The new Vic lockback - review, critique and teardown (Pic heavy)

[Marius]

Lowered expectations 

[Syph007]

I just got mine in today as well. My copy has no lateral play, but does suffer from some longitudinal play. However that play is very minimal. I have seen a lot worse. The feel of this knife is solid. I love the grip on the nylon handle material used. All in all, I like this knife.

I was getting the impression that this knife was utter junk. I am quite happy with it, and I wasn't expecting that at all. 

You're correct, they are not total rubbish, but compared to normal vic quality, they fail to meet the image of fine swiss engineeering.  They are more in line with 15 dollar china made folders for quality. I saw you have some of the kershaws in your collection as well, and the blades on those i find even a bit better then this one, and those are 15 dollar folders.

[Chako]

That is quite possible Marius. I was expecting something awful. It turned out to be not that bad after all.

Syph007, what you say is quite true. Not exactly up to the standards of Victorinox all in all. Still a nice knife though. 

[felinevet]

Thank you Chako, I was beginning to think that I was the only one who likes the knife  (and not because I'm selling them  ) 

I just got mine in today as well. My copy has no lateral play, but does suffer from some longitudinal play. However that play is very minimal. I have seen a lot worse. The feel of this knife is solid. I love the grip on the nylon handle material used. All in all, I like this knife.

I was getting the impression that this knife was utter junk. I am quite happy with it, and I wasn't expecting that at all. 

[condcup]

$72. is MSRP. The question I answered was what would I be selling them for.

Probably between $45.-$55.

Tim is it too soon to have a guess at price?

MSRP $45.-$55.?

So is this really retails for $72 each?

[Marius]

Chako, I think you are just lucky to have received one without side play and little longitudinal play. And that's more than lowered expectations at work.

While I can live with a bit of longitudinal play (although sincerely I was expecting here none being a lock back) the side play kills all my enjoyment for these folders. Without this wobbly blade I would have liked them too, I even like the sandblasted blade finish and the handle. And don't care that the pouches are too small - I could use them for other SAKs and they are among the best SAK pouches out there.

But, wobbly blades... Small details like this turn all the enjoyment into reverse. Sucks that Victorinox can have such sloppy assembly. Where is all that "Swiss Craftsmanship" and "Precision"?

[condcup]

Chako, I think you are just lucky to have received one without side play and little longitudinal play. And that's more than lowered expectations at work.

While I can live with a bit of longitudinal play (although sincerely I was expecting here none being a lock back) the side play kills all my enjoyment for these folders. Without this wobbly blade I would have liked them too, I even like the sandblasted blade finish and the handle. And don't care that the pouches are too small - I could use them for other SAKs and they are among the best SAK pouches out there.

But, wobbly blades... Small details like this turn all the enjoyment into reverse. Sucks that Victorinox can have such sloppy assembly. Where is all that "Swiss Craftsmanship" and "Precision"?

+1 one sloppy, disappointed Victorinox knife...

[GigaHz]

This sounds like the mammoth horror story all over again. I hope Tim doesn't get stuck with a bunch of these, or have to dump them at a loss.

[Marius]

I hope Tim doesn't get stuck with a bunch of these, or have to dump them at a loss.

+1.

At the same time from my side I am stuck myself with two of these that I do not like and do not have what to do with them

I think that the mammoth scales were different as those were a limited run and also weren't finally assembled in Ibach. The lockback is a standard model assembled there for what we know.

[Syph007]

I hope Tim doesn't get stuck with a bunch of these, or have to dump them at a loss.

+1.

At the same time from my side I am stuck myself with two of these that I do not like and do not have what to do with them

I think that the mammoth scales were different as those were a limited run and also weren't finally assembled in Ibach. The lockback is a standard model assembled there for what we know.

Oh, I had heard the the mammoths weren't done in Ibach, but wasnt sure.  That does make sense though.

Another clue the lockback blade is likely outsourced is that its not Vic standard steel, but a lower grade.  It doesn't make sense to buy different worse steel to make a new knife model, when you already buy large quantities of a tried and tested kind of steel. These are too thick to be stamped too like their normal SAK blades so maybe they didnt have facilities to cut them in Ibach.

[Marius]

How Victorinox describes this folder:

"The Hunter Pro is tactical and trusted. Our new folding blade is designed for easy one-hand access when needed most. The heavy gauge stainless steel blade locks securely in place and the ergonomic grip allows for easy maneuvering.  The Hunter Pro comes with a nylon pouch (in Olive Drab) that features a wide belt loop and braided lanyard. "

Say what? Locks securely in place?

Screenshot since the Vic local sites (with forced redirection) may be different:

[AimlessWanderer]

I wasn't much impressed with this knife before Robert's character assasination  but now that I've seen the gory details I'm pretty confident it was not made by Victorinox.

It would make sense for them to outsource a non-standard product or first product of a new line to test the market before investing heavily in plant, tooling and re-training .... but it would also make sense to outsource it to someone who isn't going to make you look like you just sold out and flushed several decades of pride and reputation down the pan.

Although, slight afterthought .... if Victorinox is consolidating theirs and Wengers products and streamlining the range, that might be freeing up capacity at Delemont for new products. Plus we all know that site was far more willing to explore new ideas ... not that it makes the knife any better though

[gustophersmob]

I wasn't much impressed with this knife before Robert's character assasination  but now that I've seen the gory details I'm pretty confident it was not made by Victorinox.

