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Master Craftsman

Nice 5 layer Master Craftsman with a Space Shuttle inlay. This knife may have been called a Craftsman at the time it was released, seems to be some confusion on the whole matter that maybe Victorinox has made more confusing rather than clarifying. The Victorinox Master Craftsman is a 91mm Swiss Army Knife with Cellidor scales. It's one of the smaller knives to contain both the metal file/saw as well as the wood saw. The last known variations offered five tools on the back of this medium sized package, resulting in a very high tool density. The Master Craftsman features the equivalent toolset to the more common Ranger, just exchanging the Ranger's corkscrew for a Phillips.

In 1986, following a procurement of the Master Craftsman by NASA, for use by its astronauts, Victorinox started naming this model the Astronaut. Later, a version was manufactured with special handles featuring a metal inlaid image of the space shuttle, causing some to refer to it as the Space Shuttle or Shuttle model.

Discontinued Model.
- Although a later version of the Space Shuttle version became available via some Japanese Victorinox dealers - See Variations.

Layer Tools

Back Layer Tools

Scale Tools

Shuttle Scale Inlay
Shuttle Scale Inlay

Scales

Red or black Cellidor. Space Shuttle version with a metal space shuttle inlay.

History

Early (pre-1991) models do not have a back-spring hook or a chisel.
With its association with the US space program (see below), this model has had an illustrious career. However it has probably been discontinued since at least 2006 - as it does not appear in the catalogue for that year - With the exception of the Japanese model mentioned below.
It is somewhat strange that this model is called the Master Craftsman when the larger six-layer model is just called the Craftsman! - The reason for this is probably because the 84mm four-layer Artisan model was at one time known as the Craftsman! So this Master Craftsman model would be an upgrade to that model.

Variations

  1. The Astronaut Model: In late 1978 NASA bought fifty knives from Victorinox, presumably Master Craftsman models, for their shuttle personnel. These were plain scaled versions with no special name or designs on the scales. Victorinox later started producing this same model calling it an Astronaut. These were produced between 1986 and 1991. Being pre-1991 models these versions had no hook or chisel.
  2. The Space Shuttle model was produced in the early 80's and featured a space shuttle logo on the top red scale. The Space Shuttle models were based on the Astronaut model. There was some overlapping of production in 1991, since there are models found both with and without a hook. A Shuttle variation is available which includes the newer fine screwdriver and chisel on the back. This later shuttle variation (still identified as 1.4763.SS) contains the newer fine screwdriver and chisel, as well as the hook on the back. Latest models may have the newer, stainless steel metal-saw/file.
  3. A version with blue alox scales and exposed rivets was made for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu) and Navy (KM) in the 1970s.
  4. A more recent version with blue cellidor scales and five back layer tools was made for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu).
  5. A new issue of the Space Shuttle version was created for the Japanese market, in the early 2000s (date tbc) - It had the inlay and the latest full complement of back-tools.
  • Note 1: There are a couple of commemorative Astronaut models based on the Craftsman model.
  • Note 2: There is another similar model with a space shuttle inlay. The Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Collectors Society (VSAKCS) issues a club knife every year. In 2006 it was a special model labelled as an 'Astronaut' which included a space shuttle inlay. This model, however, has the same toolset as the Grand Prix.
  • Note 3: The shuttle scales have also been seen on other models, but not much official information is available on them. It's pretty clear that these were made in smaller quantities, and maybe just for special promotions. Some counterfeit versions of the shuttle models may be in circulation. SAKWiki needs photos if any one has one.

Physical Specifications

  • Length: 91mm
  • Width: 22mm
  • Weight: 119g

Identifiers

  • 136mU: Original model number from the 1950s
  • 136maU: After mid-1960s when scale tools were typically added to this model
  • 1.4763: Master Cradftsman/Astronaut. Identifier code in new format from mid 70s
  • 1.4763.SS: Space Shuttle variation

  • F11037: Hoffritz model named the Explorer - Late 1970s to approximately 1990
  • 5044: US Model Code from the 1970s, also the version that was ordered for NASA
  • 5049: US Model Code from the early 1980s, for the Space Shuttle variation

Related Models

  • Ranger - The Phillips screwdriver is replaced with a corkscrew
  • Craftsman - Adds pliers; and also has an 'Astronaut' variation
  • Fieldmaster - Removes the metal saw layer, fine screwdriver, and chisel
  • Grand Prix - Removes the wood saw layer; back layer tool differences depend on versions of both models!
  • Artisan/Craftsman - An 84mm model; one layer thinner removing the metal file; earlier/also known as the 'Craftsman'
Created by ICanFixThat. Last Modification: Wednesday 13 of September, 2023 08:35:59 CEST by Huntsman.

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