Some free advice to Victorinox.

[Mad Scientist]

I respect Victorinox for *not* doing all the things you mentioned...

1. I don't care about scratches on my handles scales. It gives the knife character.

2. I don't care if the liner edges are shiny. Again, character.

3. I feel like the level of polish on the tools is already fairly high and consistent without being unnecessarily so.

4. A "build-your-own" product line *would* be cool, but isn't realistic/profitable from a manufacturing perspective. Using "fancy metal" isn't really part of Victorinox 's brand image, either.

5. I'd LOVE to see a return of the 84mm scissors, but again this is probably a marketing/manufacturing strategy rather than being unable to fix the machine.

6. Creating a line of flippers that "makes all others pale in comparison"?? That's not their market. It's pretty silly to tell a company "Oh, just make the very best end-all-be-all knife EVER", as if it were that simple. And what would the cost be??

Victorinox is who they are and they make what they make. They know their target audience, and frankly it's not the high-speed/low-drag, tacticool, fidget-factor, steel-snob, pocket jewelry crowd. People who buy an SAK buy them to be affordable, reliable tools, and that's what Victorinox provides.

They've been around almost 140 years and make over 500 million in revenue. I think they can manage without your "free advice".

[Swisster]

just make an Alox 93mm Voyageur and get it over with like they did with the Pioneer X when it finally was produced.

[marlowe221]

YMMV, but I don’t consider knife blades and scissors redundant.  Sure there’s some overlap, i.e. tasks that could reasonably be done with either.  But for the most part, I use scissors for tasks that would be difficult to accomplish safely and efficiently with a knife blade (e.g. trimming my mustache) and vice versa (e.g. trimming cigars, cutting cardboard and packaging, cutting food).

I can see how multiple knife blades might be redundant for some, but personally I really like having at least a dirty blade and a clean blade.
...

I actually agree with everything you said here. I personally don't consider a SAK with two knife blades and a pair of scissors to be redundant to the point of being silly.

But there IS still overlap on those tools, even if you and I have decided to use them for different things.

My point was simply that Victorinox does not seem to be a company that is going to let some degree of tool overlap stop them very often, if at all! In fact, a lot of their customers like the overlap because of some of the reasons you mentioned.

So, to me, the argument that a dedicated "package opener" tool of some kind would be redundant is not really a reason to discount the rumors that such a tool is in development. The mock up I have seen looks like it would be for more than just cutting tape on a box and at least has the appearance of a pretty versatile tool, much like the current can opener that it is rumored to replace on the "Companion".

[Farmer X]

On the subject of redundancy: I have seven blades on my person as of this post. Three of them are pen blades, and two are spears. Perhaps that is a little redundant, but I like carrying different things. The Congresses I got yesterday (they can be seen here) have two pen blades each. Some traditional knives have been made with up to twelve blades...but I consider those examples of a cutler's skill rather than serious users.

So, do I consider SAKs with two blades and a scissors redundant? No, especially when each blade can serve a separate and distinct purpose and scissors can be used for precise and safe cuts.

[ShropshireLad]

What makes Victorinox great is that they deliver great value at an affordable price. All those suggestions would hike the price up without adding much to the tool. Personally, I don't want that.
Changing the construction would add cost, a lot of cost (Labor cost in Switzerland is high, the only reason Victorinox can produce relatively cheap is automation.). But moreover you can have all that, just get a mod. Which means we get the best of both worlds. You can get an inexpensive SAK from Victorinox and if you feel like getting a bit more pocket jewelry (not judging, I have 3 customs) you order it from a modder or do it yourself.
Victorinox already has a huge range of SAKs. Considering that BtoC they mostly sell Classics, I don't think that would make them huge profits.
And I neither see companies or government (armed forces/law enforcement etc) order that.
That said, I would definitively buy a Cadet-X
But this is more wishful thinking rather than sound advice
Flippers are outside of Victornioxes competence. I think it is well to leave that to Boker/Civivi et al.


Here is my advice to Victorinox (not that they need it):
- Create blade-less SAKs and SwissTools.
- Find a replacement for the can-opener (Cans are a thing of the past in many parts of the world. And the few remaining cans are self-opening)

Wow maybe they took your advice!  Because a month after you posted this they released the 91mm Companion with a new tool - a replacement for the can opener!

Also now in 2024 there is speculation that they will release a range of bladeless SAKs.

[JowiiYoyo]

the high-speed/low-drag, tacticool, fidget-factor, steel-snob, pocket jewelry crowd.

Hahahah im dying 

[SurgeUk]

just make an Alox 93mm Voyageur and get it over with like they did with the Pioneer X when it finally was produced.

Like this 
It only arrived this week and I love it 

[ShropshireLad]

 

Like this 
It only arrived this week and I love it 

 
 

[SurgeUk]

 
 

@wigglescustomsaks (instagram)

UK based and no affiliation (but a very decent chap) 

[Farmer X]

It sure does look good!

[Rizio Il Ghiro]

Love the colour of those scales, SurgeUK - great find! 

[SurgeUk]

It sure does look good!

Love the colour of those scales, SurgeUK - great find! 

Thanking you both 

[Swisster]

they have needed to bring the 93mm Alox Voyageur to production for years but it won't happen because it's to similar to a Compact and they don't want to compete against it

[andywork]

Hi Guys,

Just a heads-up.
If you would like to share you views with Victorinox, there’s a survey posted here:

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=92794.0

Hope that helps.