Haven't picked up a Trekker in hopes of grabbing one of these first. May have no need for the Trekker after one of these GAK. Some day we will have that IAK available. Thanks for a great video Tobias.
510oaklandca, The reamer is used when you need to make a hole in wood or leather. The one on the Vics have part of one edge sharpened about 1/3 of the way up to assist in drilling. Some older ones have an entire edge sharpened I prefer a spine mounted reamer as found on the Pioneer but the one that are center mounted also work well. The hole in the blade allows you to use the reamer as a very large sewing needle for repairing leather or canvas sails/tents. hope this helps
The Switzerland made that their standard issue knife in 2009. US Army just this year started to issue that knife, made by Victorinox as the combat utility knife. The metal is all blacked and the scales have a different pattern, but it's the exact same knife. I agree it's a very good knife. If you want the tooth pick and tweezers there are several options. The easiest is just to buy the civilian knife. You can also buy replacement civilian pattern scales on Ebay that will hold tweezers and tooth picks. Finally there is the tinker's option, you can modify the scales you have on the knife. If you carefully remove the scales you will see that slots exist in the scales, but ports needs to be cut away, very carefully, to allow a tooth pick and tweezers. I do not know any one who has done this, but it can be done. Toothpicks, tweezers and other replacement parts for Victorinox knives are available online, Ebay, Amazon, etc. Leaving it original will keep the value as collectors item, but if you use it as practical knife, modifying it will mark it as uniquely yours. I would be surprised and a little dissappointed if modern GI's don't start modifying them. It's your choice, as the old man in the movie said "choose wisely". Cheers!
Another option to have toothpick/tweezers is to just carry the GAK (or Farmer for that matter) in conjunction with a Classic SD. It's less than 1 ounce and is tiny. That way you get the small but very effective scissors too. I EDC that with a Farmer as I'm in the UK and can't legally carry the GAK here (locking blade with more than 3 inches cutting length), but I take the GAK when I'm in the great outdoors.
Just curious, are the liners now steel or still aluminum ? I would think the aluminum ones wouldcbend using the Philips. The one hand bump looks like it would make sawing uncomfortable. Love that insignia on the cover.
I have one of these. As a student, that corkscrew saved my ass on many occasions, when I had lost my only regular corkscrew once again in my student dorm (and had a lady friend visiting who didn't drank beer..... this was before many wine bottles opened with screw caps )
These were available as army surplus here in the UK! The early versions had a elongated thumb ring! Incidentally these often came used and the blades were re profiled without the serrated edge and chisel grind? I think this model was the trekker in the Victorinox range and the German army just chose it as a replacement for the 108mm ? Strange that the Swiss army chose it some time later also? I also believe the US have issued it? Its a great knife but sadly non legal here in England!
You are correct. I ave a video that looks at the differences between the three variants. Two have NSN numbers. The Swiss version does not as Switzerland remains a neutral nation.
Watching 9 years later. Actually, by the time this video was being done, the PX inventory already had the Victorinox One-Handed US Combat Utility Knife. Much similar to the latest GAK, but with black oxide-finished metal parts (sexy and intimidating at the same time) and "U.S"-stamped scales. I'm sure by now you would have one in your collection. The US may have beaten the Bundeswher this time!
Tobias, I'm sure you know that as of mid 2017 the U.S. Army has adopted their version of the Victorinox Trekker complete with blackened hardware as the new Military Utility knife. They're available at PX's and through the federal list to current or retired military, and certain current or retired federal employees. Knife, Combat Utility NSN is 1095 - 01 - 653 - 1166 It is available through the Defense Logistics Agency
Have the second Bundeswehr knife with the match striker. Great blade size, scales are incredibly tough and really grippy, a fantastic thing. Was dismayed a few days ago, went to buy the British army knife and the blade play on both of the models was beyond acceptable. Got a nice little Taylors Eye Witness Sheep's Foot instead. I'll find a better made BAK eventually or even a Navy one would be great.
+Scott Heming, the small metal piece is a guard for the saw blade. It clips over the edge to prevent accidental cutting when using the screwdriver tip or combo tool.
