help identifying unknown vic

[ally]

hey all

this knife has come up on a local site, I thought it was a handyman but no pliers but has a fish tickler, help appreciated!

[jazzbass]

It's a Handyman. Victorinox reuses names all the time for different knives. This is the original version of the Handyman made before the pliers were introduced in 1986.

[ally]

thanks jazz

[JamesJ]

I have one of these as well, sakwiki refers to it as a "swiss army brands" Handyman but I'm not sure what all that means.

Cool SAK!

[LeaF]

By the way, jazzbass, could you please explain me, what the difference between early Handyman / Craftsman and 6-layers Champions?

AFAIK, Champions might have LNF, but it's not a mandatory condition. Any other rules exists?
Thanks in advance.

[jazzbass]

By the way, jazzbass, could you please explain me, what the difference between early Handyman / Craftsman and 6-layers Champions?

AFAIK, Champions might have LNF, but it's not a mandatory condition. Any other rules exists?
Thanks in advance.

So like I say above Victorinox are the masters of knife name reuse. So the "Champion" early on (pre-Swiss Champ) really meant the biggest, best knife they made. Pre-1974 that meant the older 6-layer design with the LNF in keeping with the idea of having all the tools and being the best. In 1974 they introduce the new magnifier/phillips layer and the new 7 layer "Champion" is born. No LNF though - around this time there is a concerted effort to get rid of the LNF on most 91mm models (the Climber LNF is the only 91mm model to survive - the Cadillac, Huntsman LNF and Champion LNF versions all disappear post 1974).

In putting together my ever-expanding book, I have had to define parameters around what defines a particular knife model and what does not. Because model names are so inconsistently applied over the years, I don't use them as a way to group models together (is the Craftsman a 4 layer 84mm knife, a 6 layer 91mm knife, or a different 6 layer 91mm knife?). Instead I use the set of tools included in the knife, and here I have tried to follow Victorinox's (somewhat inconsistent) "rules" - one of which is that the presence of the LNF defines a different model.

So in my categorization, the Champion LNF is a different model than the 6 layer Craftsman, and not variations of the same model. Likewise the Huntsman and Huntsman LNF are considered different models. This is opposed to other backspring tools like the fine screwdriver, the presence or absence of which is considered a model variation and not a different model (e.g. the Grand Prix).

So, according to my categorization, you have the following different distinct models:

1. Champion CS LNF (Model 246fmaU) - 6 layers, LNF, corkscrew, 1952-1974
2. Champion LNF (Model 146fmaU) - 6 layers, LNF, Phillips, 1952-1974
3. Handyman Original (Model 236fmaU) - 6 layers, corkscrew, 1973-1986
4. Craftsman Original* (Model 136fmaU) - 6 layers, Phillips, 1973-1986
5. Champion (Model 1.5793/1.6783) - 7 layers, mag/Phillips, 1973-present

* Craftsman Original is not a great name here, because the *real* original Craftsman is the 84mm knife most people call an Artisan. C'est la vie.

[SAK Guy]

I'm ready to pre-order your book!!!!!! 

[ColoSwiss]

I'm ready to pre-order your book!!!!!! 

Same here. Looking forward to it. 

[ally]

and me....

[JamesJ]

I'm ready to pre-order your book!!!!!! 

I'm ready for it to be delivered!

[NorCalJim]

I'm ready to pre-order your book!!!!!! 

I'm ready for it to be delivered!

Hope there is a Kindle version!

[Huntsman]

I also had the same problem identifying this very SAK last year.
The Wiki was not very clear on the older version - before the fish scaler was swapped for the pliers  .

So I updated the Wiki to try and make this clearer
..... And ended up editing the Handyman, Craftsman, Master Craftsman, Champion pages to clarify the models, tool selections and various changes to these models.
Not as fully or as detailed as JBs info above - But I hope it is clear(er) now - Please let me know if not !   

I have one of these as well, sakwiki refers to it as a "swiss army brands" Handyman but I'm not sure what all that means.

The Wiki is somewhat biased towards the North American market (eg model availability, naming etc) - 'Swiss Army Brands' was the company that sold Victorinox SAKs in the US.
But we should probably remove this reference as I am sure the model was worldwide.
Is that correct JB? 

PS.

I'm ready to pre-order your book!!!!!! 

So glad this is still happening and ......
Me too....
Where shall I send the money   

And to comment on an earlier query you had on the book - I think from an old thread I read recently
Hardcopy please for me - I want to sit on my sofa and browse and flick through a real book not an electronic one   

[JamesJ]

What if...the hardcover book came with...a special limited edition SAK?!

 

[VICMAN]

By the way, jazzbass, could you please explain me, what the difference between early Handyman / Craftsman and 6-layers Champions?

AFAIK, Champions might have LNF, but it's not a mandatory condition. Any other rules exists?
Thanks in advance.

So like I say above Victorinox are the masters of knife name reuse. So the "Champion" early on (pre-Swiss Champ) really meant the biggest, best knife they made. Pre-1974 that meant the older 6-layer design with the LNF in keeping with the idea of having all the tools and being the best. In 1974 they introduce the new magnifier/phillips layer and the new 7 layer "Champion" is born. No LNF though - around this time there is a concerted effort to get rid of the LNF on most 91mm models (the Climber LNF is the only 91mm model to survive - the Cadillac, Huntsman LNF and Champion LNF versions all disappear post 1974).

In putting together my ever-expanding book, I have had to define parameters around what defines a particular knife model and what does not. Because model names are so inconsistently applied over the years, I don't use them as a way to group models together (is the Craftsman a 4 layer 84mm knife, a 6 layer 91mm knife, or a different 6 layer 91mm knife?). Instead I use the set of tools included in the knife, and here I have tried to follow Victorinox's (somewhat inconsistent) "rules" - one of which is that the presence of the LNF defines a different model.

So in my categorization, the Champion LNF is a different model than the 6 layer Craftsman, and not variations of the same model. Likewise the Huntsman and Huntsman LNF are considered different models. This is opposed to other backspring tools like the fine screwdriver, the presence or absence of which is considered a model variation and not a different model (e.g. the Grand Prix).

So, according to my categorization, you have the following different distinct models:

1. Champion CS LNF (Model 246fmaU) - 6 layers, LNF, corkscrew, 1952-1974
2. Champion LNF (Model 146fmaU) - 6 layers, LNF, Phillips, 1952-1974
3. Handyman Original (Model 236fmaU) - 6 layers, corkscrew, 1973-1986
4. Craftsman Original* (Model 136fmaU) - 6 layers, Phillips, 1973-1986
5. Champion (Model 1.5793/1.6783) - 7 layers, mag/Phillips, 1973-present

* Craftsman Original is not a great name here, because the *real* original Craftsman is the 84mm knife most people call an Artisan. C'est la vie.

I am also interested in your book when it is ready for delivery.