Swiss Army style knife ID?

[Radiator]

Hi all. I bought 3 of these knives off Spanish ebay a number of years ago and have been recently wondering if anyone has seen them before?
One was the same as this in the photos and the third had some sort of different tool, though I’ve given that one away at some point.
This one lives in the kitchen and comes in handy for letter opening.

 

[Tosh]

Hi all. I bought 3 of these knives off Spanish ebay a number of years ago and have been recently wondering if anyone has seen them before?
One was the same as this in the photos and the third had some sort of different tool, though I’ve given that one away at some point.
This one lives in the kitchen and comes in handy for letter opening.

View attachment 723972View attachment 723973

They are called GAK knives
Pretty certain I have a few in the loft
(ex- multitool & SAK collector)

 

[Tosh]

History​

The 108mm GAK was most likely a German Military design/specification, to which Victorinox may not have had a lot of input, just receiving a manufacturing contract, along with other military suppliers. See SOSAK article: German Army Knife Variants.

It was first issued in 1976, and continued to be used until 2003, with the introduction of the new 111 OH GAK. According to Victorinox, the GAK (0.8770.04) was only made by Victorinox from 1976 to 1986. From 1986 to 1997 Victorinox delivered parts for the knife to the Adler Messer GmbH company.

The 108mm platform is quite different to other Victorinox designs, and at first, it does not look like it really belongs. It was the first Victorinox knife to use Nylon scales rather than fiber or Cellidor, and introduced the unique wood saw/opener/screwdriver combo-tool, to which the file was added in 1985.

The design turned out to be a very good one of simplicity, excellent functionality and durability. With the manufacturing machinery in place, Victorinox expanded the range beyond the GAK, spawning a civilian version - the Trooper, and the rest of the Safari Series. The 108mm knives are admired by many, with all models now being collectible.

 

[Bighit]

They are what was known as the GAK but there is many makers of them .

SAKWiki | GAK

SAKWiki - The online Swiss Army Knife Encyclopedia. Information and Identification on Swiss Army Knives by Victorinox and Wenger.

www.sakwiki.com

There was also the Mauser.

SAKWiki | Mauser

SAKWiki - The online Swiss Army Knife Encyclopedia. Information and Identification on Swiss Army Knives by Victorinox and Wenger.

www.sakwiki.com

Info here on all the different versions .

https://www-kosa-net-pl.translate.goog/gak-german-army-knife?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp

 

[Bighit]

A Thread here about them.

Post in thread 'Mil-Tec German Army Penknife'

Sep 28, 2024

Mines a very old and battered Mauser. Had this about 40 years, I don't even remember where I got it Seems mine has an extra blade?

View attachment 575024

The Mauser came with two knife blades , it's a different knife to the GAK.

SAKWiki | Mauser

SAKWiki - The online Swiss Army Knife Encyclopedia. Information and Identification on Swiss Army Knives by Victorinox and Wenger.

www.sakwiki.com

The Victorinox Mauser Swiss Army Knife is a 108mm model that was made for the German market, where the Mauser company is a prominent firearms manufacturer. Victorinox licensed the Mauser name, and the knife was sold along side Mauser products. The knife is based on the German Army...

• Bighit

•