The ageless SAK.

[Aloha]

I dont have quite the collection of old SAKs that many have.  I have a few 60s era that are in remarkable shape.  All but one can go right into my pocket and be used in the manner it was built for.  I don't have any old (30+) SAKs that are pristine ( never used ),  so thinking about a 30+ year old tool that was used and still capable of being used is pretty remarkable.  Am I correct?  How many things can claim to be still useable after so many years?  Lets consider how these items (SAKs) are being used.  The 84mm Golfer I recently got has a cracked liner and is one of the only SAKs that I've got that has suffered a "fault' thats not abuse.  I don't know, maybe it is from abuse but reading thru the threads I suspect its the material coupled with lack of care? 

I got a 83-84 Ranger ( my guess on age ) and its in splendid condition.  Yeah so 35 years isn't old,  but for a knife I'd say it is  .  This is sort of my point.  When do we consider Victorinox knives old?  Most other knives we consider old beginning at 20 years or so, am I correct?  Some of y'all have carried the same SAK longer than 20 years.

Is it that Victorinox is so well built that 30 years barely begins to age them? 

 

     

[magentus]

Knives and hand tools are some of few things I own that are older than me and will last way beyond my lifetime if cared for. I like that 

The oldest knife I have is a 68 sturdy boy sent to me by the lovely El-C but I replaced the blade on it so it's useable. The Alox models are particularly resilient.

I'd consider a Victorinox as old at 30 maybe 40 years? It's testament to their quality that they are still highly useable provided they were properly cared for.

My collection of SAKs numbers 5 alox and 3 cellidor and the Sturdy Boy is by far the oldest.

[Rapidray]

I feel that anything made by man is antique at 20 years. I use cars as my example. Plates are available for that status at that time. And changes are always being made, as they are on SAK’s - tools and symbols etc.

[kamakiri]

Oldest knives I carry are from 'post-war' '40s.  Almost everything I have from this period is still usable, aside from those bought for parts.  In general, I wish all SAKs were still built like these.

[Rich S]

"Technically" to be an antique the object has to be 100+ years old. Younger, but 40-50-60's are usually called vintage. Of course I carry a old Tinker EDC from (?) the 90's. Several in my collection of non-users are in the vintage range; only one in the antique range - a 1908 Model 2 (never to be carried). But if you are talking about the quality of recently made items (except SAKs), then Rapidray is correct - we have a 50 year old Sears washer and dryer that are still going strong, but have been through 3 dehumidifiers (Chinese made) in 6 years.
Rich