Photos First Look: Victorinox Huntsman Wood

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Dec 26, 2006
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So, the year has started off well, expecially if our good folks from Victorinox release some new fine goodies.
Reason enough for old uncle Thehunt to grad the camera and sit down, to write a new review.


So, what´s it this time?

A Huntsman!

„Say uncle Thehunt, the Huntsman has been around a long time, hasn´t it?“

Yes, but.
But this time the Huntsman is dressed in fine walnut wood scales:
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Officier Suisse, what else?

Victorinox has some knives with walnut wood scales in their portfolio, lets have a look:
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Yeah, the Winemaster has olivetree wood scales, I deemed it more fitting, wine and all...

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So, why walnut wood?
Well, first it looks marvelous. Its pretty hard, so it won´t scratch as easily and it ages well. Victorinox exclusively uses european wood, good for our environment, as transit routes are rather short.
The Japanese call it „Wabi Sabi“, when a tool or object has signs of wear and tear.
It gives it character, pretty rare in our current society...


The Spartan, the Climber, all the Swisstools, the Explorer, the Camper, everybody and their uncle knows them.
The Huntsman flies a little under the radar, so to speak. Undeserved, as I might add.
It carries well in the pocket And you don´t need suspenders.
And it has a great tool selection for bushcrafting.

So, what do you get with a Huntsman?

Well, lets have a look!

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Beside the „classic“ tools, large blade, small blade, can opener, bottle opener (equipped with their respective large and small drivers), the awl and the corkscrew, the Huntsman comes with a saw and scissors.
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Hupsi, do I realy have 8 Huntsman in my collection…?
Looks like it :)

Now for a tool, which is often dismissed as an oddity: The multi purpose hook.
Or the bag-carrier, the bucket-lifter, the wire-twister, the zipper-puller, the…
Well, you get the idea, I like having the hook!

The hook is a rather new addition, as can be seen in this pic from an older model, which lacks the hook:
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The multipurpose hook was added in the 1990´s.

My older version is indeed old as a tree, look at the corkscrew, it has grooves. Those were omitted in the 90´s as well, when exactly?

Even the liners have evolved, from full size to contured:
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Shown here between scissors and saw.
It doesn´t hinder funcionality, in the contrary!
Ever tried to clean a Sak from pocket lint?
You know what I´m talking about :)

Anything else?
Hell yeah the scissors!

They too have changed over time:
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On the right you can see the screw which was used in early models till 1991. On the left the newer rivet and in the center the current nickel silver rivet.

The scissor spring got an overhaul as well, it was equipped with a guide and notch to help stay on the grip.
The older versions tend to slip and pinch your fingers. Anybody remember?

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...Another sign of getting old… :)

So, all the better to have a modern version, which also looks so fine:
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„Uncle Thehunt, what is this in bottom in the picture? Is this a Spartan? With wood scales?
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Yep, it is!
But that, that is a story for next week…. :)

Have a great sunday and thanks for stopping by!

As always, if you have any questions, shoot!
 
Good review; enjoyed reading it. American Walnut is pretty soft; maybe European Walnut is harder?
 
Very nice post, OP, I enjoyed reading it.

I have one wooden Victorinox, a Forester in Walnut. It is very pleasing. Also, I’m a big fan of the Huntsman. I have a black one, with the added pen, mini Phillips in the corkscrew, and straight pin. It is a go to SAK, in my view. Perfect for wild camping. In the city, I always have the Fieldmaster in my bag. It is identical but with a dedicated Phillips screwdriver replacing the corkscrew. And it’s blue. :)
 
American Black Walnut varies considerably !! Southern swamp type is very soft but northern slow growing is much denser and harder !!
 
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