Hard to date camper

[Sebastoss]

Hi,

I'm a bit lost by trying to date this economy camper. Indeed, it has the old style keyring attachment, no hole in the reamer, no 90 degree lock position on the bottle opener BUT it has solid (non grooved) corkscrew.

I can't figure how this knife can present a pre-1985 tool like the reamer without hole and a solid corkscrew that has started to appear in 1994 ?


Thanks in advance for your help
Seb

[Mactire404]

I recall reading somewhere (sorry, can't recite the source) that the Economy line used parts that were discontinued.

[NorCalJim]

I am not a collector and have limited experience in datings SAKs.  However, thanks to a linked document from SAKWiki, I found enough information to successfully identify a Swisschamp that I had purchased as the original model that replaced the Champion in 1985 (model repeated for 1986).  SAKWiki has some model information that may prove helpful for your Camper.

This link shows some dating information related to Tang stamps:

http://www.sakhome.com/304372180

Good luck!

[jazzbass]

I can't figure how this knife can present a pre-1985 tool like the reamer without hole and a solid corkscrew that has started to appear in 1994 ?

Economy line knives never had grooved corkscrews, that was just for the regular Victorinox line. Early "Economy" stamped blades from the mid 1970s used really cheaply made "pot metal" corkscrews that break easily. Later models use better quality but non-grooved corkscrews. You will occasionally see economy knives from the mid 1970s to early 1990s with grooved corkscrews, but they are the exception, not the rule.

Post a picture of the tang stamps and a close up of the reamer and I can help you date it better.

[Sebastoss]

I can't figure how this knife can present a pre-1985 tool like the reamer without hole and a solid corkscrew that has started to appear in 1994 ?

Economy line knives never had grooved corkscrews, that was just for the regular Victorinox line. Early "Economy" stamped blades from the mid 1970s used really cheaply made "pot metal" corkscrews that break easily. Later models use better quality but non-grooved corkscrews. You will occasionally see economy knives from the mid 1970s to early 1990s with grooved corkscrews, but they are the exception, not the rule.

Post a picture of the tang stamps and a close up of the reamer and I can help you date it better.

Thank you guys, it's now pretty clear for me that corkscrew type used to date 91 mm only apply to regular knife line, not the Economy ones.

Below some more pic to help you.

Thanks !!
Seb

[jazzbass]

Looks to be made sometime in the 1983-1985 time frame.

[Sebastoss]

Thanks JazzBass ! Really helpful 

[El Corkscrew]

Hi,

I'm a bit lost by trying to date this economy camper. Indeed, it has the old style keyring attachment, no hole in the reamer, no 90 degree lock position on the bottle opener BUT it has solid (non grooved) corkscrew.

I can't figure how this knife can present a pre-1985 tool like the reamer without hole and a solid corkscrew that has started to appear in 1994 ?


Thanks in advance for your help
Seb

   I was wondering the details of this knife, thanks!  I have one exactly like yours 

[Sebastoss]

Hi,

I'm a bit lost by trying to date this economy camper. Indeed, it has the old style keyring attachment, no hole in the reamer, no 90 degree lock position on the bottle opener BUT it has solid (non grooved) corkscrew.

I can't figure how this knife can present a pre-1985 tool like the reamer without hole and a solid corkscrew that has started to appear in 1994 ?


Thanks in advance for your help
Seb

   I was wondering the details of this knife, thanks!  I have one exactly like yours 

Happy to had helped you ^^