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1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison

se Offline J2000E

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1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison
on: November 16, 2025, 05:59:22 PM
Thought it would be nice to do a 1908 vs 1951 side by side comparison. My 1908 is from 1941 and the 1951 from 1951.

Size matters in some respect. The springs on the 1908 are a lot stronger.









Love them both.
« Last Edit: November 16, 2025, 06:23:40 PM by J2000E »


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: 1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison
Reply #1 on: November 16, 2025, 06:20:40 PM
I know since I was in the SAK thread I should know which is which!  :dunno:

Is the 1908 the longer knife with clip blade?  Also longer implements?

Just did not want to presume…

Both very beautiful examples for their vintage.


Oh my! Never mind, when examining the pictures I did observe the blade stamps, 41 and 51 , with the 41 the 1908 being longer. 🫣😊
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: 1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison
Reply #2 on: November 16, 2025, 06:26:39 PM
Would this be the knife I would be looking for if I sought my birth year knife?  1953

If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


se Offline J2000E

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Re: 1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison
Reply #3 on: November 16, 2025, 06:31:36 PM
The "1951" model from 1953 would be a nice birth year knife!

I am looking for the 1961 model from 1964 - to be my birth year knife.


cz Offline z1913

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Re: 1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison
Reply #4 on: November 16, 2025, 07:03:14 PM
The "1951" model from 1953 would be a nice birth year knife!

I am looking for the 1961 model from 1964 - to be my birth year knife.
There is one 64 Wenger advertised right now (seller in Germany): https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/wenger-delemont-red-alox-1964-original-swiss-army-knife/3133856646-234-8080


au Offline Echotech

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Re: 1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison
Reply #5 on: November 16, 2025, 11:38:13 PM
Some lovely examples J2000E  :like:

The springs on the 1908's are usually real nail breakers  :ahhh but beautiful knives

For anyone interested in learning more about solider knives and their variants,  I highly recommend this site

https://www.couteaux-du-soldat-suisse.ch/J01/index.php/en/

 :cheers:



us Offline Farmer X

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Re: 1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison
Reply #6 on: November 17, 2025, 03:57:36 AM
A nice Soldat duo! :tu: The sharpened screwdriver side on the 1951 could be advantageous. And it looks like the 1908 may have had a pin replaced? :think:
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 Myron

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Re: 1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison
Reply #7 on: November 17, 2025, 05:23:47 PM
Great pictures!  I love both these models, but as Echo points out the M1908's can be quite the stiff nail breakers.  The M1951 much more pocket friendly, and represents a very fun collecting challenge, especially as it overlapped with the M1961, staying in production through 1964.  Fun stuff!

Myron


au Offline Huntsman

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Re: 1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison
Reply #8 on: November 18, 2025, 12:15:37 AM
Fabulous post - J2000E

Right up my street - The evolution of SAKs is my thing

Good luck with finding the birth year SAK


au Offline Huntsman

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Re: 1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison
Reply #9 on: November 18, 2025, 12:20:35 AM
PS. And  those are two lovely examples of old Soldiers in great shape
I have one 1908 a Wenger '42 - So, like yours, it's fascinating to me that these SAKs were built in Switzerland, when Europe was at war!

And yes the springs on the biggie are very tough and it's surprising how much heavier it is!


us Offline cody6268

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Re: 1908 vs 1951 Soldat comparison
Reply #10 on: November 20, 2025, 11:46:15 PM
Nice pair!

When I first got my beater 1941, I ripped out one of my fingernails trying to open the screwdriver. That knife has to have the strongest springs out of all the knives in my collection. Oiling and cleaning made things better, but it's still strong on all four tools.


 

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