me is the fairly rare brass liners with milled edges. Would there have been some jeweler or other customizer of knives who might have taken a standard Victorinox/Armee Suisse knife and had the tools chromed and then refitted with custom liners? I know many knives were sold in Switzerland with the knife shop or city where sold etched onto the main blade and sometimes scales. We see custom knives made today by aftermarket shops, why not back then too?

Great find for the collection.

Espen · **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2012, 11:14:40 PM

Quote from: Neil on June 10, 2012, 03:15:19 AM

I've come across what appears to be plating on the corkscrews of old economy SAKs during the fire red scaled period. Not seen anything else I don't think

Like the one on the left?

tattoosteve99 · **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2012, 02:53:38 AM

Maybe he modded it??? It's possible.

Neil · **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2012, 11:10:22 PM

Quote from: Espen on June 10, 2012, 11:14:40 PM

Quote from: Neil on June 10, 2012, 03:15:19 AM
I've come across what appears to be plating on the corkscrews of old economy SAKs during the fire red scaled period. Not seen anything else I don't think
Like the one on the left?

Just like that

ICanFixThat · **Reply #10 on:** June 16, 2012, 10:48:20 AM

This knife prompted me to send my first question to Victorinox. Unfortunately their initial response was 'sad'... but there is still hope it will land on the correct desk.

"I am not sure if we ever used the words ARMEE SUISSE mark on our knives I am checking into this matter for you."

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