The Story of the Victorinox German Army Knife

Telling the story of the iconic German Army Knife from Victorinox. It was also manufactured on license by other companes in Germany and I show a few examples, and give the history of the knife.
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[@f.a.p.8169]

I walked into a surplus store here in the US, and sitting in a display case was about 12 GAKs. Out of the 12 I found one stamped Victorinox, had a file on the saw as well as the saw guard. Brand new....not a single scratch I could find and $15. I edc it daily and never disappointed with the model.

[@m.k.7199]

Great knife! I've owned one since the early 1980's. The opener, at the end of the saw, is also a can opener. I took my GAK to a metal shop and added a hole to the reemer for field repairs. Watch Felix Immler's videos on using the GAK as a bushcraft tool.

[@verysurvival]

Awesome 😎

[@robertanderson1272]

picked up mine BH blade stamp in early 1980 in Schweinfurt when in the army also have the Adler and BEG stamped ones

[@albundy8139]

One of my favorites too Dave, great video as always!

[@kidbach]

once again your mixture of knowledge and history is very well presented. thanks for sharing.

[@heinakenka]

Just ordered one of these. This was interesting and quite helpful information. Thanks for sharing!

[@verysurvival]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jamespenson8912]

I’ve had more than a few of these knives over the last 30 years or so - loved them all. My current one has been my daily carry for years and years.

[@garryhewett9629]

Could you please tell me where to get one, l have tried all local surplus stores with no luck 🤞

[@jamespenson8912]

@@garryhewett9629 I think eBay is your best chance. I haven’t seen one in a surplus store in over 10 years. Just make sure you don’t get one of the Chinese knock offs (unless that’s what you want). There are a lot of listings for these and they are not clear about the fact that they aren’t true surplus. Good luck!

[@OutlawEdge]

Such a cool story. I love the history lesson. 👍😀 really cool how they put the match striker on the saw. Great knives. Thanks for sharing brother. 👍🇺🇸 ARCO

[@keithorbell9500]

There are various 108 mm models, the Civilian versions generally prefixed with "Safari", so the Safari Trooper was the civilian version of the GAK with either red or OG scales with a Swiss cross replacing the BW Eagle. They also produced versions with an additional clip-point blade between the pen-blade and saw/combi tool for Mauser (OG Scales) and Walther (black scales, rarer than hen's teeth!). The majority had the textured rubber/plastic scales but the Safari Hunter (long serrated gut hook between main blade and combi tool) with stag antler handles. Final comment, the screwdriver part of the combi tool also acts as a tin opener.

[@christopherskipp1525]

Good information.

[@christopherskipp1525]

Where would one look for these?

[@desertratedc9596]

I got a Solo+ from this line and was shocked how much they sell for here in the states. I almost wish it hadn't been a gift from a friend. Thanks for pointing out the falsity in the video because if someone hadn't then I would have.

[@XDM50]

Hi Dave, Very interesting video. Now I want one of these knives for my collection. Cheers from USA! -Duane

[@MichaelR58]

Thanks for sharing, I bought one of these in the late 80's, they are a lot more expensive now . I think I paid about $20 at a surplus store.

[@JJRSURVIVAL]

great video Dave ! one of my most favourite knives ever , it was first knife i ever owned , when i was about 11 my dad bought me and my twin brother one each for christmas ! bloody loved having that in my pocket , nice one mate !

[@verysurvival]

Cool mate

[@skorzeny7377]

great video mate!

[@verysurvival]

Thanks a lot!

[@backrowbrighton]

Really enjoyed the video. I picked up one of the Victorinox made knives at a car boot sale some twelve years ago. It was mixed in with a bunch of other tools. I paid £3 for it. It was in good nick and the metal sleeve was intact on the saw blade. Thank you for this really useful overview of the knife as it is one of my favorites.

[@simonh6371]

Bargain.

[@joseramong.y7339]

Great video .likeeeee

[@Veesaki]

Good review ! I bought two made by Mauser in the 1980's , one is still stashed never used.

[@milkogugutkov7576]

If you ever want to sell it, let me know!

