Black Compacts?

[andywork]

Hi Knights ,

Am I going mad, or has Victorinox recently stopped making black compacts?

I thought they used to list them on their website? Though I think since the 2021 update, they’ve disappeared?

Please help…

[Altis]

I only see the red Compact on the Canadian Victorinox website.

They definitely offered it in black as that's the one I bought, and I'm pretty sure it was directly from them. You may still find it in black at other retailers, though.

It would be a shame as I find the Compact looks best in black, as did the Executive (which I believe was discontinued entirely).

[Rich S]

I don't see any on my usual sites. Could buy a red one and switch out to black scales.

[Nix]

Red is such a SAK classic, but I've always thought the Compact looked good in black.

[andywork]

I only see the red Compact on the Canadian Victorinox website.

They definitely offered it in black as that's the one I bought, and I'm pretty sure it was directly from them. You may still find it in black at other retailers, though.

It would be a shame as I find the Compact looks best in black, as did the Executive (which I believe was discontinued entirely).

Thanks for putting my mind at ease…

  with the sentiment that the “Compact looks best in black”. You’re not wrong…

P.S. And discontinuing the Executive certainly wasn’t the correct “executive” decision either! 

[andywork]

I don't see any on my usual sites. Could buy a red one and switch out to black scales.

That’s my only option now… 

Though, the high price of going directly to Victorinox didn’t seem so bad. Especially if I could’ve saved the hassle of sourcing and changing the scales.

Well, never mind.

[andywork]

Red is such a SAK classic, but I've always thought the Compact looked good in black.

 

I’ve always thought the black Victorinoxs looked quite good too.

Though, I’m probably a bit biased.

[ElevenBlade]

 

I bought a Compact 4 years ago and at that time I could only find it in red... Anywhere I looked. I've never seen it for sale in black since.

I changed the scales to black a couple of years ago. Swapped out with a SwissChamp that I got in black... Which I think looks better in red. 

[andywork]

I bought a Compact 4 years ago and at that time I could only find it in red... Anywhere I looked. I've never seen it for sale in black since.

I changed the scales to black a couple of years ago. Swapped out with a SwissChamp that I got in black... Which I think looks better in red. 

I was going to say, “Maybe it’s because Compacts have Plus Scales, and they’re being phased out?”.
Except, I didn’t realise Swiss Champs also have Plus Scales too! 

I really can’t understand why Victorinox are allowing personalised scales on some models, like that, and not on others.

Though, maybe that’s why they’re in business and I’m not? 

They must know which colours will satisfy the majority of their customers?! Well, hopefully…   

[gadgetman7]

They seem to be phasing out black scales altogether. The 111mm line lost a lot of black scales. In fact, they seem to be phasing out sapphire scales as well. I wonder if it’s a cost saving decision. To have just a few colors.


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[andywork]

They seem to be phasing out black scales altogether. The 111mm line lost a lot of black scales. In fact, they seem to be phasing out sapphire scales as well. I wonder if it’s a cost saving decision. To have just a few colors.


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I didn’t realise the 111mm Vic’s were affected too.

I suppose we could soon be relegated to only getting the Classics and maybe the Limited Editions in any other special colours, which would be a shame.

On the bright side though, all those colourful collections I see around this forum will be going up in value as they’ll be a bit of a rarity!

[Altis]

Thanks for putting my mind at ease…

  with the sentiment that the “Compact looks best in black”. You’re not wrong…

P.S. And discontinuing the Executive certainly wasn’t the correct “executive” decision either! 

The 74mm discontinuation saddens and boggles me... the Executive seemed to be very popular on Amazon, on par with the Classic and Huntsman. 

For colours, I wonder if it has to do with keeping the number of SKUs down for their retailers. With about 10 standard colours and a few dozen models, it works out to several hundred of model-colour combinations for retailers to have to offer (probably over a thousand including all sizes), which isn't practical -- and Victorinox likely wants to support their retailers.

There's still 5 91mm models offered in black: Spartan (in 3 forms including PS), Explorer, Huntsman, Climber, and Swiss Champ. Will have to keep an eye on those.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's to get one or a few of the ones you like when you can, as they could be gone next time you check. 

[ElevenBlade]

The 74mm discontinuation saddens and boggles me... the Executive seemed to be very popular on Amazon, on par with the Classic and Huntsman. 

