SAK Soldier 1948 restore?

craggus2000 · **on:** January 31, 2019, 10:49:14 PM

Hi all,
This may not be one for the purists... But I am considering getting hold of a Victorinox Soldier, dated 1948 ish, like the one attached.

I was thinking of trying to do a full restoration on it, including making my own scales, and replacing the main blade.

My questions are:
Where could I get a replacement blade from that would be correct for it
Does anyone know how the Solder of this era is assembled? Is it similar to SAKs of today? Are the scales secured on with the pins, or glued?
Has anyone dismantled a Soldier before and taken photos?!

Any help greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,

Craggus2000

Barry Rowland · **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2019, 11:06:20 PM

Someone did a restoration here not all that long ago on an old Soldier.

armi101 · **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2019, 06:56:09 AM

It is a tremendous amount of work and patience.

I didn't remove the blade pivot which complicated things. I also had to remake both the backsprings. This required carful shaping and then heat temper.

I ended up doing it twice, actually.
Once with red micarta which looked dirty and the temper on the springs was off.

Then I redid the same knife with ebony which looks better.

Both times I made mistakes and even now it has imperfections. But for now I'm happy with the result, and it gets carried very regularly, and used often.

Pics attached.

Good luck.

Ps. I did consider redoing the blade since I had to temper the springs anyways. But I decided it was easier to reshape it a little. The tip on mine was broken as well. Though not as severe as your pic.

armi101 · **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2019, 06:58:48 AM

Unfortunately I really only have one good pic of partially disassembly.

Ptisuisse · **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2019, 10:02:30 AM

Craggus, over here in France/Swiss, there is this one guy who is an expert and able restorer of those soldier knives, to the point of co-writing a book on the topic and running a commercial website.
Fortunately enough, he is a member of this forum, may I introduce to you, jcfiguet
I suggest you contact him, strong temper, but he has never refused to help a buddy in need.
I owe him some of my best knives. Here's to you jaycee !

Huntsman · **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2019, 11:45:12 AM

Hi Mate

Welcome to the forum - Sounds like a nice project
A suitable blade comes from getting another similar knife on ebay etc of course!!
But then you have two to restore

Victorinox themselves restore old Soldiers so you could send it to them - If you want them to do it

If you fancy doing it yourself
There is another member here who does quite a bit of work on the oldies
Here is one of his threads
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,56107.msg990181.html#msg990181

Maybe check out some of his other threads

Happy modding / restoring

craggus2000 · **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2019, 07:58:10 AM

Thanks for all the advice so far

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a Soldier yet, as biggest auction site on the internet's policy on knives in the UK scuppered my bidding

So... If anyone knows of anywhere else UK-based I can look for one or if you have any old knackers available I'd be grateful! Not dead-set on a 1890 model, but am fond of the clip-point shape blade for this style of knife!

Thanks

Mechanickal · **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2019, 09:47:49 AM

I have a Soldier in perfect working condition.
But the butt of the knife is flattened because someone used it as a hammer

I might be willing to let it go, but I'd need my money back that I've put into it.
So it would be €50 + shipping.

It's a 1950 Elsener Soldier and I can take pics when I get home.

Shipping from Belgium.

Ptisuisse · **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2019, 10:15:14 AM

Quote from: craggus2000 on February 04, 2019, 07:58:10 AM

Thanks for all the advice so far

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a Soldier yet, as biggest auction site on the internet's policy on knives in the UK scuppered my bidding

So... If anyone knows of anywhere else UK-based I can look for one or if you have any old knackers available I'd be grateful! Not dead-set on a 1890 model, but am fond of the clip-point shape blade for this style of knife!

Thanks

There is this guy in France who is an authority on these soldiers. He certainly has a lot of knife parts. Do contact him. If he is in a good mood he will definately help. He is MTO member jcfiguet - he runs a site on soldier knives in switzerland. not too hard to find on google.

craggus2000 · **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2019, 02:43:08 PM

Quote from: Ptisuisse on February 04, 2019, 10:15:14 AM

There is this guy in France who is an authority on these soldiers. He certainly has a lot of knife parts. Do contact him. If he is in a good mood he will definately help. He is MTO member jcfiguet - he runs a site on soldier knives in switzerland. not too hard to find on google.

Thanks, I've contacted him now, so will see what happens...

craggus2000 · **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2019, 02:46:33 PM

Quote from: Mechanickal on February 04, 2019, 09:47:49 AM

I have a Soldier in perfect working condition.
But the butt of the knife is flattened because someone used it as a hammer

I might be willing to let it go, but I'd need my money back that I've put into it.
So it would be €50 + shipping.

It's a 1950 Elsener Soldier and I can take pics when I get home.

Shipping from Belgium.

Thanks, yes would you mind posting pictures please? At the moment €50 is a little out of my budget, as currently looking at options. The only thing I would be unable to do well is remake a blade/spring from scratch and temper so looking at any condition where the knife isn't broken to that extent, if you see what I mean?

Mechanickal · **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2019, 02:48:25 PM

I see what you mean.

I'll post pics this evening and you can have a view.

No obligations at all. The knife does not NEED to move for me, and is not offered for sale anywhere. So if you change your mind later on, just give me a shout.

Mechanickal · **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2019, 06:44:15 PM

Dark outside, so poor lighting.

Rapidray · **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2019, 11:26:29 PM

Quote from: Mechanickal on February 05, 2019, 06:44:15 PM

Dark outside, so poor lighting.

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