Status of the 74mm line outside the US?

[BPRoberts]

Can anyone confirm the worldwide status of the 74mm knives? I've seen several posts saying they're discontinued, but not an actual press release from Vic. They've disappeared from the US site (minus the Money Clip, which I assume is just clearing old inventory) but the full line appears to be available in Europe. Is this just a case of there being more inventory of them sitting around across the pond, or are they still in limited production for some markets?

[Fast Bill]

A good question. I picked up a Black Executive on the off chance (I'm in the UK) but I hope others known more. The rumour of discontinuance is certainly there and a great shame if true.

[McStitchy]

They're still listed on Victorinox.com

https://www.victorinox.com/global/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Small-Pocket-Knives/c/SAK_SmallPocketKnives?ScrollPosition=611&maxResults=60#sak-size

[Max Stone]

I was reliably told some time ago that production had ended, so what you see is remaining inventory.

[McStitchy]

Thanks Max 

[PitCarver]

They're still listed on Victorinox.com

https://www.victorinox.com/global/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Small-Pocket-Knives/c/SAK_SmallPocketKnives?ScrollPosition=611&maxResults=60#sak-size

No retailers listed...
Bummer too, I was gonna order one, new, if they were still available.

[hsherzfeld]

The Victorinox US site doesn't even list any of the 74mm knives. 

[Singh]

The 74mm line is an answer to a question no one asked.

You can go a little smaller (58mm) and get the same tools for half the weight, or you can go bigger (84-91mm) and have more options.   

I'm fine with seeing them go.

 

[hsherzfeld]

The 74mm line is an answer to a question no one asked.

You can go a little smaller (58mm) and get the same tools for half the weight, or you can go bigger (84-91mm) and have more options.   

I'm fine with seeing them go.

 

Indeed. I didn't eve know they existed until I joined BladeForums.

[PitCarver]

The 74mm line is an answer to a question no one asked.

You can go a little smaller (58mm) and get the same tools for half the weight, or you can go bigger (84-91mm) and have more options.   

I'm fine with seeing them go.

I'd never had a 74mm until I signed up for the December Chuck Yeager challenge.
I kinda like the 74mm size and would have loved to see a midi-champ.  I'd love to see a proper combo tool on the Executive.

[GearedForwards]

The 74mm line is an answer to a question no one asked.

You can go a little smaller (58mm) and get the same tools for half the weight, or you can go bigger (84-91mm) and have more options.   

I'm fine with seeing them go.

Gotta disagree, I didn't know they existed until I joined MTO, I didn't even get one until preparation for the challenge this year, but having had 58mms since I was a kid it really is a difference. The size and weight makes them a more competent cutting tool for some tasks (longer blade makes some things easier, but that's not what I mean), I used the Executive to cut the plug off of an old tumble dryer, I'd never have used a 58mm for that and would have expected a decent chance of frame damage from doing such a thing. The Executive was unharmed and made it through all but the last bit of insulation in the first cut.

The tools are also not the same, the file on both the Executive and Ambassador are better than the one on the Classic for actually using on your nails, whilst the Executive is still better than the Minichamp's.

And then there's the mighty orange peeler!

But I do think they serve a niche as a more serviceable tool, without having to go all the way up to an 84 or larger.

[McStitchy]

 

[BPRoberts]

Personally, I like the 74mm size, but the tool selection is a weak spot. 90% of the line (even when there were more than 3 of them) were basically bigger/shinier Classics. The main exception is the Executive, which ups the ante with the orange peeler. It's not a bad tool, but given the choice between it and the 58mm combo tool, it feels lacking. That mini-Phillips is just the right side for battery doors, and I get a fair amount of use out of the bottle opener.

[Reinier]

I agree, the small number of 74mm tools that are availabe is a problem. I really like the 74mm models though and I am not the only one: https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,40930.0.html

[smiller43147]

I always thought it odd that they were the only size SAK without the option of a bottle opener (cap lifter).

[PitCarver]

Personally, I like the 74mm size, but the tool selection is a weak spot. 90% of the line (even when there were more than 3 of them) were basically bigger/shinier Classics. The main exception is the Executive, which ups the ante with the orange peeler. It's not a bad tool, but given the choice between it and the 58mm combo tool, it feels lacking. That mini-Phillips is just the right side for battery doors, and I get a fair amount of use out of the bottle opener.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I rest my case.

[Jackpine54]

 

That's why the rambler is in my pocket more often than the executive.

[Altis]

The 74mm line is an answer to a question no one asked.

You can go a little smaller (58mm) and get the same tools for half the weight, or you can go bigger (84-91mm) and have more options.

The next size up with scissors is the 91mm Compact, which is bigger, heavier, and twice the price. Otherwise you're into 3 layers, and no scissors on any current 84mm.

The 58mm is handy but 74mm improves all the tools considerably, which feels nicer in hand and to use, can do a bit more, and IMO looks better. It's a great alternative to the cellidor Classic SD, especially if you intend to use it rather than have it just-in-case... Always nice to have options. 

