Best years for SAKs

[twiliter]

Any opinions on the best ages for various SAKs? Mostly thinking 91mm's, but also alox ranges, 84's, 74's, and Wengers. For example, do you prefer the 93mm alox before the engraving plate, or before aluminum liners? Or do you like the newest and freshest colors and technologies? Any explanations of your preferences would be interesting. Thanks! 

As for me, I think I have narrowed down my favorite 91mm dates to between '85 and '95 mainly due to the SwissChamp introduction in '85 and the development of the tools and models during that time and ending when the pliers added crimpers. I have newer models in the collection but seem to have only '85-'95 for carry. Maybe just too nostalgic or something. 

[kirk13]

I don't have much of an opinion on this one,but I would say I prefer older 93mm stuff,before the openers were so highly polished. They feel more...durable. Probably aren't,but the feel more rugged than their modern equivalents.

[Corwyn]

2015.. definately... might change my mind next year, though...

I mean seriously guys... 150 years of evolution... and I don't see the Swiss ever taking a step back on quality or useability...

[kosmo]

I like the larger cross on the 93mm Alox.  (With there being only one SAK producer today, it would be interesting to see Victorinox simplify their crest to a large cross.  A Cellidor with a simple large cross for example.)

From a modders perspective, I've learned here that the earlier models have some advantage for back springs and blade swapping.

[SAK Guy]

The 93mm's have nickel silver liners or brass depending on age/model, never aluminum AFAIK. I like older 93's better but the newer ones will perform the same, just more colorfully.

On cellidor, I don't have a preference except having grown up with those heavy duty gray magnifiers, I can't stand the clear ones.....

[Mr. Blonde]

I prefer bottle openers without the half stop (91mm). So everything till ´85.
Then I collect Saks with backside Phillips, and I really like the older half squared ones. So maybe till ´80 or ´83?. I simply like the flush look of these knives.
I´ve got also newer saks, but I don´t carry them so often then the older ones.

My favorite, atm is a late 60´s Master Craftsman. It´s completly stock, with some wear and sharpened blades, just cleaned ond oiled.

[Aloha]

My favorite SAK to carry is my no hook swisschamp.  It lacks the pin and the key ring is on the grooved corkscrew side so I'd say 85'

[twiliter]

Interesting observations all, thanks!

@SG, thanks didn't know that, thought the new ones were aluminum alloy...

@Mr. Blonde, just the opposite here, prefer the half stop for tight quarters, but agree on the phillips, more streamlined and tactile.

@Kirk, agree the older tools do seem more beefy without the high polish.

@Corwyn, so many new functions in the last 15 or so years, good point.

@Kosmo, I like the cross scales also...

@Aloha, agree, love the first SC years, especially with the narrow pliers. 

Thanks for the replies! 

[twiliter]

I don't have a preference except having grown up with those heavy duty gray magnifiers, I can't stand the clear ones.....

Also +1 on this, can't seem to warm up to the clear mag. glass. 

[neillcurrie]

I don't have much of an opinion on this one,but I would say I prefer older 93mm stuff,before the openers were so highly polished. They feel more...durable. Probably aren't,but the feel more rugged than their modern equivalents.

I measured a couple of examples I have, and the older, less polished opener tools are much thicker. Maybe the amount of steel in the thinner tools is sufficient for most "normal" uses, but the extra beef is reassuring.

I like certain features that only appear on older knives. The half-round philips is an example. I also like the thicker main blades on the older 91mm Vics. I prefer the older mag glass, but I prefer the longer-shanked inline philips, and you can't have both on the same knife. I like the idea of adjustability of the scissor pivot through the small screw, but I've never had an issue with the more modern riveted construction. I am sure the backsprings on modern knives are more durable, than say a 1950's model. It's hard to ignore the (slightly) increasing, and (slightly) more useful tool density with modern knives, but a fair amount of that is down to the scales, and they are a simple swap, if desired.
All in all it's close to a wash IMO: old versus new. There is a certain feeling that an older model, maybe one that has been renovated, even brought back from the trash, that can't be duplicated and that can be very seductive.

