Tools from the old world

[Dave455]

I used to have their bit set, I think it's not longer available. Stahlwille looks quite similar . They probably used the same suppliers which honestly surprised me.

Most of the Stahlwille bits are (or were) made in Germany. Not sure by who, but maybe Witte or Felo.

Don’t know what possessed them to offer this, obviously rebranded, set under their own name.

The cheapest sets will get the most publicity, and before you know it most of your customers will think all your bits are bought in from the cheapest supplier, even if they are not!

 

[Monte]

I have Stahlwille pick set, which is also made in China, but it is great quality. I even prefer it to my PB Swiss. Anyway one must be careful and check COO.

their tool boxes are from china now too ......... :-(

Most of the Stahlwille bits are (or were) made in Germany. Not sure by who, but maybe Witte or Felo.

Don’t know what possessed them to offer this, obviously rebranded, set under their own name.

The cheapest sets will get the most publicity, and before you know it most of your customers will think all your bits are bought in from the cheapest supplier, even if they are not!

this one looks familiar:



this one not so much......



..... but made in Germany by Schröder (Peddinghaus/MOB): (i guess / or they have the same plastic box supplier)
https://oxomi.com/p/1616673/catalog/10456460?page=333&oxDeeplink=e30=
page 343 in their catalog








UVEX work gloves





now available at the "Obi" stores

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[four.cycle]

^ thanks. I don't have enough "Austria" stuff in the list.

 

[Monte]

NOS rotring writing tools

 

[Qualitytools]

NOS rotring writing tools

Cool, where are they made Monte?

 

[F-22]

Got a Trailmaster today. Quite happy with it, my main gripe with Swiss army knives was always how hard they are to open. They had some of these solutions for a long while now, but on limited models - in many ways Victorinox is a very traditional brand that likes to do things their own way (like the side "switch" blade lock), except when they decide to make niche innovative things alongside their standard lineup.

They embrace some widely accepted solutions with this model. The main blade is really easy to open. The blade lock is a standard liner lock. What is amazing to me is that for some reason, these 111mm Victorinox blade liner locks are made for left handed people - it feels amazing to be able to operate it completely one handed to me compared to other knives. This style knife is practically the standard army issue knife in Switzerland and I think also in Germany - is it maybe some army requirement that they shouldn't be easy to close by right handed people? Or an even bigger knife community conspiracy? Either way, this is one of the very few knives made for us lefties, and I had no idea at all until I opened the package today. The big screwdriver/pry bar/bottle opener also has a liner lock. It also skips a bottle opener for a PH2 which I really appreciate.

Finishing is impeccable, everything seems tight and smooth. The awl is hard to open up with a nail, as is standard with these, but the other implements aren't too terrible to get out. Main blade is half-serrated. I use their pairing knives in the kitchen all the time, they are wicked sharp and am happy to have that same durable edge here too, though I'm sure a lot of people would prefer a plain edge.

 

[Monte]

Cool, where are they made Monte?

The visupoint pens are made in germany, the visupencils doesn´t have a coo.







Belzer catalog from 1968

 

[Monte]

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

(…)
What is amazing to me is that for some reason, these 111mm Victorinox blade liner locks are made for left handed people - it feels amazing to be able to operate it completely one handed to me compared to other knives. This style knife is practically the standard army issue knife in Switzerland and I think also in Germany - is it maybe some army requirement that they shouldn't be easy to close by right handed people? Or an even bigger knife community conspiracy? (…)

It’s been a long, long time since I handled one of these. So I had to go out to the car and fish my ‘Rescue Tool’ out of the glove box. It confirmed what I was about to write. The Victorinox liner lock has always been working in the opposite direction of what you would expect from a liner or frame lock. Personally being right handed, I have absolutely zero issues disengaging that lock. With the ‘oversize’ release tab, my guess is that it was simply safer for those using these with sturdy work gloves, think: firefighters, ems, soldiers, (…) … and prevent accidental closing. Probably debatable all in all, but it is what it is.

And especially for the German military, those ‘GAK 3‘ and ‘GAK 4’ type knives that were introduced around 2009 iirc are pure ’gold’ compared to the prior model that was introduced mid ‘70ties iirc. (Not that it was a bad knife per se, still a SAK/ Swiss made if you were lucky, but just completely outdated and close to unusable with gloves. Still, keep in mind those are still considered utility knives as far as the German military is concerned.)

So, no knife collector conspiracy, just as it has always been with the Victorinox liner locks.



Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Stubby1743]

Belzer No.2456 off-set needle nose pliers. These date to pre 1964.

 

[snowblindb]

I live in a apartment and my garage (and tools) is a few blocks away... So this is my grab’n go tool box that lives inside my home, so no need to go to the garage for small tasks. Tools are mainly from old world like myself. They are in Milwaukee Packout but I want to do it in Festool Systainer later, so I can attach it to my Festool CXS.

 

[Dave455]

……What is amazing to me is that for some reason, these 111mm Victorinox blade liner locks are made for left handed people - it feels amazing to be able to operate it completely one handed to me compared to other knives. This style knife is practically the standard army issue knife in Switzerland and I think also in Germany - is it maybe some army requirement that they shouldn't be easy to close by right handed people? Or an even bigger knife community conspiracy? Either way, this is one of the very few knives made for us lefties, and I had no idea at all until I opened the package today. The big screwdriver/pry bar/bottle opener also has a liner lock. It also skips a bottle opener for a PH2 which I really appreciate.

Finishing is impeccable, everything seems tight and smooth. The awl is hard to open up with a nail, as is standard with these, but the other implements aren't too terrible to get out. Main blade is half-serrated. I use their pairing knives in the kitchen all the time, they are wicked sharp and am happy to have that same durable edge here too, though I'm sure a lot of people would prefer a plain edge.

It’s been a long, long time since I handled one of these. So I had to go out to the car and fish my ‘Rescue Tool’ out of the glove box. It confirmed what I was about to write. The Victorinox liner lock has always been working in the opposite direction of what you would expect from a liner or frame lock. Personally being right handed, I have absolutely zero issues disengaging that lock. With the ‘oversize’ release tab, my guess is that it was simply safer for those using these with sturdy work gloves, think: firefighters, ems, soldiers, (…) … and prevent accidental closing. Probably debatable all in all, but it is what it is.

And especially for the German military, those ‘GAK 3‘ and ‘GAK 4’ type knives that were introduced around 2009 iirc are pure ’gold’ compared to the prior model that was introduced mid ‘70ties iirc. (Not that it was a bad knife per se, still a SAK/ Swiss made if you were lucky, but just completely outdated and close to unusable with gloves. Still, keep in mind those are still considered utility knives as far as the German military is concerned.)

So, no knife collector conspiracy, just as it has always been with the Victorinox liner locks.



Kind regards,
Olli

I’ve noticed this with the Victorinox liner locks.

I must admit, I don’t really like liner locks anyway, although the Victorinox give a lot of capability in a light package.

The liner locks are not the only ones. The new ”Pioneer X”, and it’s relatives, need to have the scissors opened with your left hand.

It’s not a major problem, other tools such as the bottle opener / large screwdriver, need to be opened the same way, but when you have been accessing Victorinox scissors with your right hand all your life, it takes getting used to!

 

[Qualitytools]

I live in a apartment and my garage (and tools) is a few blocks away... So this is my grab’n go tool box that lives inside my home, so no need to go to the garage for small tasks. Tools are mainly from old world like myself. They are in Milwaukee Packout but I want to do it in Festool Systainer later, so I can attach it to my Festool CXS.

You have a good selection of quality tools. Thanks for sharing

 

[F-22]

I’ve noticed this with the Victorinox liner locks.

I must admit, I don’t really like liner locks anyway, although the Victorinox give a lot of capability in a light package.

The liner locks are not the only ones. The new ”Pioneer X”, and it’s relatives, need to have the scissors opened with your left hand.

It’s not a major problem, other tools such as the bottle opener / large screwdriver, need to be opened the same way, but when you have been accessing Victorinox scissors with your right hand all your life, it takes getting used to!

Man, I really want an Alox version. Especially when that red wears off a bit, that's such a cool little pocket knife!

 

[Dave455]

Man, I really want an Alox version. Especially when that red wears off a bit, that's such a cool little pocket knife!

They are among my favourites!

Not only is the alox more durable than the celidor, but they are a little bit bigger / more solid too.

That particular one is the 2025 limited edition - the picture was taken under artificial light and isn’t quite accurate. In daylight it’s a sort of peach colour!

 

[Dave455]

Man, I really want an Alox version. Especially when that red wears off a bit, that's such a cool little pocket knife!

The red has changed over the years.

Far left is an older “Farmer” from the 1980’s. I bought one of these at the time, and loved it so much I acquired the spare you see here! Note the older logo and the brass pins.

Second from right is the current slightly darker red.

Far right is the limited edition 2018 - bright red.

 

[FigN⋅m]

Swiss Multi-tool

Heck, I can even turn a slotted screw into a Phillips if I whack it hard enough

 

[F-22]

The red has changed over the years.

