Which Swiss Army Knife has eluded you?

[Megan]

Has there been one particular SAK model that's eluded you?
Did you almost snag it once?
Your birth year maybe?
I'm curious to read your stories!

[sawman]

Currently, it would be the SC XLT due to its price being out of my reach right now.

But in the past, when I was into ALOX, I desperately wanted a 2010 damascus Pioneer. Had I known at the time they would sell for such a premium, I would have stocked up on them. Oh well.. 

[ducttapetech]

Super Time Keeper.
It was my very first SAK and knife that I bought and I carried it for years along with a folder. Then like a D.A. I lost it in a hayfield.

That's us mobile.
Nate

[Rich S]

Vic apprentice (like waiter, but with phillips).
Rich

[Zed]

Mine would be the ct41 and birth year soldier,always skint when one turns up 

[Fattsgalore]

84mm Voyaguer with smooth red Alox scales. Pretty much the grail. Will never own one obviously.

Also any time I see a Swisschamp sell for like $20 or less.

[NetsNJ]

I really want some of the Wenger-style 130mm knives, but can't really justify the expenditure right now. 

[shenkie]

I once passed on two SwissFlames for ~70 dollar 

[AimlessWanderer]

When I was actively trying to accrue a range of different Wenger Travellers, a few of them were quite illusive, and never managed to track down a good quality Gawain. Once I figured out that pocket carry would ruin it anyway, my interest wained anyway though.

I never managed to track down a decent birth year soldier at a price I was prepared to pay, but then after a while I decided it was a pointless venture as I don't like the feel of alox anyway. It's a bit like one of those things like sucking a wooden lolly stick, or the occasional squeak on a blackboard that can put some people's nerves on edge. With the alox knives, I'm OK for a while but after about 20 seconds or so I have to put it down as the feel has started to creep me out. It's one of those weird things that is hard to describe and doesn't really make much sense. The 58mm alox doesn't give the same problem, and I've been wearing an alox Rambler on a neck lanyard with an assortment of other useful trinkets today.

Aside from that, I think the only other SAK I considered getting was one of the ye olde style officers knives with the fibre scales. Interest wained there too after a while. The modern tools suit me better, and I like having the scale tools, plus I was concerned about the antique backsprings giving up on me.

I think I've tried everything else I had my mind set on. Some worked for me better than others, and I'm now trimming back to a far more humble array of knives that suit me best.

[ColoSwiss]

The Damascus Pioneer. Saw one in a shop on a trip to Amsterdam when they first came out, but it was pricey. Figured I'd wait and pick one up for less when I got back home. Home two weeks later and they had vanished. That Amsterdam price was the cheapest I ever saw them going for. 

[gene stoner]

I would love to get my hands on a SMKW Master Gardener 2 Phillips drivers, saw, small pruner blade and flashlight. What's not to like.

[kirk13]

The only two things really on my wanted list are a 72 Wenger Soldier(birth year) and the SADF old cross Pioneer,but I wouldn't say either have eluded me.

When I joined here is a really thing for the Yeoman,but having modded one,I find I prefer the Explorer anyway,and can't be bothered with paying for one of the +B limited runs.

[Aloha]

I like this thread. Maybe the tools that have eluded some other might have and be willing to pass on. 


I have not actively sought any tool that has eluded me YET.  There are some tools that I just cannot justify paying for right now.  It took a while but I got some tools that I thought wouldn't be affordable to me.

I'm too old to consider looking for a birth year SAK  .

[sir_mike]

This thread will be an interesting read for me!

I don't think I have had anyone elude me as if I was looking for one, I got it.  I never been hung up on birth year ones or special alox ones that cost alot of money. 

Okay well I guess I do have one that has eluded me so far and that is the Hercules or Workchamp that just recently I have been looking for!  LOL

[sawman]

This thread will be an interesting read for me!

I don't think I have had anyone elude me as if I was looking for one, I got it.  I never been hung up on birth year ones or special alox ones that cost alot of money. 