[@simonh6371]

Bro do you know how much that Mauser is worth? I've seen one for $1.5 thousand

[@Robert_Thomas832]

Interesting stuff, thanks. I have the I.C.A.R version from an army surplus in UK. Useful piece of history.

[@indianprepper2478]

Good Info ,Thanks

[@mattelliott3685]

Hey Dave, Thanks for the great vid and background on the GAK, I never knew! You’ve prompted me to buy one from a well known army surplus store for both nostalgia and to use as a weekend carry knife. When I was in my teens I asked for a pocket knife for my birthday and my dad took me to the local cutlers. I had been walking past the window of this store looking at the victorinox display and lusting after the Swiss Champ (I have had one for 10 years now!) and was intending to buy one then, BUT! at the last moment changed my mind, WHY? They had the Mauser version of this knife on display, and it just looked the business! Little did I know, but I chose an absolute classic, it was a fantastic knife I used on many scout camps, but alas a “friend” also recognised the knife’s quality and he stole it from me a year of two later, and that was the last I saw of the GAK until now, so I’m happy to be reunited with one finally :-)

[@verysurvival]

great story mate!

[@gustfulldraw774]

thanks for your fantastic vid... very informative. watched from NZ recently started collecting SAK & GAKS

[@verysurvival]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelvalenzuela2528]

I have two, a Mil-Tec and an Adler , great EDC knives

[@verysurvival]

Awesome

[@reconty2133]

Had one of these knives for years before I realized that the cap lifter/screwdriver tool is also a can opener. Thought it was a misprint on the instructions I saw for the Safari (civilian red handled version) until I tried it. It actually works quite well, surprising.

[@verysurvival]

I always thought it was too blunt, but I guess I was wrong

[@amswilson4932]

Hay Dave I love the channel your vids are so good me and my sons watch religiously and they enjoyed making the fat wood firer starter 🔥 We're can't wait to watch this one 👍👍

[@verysurvival]

Email me your address and I’ll send you some Humble Trekker coffee

[@amswilson4932]

Thank you my boys are so excited that you replied you made there day And I'd love some coffee from you if it's not to much trouble 👍

[@waldmeisterbrehm]

great review with correct infos! the german soldier called it "BW Stumpf" which means "German Army Dull", because they had no sharpening tools in the army. Greetings from Cologne, Germany Arthur

[@vokurkacz783]

Actually have found one in a forest (live in Czech Republic(country next to Germany)) and it says MFH made it.

[@mikeboone4425]

Great informative review take care, long time no see you will soon be walking in snow I suppose. Happy Trails

[@verysurvival]

Winter has not really come yet , just had a dusting of snow and not so cold either so far.

[@JamesEck9095]

There was also a version with NATO in place of the german eagle on the scale. I served in the US Army in Germany in the late 1980s and I own a NATO version. It wasn't issued, I found it while out in the field.

[@verysurvival]

I want one of those

[@jinxjones5497]

I collect a few brands of knives and someone who's after one of my vintage Mora knives has just disclosed he has a GAK to trade. I have to wait until he gets home for photos but my research has led me here and now I'm excited to see what he has for me to add to my SAK/wenger collection.

[@MD-tu3dp]

Great video. I served in the special forces (SAS) in Rhodesia’78-‘79 and this was standard issue. It don’t have the German eagle (due to sanctions on our country) but if I recall it had the Swiss Army/Victorinox logo. Great bit of kit.

[@verysurvival]

Cheers

[@timsummers870]

That knife really is a relic! Thank you for telling us its story. I believe it may cost a bit more than ten to twelve euros, who knows. The only thing I find rather clumsy is the cap lifter lying at the tip of the wood saw. Victorinox has always been a design champion in my opinion so I don't know what happened when they designed that one. The metal case to protect your fingers from the wood saw teeth also made it a little impractical and it's an easy to lose item. Anyway, I'd still love to own that model, just for its history. I really like the 111mm model as well. Once again, thank you for your video.

[@simonh6371]

Victorinox didn't design it, the German Army did. It was contracted to many manufacturers not just in Germany, including Victorinox, Adler, Mil-Tec, I.C.A.R. and many more.

[@timsummers870]

@@simonh6371 I thought so too. Thanks for clarifying.

