Old Wengerinox

[jrp316]

So, I was rooting through my SAK collection yesterday and taking inventory when I came upon the jewel pictured below: an old Wengerinox SAK. I bought it a few years ago at an antiques mall and when I got it home, it was frozen shut. It took about 5 Q-tips, rubbing alcohol and a lot of scrubbing/working to free it up, but it seems to be working well even now. I haven't been able to find much info on it other than a similar model that has a saw. What do you all think?

[gustophersmob]

I know nothing about it, but it certainly looks cool! 

[dagelias]

I know nothing about it, but it certainly looks cool! 

I agree on that   

[enki_ck]

It's an old Wenger. If I remember correctly it's from the Sportsmans series. I think early '70s.

[dks]

Nice.

you should be able to date it from the shield and the bottle openner.

[Lynn LeFey]

I didn't think that style of can opener had been used in my lifetime.

[ColoSwiss]

The shield and can opener date it to the 50's or early 60's. The later 'dog-leg' can opener was patented in 1963. The bail is a transitional type that was also used on the 'dog-legs', so figure some time around 1960.

See "The Swiss Army Knife Owner's Maual" by Michael Young for more details.

[enki_ck]

I must be mixing up my years. I thought they used the crossbow logo in the '50s and early '60s.I know I read somewhere that the cross was introduced in the early '70. Thanks for the info, coloswiss

[PTRSAK]

... What do you all think?

(Image removed from quote.)

I think I need to increase my efforts to acquire an old beauty like that.

[jrp316]

Around 50s to 60s era is about what I was thinking on it. It's by far the oldest knife in my collection; cleaned up pretty well though. It was covered in some kind of greasy gunk and dirt, every tool on it was frozen shut. I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to get them open.

@ptrsak - They're out there; I just happened upon this one at an antiques place, buried under a bunch of old non-descript pocket knives. I thought it was a knockoff at first until I got the main blade freed up and saw the 'Wengerinox' tang stamp.

[ColoSwiss]

I must be mixing up my years. I thought they used the crossbow logo in the '50s and early '60s.I know I read somewhere that the cross was introduced in the early '70. Thanks for the info, coloswiss

No problem. I'm going by Young's dates. Takes a bit of digging through chapter 4 in his book. I highlighted much of the pertinent info; then also added it to the 'Evolution' photos on page 43 for speedy reference.

Do have one question about his info. He says the shield background in the 50s was silver; in the 60s red. However I have both styles of bail with both background colors. Nothing is ever simple when it comes to SAK info.

[ColoSwiss]

Around 50s to 60s era is about what I was thinking on it. It's by far the oldest knife in my collection; cleaned up pretty well though. It was covered in some kind of greasy gunk and dirt, every tool on it was frozen shut. I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to get them open.

@ptrsak - They're out there; I just happened upon this one at an antiques place, buried under a bunch of old non-descript pocket knives. I thought it was a knockoff at first until I got the main blade freed up and saw the 'Wengerinox' tang stamp.

Hi, JRP, welcome aboard!

One suggestion. I'm not going to swear to it, but I seem to recall that alcohol can damage the finish on SAK handles. You might want to stick to warm soapy water and maybe some WD-40. Expect someone will be along shortly to clear things up.

[colt 1911]

COOL 

[ColoSwiss]

Here some older Wengers.

#1 - Older (1930s) with crossbow on shield. Note some with and some without toothpick and tweezers.

#2 - With later silver cross on shield.

Note on the cross versions:
The various background colors on the shield, black, red and silver.
Two type of bails: older pinned version and later version with ends inserted into bushings.
Handles with and without rivets.

[jrp316]

Hi, JRP, welcome aboard!

One suggestion. I'm not going to swear to it, but I seem to recall that alcohol can damage the finish on SAK handles. You might want to stick to warm soapy water and maybe some WD-40. Expect someone will be along shortly to clear things up.

I kept the rubbing alcohol to the 'innards' of the knife, around the pivot points, tools and springs; the scales seemed to clean up nicely with soapy water and a toothbrush. I did try WD-40 on another knife and it worked pretty well, but the smell of it took forever to go away. I mostly just use baby oil nowadays for knife oil.

[PTRSAK]

[J Mackrel Jones]

"I'm not going to swear to it, but I seem to recall that alcohol can damage the finish on SAK handles. You might want to stick to warm soapy water and maybe some WD-40. Expect someone will be along shortly to clear things up."

Young's book also gives some results of chemicals testing on the scales:  Tabasco sauce?

-  Singer machine oil, 3-in-1 oil, WD-40, non-acetone fingernail-polish remover, industrial acetone, unleaded gasoline, DEET insect repellent, Clorox, Liquid Drano, household vinegar, Tabasco sauce...
     "A drop of 70% isopropyl alcohol left on for 1 hour slightly etched the surface of the plastic."

[J Mackrel Jones]

Nice photos of cool knives !

Here some older Wengers.

#1 - Older (1930s) with crossbow on shield. Note some with and some without toothpick and tweezers.

#2 - With later silver cross on shield.

Note on the cross versions:
The various background colors on the shield, black, red and silver.
Two type of bails: older pinned version and later version with ends inserted into bushings.
Handles with and without rivets.

[ICanFixThat]

It's an old Wenger. If I remember correctly it's from the Sportsmans series. I think early '70s.

I think you are mixing up the introduction of the current Wenger Swiss Cross logo, and those that preceeded it, even though some prior ones did feature a cross or were inspired by such.

[PTRSAK]

... What do you all think?

I think I need to increase my efforts to acquire an old beauty like that.

I am SO tempted by this...
http://[url]http://www.ebay.com/itm/230908574048?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649[/url]

Wish I had sold a few of my custom jobs lately I would jump on this one. But I'm a bit short of toy money.