The Swiss Army Knife: 2013 – Sorrow in the Snap
The Lost Heart. This year has been one of change for the Swiss Knife Valley. The passing of Carl Elsener Sr. brought the life of a legend to a close. The heart of Victorinox now rests in peace after a life so full of accomplishment, love, and integrity. While made of flesh not stone, there is one less mountain in Switzerland.
The Missing Friend. 2013 also brought the shocking news that the Wenger company of Delemont Switzerland would no long be manufacturing SAKs under its own brand in the coming year. While not as well known as Victorinox in some regions, Wenger was the Swiss Army Knife in many pockets around the world. Known for its innovation of the personal Swiss Army Knife for all walks of life the Wenger brand of the Swiss Army Knife will be sorely missed by many. While Wenger will continue to make other quality Swiss products, it's not yet clear what influence their history and knives will have on future Victorinox branded SAKs. The pocket knife market is very competitive and no one seems to be lobbying governments at all levels over their ridiculous laws pertaining to pocket knives; the free-world gives up a little more freedom every day.
The Future. Yes there was great sadness this year, but there is still good reasons for hope of continued success for the future; the world is what we make it. Quality continues to be noticed among the sea of lesser products. The SAK is still the useful life companion for those who get things done. General awareness of the utility of the SAK seems to be rising, with several stories in European newspapers, and on the BBC, and a growing collector's market world-wide.
With the big Wenger news, many collectors decided to pick up some pieces of history. Some hard to find models were apparently released for sale from warehouses that probably kept a small number for warranty purposes. Wenger's recent EvoWood and larger 130mm knives were products that were still in demand, and several newer RealTree camouflage print versions were popular. Wenger's recent refocusing on the outdoors market seemed to be working, so it's products were quite well known in North America and appreciated.
Another Great Year for Alox Collectors. 2013 was another great year for collectors; partly because the number of collectors and visibility of this segment has continued to grow bringing more knives into the marketplace. Victorinox continued to make a number of limited colored anodized Alox knives available to collectors, as well as introducing the Alox Mini Champ in 3 colors (Red, Silver, Black) as a general release, though it is unclear if these will remain in the regular line-up. Victorinox also made a number of special-runs for dealer Swiss Bianco, providing a large number of different models in different anodized colors includes popular orange, and copper colors. Swiss Bianco introduced the new dual blade Carver model in a number of colors, and the new Apocolypse Green anodized color for a number of models.
Many of the special models included variations in the color of the Victorinox shield-logo, changing either the outline or background of the shield relative to the base color of the knife.
Prices for used-knives continued to rise, while the quality of the used knives offered decreases. This is a sure sign that this segment is maturing and attracting more participants. Record prices continued to be set on ebay for some models.
Victorinox also made new releases in the 58mm Fashion series and other limited 58mm scale designs.
Black continued to inspire; Victorinox released the limited edition Black Ice Series with three different models. These special models features a special PVD or Ion coating on the tools and springs of the knife that give them a shimmering grey-black look. A 58mm Classic, 91mm Spartan, and 111mm Trailmaster/Trekker were the models offered in the series, all featuring somewhat controversial Camo scales. The Trailmaster seemed to be the favorite of collectors by far.
Victorinox continued its limited edition Damascus Series with a special wooden handled 91mm Explorer model to commemorate the life of Carl Elsener Sr. who was particularly fond of his Explorer SAK.
Wenger's United Woods Collector's Set. For fans of the Wenger knives and those that appreciate the full history of the Swiss Army Knife. This set commemorating Wenger's history, and celebrating its success around the world is a must have. Limited to 2,013 sets, this special boxed set of 6 knives is a wonderful set to own for a collection or everyday use.
Another very special collectible for the Wenger fan was the special BYE BYE WENGER knife, commissioned by the Fans du Couteau Suisse club. This special numbered run of Classic 17 models in Forest Green scales and an etched blade, was limited to just 70 knives with numbered certificate and special packaging. This knife is reported to be the last special run manufactured by Wenger SA.
All was not rosy for the collector though; 2013 will mark the end of the limited numbered Alox special-runs that were started in 2009. Special models commission by the US company Swiss Bianco will also be ended, by the end of the first quarter 2014 if they have not already ended. It appears there is little chance that these programs will be continued. Collectors and fans of the Alox models and the Swiss Bianco special 91mm models will have to wait to see what the future holds.
Big Changes. That pretty much sums up the year 2013 in Swiss Army Knives.
Donations
Community Links
