My 'new' Swisschamp

mr626 · **on:** February 12, 2014, 09:52:03 AM

Hello all,

SAK collecting is even more addictive than Leatherman collecting. Who knew?!

After acquiring and being suitably impressed with a Champion Plus, I obviously still needed a Swisschamp. Being too ~~cheap~~ thrifty to buy one new (which would have cost around $100AUD) I was fortunate enough to find one locally for $40 including postage.

It arrived today, along with some other made in Japan thing that I have no use for (anyone want it? It's the one in the background of the pic)

Now as you might have noticed, not all was well with the Swisschamp (unexpected, given the seller said it was in 'good' condition and made no mention of any damage). But as you can see, one of the scales was pretty trashed

I've got no idea how it could have happened, especially since the rest of the knife shows little to no signs of wear. Happily with some sanding and polishing it came up quite well, and the seller was happy to give me a partial refund to boot. End result after cleaning/polishing:

For $30AUD (that's like what, $10USD now? haha) I'm very happy with the Swisschamp. The real test will begin tomorrow when I see if I can EDC the Swisschamp in place of my usual work multi-tool (either a Rebar or a Surge).

I'm not sure if its possible from my pics to tell much about this particular Swisschamp? Would be interested to know roughly how old it is etc.

Looking forward to testing out the Swisschamp as an EDC tool. Have the belt sheath for it- not a huge fan of pocket carry for something this size.

Thanks for listening.

magentus · **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2014, 09:56:06 AM

Lovely! I'm looking forward to hearing how you get on with it. I'm thinking about upgrading to a Champ - I want the woodsaw, mag and in line philips in one package.

Zed · **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2014, 10:02:08 AM

Very nice mate

i love my champ and its a very handy edc, yours looks like a newer model with all clear plastic mag glass

lowtech · **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2014, 10:59:01 AM

I know, this ais about teh Champ, but would you mind sharing a pic or two of the other knife?

magentus · **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2014, 11:29:32 AM

I'll second that! Pics please!

mr626 · **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2014, 11:57:26 AM

Sure thing guys, I'll post some extra pics of the other knife tomorrow

magentus · **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2014, 01:19:42 PM

Cheers - we can't resist inspecting even the crappy SAK's

Your Champ looks fantastic BTW.

sawman · **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2014, 02:24:43 PM

You got a great deal on a great SAK! As far as age, it's one of the more recent Swiss Champs with the plastic mag glass.

Magic Bus · **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2014, 02:40:21 PM

Nice SAK and nice rescue job

bigz89 · **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2014, 03:51:10 PM

Great find and nice job. I love my Champ. Have you thought about Cybertool 41, it is so handy although rather pricy. I received one as a gift from my son from his trip to Switzerland 12 years ago, hate to use it though.

NutSAK · **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2014, 03:51:25 PM

Very cool.

Nothing makes me happier than a deal like this. You get a great knife on the cheap because it doesn't look so great, but it turns out it's really a great knife.

I had a very similar experience a couple of weeks ago when I bought the Swisschamp pictured below for $21 shipped. The tools are completely unused/like new, and the only damage was to the scales, like someone carried it and never used it. Like you, I'm not sure how that happens!

I've had it for about a week now, and it still gives me a big grin.

I'm going to use it, so the scales stay on, as they are still good enough for carry.

(seller's photo)

NutSAK · **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2014, 04:04:18 PM

Regarding the age of your 'Champ, it should be from the 2004-2012 era, since it has the plastic magnifier and shorter inline philllips. Mine is 1988-1995 era, since it has the grey magnifier and pliers without the crimper.

colt 1911 · **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2014, 04:22:06 PM

Sweet !

Aloha · **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2014, 04:48:48 PM

The Swisschamp is an excellent SAK congrats on getting a terrific deal and

for giving this one a new life. I carry mine more than I would have thought and seem to use it more than even my Explorer.

sir_mike · **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2014, 04:58:39 PM

Nice find! As others have said, the Swisschamp is a great sak.

