What kind of a Classic is this?

Philthy · **on:** March 13, 2014, 05:00:18 AM

John Kennedy?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-Knife-Classic-SD-Presidential-JOHN-KENNEDY-JFK-RARE-/121293879767?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3dadb9d7

jazzbass · **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2014, 05:09:41 AM

Quote from: Philthy on March 13, 2014, 05:00:18 AM

John Kennedy?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-Knife-Classic-SD-Presidential-JOHN-KENNEDY-JFK-RARE-/121293879767?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3dadb9d7

Looks like "Jack Kemp" to me. The knife itself is too new to be from the Kennedy era.

Philthy · **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2014, 05:14:50 AM

It's obviously a newer knife. The one side has the US Presidential Seal... I've seen a Ronald Reagan one also.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Collectors-Item-Victorinox-Ronald-Reagan-Presidential-Swiss-Army-Knife-/271414233194?pt=Collectible_Knives&hash=item3f318c886a

jazzbass · **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2014, 05:42:33 AM

Quote from: Philthy on March 13, 2014, 05:14:50 AM

It's obviously a newer knife. The one side has the US Presidential Seal...

The knife in the first auction you list does not have the Presidential Seal on it. It's the Great Seal of the United States (i.e. the one on the back of the US $1 bill). The two are similar, but if you look above the eagle you'll see 13 stars in a the shape of a 6 pointed star - that's from the Great Seal of the United States and different from the Presidential Seal. Kemp was a US Senator, so his use of the Great Seal is appropriate. The US Senate seal probably would have made more sense, but whatever.

Great Seal of the US:

US Presidential Seal:

Philthy · **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2014, 06:08:42 AM

You're right. Thank you for pointing out that difference.

RedRamage · **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2014, 01:56:17 PM

Good eye Jazz! Though, I will say I'm a bit disappointed in the seal on the knife... only 8 leaves and 5 arrows.

I suppose it would be hard to engrave the full 13, but still seems a little cheap.

ColoSwiss · **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2014, 11:53:12 PM

Classics with political markings are moderately common. Believe Lyndon Johnson started the trend (don't have one of his).

1 - An assortment of politicians: Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and Bill Clinton. VPs Dan Quayle and Dick Cheney, and Sec of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

2 - Presidential (bottom) and Vice Presidential seals.

3 - Department of State and Department of Justice -FBI.

4 - Red and black U.S. Senate Classics.

Someone was offering a couple of other cabinet department Classics on ebay recently, but they were rather pricey.