Do you folks like, or avoid, the branded SAK's?

[Ike582]

I know some folks collect the corporate branded SAK's.  I wonder if others generally avoid them.  For me, I feel the brand often disrupts the elegance of the design, it's a bad billboard.  On the other hand, if I saw a vintage model with a cool old brand like BOAC or Pan Am, it might be great.

How about the Nespresso Alox models?  Great colors but do you like the Nespresso text on the back? I love the colors, and drink their coffee most mornings, but I haven't come around to adding one. 

Your thoughts?

[kamakiri]

Depends. I like brands I like. I’ve added several just for my liking of the brand. (Like Coke) Others for appreciation of the inlay as ‘art’. (Like Planters)

I don’t drink Nespresso. And I don’t collect those knives. I think some of the colors are cool, but the prices are out of the value range for me to buy any just for the color.

[SirVicaLot]

Some branded SAKs are cheaper than unbranded ones. I get those and make wooden scales for them 

[kamakiri]

Oh, and I don’t smoke...but I love the Marlboro knives. Don’t even know how many Troubleshooters I have between all the NIB and user/parts and modded copies.

[Mad Scientist]

I generally avoid them, and don't have any as of the moment. If it was a company or brand I support it wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me, but I wouldn't really seek one out just because of that, either.

[Mechanickal]

Some older SAKs with metal inlay ads are little artworks, but I've let go of nearly all of them.
Only a Steyr arms and BMW example are still with me because they're simply beautiful!

Printed? Out comes the polish.

The Nespresso's are my only exception, but I don't consider those ad knives in the first place.

[Top-Gear-24]

Depends on the brand...

For example, I like the "Marlboro" ones (never smoked a cigarette in my life, but I love the logo from seing it on F1 and Rally Cars in the good old days), or the Swisstool with BMW and Spirit with Ducati on them, and would pay more for them than for the non-branded version. 

But on the other hand, I would hate having the name/logo of a local insurance company, bank or God forbid, some political party on the scale of a SAK, and would stay away from them, even if they came at a discount (except maybe for custom wooden scale modding or so).

[Rapidray]

Depends on the brand - I worked at the auto auction and the cars coming in had to be detailed so I collected the miles off the Marlboro packs and got free knives, backpack and a couple of other things.

[Nix]

I sort of like 'em.  A logo or brand adds a little character, backstory, and interest to a SAK.

[Myron]

Depends on the brand and whether it has meaning to me personally or not.  I have a few, but not many.   What I have never understood is people who collect the 58 mm Classics with any and all advertising on their scales, regardless of what the ad is for.  But, the world is full of SAKs and to each his/her own.  I'm just glad their are other like-minded people on this planet who make me look equivalently sane.

I love the Nespresso Pioneers and bought them all.  I like their coffee too, but really I'm just an Alox junkie.  They were reasonably priced each year when you could buy them new.  It's only in retrospect and since they've become "collectible" that their market values have gone up. 

[BadMechanic]

Oh, and I don’t smoke...but I love the Marlboro knives. Don’t even know how many Troubleshooters I have between all the NIB and user/parts and modded copies.

I used to be a cigarette smoker and Id like a Marlboro one myself. Im not a collector and I use what I have. But itd like to have one just because.

[cody6268]

I enjoy them a lot. Sometimes, there may even be tool combinations and handle colors that were only used on advertising models. However, I mostly try to stick to metal inlays. Only Victorinox can make those, versus printed ad knives have been done by dozens of different companies that do promotional products

And, my Marlboro Outdoorsman is a SwissChamp without all the bulk. While the "Marlboro" ad doesn't bother me in the least, I do plan to put on Plus scales--given that's a rear scale, I shouldn't have to swap the front scale. But, it will eliminate the Vic logo--so guess I need to locate a Plus scale with the Swiss Cross.

[boatman422]

I enjoy them a lot. Sometimes, there may even be tool combinations and handle colors that were only used on advertising models. However, I mostly try to stick to metal inlays. Only Victorinox can make those, versus printed ad knives have been done by dozens of different companies that do promotional products

And, my Marlboro Outdoorsman is a SwissChamp without all the bulk. While the "Marlboro" ad doesn't bother me in the least, I do plan to put on Plus scales--given that's a rear scale, I shouldn't have to swap the front scale. But, it will eliminate the Vic logo--so guess I need to locate a Plus scale with the Swiss Cross.

This. I have both the Troubleshooter and bought white plus scales just for it. When it arrived, I knew I had to keep the Marlboro logo. Just adds to the original character. I'd be afraid I would break the scales upon removal/

The Trail Guide is arguably the best execution, as they managed to keep the Vic cross on the front scale, and fit the Marlboro logo on the corkscrew side.

Come to think of it, I think this 'backside logo' treatment is pretty uncommon in general.

[CraftsmanSAK]

They seem to be less sought after, so the bonus is usually a lower price (except the Marlboro's).  Most of the knives I buy with the intent use and not just collect have been branded or they just had a broken scale with good tools. 

[cody6268]

They seem to be less sought after, so the bonus is usually a lower price (except the Marlboro's).  Most of the knives I buy with the intent use and not just collect have been branded or they just had a broken scale with good tools.

That is a good part of it for me as well. I got my CT34 for about $15 less than they typically go for because of University of Miami scales (I had to swap them out for red, because they turned out to be warped, but the scales still exist on the Super Tinker I borrowed the red scales from)

[ElevenBlade]

I intentionally avoid the branded SAKs.  I really avoid them, and it doesn't matter if I like the brand or not... and I've passed up SAKs at a great price due to that bias.  I don't know what it is... its an eyesore, and I don't want to be reminded of the brand (except the Victorinox brand) each time I look at it. 

[kamakiri]

I shouldn’t be surprised by how many mentioned Marlboros! I love ‘em all.

I used to be a cigarette smoker and Id like a Marlboro one myself. Im not a collector and I use what I have. But itd like to have one just because.

They’re usually available on e-vilbay. NIB or used, there’s always something listed. The 4 91mm models should have one that suits you for use. I definitely use my users. Troubleshooters are definitely my favorite. The Trail Guides are great, but a bit expensive since they aren’t as common.

[Pacu]

I buy them if they are cheap enough. Branding doesn't matter when it's a user. I have a Supreme Farmer here somewhere I got from NYC.

[Wessaen]

Depends on what the brand/logo looks like. In general I buy them for cheap and use them as beaters/the knives I hide around the house to be useful as needed (kitchen, garage, entryway, nightstand, glove box... No I don't have a problem.  I swear.)

I collect the Pharmaceutical branded classics because they tend to have wildly colored custom scales and blades.

I have one oddball with a Teal scales, a Pepcid logo, Rover bottle opener but an emergency blade. Funky but fun and a keeper.

My current keychain carry is a classic with a White scale and a migraine drug logo on one side and a bright Orange scale with a MAOI drug logo on the other.

As to the Nespresso.. I consider the Alox knives to be their own beast and I love them all. In all their colors so I do my best to pick them up as they come out.

-Wes.

[MacGyver]

I don't particularly like sak branded scales, but if i come across some in good shape at a good price i wouldn't avoid them for sure, not because of the scales because it's not an issue. If i don't like the scales i'll just pop them out and press in some standard ones. 5 min tops....

I'm pretty boring when it comes to sak's aesthetics, just give me a standard red factory stock sak and i'm a happy guy.   

[Aloha]

I tend to avoid them.  I like the clean scales however I do like to inlays of the models.  I have a Cyclist and one with Eddie Bauer which are nice.  I also got one that says Camping with the teepee which is really nice. 

[nate j]

I can take it or leave it.  If the branding gets me a discount on a model I would want to buy anyway, I take it.  If not, I leave it.

[FolderBeholder]

I like branded SAKs.
Here are a few recent purchases that caught my eye and I bought them for my collection:

[Frailer]

I tend to be ambivalent about advertising knives. I have an 84mm Golfer with LNF with a corporate logo, and it doesn’t bother me in the least. But if I had the choice between two knives that were identical save for branding, I’d choose the brand-free example.

SAKs produced as joint ventures—such as the Nespresso models—don’t particularly appeal to me.

[ElevenBlade]

I tend to be ambivalent about advertising knives. I have an 84mm Golfer with LNF with a corporate logo, and it doesn’t bother me in the least. But if I had the choice between two knives that were identical save for branding, I’d choose the brand-free example.

SAKs produced as joint ventures—such as the Nespresso models—don’t particularly appeal to me.

I tend to agree.

Another thing I don't like - dates on limited edition SAKs.  I've had the chance to buy a few LI Alox models, and I passed them up because of the date stamp 
Admittedly, if I really liked the color, I'd have gotten them regardless of the date stamp... I just don't like how they have the date on the engraving plate. 

I have no problem with the date stamp on Soldiers though. 

[Frailer]

...Another thing I don't like - dates on limited edition SAKs.  I've had the chance to buy a few LI Alox models, and I passed them up because of the date stamp...

I can appreciate this sentiment.

I, too, passed on the LE Pioneers—despite my love for the model—because of the engraved date.  But when I recently came across all of them in quick succession at prices too reasable to pass on I managed to get over my prejudice. 

Did I mention I can be ambivalent on this topic? 

[VICMAN]

I like branded SAKs.
Here are a few recent purchases that caught my eye and I bought them for my collection:

Very nice group of branded SAKs FB!

[FolderBeholder]

Very nice group of branded SAKs FB!

Thank you Vicman! 

[ElevenBlade]

I can appreciate this sentiment.

I, too, passed on the LE Pioneers—despite my love for the model—because of the engraved date.  But when I recently came across all of them in quick succession at prices too reasable to pass on I managed to get over my prejudice. 

Did I mention I can be ambivalent on this topic? 

I am really curious as to what color they have planned for this year.  if it's orange, I'll get it.

I have two Soldiers at the moment, and I like that the dates are only stamped on the tang.  One of those years is significant to me... the other, not so much.  Maybe if the date on the LI model was significant, I would get it... but again, I'd have to like the color. 

[Myron]

What I think is interesting about the Alox LE's is that Victorinox chose not to engrave (or stamp) the date in a durable and significant way into the scale like they did on the 2010 Damast Pioneer.  I agree that having the year printed or laser etched or whatever it is looks and feels cheaper.  I guess it's much less expensive for them to do it this way.  Oh well, I still love the modern Alox LE's, and what're you gonna do, just stop collecting them when you have them all from the beginning?  No, you are not going to do that, and Victorinox knows it.... 

I so have a problem.