Victorinox advice needed!

[Bertilak]

A while back I saw on TV a description of Victorinox Swiss Army knives and it mentioned a new, improved, steel used in some of their knives. I believe the show said that the factory had to retool some things tio be able to stamp out and sharpen the new blades.

I located one of these knives on Amazon and had it in my "save for Later" list. I apparently deleted it since it is no longer there. I cannot find any mention of this in the Victorinox product descriptions I looked at -- and there are apparently hundreds to look at! I also checked other retailers specializing in Swiss Army knives and looked at the Victorinox web site as well.

Can anyone point me to the knife (or knives) I am looking for? I believe Amazon had two listings for two identical knives, except one was with the new steel and one without (the newer one being a bit more expensive).

Thanks!

 

[Bertilak]

So, is this in the wrong Forum? Does no-one have any expertise in Swiss Army Knives?

 

[citizensoldierny]

Robert,
I have no idea about new steels even though I own a few victorinox's and consider myselft a knife nut. As far as this forum goes though I think general might be about as good a place as any to get an answer. A better place though might be bladeforums.com. I would be extremely surprised if you couldn't get an answer there.

 

[luvmysuper]

Bob,

I can't answer about the steel issue.

I can say that I bought a Victorinox version of the Leatherman a few years ago, and it was like brand new till I stupidly left it in my carry on bag and had it snatched by TSA. (all my buddies Leathermen have been replaced repeatedly)
Check those out while you are at it.

 

[gollum83]

Sorry to hear that, Phil. Victorinox's SwissTools are very nice.

As for you Bob, it sounds like you know more than I do. In fact, I hadn't heard about this until you brought it up. I hope someone will come along and be more of a help, but maybe you'll have better luck at bladeforums.com like citizensoldierny suggested. Anyway, I hope you find the info you're looking for.

 

[Alacrity59]

I looked a bit and other than the change to stainless in 1921 couldn't find anything. They did buy out some other companies though and maybe they had to retool some of them.

 

[Bertilak]

Sorry to hear that, Phil. Victorinox's SwissTools are very nice.

As for you Bob, it sounds like you know more than I do. In fact, I hadn't heard about this until you brought it up. I hope someone will come along and be more of a help, but maybe you'll have better luck at bladeforums.com like citizensoldierny suggested. Anyway, I hope you find the info you're looking for.

I'm beginning to wonder about my sanity since I can find no reference to this anywhere. I did find the following FAQ on the US Victorinox site: http://www.swissarmy.com/CustomerService/FAQs/Pages/pocket tools.aspx

Q. What is the make up of the steel?
A. All Victorinox knives are high carbon, stainless, first grade, A-quality stainless steel, x 50 CrMo. They are tempered to a 55-56 HRC hardness for optimum edge retention

That would seem to directly contradict what I thought I knew. Unless they have moved their entire line over to a newer steel since that TV show was produced.

I did ask over at bladeforums.com but so far nobody has jumped in to say they have an answer.

My ulterior motive for asking about this was my interest in their new 2009 Soldiers Knife which was made to specifications set by the Swiss Army itself and I thought that might have been the driving force behind a change in the steel. Nothing I found backs that theory, though. I decided to buy that knife in any case so the question is now more a matter of curiosity than a decision point.

 

[Bertilak]

I looked a bit and other than the change to stainless in 1921 couldn't find anything. They did buy out some other companies though and maybe they had to retool some of them.

I know I'm old, but I don't think that was a 1921 TV show I saw!

 

[gollum83]

I looked a bit and other than the change to stainless in 1921 couldn't find anything. They did buy out some other companies though and maybe they had to retool some of them.

Could be. I mean now that you mention it, they did purchase Wenger a couple year ago. That or we can just blame this whole thing on Bob's sanity or lack thereof.

 

[Alacrity59]

Could be. I mean now that you mention it, they did purchase Wenger a couple year ago. That or we can just blame this whole thing on Bob's sanity or lack thereof.

Now now then . . . we don't need to question Bob's sanity. He probably has the papers to prove that. (I'm so so dead )

 

[gollum83]

Now now then . . . we don't need to question Bob's sanity. He probably has the papers to prove that. (I'm so so dead )

Good. I could use the company after Bob comes and kills me for that last crack about his sanity.