Spartan Onyx Black = Spartan PS = did I miss something?

[Max Stone]

Can someone please tell me the difference between the Spartan Onyx Black (1.3603.31P) and the Spartan PS (1.3603.3P), apart from the "1" in the part number... 

Or did Voctorinox just pull a marketing stunt to promote the Spartan PS into the new Onyx Black collection? 

[LeaF]

Color of toothpick

[Max Stone]

  that takes the cake...

I'm off to get my Sharpie 

[kamakiri]

Color of toothpick

And I think the Tweezer tip.


At least they didn’t increase the MSRP for the T&T colors! Not for the US pricing.

[Max Stone]

I guess asking for black anodized liners would have been too much?

[kamakiri]

I guess asking for black anodized liners would have been too much?

I think they are?
Maybe not hard anodized, but I’m pretty sure those and the MOTM are.

[Thunderpants]

I'm holding out for next year's "Ultra Onyx Zero Reflectivity Deep Black, No Seriously, This Time We Mean It" Limited Edition Spartan which adds a dark stonewash finish to the metal part of the tweezers. Well worth the estimated asking price of 120 Euros, I'd say.

[Rizio Il Ghiro]

Don’t forget the vanta black scales, TP!

[Reinier]

I'm holding out for next year's "Ultra Onyx Zero Reflectivity Deep Black, No Seriously, This Time We Mean It" Limited Edition Spartan which adds a dark stonewash finish to the metal part of the tweezers. Well worth the estimated asking price of 120 Euros, I'd say.

[Reinier]

Don’t forget the vanta black scales, TP!

Vanta black

Sounds like Hotblack Desiato's SAK.

[Fast Bill]

Vanta black

Sounds like Hotblack Desiato's SAK.

A Disaster Area SAK where the light just falls into it? 

Now that I'd pay for !

[Reinier]

A Disaster Area SAK where the light just falls into it? 

Now that I'd pay for !

Mind you, it would probably cost three or four Ningis.

[Max Stone]

I think they are?
Maybe not hard anodized, but I’m pretty sure those and the MOTM are.

My bad...you're quite right. I have just examined by polispectral Spartan, and the liners are black, even the keyring split ring is black. Just the T&T remains 'standard' 

[EMZ]

I'm holding out for next year's "Ultra Onyx Zero Reflectivity Deep Black, No Seriously, This Time We Mean It" Limited Edition Spartan which adds a dark stonewash finish to the metal part of the tweezers. Well worth the estimated asking price of 120 Euros, I'd say.

Great Idea! I would also ad a tactical infrared LED flashlight to it.

[kamakiri]

My bad...you're quite right. I have just examined by polispectral Spartan, and the liners are black, even the keyring split ring is black. Just the T&T remains 'standard' 

And, yes, I am sad to admit I WANT the new BLACK T&T!!

 

[Max Stone]

The ($1) transformation is complete! My polispectral Spartan is now a Onyx Black Edition...   

[Reinier]

Nice. Except your shield is even better. Inlaid, right?

[Max Stone]

Yes, I checked with my loupe - it's a standard metal inlay. Difficult to photograph. Are the Onyx printed?

[Reinier]

Yes I believe they have a printed shield (white).

[kamakiri]

Yes I believe they have a printed shield (white).

Correct, as usual.

The printed shield is a bit of a disappointment. Gray or matte black would have been better. Or an engraving.  PS treatment on a stainless inlay would have worked.

I gotta get some of those T&Ts for my MOTM too.

[kamakiri]

Pic might help.

[Max Stone]

Thanks kamakiri. I wonder what's behind this change?

Victorinox have got printing on cellidor perfected, if I look at my Angler and Fisherman the print quality of the shield is excellent, it even blends seamlessly with the surface as if it's below a lacquer layer.

It's only when you examine it closely that you see it's printed. I'm not sure of the method, it appears to be deposited as tiny dots of metallic ink. Difficult to photograph, it tends to create some chromatic aberration from the specular reflection off the print.

Do you think Victorinox could be moving away from inlays?

[kamakiri]

Thanks kamakiri. I wonder what's behind this change?

Victorinox have got printing on cellidor perfected, if I look at my Angler and Fisherman the print quality of the shield is excellent, it even blends seamlessly with the surface as if it's below a lacquer layer.

It's only when you examine it closely that you see it's printed. I'm not sure of the method, it appears to be deposited as tiny dots of metallic ink. Difficult to photograph, it tends to create some chromatic aberration from the specular reflection off the print.

Do you think Victorinox could be moving away from inlays?

I think like most changes they make, cost and finish quality are big priorities.

But I’m not sure if inlays are getting replaced completely. I’ve only bought a few new knives recently direct from Victorinox.

I have seen stainless shield inlays under the clear coat. Looks great, but not sure if they have only done it for select advertising knives.

[bismouth]

You can go trough my topic about the two knifes here: https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,86166.msg2187686.html#msg2187686 

[Max Stone]

  I did add a comment on the thread.

[kamakiri]

I do agree that it is preferable to have metal inlay, but I suspect Victorinox wanted to be consistent across the 58mm, 91mm and 130mm sizes in the Onyx series, and it was more cost-effective to use a printed logo across them. I think an inlay on the 130mm would have been a problem.

Good point.

But it does dash my hopes for a PS inlay Champ in the near future. I’d still take it with the white paint. Though I do wish they’d ditch the connections between the cross and shield like they did on some of the smooth alox into the ‘70s (I think)

[Max Stone]

kamakiri - I had to look and you are right! I managed to find a lonely beat-up example online on a well known auction site... (Victorinox Companion Alox Swiss Army Knife Red Scales)

I do agree - it does look neater without the connecting lines, but I guess this would be difficult with an inlay and all their branding uses the connecting lines so I guess we're stuck with it 

[kamakiri]

kamakiri - I had to look and you are right! I managed to find a lonely beat-up example online on a well known auction site... (Victorinox Companion Alox Swiss Army Knife Red Scales)

I do agree - it does look neater without the connecting lines, but I guess this would be difficult with an inlay and all their branding uses the connecting lines so I guess we're stuck with it 

Yeah, I don’t predict they would revisit this ‘unified’ design decision after 40+ years.

But this is making me think I should set some separate cross n shield inlays...just because I can. Maybe some Elinox ones too while I’m at it. 

[Echotech]

I like that “unlined” cross too, have it on a Victoria tang stamped Executive which I think is late 60’s

Shown with a more recent money clip for comparison

[MacGyver]

Thanks kamakiri. I wonder what's behind this change?

Victorinox have got printing on cellidor perfected, if I look at my Angler and Fisherman the print quality of the shield is excellent, it even blends seamlessly with the surface as if it's below a lacquer layer.

It's only when you examine it closely that you see it's printed. I'm not sure of the method, it appears to be deposited as tiny dots of metallic ink. Difficult to photograph, it tends to create some chromatic aberration from the specular reflection off the print.

Do you think Victorinox could be moving away from inlays?

Whooooooottt....?? 

Painted shields on standard cellidor scales???  PAINTED...??!!??!!?   

Great Victorinox.....  What's next...? Recycled cardboard scales...?? 

If this becomes a standard, i'll never buy an new Vic again!!   


I better fatten up my standard red scales stash before the inlaid ones are all gone...