108mm GAK $5.99

Kampfer · **on:** January 07, 2017, 12:30:54 AM

https://www.smkw.com/west-german-bundeswehr-military-knife
This almost be my worst impulse purchase ever, I was going to order 10 until I see the fine prints..

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MADE IN CHINA

cody6268 · **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2017, 12:33:29 AM

From what I hear, not good about these. They're sold as Rough Riders (good Chinese maker, owned by SMKW), but are actually MIL-TECs, which are the worst GAKs there are. But, if you need the slip sheath and saw cover for a real one (hard to find, my saw cover came from a German member here), go ahead.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2017, 12:37:46 AM

If something looks too good to be true, it usually is .....

.... but not always

Good catch Kampfer, let's hope it's somewhere half decent (although I don't rate the genuine 108mm Vics that highly either)

Kampfer · **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2017, 12:53:55 AM

I was going to buy them as military collectible, and gift them out to my reenactor friends, i don't care how poorly they were made as long as they are genuine.

cody6268 · **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2017, 02:21:09 AM

Quote from: Kampfer on January 07, 2017, 12:53:55 AM

I was going to buy them as military collectible, and gift them out to my reenactor friends, i don't care how poorly they were made as long as they are genuine.

They're not genuine. They weren't even issued. Mil-Tec just copied them--they even copied a West German Army folding shovel as well. Listed as WWII, but mine genuine surplus one is stamped 1965, so more like Vietnam era despite the Bundeswehr not being involved in that war. If you're gonna use 'em hard (like I do both the knife and shovel) buy the real thing. For reenactment purpose, I'd say these would work.

https://www.cheaperthandirt.net/product/mil-spec-german-style-pick-shovel-olive-drab-783377011663.do?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=LA%20-%20Shopping&utm_term=1100315485219&utm_content=Camping

Thunderpants · **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2017, 10:53:36 AM

I spent 9 euros on a non-victorinox GAK and it was a purchase I immediately regretted.
Compared to my Safari Hunter it feels unpleasantly cheap. All the pieces are roughly in the right place and I am sure it would cut something if it had to, and maybe even open a bottle of wine without the corkscrew unwinding, but like a piece of cheese found under the fridge it's not something anyone wants to spend any time with. The question is, how to get rid of it? It's too crap to give away.

Moral of the story, if you are used to Victorinox quality, buying a cheaper alternative is unlikely to be a decision you'll celebrate in years to come. You might find a wonderful bargain, a gem among the detritus --- but the odds are stacked against you.

Tomcat_81 · **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2017, 11:15:33 AM

Sometimes you just want to travel back in time. I can remember big boxes of ex GAKs on my local flea market.
Of course, mostly filled with mil-tec-junk, but also some Vics left. If I just had had enough money back then!
Tomcat