New Badge Idea - The Size Collector Badge

[BPRoberts]

Dear fellow size SAK enthusiast! Regarding SAK sizes I have a couple questions and would be great to get your views and thoughts:

   1.There are models based on regular sizes (58-65-74-75-84...) with slightly different physical lenghts. I am aware about two examples - Vic Deluxe based on 58 Classic measure 56mm and Wenger Nature series based on Wenger 75mm VIP measures per sakwiki only 69mm. Do you consider them as separate size category or do they fall into the base 58 and 75mm sizes for you? Are you aware about any other similar examples?
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   2. Do you include into your size collection as well speSmurfpillsed models like various pruning Vic knife, Evoke folders etc. or they are not really SAKs to you? Pruning knife M is for example 110mm, Evoke 136mm etc.

   3.Why is the original Wenger Ranger models described as 120mm? In fact it has very similar lenght to the 130mm New Ranger. I measured them and I got 130mm (130,5 to be precise) for the New Ranger when the keyring nub is included. When I measured the original Ranger at the same spot - including keyring nub - I got 129mm, excluding the keyring nub it is 125mm. Would you know how Wenger came up with 120mm? Or are there various versions of the original Ranger?

For the purpose of this badge (in some other cases I might say we should classify based on the main "chassis" size):

1. All weird one offs/mini lines get classed as their own authentic sizes. The point of the badge is to encourage people to show off their collections for us to see/learn about. Going "nah, that one doesn't count" just means people are less likely to post their cool/weird stuff.

2. Again, for badge purposes, I would count anything Vic/Wenger makes/made. I don't know that I've ever seen a Vic chef knife posted on here. If someone wants to go for a badge with their kitchen knife set and give us a mini-review, that would be a cool new perspective that we haven't had. I can see the quibble with them not really being Swiss Army Knives, but if that's the issue I'd rather just have the badge named differently (Swiss Size Collector?) than disqualify us from getting to see some more obscure knives.

3.I have no old Rangers, but they do appear to be closer to 130 than 120 from what research I could do. I did measure a couple other SAKs I have and the other sizes appear to be fairly accurate (within a few mm on a quick and dirty ruler measurement. Didn't feel like digging out the calipers). The only thing I can think of is that they measured on the blade side at the narrowest point. Ranger scales are more aggressively curved than most SAKs, but I have no idea why they would choose to measure that way.
 

[Huntsman]

Good discussions folks!   

A few points here:
Note these are just my personal view - Not a definitive statement from a moderator - But I will discuss w the team!!

• Yep the debate over the Wenger 120 vs 130 and the actual closeness of the physical sizes has been around for a while. But for the purposes of this badge let's take the supplier specified  sizes - so they are different - and of course they are very different SAKs and designs
  
• Regarding the minor size variations: ie Nature Series, Deluxe etc etc - These for me would definitely be different sizes as they a very, very different SAKs from the standard model - I would put the Tomo in this bucket of a different size for the same reason, and also the Baker's knife
  
• 100% agree with BPRs statement number 1 above - The point of these badges is for us to show off what we have, so the more posts and badge applications we have, with all our weird and wonderful SAK sizes - the merrier
  
• I personally would not classify keyring vs no keyring as a different size, as essentially it is the same SAK - I know sometimes (- not always) they have a different name eg Bijou vs Classic - But for me - this does not warrant  a different name (or size)   
  
• Again for me personally, I would not include kitchen knives - As you could get the badge with 5,8,10 or whatever just kitchen knives - and there are literally dozens of kitchen knife sizes - But BPR does make an interesting point - It would be good to showcase those knives.
  
• This does bring up the question of the kitchen folders .....    So for me I would include these are they are basically a pocketable folder - So this would actually be the badge classification for me; ie A foldable, pocketable knife by Vic or Wenger - So I would exclude the Vic fixed blades, for example
  
• And of course the Evoke, Hunter Pro etc would be included - And note here the original Hunter Pros would be separate from the later ones and the Evoke - As they completely redesigned the model with the spring, lanyard loop and pocket clip - (See the Wiki page!!)
  
• I would definitely include different length gardening folders, as options for size variations and the badge
  

Hmmm - Lots to think about   
I believe we need to have quite a bit of latitude and flexibility on this one, especially as I think we are going to make the tiers a little more challenging than the original suggestion - But I'll see what the team say

[AzteCypher]

Just my 2cents worth of skewed, biased opinions here.

For me, the non-folding kitchen knife would be a fixed blade and this "to me" does not seem to fit the spirit of this badge.  When I hear SAK, I think of the folding, pocketable knife, with perhaps multiple implements on it.  But, I think it would sill be cool to show off the Vic kitchen knives.