Far left is an older “Farmer” from the 1980’s. I bought one of these at the time, and loved it so much I acquired the spare you see here! Note the older logo and the brass pins.

Second from right is the current slightly darker red.

Far right is the limited edition 2018 - bright red.

Man, I think you just dropped me into a new obsession

Look at this cool one I saw on ebay for 120€

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

The ‘Midshipman’. Cool! ( https://sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Midshipman )

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Dave455]

Man, I think you just dropped me into a new obsession

Look at this cool one I saw on ebay for 120€

Yes, as Olli says, the ”Midshipman”.

These are fairly rare. I don’t believe they were on general sale in all markets. In fact, I know they were not.

In the U.K. back in the day, the only 93mm alox knives that were in the catalogue were the “Farmer”, “Pioneer” and “Soldier”. I’m sure knives like the ”Midshipman” could have been ordered, but in those pre internet days, most folks didn’t know they existed.

I have a similar “First Mate” from the limited run Victorinox produced about ten years ago. Those marlin spikes are incredible tools on a knife so compact - fantastic design by Victorinox, but I seldom carry mine as the value has shot up so much!

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

First you would have had to know that they made (and make to this day) a lot more knives than the ‘Bestsellers’/‘Evergreens’ you could get almost everywhere. And then you would have to had access to their massive catalog. Which every dealer should have had, but honestly except the old-school cutlery stores, no one bothered with.

I have my own personal story with Victorinox. I had to have one as a kid and got my first when I was about 6 years old. In 1998 when I was almost 12, I send Victorinox a drawing I had made. They kindly replied and gifted me a ‘Huntsman’ with camouflage scales. I had never seen the Victorinox camouflage scales before, but the one thing I remember from my drawing is that it specified ‘camouflage scales’. So I was stoked they made me one. Much later I found out that they actually did offer these scales in other markets. Although I don’t know if they did back in ‘98. But my guess is, they did - as they probably didn’t set up machinery to produce a pair of scales for a 12 years old boy. … They also send me a big envelope packed with information about the brand, stickers, postcards, flyers, (…).

Back in that day, my big dream was also owning one of their fabulous ‘point of sale display cabinets’.

So here’s the ‘Huntsman‘ they gifted to me. I retired it in ‘19 because of ever changing regulations around knives, I couldn’t bear loosing this. I fitted it with new camouflage scales and put it in my table top display - with a couple of knives that were important enough to me to keep. (And obviously those I EDC.) (Yes, I obviously kept the original/used scales. )





Having been a knife collector, I at some point got the opportunity to own this as well, although that was not from the time when I was a kid. Already shows the only much later introduced leather cases with the metal emblem. So I sold it at some point as it wasn’t that important to me anymore. Would have been different if it had been an older ’time period correct’ one.





What I deeply love about the Victorinox brand to this day, and that never changed for me, no matter what type/brand of knife - or custom knife - I carried, was the message they set out about a knife being a useful tool. Nothing more, nothing less. Adventure, family, being prepared. The display brings that across nicely.

And while I can only shake my head regarding the ‘Swiss knife-less’ that is about to hit markets (maybe it is already there, never looked since I’m not interested.) I guess it’s where we at regarding knife regulations in so many places these days. And I will stop here, for not breaking any GJ rules. So please, just forget that I wrote that.

All in all, great memories and Victorinox is an excellent brand.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Monte]

Stanley level









Stanley fabrication francaise:

Fabrication Française

Chaque année, nos trois usines situées à Arbois, Besançon et Feuquières, produisent des millions d'outils de haute qualité, tels que des mesures, niveaux, pinces, tournevis, scies et servantes.

www.stanleyoutillage.fr

 

[Snakevz]

Borrowed my Lux (Weicon) cabble stripper to a coleague from fork but little tab that keeps it closed somehow broke so he wanted to buy a replacement tool for it. He payed for what Lux costs and I payed the rest and bought this Knipex I've wanted. I've got "discount", he still has Lux which is functional besides being unable to stay closed, and if he'll need something that I can borrow to him, I know we will manage something if it breaks... Win-win

What I like in this stripper is that it combines prevoiusly mentioned Lux stripper (for low voltage cables-230-400V I'm mostly working with, up to 13mm diameter), with longitudinal stripping of my Jokari No28H and coax/LAN cable stripping of Jokari No1 that I have, plus not as important but it is here- wire stripping up to 4 mm2. As my back started feeling weight of a toolbag I'm starting downsizing it step by step

 

[KnurledNut]

Stanley level









Stanley fabrication francaise:

Fabrication Française

Chaque année, nos trois usines situées à Arbois, Besançon et Feuquières, produisent des millions d'outils de haute qualité, tels que des mesures, niveaux, pinces, tournevis, scies et servantes.

www.stanleyoutillage.fr

Looks like a well crafted level.
How accurate does the top vial read against itself if rotated 180°?

