Astronaut

[Ross]

I have a chance to get one of these but one of the late 91 version with no shuttle. The want about 40 gbp - is this a good price? Or should I be extending my alox collection from one to two?

[Rich S]

Just MHO, but why pay for a little inlay of the shuttle when the Vic Craftsman is the same model? That's
actually what was carried on the Apollo and Shuttle missions.

Rich

[Ross]

Thanks Rich and have a valid point. I was getting confused with the master craftsman I think.

[MARIOS7319]

Just MHO, but why pay for a little inlay of the shuttle when the Vic Craftsman is the same model? That's
actually what was carried on the Apollo and Shuttle missions.

Rich

My thought exactly.
Or better to try to find the Apollo 11 Moon Landing — 20th Anniversary Edition.
But it's difficult to find it, and the most of the times it's very expensive...

[kirk13]

Ross,Bonds of London are doing non inlayed Astronauts for great prices...I bought 2!

[jazzbass]

Some clarification here: I've seen the "Astronaut" name used to refer to both the pliers model Craftsman (because of the Apollo 11 model) and the Master Craftsman model (because of the Space Shuttle inlaid models). The ones that came in boxes stamped "Astronaut" are actually the Master Craftsman (I have one), and are the exact same as the Shuttle model, only without the inlay. The Master Craftsman was the knife carried on Space Shuttle missions, not the Craftsman.

As to the price? Without the Space Shuttle inlay its not very collectible to many. There are a certain core group of SAK collectors (like me) who like to get one of each model or like to buy discontinued models, but Master Craftsmen are common enough to pick them up on eBay for (much) less than $65 or so (which is what 40 GBP comes out to).

With the Shuttle inlay it suddenly "different" and "interesting", and thus collectible to a wider range of people. Buy this one if you like it and want it in your collection, and $60 or so is about MSRP for a knife like this. It's not a screaming deal and I doubt you'd be able to sell it on eBay for 2x profit the next day, but it is a nice knife.

[macabee]

Ross,Bonds of London are doing non inlayed Astronauts for great prices...I bought 2!

I also bought mine at Bonds.

[Rich S]

I stand corrected. Craftsman = Apollo missions; Master Craftsman = Shuttle missions.
Is that correct? Sorry for my confusion and ignorance.

Rich

[Chako]

Here is the Apollo 11.



And here is an Apollo 11 with the Shuttle.





The Shuttle.

[EtherealityX1]

Guys, the one with the Space Shuttle on it IS STILL UNDER PRODUCTION!!! IT IS NOT DISCONTINUED!!!........ BUUUUT it is only produced assembled by/for Victorinox Japan and only officially available for the JAPANESE MARKET. I live in Japan and I have seen it widely available here. It retails for 8400yens but can be found pretty much everywhere besides Vic's Store at around 5300yens. I write the price in yen so you can convert it to your own local currency

Don't believe me? Here, take a look at Amazon Japan's posting:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/VICTORINOX-%E3%83%93%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A3%E3%83%88%E3%83%AB-1-4763-SS-%E3%80%90%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%AD%A3%E8%A6%8F%E5%93%81%E3%80%91/dp/B000AR7A3S/ref=sr_1_272?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1367405210&sr=1-272&keywords=Victorinox

No, that is not just some old stock from Amazon, the model with the Space Shuttle is advertised on Victorinox Japan's 2013 Catalog ( which was just released last month). It is not a special edition nor reissue nor anything, it is a regular model of Victorinox Japan and it has been so for at least the past 5 years. Don't believe me still? I'm gonna post an official Victorinox link for you to see for yourself, DO NOT CLICK IT, after posting the link I'll explain how you can see it.

http://www.victorinox.com/medias/sys_master/8859872264222/SAK_catalog2013.pdf

DO NOT CLICK THE LINK because it will just take you to your country's Victorinox website. The link just posted is the link where you can see/download the official Victorinox Japan catalog. How can I see it you say? The easiest way is to cut and paste the link AS IT IS into  GOOGLE's search field. Google should return the result of  an untitled pdf file. Click on the CACHED link of said search result. If you dont click on the CACHED link and click on the regular result link instead, it may take you to your local Vic website. Follow these instructions and voila! you should be able to get Victorinox Japan's catalog this way (this is how I get vic catalogs of other countries).

FYI, there's at least a few other "Japan only" SAKs, such as:

The Doctor Heli (issued to helicopter rescue/medical crews)

http://www.amazon.co.jp/VICTORINOX-%E3%83%93%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-%E3%83%89%E3%82%AF%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%98%E3%83%AA-JDH-1-3713-7-%E3%80%90%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%AD%A3%E8%A6%8F%E5%93%81%E3%80%91/dp/B005IE6ZAW/ref=sr_1_230?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1367405177&sr=1-230&keywords=Victorinox

Another one are the Surf Tools, which are like Cybertools but replace one bit with a bit for adjusting surfboard fins:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/VICTORINOX-%E3%83%93%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%83%84%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB-1-7605-7SF-%E3%80%90%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%AD%A3%E8%A6%8F%E5%93%81%E3%80%91/dp/B000AR7A88/ref=sr_1_284?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1367405210&sr=1-284&keywords=Victorinox

and

http://www.amazon.co.jp/VICTORINOX-%E3%83%93%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%83%84%E3%83%BC%E3%83%ABT2-1-7605-T2SF-%E3%80%90%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%AD%A3%E8%A6%8F%E5%93%81%E3%80%91/dp/B000AR7A7Y/ref=sr_1_285?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1367405210&sr=1-285&keywords=Victorinox

Please don't ask me to mail forward Japanese Vic purchases, as much as I would love to be of help to you guys, doing so would definetely be frowned upon by my wife :-(

Hope it helps!