 

[Farmer X]

I, too, would argue that a keyring nub does not constitute a different size. 74mm and 75mm Victorinox would. Ditto with 84mm and 85mm Wengers. Those are examples of very different base types. A Bijou and a Classic SD share the same 58mm base. Factory specs never took presence or lack of a keyring nub into account...and I don't think a keyring nub changes the length of a 93mm at all.

[IMR4198]

    I foresee that the categories will require more different sizes.  Likely 5 for the first tier badge.  10 for the second.  Don't know about the third.  I'm still on the fence about the fixed blades, like the Venture. 
    There are a lot of Victorinox and Wenger professional cutlery and home kitchen knives out there.  Maybe a second badge for culinary cutlery would be a fun idea.  Make it a one tier collector's badge?  Separate from the Size Matters Badge or whatever it ends up being called. 
Best wishes.  G
 

[z1913]

The view from my collecting perspective:
1) the unusual sizes (deluxe etc) I see as separate size category and I am actively pursuing them for my collection
2) the special knives (floral/pruning/baker…) I do collect but I do not feel the need to get them all. I am adding those that I feel I could theoretically use, so I have bakers knife (I like baking), two florals (Vic and Wenger) - we use them with my daughter for occasional flower arrangements. But I will probably not get the pruning knife - no orchards around.
3) why Wenger marked the Ranger as 120mm remains  a deep SAK mystery to me!

And of course SAK size collecting is really fun!

[Huntsman]

And of course SAK size collecting is really fun!

                

[lazar]

A little bump action to see where we're at

[ReamerPunch]

The badges have been added to the list!

[AzteCypher]

[Antti Lammi]

Seems that i have now go through my collection to get badge, if i counted right i should get 12 diffrent size but i need to check it.

[gustophersmob]

Cool

Question - would the 84mm pocket pal style frame and the 84mm recruit/cadet style frame count as two different sizes? Or does it go strictly by length?

[ReamerPunch]

It goes by length.

[Huntsman]

Firstly - Thanks so much for creating these badges RP - Definitely one to go for - And kinda surprised we never had this before!!

@ gustophersmob  ..... Hmm - Interesting one that one - And I gotta say I disagree with RP
Sure they are the same length - But they are a different frame and shape - So for me this would be a different size!!

I think we'll have some interesting discussions on this badge !!

[lazar]

The badges have been added to the list!

Thank you for making this happen!

[Farmer X]

So for me this would be a different size!!

While standard vs. Evolution Wenger 85mm models are the same length, they carry and feel noticeably different (and even have different outer liners). I suppose one could also argue that would also constitute a different size. You are correct in that there will be some discussion about this badge. But there are at least 12 sizes that are unquestionably different from one another.

Thanks to RP for making this happen. I'll gather up seven SAKs and request the Level I badge before too long.

[Yanossauro]

Problem was the smell, wasn't it?

Sunburns are no fun.  We used to have an aloe vera plant.  When I had a sunburn, I'd cut one of the leaves off, split it half and lay a piece on the worst part of my sunburn.  To me, that provided better relief than anything I could find in the store.

[gustophersmob]

It goes by length.

Thanks! Looks like I don't have enough to qualify at the moment, dang!

Firstly - Thanks so much for creating these badges RP - Definitely one to go for - And kinda surprised we never had this before!!

@ gustophersmob  ..... Hmm - Interesting one that one - And I gotta say I disagree with RP
Sure they are the same length - But they are a different frame and shape - So for me this would be a different size!!

I think we'll have some interesting discussions on this badge !!

Yes, thanks RP!

And I agree, I would personally classify them as different, but I can see the other point of view as well.  I'm happy to let RP decide and go along.  Just means I need a new SAK if I want to qualify 

[IMR4198]

    Now you need to buy another SAK.  Oh, the shame and disgrace of it all.  I only had six sizes to begin with, so I settled for a stage one badge.  Good enough for me.  If you don't have a 74mm, I think our friend FarmerX had one for sale at a good price.  Maybe he still does?  I know I didn't have a 74mm.  Most everyone has a couple of sizes of Wenger, don't they?  Best wishes.  G
 

[Farmer X]

If you don't have a 74mm, I think our friend FarmerX had one for sale at a good price.  Maybe he still does?

He sure does.

[ReamerPunch]

And I agree, I would personally classify them as different, but I can see the other point of view as well.  I'm happy to let RP decide and go along.  Just means I need a new SAK if I want to qualify 

Well, I am not the one deciding, but there should be clear-cut rules for these, and length-based is an easy line to draw. SAKWiki lists all 84mm models together. I agree that my Secretary  and my Cadet are indeed quite different, but they are both 84mm. If we allow these to be viewed as different, this will open lots and lots of unique models as constituting a separate size. Is the Ueli Steck a separate size than the other 85mm Wengers? Is the SwissGrip a separate size?