Victorinox Outdoor Knife from Venture Collection

[comis]

I don't know whether there will be an official announcement soon, but saw this on Felix Immler's youtube channel, personally, I quite like what I see. 

I particular like the flat drill from the additional tool kit, which can connect to the knife handle and make Swedish torch; and the utilitarian knife handle/accessories on board.

Some spec I got from the video:

--14c28n steel harden at 59Rc
--105mm/4.13" blade
--125mm/4.92" handle
--3.4mm/ 1/8"+ blade thickness, thickest at the ricasso, taper towards the tip
--120g/4.23oz    knife only weight

Other features:
--knife sheath as blow tube, bi-directional for lefty
--drill cap in handle
--ferro rod, pen, tweezer and sharpening stone in knife sheath
--sharp spine and pommel for scraping/wood work
--Multiple sheath/carry options and price point

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIvUihtzkf4


Will this be a competition to Mora Garberg or the new full tang Ash wood series?  Fällkniven F1?

[nate j]

Interesting, thanks for sharing it.

Glad to see a reasonable price point on these.  (My major criticism of the Master knives was that they were simply way overpriced for what they are.)

Seems like these have some well-thought-out features.

Similar dimensions, steel, and price to Mora Garberg, so I would consider it a direct competitor.

I don’t really see it as competition to the F1.  F1 is going to be a better blade, but at a significantly higher price point.

[comis]

Interesting, thanks for sharing it.

Glad to see a reasonable price point on these.  (My major criticism of the Master knives was that they were simply way overpriced for what they are.)

Seems like these have some well-thought-out features.

Similar dimensions, steel, and price to Mora Garberg, so I would consider it a direct competitor.

I don’t really see it as competition to the F1.  F1 is going to be a better blade, but at a significantly higher price point.

If I am not mistaken, those 'Master Mic' were made by Muela, or at least has strong ties to them.  I too agree it was way overpriced and maybe it was just a half hearted attempt to look into the fixed blade market from Vic. 

Come to think about it, F1 may have a similar knife profile to this new knife, but other than that, they don't have much in similarity.  I don't own either of them, so can't compare them side by side, but I would imagine the 14c18n may perform similar to a lamented VG10 (given very similar geometry)?  But at 4.5mm, the F1 might be more geared towards the survival market, while this new knife is the other way around.

[Rich S]

I fear Victorinox has gotten caught up in the "bushcraft" nonsense. Back in the 80's when I was not so crippled up, we just called it hiking. I did several multi-week hikes in and out of the Appalachians. 35 Pound backpack. carried a 4 inch puukko in the top pocket of my pack, a Champion in the pack and a small folder (don't recall what) in my pants pocket.
For fire just carried two Bic lighters in small ziplock bags (one in my pants pocket another in the pack). Even if they ran out of fuel, the strikers still worked a good while.

Not knocking Vic. I have a meager collection of about 60. A Tinker always in my pocket at home and a Explorer when out and about.  Just hate to see Vic getting trapped into the "bushcraft" craze/silliness.

End of rant.

[Explorer]

I’d love to see an Alox version 

[nate j]

Come to think about it, F1 may have a similar knife profile to this new knife, but other than that, they don't have much in similarity.  I don't own either of them, so can't compare them side by side, but I would imagine the 14c18n may perform similar to a lamented VG10 (given very similar geometry)?

I believe the laminated blade of the F1 has a combination of edge hardness and overall blade toughness that would be difficult to match with a mono-steel blade (unless it was differentially hardened, and I’m not aware of any mass-produced factory blades that are).  As I said, I think the F1 will be a superior knife, but at roughly twice the price not really in direct competition with this new Vic.

carried a 4 inch puukko in the top pocket of my pack

This would be the market Vic is targeting with this new offering, I would think.  Folks looking for a ~4” fixed blade for hiking/camping…

[Rich S]

Quote from: Rich S on Today at 12:33:17 PM

    "carried a 4 inch puukko in the top pocket of my pack"
------------------
Nate J-
"This would be the market Vic is targeting with this new offering, I would think.  Folks looking for a ~4” fixed blade for hiking/camping…"

But there are already a zillion (slight hyperbole) that are on the market and sell much lower.  Also, Vic has IMHO again gone into overkill mode - who needs a divot for a bow drill if you have a ferro stick (Bic lighter still better). If you want close to point finger nicks you can make them on any knife with a Dremel cut off wheel. Wish the best for Vic, but fear this will be a dud.