Shame you cannot buy a brand new 108 mm model nowadays, I know it is outdated but the quality via more modern day tech and keeping in even better conditions is really something I consider worthwhile, plus it looks really retro, it would work so well with my watch, old school Swiss Omax,no batteries what so ever & IMCO fluid lighter. But then again the new modern is truly something awesome, but I do have some major questions and hope if you can help me out with some of them, from were did you purchase yours, is it army surplus and if so is it tarnished, was it used, does it lacks the Victorinox quality in any way if so or is it brand new, and if were can I get one, as I really want the same model as the German Army, the official Swiss GAK if you will, Please do help!
I found the Victorinox 108mm GAK on eBay, brand new. That was close to six or seven years ago, however. They tend to show up often enough but can be quite pricey. A seller in the Untied Kingdom was also sells the red handled Safari 108mm knives on eBay. These are normally reasonably priced. You need to be careful these days because the 108mm GAKs are repros are being made in China and sell for around $7. I plan to buy one soon just to review the quality. I suggest searchign eBay using the search string "Victorinox 108mm GAK" or "Victorinox 108mm Safari" or "Victorinox 108mm Knife" Good luck!
I see found a new modern one like 2003 GAK military whole deal even the German flag logo, on Amazon do you think it is the real deal? www.amazon.com/Victorinox-One-Hand-Trekker-German-Multi-Tool/dp/B001B197RE/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1525988335&sr=1-1&keywords=german+army+knife
Yes and No. Victorinox sells the GAK on the civilian market as well as to the German Army. So it is the exact same knife as that issued in the German Army. But it is not an issued knife. That said, there is no way to tell the difference between a civilian purchased GAK and German Army Issued GAK. It's the same knife.
Either I want the one with whole German flag logo, so either way, I get a good deal but my main question do you think they are brand new or surplus, used the ones in the link?
It must be very slight. I can't tell the difference between the eagles on the handles between my two knives. But then my earliest 108mm knife is by CCM. It may not be as ealry as your earlier Victorinox. Thanks for the info. I'll be on the look out for an earlier, different eagle. Thanks also for watching and sharing this information.
You can get the Victorinox German Army Knife from Amazon for about $40. There are also 5-6 very similar civilian versions with various features called Trekkers. I have The Victorinox GAK and love it, highly recommended. That main blade is razor sharp!
+Tom Woodthorpe the military version lacks these I think primarily as a way to keep the cost down. I actually normally carry an outrider as it also comes with a pair of scissors which come in handy when dealing with fishing tackle. I do wish the Outrider included the file portion found on the older 108mm GAK.
I mentioned above how you can change it to accept toothpick and tweezers. Replace the scales or modify the original ones. The former is the easiest, but you have to buy scales, toothpick and tweezers. The later takes you have to be careful, but you only have to buy the toothpick and tweezers. It won't be stock any more, but it's your knife, your choice. I have been thinking about this option for a while and I'm going to modify mine. I have been waiting for some one to make "plus" scales for the Victorinox 111mm knives that hold not just toothpick and tweezers, but the pen and pin as well.
@@ScorpionRegent Cheaper just to buy a Classic SD and carry that as well, that's what I do. Weighs next to nothing and takes up hardly any space, plus you get the small but very effective scissors too!
Haven't picked up a Trekker in hopes of grabbing one of these first. May have no need for the Trekker after one of these GAK. Some day we will have that IAK available.
Thanks for a great video Tobias.