[@yigarok]

I had gotten a knock of version Which soured me to these knives but the original authentic ones look like they could be really nice to own

[@reddevilparatrooper]

I was in the US Army back in the mid-1980s as an infantryman. The US Army has never issued pocket knives to soldiers since WWII. The official US Military pocket field knife was known as the "Bomb Setter Tool" supposedly issued to the US Army Air Corps for setting fuses on 500 pound bombs. These knives were made by Camillus and other manufacturers and were standard issue in aircrew and pilot survival gear. I even had a Camillus knife made in 1967 which I had bought at a surplus store before the Army and used it in the field. As far as the Bundeswehr knives no unit or even soldiers I have ever heard of were ever issued these. American G.I.s always carried pocket knives in the field usually American made Schrade, Case, or Buck bought from the PX. After my Camillus got stolen I bought a Victorinox Infantry model while in Switzerland and it was better than my Camillus. One guy in my platoon had the Victorinox Champion which was a big pocket utility knife. This guy used it to clean his weapon and fix the radio, open cans, cut branches, and fix his armored personnel vehicle wiring and screws. The US Army knew that the American G.I. would buy the best pocket knife that suited him in the field or combat. When you go to US Military PX pocket knives and knives are a favorite with G.I.s. I wish I could have gotten one of the Bundeswehr pocket knives for my collection before going back to the states to my next unit. Just today I just got one of the newer Bundeswehr Victorinox Soldier Knife which is going to replace my Ontario made WWII style stainless pocket knife. Very good video. I love collecting knives besides firearms also.

[@verysurvival]

Thanks for the update. Really interesting

[@connivingcactus539]

I have one of those Camillus knives that were supposedly issued. It was probably available in the government catalog, but just rarely issued. It's very different from these German knives, being all stainless and having the 4 tools open in different directions (knife, can opener, bottle opener, and awl).

[@ronaldmercer9616]

I was a 12 bravo we had the camilus knives in our demo kits I never saw one issued to anyone most guys carried a Gerber gator but I got lucky and snagged up 2 of them have them still unused I was in 82 to 95

[@ruzzellp]

Interesting.

[@shadylamp4123]

Klicked this in the hope it was up already, not realizing it was just a reminder that it will go live on Friday. My dissapointment was imeasuarable.

[@verysurvival]

Sorry. I’m trying something knew ;-)

[@MadDogSurvival]

Interesting stuff brother! Thanks for sharing your knowledge mate! I enjoyed it ! Best wishes mukka 👍🏽👍🏽😎✌🏽

[@Mrearthwarrior]

Nice video as always:) But David do you think you could do a video about comparing Victorinox knives to Leatherman multitools side-by-side? It would be interesting to hear you going over the pros and cons of both of them:)

[@verysurvival]

Thanks. I’ll put it on my list of video ideas !

[@ozdavemcgee2079]

I have a few of these. Good bit of kit. A pocket knife handy. Not a engineers tool lol. Small compact does the job. Blade, saw thats all you really need. Mine is a BEG. Not sure if its a knock off or not. But got 2 for bugger all 20 year ago, so really dont care. It works, holds an edge, doesnt rust, and hasnt broken. For $30 Australian Ive had my moneys worth well and trully. Love the hole through the handle. Put a cord through it and loop it on your belt as a lanyard, and therin lies my love of it. Never loose it when working climbbong squatting etc. Great kit

[@verysurvival]

If you got them 20 years ago then they are genuine I bet 100%

[@florisjaaltink3455]

I picked mine up on a flea market in France, at a little surplus stall. There was a literal heap of them, probably between 100 and 200 knives on a table, each going for €5 a piece. Now that I know the history behind these knives I wish I'd picked up a couple more.

[@verysurvival]

I would have liked your see that

[@markhager8321]

Thanks Dave. Good review.

[@cipherthedemonlord8057]

I've got the same ones as you plus Aitor except for the wing logo one. I sometimes use an Aitor but it mostly stays with my German cleaning kit for my Cetme C rifle. Only Victorinox one I have has a broken screwdriver.

