Vintage SAK Owners Club

[SAK Guy]

Got this Wenger in today....

SG, the blades on the Wenger sure look to be in good shape.  You're right it looks like a match to your Victorinox. 

Thanks FB! The blades are nice for it's age having only normal use/surface scratches etc (not minty) The way I have to shoot SAKs inside, to balance the lighting/contrast ratios into acceptable ranges, requires letting the blade go a tiny bit "glary" which minimizes tiny surface imperfections. This is partly due to my 50 dollar cellphone and the simple (i.e. free) photo editing program not having a burn/dodge feature like my old (or current versions) of Adobe Photoshop. To depict the blades dead accurate (to show every tiny imperfection), I would have to boost the darker values (areas) to the point that the image becomes very artificial/manipulated looking. The particular technique I've worked out gives balanced levels without overly manipulating the image and lets me keep my sanity.     We used to do all this with the Zone System back in the days of Black and White photography. It allowed you to expose/place scene values into ranges which could then (by prior testing and customizing film choices/processing technique) be accurately reproduced in the final print. Ansel Adams was the most famous photographer that used this technique.

Newer mirror polished SAKs are even more of a problem since a dead accurate depiction would show them as tiny mirrors reflecting my ceiling and whatever is in the room. So I have to manage the reflections as well by knife positioning and by obstructing (controlling) the reflected line of sight with (light or dark) neutral targets or, more commonly, a lighting panel (which again boosts the luminance value of the blade). All this is why some of my shots can take hours to get the final image.     It can be an ordeal sometimes since I have no lighting/studio setup...just a six dollar diffusion panel and a lamp on the table by my computer.     I often mess it up but if it looks like I just set the knife down and shot it, I've been successful.

Older Carbon Steel blades (with patina) tend to render more accurately than SS SAK blades and are way easier to shoot. See below.

[FolderBeholder]

Yes, I see what you mean about the carbon steel blade shown in the Old Timer photo. 
Even though your photos take time, they are always worth viewing! 

[SAK Guy]

Yes, I see what you mean about the carbon steel blade shown in the Old Timer photo. 
Even though your photos take time, they are always worth viewing! 

Thank you!!

[SteveC]

Nice shots Robert and great explanation of your pic process   


Love that Wenger BTW !   

[SAK Guy]

Nice shots Robert and great explanation of your pic process   


Love that Wenger BTW !   

Thanks Steve!!!! 

[pettydroid]

Gentlemen, have anyone of you ever seen anything like this?

Should be 1944 Wenger.

[NorCalJim]

Got this Wenger in today....

SG, the blades on the Wenger sure look to be in good shape.  You're right it looks like a match to your Victorinox. 

Thanks FB! The blades are nice for it's age having only normal use/surface scratches etc (not minty) The way I have to shoot SAKs inside, to balance the lighting/contrast ratios into acceptable ranges, requires letting the blade go a tiny bit "glary" which minimizes tiny surface imperfections. This is partly due to my 50 dollar cellphone and the simple (i.e. free) photo editing program not having a burn/dodge feature like my old (or current versions) of Adobe Photoshop. To depict the blades dead accurate (to show every tiny imperfection), I would have to boost the darker values (areas) to the point that the image becomes very artificial/manipulated looking. The particular technique I've worked out gives balanced levels without overly manipulating the image and lets me keep my sanity.     We used to do all this with the Zone System back in the days of Black and White photography. It allowed you to expose/place scene values into ranges which could then (by prior testing and customizing film choices/processing technique) be accurately reproduced in the final print. Ansel Adams was the most famous photographer that used this technique.

Newer mirror polished SAKs are even more of a problem since a dead accurate depiction would show them as tiny mirrors reflecting my ceiling and whatever is in the room. So I have to manage the reflections as well by knife positioning and by obstructing (controlling) the reflected line of sight with (light or dark) neutral targets or, more commonly, a lighting panel (which again boosts the luminance value of the blade). All this is why some of my shots can take hours to get the final image.     It can be an ordeal sometimes since I have no lighting/studio setup...just a six dollar diffusion panel and a lamp on the table by my computer.     I often mess it up but if it looks like I just set the knife down and shot it, I've been successful.

