history
The model no. 234, originally released as model no. 205, is probably the most well-known model from Victorinox. The history began in 1897 when the "Swiss Officer's and Sports Knives" were registered as a design protection. The screwdriver was accordingly provided with the lettering "Gesetzlich Geschützt" to indicate this protection. This model went through many changes and each individual tool was constantly further developed and perfected, so that the pocket knife known today under the name " Spartan " has little in common with this original model from 1897, apart from the size of 91 mm.
Fiber was originally the classic scale material, followed later by celluloid and cellidor. However, there were also many variants with different materials, with or without brackets, with toothpicks/tweezers, with advertising lettering, etc. What has remained is the great popularity and notoriety of Victorinox ' flagship product. As before, you get a loyal companion for many years with outstanding properties for relatively little money.
functional parts
This classic army knife features a large and small cutting blade, a can opener and a screwdriver/bottle opener, and an awl and corkscrew on the back.
material thickness
Big cutting blade: 3.0 mm (later 2.5 – 2.7 mm); small cutting blade: 2.0 mm (later 1.7 mm); Screwdriver: 2.8 mm (later 2.2 mm; even later: 2.0 mm); Can opener: 2.5 mm (later 2.2 mm; even later: 2.0 mm); Awl: 3.0 mm (later 2.3 mm; even later: 2.0 mm); Corkscrew: 3.2 mm (later 2.8 mm; even later: 2.5 mm)
construction
With the 2-ply model no. 234, the large cutting blade and screwdriver (from around 1952 the can opener) turn around the head rivet, the small cutting blade and the can opener (from around 1952 the screwdriver) around the base rivet. A middle rivet fixes the corkscrew and awl, a 4th rivet the two back springs. The optional bracket/key ring is fixed with the foot rivet.
scale material
Victorinox produced the model no. 205/no. 234 with fiber, mother-of-pearl, tortoisescale, celluloid/ cellidor, horn and staghorn scales.
Liners/spacers/rivets
The boards were originally made of aluminum or brass, later also of German silver; the rivets made of steel, brass or German silver, and the spacers made of brass, steel, German silver or aluminium.
Trade names: Spartan, Camper