Info requested on older Pioneer

[ameeks]

Hello folks. I have collected knives for years and have carried one sak or another since I was a teen, usually a Tinker. Lately however I have decided to start collecting saks. I am new to the sak world and hoppe you guys can help me along in my journey. I just fished this one off the Bay. All I think I know is that it's an older pioneer. I'm not sure of the age. What years was this type of shield used. He also called it red alox but it appears orange to me. Any information will be appreciated. I may have to rely on you guys a lot as I learn so please bear with me. 

[nsa-x-file]

That's a nice red pioneer.
Welcome to the forum. 

Try the link below, lots of good info.

http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Victorinox+Pioneer

[ameeks]

Thank you much.

[ICanFixThat]

Some older red alox can be quite a bit on the orange side, the old soldiers though tend to be a pretty consistent red.  The photograph might also exaggerate it a bit, but some get quite orange/red.

[Marius]

White balance esp. in the first photo appears to be off. It's not that orange in real life, I bet.

Welcome!  Good start with this SAK!

[Marius]

Here is the first photo with a quick removal of the yellow cast (giving the orange appearance to the scale):

[ICanFixThat]

Here is the first photo with a quick removal of the yellow cast (giving the orange appearance to the scale):

Ya, looks like this one is mostly a photographic issue.

[North Man]

hi
welcome to forum. I like the Pioneer knife
i can give some hints and also recommend the SAKWIKI. Older knives with the old awl had a cutout in the alox scale. You can also see  the +PAT stampings on the can opener until 1971, this is in a general case and probarbly others have information here. It is true the red/orange scales may have varitions on them in the color.

If you notice on the tang/shank stamping you will see a small v in victorinox, this may have changed around 1986 + - some and after this big V i Victorinox

The old cross emblem on the scale will have some small details and variations - the cross may be alittle more better in details on some . Old cross was used until around 1999 and after this the cross and shield. I must mention that after this one can find the old cross on more special edition and limited stuff, i am sure many others here will explain if needed.
Alox is probarbly the most desirable and collectable knives.

Then you have the stampings on the blade, on models with the old awl you will see or can find Fischer stamped blades.  They are desirable and collectable. The Pioneer Range(the name or term for the 93mm alox knives) started in 1957 and from 1957-1974 you will usually see the Elinox crossbow stamp.
The Pioneer Range is directed at craftswork and more a professional use knife i would say, others may disagree since we do sometimes have different information.

 

good luck

[ameeks]

Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out. That's a lot of useful info North Man. I'm going to save it to a text file for future reference.  Here's a pic we snapped last night.

[North Man]

hi

you are welcome, great picture!

[Marius]

Wait a second..

The two knives are not the same. This:



is not this:



Note the different anodizing damage and also the differences in the main blade tip shape.

Did the seller send you a different one that pictured with the sale?

Blade seems better for the second (first is missing its tip) but scales look worse. Both appear to have brass liner.

[ameeks]

Yes, good eye. Obviously he sent me a different knife. Guess I'll just keep this one, clean the blades up and mark it up to experience.  What would you guys do.

[Marius]

I would keep it and enjoy it! To me the 2nd one (that you received) looks better than the 1st. The blade is not missing that much metal (including its tip) and the anodizing looks more worn out naturally than accidentally damaged.

 

[stax]

Agree you should keep the knife sent to you, but you should absolutely ding him in feedback.  Sending you a different knife is total BS.

[North Man]

Wait a second..

The two knives are not the same. This:

(Image removed from quote.)

is not this:

(Image removed from quote.)

Note the different anodizing damage and also the differences in the main blade tip shape.

Did the seller send you a different one that pictured with the sale?

Blade seems better for the second (first is missing its tip) but scales look worse. Both appear to have brass liner.

yes i noticed this aswell, well keep it and enjoy. Still one should get what one did pay for in the first place, this seller need to keep his facts straight

[WiSAKfan]

i was bidding on that knife too.

glad someone on the forums got it.