[PitCarver]

I just saw this on the SMKW website.
While the "pro" kit is out of stock you can still get the basic knife.
Even though I'd never need it, for it's intended purpose, I'm tempted with the sub $100.00 price.

[Bunk Tuppins]

I wouldn't even consider that for backpacking.  9" long and over 4 ounces!  Way too big and too heavy.  Plus it's just the 1 blade.  I'm not even sure what you would do with that - butcher an animal?  Just can't see myself ever using that.  I have a couple 111s and a 130mm knife which I would also not carry camping because the weight gets heavier every mile.  Here's the Vic website entry:  https://www.victorinox.com/us/en/Venture-Collection/cms/venture-collection

[Enginears]

I look forward to seeing this knife being shot with a gun, batoning metal pans, and the battery of tests the guys on the Dutch Bushcraft Knives youtube do to knives.

[Enginears]

I wouldn't even consider that for backpacking.  9" long and over 4 ounces!  Way too big and too heavy.  Plus it's just the 1 blade.  I'm not even sure what you would do with that - butcher an animal?  Just can't see myself ever using that.  I have a couple 111s and a 130mm knife which I would also not carry camping because the weight gets heavier every mile.  Here's the Vic website entry:  https://www.victorinox.com/us/en/Venture-Collection/cms/venture-collection

Thats what I was thinking, strict hiking is a far cry if bushcraft. The most popular hiking SAK is actually the Classic SD. 

[Bunk Tuppins]

 

Thats what I was thinking, strict hiking is a far cry if bushcraft. The most popular hiking SAK is actually the Classic SD.

[Tasky]

I'm wondering why 20mm is the best and only option for a spade bit in bushcrafting...
Does one make a lot of stools and chairs with stretchers and spindles while camping under a tarp?

[Myron]

I fear Victorinox has gotten caught up in the "bushcraft" nonsense. Back in the 80's when I was not so crippled up, we just called it hiking. I did several multi-week hikes in and out of the Appalachians. 35 Pound backpack. carried a 4 inch puukko in the top pocket of my pack, a Champion in the pack and a small folder (don't recall what) in my pants pocket.
For fire just carried two Bic lighters in small ziplock bags (one in my pants pocket another in the pack). Even if they ran out of fuel, the strikers still worked a good while.

Not knocking Vic. I have a meager collection of about 60. A Tinker always in my pocket at home and a Explorer when out and about.  Just hate to see Vic getting trapped into the "bushcraft" craze/silliness.

End of rant.

Yep, like the car camping my family did growing up, which now we have to call "overlanding."   I join you in this rant, @Rich S.   

[nate j]

I wouldn't even consider that for backpacking.  9" long and over 4 ounces!  Way too big and too heavy.

Thats what I was thinking, strict hiking is a far cry if bushcraft. The most popular hiking SAK is actually the Classic SD.

Personally, I won’t be headed into the woods with nothing but a Classic.  But, everyone has to find their own balance, and carry what they are comfortable with.

I'm wondering why 20mm is the best and only option for a spade bit in bushcrafting...

I think comis nailed it in his initial post.  20 mm is about ideal to make a Swedish torch.

[comis]

I fear Victorinox has gotten caught up in the "bushcraft" nonsense. Back in the 80's when I was not so crippled up, we just called it hiking. I did several multi-week hikes in and out of the Appalachians. 35 Pound backpack. carried a 4 inch puukko in the top pocket of my pack, a Champion in the pack and a small folder (don't recall what) in my pants pocket.
For fire just carried two Bic lighters in small ziplock bags (one in my pants pocket another in the pack). Even if they ran out of fuel, the strikers still worked a good while.

Not knocking Vic. I have a meager collection of about 60. A Tinker always in my pocket at home and a Explorer when out and about.  Just hate to see Vic getting trapped into the "bushcraft" craze/silliness.

End of rant.

Thats what I was thinking, strict hiking is a far cry if bushcraft. The most popular hiking SAK is actually the Classic SD. 

I would think Backpacking, thru-hiking and 'bushcrafting' are different animals altogether. 

What Sears(Nessmuk) or Kephart did in the past, I would call it 'bushcrafting'--where it is not uncommon to see the use of Axe, saw, fixed blade and folding knives(multi-tools), while they may hike, that's not their sole purposes. 

Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, the thru-hikers are all about finishing a long distance hike in a fixed amount of time.  Every ounce carried is a conscious decision.  I remembered Andrew Skurka, a triple crowner, would just carry a Vic classic for his hikes.  The man count how many pieces of toilet paper he carry, I can never do what he does.