Older Carbon Steel blades (with patina) tend to render more accurately than SS SAK blades and are way easier to shoot. See below.

 

Thanks for the background!  I have been very curious about your pro quality photography.  These days I use my iPhone 7 Plus for quick snaps with zero post processing while my cameras sit in their bags slowly draining their batteries.  I don't see that changing anytime soon but I sure appreciate your photos and thank you for your time investment (it does inspire me to want to put more effort into my photos).

 

[captain spaulding]

Gentlemen, have anyone of you ever seen anything like this?
(Image removed from quote.)
Should be 1944 Wenger.

I have not but it appears to be a nazi eagle over a swastika. I have some old Steyr ammo with that marking. Very cool for its history.

Want to sell it?   

[SAK Guy]

Got this Wenger in today....

SG, the blades on the Wenger sure look to be in good shape.  You're right it looks like a match to your Victorinox. 

Thanks FB! The blades are nice for it's age having only normal use/surface scratches etc (not minty) The way I have to shoot SAKs inside, to balance the lighting/contrast ratios into acceptable ranges, requires letting the blade go a tiny bit "glary" which minimizes tiny surface imperfections. This is partly due to my 50 dollar cellphone and the simple (i.e. free) photo editing program not having a burn/dodge feature like my old (or current versions) of Adobe Photoshop. To depict the blades dead accurate (to show every tiny imperfection), I would have to boost the darker values (areas) to the point that the image becomes very artificial/manipulated looking. The particular technique I've worked out gives balanced levels without overly manipulating the image and lets me keep my sanity.     We used to do all this with the Zone System back in the days of Black and White photography. It allowed you to expose/place scene values into ranges which could then (by prior testing and customizing film choices/processing technique) be accurately reproduced in the final print. Ansel Adams was the most famous photographer that used this technique.

Newer mirror polished SAKs are even more of a problem since a dead accurate depiction would show them as tiny mirrors reflecting my ceiling and whatever is in the room. So I have to manage the reflections as well by knife positioning and by obstructing (controlling) the reflected line of sight with (light or dark) neutral targets or, more commonly, a lighting panel (which again boosts the luminance value of the blade). All this is why some of my shots can take hours to get the final image.     It can be an ordeal sometimes since I have no lighting/studio setup...just a six dollar diffusion panel and a lamp on the table by my computer.     I often mess it up but if it looks like I just set the knife down and shot it, I've been successful.

Older Carbon Steel blades (with patina) tend to render more accurately than SS SAK blades and are way easier to shoot. See below.

 

Thanks for the background!  I have been very curious about your pro quality photography.  These days I use my iPhone 7 Plus for quick snaps with zero post processing while my cameras sit in their bags slowly draining their batteries.  I don't see that changing anytime soon but I sure appreciate your photos and thank you for your time investment (it does inspire me to want to put more effort into my photos).

 

Thanks Jim!!!!  The iPhone's capabilities are amazing from what I've seen/read. I enjoy doing these pics but my poor health gets in the way sometimes. Haven't used my Leicas or Nikons for years either.... 

[SAK Guy]

Gentlemen, have anyone of you ever seen anything like this?
(Image removed from quote.)
Should be 1944 Wenger.

I have not but it appears to be a nazi eagle over a swastika. I have some old Steyr ammo with that marking. Very cool for its history.

Want to sell it?   

I have that same symbol on a Nazi era coin....

[Barry Rowland]

I agree with Steve...and i can always make room for that Wenger if you run out of room buddy!! 

Nice shots Robert and great explanation of your pic process   


Love that Wenger BTW !   

[NorCalJim]

Got this Wenger in today....

SG, the blades on the Wenger sure look to be in good shape.  You're right it looks like a match to your Victorinox. 