 

[jgeoffr]

A few German-made/designed items from good ol' Amazon.sa.

A couple Rennsteig notching pliers in 20mm and 26mm widths - $25/ea


Wera Tools Belt B 2 Zyklop 3/8" Hex-Plus set - $26.50

 

[silkman]

Stanley level









Stanley fabrication francaise:

Fabrication Française

Chaque année, nos trois usines situées à Arbois, Besançon et Feuquières, produisent des millions d'outils de haute qualité, tels que des mesures, niveaux, pinces, tournevis, scies et servantes.

www.stanleyoutillage.fr

Hey Monte,

Here's the one you bought, only about 40-50 years older.

 

[Monte]

Looks like a well crafted level.
How accurate does the top vial read against itself if rotated 180°?

the website only states 0,05 mm/meter. Usually it´s less precise rotated. Stabilas are usually 0,50mm and 0,75mm rotated. I dunno if 0,05 is a misprint..... ?

Hey Monte,

Here's the one you bought, only about 40-50 years older.

wow cool !!!!!! Looking good !!!





Connex pump oiler

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Here’s a well used, almost ‘vintage’, Raaco Compact 20 toolbox from the depths of my storage room.

Closed, lids locked, handles in ‘store’ position.



Handles in position to open lids.



Tray.



Tray handle extended and tray removed.



Closed, lids locked, handles in carry position.



—








Kind regards,
Olli

 

[F-22]

I’ve noticed this with the Victorinox liner locks.

I must admit, I don’t really like liner locks anyway, although the Victorinox give a lot of capability in a light package.

The liner locks are not the only ones. The new ”Pioneer X”, and it’s relatives, need to have the scissors opened with your left hand.

It’s not a major problem, other tools such as the bottle opener / large screwdriver, need to be opened the same way, but when you have been accessing Victorinox scissors with your right hand all your life, it takes getting used to!

I caved in.





Quality seems to be second to none. Most implements on the Alox are a beefed up version of the regular models, the knife is also a bit thicker...

 

[KnurledNut]

Maillon Rapide quick links, Made in France:
https://www.peguet.com/peguet-maillons-rapides
https://www.peguet.com/self-certified-maillon-rapide-quick-links/standard-maillon-rapide

 

[KnurledNut]

Etic Watch Case Scoop, made in Switzerland:
(An original tool with hollowed-out cylindrical blade in hardened steel. Use a rolling motion to open snap-back watch case backs. Aluminum handle. Length 130mm.)

 

[Dave455]

I caved in.





Quality seems to be second to none. Most implements on the Alox are a beefed up version of the regular models, the knife is also a bit thicker...

I don’t think you can go wrong with any alox SAK. You’re right about the quality, but the utility you get for the weight / bulk is superb also.

Must admit I’m generally a buyer of the limited editions too. Not always (depends on the colour) but I like this one,

 

[Monte]

some of the Bosch news:

 

[Chris F]

Do you know if these will these be available in the US?

 

[101% Loko]

PB Swiss 6400 Multicraft Torx Screwdrivers T6-T20
Made in 1995/96





Torx T8 Wiha x PbSwiss x Wera x Gedore

 

[F-22]

I don’t think you can go wrong with any alox SAK. You’re right about the quality, but the utility you get for the weight / bulk is superb also.

Must admit I’m generally a buyer of the limited editions too. Not always (depends on the colour) but I like this one,

It was 75€ for the limited edition, quite a bit more than the silver standard model on amazon for around 40€. But well worth it in my opinion, it's unique and exceptional and a lot of work goes into it. Way more basic knives sell for way more money...

 

[Monte]

Do you know if these will these be available in the US?

i dunno - but as far as i can see all other 12 volt tools are also available in the USA. So i guess these will follow sooner or later.






Bosch GEX 12V-125 5" 12 volt orbital sander

 

[acer66]

i dunno - but as far as i can see all other 12 volt tools are also available in the USA. So i guess these will follow sooner or later.






Bosch GEX 12V-125 5" 12 volt orbital sander

Lowes has one.
12-Volts Brushless Variable Speed Random orbital Cordless Sander with Dust Management https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bosch-12V-Max-Brushless-5-In-Random-Orbit-Sander-Bare-Tool/5002185097

 

[acer66]