The Victorinox Craftsman is a 91mm model, with a large tool set in six layers, first introduced around 1973. It had a historical connection to the American Space Program.

This model was current during the period when Victorinox were making many changes to their tool line up, so many slightly different configurations have been produced. The major change being the pliers replacing the fish-scaler in 1986/7.
See pictures right and Tools and History sections below.

Name Disambiguation:
The four-layer 84mm Artisan was known as the Craftsman, for a couple of decades in certain English speaking markets, before the name was taken on by this model.

Discontinued Model.

Layer Tools

Final Version with Pliers

Original Craftsman and Handyman showing back tool evolution

Final Configuration

• Large knife blade
• Small knife blade
• Pliers
• Metal file with saw
• Wood saw
• Scissors
• Cap-lifter with screwdriver
• Can-opener with screwdriver
• Keyring

Original Version

As above but - The pliers are replaced by the

• Fish Scaler

Back Layer Tools

Final Configuration

• Reamer/Awl with a sewing-eye
• Multipurpose hook
• Small fine screwdriver
• Wood chisel
• Phillips screwdriver

Original Version

As above but - No chisel or hook

Non-Layer Tools

• Tweezers
• Toothpick

Scales

Red Cellidor

History

Also see Tools sections above.

First introduced in 1973 (Model 1.4793) as a successor to/replacement for the old six-layer Champion b which had been retired following the introduction of the seven-layer Champion in 1973. The Craftsman was a prominent model in the Victorinox line for quite some time.
The original version is old enough to be found with a Victoria tang stamp on the back of the blade, and features tools from that time such as the small clip-point blade, and the original version of the fine screwdriver.

Evolution of the Craftsman 1973-1986

1973: Square Phillips; Clip-point small blade

Mid 1970s (est.): Square Phillips Drop-point small blade

1985 (est.): Round Phillips; Original fine SD (as earlier)

1986 (est.): Round Phillips; Fine SD with hump; Sewing eye in awl

In 1986/7 it was revised with the newly invented pliers replacing the fishscaler/ruler, and also gaining a wood chisel.
Models manufactured after 1991 contain the hook and the scissors have the modern rivet attachment which replaced the screw.

Being chosen to commemorate the Apollo 11 landing has continued to bring it a lot of attention over the years.
However it has probably been discontinued since at least 2006 - as it does not appear in the catalogue for that year.

Variations

1. The Apollo 11 Moon Landing — 20th Anniversary Edition.
   This famed Astronaut is an early Craftsman that was first made in 1989 as a commemorative to the 20th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. The front scale features a metal inlaid image of an astronaut in a space suit (see image below). The main blade has an etching depicting the lunar module and spacecraft as well as the anniversary dates for the 1969 Apollo Moon Landing. Each knife has a unique serial number stamped on the liner behind the Phillips screwdriver. Although Victorinox could not confirm it, according to the Knife Collector's Guide 3rd Edition by Roy Ritchie and Ron Stewart there were 2,000 made. This number appears correct since all the serial numbers reported from Astronaut owners have been four digits and less than 2000.
   Name disambiguation: The more common, official, Astronaut model was made famous by actual astronauts and NASA.
   
2. The Apollo 11 Moon Landing — 30th Anniversary Edition.
   An Astronaut model was also produced in 1998 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Apollo landing. This version does not have the special etching on the main blade. There is some speculation that this was 1.4763, but recently Victorinox labeled it as 1.4773.

Physical Specifications

• Length: 91mm (3.5")
• Width: 27mm (model with hook)
• Weight: 159g (model with hook)

Identifiers

• 1.4793: Vintage model, no pliers, can-key on Phillips, early version of fine screwdriver, no hook and no chisel
• 1.4773: Later version with pliers (US Model Number: 53721)

Related Models

• Champion b - An ancestor with an equivalent toolset to the first version of the Craftsman, but adding the long nail file on the back
• Handyman - Replaces the Phillips screwdriver with a corkscrew
• Master Craftsman - No pliers - There was also an 'Astronaut' variation of this model
• Troubleshooter - No wood saw or fine screwdriver