[Reinier]

Here's one of those Japanese Shuttle SAKs:

[nsa-x-file]

Guys, the one with the Space Shuttle on it IS STILL UNDER PRODUCTION!!! IT IS NOT DISCONTINUED!!!........ BUUUUT it is only produced assembled by/for Victorinox Japan and only officially available for the JAPANESE MARKET.

The "Shuttle" Master Craftsman from Japan is not the same as the Original 1980's models.
As you can see the Japanese model has the newer tool set on the back.
The original "Master Craftsman" model has long been discontinued.

NASA Letter regarding the original "Master Craftsman"
http://www.e-webtechnologies.com/sak/Victorinox_Letter_From_NASA.pdf

Some more "Master Craftsman" info
http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Master+Craftsman

Here are the models I have below.

Japanese "Shuttle" Master Craftsman



"Shuttle" Master Craftsman (1980's)


"Astronaut" Master Craftsman (1986-1991)

[felinevet]

Have several Astronauts for sale: http://www.edcsource.com/auction_details.php?auction_id=115492

[marduk]

Hopefully without adding more confusion to the topic, especially with the nomenclature (Craftsman/Master Craftsman), I suggest that the SAK actually ordered (letter of Nov 1978) & used by NASA at that time had the following tools: the 12 standard (square Phillips w/can-key opener instead of corkscrew)plus scissors w/screw, woodsaw, metal saw, & fine (old style) screwdriver. It had no inlay on scales except Vic shield, it had no sewing eye on reamer, it had no pin hole by Phillips.

[Ross]

Ross,Bonds of London are doing non inlayed Astronauts for great prices...I bought 2!

Thanks for the suggestion I am about to get one 

Thanks for everyones info - this has been a great topic and man I would love the Apollo 11 Moon Landing — 20th Anniversary Edition and found one really cheap at 500 dollers 

[ColoSwiss]

Guys, the one with the Space Shuttle on it IS STILL UNDER PRODUCTION!!! IT IS NOT DISCONTINUED!!!........ BUUUUT it is only produced assembled by/for Victorinox Japan and only officially available for the JAPANESE MARKET. I live in Japan and I have seen it widely available here. It retails for 8400yens but can be found pretty much everywhere besides Vic's Store at around 5300yens. I write the price in yen so you can convert it to your own local currency

Don't believe me? Here, take a look at Amazon Japan's posting:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/VICTORINOX-%E3%83%93%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A3%E3%83%88%E3%83%AB-1-4763-SS-%E3%80%90%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%AD%A3%E8%A6%8F%E5%93%81%E3%80%91/dp/B000AR7A3S/ref=sr_1_272?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1367405210&sr=1-272&keywords=Victorinox

No, that is not just some old stock from Amazon, the model with the Space Shuttle is advertised on Victorinox Japan's 2013 Catalog ( which was just released last month). It is not a special edition nor reissue nor anything, it is a regular model of Victorinox Japan and it has been so for at least the past 5 years. Don't believe me still? I'm gonna post an official Victorinox link for you to see for yourself, DO NOT CLICK IT, after posting the link I'll explain how you can see it.

http://www.victorinox.com/medias/sys_master/8859872264222/SAK_catalog2013.pdf

DO NOT CLICK THE LINK because it will just take you to your country's Victorinox website. The link just posted is the link where you can see/download the official Victorinox Japan catalog. How can I see it you say? The easiest way is to cut and paste the link AS IT IS into  GOOGLE's search field. Google should return the result of  an untitled pdf file. Click on the CACHED link of said search result. If you dont click on the CACHED link and click on the regular result link instead, it may take you to your local Vic website. Follow these instructions and voila! you should be able to get Victorinox Japan's catalog this way (this is how I get vic catalogs of other countries).

FYI, there's at least a few other "Japan only" SAKs, such as:

The Doctor Heli (issued to helicopter rescue/medical crews)

http://www.amazon.co.jp/VICTORINOX-%E3%83%93%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-%E3%83%89%E3%82%AF%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%98%E3%83%AA-JDH-1-3713-7-%E3%80%90%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%AD%A3%E8%A6%8F%E5%93%81%E3%80%91/dp/B005IE6ZAW/ref=sr_1_230?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1367405177&sr=1-230&keywords=Victorinox

Another one are the Surf Tools, which are like Cybertools but replace one bit with a bit for adjusting surfboard fins:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/VICTORINOX-%E3%83%93%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%83%84%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB-1-7605-7SF-%E3%80%90%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%AD%A3%E8%A6%8F%E5%93%81%E3%80%91/dp/B000AR7A88/ref=sr_1_284?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1367405210&sr=1-284&keywords=Victorinox

and

http://www.amazon.co.jp/VICTORINOX-%E3%83%93%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9-%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%83%84%E3%83%BC%E3%83%ABT2-1-7605-T2SF-%E3%80%90%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E6%AD%A3%E8%A6%8F%E5%93%81%E3%80%91/dp/B000AR7A7Y/ref=sr_1_285?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1367405210&sr=1-285&keywords=Victorinox

Please don't ask me to mail forward Japanese Vic purchases, as much as I would love to be of help to you guys, doing so would definetely be frowned upon by my wife :-(

Hope it helps!

Appreciate the info! Thought the 'Surf Tool' was for surfing the web, not surfing the waves.