It would make sense for them to outsource a non-standard product or first product of a new line to test the market before investing heavily in plant, tooling and re-training .... but it would also make sense to outsource it to someone who isn't going to make you look like you just sold out and flushed several decades of pride and reputation down the pan.

Although, slight afterthought .... if Victorinox is consolidating theirs and Wengers products and streamlining the range, that might be freeing up capacity at Delemont for new products. Plus we all know that site was far more willing to explore new ideas ... not that it makes the knife any better though

This is kind of where I was trying to head with my earlier rant.  I don't really care, personally, if they outsource, as long as it is easily identified as such, and comes with a lower price.  Similar to the Spyderco Byrd line, or the Chinese made Ambitious type folders.  Many companies outsource production to China while maintaining a high standard of quality.

So, Vic needs to own the problems, outsourced or not, and they need to charge a lowered price if it is truly outsourced, IMO.

[RamoN]

I think that too. As an example my smith and wesson folding knife clearly says china on the blade so i knew what i was buying. A smith and wesson made in china. It has served me for 6 years now and exceeded my expectations by far. I trusted the brand ignored the manufacturing place and they didnt dissapoint. So i agree that regardless of manufacturing or assembly location every brand is responsible for their product.

[Theron]

Mine came today.   Tons of play in every direction and jimping that makes the knife outright dangerous to use.   The sheath is thin and cheap feeling as well.   Not sure why people like it at all.

Thankfully it is returnable.

[chris.customworks]

@ Syph007: Thank you very, very much for this outstanding and detailed review!

Victorinox did a to reschedule of delivery-date in Germany, so the knife will available not until May, 18th. Perhaps of the customer-feedback they got so far? Since I already did a pre-order I will now use the chance and wait what will expect me.

Best regards,

Chris

[396988]

Thanks for the good info. It is just too tactical for me to think about carrying even before the quality issue.

Everyone seems excited about it on FB: https://www.facebook.com/VictorinoxAG?hc_location=stream

[enki_ck]

Thanks for the good info. It is just too tactical for me to think about carrying even before the quality issue.

Everyone seems excited about it on FB: https://www.facebook.com/VictorinoxAG?hc_location=stream

Maybe one should link them to this thread.

[396988]

Maybe one should link them to this thread.

You stole the thought right out of my head.

[Syph007]

Maybe one should link them to this thread.

You stole the thought right out of my head.

Well I only bought it because it was a Victorinox.  Likely lots of others did as well. But when compared to other Vic offerings it doesn't measure up at all.

[ICanFixThat]

I received my copy that I purchased used from  ebay w/o pouch.  I don't seem to have any quality issues with the lockup or pivots.  There is a bit of excessive rounding on the edges of the tang and spine.  Not sure how secure the lock would be interms of actual force, but it seems ok on my sample since I would never depend on the lock for safety. 

Opening and closing is smooth, and the handles feel pretty good.  I think they are dual density like someone said earlier, its an inner layer of 1 density and the outer layer is the softer density.  Better than straight Nylon, and they have a nice mild grip to them.

The satin finish on the blade is OK, but looks kind of dull.  The blade on mine came very sharp. 

This is not a knife for me, but I bought it because it is Victorinox and needed to examine it and the price was OK it cost me $42.  Since I don't need this kind of knife I'm not sure what I would pay for it as a user.  I'm not unhappy about what I paid for it though as a example for me to look over and take photos of.  If one gets a good copy, like mine appears to be, I don't think they will be disappointed, it seems like it could be a good work knife.  I think the real problem is when you compare it to the vast competition; is there any compelling reason to buy this one?  I won't answer that question yet as I think to properly answer that question we need some time and field use with the knife in different roles. 

I'd say this knife is pretty much exactly what I expected; it maybe even exceeded my expectations a bit, but I was never excited about this knife as it's not a knife I really need or wanted.

[Chako]

Thank you ICanFixThat. I am in line with your thoughts. I have found very little to complain about my copy.

[condcup]

 

[Theron]

How is the jimping on the knives that don't have excessive play?   If you were to put any kind of lateral force on my copy,  there would be a high likelihood of your thumb slipping off the knife.  It doesn't grab at all like a Spyderco would.

[ICanFixThat]

The jimping on mine is definetly not aggressive enough, it's probably to the point where one could say it's more show than go.  This is something they should definetly work on.  Some people don't like jimping though, so those people will be happy right now.

[Marius]

What the... 

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,21658.msg731573.html#msg731573

[Marius]

Are all of them sold in USA like mine, with the wrong (shorter) pouch and without the Vic packaging? I would not care too much about the later but why the shorter pouch?

[sawman]

I think Vic should issue a hand-written apology to each and every customer who bought one of these monstrosities 

[Syph007]

I gotta give Victorinox a little bit of a plug on this.  I was contacted by one of their director's via email and he assured me that they are going to address all the issues I raised in the review, and thanked me for the feedback.  So, they are listening, and Im happy to do a follow up review if they make a better product that is more deserving of the Victorinox brand.   

[Grathr]

I gotta give Victorinox a little bit of a plug on this.  I was contacted by one of their director's via email and he assured me that they are going to address all the issues I raised in the review, and thanked me for the feedback.  So, they are listening, and Im happy to do a follow up review if they make a better product that is more deserving of the Victorinox brand.   

Thats good!
It seems like they have a serious QC problem with this knife. Its good that they are listening and plan to solve the problems, but its very disapointing that they did not discover all theese issues before they sent the knives to the shops.