Thanks FB! The blades are nice for it's age having only normal use/surface scratches etc (not minty) The way I have to shoot SAKs inside, to balance the lighting/contrast ratios into acceptable ranges, requires letting the blade go a tiny bit "glary" which minimizes tiny surface imperfections. This is partly due to my 50 dollar cellphone and the simple (i.e. free) photo editing program not having a burn/dodge feature like my old (or current versions) of Adobe Photoshop. To depict the blades dead accurate (to show every tiny imperfection), I would have to boost the darker values (areas) to the point that the image becomes very artificial/manipulated looking. The particular technique I've worked out gives balanced levels without overly manipulating the image and lets me keep my sanity.     We used to do all this with the Zone System back in the days of Black and White photography. It allowed you to expose/place scene values into ranges which could then (by prior testing and customizing film choices/processing technique) be accurately reproduced in the final print. Ansel Adams was the most famous photographer that used this technique.

Newer mirror polished SAKs are even more of a problem since a dead accurate depiction would show them as tiny mirrors reflecting my ceiling and whatever is in the room. So I have to manage the reflections as well by knife positioning and by obstructing (controlling) the reflected line of sight with (light or dark) neutral targets or, more commonly, a lighting panel (which again boosts the luminance value of the blade). All this is why some of my shots can take hours to get the final image.     It can be an ordeal sometimes since I have no lighting/studio setup...just a six dollar diffusion panel and a lamp on the table by my computer.     I often mess it up but if it looks like I just set the knife down and shot it, I've been successful.

Older Carbon Steel blades (with patina) tend to render more accurately than SS SAK blades and are way easier to shoot. See below.

 

Thanks for the background!  I have been very curious about your pro quality photography.  These days I use my iPhone 7 Plus for quick snaps with zero post processing while my cameras sit in their bags slowly draining their batteries.  I don't see that changing anytime soon but I sure appreciate your photos and thank you for your time investment (it does inspire me to want to put more effort into my photos).

 

Thanks Jim!!!!  The iPhone's capabilities are amazing from what I've seen/read. I enjoy doing these pics but my poor health gets in the way sometimes. Haven't used my Leicas or Nikons for years either.... 

Now I can see how you can afford mountains of SAKs since you are no longer buying Leicas! 

I enjoyed the Nikon F series cameras for decades but sold my SLR equipment when I had to relocate in the early 80's.  It wasn't until sometime in the mid-90's that we resumed our enjoyment of capturing photos (now digital).   When I retired, I was determined to devote more time to the enjoyment of photography.  I'll skip the long story but I ended up with a sizable investment in two formats (Sony APS-C & M43).  Health has posed some delays to getting out and about with my equipment (knee problems, knee surgery & my wife fell and suffered a compression fracture in her back).  Meanwhile, phone cameras have gotten so good that it makes it harder not to capture some photos.

Here's hoping that your health improves!  Thanks for sharing your photos!

 

[SAK Guy]

I agree with Steve...and i can always make room for that Wenger if you run out of room buddy!! 

Nice shots Robert and great explanation of your pic process   


Love that Wenger BTW !   

  Thx Barry!!!!! 

[pettydroid]

Gentlemen, have anyone of you ever seen anything like this?
(Image removed from quote.)
Should be 1944 Wenger.

I have not but it appears to be a nazi eagle over a swastika. I have some old Steyr ammo with that marking. Very cool for its history.

Want to sell it?   

I have that same symbol on a Nazi era coin....

The date on the knife falls into WWII (1944) but I would like to know if anyone ever seen it on any SAK from that era?
Is it a first GAK ?

[pettydroid]

Gentlemen, have anyone of you ever seen anything like this?
(Image removed from quote.)
Should be 1944 Wenger.

I have not but it appears to be a nazi eagle over a swastika. I have some old Steyr ammo with that marking. Very cool for its history.

Want to sell it?   

Would you be interested to buy it? The price would be USD 100  plus shipping. Selling at cost, just want to get it to anyone who would like it.

[captain spaulding]

I can't afford that right now but someone else may want it. Thank you for pricing it. 

[FolderBeholder]

This knife is in route to me, but at this moment the shipment is delayed due to poor weather back East.
I'm curious if you folks think this is a Champion.  Not sure if the seller is showing all the tools or not.  Is it possible all the tools are showing?

[jazzbass]

This knife is in route to me, but at this moment the shipment is delayed due to poor weather back East.
I'm curious if you folks think this is a Champion.  Not sure if the seller is showing all the tools or not.  Is it possible all the tools are showing?

