2008 Soldier knife

gew8805 · **on:** October 10, 2014, 06:42:58 PM

Hi all, my first post, I've been lurking for a while and have enjoyed the information gained. My main interest in SAKs is the Swiss military issue knives and I have several 1908 models along with 8 M1961, all issue marked dating from 1962 to 1981.

I recently acquired a 2008 dated Swiss Army knife, the new model. I have others (of course

) dated '09, '10, '11 and '12 but have only seen this one '08 example. Are the really that uncommon or am I just looking in the wrong places? My '08 is slightly used with some light wear to the blade but is otherwise almost new. Thanks in advance for any information you can give me.

jerseydevil · **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2014, 07:07:22 PM

Welcome aboard! Sorry I can't help you with any info, but I gotta say I love the username. With that sort of interest in Swiss issue knives though, shouldn't it be more along the lines of User: schmidtrubin or User: IG11 instead of Gew. 88/05?

I'm sure someone will be along shortly who can help with your question.

enki_ck · **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2014, 07:12:08 PM

Welcome.

As I'm sure you know, 2008 was the year of the change, but I'm not sure at which part of the year they started issuing them or how many were made. Hopefully someone will come along with that info soon.

jrp316 · **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2014, 08:26:03 PM

As far as I know, there were two versions of the 2008 new Soldier: the first production run, which has a blade marking showing 'First Production Run: 1 of 1000 USA'. The other is without the marking, but both have 08 stamped on the tang.

I have one of the first production run knives, along with knives spanning from '09 to '13. I'd like to find an '08 non marked knife to add to the collection along with a '14.

gew8805 · **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2014, 02:49:47 AM

Thank you gentlemen. And jerseydevil, you could be right, maybe I should have used a Schmidt-Reubin identifier but I use the Commission Rifle name in may forums so to keep confusion down I used here incase anyone already knows me, thanks for the suggestion though.

jrp316, I guess I have another variant to look for now.

enki_ck, I'm sure with all of the knowledgeable people here I will get some help with the question. Your efforts are appreciated.

marduk · **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2014, 03:16:32 PM

Another variation of the 2008 Soldier's Knife (0.84 61.LTD08} was produced especially for the Italian market. nn/100 was printed lengthwise on the blade & 08 etched on the tang. It was accompanied by a certificate signed by M. Kunzi, the Vic. distributor for Italy, & dated April 2009. It was marketed in a tan wooden military style ammo box tied w/a hemp string. It sold in Italy for 75 euros.

stressmaster5000 · **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2014, 07:54:15 PM

Quote from: jrp316 on October 10, 2014, 08:26:03 PM

As far as I know, there were two versions of the 2008 new Soldier: the first production run, which has a blade marking showing 'First Production Run: 1 of 1000 USA'. The other is without the marking, but both have 08 stamped on the tang.

I have one of the first production run knives, along with knives spanning from '09 to '13. I'd like to find an '08 non marked knife to add to the collection along with a '14.

Here is a photo of this 2008 Soldier knife. It actually says 1 of 5000.

More Soldier photos here.