Two "Related" arrived today.
1) Marbles MR278 "Demo" knife
2 Bundeswehr M1212 (Copy of Cold War Era West German issue SAK)
Marbles MR278:
Almost identical to the Camillus and other maker's military contract "Demo" knife.
The Marbles is roughly 1/16 to 2/16 inch shorter closed, and the can opener is not stamped "CAN OPENER".
Aside from the tang stamp, those are the only differences I see when comparing the MR278 to the 1975 Western "Demo" knife the Army Reserves issued to me in 1975.
(I sure am glad they did not want it back)
Blade pull is at or a hair under a "5" on all for blades on this example.
My other three MR278's are right at or a hair over "5".
No wiggly blades. Blades are as well centered as any I've seen on this style 4 blade 2 backspring knife, regardless of manufacturer. (this includes the "Official Boy Scouts of America" Ulster knives)
No noticable gaps. Springs are pretty much flush with the blades closed and open. No half stops on any blade.
The Speat Point blade has an acceptably sharp working edge out of the box, and has even grinds.
A little time introducing it to the bottom of my (empty) ceramic coffee cup will no doubt have it screaming sharp "in no time".
Of course it has the same "strong enough to tow a Jeep bail that the government contract/issue "Demo" knives have.
The Marbles MR278 has displaced tbe canoe tbat was in my pocket, and joined the other two knives in my RF pocket.
Bundeswehr M1212:
A good copy of the Cold War Era West German military issue SAK.
I'm sure there are differences between this knife and the original.
As I have never handled or seen an original, I don't know what those differences are.
Maybe the original is 111 or 112mm closed?
This knife is 110mm.
Main blade is a 81mm spear point. Secondary blade is a 83.5mm saw, with bottle opener, and small flat screwdriver.
There is a removable (and loseable) sawtooth cover.
The back tools are a punch/awl without a thread hole, and a cork screw.
Covers are OD Green nylon(?).
I bought this Bundeswehr to replace one that went AWOL. The saw comes in handy on those grown-over bike paths.
This example is not as "snappy" as the first one I had, however the blades still snap shut just fine.
The pulls for the blade and all the tools on this one are in the vicinity of a "4", compared to the "5" of my first one.
No wiggly blade or tools. As with the Marbles MR278, the spear point needs to be introduced to the bottom of my (empty) coffee cup.
Over-all, I'm happy with this Bundeswehr.
It has also joined the large stockman, full size trapper, and the Marbles MR278 in my right front pocket.
EDIT; Saturday, March 14, 2020:
After cleaning and lubing the Bundeswehr, it is just as snappy as I remember the first one I had to be, and the pulls are a solid "5" now..
