93mm Alox Scales: Victorinox Pioneer vs Victorinox and Wenger Soldier

[jalind]

I noted this some time ago. Aside from the Swiss Cross and Victorinox logo, has anyone else ever noticed the difference between the pattern on the Pioneer and Soldier scales?

On the left side, top to bottom:

• Solo
• Pioneer
• Pioneer X

On the right side, top to bottom:

• 2004 Wenger Standard Issue
• 2007 Wenger Soldier
• 2005 Victorinox Soldier (special run with "Elsener" signed bladed)
• 2008 Victorinox Soldier

These are just mine, but I've also looked at other photos online and observed the same difference. I noticed this when I got the 2005 Victorinox Soldier and something about its pattern looked different compared to the Pioneer, which was the only other 93mm Alox I had at the time. This isn't manufacturing variation.

Count the grid rows. The Pioneers have one more than the Soldiers

John

[m47mu74nt]

I noted this some time ago. Aside from the Swiss Cross and Victorinox logo, has anyone else ever noticed the difference between the pattern on the Pioneer and Soldier scales?

On the left side, top to bottom:

• Solo
• Pioneer
• Pioneer X

On the right side, top to bottom:

• 2004 Wenger Standard Issue
• 2007 Wenger Soldier
• 2005 Victorinox Soldier (special run with "Elsener" signed bladed)
• 2008 Victorinox Soldier

(Image removed from quote.)

These are just mine, but I've also looked at other photos online and observed the same difference. I noticed this when I got the 2005 Victorinox Soldier and something about its pattern looked different compared to the Pioneer, which was the only other 93mm Alox I had at the time. This isn't manufacturing variation.

Count the grid rows. The Pioneers have one more than the Soldiers

John

There's something more behind 
That's not only a difference between pioneer vs soldier :
manufacturing period counts too:
my red OC pioneer has the same number of rows as the soldiers (here KL89 and '03 soldier)



BUT, if you look at the diamond shaped spikes, you can noticed that the '03 soldier ones are more like complete pyramids and not squared on top

[Sneider]

(Image removed from quote.)

THIS PIC!
That is Modern-Alox-Art!

[m47mu74nt]

(Image removed from quote.)

THIS PIC!
That is Modern-Alox-Art!

Thank you 
I always knew I was an hidden artist 
I still lack an OC blue 93mm to be able to make my country flag with OC close up pics 

[jalind]

I noted this some time ago. Aside from the Swiss Cross and Victorinox logo, has anyone else ever noticed the difference between the pattern on the Pioneer and Soldier scales?

On the left side, top to bottom:

• Solo
• Pioneer
• Pioneer X

On the right side, top to bottom:

• 2004 Wenger Standard Issue
• 2007 Wenger Soldier
• 2005 Victorinox Soldier (special run with "Elsener" signed bladed)
• 2008 Victorinox Soldier

(Image removed from quote.)

These are just mine, but I've also looked at other photos online and observed the same difference. I noticed this when I got the 2005 Victorinox Soldier and something about its pattern looked different compared to the Pioneer, which was the only other 93mm Alox I had at the time. This isn't manufacturing variation.

Count the grid rows. The Pioneers have one more than the Soldiers

John

There's something more behind 
That's not only a difference between pioneer vs soldier :
manufacturing period counts too:
my red OC pioneer has the same number of rows as the soldiers (here KL89 and '03 soldier)

(Image removed from quote.)

BUT, if you look at the diamond shaped spikes, you can noticed that the '03 soldier ones are more like complete pyramids and not squared on top

(Image removed from quote.)

From just mine I had concluded Victorinox had two sets of casting molds, one for the Pioneer scales and the other of the Soldier with Swiss shield, at least covering the years I had for them, and that they weren't using mold inserts to switch between the Swiss and Victorinox shields. In looking closely at Wenger and Victorinox, it's obvious Victorinox was selling the scales to Wenger along with their can opener for their soldier production. Doing that makes sense as the cost of Wenger setting up a casting and coating operation to make the Alox just for the Soldier (and Standard Issue) wouldn't likely be economically justified. Yours confirms multiple casting molds, although I would have bet they were using an insert for the Dutch engraving panel. Apparently not, at least from you examples.

John

[m47mu74nt]

The issue with my pictures is similar to yours :
The time frame of mine there is widely different :
Red OC pioneer: somewhere between 1970-1986
KL89 soldier: 1989
'03 soldier: 2003

Definitely, we need more data 

[firiki]

Good info, people.

I had noticed the difference and I much prefer the Soldier pattern for looks though I suspect the Pioneer's is a bit more resilient to dings as there's more meat near the edges.

[hiraethus]

From just mine I had concluded Victorinox had two sets of casting molds, one for the Pioneer scales and the other of the Soldier with Swiss shield, at least covering the years I had for them, and that they weren't using mold inserts to switch between the Swiss and Victorinox shields. In looking closely at Wenger and Victorinox, it's obvious Victorinox was selling the scales to Wenger along with their can opener for their soldier production. Doing that makes sense as the cost of Wenger setting up a casting and coating operation to make the Alox just for the Soldier (and Standard Issue) wouldn't likely be economically justified. Yours confirms multiple casting molds, although I would have bet they were using an insert for the Dutch engraving panel. Apparently not, at least from you examples.

John

I reckon that the scales are stamped/pressed from sheet rather than cast and the texture and shield/cross is imprinted as part of the stamping process.  I agree that there must be multiple tools to make the scales though, and that the design has changed over time.