Victorinox News: Silver Tech line of SAKs and new Soldier Knife

U

Ultraman

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
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Thought there might be some interest...Victorinox has come out with a new design for their scales, called Silver Tech:
SAS54754-2.jpg
SAS54754-3.jpg

Here's a link to one site. Can't seem to find it on Victorinox's english site.

Apparently, it allows one to view the inside of the scales (toothpick, tweezers, rivets) in all their naked glory.


In other news, the 2008 soldier model has come out:
head.jpg

(from the Victorinox website).

Quote:

New soldier’s knife from Victorinox

8 September 2008

Victorinox will produce the new soldier’s knife for the Swiss army. A contract was signed today between Victorinox AG, Ibach and armasuisse, the procurement, technology and real estate centre of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport. The soldier’s knife '08 replaces the previous Swiss soldier's knife, which was introduced in 1961.

The evaluation phase of the new soldier’s knife began in February 2008, when armasuisse issued an invitation to tender. A total of seven suppliers from Switzerland and other countries were invited to participate in the evaluation process. Functional models submitted by suppliers underwent practical testing by military personnel in July 2008, while laboratory tests were used to assess compliance with technical requirements.

A cost-benefit analysis was conducted and the model with the best price/performance ratio was awarded the contract. The order for 75,000 soldier’s knives plus cases is worth CHF 1.38 million.

The new soldier’s knives will be issued to troops during the first basic training sessions of 2009.
 
I wonder how much thought went into the new Soldier.

"We need to come up with a new design."

"What about the GAK/OHT."

"Great, meeting adjourned, first round on Fritz."

Chad
 
ChadHahn said:
I wonder how much thought went into the new Soldier.

"We need to come up with a new design."

"What about the GAK/OHT."

"Great, meeting adjourned, first round on Fritz."

Chad
Click to expand...

Hi,

I don't think it was much of a surprise to anyone. I personally don't care for the design, but I'm not a Swiss soldier either. My understanding is that the Vic Soldier/Wenger Si is to be discontinued. Now that's sad. :( I'm going to have to pick up one or two extra for back-up.

I'm intrigued by the Silver Tech. Not so much for the looks, but because it appears to finally address the one problem I have with the cellador grips. Those things are harder to hold on to with wet or oily hands than a greased pig. The Silver Tech has some texture for grip. I'm looking forward to seeing those in person.

dalee
 
Uh,oh!
Why do I sense the impending doom for alox scales???!
Could disaster strike...?
Is this fair, only one supplier/manufacturer for a government contract?
Would the new Soldier be produced in other manufacturing facilities outside of Ibach-Schwyz?
"chad" your comments was way above the call of duty! <lol>
 
I sense the same doom for the alox line. Honestly, I really never liked the plastic scaled ones.
 
Thought the same thing with the new Soldier. they just...made it green, and called it a day. The opening hole does look larger, but that's it. As for the Silvertech, call me again when it reaches the models without corkscrews. Very geek-chique, but I'd have to see one in person first.
 
GIRLYmann said:
Uh,oh!
Why do I sense the impending doom for alox scales???!
Could disaster strike...?
Is this fair, only one supplier/manufacturer for a government contract?
Would the new Soldier be produced in other manufacturing facilities outside of Ibach-Schwyz?
"chad" your comments was way above the call of duty! <lol>
Click to expand...

Hi,

I don't think there is impending doom for Alox scales. As long as there is enough market for them there will be SAKs made with them. Individual models of them disappearing, yes. But no wholesale slaughter.

As far as a fair government contract, ain't no such critter.:) But the Swiss have a historical predilection for home-grown military tools. Even at the expense of extra Francs. (there is a long history, with mandatory military service, of a "good 'ol boy" network in the business/government world). There was no chance that anyone other than Victorinox was going to get that contract.

dalee
 
i would have prefered a removable pocket clip on the old soldier, maybe a better steel
the same for the others, instead of futuristic "looks"
oh well, ...
 
dalee100 said:
Hi,


I'm intrigued by the Silver Tech. Not so much for the looks, but because it appears to finally address the one problem I have with the cellador grips. Those things are harder to hold on to with wet or oily hands than a greased pig. The Silver Tech has some texture for grip. I'm looking forward to seeing those in person.

dalee
Click to expand...


I may be wrong on this, but I suspect it's still a smooth surface and what looks like texture or raised surfaces is simply a view of the inside. It would be cool if there was texturing :thumbup:
 
Ultraman said:
...Apparently, it allows one to view the inside of the scales (toothpick, tweezers, rivets) in all their naked glory.
Click to expand...

dalee100 said:
Hi,
...The Silver Tech has some texture for grip...
Click to expand...

Ultraman said:
I may be wrong on this, but I suspect it's still a smooth surface and what looks like texture or raised surfaces is simply a view of the inside.
Click to expand...

