Victorinox Electrician problems--suggestions??

[hard.times.lures]

I have owned many Victorinox knives since the 1960s.  Most were plastic handled versions.  They all opened and closed correctly and I am happy with them.  I now am having problems with the Alox version Electrician models.

I purchased one and found that two of the blades would not open without excess force and were nail breakers.  I gave it away.  I purchased another one and have the same problems, but with different blades.  The awe and the screwdriver blade will hardly open and will not close without me pressing down on them.  I note that there is not a warranty in the boxes I bought.  I think these were wholesaled by Blue Ridge knives who bring them overseas with boxes, but without warranty slips. 

I have tried all the tricks I know to get the blades loose.  I have put a "rust buster" type spray in them--washed them with Dove--no effect.  I have washed them with Dove and put Vic oil in them--worse yet.

Anyone with suggestions would be appreciated.  Thank you, Bryan

[glenfiddich1983]

Wash them in dish soap, open and close the tools a couple of times while submerged, let it dry and apply vic oil on different sides of the moving parts and then fold and unfold the tools a couple of times. That should do it. You can try to put some vic oil on the inside of the backsprings ("the part that gets pushed out" when you open a tool), dirt can gather between the backsprings and the liners.

[gustophersmob]

May be worth soaking them in some soapy water overnight and see if it loosens anything up.

I believe all Vic knives are warranted. In the US, I did not need any paperwork for any I have sent in for repair.

[kaput]

Strange. I have had 4 electricians. Everyone of them have opened identical to the other. I had 2 2 layers. A old cross and a plus model. No issues. That's unfortunate to hear.

[Barry Rowland]

Vic will back their products up 200 percent.  I wouldn't hesitate to send yours back and give them a go.

May be worth soaking them in some soapy water overnight and see if it loosens anything up.

I believe all Vic knives are warranted. In the US, I did not need any paperwork for any I have sent in for repair.

[Sneider]

Excuse the stupid questions;
Real SAKs (no fakes)?
New / in good condition? (Not half destroyed)?

I have some SAKs of all kinds, buy hundreds on flea markets also old, broken SAKs for modding.
But no matter how old, rusty and worn out  they all are, after cleaning and a little bit oil all of them ar easy to open and close.

If it is not a fake and not destroyed use the guarantee of Victorinox.

[hard.times.lures]

No, this is genuine Victorinox.  Let me repeat that I have tried all the washing tricks out there.  Adding oil after the washing only makes them grittier and harder to open.

It is my understanding that Victorinox has the official importer to US and they do not wish to sell to wholesalers.  Blue Ridge knives, the largest knife wholesaler in the US, goes directly to Switzerland and buys from someone there.  So they sell the new Vics here in box but no warranty papers.  I know this because I am a dealer and have purchased many from them.

I do not wish to send to Victorinox here in US because these knives did not come from them, but from Switzerland direct and I don't think it is a moral thing for me to do.

[SAK Guy]

On old used ALOX that were almost impossible to open, I have soaked them in mineral oil (in a ziplock bag) for up to 6 weeks but if these are new, call/contact Vic ASAP and they will be warrantied.

This is unheard of to me on a new Victorinox knife.

[Aloha]

I just bought an OC Electrician.  The blades were hard to open on mine as well.  I soaked it in hot soapy water for several hours then gave it a thorough WD40 spritz.  I rewashed it and its good to go.  I think on mine the grime got all gummed up. 

Go ahead and send yours in.  It doesn't matter if its Vic in the US or abroad as its the same company. 

[Danjo]

I just bought an OC Electrician.  The blades were hard to open on mine as well.  I soaked it in hot soapy water for several hours then gave it a thorough WD40 spritz.  I rewashed it and its good to go.  I think on mine the grime got all gummed up. 

Go ahead and send yours in.  It doesn't matter if its Vic in the US or abroad as its the same company. 

Yep. Same factory turned them out, so the warranty is the same despite where you bought it.