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Explorer: A History

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us Offline Explorer

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Explorer: A History
on: July 09, 2021, 01:25:12 AM
I’ve been doing some research into the history of the Explorer model because I recently acquired an older Explorer- older than any other I’ve previously owned- and it has led me to some questions which I’m thinking the experts here could possibly answer.

From my own research- which admittedly is not that in-depth- this is what I’ve determined so far.

From best I can tell- the Magnifying glass was first introduced in 1973. I wasn’t able to find anything saying precisely the first year that the Explorer model came out but to me it makes logical sense that it would’ve been during or after 1973  :D

I personally have never seen a Victorinox Explorer model that had a clip point small blade or a five turn corkscrew both to my knowledge were dropped in 1973. I’m very curious to know if anyone has ever seen an older Explorer with a five turn corkscrew or a clip point small blade.  :think:

Finding this- presumably early- model of the explorer has sparked an interest in trying to find an even older one.
Perhaps the first model ever made?  :o
Hey a guy can dream.

I have not cleaned it up at all- it was in this amazing condition when I received it. It appears to have the factory edges on the blades I don’t think the small blade or several other tools were ever even used. I did not pay very much for this knife so this is a very exciting find!  :woohoo:

See Pictures:

No hole in the Remer Punch so older than 1985

four turn fluted corkscrew so made after 1973

The scissors look like the 1975-1990 era

It has the aluminum tipped tweezers and those were dropped in 1978 so made before 1978

So I ended up determining this knife to be roughly between 1975-1978

That was about everything that I could figure out for this 1970s era explorer. Perhaps there is something I missed?
I’m super grateful to anyone who can help me shed any more light on the exact dating of this SAK.
Do you have an older model explorer as well? I’d love to see a pic!
Thank you-

Jay  :hatsoff:
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00 Offline jnoxyd

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Explorer: A History
Reply #1 on: July 09, 2021, 12:21:26 PM
Nice dream, Explorer! I'm sure you'll find one 73 Explorer finally (Victoria stamped blade, clip point small blade, 5 loop corkscrew, pre c.76 style scissors). It looks like they actually made in 1973 Champion, Modeler, Passenger and Explorer, we discussed 1973 Modelers and Champions in Vintage SAK Owners Club
« Last Edit: July 09, 2021, 02:47:52 PM by jnoxyd »

us Offline Explorer

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #2 on: July 09, 2021, 03:04:16 PM
Quote from: jnoxyd on July 09, 2021, 12:21:26 PM
Nice dream, Explorer! I'm sure you'll find one 73 Explorer finally (Victoria stamped blade, clip point small blade, 5 loop corkscrew, pre c.76 style scissors). It looks like they actually made in 1973 Champion, Modeler, Passenger and Explorer, we discussed 1973 Modelers and Champions in Vintage SAK Owners Club
(Image removed from quote.)
So cool! And great pictures! Love seeing these older models with the magnifying glass.
May I ask where are you getting this information about when the explorer was first made?
I’d love to do some more digging but I don’t know where to look other than SAKwiki.
Thanks  :cheers:
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00 Offline jnoxyd

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #3 on: July 09, 2021, 03:13:28 PM
You should join Vintage SAK Owners Club.
Jazzbass said he seen Victoria era Explorers so I believe they started together with Champion in 1973.

us Offline Explorer

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #4 on: July 09, 2021, 04:21:06 PM
Quote from: jnoxyd on July 09, 2021, 03:13:28 PM
You should join Vintage SAK Owners Club.
Jazzbass said he seen Victoria era Explorers so I believe they started together with Champion in 1973.(Image removed from quote.)
I’ll definitely check that out! Its so much fun learning about the history of my favorite model  :ahhh
Thanks man
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Online GrouchoM

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #5 on: July 10, 2021, 01:11:45 AM
Where did you find that treasure and how much did it cost?

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us Offline Explorer

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #6 on: July 10, 2021, 07:12:30 PM
Quote from: GrouchoM on July 10, 2021, 01:11:45 AM
Where did you find that treasure and how much did it cost?

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk
Picked it up at an estate sale for a cool five dollars  8)
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Online GrouchoM

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #7 on: July 11, 2021, 12:41:17 AM
Quote from: Explorer on July 10, 2021, 07:12:30 PM
Picked it up at an estate sale for a cool five dollars  8)
Is it a sin to covet thy neighbor's SAK?

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au Offline Huntsman

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #8 on: July 11, 2021, 01:24:53 AM
Quote from: Explorer on July 09, 2021, 03:04:16 PM
I’d love to do some more digging but I don’t know where to look other than SAKwiki.