[@verysurvival]

cool

[@johnswift500]

Must cost you a packet buying so many types of the same knife, nice video keep up the good work

[@verysurvival]

these knives hold their value, I can always sell them on when I need the dough ;-)

[@greenbynature]

That's how I feel about my knives as well, Dave. Most of my knives are collectable, and not available any more, and I justify buying them, by telling myself that If I was to sell them, I would at the very least get my money back, but more than likely make money on them. Not that I have any intention of selling them, but you never know when you could fall on hard times.

[@LeaverAction]

Glad I found you ! I have been trying to find out what I.C.A.R is an abbreviation for, I have several that I bought recently, "pig in a poke", by different manufacturers. As you say, all are great knives, ergonomic, classic quality knives. Please reply if you know what the company abbreviation I.C.A.R. stands for.

[@verysurvival]

The ICAR knives were made in italy, this is the web site to the ICAR company www.icarforgiati.it/

[@bob2sticks]

Good history Dave, as you know , I have the Mauser and US Army models .......at one time I had the red scaled version , but gave it to a thru hiker on the Appalachian Trail..... I carry the Trekker , and have 2 Huntsman models , you cannot go wrong with these folders....Aitor of Spain makes a similar folder , O.D. scales ,blade a wider spear point and other accessories....Grizz 🐻 p.s. Victorinox bought out Wenger ? or Wegner knives , once their competition .....

[@verysurvival]

Victorinox bought out Wenger in 2005. Wenger got into trouble when they lost business after 9/11 due to global down turn in pocket knife sales

[@bob2sticks]

@@verysurvival Dave , please post on the WOODSRUNNER thanks , Bob

[@Pierre-cz6jr]

*waiting*

[@walterschiller8281]

I was in the Army in late ‘60s. As far as I know we were never issued a pocket knife!

[@williamhansen9456]

Victorinox also makes knives for the militaries of the nordic nations. The danish ones have longer and deeper "thimb knicks"(as you called it). I can't speak for the ones used in the other nordic nations, but I'm rather sure they use the exact same model. The nordic countries tend to make things for eachothers militaries and often place joint orders and split the bill to reduce costs.

[@CoffeeChaos]

Great video... in the beginning you mention it was the only knife Victorinox made that was 108mm.... I thought the Safari series (red scales) were all also 108mm....?

[@verysurvival]

The safari is the civilian version of this knife so you are correct

[@Sokol10]

Fun fact: In the 1890's, the Germans manufactured the Swiss Army knives, in the 1970's the Swiss manufactured the German Army knife.😉

[@rufusintenn648]

I like the look of these knives, you should send one to each of your subscribers.

[@verysurvival]

This video has more thumbs up than ever and no one has watched it yet. I think I’ve finally cracked the KZbin algorithm

[@sosteve9113]

😁

[@SuetyAchiever87]

I got a i car knife still in good condition but I don’t know where is it made.

[@bassemabdelfattah7000]

شكرا لك على الفيديو انها سكين رائعة بحق امتلك واحدة باللون الاخضر في عام 1980 اصدار خاص مصنعة لشركة موزر الالمانية من قبل شركة فيكتورينوكس تمتاز على هذا النسخة بنصل أضافية مكتوب عليه مصنعة لصالحة شركة موزر... منشار مهول يجسد الصناعة والاعتمادية التي لا تقارن ولكن... تنقص قفل للنصل حتى لا يغلق على اليد وشكرا🇱🇧🇱🇧🇱🇧🇱🇧🇱🇧

[@kongandbasses8732]

During my service in the Bundeswehr I had about three of those knifes. But not a single one with the bottle opener at the end of the saw. They all had a seperate bottle opener.

[@verysurvival]

interesting

[@simonh6371]

Red kein Scheiss.

[@kongandbasses8732]

@@simonh6371 Ganz ruhig, Füchsle.

[@stevehuffman7453]

The 5th knife you showed with the Eagle on the tang, what country was it made? Do you know what years that company made the knife? I have one with the eagle on the mark side of the tang. Pile side has "M1212 BUNDESWEHR China" in 3 lines. I believe it was/is a copy of the original.

[@verysurvival]

It was probably made in the 80s and made in Germany. Because you’re has China on it , it must be a copy made in China. I have Chinese one too but it is not in this video

[@Indiamon23]

Hello I really liked the video but I had a question, do you know from what date to what date each company made it? I would like to know but I do not find information .

