School me on Victorinox brass liners

[Gadget Guy]

When did Victorinox stop using brass liners? Or did they stop? I have a alox Pioneer that is a couple of years old and it has a brass liner. I thought they stopped using brass?  Also, why the change? I assume because brass cost a little more $$$, but not that much. 

[Benner]

I know nothing apart from the fact that they look awesome. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

*shouts*Neil

[NutSAK]

I have a few--two red Farmers and an Electrician, but I don't really know much about them.  I've not been able to glean much info over the years over at SOSAK either.

All I know is, all of the brass-lined Pioneers I have are decorated with the plain cross, and all have non-polished openers.  The brass-lined red Farmer I sold Ben meets those specs also.

[Sazabi]

And besides the liners, there's also the random knife layer spacer plate.  I did send at least one brass old-cross Pioneer to FelineVet a while back, while the brass spacer plates tend to be hit or miss.  As far as I can remember, only my Explorer Plus has one made from brass; the few other examples I have are of stainless steel. *shrugs*

[NutSAK]

I know nothing apart from the fact that they look awesome. 

They seem to have a little better "feel" too, and don't require lubing like the alox liners either...

I could be just imagining the "feel" thing...

[Benner]

No I think you are right Terry.  Can't remember where I read it, but brass generally has better lubrication properties I believe.

[NutSAK]

The lubrication thing is certainly true.  When I was referencing "feel", I mean to say that they seem to have a little better walk-and-talk.  This could be due to better lubricity or just my imagination.  The effect, if it exists, is minimal.

[NutSAK]

When did Victorinox stop using brass liners? Or did they stop? I have a alox Pioneer that is a couple of years old and it has a brass liner. I thought they stopped using brass?  Also, why the change? I assume because brass cost a little more $$$, but not that much. 

I would say that it's more than a "couple" of years old if it also has unpolished tools.  I believe Vic switched to the polished openers in the early to mid 90's.

[Neil]

You still find some of the gardening range with brass liners. 

In the 93mm range its very confusing. Right from the early sixties you'll find them without brass and at the opposite end find some brass ones from the nineties.

[Gadget Guy]

You still find some of the gardening range with brass liners. 

In the 93mm range its very confusing. Right from the early sixties you'll find them without brass and at the opposite end find some brass ones from the nineties.

Gee Neil, that's a whole lot of help!   

[Neil]

Tell me about it

[Ben X]

That's very strange- is it something like they try to use alox liners all the time but when supply runs short they resort to the brass? SUrely the brass is considerably more expensive...