It is important to remember about the rule for the slip-joints constructions. There are many different categories and knives made in the history of Swiss Army Knives.
In general this rule can prevent damages on the liners, pins and functions. This has been thought about and it is in the philosophies of the Swiss Brands to make the constructions with stop functions to prevent the edge or functions
to damage any parts. There are different modifications done in history for this as well. The versatile knives are made with high precision but it can or may happen that the dimension tolerances may be to narrow. The constructions of the SAKs are in a compact
form and by this it means to make the functionality and quality in a compact form and so that the functions may interlink or be placed well. The design and compact form requires high precision.
Remember
the general rule for slip-joints and guide the blade or saw + any function with cutting edge.
production variations
When
you research SAKs and the evolution, milestones and knives then a picture or an overview will happen. The possibility to understand why the parts were changed or how is important to know.
Both Victorinox
and Wenger made or make many different categories of knives from the beginning until today. Some of these categories got a different designation and functionality depending on what area of use.
There
can or always be production variations that cannot be used for the evolution of the knives.
If you look on one category with the 91mm Officers knives for example then the level on how compact the
knife is will vary based on the evolution of the knives. By this I mean from what year it was made. The spring pressure in some area of the ratio may be different. The use of materials is one of the most obvious changes and the functions. Some parts of the
evolution are because of production costs and automation. On the knives the level of how compact or how much precision it is on the tool and the spring construction will vary depending on what year it was made in history. Some production variations will
cause some functions to touch each other. In an automated production the level of precision must be very high to avoid touching of the functions in such a way that it will hurt functionality. Some touching may be unavoidable. If you look on the economy made
knives some of these production variations and problems may be easier to see.
Today the SAK can carry many functions and if we study the SwissChamp for example then the number of production variations,
dimension tolerances and precision must be at its best. The pressure developed in the SwissChamp when opening all the functions at the same time will be high or distributed differently. The functionality of a knife with so many functions is depending on a
very high precision and dimension tolerances.
To make the SwissChamp requires many steps in the production and it is the evidence of the sandwich construction at its best.
Riveting
There is a fine line with the level of dimension tolerances and how compact the knife is.
It is important in a production and on a sandwich construction that the dimension tolerances are at its best. If not then it will hurt functionality and the distribution on the tool.
The riveting/peening on a SAK is very important not only to hold everything together but also for making the correct distribution or pressure. The riveting/peening is important for the functionalty and comfort of use.
Wow factor
Pocket Knives with many functions is not new in history and this was done a long time before 1884.
There could be different reasons for why a European cutlery or knife maker made such knives. It could be as a show piece or made to show the skill of a craftsman.
For
my view on Victorinox:
The reason for having many categories and functions is to be able to produce a knife for any need and to be competitive on the marked and that the Brand philosophy and quality
will be known. Some functions will always be with a gadget impression and this for me is some related to the old European show pieces impression with many functions on. By this I mean a wow factor if we can call it so. Today it is the two factories in Switzerland
that can make these knives with enormous amounts of functions on them because of the Swiss production and precision. This is also done with a reasonable cost for the product.
Usually always on the
SAK the functions are thought about and developed for use and I am always careful to say that it cannot be used. I have been surprised many times.
The use of electronic functions on a SAK:
This complicates the cleaning and durability of the whole tool. I like some of them and I can also assure that some of these inventions are made with really high technology.
fakes
The problem with imitations and fake knives cause many different problems for Victorinox.
To be competitive on the international marked requires a cost effective production with the high quality. The quality need to be held up to show the difference between real knives and the fakes.
The modern Swiss Army Knives can be copied and with the help of modern machines and production be made rather similar.
One of the key factors for
why this knife is difficult to copy is the extreme Swiss Precision and production. To copy this knife and make it with the same quality would require a very advanced production and quality materials. Then the cost difference between these two brands would
be interesting. If the cost would be the same then I would guess most would choose a well known name.
Slip-joint
Slip-joint Evolution
The use of mirror polished parts and design may influence the use of the knife. To open a function with the nail nick with comfort can be influenced by
this.
I can only explain from my own experience and feel that there is a balance between the comforts of opening the function and to use the function.
The pressure from the spring influence how easy the function opens and how it will be held in an open mode during use. It depends on what category and form and from what time in history how the design and pressure of the spring will feel.
It is important for the functionality and comfort that one does not break a nail when opening a function. When the main blade is in open mode and cutting on a surface then it is important to remember that it
will fold at a certain pressure in reverse or that the edge is hooked. This spring pressure is lighter today I feel and that it is important for the safety when using the blade to remember this.
It
is also very important that the SAK is clean and oiled for the best and most easy opening. The negative side of a clean and oiled SAK is that it may fold more easily.
On a large SAK
it would be absolutely necessary with a lock and they do have one.