CAT Tinker

cody6268 · **on:** November 22, 2015, 07:24:14 PM

I won the auction about half an hour ago to this brand new 1980s Tinker with a metal Caterpillar logo inlaid on the top scale for $16.50 plus $3.50 shipping.

Interesting there's no Victorinox emblem on the top or bottom.

I have a few questions. I normally don't ask these type of questions, but is this particular advertising version rare? I've never seen one like it before. All the other CAT SAK's I've seen were much newer, and had the CAT logo printed on the bottom scale, and still had the Victorinox emblem. Could it date back to the '70s?

Image from Ebay listing.

CAT_SAK_1_1 by cody6268, on Flickr

CAT_SAK_1_2 by cody6268, on Flickr

CAT_SAK_1_3 by cody6268, on Flickr

jazzbass · **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2015, 07:31:52 PM

Almost all advertising models can be described as "rare" in that they were made in small batches for the companies/products they were advertising for. That doesn't make them particularly valuable or sought after necessarily, but in the strictest definition it could be considered rare.

This knife looks to date from at least 1984, possibly later. I can't see if there is a can key on the Phillips, nor can I make out the front tang stamp or whether this model has a 2.4mm tang or 2.0mm one, all features which would help date it better.

Caranthanus · **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2015, 09:02:12 PM

Quote from: jazzbass on November 22, 2015, 07:31:52 PM

Almost all advertising models can be described as "rare" in that they were made in small batches for the companies/products they were advertising for. That doesn't make them particularly valuable or sought after necessarily, but in the strictest definition it could be considered rare.

This knife looks to date from at least 1984, possibly later. I can't see if there is a can key on the Phillips, nor can I make out the front tang stamp or whether this model has a 2.4mm tang or 2.0mm one, all features which would help date it better.

Looks like "big" V + old reamer/awl

[size=14]V[/size] [size=12]ICTORINOX[/size]
[size=12]SWITZERLAND
STAINLESS
ROSTFREI[/size]

cody6268 · **Reply #3 on:** November 25, 2015, 10:01:14 PM

Well, I think I got a Tinker Small (84mm). When compared to my 91mm models, it was a little smaller.

Tang does appear to be 2.0 millimeters. It also has a can key.

Photo0297 by cody6268, on Flickr

Photo0295 by cody6268, on Flickr

Photo0294 by cody6268, on Flickr