Help determine the age of this Waiter please!

[Mechanickal]

Just bought this SAK an hour ago on a flea market.
It's got the older tang stamp, which doesn't help that much, but maybe someone can tell me more about the bright red colour? Haven't seen SAKs like that myself, before.
It's got the Elinox/Ecoline shield and cross, and it needs a thorough clean



Sorry for the poor quality pics.
They're made while I'm waiting for the girlfriend to finish shopping

[jazzbass]

So that looks like a Bantam, not a Waiter unless you have hidden the corkscrew really well. Age-wise, it would be really good to see the combo tool but I'm going to guess that this one has the first version with the rounded tip. The fact that it has the combo tool (and not a cap lifter) plus the "Officier Suisse" stamp would indicate a manufacture around 1980. The bright red color was used a good bit during this time, but was being phased out by the time this knife was made. I heard somewhere (not sure where) that the bright red was a different plastic - ABS if I recall correctly - instead of the usual cellidor.

[Mechanickal]

So that looks like a Bantam, not a Waiter unless you have hidden the corkscrew really well. Age-wise, it would be really good to see the combo tool but I'm going to guess that this one has the first version with the rounded tip. The fact that it has the combo tool (and not a cap lifter) plus the "Officier Suisse" stamp would indicate a manufacture around 1980. The bright red color was used a good bit during this time, but was being phased out by the time this knife was made. I heard somewhere (not sure where) that the bright red was a different plastic - ABS if I recall correctly - instead of the usual cellidor.

Wow, thanks!
So, here's a shot of the caplifter:


No markings on it

And good point on the corkscrew... silly me

[Mizedog]

It appears to be in better shape than my old Waiter. Mine has a different shield pattern than yours, but the same combo tool. I really liked the scale material.  It doesn't feel hollow.

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[jazzbass]

The 84mm combo tool was introduced in the late 1970s, and since then has gone through three design iterations. The ones you see in this thread are the first design, which lasted from c. 1978 until c. 1984.

[Mizedog]

Thanks Jazzbass. This one's for you.  It's a painting of my '98 ash body Jazz. I use the Classic's screwdriver to tighten the straplock, but should try the combo tool. 


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[Mizedog]

Mechanical, congrats on the knife. I'd rather my Waiter didn't have the corkscrew. Plus,  yours just looks nicer.

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[jazzbass]

Thanks Jazzbass. This one's for you.  It's a painting of my '98 ash body Jazz.

I had a  similar one for years - it was a MIJ 75 reissue from the late 90s. Natural ash, rosewood neck with white block inlay. Sold it after I picked up a Geddy Lee 72 reissue and that became my favorite bass.

[Mizedog]

Cool.

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[Mechanickal]

Mechanical, congrats on the knife. I'd rather my Waiter didn't have the corkscrew. Plus,  yours just looks nicer.

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Thank you!

The scales are polished now, together with the tools.

I won't say it looks like new, but it's close.

Also: the shield, to me, looks like metal inlay??
Is this possible on an eco knife?

[Mechanickal]

No daylight yet, so a quick phone flash pic...