510oaklandca, The reamer is used when you need to make a hole in wood or leather. The one on the Vics have part of one edge sharpened about 1/3 of the way up to assist in drilling. Some older ones have an entire edge sharpened I prefer a spine mounted reamer as found on the Pioneer but the one that are center mounted also work well. The hole in the blade allows you to use the reamer as a very large sewing needle for repairing leather or canvas sails/tents. hope this helps
The Switzerland made that their standard issue knife in 2009. US Army just this year started to issue that knife, made by Victorinox as the combat utility knife. The metal is all blacked and the scales have a different pattern, but it's the exact same knife. I agree it's a very good knife. If you want the tooth pick and tweezers there are several options. The easiest is just to buy the civilian knife. You can also buy replacement civilian pattern scales on Ebay that will hold tweezers and tooth picks. Finally there is the tinker's option, you can modify the scales you have on the knife. If you carefully remove the scales you will see that slots exist in the scales, but ports needs to be cut away, very carefully, to allow a tooth pick and tweezers. I do not know any one who has done this, but it can be done. Toothpicks, tweezers and other replacement parts for Victorinox knives are available online, Ebay, Amazon, etc. Leaving it original will keep the value as collectors item, but if you use it as practical knife, modifying it will mark it as uniquely yours. I would be surprised and a little dissappointed if modern GI's don't start modifying them. It's your choice, as the old man in the movie said "choose wisely". Cheers!
ScorpionRegent, thanks for the additional information. Nice to know the Americans are adopting the GAK. I'll need to look for one.
Technically speaking it's now the USAK.If you want I can get you the part number.
Another option to have toothpick/tweezers is to just carry the GAK (or Farmer for that matter) in conjunction with a Classic SD. It's less than 1 ounce and is tiny. That way you get the small but very effective scissors too. I EDC that with a Farmer as I'm in the UK and can't legally carry the GAK here (locking blade with more than 3 inches cutting length), but I take the GAK when I'm in the great outdoors.
Just curious, are the liners now steel or still aluminum ? I would think the aluminum ones wouldcbend using the Philips. The one hand bump looks like it would make sawing uncomfortable. Love that insignia on the cover.
You can't go wrong with Victorinox. Very classy company!
I have one of these. As a student, that corkscrew saved my ass on many occasions, when I had lost my only regular corkscrew once again in my student dorm (and had a lady friend visiting who didn't drank beer..... this was before many wine bottles opened with screw caps )
You can use the Victorinox can opener to open a wine bottle cork, it's very easy. There's a yt how-to video.
These were available as army surplus here in the UK! The early versions had a elongated thumb ring! Incidentally these often came used and the blades were re profiled without the serrated edge and chisel grind?
I think this model was the trekker in the Victorinox range and the German army just chose it as a replacement for the 108mm ?
Strange that the Swiss army chose it some time later also? I also believe the US have issued it? Its a great knife but sadly non legal here in England!
You are correct. I ave a video that looks at the differences between the three variants. Two have NSN numbers. The Swiss version does not as Switzerland remains a neutral nation.
Watching 9 years later. Actually, by the time this video was being done, the PX inventory already had the Victorinox One-Handed US Combat Utility Knife. Much similar to the latest GAK, but with black oxide-finished metal parts (sexy and intimidating at the same time) and "U.S"-stamped scales. I'm sure by now you would have one in your collection. The US may have beaten the Bundeswher this time!
I just bought the new one .It looks different and heavy .
Design and olive green colour is impressive.
It is definitely a heavy knife in the pocket compared to many pocket knives! But it is very handy in the outdoors!
Hey i love your videos and i was wondering were u bought your newest gak
Tobias, I'm sure you know that as of mid 2017 the U.S. Army has adopted their version of the Victorinox Trekker complete with blackened hardware as the new Military Utility knife. They're available at PX's and through the federal list to current or retired military, and certain current or retired federal employees.
Knife, Combat Utility NSN is
1095 - 01 - 653 - 1166
It is available through the
Defense Logistics Agency
Have the second Bundeswehr knife with the match striker. Great blade size, scales are incredibly tough and really grippy, a fantastic thing. Was dismayed a few days ago, went to buy the British army knife and the blade play on both of the models was beyond acceptable. Got a nice little Taylors Eye Witness Sheep's Foot instead. I'll find a better made BAK eventually or even a Navy one would be great.
What is the function of the small rectangular steel piece on the table? I've seen it with the first GAK before....
+Scott Heming, the small metal piece is a guard for the saw blade. It clips over the edge to prevent accidental cutting when using the screwdriver tip or combo tool.
Thanks! I was kinda hoping for it to be a sort of manual blade block/lock - guess the later Trekker design is needed for that...