Ultraman is right, it's smooth on the outside, no texture. The scales are transparent, but painted with silver paint on the inside sirface, so you do not see the liner, rivets, or toothpick and tweezers. This helps with hiding the dirt which might get in between the liner and the scales (especially in t&t crevices)...
 
GIRLYmann said:
Uh,oh!
Why do I sense the impending doom for alox scales???! ...
Click to expand...
In response to an inquiry from a SOSAK member, Victorinox stated that there is no plan to stop production of the alox line. The also Soldier will not be produced past year 2008, but Pioneer and the rest of alox will stay for now. There is no information from Wenger, but I bet the Standard Issue will be gone.
 
I'm a big fan of the OHT, it's a well thought out, very useful EDC, nice size-111mm, so it's no surprise to me.

They said they are making 75,000 of them, a guy in the MT forum said each soldier must be getting 3!
 
"...The opening hole does look larger..."
-AlexSchira

There were some prior modifications carried out on the Trekker.
One of these, was for the creation of a larger "hole".

-http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=262&Itemid=35

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"...There was no chance that anyone other than Victorinox was going to get that contract..."
-dalee100

I have often wondered if there would ever come a time when a future Victorinox would have to OEM a military contract off-shore, in order to fulfill some specific production/political criteria set by some foreign goverment.


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"...Victorinox stated that there is no plan to stop production of the alox line. The also Soldier will not be produced past year 2008, but Pioneer and the rest of alox will stay for now..."
-ufox9al

It doesn't sound like the ALOX line would remain in production indefinately.
I would think that the very last ALOX Soldier models would be much sought after for it's year markings.
The new one-handed-opening Soldier does appear to have more functions when compared to the ALOX Soldier.
I suspect it would be a huge hit (especially with the younger Swiss nationals who would probably appreciate a more modern multipurpose folding knife).
IMHO, the ALOX Soldier is probably viewed as something out dated in the modern battlefield, especially alongside numerous hightech weaponary (not that it cannot continue to perform accordingly but...); in view of the current complexities facing and often required by knife users of today.
So, in plain English - this turn of events can only mean .... a surge of surplus ex-Swiss ALOX Soldiers for the collector soon?!!!
Old Soldiers never die; they always find new masters especially if they're Swiss.
 
GIRLYmann said:
The new one-handed-opening Soldier does appear to have more functions when compared to the ALOX Soldier.
I suspect it would be a huge hit (especially with the younger Swiss nationals who would probably appreciate a more modern multipurpose folding knife).
IMHO, the ALOX Soldier is probably viewed as something out dated in the modern battlefield, especially alongside numerous hightech weaponary (not that it cannot continue to perform accordingly but...); in view of the current complexities facing and often required by knife users of today.
Click to expand...

Knowing one can use the little screwdriver on a SAK can opener for Phillips head screws, the only new function I can see is a saw and one-hand opening. That is, unless you count the lock on the main blade or its serrations as functions. So I'm not sure what current complexities this new-look Soldier addresses. It's been said over and over and over again in regard to the OHT, but I really wish they'd offer them in a non-serrated option.

In the end, the new Soldier will be fine, I guess. I don't think it will save Switzerland from being over-run with enemies, and I don't think it'll enable the Swiss army to easily vanquish all foes (do the Swiss have foes?). Mainly, just like the trusty alox version, it'll allow Swiss soldiers to open their rations during training, and their beers on leave. Basically, the end result of this entire process will be that Victorinox simply gets a huge shot in the arm PR-wise. I reckon that's a good thing.
 
I suppose the latest adoption of the OH-Soldier by the Swiss government just makes it that more efficient for Victorinox's production.
Considering that earlier versions are already well in service with some NATO countries and other nations around the world.
It is probably a cost saving economic decision.
 
I don't know, but this is what I got on another forum:
To put all our minds at rest I emailed Victorinox to get a definative answer.Here is the reply:

Thanks for your e-mail. We will keep the production of the current soldier knife and the alox series, don't worry.

I hope this answers your e-mail.

Kind regards,
Michael Tschümperlin
Click to expand...
 
carrot said:
I don't know, but this is what I got on another forum:

To put all our minds at rest I emailed Victorinox to get a definative answer.Here is the reply:

Thanks for your e-mail. We will keep the production of the current soldier knife and the alox series, don't worry.

I hope this answers your e-mail.

Kind regards,
Michael Tschümperlin
Click to expand...

Thanks for that clarification, Carrot. It'll put some minds at ease.

I've seen some pretty funny threads here on BF bemoaning the supposed discontinuation of this, or the alteration of that. One guy will start it off with an "I 'spose now they're going to quit making 'em" comment and next thing you know there are 5-6 pages of people weeping, never thinking to question the assertion they'd read.

Then ...... lo and behold - someone actually does a little research or calls the company and discovers that the initial doomsday poster was full of bull. Ah, the internet.
 
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