20h Anniversary MTO SAK- Is it worth it?

[Grant Lamontagne]

It's time to spill the beans, at least a little bit.

I am working with Victorinox to come up with a 20th Anniversary MTO Swiss Army Knife, and we have pretty well everything figured out, but what we have worked out won't be cheap.

What we have is a reissue of a model that never officially existed (cellidor, not ALOX, but I am going to keep the model secret for now) and we are looking at a metal inlay  of the MTO logo in the black scales.  I feel that this would be a remarkably exceptional and collectible SAK, and let's face it, MTO is only going to turn 20 once, so I think it's worth it.

But, before I go and re-mortgage my house to buy a bunch of knives, I want to see if you would all be interested.

Like I said, it won't be cheap- we are looking at about $180-190 USD plus shipping per knife, and I'd be looking for a 50% non refundable deposit for them, because, like I said, it's not cheap.

And, we are looking at limiting it to 100 pieces, although I have considered going to 200 if there is enough demand.

So that's the big question- if we went ahead with this project, who would be interested in dropping that kind of money for it?

Def

[Chako]

Count me in. 

[Crunchie64]

If shipping to the UK isn’t a problem, I’d be in.

[Grant Lamontagne]

If shipping to the UK isn’t a problem, I’d be in.

I will ship anywhere, even to far flung, exotic locations like the UK. 

Def

[Vidar]

If it is a 2 layer 58mm probably not.

If it is something more substansiablebe then yes.  I trust your better judgement.

One day I'll tell my wife it is to mark the 20th anniversary with a special MTo standing for "More Together". (Ok, I need some help with the last part). That will surely justify any cost?

[Grant Lamontagne]

It's a 91mm model.   

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

Here is a virtual mockup of what the metal inlay will look like on a black scale.

Honestly, that's worth the price of admission in my mind right there, but then I may be a bit biased.... 

Def

[Vidar]

Will there be a specially shaped middle finger custom tool for improved communications? Smurfs? A USB-C lint picker? Lock picks? A knife with high spine so I can chop tiny things quickly without those things being parts of my fingers? A draw out wire saw? An integrated wire cutter when you close the blade? A dull awl for non awl tasks?

[ThundahBeagle]

Odd question, I know, but the rivet/screw points of the NATO logo...would they be dabs of paint, or sort of a pinpoint into the metal, sort of a "counter relief points?" n other words, paint that may rub off, or relief that would get caught on something, or reverse relief?  Or would they just not really exist and it would be flat metal?

Im not sure if I'm expressing the question clearly

[Echotech]

It looks great Def and good on your for doing it 
Very intrigued as to the model

Normally I'd definitely be in but I've had to curb my buying habits for a while now due to various economic factors and not sure I can stretch to what will be Australian $350-400 with postage

…..however might well change my mind it does look great 

[kirk13]

It's a brilliant idea, but...its beyond what I can look at spending now that I'm officially a gentleman ( ) of leasure, and with the way the Royal Mail can be these days I'd have concerns about delivery

[Grant Lamontagne]

Will there be a specially shaped middle finger custom tool for improved communications? Smurfs? A USB-C lint picker? Lock picks? A knife with high spine so I can chop tiny things quickly without those things being parts of my fingers? A draw out wire saw? An integrated wire cutter when you close the blade? A dull awl for non awl tasks?

Unfortunately we didn't have the budget for custom tools and had to stick with standard tools in a custom loadout, but I will definitely look into it for the future! 

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

Odd question, I know, but the rivet/screw points of the NATO logo...would they be dabs of paint, or sort of a pinpoint into the metal, sort of a "counter relief points?" n other words, paint that may rub off, or relief that would get caught on something, or reverse relief?  Or would they just not really exist and it would be flat metal?

Im not sure if I'm expressing the question clearly

I'm going to assume that MTO was autosmurfed up to NATO in your post because then I believe I do get what you are saying.

This is a mockup, and not an actual, real sample, so the rivets may/may not be present in the actual production, however my understanding is that the inlay allows for an exceptional level of detail. I believe Kirky can attest to the detail provided by photo etched parts, and I believe it is a similar process to create the inlays.  Because of that reason, I believe the rivets will be very teeny holes in the inlay, and not painted on, with the potential to then wear off.

It's all speculation at this point, but that is my understanding.

If that doesn't answer the question, let me know and I will keep trying! 

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

It looks great Def and good on your for doing it 
Very intrigued as to the model

Normally I'd definitely be in but I've had to curb my buying habits for a while now due to various economic factors and not sure I can stretch to what will be Australian $350-400 with postage

…..however might well change my mind it does look great 

It's a brilliant idea, but...its beyond what I can look at spending now that I'm officially a gentleman ( ) of leasure, and with the way the Royal Mail can be these days I'd have concerns about delivery

I definitely feel your pain on the cost.   

As a gentleman of leisure myself at the moment I truly understand the concerns regarding affordability, which is why I figured I'd better check with folks before committing to this custom run.

Def

[Vidar]

Lets make it mod friendly by not using using rivets but snap-on silly strong Bellevue washers with snap ring groove. If those pesky brass pins will not take it at equal diameters as today then lets replace brass with hardened Inconel. And then add on some spare parts like exchangable awl, screwdriver, corkscrew, knives, etc. 

Add on some extra pins and layers and we have 3 to 6 custom layers made-to-mod Victorinox 20 year special.

Hm. That would actually be kind of fun to make.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I wish you all the best with that project! 

Def

[Vidar]

It is only 5 years to the 25th. Time to start planning! 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Lt's get through the 20th first and see if I'm in any shape to continue after that!

You should have been here for the 10th Anniversary, which seems like it was only a few years ago, not a whole decade!   

Def

[Vidar]

Ah, back then I was clearly too immature. I was into computers, excavators, programming, machining machines, design, power tools, hand tools, stone buildings and other obviously lesser and unworthy life interest. I saw the light too late!

There really is no excuse, but of course I do blame googles algorithms for leading me astray all those years with what I wanted (+ ads) and not what I really needed!  Then I heard voices saying, Vidar take our money and go forth and design multi-tools. Which lead to how to learn what do other people use and like, and well, came for that and then just stayed for all the other smurf. 

I really can't have missed by much as that is about 10 years ago now.