The series of pocket knives with the numbers 70 - 76 was created in the 1920s. Over time, this series went through some changes and adjustments. This series is very closely related to the 50 number series. Both were created at the same time, had a similar design and addressed the same target group.
Victorinox pursued this parallel production of similarly constructed pocket knives in various sizes for various models. Some models of farmer's knives were produced in up to four different sizes. Even if these pocket knives were structurally similar, all parts had to be produced and assembled twice. The effort involved in production was correspondingly high. The further the automation of the processes progressed over time, the more expensive/unprofitable the continuation of parallel production lines became. This may also have been the reason why certain sizes disappeared over time.
The reason for producing different sizes of a pocket knife with a similar design in parallel was to meet as many customer requirements and wishes as possible. Added to this were the different materials and additional functions that could be ordered as desired.
The series of pocket knives from the 1970s basically consisted of seven different models, the numbers 70, 70/1, 72, 73, 74, 75 and 76. These models differed only in their functions, from a simple cutting blade to four different ones functions. Around 1936, the following choices were available for the 70 and 70/1 models: carbon steel (referred to as “ordinary steel”) with red, white and black scales, or rust-resistant steel with celluloid scales in imitation ivory or tortoise scale. In addition, all variations could be ordered with or without bails. This already accounted for 20 different variations. For models no. 70, no. 72 – no. 76, there were also seven variants of scale material available: oxidized black, imitation mother-of-pearl celluloid, horn, tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl, Jris and engine-turned steel. Models No. 74, No. 75, and No. 76 were not available in black oxidized. All models could be ordered with or without bails, those with mother-of-pearl and horn scales also came with toothpicks and tweezers. This makes another 98 variations. This resulted in a total of 118 different versions of the pocket knives of the 70 series, which could be ordered in these variations around 1936 (cf. cat. 1936).
If you transfer these numbers to the other series, you get thousands of different pocket knife designs at the time 1936.
In the course of time there were constant changes, new scale materials, other functions, changed construction methods, etc. In addition, there were very different company stamps used. This huge variety of designs and differences accounts for a significant part of the fascination, which is why Victorinox pocket knives are collected. You keep discovering new models, unknown designs, variations that you don't have yet.
The models no. 70 and no. 70/1, in the simple versions, appealed to the target group of pupils and students. Around 1950, carbon steel was only used for the 70/1 model, with black or red Cellidor scales, all other variations and models were made of stainless steel. The price difference between the two versions was CHF 0.20 (cf. cat. 1955).
Smooth aluminum scales were added for the first time in the 1950s, officially only for model no. 70. It was available in the standard colors silver, red with a cross, blue-green and gold, as well as red with a cross and the designation "Schwyz" on the scale and with "Schwyz" and "Wappen" (cf. cat. 1955). Soon after, the No. 70 model with aluminum scales became a popular promotional item. Any lettering could be added to it and it was inexpensive.
From 1957, models no. 70 and no. 70/1 came in versions with scales made of corrugated aluminum in the colors silver, red, gold, blue and green.
Over time, Victorinox discontinued many models from the 70 series, in particular models no. 73 – no. 76. Models no. 70, no. 70/1 and no. 72 lasted longer, although the latter has also been around since been out of production for some time. In addition to aluminium, nylon was also increasingly used as the scale material for models No. 70/1 and No. 70.
Overall, the series of pocket knives from the 1970s was a success history. The souvenir knives with aluminum scales of model no. 70 are particularly well known.