1982 Victorinox Soldier

[@tcarp1616]

Very very nice gift! It's cool that you have 3 different types of the soldier.

[@FWGlockGuy]

I was surprised! I absolutely love it!

[@MesserHQ]

Nice video and awesome gift!

[@FWGlockGuy]

Thanks, my friend!

[@EDKG]

Very cool man! Love the silver alox and finding out about all the variations that happen over the years. 1982 was a great year... that particular model is as old as I am!

[@FWGlockGuy]

Do you have any alox?

[@EDKG]

***** not at the moment, I had my eye on a few on eBay last year and missed out. Working on it though! So many cool SAKs to choose from... It's tough lol

[@FWGlockGuy]

What is your favorite model? Maybe I could help you start your obsession, I mean collection! :)

[@EDKG]

***** haha well that would be very awesome! Would have to search a long time to find an Alox colour or model that isn't cool IMO, but always figured I'd try and buy a Pioneer or Farmer first.

[@unclecow]

very interesting cool video

[@FWGlockGuy]

unclecow Thanks, my friend!

[@dseednorwayn47]

used to have one of them back in the 80s, but cant recall wich one. was not aware of it btw and what a great catch :)

[@FWGlockGuy]

Thanks!

[@markmueller5508]

I have a 92 wenger. Stock is thicker, no bail. They also made some for Netherlands in the 80’s marked “Kl” on scales both w/wo the bail.

[@wis1024]

They perfected the heat treat therefore the extra thickness wasn't neccessary anymore. If you look closely the tip of the blades are also thicker on the older models. This was my explanation anyway.

[@FWGlockGuy]

Good theory

[@IncredibleChief]

Thank you for this vid man. I bought a Swiss army knife at a pawn shop several months back and couldn't find it online. I was starting to think it was a fake. Turns out its the 1981 Soldier. This video helped a ton. Again, thank you very much. It's still in great shape and I only paid $10. My rivet is also hollow. I thought maybe the previous owner had taken it off but maybe it never had one. Awesome vid. Take Care and Be Aware.

[@FWGlockGuy]

Yes, on these older models the rivet is hollow. I am very impressed with this model!

[@Zimmemme]

I see that the combo tool on the Compact is slim if compared with the one on the hunter.

[@VAXEL95TV]

Nice gift you got there!

[@FWGlockGuy]

Thank you! I agree!

[@filmic1]

Nice comparison. I really like how efficient the cutting edge on the can opener tool is. I have a Pioneer old cross, and new Pioneer. On my Leatherman Juice and my Gerber, the can opener tool not nearly as efficient. They just break the metal, but on my Pioneers, there is actually a cutting edge that slices through the metal..

[@michaelgeraerts5367]

I just now found your video. fun fact, I've been looking for this year's soldier for a while, have you come across any others or do you know where I can buy these? I am not a collector but I did buy a 92 soldier from the Dutch Royal Air Force when I was 15 years old. (already 26 years that I use this)

[@pioneerxmnl6033]

The metal that was used on the current pioneer is much harder than the soldier model

[@FWGlockGuy]

I’m sure things have a ton over the decades. Thanks for the comment

[@swissarmydan9354]

Nice! I prefer those older Soldiers to almost any SAK

[@Grummash]

Excellent video - I like a beefier Soldier (WHAT DID HE SAY?) i'd like to see a full vid on that 1982 version :-)

[@FWGlockGuy]

nicestknives Thanks Jim! I've been doing a bit of research on it. I think I will do a video on it soon. Did you just The Fatman me, bro?

[@Grummash]

***** haha - I did :-)

[@ricktemmen6272]

Great video ... I would like to see a more in-depth review when you have time ... Thanks so much ...

[@escargotiskuhol]

Great info about the stock thickness! Would you know until what year did Victorinox produce this beefier Soldier?

[@FWGlockGuy]

I don’t recall specifically, but prior to 1986 sticks out in my mind... sakwiki.com might be a good source

[@escargotiskuhol]

thank you, really helpful, sir!

[@05generic]

Wait a minute!? Does it actually say Wenger on the tang stamp of the "Wenger" you own? The shield and can opener designs on both Soldiers appears to be identical. Have I been missing something? I've had a keen interest (obsession with?) in SAK's for only a few years.

[@FWGlockGuy]

Yes, it does say Wenger on this one. They are very similar, but do have some subtle differences.

[@05generic]

***** When did Wenger switch to the hawk bill, clockwise use design of their latest can openers?

[@FWGlockGuy]

I would have to research that. It is a Wenger though, I promise!

[@05generic]

***** Good luck with that. I just got through trying to do the same and didn't get far. SAKWiki now has live links to some subjects that were previously dead including Wenger tools. But the page I found on Wenger openers was not very helpful. It does show this weird L shaped device that I've never seen before. You can check it out here: sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Can+Opener

[@FWGlockGuy]

05generic I like SAKWiki for a quick reference, but you are correct, it is lacking in complete information. There are a lot of gaps in models, especially in the Wenger side of things. Here is a video that I ran across a long time ago that kind of explains the subtle differences between the 2 models. Although it doesn't actually show the can opener, it does help explain why the Victorinox Soldier and the Wenger "Standard Issue" are similar. I will do a little more research and maybe do a more thorough updated comparison, since there seems to be not a lot out there on these 2 models, at least from a comparison standpoint. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqCpi6h5Z8mGqac

[@thenomad01]

Comparing to actual Swiss Military issue models: The Victorinox soldier never had a bail, just a hole. It was for stringing the knife as a plumb bob for using their rifle with grenade. The Small square in the Alox cover is for the Military testing proof mark of "WG" if it was actually issued. Yours looks to perhaps not have the mark so not a soldier's knife. The Wenger you have is for civilian market as it has no proof mark area and has a bail. The more modern Victorinox has a regular rivet pin and a small key ring, so civillian use. The closest you have to the real Swiss Army knife is the Victorinox but if no proof mark it was not issued in military. Still cool. A Swiss soldier gave me his while there on business. I hope to never lose it. Old video but still cool.

[@FWGlockGuy]

Thanks for all the info. I love the history and tradition of Swiss Army knives.

[@Laura_EDC]

Nice vid. :)

[@FWGlockGuy]

Thanks! And thanks again!

[@funkyprepper]

amazing to see the differences my biggest gripe with victorinox is the stock thickness. i only like the alox range for this reason. i bet its hard to find the 80's variants today great video :)

[@FWGlockGuy]

Thanks! I may have to start collecting "vintage" models for that very reason!