Okay well I guess I do have one that has eluded me so far and that is the Hercules or Workchamp that just recently I have been looking for!  LOL

I hope you're able to get the one you want Mike

[cody6268]

I would love to get my hands on a SMKW Master Gardener 2 Phillips drivers, saw, small pruner blade and flashlight. What's not to like.

When I first got into collecting knives, the Master Gardener and Master Electrician were in the SMKW catalog at the time.  l thought they were both cool back then. I skipped over them, and got a Fieldmaster locally.

But, the more I've looked at the Master Gardener on the SAK Wiki, the more I want one.   It's a perfect tool set for everyday carry in my book.

[jazzbass]

I have several that have eluded me, but the one that's been irritating me lately is an early 1900s four pin Spartan. Essentially "the" classic Swiss Army Knife.

Now, any four pin knife is uncommon to be sure, but they are out there. I have 3 four pin Climbers, 2 four pin Hunstmans and one four pin Camper. I even have 2 four pin Tourists. I have seen the Spartans, but every time I do they end up going for hundreds of dollars more than I think they should.

I'll get one eventually, but man the elusiveness is frustrating.

[oldun]

I suppose it was the first SAK i was given, i can not remember what model it was, i do remember " i think " the tool set , large and small blade, can opener, cap lifter, saw , file , in line phillips , scissors , these are the blades i remember using, going on what i have bought so far it seems to fall between the Champ and the Explorer , i carried it in a black snap fastener belt pouch that i bought from the YHA shop that had a good display of SAKs , this was back in the mid 70s, i suppose what i really need is a list of the available knives at that time ie 74 to 77.

[toolguy]

This red Alox Farmer eluded my best efforts to capture it for almost 10 months.Since I have several friends and members of my family who collect knives it didn't elude my son.He sent it to me after he found and bought it.NIB.

Then there has been this OC Alox Pioneer that was finally captured this past month.NIB

So I guess you could say that nothing has eluded me once I set my mind to finding and buying it but I'm sure there will be some in the future.

[Barry Rowland]

Mine would be either the Space Shuttle Master Craftsman or the Apollo 11 20th Anniv. version. 

[Sakpan74Gr]

The Deluxe Climber. Excellent urban edc. I wish they still made it and offered it with translucent red plus, or silvertech scales.

[GigaHz]

84mm 5 layer knife. I recently got one but it is tired.

[VoetSak]

Every single one that was produced before 1970.......

[Smaug]

Birth year (1976) Soldier. Not sure I could afford it if it did pop up.

Passenger. Ebayers want top dollar for busted up examples. Functionally, speaking, I think the CT29 is a better SAK, as I don't need a magnifier too often.

Yeoman. (finally got one)

Mauser for my brother.

Clearly, I need to get some pin stock and start modding.

[Smaug]

How about you, Megan? It's not good starting a thread like this without posting your OWN story. 

[SAKnight]

I'd say a birth year for sure, as whatever a 1995 is going to sell for is almost guaranteed to be more than I'd be willing to spend.

Which leaves an original officers knife (or any old fiber scale I suppose), like the one they reproduced a couple years back. Just a worn one for a user, though I doubt I'll manage to find one for a user price.

I used to want a farmer, but skipped it and went for a first mate 

My biggest desire is a set of stayglow scales

[sawman]

I didn't realize stayglow scales were so rare 

[SAKnight]

I didn't realize stayglow scales were so rare 

I don't know if they are or not-but I can't justify the cost, when I can generally snag a whole sak off eBay for the same price 

[bren10man]

[Zephon]

Well, the local distributors here in Manila don't exactly have a complete inventory so it may sound silly to some but here goes:
- Midnite Manager @ Work even if just with a 16mb USB drive.

Yeah, there's always online but I prefer to feel and touch what I'm buying...


Just for the heck of it, I'd also like to get something off 1974 (birth year)....any suggestions?