Flat screwdriver with cap opener and stripper

The flat screwdriver with cap opener and cable stripper dates back to 1951 in a general term. There are variants from the beginning and different categories. There are changes in relation with the can opener and constructions. It is the same with this function and the Victorinox constant product development for the versatile use. Please take the time to read the page about the can opener because it is related to the changes and the more modern knife.

It is also very important that the 1951 milestone on the flat screwdriver with a cap lifter type was used well before 1951. It is the more modern design we get in 1951 and in a general term.

Anyhow it is a very successful feature that helped the SAK to become more modern. The use of a 90 degree stop has been used on the well-known Pioneer Range from 1957 and on the 91mm Officers type from 1985. In 1999 we get the notch to prevent accidental closing and this is to increase the functionality, comfort and safety when using it. Remember that the Victorinox evolution is on a general term when you find dates around the internet.

The complete story and why the use of the 90 degree stop was implemented on the 91mm Officiers knives in 1985 is not fully clear. I would expect it to be because of the product development, production and versatile use. A 90 degree stop was used on the fine screwdriver from atleast the 1957 time window.

I should mention some on my feel and research then i would like to mention the 100 year anniversary in 1984 and the introduction of the SwissChamp in 1985 as well.

Plant update:

From research i did discover the increase of the Victorinox plant and the development in the 1984 time window.  In many different newspapers and articles in the 1983-1985 time window there was much talk about the world interest in the product and the interest by US presidents. You will discover the space programs at this time in history.

The Champion models and the first time i found information about the coming SwissChamp in 1985 was in 1984.

The flat screwdriver with cap opener and cable stripper/bender notch is the full name on the 1951 type introduction. This is a detail i am very interested in and i have been looking for 100% information without success. Anyhow! You will find this on knives from the very early 1950s and up until the late 1970s. It is the combination of the scraper function and the bender that complete this function for cable work or other electrical tasks. It can be used for many other jobs too. Somehow i can understand that Victorinox did not implement this in the further evolution on the flat screwdriver. The knife blades can do the electrical or cable work with success. The name in old catalogues on this scraper function is "drahtschaber" and some call it wire scraper. I would believe it was used for very many tasks and the edge on it could be used for rough tasks. I have stripped much electrical cables with knife blades so again i understand why this was discontinued.

The notch for bending cable can also be used for stripping cable. The next step in the evolution is therefor a better design for functionality without the scraper in my opinion.

The notch was on the 1951 type introduction and it can be used for bending cable or stripping the cable.

There is not much change on this notch at first sight. There is a kind of evolution on this as well even if it is pretty much the same. Because of the more edgy function and the more polished evolution does influence the performance some. It is a function that I would believe could enter the danger zone. It is a kind of balance on the need for it in my opinion. Then again it can be used for more than one task and this notch does not get in the way. I am glad it is there and I have found use for it. The scraper function I have no need for.

Notch updates

The name on the introduced notch is "Drahtabisolierer und drahtbieger" = Wire Strippers and wire bender.

It is very interesting to research SAKs and I hope my further text may complete some on my impressions on the scraper “drahtschaber”. I have been looking for 100% info to give to you and if you have inputs then just let me know.

With electrical and cable work or wires there are different tasks needed and it is my impression that there is a small difference between a knife blade and scraper function. I do believe that on a general use SAK the scraper function is not needed. OK. For an experienced person the normal knife blade can be used for cutting the outer coating of a cable with success and use a knife blade for scraping it too. There is an advantage with the scraper function on the flat screwdriver because it got a curve that could fit a round cable. If electrical work is the main task for it then we know from electrical experience that some wire inside a cable can develop a patina or a layer that would need some scraping so it is possible to have contact electrically.  Would also expect the need for a scraper function to remove rust and corrosion on non-electric  wire or mechanical devices.

Here are some more information on scraper tools and functions. On electricians blades the curved part with an edge is a scraper function. It is a tool for different electrical work. The one on the picture is on a Alox knife. I found different places some talk in history on what the Swiss used the scraper function for with the electricians type or the one on the flat screwdriver. I also remember on detail from electrician school that many older cable types or different variants are very difficult to dismantle. To remove the outer layer on the cable was easier sad than done. Some had to be cut off. There are many different cable types and there is an evolution on the core materials and construction of a cable.

Normal house cable types are easy to work with and one make a cut around the cable without damaging inner parts and pull it off. A round or curved part can be used to cut around the outer layer as well.

Cable update

There are different wire used in cables like we know. One may need a scraper for patina, corrosion and different coatings used on wire/cables

The scraper tools are not gone on the Victorinox products. On the SwissTool i have a stripper, scraper and bender tool for wire and electric tasks. These functions i have tested and they work well in combination with each other. There are other products made by Victorinox with scraper tools as well. The scraper can also be called a scrapper tool for removing insulation or coatings on a wire completely for recycling tasks.

Another example on the resilience of the Standard functions is the flat screwdriver with notch and cap opener. The Spartan is within most of the 91mm knives. This is used in combination with other functions and special designations. The CyberTools are examples on SAKs that can be used for electronics, assembly, computers and other tasks. Victorinox is very good at making the standard functions in combination with in this case the double sided bits. Not to forget the flat screwdriver tip you find on the can opener is also for the complete picture and screwdriver collection. By doing so you got the substantial amount of functions in them.

You have minimal, medium and heavy functionality with SAKs.There are special purpose and all-use options.....

There is probably not a thing which SAKs are not used for. The versatile abilities are recognized all over the world. I learned from senior knife people that the perfect knife does not exist. The best alternative and knowledge do. People pick different tool configurations depending on what EDC or tasks they would need them for. This is a typical recipe for what knives to have.

The Standard or Spartan functions seems to be just as valuable today but in some situations it can be difficult to fully know what SAKs to pick and therefore one could go for the heavy functionality to be safe. Many also recognizes that the Swiss have already used heavy research for what obstacles people could encounter and have the safest option made within minimal or heavy functionality. Some of the models with many functions do not necessarily contain many screwdrivers. You will have some backside screwdrivers for precision and such in combination. The CyberTool is special because you have separate double sided bits and it is actually possible to find similar types made for other tools in the world. Then you have a much better enlightened tool. It is also so today that flat head screws are not so much used as before. Still the standard functions seem to be just as good and that shows the resilience very well.

The CyberTool bits are perhaps not for the heaviest tasks. You have some of the same problems with MTs and therefore you have the separate key with large bits so you have a much greater option. That said the SwissTools got a very good selection within the MT frame. The strange thing is that the flat screwdriver functions seem to be very welcome still. I would also like to wish a happy new year to everyone!

The resilience of the standard functions and the flat screwdriver with its initial functions on it can also be found on the SwissTools. This you see with a longer configuration. It is difficult to predict the future but the development on the MTs of the world clearly shows the use of bits. Victorinox understood this very early on and made the key with the set of bits. Standard bits are far easier to find in any hardware store today.

The advantages with the standard or Spartan functions are many and as I mentioned above in this page it is just as valuable today. SAKs got the ability to fit much more than the mentioned functions. Most of you are also aware about my separate knives hobby and how different tools can fulfill tasks greater. It is also very clear for me that versatile knives are very smart to have in a modern world.  Good luck!

Victorinox and Swiza

Over the years it is clear to see on pocket knives what cause the most damage. When they are used to open bottles by using the handles or liners it can damage them. The bottle openers on Swiss knives are very good for such.