Shame you cannot buy a brand new 108 mm model nowadays, I know it is outdated but the quality via more modern day tech and keeping in even better conditions is really something I consider worthwhile, plus it looks really retro, it would work so well with my watch, old school Swiss Omax,no batteries what so ever & IMCO fluid lighter.
But then again the new modern is truly something awesome, but I do have some major questions and hope if you can help me out with some of them, from were did you purchase yours, is it army surplus and if so is it tarnished, was it used, does it lacks the Victorinox quality in any way if so or is it brand new, and if were can I get one, as I really want the same model as the German Army, the official Swiss GAK if you will,
Please do help!
I found the Victorinox 108mm GAK on eBay, brand new. That was close to six or seven years ago, however. They tend to show up often enough but can be quite pricey. A seller in the Untied Kingdom was also sells the red handled Safari 108mm knives on eBay. These are normally reasonably priced. You need to be careful these days because the 108mm GAKs are repros are being made in China and sell for around $7. I plan to buy one soon just to review the quality. I suggest searchign eBay using the search string "Victorinox 108mm GAK" or "Victorinox 108mm Safari" or "Victorinox 108mm Knife" Good luck!
I see found a new modern one like 2003 GAK military whole deal even the German flag logo, on Amazon do you think it is the real deal? www.amazon.com/Victorinox-One-Hand-Trekker-German-Multi-Tool/dp/B001B197RE/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1525988335&sr=1-1&keywords=german+army+knife
Yes and No. Victorinox sells the GAK on the civilian market as well as to the German Army. So it is the exact same knife as that issued in the German Army. But it is not an issued knife. That said, there is no way to tell the difference between a civilian purchased GAK and German Army Issued GAK. It's the same knife.
Either I want the one with whole German flag logo, so either way, I get a good deal but my main question do you think they are brand new or surplus, used the ones in the link?
They are new, never used, not surplus.
I'm pretty sure I bought it at Amazon. Thet was the lowest price I could find for a new one.
Not the only difference the symbol on the side is different too, I have the earlier one you shown first
It must be very slight. I can't tell the difference between the eagles on the handles between my two knives. But then my earliest 108mm knife is by CCM. It may not be as ealry as your earlier Victorinox. Thanks for the info. I'll be on the look out for an earlier, different eagle. Thanks also for watching and sharing this information.
nice vid, enjoyed it. just discovered these ''GAKs" gonna have to pic up a few. Where do u recommend finding them here online? thanks!
You can get the Victorinox German Army Knife from Amazon for about $40. There are also 5-6 very similar civilian versions with various features called Trekkers. I have The Victorinox GAK and love it, highly recommended. That main blade is razor sharp!
You never tryed the swiss army knife then. Best knife ever.
you can put one of those victorinox mini screwdrivers in those corkscrews
Can somebody please explain to me what the "reamer" blade is used for?
For drilling small holes.
metal file/metal saw should be added it can cut through sires and metals.
I'm guessing the German Military looked at cost and most needed items for daily tasks.
wow the saw has cap opener/can opener / and screw driver. they can add several other functions in that knife.
Nice, thank you!
You're slightly better off with the victorinox trekker/trailmaster because then you get the toothpick and tweezers.
+Tom Woodthorpe the military version lacks these I think primarily as a way to keep the cost down. I actually normally carry an outrider as it also comes with a pair of scissors which come in handy when dealing with fishing tackle. I do wish the Outrider included the file portion found on the older 108mm GAK.
I mentioned above how you can change it to accept toothpick and tweezers. Replace the scales or modify the original ones. The former is the easiest, but you have to buy scales, toothpick and tweezers. The later takes you have to be careful, but you only have to buy the toothpick and tweezers. It won't be stock any more, but it's your knife, your choice. I have been thinking about this option for a while and I'm going to modify mine. I have been waiting for some one to make "plus" scales for the Victorinox 111mm knives that hold not just toothpick and tweezers, but the pen and pin as well.
@@ScorpionRegent Cheaper just to buy a Classic SD and carry that as well, that's what I do. Weighs next to nothing and takes up hardly any space, plus you get the small but very effective scissors too!
take advantage of that nail file,and get rid of those long ass finger nails private pile.