Modern backpacking is probably somewhere between bushcrafting and thru-hiking, so it is a pretty wide spectrum here.

As Immler said in the video, I think this is meant to be a 'bushcraft' knife, and all I can say is I'm just glad they didn't make it a survival knife, where everyone tends to think a sharpen prybar is a knife.

[comis]

I believe the laminated blade of the F1 has a combination of edge hardness and overall blade toughness that would be difficult to match with a mono-steel blade (unless it was differentially hardened, and I’m not aware of any mass-produced factory blades that are).  As I said, I think the F1 will be a superior knife, but at roughly twice the price not really in direct competition with this new Vic.

This would be the market Vic is targeting with this new offering, I would think.  Folks looking for a ~4” fixed blade for hiking/camping…

Slightly off topic, I took a quick look at Fallkniven F1 variants and their price point, and for that price, I would wholeheartedly recommend Carothers Performance Knives, their Delta 3V is legendary and won couple years of blade sport in a row.  They sold like hotcakes, but I love their DEK offering.  Perfect balance in hand, near indestructible steel and great ergo.

[ReamerPunch]

I just watched the video and I am very pleased with the result. And the price. Those wood handled ones from mora are very expensive for what they are, so I was worried this would also be up there, but it is just right. I'll get one. It is far better than the one Muella made for them. And better priced, too.

[nate j]

I would wholeheartedly recommend Carothers Performance Knives, their Delta 3V is legendary and won couple years of blade sport in a row.  They sold like hotcakes, but I love their DEK offering.  Perfect balance in hand, near indestructible steel and great ergo.

I checked out their website, and it looks like they make some nice stuff.  However, it wasn’t clear where/how to actually order a knife from them.  If this is one of those “wait until they drop, then they sell out in seconds”  situations, I’ve decided those are not worth the hassle and frustration, no matter how good the product is.

[comis]

I checked out their website, and it looks like they make some nice stuff.  However, it wasn’t clear where/how to actually order a knife from them.  If this is one of those “wait until they drop, then they sell out in seconds”  situations, I’ve decided those are not worth the hassle and frustration, no matter how good the product is.

Nate, unfortunately, it is that kind of that type of situation.  

They sold their knives on BF, people get it either by pre-ordering or via their Friday sale, which they make announcement regularly.  The only consolation is they do make a fair amount of the same pattern, so given time, most people whom wants to get one will get one eventually.

I don't know when the 'drop' culture starts to appear, maybe it all started with Spydie Sprint run or Massdrop?  But it gets progressively worse over the years, and I really miss those days when I could take my sweet time to browse GEC knives and decide which to buy.  Now I just get jumpy whenever I get an notification on my cell, and scramble like a madman if I want to collect another one.

[Aloha]

The algorithm gods sent me to a video of this Vic offering.  Looks interesting but seems quite late?  I thought bushcraft frenzy was long over? Maybe its me  . 

It still looks to be a nice knife with some decent specs.  The pro model would be a hard pass for the price increase.  My bow drill days are long over and quite honestly I enjoyed carving my own bearing tool  .

I think price wise these are "competing" with the Garberg.  It could be a must have for Victorinox enthusiasts.  Felix had a hand as well as others he didn't mention in the development of this knife.  Good for him.

The 100 dollar price point for me is a no go for such a knife.  I'd stick with a Companion or Mora in whatever flavor for less than half the price  Not knocking the Venture at all. 

Now that I think about it, I swear Vic might just be genius.  The bandwagoneers in the Bushcraft space to my mind have settled down and so this knife stirs things up.  It seemed every knife that came out several years ago were all aimed at Bush crafting.  Prior to that was survival.  From the video Felix seemed to also find himself in the middle of that space.  He leaned into Bushcraft. 

   

[FolderBeholder]

I will buy one of these Venture knives.  I do like the look of it and am eager to try it. 
I like to hang out in my backyard and play bushcrafter, even had a little deck and shed built.  I just need to get one of those hammock stands for my hammock.

[IMR4198]

       What a perfect spot for a little private patio.  A hammock, pitcher of tea, radio playing softly.  Mountains in the background. Aaaaahhh. That is industrial strength relaxation.  What are the plants?  Something to climb the board fence, maybe?
         The new Vic.  The price was lower than I had imagined from seeing Immler's promo piece.  Now that Victorinox is experimenting with different (harder) steel, maybe that will spill over into the little red ones?  Best wishes.  Gary

[Enginears]

Personally, I won’t be headed into the woods with nothing but a Classic.  But, everyone has to find their own balance, and carry what they are comfortable with.

Yeah me neither, I still have not really come around to 58mm in general. I usually carry a Pioneer for hiking, take the mora companion Hd, huntsman or champ if I am going to setup camp. If I am really going camping and plan to have fires I will carry a foldable saw along as well. I can’t say enough good things about the Mora, it is comfortable and takes a full on beating without issues.

[FolderBeholder]

What are the plants?  Something to climb the board fence, maybe?

Yes, Jasmine climbing plants to cover the very old fence that I decided to keep there in order to save money.

[Bunk Tuppins]

People seem to have very different concepts of camping.  A lot of what people seem to be calling camping is what I call car-camping: parking a car within a pretty short distance of (or right up to) a campsite.  When car-camping any knife will do, since you don't have to carry it very far.  If you are going to pack your stuff 10+ miles in and 10+ miles out with significant altitude gains, you just do not have the luxury of taking quarter pound knives that only have one blade (or a swisschamp, for that matter).
As for the whole bushcraft/survival thing, I shrug my shoulders in puzzlement.  Never understood that.  I'm 70 and have camped since my late teens.  Never really needed a saw (twigs, dry pine needles etc are fine for kindling) and certainly never built shelters - I'm trying to leave as little trace of my visits as possible.  Lightweight tents are cheap nowadays.  Typically I don't make a fire anymore and cook with a small stove I pack in, so axes and all that are pointless.  Even back when I made campfires I never needed a saw or axe.

I guess maybe it's fun to pretend civilization has broken down or practice for it.  Still, in essence bushcraft seems like taking heavy duty tools and rearranging nature to my liking and needs.  The backpacking approach is to tread lightly and leave no traces.  One is reshaping nature and the other is observing it.

[IMR4198]

      I live in what hikers think of as a 'trail town'.  Western North Carolina.  Appalachian trail of course.  The south to north hikers start coming through about March through April usually.  Section hikers might come any time.  Equipment varies a lot.  Hiking 15 miles a day or so isn't like camping.  Even a minimal pack is heavy.  Many hikers spend a day or two in town washing clothes and eating, etc.  Lots of heavy equipment and clothing gets shipped home from here.  Something like a Classic SD is good to open food packets and maintain your fingernails and toenails.  Important stuff.  Most carry something like a MSR Pocket Rocket mini stove.  No shelter building or boring holes.  No making rotisseries or furniture from wood.  No carving spoons.  Generally the hikers go in groups, so they borrow equipment from each other.  If one has a Mora or something, they all use it.  If they need a knife. 
        Personally I don't go out in my yard without carrying a SAK.  I carried a Climber today for a change.  Very comfortable.  Then I am not hiking or camping.  Best wishes. Gary 

[Bunk Tuppins]

      I live in what hikers think of as a 'trail town'.  Western North Carolina.  Appalachian trail of course.  The south to north hikers start coming through about March through April usually.  Section hikers might come any time.  Equipment varies a lot.  Hiking 15 miles a day or so isn't like camping.  Even a minimal pack is heavy.  Many hikers spend a day or two in town washing clothes and eating, etc.  Lots of heavy equipment and clothing gets shipped home from here.  Something like a Classic SD is good to open food packets and maintain your fingernails and toenails.  Important stuff.  Most carry something like a MSR Pocket Rocket mini stove.  No shelter building or boring holes.  No making rotisseries or furniture from wood.  No carving spoons.  Generally the hikers go in groups, so they borrow equipment from each other.  If one has a Mora or something, they all use it.  If they need a knife. 
        Personally I don't go out in my yard without carrying a SAK.  I carried a Climber today for a change.  Very comfortable.  Then I am not hiking or camping.  Best wishes. Gary

Asheville, perhaps?  I lived there 69-70. Graduated from Asheville High.  Nice part of the country.

[IMR4198]

Franklin.  In Macon County about 70 miles west from Asheville.  Good to hear from you BT.  Best wishes. Gary

[Frailer]

I’ve never crafted bush, and the US Army spent 25 years breaking me of my youthful love of camping.

That said, I often have a 4”-ish belt knife with me as I putter around my rural property, as it comes in handy. This sheath design, which allows dirt and debris to be easily removed, is a major selling point for me.  I’m sure I’ll pick one up.