[@verysurvival]

all I know is what I said in the video

[@fattboyzz1355]

Glad you had the time to get off the stage and make this video ... Lol

[@verysurvival]

I’m also famous for this video thing

[@user-du5cc2jk1m]

Great video！I bought a version engraved with BEG, but I did not search for the date. I have not seen anything similar to mine. Could you tell me? Thank you

[@verysurvival]

BEG was another German contractor that made the knife. I think mid eighties. They are a rarer manufacturer

[@user-du5cc2jk1m]

@@verysurvival Thank you very much for your answer. I like your video very much. Thanks again!😄

[@sosteve9113]

If possible I'll be online

[@rippspeck]

That eagle is actually the German coat of arms. Bundeswehr's insignia is the iron cross.

[@swunt10]

the iron cross is the symbol of the german military. the eagle is the german state symbol, basically telling you it's government property, not necessarily army property alto this is often the case.

[@verysurvival]

Thanks for clarifying

[@Jesusandbible]

The mechanical advantage of the long blade means it can be used as a very good can opener. What do you think of the Mil-Tec clone? I thought it was the original when I bought it

[@verysurvival]

The miltec clone is fine. But the scales fell off mine . The originals are better but the miltec is not a piece of junk

[@onthefly4711]

Thanks for the great vid. Do you know if the German army is the only one which has a corkscrew on their pocket knives? :)

[@verysurvival]

Not sure but I guess The French, Italians and Spanish carry a corkscrew. It’s the first thing they pack for sure !

[@onthefly4711]

@@verysurvival Definitely :)

[@stormrider01]

I would buy new ones. There are some indeed

[@easygroove]

"Why does it have a corkscrew? Because if they wanna go back to France..." 😂🤣

[@heikopanzlaff3789]

Have been issued one of these but never used. Some items are charged the full price when lost and need to be replaced. Lost a old coat ( Parka ) once, they charged me 64 DM !

[@verysurvival]

Gotta careful

[@norby0418]

I have a civilian model with the OD scales made by Victorianox

[@verysurvival]

cool

[@christopherskipp1525]

So, of these five versions, which maker maintains the best quality?

[@verysurvival]

IDK

[@mattottie6410]

I have an ICAR , been good so far..

[@verysurvival]

great

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

No can opener, most likely as the utensil kit has one. An odd one, but it does have one.

[@verysurvival]

apparently the cap opener is a can opener

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@verysurvival oh. That is very interesting.

[@tinebajt8400]

Did he say it was s cap opener?!

[@abdalabinladen]

Is Mil Tec a legit GAK, or is it a reproduction? Really appreciate your work. Highly comprehensive video and it answered a lot of lingering questions. Best wishes.

[@RoverTheDog1]

Bearpilot pretty sure mil-tec just makes repos, not Originals

[@verysurvival]

Mil Tec made real ones, made back in the day and issued and you can find them surplus BUT they are still making them today as reproductions. So it is a bit confusing. And hard to tell the difference especially if you are looking online

[@abdalabinladen]

Thanks very much. I got a new in box Mil Tec, complete with a plastic slip, but the finish is quite a bit rougher than my BEG and my Aitor. You can clearly see the vertical grain on the blade, and it was not polished.

[@paulbaumer8210]

I have a modern Mil-Tec and an old Victorinox. The Mil Tec is not quite so well finished, but the steel is surprisingly good. It holds an edge much longer than the Victorinox.

[@simonh6371]

@@verysurvival Not so sure about that, as the Mil-Tec brand has only been around since 1995, before that it was just Sturm Handels gmbH, now the company name is Sturm Mil-Tec..

[@marcdee4427]

All the knife guys seem to say victorinox steel is to soft , it can’t be that bad if the German military and others use it can it ? . What is your opinion on the steel quality?

[@verysurvival]

150 years and billions sold. Not because it is shit

[@kaizoebara]

It's a nail file not a match striker and actually more useful than one might think. And the eagle is the federal crest of Germany; the symbol of the Bundeswehr is the Iron Cross. Btw, the quality differs quite dramatically depending on maker: the best by far are Victorinox, I'd consider Klaas, Adler and Aitor, but I'd never buy any of the others, eg. B&H or Mil-Tec.

