Has the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) SAK been withdrawn?

[Huntsman]

It is not:

• In the current Vic catalogue (2017)
• On the Vic website
• On the DofE website in their kit list - as apparently it used to be
• For sale from several UK websites that used to stock it

I fear it is withdrawn - And I think I know why - But I am not opening that debate again.
Can anyone confirm this ?

If so it is a shame as it was a pretty unique knife and a very nice collaboration between two great organisations   

Althougth to be honest I never liked the rounded blade - Would always have gone for a regular blade for my boy on a DofE expedition!!

[Don Pablo]

Nooooooo!
I just filled the paperwork for the Chief Scout Award and Gaisce (the Irish DoE equivalent)!

[zoidberg]

The DofE would have to be the model closest to the last couple gens of my modified edc saks.
So naturally I have to give it the thumbs up.

[cody6268]

And I've been procrastinating ordering one from the UK. Guess I put it off too long. To me, it was perfect, although I would have preferred a pointed blade.

[AimlessWanderer]

There's only one reason to discontinue it, and that's poor sales. 

I've been carrying my modded DofE for the last week or so. Very easy mod, which turned it into a great everyday pocket knife. I also have a spare tucked away somewhere, as I thought it had been discontinued a few (4 or 5) years ago, and quickly bought two.

[Gareth]

A "small pocket tool" is still on the kit list for the DofE (as they always called it IIRC) but they don't seem to have a specific recommendation any more.  As AW suggests; I doubt it's anything more than poor sales driving this. 

[Cauldronborn]

I can't comment on if it's been discontinued but it seems to still currently available on the UK Amazon site.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorinox-Duke-Edinburgh-Pocket-Tool/dp/B00243T2KU

I hope this helps any UK members that want to grab one.

[Sawl Goodman]

Nice blade mod there, Aimless Wanderer.

I reckon the DofE is too close in configuration to the Compact, which I think is a better choice and not that much more expensive on Amazon. The branded scale could be kept as an exclusive for the organization, with the back scale a standard non-plus one to keep the price down.

[dlew919]

It is not:

• In the current Vic catalogue (2017)
• On the Vic website
• On the DofE website in their kit list - as apparently it used to be
• For sale from several UK websites that used to stock it

I fear it is withdrawn - And I think I know why - But I am not opening that debate again.
Can anyone confirm this ?

If so it is a shame as it was a pretty unique knife and a very nice collaboration between two great organisations   

Althougth to be honest I never liked the rounded blade - Would always have gone for a regular blade for my boy on a DofE expedition!!

May I ask what debate? A link will do or a 1 sentence synopsis. I don’t want to start an argument but I can’t se for the life of me what could be controversial )except the usual objections to monarchy held by some people.)


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[Huntsman]

^^^ Ah - OK      

The UK (and Australia) have very strict knife control laws - particularly when it comes to children/minors
In Australia it is illegal for me, or my son, to carry any knife - and it is also an offence for me to give my son a knife, or if my son is caught with a knife!!

So I am thinking that the DofE hierarchy have decided that in no way can their brand encourage, or even be associated with, these so called 'dangerous weapons'
-  So they have taken the SAK off their kit list, and cancelled the franchise    

The UK is slightly better than Oz - As they do allow a 91mm SAK to be carried (....blade <3".....) - Which of course allows this knife -  But I think this still might be the reason 


PS.  I don't think it was the Queen who decreed this !!   

[dlew919]

Ah - OK      

The UK (and Australia) have very strict knife control laws - particularly when it comes to children/minors
In Australia it is illegal for me, or my son, to carry any knife - and it is also an offence for me to give my son a knife.

So I am thinking that the DofE hierarchy have decided that in no way can their brand encourage, or even be associated with, these so called 'dangerous weapons'
-  So they have taken the SAK of their kit list and cancelled the franchise    

The UK is slightly better than Oz - As they do allow a 91mm SAK to be carried (....blade <3".....) - Which of course allows this knife -  But I think this still might be the reason

Wat state are you in? I’m in nsw and unless I go to the airport or court I have a sak on my belt. I know that <16 yo aren’t allowed to carry them, but they can own them and use them around home. I’ve taken mine out (for legitimate purposes) in view of police officers with no affect. Both m6 son and daughter were given a sak at 12. They don’t take them to school, but they have them in their room.


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[Huntsman]

^^^  I live in NSW

Check this out:
https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/1988/25/part2/div2

Of course 'in public'  is they key phrase - And there is some provision for having a 'reasonable excuse' to carry a knife - So best to work on that - If ever you are pulled up!!
Interesting that your SAK is in full view - and you have used it in view of police officers - I guess to cut up and apple or prepare some food , or go fishing etc ?  ??

I always carry a SAK too - And my 10 year old has a few at home -   - But you need to have your talk track worked out if ever you are stopped 'in public'

[dlew919]

^^^  I live in NSW

Check this out:
https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/1988/25/part2/div2

Of course 'in public'  is they key phrase - And there is some provision for having a 'reasonable excuse' to carry a knife - So best to work on that - If ever you are pulled up!!
Interesting that your SAK is in full view - and you have used it in view of police officers - I guess to cut up and apple or prepare some food , or go fishing etc ?  ??

I always carry a SAK too - And my 10 year old has a few at home -   - But you need to have your talk track worked out if ever you are stopped 'in public'

I’ve got the compact, so the pen comes out. I’ve also used the screwdriver on my tinkers. I will admit you don’t always see the knife under the shirt.

And my story is I’m a musician, and I use the tools to adjust instruments. Which is true.


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[Fast Bill]

This would be a shame if true but I can believe the sales volume would make it almost inevitable. Whilst the round blade is odd I do like the toolset and that the logo makes it harmless in public situations. Mind you the inability to carry a small screwdriver? Compact please. 

[Don Pablo]

142,961 kids got the DoE award in 2017/2018.
Assuming 1/10 of them bought a penknife, and 1/10 of those who bought a penknife bought the DoE SAK, that's less than 1450 sales per year.
Comparing that to the sales of the Compact...