This used to be my holy grail, the SwissBianco Carver SW. Until I found it. There is no next holy grail.
Actually, thanks to Folder Beholder, I have one of my Grail knives. I picked up a '67 Soldier earlier this year. 1967 was a strange year in that only Wenger produced knives for the Swiss Army. She found it for me and I pounced on it!
I’ll admit to being the underbidder on that one, at $357. I decided to bid more than I wanted to spend to avoid regret in the event I didn’t win. The other guy/gal clearly wanted it worse than I. Congrats to whomever the winner was.
Must have been that one I bid on and didn't have deep enough pockets for. I actually thought it might go higher.
That was me, and I know I paid dearly for it. I've missed out on a couple other late 50's Alox Pioneers with the triangular awl, and they are just so darn rare and hard to find. For me, this one was at the top of my grail list. I just wish it was in somewhat better shape, but so be it. It's almost impossible to find anything about this particular model anywhere on the web.
That was me, and I know I paid dearly for it.
Without Frailer's bid, it might have gone for significantly cheaper. We don't know if other bids got 'punted' in between (lower bids attempted later than those that got registered).
FWIW the bid under mine was $329. The top 3 bids were placed in the final few seconds of the auction.
Congratulations! I'm glad it's in the MTo family and I look forward to seeing it around. And if you're also new to MTo, welcome!
Myron, thanks for the welcome. I found this site looking for some historical info but I'm glad to see it's an active community.
I found this site looking for some historical info but I'm glad to see it's an active community.
And I see you got a couple bids in...and hit one of the 'button' bids in time after the $329 posted. Missed that one and thought the next one down was your $201.77. It's interesting to watch what people do.
I only bid once...with 5 seconds left. When I really want an item (and plan to be awake when the auction ends) I’ll wait until the last second and place a bid for the largest amount I’m willing to pay. I don’t like to play the bidding war game.
1967 was a strange year in that only Wenger produced knives for the Swiss Army.
I’d like a 1970 or 76 soldier. 70 being my sisters birth year and 76 being mine. 70 would be more important to me though.
I seek the nonserrated OHT or nonserrated Forester M Grip
Seems there were a couple of years that Victorinox didn’t make Soldiers...I knew there was one year. From SAKWIKi:No Soldier YearsThe Soldier model was not produced at all by Victorinox during the following years: 1958, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1974 It is unknown whether or not the annual military order was filled by existing knives or by Wenger alone.
Are you sure?Because I have one from Victorinox (on the right side of the photo).
Up until now, I was. That's a real beauty!!