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Victorinox Swiss Army Knife - Collection 2021

Restarting My Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Collection for 2021

I'm excited to restart my Victorinox Swiss Army Knife collection for 2021! I've recently acquired an Alox Cadet and have a Huntsman and Climber on the way. My focus will be on a few select models, emphasizing Alox for its durability and aesthetics, while the plastic scale models will serve utility roles, stored at the office, home, and in various bags.

Current Collection

  • Swiss Champ
    Red // 2011 // Collectible
  • Trekker
    Black // 2011 // BOB bag
  • Huntsman
    Silver Tech // 2016 // EDC rotation
    Black // 1979-1985 // Hiking Bag
  • Cadet
    Alox Silver // EDC rotation
  • Climber
    Black // 1979-1985 // Collectible
    Traveler // 1979-1985 // Collectible
    Hoffritz // 1985-1990 // Collectible
    Ruby // 1992-2005 // EDC rotation
  • Camper
    Red // 1999-2005 // Collectible
  • Spartan
    Red // 2009-2011 // Car
    Red // 2009-2011 // Office
    Ruby/Sapphire // 2009-2011 // Messenger Bag
  • Classic
    Classic // First Aid
    Classic Lite // Collectible

With the Huntsman and Climber on the way, I now have several Spartans as spares. While I still appreciate the Spartan, I've found greater utility in having 3 or 4-layer knives.

Age of Knives & Tang Stamps

For those I verified with tang stamps and other features (like the absence of a hook and screw or rivet on the scissors), I've estimated their ages. Interestingly, my Climber could date back to the 1970s, as it lacks a Patent emblem on the can opener, meaning it’s at least from the late 1970s. The Camper is from the 1990s, while the rest are from 2009 or newer. The condition of these knives is impressive; I can hardly tell the age without looking at the stamps.

Future Additions

  • Pioneer X

While I love the Cadet, I found it a bit uncomfortable for opening beer bottles, which has been a letdown since I often relied on my Spartan for that task. I think the Cadet’s smaller size is the issue, so I’m focusing on models in the 91 to 93 mm range. I expect the Pioneer X will be my daily carry, rotating with the Climber, Huntsman, and Cadet.

I like to have at least 2-3 knives on hand at all times, which may be excessive, but I prefer having an abundance of tools rather than not enough.

Updates on Recent Acquisitions

  • 4/2/21: Picked up another Climber, identified as a Traveler. It's a nice addition, likely from the 1979-1985 era.
  • 4/7/21: Acquired a Hoffritz Climber from 1985-1990. This model is unique, only identifiable by the scales.
  • 4/13/21: Received newer versions of the Climber and a vintage Huntsman in different colorways. The cost was comparable to buying new scales, so it was a worthwhile investment.
  • 4/15/21: My collection has grown to 15 knives, with 7 purchased recently. I plan to pause my collection for a few months to focus on my collecting strategy.

Future Goals

I prefer to be a collector of a few coveted pieces rather than amassing hundreds of common knives. Some models I’m considering include:

  • Super Tinker
  • Explorer
  • Angler or Mechanic
  • Cybertool S

While I’m on the fence about the Hiker, Mountaineer, Fieldmaster, and Fisherman, I’ll focus on more limited editions and learning about vintage pieces.

2021 Tentative Plan

  • July: Explorer, Tinker
  • August: Super Tinker, Fieldmaster
  • September: Mountaineer
  • October: Cybertool S
  • November: Mechanic
  • December: Pioneer X

2022 Tentative Plan

In 2022, I aim to limit my acquisitions to 8-10 pieces, maintaining a budget of $30/month, totaling $360/year. This will help me reach about 31-33 pieces by the end of the year.

I hope to spend about $160 on 4 limited knives and focus on a training set of basic models to better understand the characteristics before diving into rare and special editions. My lifetime expenditures on this hobby will exceed $900 by the end of 2022, and I plan to set aside funds for potential 2024 Victorinox releases.

Update - 4/21/21: Minimum Standards

I've been cleaning up a second Huntsman that arrived in poor condition. After several cleaning sessions, it's looking better, though I wouldn't use it for food due to its initial condition.

Update - 4/30/21: Alox Pioneer Aqua Blue 2020

I recently got a 2020 LE Alox Pioneer in Aqua Blue. I've decided to pivot towards more exclusive and limited edition pieces as my collection grows to 16 pieces. With so many models produced, I can always acquire standard models later.

Closing Thoughts

As I continue to refine my collection, I’m excited about the journey ahead. I look forward to enhancing my EDC with the Climber, Huntsman, Cadet, and soon, the Pioneer X. Each piece has its own story and purpose, making this collection both practical and personally meaningful.

 
 

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