Jon Gadget: What’s Happened to Victorinox? (SAK)

H. Clay Aalders
NewsfeedPhotography, Podcasts, & Videos
·5 Comments··64 views

I was interested to watch this video. I was curious what his beef was. If you don’t have the 15 minutes, his thesis is that the company has become more of a lifestyle brand, and has lost focus on their core business. He makes a compelling case.

Previous ArticleKnifeInformer: Benchmade 940 Osborne Review
Next ArticleHawaii’s Ban on Common “Butterfly Knives” is Based on Nothing But Hysteria
H. Clay Aalders

H. Clay Aalders is a lifelong edged tool user. He spent the past 20 years as a woodworker and fishing guide in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Idaho, and Tennessee. While guiding in Idaho, Clay worked part-time writing for a local newspaper, and upon moving to Tennessee began writing for the blog The Truth About Knives - spending his last 5 years there as Managing Editor. His background is in fixed-blade hunting and bushcraft knives, but has jumped into the world of vintage slipjoint collecting with both feet since coming to work at Knife Magazine. Clay’s primary role is as Digital Editor, curating and creating new content for our website and blog, as well as maintaining the Knife Magazine social media accounts (FB/IG: @theknifemag, Twitter: @knifemagazine). He is also a contributor and Associate Editor of the print magazine.

Related Posts

5 Responses

  1. Pingback: VineClimber: – Knife Magazine

  2. I was surprised he didn’t mention the new fixed blade. I fully understand his gripe though, not like he hasn’t done his part for the brand either. Why not a Pro series with Magnacut main blades. I’d by that over some Guccified accessory chain nonsense.

    Reply

    1. they did a nice job with their fixie- sak’s rep is good enough to branch out, as long as the design is cool it will be accepted.
      i didn’t watch but to me it’s chicken little as long as all the old standards are easily available. otherwise, see what sticks. swiss army salad tongs rock.
      as with case stuff, the steel is good enough… good entry level ss or carbon gets it done.

      Reply

  3. I have now seen and heard my “SAK muse”. Quote: “Fill the void and ate their lunch!” Sticking to their time-honored core business of making the world’s most recognized multi-tool should be their priority. Should a customer want a “custom” SAK, then I believe that Victorinox could accommodate them.

    The “bag hook” tool needs to go away. The corkscrew and Phillips screwdriver are interchangeable. I like the corkscrew with the “embedded” little screwdriver. I like the “Alox” line of knives; But, a SAK without a toothpick & tweezer(s) just isn’t a SAK.

    Victorinox’s R&D engineers should work on this. Perhaps, visit Rolex and partner up.

    “Hocky” owns these SAKS: “Glow in the Dark” Classic and other “Classic”; “Spartan(s)”; and the “Climber”. “Huntsman”; “Super Tinker” and “Tinker” . . . Alox “Cadet” (2) because I bought them at a yard sale for $5, last century. At one time, I had a “Champ” with a leather case (Pawn Shop) . . . I sold that overbuilt SAK.

    Reply

    1. the simpler ones are best although i don’t agree with edcommentary about the super slim alox model. if you carry one have the can and cork openers.
      my first was a camper, learned how useless the saw was, lose that and it’s one row narrower. the can opener works, and doubles as a halfass no. 2 phillips. the actual phillips is limited in it’s reach and ability to rotate due to placement. they need one that folds off the end.
      sculumbrine also reviews replacement scales, installed with a vice. pretty cool as i’ve popped the stock red ones off one side of every one i’ve owned.

      Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *