The Fisherman Plus (possibly not an official name) adds a wood saw to the Fisherman and was a less common model. There were other tool variations on this model in the early days.
The Fisherman Plus is no longer available.
Layer Tools
Fischermesser with Metal File
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- Large blade
- Small blade
- Fish-scaler / Fish hook disgorger - with ruler
- Scissors
- Bottle-opener with large screwdriver & wire stripper
- Can-opener with small screwdriver tip
The Fisherman Plus adds the:
Back Layer Tools
Scale Tools
Scales
Red or blue (for older models) Cellidor scales with a special metal inlay on the top scale of a fish, which was later switched to be printed.
History
This model has a long, and slightly confusing, history, involving some significant tool changes and which is also intertwined with the Angler model.
The fishscaler and back-spring Phillips were both introduced in 1952. A catalogue from around that time (possibly a little later) shows a 'Sportfischer' (Fisherman) model which was available with a corkscrew (Model 235fa) or a Phillips screwdriver (Model 135fau) and optionally a wood saw (Model 236fau). It also shows the blue-scaled 'Fischermesser' (Fisherman's knife) which has the corkscrew and adds the metal file, and optionally a wood saw.
The modern distinction of the Fisherman being only a four-layer model with the back-spring Phillips drive, and the Angler having the corkscrew probably came in in the mid-1970s. Note: Early versions of the Angler also had the scissors, as opposed to the later/current versions which have the pliers.
Variations
Historically several variations were available, adding additional tools to the Fisherman such as the metal file or the wood saw.
A much older version of the Fisherman with blue scales was also available. This model is highly sought after by collectors !
Some older versions of the Fisherman featured scissors with a small notch above the pivot joint for opening lead split-shot used on fishing lines.
- See image below and for more details see the scissors page.
Blue Scaled Fisherman
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Fisherman (with file) featuring scissors with notch
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Physical Specifications
Figures for current (2019) Fisherman:
- Length: 91mm
- Width: 19.5mm
- Weight: 99g
Identifiers
Original format product codes - Victoria/Victorinox - From the 1950s to the early 1970s
- F235fma: Fischermesser (Fisherman's knife); blue Cellidor scales; fish inlay; metal file/saw; long nail-file
- F235fmaU: Fischermesser; blue Cellidor scales;fish inlay; metal file/saw; long nail-file; bail
- 246 kaU: Blue Cellidor scales; wood saw; long nail-file; bail; from the end of 1940s or early 1950s
- 1.3773.72: Fischermesser (aka. Fisherman Deluxe); red Cellidor scales; fish inlay; metal file/saw; corkscrew
- 1.4733.72: Blue Cellidor scales; fish inlay
- 1.4733.72: Current (2019) Fisherman with fish inlay (US Model number - 53541)
Ed Note: There seems to be some inconsistency in the numbering here, as the older blue scaled model, has the same number as the current red scaled model - Usually blue vs red scales would drive a different suffix to the model code!
Related Models
- Angler - Replaces the scissors and multipurpose hook with pliers; exchanges the Phillips drive for a corkscrew
- Deluxe Angler - Adds pliers; exchanges the Phillips drive for a corkscrew - For details see the Angler page
- Super Tinker - Removes the fishscaler/ruler
- Bass - Similar knife made by Wenger
- Master Fisherman - Similar knife made by Wenger, the nail-file instead of small blade
- Fishtale - A similar model by SwissBuck, but without scissors
External Resources
- MultiTool.org thread on vintage 1940s/50s Fisherman models with blue scales
- MultiTool.org thread on vintage Fisherman's knife model