Corkscrew is intact on both. One tiny spot i will remove on the blade :)
Today I would like to write some more about some factors that I know many collectors are using in their quest for SAKs. I can explain the things that I am looking
for when I find knives regarding condition. The first thing that I am interested in is the functionality. I enjoy and prefer when I can get full functionality because I find this the most important thing. There will always be production variations with some
of the precision and time windows. Things like this we learn from looking on SAKs that’s never been used. I do not like broken and bent functions. If the edge is very dull with some small damages it is easy to fix by just putting on a new edge. Then
the functionality is restored and this I find fun to do. It is not a negative thing for me but for sure a crisp and untouched edge is a bonus I must say too. I know some polish the scales because it is very rare to find used knives with perfects scales and
that is also a factor that I look for. I do not like warped or damages scales that would influence the functionality. It is easy to put on new scales but again this will not be a SAK that’s fully representing its time window! I have implemented this
philosophy in my collections and 99% is in very good condition. I mentioned that some polish the scales and yes it is possible to some degree to do this. I usually never do this.
On the pictures today you can see two market finds. One 3.3600 economy Spartan from approx. 1980 and this one is in very good condition with practically unused functions. It only got some very small scratches on the scales that
are very normal as mentioned. The hot stamped emblem is fully intact and that is a bonus. I usually always buy these because I study them. It was a bit dirty so I cleaned and oiled it some afterwards. The other knife is an advertising model that is very similar
to the Tourist model today. This one is from the early 1980s. This leads me to talks some on advertising. Advertising on the blades is a more neutral way of advertising a Company. Sulzer is a famous Company from Switzerland that you can find much information
on out there.
I mentioned above in my article today on what I am looking for. It is important with functionality to have
good spring tension and the ability to hold the functions well in open and closed position. The advertising SAK needed a good cleaning and I put on a wicked edge on it. The sounds and springs are fully intact and the functions got a precision and design that
is similar to unused knives. Because of dirt some of the functions did not open and close with comfort before. I also look on the flat screwdriver tip on the can opener to see if it is bent or damaged. It is intact and that is nice. From time to time you can
find knives with much corrosion and oxidized aluminum. I do not buy them! If it is just some small rust spots on the steel then some Ballistol will do the trick. It is for sure that knives from Switzerland are
the best against rust. It is a fact that I discovered looking on knives from all over the world. The fully polished springs and parts is something that really helps the cleaning and functionality. Not to forget the steel too.
Another factor that is important to know about is that there should not be any play in the slip-joint mechanism and or any side to side play with
the functions. The durability of the Swiss spring is very good as I mentioned before. Regardless of what some say it is a fact that a Swiss Army Knife or a Swiss knife is a high quality product. They stand the
tests of time and that is important to know.
Now to a factor that is special and that is advertising knives. In some cases it
is ok to collect knives that could be called in poor condition if the advertising is a bit special. This is because some collect and focus only on the advertising. It is fully ok to do this. It is a big bonus if the knife got full functionality and look like
new. This gives the best feeling for me. To be honest is usually use all the factors on advertising SAKs too.
-Some more regarding SAKs that could be in less to poor condition. This is the knowledge factor about stamps, emblems and evolution. It is ultra-important to be
aware that a broken SAK can have some very important details on them. This can be small modification done by the factories regarding evolution and the constant quality development. I know there are collectors of used and abused knives that got some serious
knowledge about their interest so please do not jump to a negative conclusion.
Some of the factors mentioned today I have mentioned
before but I hope it can be of some inspiration