Victorinox U-Turns on 74mm Range!

[Zapd0s]

After buying an ambassador recently I have really found a new appreciation for the 74mm range, and in fact it's become my new EDC. However I had heard that Victorinox had discontinued the 74mm range, so I decided to pop them an email, read the reply below:

"Thank you for your message and interest in our products.

After consultation with our product development team, we can confirm that the 74mm models will remain in our range.

We hope to have helped you with these information and wish you a good day.

Kind regards from the "Swiss Knife Valley",

Chantal Thiévent
Customer Assistance Administrator"

You heard it here first folks, the 74mm range is here to stay!

[Simon_Templar]

After buying an ambassador recently I have really found a new appreciation for the 74mm range, and in fact it's become my new EDC. However I had heard that Victorinox had discontinued the 74mm range, so I decided to pop them an email, read the reply below:

"Thank you for your message and interest in our products.

After consultation with our product development team, we can confirm that the 74mm models will remain in our range.

We hope to have helped you with these information and wish you a good day.

Kind regards from the "Swiss Knife Valley",

Chantal Thiévent
Customer Assistance Administrator"

You heard it here first folks, the 74mm range is here to stay!

Interesting news indeed! if they develop a 74mm caplifter to boot, I will be overjoyed. Otherwise I don't really care

[Barry Rowland]

 

[BPRoberts]

Happy if it's true (we've gotten equally "official" confirmation that they're disco'd.) The Executive is one of my favorite SAKs. I just wish they'd make up their mind, and be more direct. We've had like a dozen of these threads in the last year, and they're still not listed on the US site or most retailers.

[pa_strunk]

That's great news, so glad you ask. 

[kirk13]

74s have become my long term EDC, so it's good news for me!

[kkokkolis]

Executive is my goto personal care SAK and just recently it became an EDC item (just when my grief for loosing my Swisschamp completed it's circle).
Because, when you EDC an XLT, you appreciate an additional smaller SAK for trivial everyday tasks.
I am very happy with the news.

[Tasky]

I'd rather they actually expanded the 74mm range with some models of several layers... but at least I don't have to rush to get a second Executive, now.

[Buzzbait]

Well thank goodness. I only have just my one Vic Executive that was a father's day present many years ago. I carried it every day for about five years, paired with either a Pioneer or a Farmer. The Executive really covers the extra bases well. The nail file is amazing.

[BPRoberts]

I'd rather they actually expanded the 74mm range with some models of several layers... but at least I don't have to rush to get a second Executive, now.

If they could find a way to put a combo tool on an Executive, I would seriously consider if I really needed to carry a 91mm to the office most days. I probably still would, because is fun, but I wouldn't actually need it like I do now.

[Bunk Tuppins]

Hey this is great news!  Recently, hearing that the 74mm range was to be discontinued, I picked up an Ambassador.  I like it a lot - it's really perfect for certain situations and a bit more knife than a Classic.  So I ended up getting another spare Ambassador, which led to a an order for an Executive which I am still waiting on.  Hopefully the prices will decline once they are back in production...

[Farmer X]

Hopefully the prices will decline once they are back in production...

That would be great. I'm still half-tempted to pick up an Executive.

[Jazz]

Well then. If it’s true, I’ll actually carry and use my Executive, and get a backup. I really like it, but if I couldn’t get a replacement, what’s the point? Same with my Ambassador.

[Farmer X]

If I couldn’t get a replacement, what’s the point?

My carriers are awlmost without exception recent production that can be easily replaced. Losing or breaking a knife or multi that fits those parameters doesn't sting as painfully as if it had happened with a hard-to-find and/or expensive one. I will occasionally carry harder to replace gear around the house, though.

[cody6268]

For light-duty use, gentleman's knives the size of the 74mm work best. The funny thing is that, despite tons of German, Swedish, American, and Japanese companies having made them over the years, the 74mm range is about the closest you're gonna get these days, as the companies that made the gentleman's pattern either went bust or moved to newer designs (like EKA).

The people that speculated with high resale prices on 74mm prices are gonna be ticked off, but this means that to rid themselves of the 74mm they hoarded thinking they were gonna make a mint, prices will fall---fast.


Things I want to see are an Executive Money Clip and more tool options. The orange peeler is of pretty limited use, but a longer 74mm version of the 58mm combo tool (thinner, but longer) would be great!  The Ambassador should have the option of an SD-tip nail file or a second blade instead of the standard nail file.  I'd prefer the "safety band cutter' the 58mm range now calls an orange peeler--as it's far more versatile.


Plus more scale options. For 58mm, if you're not happy with red and black Cellidor, or stainless steel; you're only other option is the slew of advertising Alox colors, or to find one of the perfume/cologne bottles from years ago that had fancy printed 74mm scales on them.

[Farmer X]

Plus more scale options.

+1. With so many custom scales out there (and, seemingly, people only too happy to install them), Victorinox is really missing the boat by offering only Cellidor, Alox, and wood. Don't get me wrong; those are good options, but a couple-few more would be even better.

[cody6268]

+1. With so many custom scales out there (and, seemingly, people only too happy to install them), Victorinox is really missing the boat by offering only Cellidor, Alox, and wood. Don't get me wrong; those are good options, but a couple-few more would be even better.

I have been looking at a bunch of other knives, and I've noticed copper, brass, and titanium are really popular. Used to be (under different market names) you could get SAKs with "turned" stainless steel handles. A Director replaced the battered Executive I got in a lot years ago.

For a knife I view as the modern "gentleman's folder"--fancy handles should always be an option. I'd even go for stag if at all possible.

[Farmer X]

I'd even go for stag if at all possible.

Yes! I've never owned a knife with stag, but I'd like to. What's preventing me? Price. Putting stag on an SAK is an option, I guess, if you have the funds for it.

As an aside, I think one reason Case is still producing knives in the States (and doing well) is that they targeted the collector market. Many other knife makers shifted at least a portion of their production overseas or went under. The typical modern "Camillus" knife bears little resemblance to what they were offering 15 years ago. That I can tell, Victorinox doesn't really do much (aside from myriad 58mm variations and each year's limited models) to target that market. They could probably generate more interest by doing so...and offering a new steel and tool here and there.

[Gareth]

Good news indeed.  A cap lifter/combo tool has been something people have been asking for as long as I've been buying SAKs, so you'll forgive me if I don't hold my breath. 

[cody6268]

Yes! I've never owned a knife with stag, but I'd like to. What's preventing me? Price. Putting stag on an SAK is an option, I guess, if you have the funds for it.

As an aside, I think one reason Case is still producing knives in the States (and doing well) is that they targeted the collector market. Many other knife makers shifted at least a portion of their production overseas or went under. The typical modern "Camillus" knife bears little resemblance to what they were offering 15 years ago. That I can tell, Victorinox doesn't really do much (aside from myriad 58mm variations and each year's limited models) to target that market. They could probably generate more interest by doing so...and offering a new steel and tool here and there.

I got a pair of low-quality and poorly-matched stag scales thrown in with a knife I bought. I may try putting them on a 74mm knife as a test, as the scales are not really suitable for a larger folder--nothing bigger than 3 1/2" and that's if the knife has bolsters.