[@verysurvival]

the reliable sources on this knife call it a match striker alternative a nail file just file . I believe its primary use is match striking. Because why in the world would the German army think the soldiers needed a tiny nail file for?

[@verysurvival]

the Eagle is on Bundeswehr uniforms too . i agree strictly speaking it is the iron cross en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundeswehr#/media/File:Gen_Wolfgang_Schneiderhan.jpg

[@kaizoebara]

​@@verysurvival Can you point me to your sources? Because I was a conscript in the Bundeswehr once and had one issued to me. German matches don't work with that surface - about the only matches you can get here are safety matches; you have to look long and hard to get your hands on any strike everywhere matches. Why wouldn't you need a nail file? Personal hygene is an important part of field craft. Also, it's really handy to have a nail file to fix a broken/torn nail. Which can happen quickly e.g. if you are ordered to crawl over the hard ground once more... (don't ask how I know).

[@kaizoebara]

​@@verysurvival You got that one wrong. The eagle is on General Schneiderhan's uniform, because it's the badge of the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, i.e. he's in the top tier on the federal level of the Bundeswehr; so again, it's a symbol for the federal republic. Other units have other badges; on the uniform I was issued, I had a badge with the white stallion from the coat of arms of Lower Saxony. The only items I can remember that had the eagle by default were the belt buckle of the dress uniform and the T-shirt from the tracksuit.

[@verysurvival]

it's on a SakWiki. if you say its a nail file, from now on I'll also call it a nail file. I do videos to learn more facts and you delivered. thanks

[@thomaslinton5765]

"VIC TOR' INOX" The name "Victoria INOX: has not been used for generations. It. of course, referred to the founder's mom, Victoria, and the stainless nature of the blades - "INOX."

[@mecho68]

I have a black version of this knife , has no mark about manufacturer , I seriously doubt that those made in China has the same steel quality for the blade as Viktorinox .I have a similar knife made for spanish army by JKR , I do recommend it .

[@verysurvival]

Great 👍

[@yaserbaloch4683]

🇩🇪👌❤️

[@kz11377]

You are wrong about Mil-Tec being an original contractor to these knives. The company makes a reproduction of that knife nowadays, just like MFH (Max Fuchs)

[@verysurvival]

No you are wrong, They make a reproduction now and they used to make original military contract ones in the 80s. This is confirmed by the biggest SAK experts that have researched the history

[@K.M925]

ICAR is made in Italy after my research .

[@verysurvival]

Word

[@inregionecaecorum]

I have a Miltec version and it is very poor quality compared to any Victorinox knives I have it has, a lot of horizontal blade play. I bought it years ago thinking it would be a Victorinox.

[@verysurvival]

Dubious quality with miltec

[@justmusic7577]

I found a Victorinox one for 13€

[@andrewhondo]

these German military gak are not as common in America or the swiss Armey Victorinox knives any more in some stores and more of the milsurplus stores are gone here so we can't pick these up there any more ,there actually rare here unless you can find one used in a pawn shop or in flee markets here but i never seen one of these show up there either i mean you can only find the gak and the bigger swiss Armey's here on line newish now a few years ago like 14 years ago you could find any gak or swiss Armey knife in any retail store here not no more but you can only find the really stupide tiny traveling classic sak models in stores here now these days well at least in my area im not speaking for other states 14 years ago you could buy these gak model a dime a dozen now you have to pay premo price online to get one here like 50$ in us i wouldn't pay that for that price online for one i can get a sak explore with more tool functions for edc online new great video sir i just wanted to share you my frustrations on finding this version of the gak in my state there probably really common there

[@nedsb6873]

How much are they worth

[@verysurvival]

Depends on where you live in some places there are loads around and then they are cheaper 15 - 25 euros each on average . , the reproduction ones are less than 10.

[@redcat9436]

I just bought a Victorinox in the US for $30.

[@jankottek748]

Mil tec never manufactured for the Bundeswehr. mil tec is a cheap copy.

[@gluckspilz3756]

Only the Victorinox and Adler are good! Der Rest ist Schrott!