108mm Knifes Owner's Club!!!

Mechanickal · **Reply #240 on:** July 10, 2018, 10:52:46 PM

Yes, I sensed some thread derailment, but you better get used to it

Have the Safari Troopers been available with saw blade cover or did they always come without?

Ptisuisse · **Reply #241 on:** July 10, 2018, 11:06:03 PM

To the best of my meager knowledge the civilian versions were first issued without sawguards.
I reckon they were an added feature of the military knives because the soldiers injured themselves.
And then, this accessory eventually found its way into the later civilian versions.
I have no firm evidence, but that is what seems the most logical.

Recently bought a factory fresh Pathfinder in the UK, it had the green flimsy plastic pouch, but no SG
But you see some Mausers advertised as new mint in box, and they have the SG.
This is the type of question that will never find a firm black or white answer.

Ron Who · **Reply #242 on:** July 10, 2018, 11:11:27 PM

The only Safari in my collection is a Solo.

These are older pics. When I uploaded them just now I noticed my camera made more than 10,000 clicks since I joined MTo in August 2016.

Mixing orange and grapefruit juice!

Ptisuisse · **Reply #243 on:** July 10, 2018, 11:21:32 PM

Great pics mate. Great knife, simple, useful, no-frills, fantastic blade. Who needs more ?
Citrus fruit juices are hard on the knives, they dissolve whatever oil remained in the joint.

You could pick up a GAK in reasonable condition for about €20. Would open up your possibilities.
Think about it : a cap lifter AND a corkscrew on the same one knife.

Ron Who · **Reply #244 on:** July 10, 2018, 11:31:33 PM

I would like a 108mm Fireman.

I EDCd a 111mm Fireman for about six years and loved it, and would like to try the 108mm version.

I don´t really need any more SAKs though, my options are wide enough as it is.

jnoxyd · **Reply #245 on:** July 11, 2018, 08:48:43 PM

Some of my 108mm

Ron Who · **Reply #246 on:** July 11, 2018, 09:30:02 PM

Ptisuisse · **Reply #247 on:** July 13, 2018, 04:39:05 PM

Quote from: jnoxyd on July 11, 2018, 08:48:43 PM

Some of my 108mm (Image removed from quote.)

Few people can boast owning both the serrated AND the non-serrated gutting blade.
Care to do a field comparison ? Hang on to that staghorn handled version, mate, there were very few made.

congrats - but please, a little cleanup on the red scales ? they don't deserve to remain grubby

Ptisuisse · **Reply #248 on:** July 13, 2018, 04:43:06 PM

A story of before-during-after without captions. The pictures say it all. Just one thing : I skipped the two hours of 320/600/1000 careful hand grinding. The end result is on the bottom of the third picture.

SteveC · **Reply #249 on:** July 13, 2018, 04:45:45 PM

Oh dear another rusty SAK

Good job on cleaning it up

smiller43147 · **Reply #250 on:** July 13, 2018, 09:51:41 PM

So I found a Bundeswehr on the Bay for $6.99 and $3.99 shipping. Figured it was a knockoff, but that price, what the heck.
It was indeed a China made knockoff, but not bad given the price.
- Nice box.
Comparison pictures to my Vic Trooper (or Safari Trooper, not sure which), Vic on top:
- Plastic slip sleeve.
- Front scales.
- Rear scales.

smiller43147 · **Reply #251 on:** July 13, 2018, 09:52:54 PM

- Corkscrew
- Awl
- Blade
- Combo tool

smiller43147 · **Reply #252 on:** July 13, 2018, 09:55:34 PM

The corkscrew isn't straight (!?) and hangs up on the liner.
It did come with the shield, which is something the Vic didn't.
The screwdriver tip on the combo tool needs a little more grinding.
Overall not the same snap as a Vic, and the tools feel a little gritty opening (after oiling).

Ptisuisse · **Reply #253 on:** July 14, 2018, 12:20:08 PM

Quote from: smiller43147 on July 13, 2018, 09:55:34 PM

The corkscrew isn't straight (!?) and hangs up on the liner.
It did come with the shield, which is something the Vic didn't.
The screwdriver tip on the combo tool needs a little more grinding.
Overall not the same snap as a Vic, and the tools feel a little gritty opening (after oiling).

I do straighten up corkscrews all the time. You just figure out a way to hold the base of the CS with some sort of non-marring pliers,
you cover the CS itself with a tube you use as a lever to apply moderate force to bend it back into correct shape.
BTW most of the CS used by Vic are actually sub-contracted in France, to knifemakers in the Thiers, center of France, area. These are the same guys who produce most of the Laguioles.

Ptisuisse · **Reply #254 on:** July 14, 2018, 12:24:29 PM

Quote from: smiller43147 on July 13, 2018, 09:51:41 PM

So I found a Bundeswehr on the Bay for $6.99 and $3.99 shipping. Figured it was a knockoff, but that price, what the heck.
It was indeed a China made knockoff, but not bad given the price.
- Nice box.
Comparison pictures to my Vic Trooper (or Safari Trooper, not sure which), Vic on top:
- Plastic slip sleeve.
- Front scales.
- Rear scales.

A good buy, makes a nice comparison basis to the real thing. Actually, knockoffs are not made in just one huge chinese factory, but in a myriad of smaller workshops who copy the original design. That explains why the quality ranges from terrible to acceptable.

Ptisuisse · **Reply #255 on:** July 17, 2018, 04:10:55 PM

Check this thread out : https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,78062.0.html

Ptisuisse · **Reply #256 on:** August 09, 2018, 05:39:30 PM

Title says : 108mm Knifes Owner's Club - does not say they HAVE to be VICs, so here goes :

I C A R has made GAKS and is still in business making veterinary tools.

I got this battered GAK for a song (about ten dollars), did the blade up a little, and fitted those fancy resin scales made by Grenboerg.

I think it fits in fine with the other tools.

glenfiddich1983 · **Reply #257 on:** August 27, 2018, 12:41:32 PM

Here's the latest 108mm family pic!

Ron Who · **Reply #258 on:** August 27, 2018, 01:48:54 PM

Boonies · **Reply #259 on:** August 27, 2018, 06:11:35 PM

Quote from: glenfiddich1983 on August 27, 2018, 12:41:32 PM

Here's the latest 108mm family pic!

Looks to be a growing family.....very nice 👍............

I see “the NATO” fits right in.......

Boonies · **Reply #260 on:** August 27, 2018, 10:13:29 PM

Theoretically I’m NOT collecting 108mm knives but hadn’t seen one like this before and since I AM collecting serrated edge knives......I can justify it. 😜

Serrations are about 75% of the blade and very fine when compared to regular Vic serrations.........

Ron Who · **Reply #261 on:** August 27, 2018, 10:30:40 PM

glenfiddich1983 · **Reply #262 on:** August 28, 2018, 10:11:54 AM

Quote from: Boonies on August 27, 2018, 10:13:29 PM

Theoretically I’m NOT collecting 108mm knives but hadn’t seen one like this before and since I AM collecting serrated edge knives......I can justify it. 😜

Serrations are about 75% of the blade and very fine when compared to regular Vic serrations.........

Interesting. Never seen this on a 108mm, maybe the blade was replaced later? How does it compare to the 111mm serrated main blade?

LeaF · **Reply #263 on:** August 28, 2018, 10:30:21 AM

Quote from: glenfiddich1983 on August 28, 2018, 10:11:54 AM

Interesting. Never seen this on a 108mm, maybe the blade was replaced later? How does it compare to the 111mm serrated main blade?

Once time I saw 108-mm with serrated blade from 111-mm model. Maybe this is a case?

Boonies · **Reply #264 on:** August 28, 2018, 07:44:33 PM

The blade does look legit, no signs of replacement or disturbance (knife actually looks unused). In any event, you would have to have a serrated 108mm blade in order to replace. It is definitely not a 111mm blade, length and marking all wrong. And the serrations are much larger on the 111mm blade.

Photo: Left to right
Trooper (plain edge)
Partially serrated Safari
Partially serrated Rucksack (111mm)

glenfiddich1983 · **Reply #265 on:** August 31, 2018, 01:44:30 PM

Again, very interesting. Wonder if there are more people out there with serrated 108mm knives. Will need to keep an eye out, because obviously I will need one for my almost-complete 108mm collection

Exeter · **Reply #266 on:** August 31, 2018, 02:23:57 PM

My latest acquisition, a 108 mm Bundeswehr GAK. It's been used, the blade will need some care as it's pretty well scratched up from bad sharpenings, but other than that it's in a pretty good shape, after some cleaning it opens and closes nicely, smooth and with good snap.

Question for the collectors/experts: does the lack of filing surface on the combo tool mean it's definitely pre-1985, or this is not a precise dating factor?

Rapidray · **Reply #267 on:** August 31, 2018, 05:36:39 PM

108mm added to my wish list. Will make them target of opportunity.

NutSAK · **Reply #268 on:** August 31, 2018, 06:26:33 PM

I have a few 108's, but this Scibeer custom Safari Hunter with black lined, bead-blasted G10 scales is by far my favorite:

Rapidray · **Reply #269 on:** August 31, 2018, 06:42:39 PM

Quote from: NutSAK on August 31, 2018, 06:26:33 PM

I have a few 108's, but this Scibeer custom Safari Hunter with black lined, bead-blasted G10 scales is by far my favorite:

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

I like the G10 scales, olive green would have been I love it, but that is still a great looking knife. Enjoy!

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