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At the risk of jinxing it - small Mountaineer on its way to me

J2000E · 18 · 3742

se Offline J2000E

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Local auction got me excited and I put in the high bid. Pictures were good but not very informative. But there were clues.

It is on its way to me and I hope I am not jinxing it now. But I am still excited and I need to tell someone!

Sellers pictures (edited by me).





us Offline buzz_man

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Following and I wish you  the best of luck.

Post pictures once you get get it.


us Offline Farmer X

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I've never heard of a Mountaineer Small, but that sure looks like one. If the seller is honest, this will be a hell of a find!
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


se Offline J2000E

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I've never heard of a Mountaineer Small, but that sure looks like one. If the seller is honest, this will be a hell of a find!

It might be that "Mountaineer small" is an afterthought/-construction and/or a function of the later model naming. The original name was 235 kma = Kleineres modell, Metallsäge und -feile, and not very logic a = Pinzette und Zahnstocher...
« Last Edit: April 01, 2025, 10:42:41 AM by J2000E »


us Offline AzteCypher

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 :like:  :climber:
May the best of your past, be the worst of your future.



se Offline J2000E

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When bidding on auctions posted by non-professional sellers/people not fully knowing what they have - there is always a certain element of chance... As with the seller above. Nothing in the auction about the two knifes - just the pictures.

...And when it comes to SAK: s I am always surprised over the fact that in at least 50 percent of the auctions there is no picture of the layers.

I would bid on anything that looks to be in good condition - as long as it has a five turn corkscrew and a small clip point blade. I just like them and I am willing to take a chance.

This one is another example of a local auction where I was more or less expecting a 235 or a 235k "Mountaineer". I stared at the pictures and there might be a layer more...




When it arrived it was a 246fmaU - in pristine condition. I did not complain. Much. The joy of collecting!

After some gentle cleaning:





us Offline Farmer X

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I would tend to agree that "Mountaineer Small" is not an official Victorinox name, and I'd suspect that its been discontinued for a while. It looks to be in fantastic condition, with nice clean scales and minimal yellowing of the nickel-silver cross. You scored big-time! :2tu:
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


us Offline AzteCypher

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Wow!  Beautiful looking SAK.
May the best of your past, be the worst of your future.



se Offline J2000E

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It has arrived!

Pictures are as delivered - no cleaning yet. Not dirty really but oil has dried out. It will get a ultrasonic bath and some oil. It seems to either have been totally pampered or just put away early in its life. I believe the latter as the blades have their original edge grind.

Timeline-wise it seems to be in the transition period in the early 70ies. No PAT can opener, sharpened wire stripper cap lifter/screwdriver, five loop corkscrew, drop point small blade, Victoria stamp.

A lot points to cirka 1972 - with the scissors spring throwing it off a bit. Of course it might have been exchanged but the condition of the knife speaks against it. But anyhow scissors springs are a uncertain "dater".

On to the pics!

















I am looking forward to cleaning it and I am happy to have been able to get this 84mm, four layer 235kma "small Mountaineer" to my collection. I believe it is rather unusual (rare is a overused word). As I wrote earlier - it is always a bit challenging buying at auction. This time it feels like a score!

I will get back with pics when it is cleaned and oiled.
« Last Edit: April 02, 2025, 10:37:48 PM by J2000E »


us Offline Farmer X

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I'd agree with it being put away early on, too. And I'm reminded that I should check mine to see if any oil has dried out. You really struck gold there! :like:
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


se Offline J2000E

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Re: At the risk of jinxing it - small Mountaineer on its way to me
Reply #10 on: April 04, 2025, 01:59:59 AM
At the ultrasonic Spa...





Getting some vax...





And then a cross over treatment from another hobby...





The oils that are good enough for these are perfect for SAK: s




se Offline J2000E

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Re: At the risk of jinxing it - small Mountaineer on its way to me
Reply #11 on: April 04, 2025, 01:49:11 PM
The money shot(s)!

I am very pleased with how everything turned out. This one is in almost as new condition and it is a pride to have it in the collection.





us Offline Farmer X

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Re: At the risk of jinxing it - small Mountaineer on its way to me
Reply #12 on: April 05, 2025, 02:37:30 AM
Fantastic job. You did exceedingly well!
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


se Offline J2000E

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Re: At the risk of jinxing it - small Mountaineer on its way to me
Reply #13 on: April 21, 2025, 11:06:48 PM
Continuing the jinx challenge...

This time with a Wenger Champ. Local auction again and I was the only bidder. No info in the auction (as usual) and only one picture - but the box and papers are nice and/but what got me going was the reflection of a five turn corkscrew.

Counting the corkscrew reflections in the scales...

(sellers picture)



As long as it arrives (despite the jinxing) this purchase/auction bid was a no brainer. And cheap.


us Offline Farmer X

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Re: At the risk of jinxing it - small Mountaineer on its way to me
Reply #14 on: April 22, 2025, 04:05:38 AM
Definitely a five-turn corkscrew. Looking forward to seeing photos of it once you have it in-hand and cleaned up! :popcorn:
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


se Offline J2000E

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Re: At the risk of jinxing it - small Mountaineer on its way to me
Reply #15 on: April 24, 2025, 08:40:26 PM
Arrived today.

It feels by far more difficult to date Wenger: s than Victorinox. When looking at pictures on the net - at Wenger: s from this era that has got box and papers it seems the last two digits in the serial might point to the year. In this case 1978.

The box says "1 28 00" and it is the model Champ - but according to Wenger codes it should say 1 28 02 - as it has tweezers and tothpick. It does not have a key ring holder (that would make it a 1 28 03 - together with the tweezer/tothpick). The seller was not a collector or interested in SAK - which makes me believe the knife came in this box.









Compared with my brothers of the same model - but a "03" as it has a chain ring holder. Another difference is mine has got the five-turn corkscrew whilst his got a four-turn.



us Offline Farmer X

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Re: At the risk of jinxing it - small Mountaineer on its way to me
Reply #16 on: April 25, 2025, 02:21:46 AM
Looks pristine. I'd doubt it ever saw a pocket. Great score! :tu:
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


au Offline Huntsman

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Re: At the risk of jinxing it - small Mountaineer on its way to me
Reply #17 on: September 22, 2025, 04:48:17 PM
Just caught up on this thread - How do you do it J2000E - Those are some amazing and beautiful old SAKs you git there   :tu:    :salute:


 

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