New to me Explorer

[Jeffjeeptj]

Bought a used Explorer from the Bay toplay in the Explorer challenge.  I’m trying to figure out the year/ either pre or post 1986.  I’m still a rookie in dating.  I’ve used the dating chart and Wiki.  This SAK has the following features:
Grey magnifier: less than 2004
Scissors with screw but no groove` on moveable handle, with V spring/no cup: 1975 to 1990
No pin hole in scales: Greater than 1985?
Has Groove in corkscrew; less than 1991
No hook: less than 1991
Awl has sewing eye: greater then 1985
Tang stamp Large V and the Swiss Cross touches the cross-bow:1986 to 1992

Looks like 1985 to 1990  based on scissors and awl.
Is there a way to further refine the date?
I had to significantly crop the photo, sorry.
 

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[powernoodle]

Whenever it was made, my view is that you have the "best" SAK model that Victorinox makes.   

[Jeffjeeptj]

Thanks, PN

[Grand_Banana]

Very nice.  gee I may end up getting an older Explorer model during this challenge. That style mag lens is better, the Philips is longer, and I like the screw scissors better for maintenance.

[marlowe221]

I have both the old style mag glass on my late 90s Explorer, as well as the latest version on the new Explorer I bought last year.

Personally, I like the newer version better! Sure, the magnifying power is lower but the larger lens makes it easier to actually bring things into focus versus the older model.

[Sos24]

I can’t help with dating but congrats. 

I know the SAK magnifying glass seems to be a tool that many find useless but I love.

[AzteCypher]

I can't tell too well but it looks like you might have the latest awl so that would put it at 1987 and older.  If it is indeed the newest awl, you can narrow down your SAK to between 1987 and 1990.

This is where you can read about that info - https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,51872.msg1632543.html#msg1632543

Also, did you post a pic of the tang stamp and I missed it?

[Jeffjeeptj]

Tang stamps

 

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[IMR4198]

Nice 'un.  Crossbow doesn't touch the cross.  Seems like you got it backward.  I do that all the time.  I put a nice dollop of salt in my coffee just the other day.  Best wishes.  G
 

[Barry Rowland]

 

I have both the old style mag glass on my late 90s Explorer, as well as the latest version on the new Explorer I bought last year.

Personally, I like the newer version better! Sure, the magnifying power is lower but the larger lens makes it easier to actually bring things into focus versus the older model.

[Magic Bus]

  very nice Jeff, I can’t help with dating it but I like  My own is much more recent but one of my favourites!

[Huntsman]

Couple more things to try from the dating chart
- You have a big V in Victorinox - So post 86 - EDIT: Oops you awlready got that one :-) - But chart says post 86 not post 85?
- Also does it have a bump on the scissor rest - If so post 88 ?

Having a five year date range is pretty good IMHO
Although others here can date a SAK down to the hour it left the factory !!         

Great model BTW - It seems to be my main EDC at the moment

[ThundahBeagle]

That's probably as close as you will get without having a dates receipt of purchase.   Even if you did buy it in a store in the 80's or 90's. It could have sat on the shelf for years.

87 to 90 is not a bad range.

I have a Buck 110 EcoLite Paperstone. MY 2011, in green I bought a few years back.  It was collecting dust in a local True Value hardware store.  Probably at least 5 years old or something when I bought it.

I have an explorer that has a 2 digit year printed on the white inside box (older, burgundy box with fitted white inner cradle box).  But some of the knife dating features dont necessarily match.

[Black sunshine]

Tang stamps

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These pictures are of a different knife, a 2 layer Spartan? From ‘02+.

The Explorer is from 1989. It’ll have the backspring with the ‘flat top’ under the Phillips touching the 4th pin, and no collar around the 4th pin. All the liners will still be anodized.

[Jeffjeeptj]

 

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Thanks Sunshine.  Looking back, I did  make a mistake with the tang photos.  Either getting too old and wobbly or in too much of a hurry.  2nd mistake regarding photos of the Sportsman.

[BradSAK]

I love my explorer. I normally only switch it out for a swiss champ if i fancy it. To me its the best SAK and love it. I 'modified' or 'ruined' (depending how you look at it) the small blade to suit whittling. Heres a photo of mine with a Peter Rabbit whittle i did!

 

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[Black sunshine]

Thanks Sunshine.  Looking back, I did  make a mistake with the tang photos.  Either getting too old and wobbly or in too much of a hurry.  2nd mistake regarding photos of the Sportsman.

No worries. Does it look like the knife on the right? Early to mid ‘80s, it’ll look like the middle Explorer (collar on the 4th pin) and in the ‘70s, like the one on the left.

[Jeffjeeptj]

Best photo I could get

 

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[Black sunshine]

That works.  Between all your pics, I’d still say 1989. Not more than a year in either direction, if I’m wrong.

[Jeffjeeptj]

Thanks to all.