The Victorinox Battle of St. Jakob is a special collector's 91mm Swiss Army Knife released in 1987, with a tool configuration very close to the Passenger model.

This model was the fifth member of the Swiss Battle Series, all of which featured a large intricate silver battle scene inlay on the top scale, and a detailed laser engraving on the main blade. The series was released to commemorate the battles and alliances that gave birth to the nation of Switzerland.

Layer Tools

The St. Jakob with box and paperwork

• Large knife blade
• Small knife blade
• Inline Phillips head screwdriver
• Magnifying glass
• Cap-lifter / Slotted screwdriver - with wire bender
• Can-opener / Small slotted screwdriver - that also works with Phillips screws

The main blade is etched with St. Jakob 1444  and the crest of the canton of Basel.

Back Layer Tools

• Reamer/Awl - With the sewing-eye
• Corkscrew - Four loops, grooved

The keyring was omitted on all of the Battle Series models.

Scale Tools

• Toothpick

The tweezers were omitted on all of the Battle Series models to allow the entire scale to be used for the battle inlay.

Scales

Black Cellidor scales with a battle scene silver inlay.

History

Released in 1987 to commemorate the Battle of St. Jakob in 1444, and to honour the canton of Basel, which contributed a large number of troops to the Swiss forces. On the right of the scene inlaid on the top scale is an image of the hospital of St. Jakob, on the River Birse, with its steeple and cross, and partially in flames. The Swiss troops are making a last stand against French mercenaries at the hospital. Most of the Swiss are shown behind the walls of the hospital, however a small contingent of Swiss infantryman bearing the banner of Basel are seen outside. Although the French eventually captured the hospital, killing most of the Swiss defenders, their heroic stand served as an everlasting symbol of Swiss bravery and heroism and of their ongoing struggle for independence. This battle is an exemplary and lasting example of 'losing the battle, but wining the war.'

The Swiss Battle Series knives were each limited to a production of 9999 pieces and are individually serialised. Each knife is inscribed 'nnnn yyyy 9999 ' on the liner behind the corkscrew: nnnn represents the individual number of the particular knife and yyyy was the year the knife was issued.

This model was packaged in a black wooden presentation box, which contained a serialised certificate of authenticity, with the serial number matching the liner inscription. There was also a booklet containing a brief description of Battle of St. Jakob and also a history of Victorinox in German, English, and French, however this was (possibly) only present in the Battle Series Collection presentation case.

Physical Specifications

• Length: 91mm
• Width: 24mm at widest point
• Weight:
• Box Dimensions: (W/D/H) 184/75/33 mm

Related Models

Battle Series Models

• Battle of Morgarten - Black inlaid scales, tools similar to the Spartan
• Battle of Laupen - Black inlaid scales, tools similar to the Camper
• Battle of Sempach - Gray inlaid scales, tools similar to the Climber
• Battle of Nafels - Gray inlaid scales, tools similar to the Huntsman
• Battle of Murten - Black inlaid scales, tools similar to the Angler minus the scissors
• Oath of Rutli - Red inlaid scales, tools similar to the the Mechanic

This model and the all the others in the Battle Series were also released in a 1991 collector's set - The Battle Series Collection.

Standard Models

• Passenger - Same main tools: Adds the tweezers and keyring, has regular scales and blade