I was late to discover the Executive and am glad I got one while they were available. But then I'm also a SAK addict 

[Altis]

Alright so what the heck is going on?

Cabelas in Canada just ADDED the 74mm Ambassador and Executive to their online shop with the "NEW" tag

So... are they back in production? It seems odd that a major retailer would add something that's been discontinued for months. If nothing else, they're in stock at a normal price for people to pick them up -- Executive in black, as it ought to be 

[kamakiri]

Alright so what the heck is going on?

Cabelas in Canada just ADDED the 74mm Ambassador and Executive to their online shop with the "NEW" tag

So... are they back in production? It seems odd that a major retailer would add something that's been discontinued for months. If nothing else, they're in stock at a normal price for people to pick them up -- Executive in black, as it ought to be 

Thanks for the update. 

Maybe we were being fed bad or outdated info from the rumour mill. 

Could just be a batching issue. Like they weren’t gonna make more until inventory was cleared out.

Or maybe we’ll see 74mm based scissors in 84mm frames now. 

I guess time will tell on all counts.

[Altis]

Thanks for the update. 

Maybe we were being fed bad or outdated info from the rumour mill. 

Could just be a batching issue. Like they weren’t gonna make more until inventory was cleared out.

Or maybe we’ll see 74mm based scissors in 84mm frames now. 

I guess time will tell on all counts.

It's a very strange situation. I thought it was all but a done deal with vendors selling out and no longer listing the 74mm line, including Victorinox themselves (at least in some countries). Now I see it show up as a new item and in stock 

Also strange is that the same place sells the serrated Spartan, which I don't think Victorinox does directly, but they used to and I guess still do for certain places.

Here's to hoping the 74mm is brought back to life 

[Fireman]

Alright so what the heck is going on?

Cabelas in Canada just ADDED the 74mm Ambassador and Executive to their online shop with the "NEW" tag

So... are they back in production? It seems odd that a major retailer would add something that's been discontinued for months. If nothing else, they're in stock at a normal price for people to pick them up -- Executive in black, as it ought to be 

I wonder if that is Cabela's only, like some Leatherman versions.

[Simon_Templar]

The 74mm line is an answer to a question no one asked.

You can go a little smaller (58mm) and get the same tools for half the weight, or you can go bigger (84-91mm) and have more options.   

I'm fine with seeing them go.

 

These are my thoughts exactly after two weeks in the Chuck Yeager challenge. I even wrote almost the same words in some other thread on this forum about a week ago. 

[Tasky]

The 74mm line is an answer to a question no one asked.
You can go a little smaller (58mm) and get the same tools for half the weight, or you can go bigger (84-91mm) and have more options.   
I'm fine with seeing them go.

These are my thoughts exactly after two weeks in the Chuck Yeager challenge. I even wrote almost the same words in some other thread on this forum about a week ago. 

Perhaps if someone had actually asked the question, the 74mm would have replaced the 84 - Just on the size alone, I find the Executive a far better idea than the 84, as the latter is nigh-on the exact same as the 91 so you might as well carry a 91... while 58s are cute as buttons, but too small for much outside of office-based urban EDC.

The 74 sits almost exactly at the mid-point between 58 and 91, is small enough to make a difference without being so small as to be as restrictive as the 58. Slim models could easily slip into small pockets and even wallets, while still being big enough to handle some more serious tasks.

The only downside to 74s IMHO is that they never developed beyond six very similar basic models with only a handful of tools... However, I do note that Wenger made slightly better use of their 65mm line with things like the Pocket Tech and Pocket Tool Chest, so I wonder if Vic stalled on the 74 to avoid the competition or something?

[kamakiri]

“Wenger made slightly better use of their 65mm line“

They made much better use of that line.

74mm is missing way too many features compared to even 58mm. Lites and pens are at the top of my list. But a combo tool and Phillips in the 0/1 range would make sense as well.

And if they made an in-line awl for it…there would be a lot of 74mm converts, I think. 

[Tasky]

 

Though I prefer inline Phillips to awl, myself, I'd also like to see a can opener or even the combo, as it's one of my more essential SAK tools... and of course one mega model with loads of tools!
It might need to be made from more hefty materials and even end up costing a bit more than the 91mm equivalent, but it just seems so much better a fit than the 84mm.

[Altis]

I wonder if that is Cabela's only, like some Leatherman versions.

You'd think they'd be marketed as such if that were the case, which is what they do with other brands that do Cabelas exclusives.

And if they're still in production, they're still in production, which would be great news to confirm. 

[kamakiri]

You'd think they'd be marketed as such if that were the case, which is what they do with other brands that do Cabelas exclusives.

And if they're still in production, they're still in production, which would be great news to confirm. 

Agreed. And wouldn’t it have made sense to do a ‘final production run’ LE if it was done or going away permanently? 

[Fireman]

You'd think they'd be marketed as such if that were the case, which is what they do with other brands that do Cabelas exclusives.

And if they're still in production, they're still in production, which would be great news to confirm. 

I don't know what to think. 

[hsherzfeld]

For what it's worth, Amazon currently has the Ambassador for $27 (USD).