For colours, I wonder if it has to do with keeping the number of SKUs down for their retailers. With about 10 standard colours and a few dozen models, it works out to several hundred of model-colour combinations for retailers to have to offer (probably over a thousand including all sizes), which isn't practical -- and Victorinox likely wants to support their retailers.

There's still 5 91mm models offered in black: Spartan (in 3 forms including PS), Explorer, Huntsman, Climber, and Swiss Champ. Will have to keep an eye on those.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's to get one or a few of the ones you like when you can, as they could be gone next time you check. 

So it's a good thing that I have two black Climbers still in the package, I guess. 

[andywork]

The 74mm discontinuation saddens and boggles me... the Executive seemed to be very popular on Amazon, on par with the Classic and Huntsman. 

For colours, I wonder if it has to do with keeping the number of SKUs down for their retailers. With about 10 standard colours and a few dozen models, it works out to several hundred of model-colour combinations for retailers to have to offer (probably over a thousand including all sizes), which isn't practical -- and Victorinox likely wants to support their retailers.

There's still 5 91mm models offered in black: Spartan (in 3 forms including PS), Explorer, Huntsman, Climber, and Swiss Champ. Will have to keep an eye on those.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's to get one or a few of the ones you like when you can, as they could be gone next time you check. 

 
It’s sad that some well loved models seem to be discontinued at the drop of a hat, with no real explanation.

However, the idea of keeping the number of different colours down makes a lot of sense.

Though I do wonder with all the new Classic colours, are the over all numbers still the same?
Just, maybe, not so evenly distributed? 
For example – having fifty coloured Classics and everything else just in red, verses every knife having at least half a dozen colours for each model.

One thing I know for sure… Having multiple back-ups is a genius! 

[Altis]

So it's a good thing that I have two black Climbers still in the package, I guess. 

2 is none, 3 is one  You know what you must do. 

[Altis]

It’s sad that some well loved models seem to be discontinued at the drop of a hat, with no real explanation.

However, the idea of keeping the number of different colours down makes a lot of sense.

Though I do wonder with all the new Classic colours, are the over all numbers still the same?
Just, maybe, not so evenly distributed? 
For example – having fifty coloured Classics and everything else just in red, verses every knife having at least half a dozen colours for each model.

One thing I know for sure… Having multiple back-ups is a genius! 

It's a good point. I suspect that the Classic could make up more sales than the rest of the lineup combined as it's quite literally the SAK for everyone, so having all kinds of colours makes sense there. 

[smiller43147]

I'm disappointed, both because of the lack of black scales, AND LACK OF PICTURES.
Pocket Toolchest, Compact, Huntsman and Trekker.

[SteveP]

I don't have a Compact, black or otherwise. But I do like black SAKs!

Black Swiss Champ, Explorer, and Executive.

I also have a black Climber, but it's on temp loan to my wife while she's out of town, so unavailable for the group photo.

[andywork]

It's a good point. I suspect that the Classic could make up more sales than the rest of the lineup combined as it's quite literally the SAK for everyone, so having all kinds of colours makes sense there. 

I hadn’t thought about it like that.

It would only seem appropriate to have their best seller have the biggest range of colours.

 

[andywork]

I'm disappointed, both because of the lack of black scales, AND LACK OF PICTURES.
Pocket Toolchest, Compact, Huntsman and Trekker.

If I was a suspicious man, I would think the lack of scales was a ploy to sell us an extra pair every time! 

And to make up for the lack of pictures – Here’s the only one I’ve been able to buy from Victorinox because I can’t get a black Compact… Bitter, me, no!

[andywork]

I don't have a Compact, black or otherwise. But I do like black SAKs!

Black Swiss Champ, Explorer, and Executive.

I also have a black Climber, but it's on temp loan to my wife while she's out of town, so unavailable for the group photo.

Nice collection Steve!

Though that’s the most frustrating thing!
I see all these beautiful black collections and when I go to start mine, I fall at the first hurdle. 

At least I’ll be really good at changing scales, by the time I’m finished.

 

[SteveP]

Nice collection Steve!

Though that’s the most frustrating thing!
I see all these beautiful black collections and when I go to start mine, I fall at the first hurdle. 

At least I’ll be really good at changing scales, by the time I’m finished.