I like the Swisschamp, Champ Plus and Explorer are my favorite three cause I like the mag glass and inline philips!

mr626 · **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2014, 09:51:28 PM

Quote from: NutSAK on February 12, 2014, 03:51:25 PM

Very cool.

Nothing makes me happier than a deal like this. You get a great knife on the cheap because it doesn't look so great, but it turns out it's really a great knife.

I had a very similar experience a couple of weeks ago when I bought the Swisschamp pictured below for $21 shipped. The tools are completely unused/like new, and the only damage was to the scales, like someone carried it and never used it. Like you, I'm not sure how that happens!

I've had it for about a week now, and it still gives me a big grin. I'm going to use it, so the scales stay on, as they are still good enough for carry.

(seller's photo)

Yeah, I enjoy the process of restoring things. I get something cheap, and I save something from ending up in the landfill. Win win I reckon!
Yours looks very nice also. If I had a choice I'd love one with black scales- just a little more subtle than the normal red.

Quote from: bigz89 on February 12, 2014, 03:51:10 PM

Great find and nice job. I love my Champ. Have you thought about Cybertool 41, it is so handy although rather pricy. I received one as a gift from my son from his trip to Switzerland 12 years ago, hate to use it though.

I have thought quite a lot about a Cybertool 41. I think as far as SAKs go it would be the ultimate EDC one for me. Hard to find one for a good price though, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled.

Thanks for the kind words all. First day of EDCing the Champ at work today. It has largely the same tools as I'm used to in my Rebar, but the pliers are where I think the Champ will have issues keeping up. We shall see.

I completely forgot about those other photos people were asking for, will post them later today.

Caranthanus · **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2014, 02:07:45 AM

Great score, great SAK. The SAK

DMA1965 · **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2014, 02:16:50 AM

Take the scale tools out and go over the scale with sandpaper. Start with 200 grit and work your way down to the finest grit you can get. Afterwards polish it with Flitz, or, if you have no Flitz, use rubbing compound, or even toothpaste. It will then look shiny and new.

Higgins617 · **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2014, 02:48:40 AM

Not that it is really relevant, but could it be that there was a logo of some sort on that scale and then the owner decided to get rid of it(very very poorly). No matter the circumstances it sure cleaned up very nicely.

mr626 · **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2014, 04:17:29 AM

Quote from: Higgins617 on February 13, 2014, 02:48:40 AM

Not that it is really relevant, but could it be that there was a logo of some sort on that scale and then the owner decided to get rid of it(very very poorly). No matter the circumstances it sure cleaned up very nicely.

That's a good point- that may well have been what happened.

Quote from: DMA1965 on February 13, 2014, 02:16:50 AM

Take the scale tools out and go over the scale with sandpaper. Start with 200 grit and work your way down to the finest grit you can get. Afterwards polish it with Flitz, or, if you have no Flitz, use rubbing compound, or even toothpaste. It will then look shiny and new.

That is exactly what I did. With sandpaper I go 180 -> 240 -> 400, and then use a polish (never heard of Flitz, probably isn't sold here)

mr626 · **Reply #20 on:** February 17, 2014, 08:10:26 AM

Sorry all, forgot to post a pic of the 'other' knife that was part of this auction.

I don't think its a SAK, has made in Japan on the main blade...

lowtech · **Reply #21 on:** February 17, 2014, 08:36:46 AM

Quote from: mr626 on February 17, 2014, 08:10:26 AM

Sorry all, forgot to post a pic of the 'other' knife that was part of this auction.

I don't think its a SAK, has made in Japan on the main blade...

(Image removed from quote.)

Want to trade it for a SAK, say 3 layer, maybe?!

mr626 · **Reply #22 on:** February 17, 2014, 08:53:42 AM

Quote from: lowtech on February 17, 2014, 08:36:46 AM

Want to trade it for a SAK, say 3 layer, maybe?!

Sure, I'll send you a Pm

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