Better??    :pok:    :tu:      ???

Unfortunately the Wiki is not great on dates generally - So thanks so much for initiating this thread and the infornmation JNOXYD
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us Offline SteveP

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #9 on: July 11, 2021, 03:17:01 AM
Quote from: Explorer on July 10, 2021, 07:12:30 PM
Picked it up at an estate sale for a cool five dollars  8)
Score!   :hatsoff:

Beats the mid-'80s Explorer I got at an estate sale for $8.   :(
SAKs:
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93mm: Pioneer Alox
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us Offline Explorer

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #10 on: July 12, 2021, 02:59:13 PM
Quote from: Huntsman on July 11, 2021, 01:24:53 AM
Better??    :pok:    :tu:      ???

Unfortunately the Wiki is not great on dates generally - So thanks so much for initiating this thread and the infornmation JNOXYD
It’s an amazing resource that I really appreciate and enjoy reading sir!!  :cheers:
Thank you for all of your hard work!
Merit Badges Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of a Classic SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of the discontinued sak/mt for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of a Alox SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread and post a photo  of 84 and 85 mm Swiss Army Knives (and Wengers) for 30 days Participate and post a pic of your vintage SAK (1986 or earlier) everyday for 30 days. Participate in a challenge thread and post a photo of a SAK Cybertool (any variant), Swisschamp, Champion or Toolchest for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of a Camper SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of an Executive or Director for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of a MiniChamp SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days.

us Offline Explorer

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #11 on: July 12, 2021, 03:00:10 PM
Quote from: SteveP on July 11, 2021, 03:17:01 AM
Score!   :hatsoff:

Beats the mid-'80s Explorer I got at an estate sale for $8.   :(
Wow well $8 ain’t bad either my friend!
 :cheers:
Merit Badges Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of a Classic SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of the discontinued sak/mt for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of a Alox SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread and post a photo  of 84 and 85 mm Swiss Army Knives (and Wengers) for 30 days Participate and post a pic of your vintage SAK (1986 or earlier) everyday for 30 days. Participate in a challenge thread and post a photo of a SAK Cybertool (any variant), Swisschamp, Champion or Toolchest for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of a Camper SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of an Executive or Director for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of a MiniChamp SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days.

es Offline pitquim

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #12 on: July 12, 2021, 04:44:52 PM
kamakiri uploaded this picture in february 2019 in replay #841 of "Appreciation for the Explorer" https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,42876.840.html
Hope it helps
1973!!!.jpg
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us Offline kamakiri

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #13 on: July 12, 2021, 08:44:50 PM
The OP’s knife is late ‘76 or so. I could use more pics and different views to confirm/revise or refine a production date estimate.

c.’73+ copies are out there. I have not found or seen any that are or look ‘72 or earlier. The one above is also Hoffritz.
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es Offline pitquim

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #14 on: July 13, 2021, 08:53:46 AM
I've found this knive in an auction: 2005 blade with grey frame MG, supposedly disappeared in 2004. Seen another one like this in eBay recently.
Just for the record.
1.jpg
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2.jpg
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us Offline Explorer

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #15 on: July 13, 2021, 03:10:41 PM
Quote from: pitquim on July 12, 2021, 04:44:52 PM
kamakiri uploaded this picture in february 2019 in replay #841 of "Appreciation for the Explorer" https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,42876.840.html
Hope it helps
Thanks for posting these- very cool! That Hoffritz Explorer is a real beauty.
Somehow I missed that appreciation for the explorer thread.
Yeah that 2005 Explorer that you have there is a mystery for sure.
Cheers!  :cheers:
Merit Badges Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of a Classic SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of the discontinued sak/mt for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of a Alox SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate in a Challenge thread and post a photo  of 84 and 85 mm Swiss Army Knives (and Wengers) for 30 days Participate and post a pic of your vintage SAK (1986 or earlier) everyday for 30 days. Participate in a challenge thread and post a photo of a SAK Cybertool (any variant), Swisschamp, Champion or Toolchest for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of a Camper SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread and post a photo of an Executive or Director for thirty (30) consecutive days. Participate  in Challenge thread and post a photo of a MiniChamp SAK for thirty (30) consecutive days.

be Offline bismouth

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Re: Explorer: A History
Reply #16 on: July 16, 2021, 08:37:25 AM
To complete the history, I've made a topic about the different layer order that I've found on two of my explorers :)

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,87018.msg2226307.html#msg2226307

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