No. 320 - No. 327 serie

Victorinox has been producing a series of pocket knives called “mechanic’s knives” and “professional knives for electricians”, which included very special tools. The series first appeared in the catalog in 1942. These pocket knives were only available with carbon steel tools and only with red fiber scales. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) seem to have been a big buyer of these special pocket knives, because many of these pocket knives have a corresponding engraving on the scales.

The tools were used in particular for stripping cables and turning and adjusting instruments and devices, for which purpose special long screwdrivers were used. All models could still be ordered up until 1964. In the 1969 catalogue, some models were sold out and the others were still available while stocks lasted. It is unclear why these pocket knives were no longer produced. Compared to other pocket knife series, there was no counterpart in a different size with the same tools. As a result, it can be assumed that demand was simply too low.

Although this pocket knife series did not officially come with tools and back springs made of stainless steel, models with tools made of the same steel do appear from time to time. Since the size 91 mm was available in different lines of pocket knives, tools from other series were probably used, such as the No. 304 – No. 318 series, whereby at most the awl, the saw or the large cutting blade could be used, since all others Tools like this could not be found in any other series.

history

Since the hihistory of all these pocket knives in the series is very similar, it can be summarized. All models appear in the catalog for the first time in 1942 and disappear completely again in 1969, as only 2 models could then be ordered while stocks lasted.

Nothing is known about the configuration of the No.321 and No.323 model numbers. The model no. 321 appears once in the catalog in 1964, the number 323 never at all. Also special is that the number 320/1-piece was used for the model with a single blade. This designation also appears in the catalog for the first time in 1964. The other numbers were probably already assigned, because the two models No. 320 and No. 320/1-piece. little in common. However, it can be assumed that this model was the only one added to the series at a later point in time. Apparently there was a need for just that one special blade, which doesn't appear in any other series.

functional parts

No. 320; 3 layers: large fitter cutting blade; 2 screwdrivers; awl

No. 320/1 piece; 1-layer: Large cutting blade

No. 322; 4 layers: large fitter cutting blade; 2 screwdrivers; 1 awl; 1 saw

No. 324; 3 layers: large cutting blade; 2 screwdrivers; curved hook

No. 325; 4 layers: large cutting blade; 2 screwdrivers; curved hook; saw

No. 326; 4 layers: large cutting blade; 2 screwdrivers; curved hook; awl

No. 327; 5 layers: large cutting blade; 2 screwdrivers; curved hook; Awl; saw

material thickness

Large cutting blade: 2.4 mm; Awl: 1.8 mm; curved hook: 2.0 mm; wide screwdriver: 2.0 mm; narrow screwdriver: 2.0 mm; saw: 1.7 mm; Fitter cutting blade: 2.4 mm

construction

The Model No. 320/1-piece is a 1-layer pocket knife with the only tool, the assembler's cutting blade, rotating around the head rivet. All other pocket knives in the series have at least 3 layers. They all have the 2 layers with the two different screwdrivers, which make up the top two layers. The bottom layer always consists of a large cutting blade and an awl or the curved hook. With the 4-layer models and model no. 327 (5-layer), the saw is added as a separate layer and/or the curved hook also as a separate layer. Like the awl, this revolves around the base rivet, all other tools around the head rivet. The center rivet fixes all back springs.

scale material

Only red fiber was used as the scale material.

Liners/spacers/rivets

The liners are made of steel, as are the rivets, with the head and foot rivets being coated in brass. The intermediate layers are made of brass.