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Soldier 2008

New Victorinox 2008 Soldier Design In 2008 Victorinox released a re-designed Soldier (aka. the Soldier Knife) based on the earlier 111mm OH-GAK (One Handed German Army Knife), and introduced new green dual density scales with embossed grip sections, that had a softer velvety feel compared to the standard 111mm scales.

The new model featured a one-handed-opening and locking blade, which is partially serrated on the forward section, the plain edge starting at the tang. The prominent hole near the top of the spine serves as a thumb catch that allows the blade to be easily deployed with one hand. The model incorporated a new locking screwdriver which is considerably stronger than its predecessor, and when combined with its solid liner-lock, functions well as a small prying tool. A wood-saw was also added to the Soldier's tool set, which was a much sought after feature of the original GAK.

The Soldier model has been issued to several other military and service organisations in addition to the Swiss military.
Liner Lock for Blade
Liner-Lock for the Main Blade

Layer Tools

Liner Locking Caplifter / Prybar
Locking Caplifter / Prybar

The year of production (YY) is stamped on the tang of the main blade eg '09' for 2009.

Back Layer Tools

Scale Tools

None

Scales

This model was the first to feature new dual density scales that are green and black.
Victorinox reported the handles are injection molded with Polyamide 6 and TPE-U for the softer green colored material.

History

In 2008, following requirements from, and negotiations with, the Swiss Federal Department of Defense for a new Soldier knife, the existing Alox 1961 Soldier was retired, and this new 111mm design was introduced.
Victorinox reported that the contract for the new Soldier Knife, consisted of an order for 75,000 Soldier knives, plus cases, worth CHF 1.38 million.
The new Soldier Knife was slated to be issued to troops during the first basic training sessions of 2009. The earliest versions of this knife have an '08 ' tang stamp.
Prior to the release of the 2008 Soldier, Victorinox had developed a liner-locking system and released the regular Trailmaster model, and several other 111mm models featuring the new locking blade and cap-lifter. These new capabilities were incorporated into the 2008 Soldier.
The liner-lock design was also used in the updated 111mm One-Handed German Army Knife, known as the OH-GAK.

Additional Information

For additional information on the history, variations and markings of the Soldier - See the 1890 and 1961 Soldier pages.

Variations

  1. In mid 2009 Victorinox made a special run of 100 knives for Swiss Bianco with a plain-edged main blade, corkscrew, and 09  tang stamp. Some were produced without the 09 on the tang.
  2. A special First Production Run  limited edition model was released specifically for collectors with the much sought after year 08  tang stamp, and First Production Run / n of 1000 U.S.A.  printed on the blade.
  3. In 2008 Victorinox produced a special military limited edition (0.8461.LTD08) of 100 knives exclusively for the Italian market. The knife's blade was etched lengthwise nn/100  with 08  on the tang. It came in a military style brown wooden box with a numbered guarantee certificate that matched the number on the blade and signed by M. Kunzi, Victorinox's distributor for Italy.
  4. In July 2010 a very limited edition of 25 knives was produced with a special 1291  crest on the scales, and a serial number 25/n  stamped on the blade. The tang stamp was10, for 2010, the year of production.
  5. The first 2011 Soldier to appear is a special Swiss Soldier with a corkscrew instead of a Phillips screwdriver. This special edition was created for the Swiss military association for non-commissioned officers ASSO (Yverdon-les-Bains region), is numbered, and limited to 100 pieces. It is unknown if special editions were created for other chapters of ASSO. There is also a non-limited special edition of the Soldier 2008 model (03.336) with a corkscrew instead of a Phillips screwdriver, produced for one of the Swiss army supply stores.
  6. In 2012 in the Damascus series was released a Swiss Soldier model with the Damascus steel blade and Swiss Walnut wooden scales (0.8461.J12). Sometimes reffered to as the One-Handed Trailmaster/Trekker model, but the knife white cardboard transportation box was labeled as "Swiss Soldier's Knife w/Damascus blade walnut, LimitedEdition2012".
  7. In 2016, the Soldier 2008 model variation 'Combat Knife' (0.8461.MWUS) with a black blade and tools, and also 'U.S.' lettering on the front scale was released for the U.S. army. It has been approved by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and the NSN # 1095-01-653-1166 was assigned to it.


The Soldier model has been issued to several other military and service organisations in addition to the Swiss military - Some images here in the SAKWiki military models gallery.

1291 Limited Edition
1291 Limited Edition

Physical Specifications

  • Length: 111mm
  • Width: 17.7mm
  • Weight: 128.9g

Identifiers

  • 0.8461.MWCH: Standard model; Green/black scales (US Model Number: 53945)
  • 0.8461.J12: Limited Edition 2012 with the Damascus steel blade
  • 0.8461.MW04DE: 111mm GAK
  • 0.8461.MWUS: U.S. Combat Knife, NSN # 1095-01-653-1166
  • 03.336: Special edition, a corkscrew instead of a Phillips screwdriver

  • 54945: First production run variation; green/black scales; with an 08 tang stamp - (US Model Number)

Related Models

  • Soldier 1961 - The previous 93mm Alox scaled Soldier's Knife
  • Soldier 1951 - 93mm fiber handled Soldier's Knife with bolsters
  • Soldier Model 1890 - The original 100mm Soldier Knife
  • Master RT - Replaces the wood saw with a metal-saw/file; grey and black dual density scales
  • Trailmaster (Trekker in N.A.) - A predecessor and civilian version of this knife - includes the OH GAK

Victorinox 111mm Linerlock Model Comparison

Created by ICanFixThat. Last Modification: Wednesday 24 of January, 2024 23:44:09 CET by Huntsman.

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