[Luna Knife]

The older the better just like everything else.  With each decades new developments, come thinner blades and shanks.

I bet the shank never snapped off of those square backside phillips with the file on the inside.  More steel.

Oh and now my mag glass pops out.  That never happened with the grey ones

[strmliner]

All very interesting comments and observations...cool stuff.

To me, I'd have to say pretty much anything prior to '85-'90.  I'm a 84mm follower.  I have a handful of 91's, but don't carry them much.  In fact, I'm starting to off-load most of the 91's.

For the life of me, though, I don't understand why:
   - SAK stopped making 84mm scissors??? No more Voyageurs or Golfers!
   - The value of the 91mm hook as a backside tool for 91mm scissors?  Worthless...worthless...worthless
   - Changed the magnifying glass? More worthless!

Just my thoughts on a Sunday morning...

[detron]

My favorite SAK to carry is my no hook swisschamp.  It lacks the pin and the key ring is on the grooved corkscrew side so I'd say 85'

and has thinner pliers?     then it is a first year Champ

[Aloha]

My favorite SAK to carry is my no hook swisschamp.  It lacks the pin and the key ring is on the grooved corkscrew side so I'd say 85'

and has thinner pliers?     then it is a first year Champ

Yes thin pliers too. 

[twiliter]

My favorite SAK to carry is my no hook swisschamp.  It lacks the pin and the key ring is on the grooved corkscrew side so I'd say 85'

and has thinner pliers?     then it is a first year Champ

Yes thin pliers too.

Like this '85 model, no pen either due to the MOP scales. In my top 5 keepers. 

[Reinier]

I like the old ones that have a distinct taper (one end significantly thicker than the other). Also, anything with a clip point blade, brass liners and/or a bail is cool because of their vintage.

[Aloha]

@Twiliter  thats a gorgeous SAK. 

[twiliter]

I like the old ones that have a distinct taper (one end significantly thicker than the other). Also, anything with a clip point blade, brass liners and/or a bail is cool because of their vintage.

So that's around '50s or before I'm guessing? Depending on model maybe. Those old ones are cool R, I agree. 

@Twiliter  thats a gorgeous SAK. 

Thanks Aloha, pictures don't do justice, I may have a somewhat unhealthy affection for that particular SC. 

[Mr. Whippy]

Definite improvements:

Modern Vic metal file
Cybertool (new tool)
Thicker pliers
Plus scales

Downgrades (IMO):

Shiny polished bottle opener (Actually my favorite bottle opener also has a curved wire stripper in it too)
Thinner main blade
Spear point on the smaller blade (I prefer the old clip point)
PLASTIC lens magnifier *
Aluminum liners.

*The newest clear magnifier has a glass lens again so that's perfectly acceptable to me. 

[dks]

The Wengers just before/after the brand was bought by Victorinox had a reputation for lesser quality. I am not clear about the exact dates range. In general the standard 85mm Wengers tend to feel a bit cheaper than the Victorinox mainly because of the softer springs they use.

[Caranthanus]

I don't have a preference except having grown up with those heavy duty gray magnifiers, I can't stand the clear ones.....

Also +1 on this, can't seem to warm up to the clear mag. glass. 

+1 

[twiliter]

Definite improvements:

Modern Vic metal file
Cybertool (new tool)
Thicker pliers
Plus scales

Downgrades (IMO):

Shiny polished bottle opener (Actually my favorite bottle opener also has a curved wire stripper in it too)
Thinner main blade
Spear point on the smaller blade (I prefer the old clip point)
PLASTIC lens magnifier *
Aluminum liners.

*The newest clear magnifier has a glass lens again so that's perfectly acceptable to me. 

The thinner tang on the main blade was a definite downgrade, I agree. The file does seem nicer, it's surely more aggressive than the early ones. the 111mm Master RT has a newer style file too, it's great, but the new Locksmith's I have seen still have the old style pattern, can't figure that one...

Plastic magnifier is not cool at all, like something you would get from a candy machine or a box of Crackerjack...