 

Thank you! I like them.

It's funny - I remember when I started noticing black SAKs long ago and not liking them - "Swiss Army Knives are supposed to be red!" Now I think I prefer black over red. One I'm building now will have black scales.

I got them all from eBay. You might have better luck there than from Victorinox, if you're OK with a few scuffs.

[andywork]

Thank you! I like them.

It's funny - I remember when I started noticing black SAKs long ago and not liking them - "Swiss Army Knives are supposed to be red!" Now I think I prefer black over red. One I'm building now will have black scales.

I got them all from eBay. You might have better luck there than from Victorinox, if you're OK with a few scuffs.

Funnily enough, I went through the same thought process.
I think there’s a certain elegance to the black scales that the practical red scales can’t match now too.

Unfortunately, eBay in the UK has a ‘no knives’ policy so all those great bargains aren’t available this side of the pond. Plus, the cost of shipping them here wouldn’t make them such bargains anymore either.

By the way, good luck with your current ‘black beauty’ build!

[SteveP]

Funnily enough, I went through the same thought process.
I think there’s a certain elegance to the black scales that the practical red scales can’t match now too.

Unfortunately, eBay in the UK has a ‘no knives’ policy so all those great bargains aren’t available this side of the pond. Plus, the cost of shipping them here wouldn’t make them such bargains anymore either.

By the way, good luck with your current ‘black beauty’ build!

Too bad about UK eBay. eBay has been a great help to me over here with getting SAKs. Though I've found a few nice ones locally at estate sales and collectibles/junk shops.

Thank you for the good luck wishes. I'm documenting the build here, if you want to follow along: https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,87744.0.html

[andywork]

Too bad about UK eBay. eBay has been a great help to me over here with getting SAKs. Though I've found a few nice ones locally at estate sales and collectibles/junk shops.

Thank you for the good luck wishes. I'm documenting the build here, if you want to follow along: https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,87744.0.html

Thanks for the recommendation to try secondhand stores. That could be a good source.

Thanks, also, for the link. I’ll check it out.

[rockhound42]

Just had my black compact arrive from https://www.swisstool.co.uk/st/all-blacks/

liking it so far and wondering about a lanyard of some sort to add to it, really liking it so far.

[andywork]

Just had my black compact arrive from https://www.swisstool.co.uk/st/all-blacks/

liking it so far and wondering about a lanyard of some sort to add to it, really liking it so far.

Thanks for letting me know about Swiss Tool.

It’s good to hear you had such a great buying experience from them.
I was more than a little hesitant to get it from them. Especially when I read the reviews on Trustpilot. 

Have you tried making a paracord lanyard? It’s great fun! And you get to personalise it however you want.

[rockhound42]

Hadn't seen any reviews on trustpilot. I've bought from them in the past and never had any issues, was quite some time ago though.

Decided a few days ago I wanted something to carry every day that wasn't as big as some of the ones I've got already so had a look around and found they had the black compacts in so got one ordered on Monday.

Matches up with the black Cybertool I already have.

Will have to have a go at a paracord one just been looking on the forum for inspiration......

[andywork]

Hadn't seen any reviews on trustpilot. I've bought from them in the past and never had any issues, was quite some time ago though.

Decided a few days ago I wanted something to carry every day that wasn't as big as some of the ones I've got already so had a look around and found they had the black compacts in so got one ordered on Monday.

Matches up with the black Cybertool I already have.

Will have to have a go at a paracord one just been looking on the forum for inspiration......

It’s great to hear from a satisfied customer of theirs. It’s certainly better than just some anonymous reviews.

Hope you find some inspiration for your lanyard on here. I’m afraid I’m a bit too new to know where the best paracord threads are? Though I’m sure they’ll be around here somewhere.

Good luck.

[MichaelGT83]

To offer a different perspective on SwissTool...

I placed a couple of orders with them and had no issue whatsoever. Then, back in February, I placed an order and them never received anything. They wouldn't respond to emails, they didn't respond to queries via the website contact form and there isn't a phone number anywhere.

I've had to claim my money back through the bank. Maybe there was something genuine about my order which mean it would be delayed - but to go months without responding to queries and have no correspondence whatsoever is ridiculous and I won't be using them again. Which is a shame as I love some of the scale colours they have.