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Bantam

White Bantam with toothpick, tweezers and keyring 
Original image by meanx The Bantam (Cellidor scales) and Alox Bantam are slim 84mm Swiss Army Knives with just a single tool layer and no backside tools.


They are available with or without the keyring. The Alox model is extremely slim at just 6mm, and is barely noticeable in a pocket, and will fit neatly into a wallet.


Name / History Disambiguation:
There was an older Alox model that resembles the current Alox Bantam, but featuring a regular cap-lifter tool replacing the combo tool; and also an older dual-bladed model sometimes known as a 'Bantam' - See details below.
Logo on the Danish Bantam
Logo on the Danish Bantam

Layer Tools

Economy/Ecoline Bantam with no Toothpick or Tweezers
Economy/Ecoline Bantam with no Toothpick or Tweezers

Earlier similar, slim alox models were available, replacing the combo tool with the small blade or the cap-lifter.
- See History section below.

Scale Tools

Only in Cellidor scaled models:

Scales

Red Cellidor, or silver textured Alox. Older models featured the ribbed Alox scales.
Black or other Cellidor colours are uncommon but available, or have been previously available, at different times.

History

There was a much older Alox scaled model available with horizontally ribbed scales, but featuring a regular cap-lifter, rather than the combo-tool opener. This model was known as the Waiter at the time, (see this catalogue page and 2230xx Identifiers below), however, it more closely resembled the current Alox Bantam, and of course, the Waiter name was later used for different model. A Cellidor version of this model was also available.

An older slim, single-layer model was available with a small blade replacing the cap-lifter/combo tool (- see image below). Silver Alox scales were the norm on this model, however Cellidor scaled models (without t&t) were also manufactured. This model is like a broader version of the Pocket Pal. It was available in keyring/no keyring options. The US model code for the Alox/no keyring version was 55949. This variation was earlier known as the Bantam II in SAKWiki - But this was an incorrect name.

The original (Cellidor) Bantams were constructed with only three rivets, two containing scale attachment 'bushings'. This characteristic is due to the fact that there are no backside tools, making the extra rivet superfluous. The fourth rivet on a Cellidor model, when present, gives the knife more stability and provides a third attachment point for the scales. However recent Cellidor Bantams are now also made with four rivets, with three scale attachment bushings - in line with most other Swiss Army Knives, and making the scale attachment more secure.

The Alox Bantam had a period of limited availability in 2009/10/11, and it appeared that it may be withdrawn, however it is a currently available model (2025).

This model is also currently known as the Beer Waiter!!

Variations

  1. As part of the Victorinox Ecoline, Cellidor versions were produced with a hot-stamped shield logo, as well as without toothpick, tweezers, or keyring. Current Ecoline models have Nylon scales.
  2. The Zebra is an Ecoline variation of 2.2303.07[.R??] that has white nylon scales with a zebra print on the top scale, and a red shield printed on the bottom. This model was available in the South African market.
  3. The South Africa Tribe Series are Ecoline models with white nylon scales with a colorful print on the top scale of a member of the tribe or racial group, and a red Victorinox shield printed on the bottom. This model was available in the South African market. Note: The use of the term tribe for the groups of people in South Africa is considered by some to be very incorrect, because groups may not fit the standard definition of a tribe.
  4. in 2013 Victorinox Denmark made a special order of coloured Alox models in black and green, both featuring a red background shield. These are the first known coloured checker-textured Alox Bantams. The inclusion of the red-background shield with coloured Alox handles is also special, since this had only previously been done in 2012 for small special collector runs of other models. These versions do not include a keyring.
    From Hanne of Victorinox Denmark....
    The story behind this range of coloured alox models is one of frustration.
    In Denmark we have a very strict weapon laws. The maximum size of knife that one is allowed to carry is a 91mm SAK without a locking blade. Many of the Victorinox new or special models have one-hand opening knives and/or locking blades, both of which are forbidden in Denmark. So they are directed towards the big countries/markets.
    We got fed up watching products that could never reach the Danish users, so we decided to have Victorinox produce a small range for us in Denmark. Being just around 5,5 mill people here, we are painfully aware that Victorinox themselves were never going to develop anything especially for Denmark. These models will stay in our Denmark range, but the packaging will change to that of the normal silver boxing. ...

 

Different Bantam Scales and Versions
Different Bantam Scales and Versions

Physical Specifications

  • Length: 84mm

Cellidor Model:

  • Width: 11.3mm
  • Weight: 32.7g

Alox Model:

  • Width: 6mm
  • Weight: 29g

Identifiers

  • 0.2300.26: Silver Alox, no toothpick, tweezers or keyring (53949)
  • 0.2301.26: Silver Alox, includes keyring
  • 0.2303: Standard red Cellidor version includes keyring (53941)
  • 2.0500: Early ‘Economy’ version, silvered hot-stamped Elinox style shield, no toothpick, tweezers or keyring
  • 2.2300: Red Cellidor, vintage, Ecoline no toothpick, tweezers or keyring
  • 2.2300.23G: Denmark special run - Black Alox with red shield, no keyring
  • 2.2300.24G: Denmark special run - Green Alox with red shield, no keyring
  • 2.2302: Red Nylon, Ecoline no-keyring
  • 2.2303: Red Nylon, Ecoline
  • 2.2303.07: White Nylon, Ecoline, red screen print shield
Early Ribbed Alox Bantam
Original Ribbed Alox Bantam


Older Double-bladed 'Bantam' (aka. Bantam II)
Older Double-bladed 'Bantam' (aka. Bantam II)

US model numbers in brackets

Historical Model Codes: Early Alox Waiter models with cap-lifter

  • 2230r+: Red
  • 2230s+: Silver

South African Variations:
- Tribe Series – White Nylon scales with a colourful print of an African tribe on the top scale

  • 2.2303.103: Xhosa
  • 2.2303.104: Swazi
  • 2.2303.105: Bushmen/KhoiSan
  • 2.2303.106: Venda
  • 2.2303.108: Basotho
  • 2.2303.109: Ndebele

- Others: Red Cellidor scales; keyring; toothpick/tweezers; main blade etching of a .....

  • 0.2303.ZEB: ... Zebra
  • 0.2303.GIR: ... Giraffe
  • 0.2303.LEOP: ... Leopard

Related Models

  • My First Victorinox - Same tools, but with a round tipped blade
  • Watch Case Opener - Replaces the combo-tool with a watch-case opener
  • Apprentice - Adds a back-side Phillips screwdriver
  • Waiter - Adds a back-side corkscrew
  • Cadet - A similar, slim Alox scaled two-layer model; replacing the combo tool with the nail-file; adding the standard opener layer
  • Voyageur - Two-layers - Adds the scissors; Alox scales
  • Lumberjack - Two-layers - Adds a wood saw

Wenger

  • Premier - A unique Wenger branded model, but manufactured by Victorinox, with the Victorinox Bantam toolset
  • Picnic - The regular Wenger version of the Victorinox Bantam

Created by ICanFixThat. Last Modification: Wednesday 14 of May, 2025 07:23:55 CEST by Huntsman.

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