Looks like 236faU from c. 1960.

[FolderBeholder]

This knife is in route to me, but at this moment the shipment is delayed due to poor weather back East.
I'm curious if you folks think this is a Champion.  Not sure if the seller is showing all the tools or not.  Is it possible all the tools are showing?

Looks like 236faU from c. 1960.

(Image removed from quote.)

Yes that is the tool set, thanks JB!
Just now I went back to the SAKWiki thinking maybe I had missed seeing it when I was trying to figure out what I had.  Seems I can't find Angler Plus there.
I looked within the Angler link.   

[Huntsman]

Hey FB

Another great find and not even in the WIKI - Impressive - Although you did not beat JB 
And always good with that 'interim' config - Old awl - But internal rivets.

I will put it in the Wiki - Should it have its own page? Or should it be a variation of the Angler?
I am leaning towards variation  But if it was common/catalogue model I guess it should have its own page? Let me know folks
And can I steal your piccie please JB? - I know you have quite a few piccies in there already.

[jazzbass]

I will put it in the Wiki - Should it have its own page? Or should it be a variation of the Angler?
I am leaning towards variation  But if it was common/catalogue model I guess it should have its own page? Let me know folks
And can I steal your piccie please JB? - I know you have quite a few piccies in there already.

By all means use the picture. I'd put it as it's own model under the five layer models so it's easy to find.

[FolderBeholder]

Thank you Huntsman and JB, the knife is here and it indeed only has those 5 layers as shown in the ad.
Here is the picture I just took of it, I have to work on not getting reflections on the blades. For instance, the wood saw is glossy chrome looking, but it is picking up ceiling reflections.

[SAK Guy]

Very nice FB!!!!

[FolderBeholder]

Thanks SG!
I can't decipher if this is an overlay or inlay.  It's hard to tell by the photo, but there is a bit of an imprint of the logo into the cellidor, then there's paint?

[Huntsman]

That really is a nice knife FB.

It is in amazing condition and as we said a reasonably unusual model
It's also nice as it has the older saw (slanted teeth) as well as the old style awl, and scissors, and SD with PAT stamp, metal tweezers etc
Very, very nice - How do you do it!!

I would say the logo is painted on - Not hot stamped and not inlay.
You can always tell an inlay as the pattern and letters, if present, are always joined up by a tiny strip of metal - ie The inlay is in one single piece
Check it out on SAKs where you know it is an inlay - you'll see what I mean. Actually look at the classic Vic shield above - The cross is joined to the shield edge.
Not hot stamp - As there usually is an small indentation in the plastic where the letters are stamped 
Pretty sure about the inlay, in this case - Not so sure about the hot stamp

Re the Wiki - You are right - it needs its own page - Will do and thanks JB

[FolderBeholder]

Thank you Huntsman.
Upon further investigation through a loupe, I believe it is painted on.  The only part on the logo that has a texture/ridge is the "triangular" area of the logo.  It seems as though it may have been imprinted a bit as it feels similar to my "Camping" teepee hot foil stamp.

Not sure why I'm focussed on that except for I rarely see a logo on the knives that have a large awl.  That is what caught my eye, well that and it has a large awl. 

[VICMAN]

Thank you Huntsman and JB, the knife is here and it indeed only has those 5 layers as shown in the ad.
Here is the picture I just took of it, I have to work on not getting reflections on the blades. For instance, the wood saw is glossy chrome looking, but it is picking up ceiling reflections.

That is a good looking knife FB.  You are really getting a nice collection of Vintage Vics    

[FolderBeholder]

Thank you Huntsman and JB, the knife is here and it indeed only has those 5 layers as shown in the ad.
Here is the picture I just took of it, I have to work on not getting reflections on the blades. For instance, the wood saw is glossy chrome looking, but it is picking up ceiling reflections.

That is a good looking knife FB.  You are really getting a nice collection of Vintage Vics

Thank you Vicman! 

[M0rkoni]

75mm MoP Victoria Accountant

[FolderBeholder]

As much as I prefer original boxes, I will buy without, proof shown below: