need to clarify – LeaF's Victorinox knives collection

615. Manager II

The Victorinox Manager is a popular 58-mm model with 2 layers of tools. The subject of today’s article looks is very similar to this model, but with some small discrepance – instead of Phillips screwdriver it has a regular flat screwdriver.

Earlier in my blog I’ve already reviewed a knife which had a some difference from parent model – I’ve called that knife as ‘Midnite Manager II‘ (’cause I didn’t find any information about such variation). So, based on this naming covention, I propose to call toda’s knife as ‘Manager II‘ (at least untill I’ll find any confirmed information about it’s name).

Photos:

Related models:

Manager’s family
Rambler / Rogue

SAKWiki

550. SwissChamp XLT

The SwissChamp XLT isn’t so popular as EDC knife, but very valuable as collector’s item 🙂

This is an “enhanced” version of SwissChamp model, but little bit wider (11 layers instead of 8 layers in regular model).

Photos:

Related models:

SwissChamp
SwissChamp XL series

SAKWiki

546. Handyman. Old variation

The Victorinox Handyman knife could be a good example of model’s evolution.

Initially (in 197x) it was a 6-layers model with absolutely the same tool-set as old Champion model with only one difference – it never included long nail-file (as Champion did).

Later on Handyman was re-designed due to the availability of new tools (I mean pliers, which was released in 1986) – fish-scaler was removed, fine screwdriver also was updated to the modern shape. After 1991, multifunctional hook was added to the Handyman tool-set.

P.S. The same situation is related to the Crafsman model – it also has 2 major editions – old (with fish-scaler) and new one (with pliers).

Photos:

Related models:

Craftsman
Champion

SAKWiki

491. Commander (pre-Bijou)

~~Probably, this is a shortest post in this year.~~

~~I don’t have any idea what the model it should be?~~

~~Looks like Bijou without toothpick and tweezers. As far as I know, old-style nail-file was present only on Executive 58 model, but this model were produced with Alox scales only…~~

~~Looks strange. Any help will be very appreciated~~

UPDATE: It should be a Commander model – it was Bijou predecessor from 1970s. Pictures from old catalog were added to the post.

Thanks for help, Julius! 🙂

P.S. In Hoffritz catalog from 1977 this knife was mentioned as Tinker (model 11096)

Photos:

Related models:

Bijou
Executive 58
Companion

SAKWiki

473. Fischermesser (235 fma ?)

First of all I have to say, that probably I was wrong and this knife is a another modification of Fischermesser. If you’ll compare images of actual knife with the pictures from Victorinox catalogs (see below), you will find several differences.

There are no shackle (keyring instead of it). So it cannot be 235 fmaU fo sure (U – means shackle).
Fish inlay on original scales (knife was repaired, photo of original knife you also can find below) was placed on bottom side (Victorinox shield also was present there, as on today’s models Angler/Fisherman). Original Fischermesser had fish inlay instead of shield on top side of scale.
This knife has an additional tool (in comparision with 235 fmaU) – on back-side.

I summary – I don’t know what exactly this model is. I never saw it before and I couldn’t find any information about this knife yet.

So any your help (with identifying this knife) will be very appreciated!

P.S. Knife was repaired (replacing of both blades, new scales) by my friend Ivan.

Photos:

What was before:

victorinox-1970s-catalog-26-models-pg-01

Related models:

Fisherman
Angler

SAKWiki

456. Traveller

Traveller model is a “enhanced” variation of famous Climber model – it has the same tools and additionally electronic tools in scales.

From another perspective, we can call Traveller as a combination of two previously released models – Altimeter and Voyager. As we remember, Altimeter knife had all Climber tools plus digital Thermometer / Altimeter. Voyager – again, had Climber tools plus Digital clock / alarm / timer. Traveller model includes all these digital tools (and additionally – Thermometer).

Interesting fact #1: in order to fit in scales all electronic tools, this model includes specially designed (shorten!) tweezers.

Interesting fact #2: name “Traveller” was previously used by Victorinox for another knife – original Traveler was a regular Climber but without key-ring.

Photos: