Some people classify the Standard Issue as the civilian version of the Soldat, as it contains a bail mounted in the hollow end-rivet, which was never included on issued Soldier Knives.
This is the only 93mm Alox scaled model that was manufactured by Wenger. After 2008, Wenger continued to manufacture this model for civilian retail markets. Since it is was no longer an official Soldier Knife after 2008, Wenger started to refer to the model as the Swiss Army 70.
Retired
Layer Tools
Wenger 100th Anniversary Limited Edition Standard Issue
|
- Large drop-point blade
- Reamer / Awl
- Bottle-opener - with large screwdriver and wire stripper
- Can-opener – with small slotted/Phillips screwdriver
The year of issue/manufacture is stamped on the reverse of the main blade tang.
Non-layer Tools
- Bail and hollow rivet for lanyard attachment
Scale Tools
None - The military knives did not include the popular toothpick and tweezers of the civilian knives, presumably because they are not considered necessary for a soldier, and could be too easily lost in the field. This would also make the manufacturing of the Alox scales easier.
Scales
Silver textured Alox, red Swiss shield.
History
Wenger has been producing Soldat models since approximately 1908.
This model, with the new 1961 design specification for the Swiss Army's Soldier Knife, replaced the Wenger Soldat 1951, and was manufactured to this specification, under contract to the Swiss Army/government, by both Wenger and Victorinox. It was first issued in 1962. In 2008 this model was replaced by the Swiss Army with a new design, that was manufactured solely by Victorinox.
For more details on the evolution of this model see the Victorinox 1961 Solider page, and External Resources below.
The Wenger 1961 Soldat is an interesting model in the Wenger product line! Since it is based on specifications that were developed by Victorinox and the Swiss Army, it has several unusual components that do not feature on any other Wenger models:
- The aluminium, or Alox, handles
- The can-opener: This tool design was patented by Victorinox and featured in virtually all their larger models. Common understanding is that Victorinox supplied these parts to Wenger at cost, throughout the life of this Wenger Soldat model!
- Similarly, the reamer/awl is of the design found on Victorinox Alox scaled models
Even though this model is based on a Victorinox design, Wenger managed to make it their own by keeping the hollow rivet, which usually came with a bail. - Although solid rivet versions were also made - as can be seen in the image. Other subtle differences in manufacturing over the years also are visible in the knives. See Manufacturer Differences above and the article in External Resources below.
Since the tools were issued to soldiers, in part to maintain their firearms, they were under the supervision of the Waffenkontrolle (weapons control), and early models contain their approved stamp on the scales. See Wiki Victorinox Soldier 1890, Soldier 1961 pages, and external articles WaffenKontrol, Soldier 1961 for additional information.
As it was a successful item in the Wenger product line, they continued to produce it after 2008 for general purchase.
Since it was no longer a military issue knife, it did not have the year stamped on the tang (right image), and Wenger called it the Swiss Army 70.
Manufacturer Differences
The Wenger SI and the Victorinox Soldier 1961 are both manufactured to the same Swiss Military specifications. However they differ somewhat: The Standard Issue’s blade shape is slightly different, and the reamer is ground to more of a point. Also Victorinox never attached a bail to the hollow rivet, and stopped using it after 1994.
For a detailed comparison see the Swiss Army Knights article below.
Variations
- The Limited Edition Soldier Knife - 100 year Anniversary (1891-1990) has engraving on the main blade with the text 100 JAHRE, and an image including the Swiss crossbow with some foliage (see picture above). It was sold in a luxury grey, leather wrapped, presentation case, with a serial numbered, signed, certificate of authentication. Although this model commemorates 100 years of the Soldier Knife, Wenger (and its predecessors) were not manufacturing the Soldier Knife in 1891!
Three versions were available:- Gold shield; 90 stamped on the tang; hollow rivet/no bail; brass liner and spacer
- Red shield; 90 stamped on the tang; hollow rivet/no bail
- Red shield; 91 stamped on the tang; hollow rivet/no bail
- 1893 was the year Wenger’s predecessors first formed a company. The Limited Edition Wenger 100 Year Anniversary model features blade etching, with an image including the text 100 1893 ANS 1993, and a 92 blade tang stamp. This edition included the bail, and was sold in a luxury leather wrapped presentation case. The packaging was identical to the Soldier Knife 100th Anniversary Limited Edition.
- Some knives were manufactured without the Wenger stamp or year on the blade tang. These were apparently manufactured in error, then sold though the company store, although some have been reported to be sold through other outlets, maybe before the error was discovered!
- The Swiss Army 70 sans croix version, without the Swiss shield/emblem manufactured in July 2012, was most likely the last version of the 1961 Soldat to leave the factory. Without the iconic red shield, this version looks more like an early Alox model, but it has the bail and the Wenger stamp on the tang. In some strange, or maybe natural way, this seems like an appropriate 'good-bye' to a legend, even if Wenger was just trying to use up as much extra stock as possible!
Physical Specifications
- Length: 93mm / 3.625in
- Weight: 2.4 ounces
The Soldat (and Victorinox Soldier) is listed,in error, as a 91mm model in some official documentation!
Identifiers
- 1.70.01: Soldat/Swiss Army 70
- 1.70.00: Soldat/Swiss Army 70 - without bail
- 1.070.001.000: Swiss Army 70 (newer number format when Wenger moved to 3 digit groups)
- 1.070.001.000.01: Swiss Army 70 sans croix
US Model Number:
- 16520: Regular model
Related Models
- 1951 Soldat/Soldier - The 93mm 1951 design, fibre handled Wenger Soldat
- 1890 Standard Issue - The original Wenger Soldier knife design in a 100mm frame
- Soldier 1961 - Victorinox's 93mm 1961 Soldier is almost identical
External Resources
- SwissArmyKnights: Pre Shield Years, January 1st, 2011
- SwissArmyKnights: Swiss Army - The Red Years, December 2nd, 2010
- SwissArmyKnights: Soldier Variants, Part II, April 1st, 2008
- SOSAK: Soldier Variants, August 26, 2006 - Broken Link
- SwissArmyKnights: The Victorinox Soldier vs. The Wenger Standard Issue, November 21st, 2005
- SwissArmyKnights: Wenger Grilon 1964 knife, July 1st, 2010
- Swissknives.info: Soldier 1961