Hi All,

I'm excited to see that we have over 10 members now! I want to let people know about what I'm doing behind the scenes.

Currently there are 1,700 observations included in the project, and fewer than half of these have the new observation fields (see the last journal post for more info). These observations were added before I had set up the observation fields for length and model name, so they each need to be revisited and updated manually.

It is a daunting task to work through the backlog, and not straightforward to find the ones that need updating. Fortunately I have a convenient URL that can be used to bring up only the observations that still need updates:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?project_id=swiss-army-knives-of-inaturalist&subview=map&without_field=Swiss%20Army%20Knife%20for%20scale

If you follow that link you'll see the observations that still do not have the length added.

Of course if you add new observations to the project, please remember to add the length, and the model name if you recognize it. If you know the name and it's not listed, choose the 'Model not listed' option.

I have created two new observation fields. My hope is to make this project more useful to anyone performing photogrammetry with observations that have Swiss army knives.

The first observation field is: Swiss Army Knife for scale https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/18482

This field has a set list of frame length (in millimeters) for as many series of Swiss army knives as I could determine. This hopefully will reduce the error rate of length specification—something I have noticed on some observations. An approximate length is better than nothing, but a precise length is best. This observation field will appear any time a new observation is added to the project.

The second field is: Swiss Army Knife Brand/Model https://www.inaturalist.org/observation_fields/18488

Including the correct model can be helpful: while the frame length is usually easy to determine, the thickness of a Swiss army knife varies depending on toolset. This is not a complete list of models. It has the most common models, and I can add more models as they are identified. For now, if a model does not appear, please select Model not listed.

Note: This field does not appear when adding a new observation. You will need to type in the name of the field to add it. (I worked with another project member on this and we decided that simpler would be better when it comes to encouraging other users to add their observations to the project.)

I've started to add these fields to observations, but it is a daunting task. I have been running the project for over a year. There are more than 1,000 observations that need to be reviewed and be updated with the new info. If you are interested in helping, please go right ahead!

The website https://sakwiki.com is loaded with info about virtually every knife model and its variants. It is very helpful in identifying models.

Given that this is an unconventional project, the search functions of the site are limited for finding observations that include Swiss army knives.

Initially, searching "knife" under the "Find Suitable Observations" link on the project page yielded good results. The URL looks like this: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?not_in_project=swiss-army-knives-of-inaturalist&q=knife

However, I have just about exhausted that method of search, as only a small percentage of results are what I'm looking for. For one, there are many other knives featured in observations, but also several species get included (knife wrasse, knife-leaved liveforever, et cetera). Confounding that even further, there are several locations in North America with 'knife' in the name (Dull Knife, Knife Creek, et cetera). I have attempted to add URL modifiers to exclude these taxa and locations, but it is difficult to account for everything, and it seems that no matter how I try, some locations get through.

Recently, I've found that the best way to search is by a pure visual survey. I first open the about page for a given taxa, then click 'View More' to look at all the photos for that observation. Then I scan through as quickly as I can and open any photos I see with SAKs. What is nice about the browse photos feature is that you can look at all photos in an observation at once. Normally in search results, you only get the first photo.

One downside is that the URL modifier "&not_in_project=swiss-army-knives-of-inaturalist" does not seem to work in the photo browser.

I have noticed that a majority of the observations featuring Swiss army knives are of mammal tracks and scat, so I started there. The filters allow for some fine-tuning, which is immensely helpful. When I find an observation with a Swiss army knife, I make sure to browse through that user's other observations, in case they make a habit of using SAKs as a scale reference. That often can yield a ton more observations for the project.

I have worked through just about all mammals, and need to move on to other taxa. Birds, mushrooms, and insects have some SAKs featured, but not as many. Virtually no marine observations feature SAKs. It seems that tracks usually need a scale and don't move away like animals would, so there are a lot more photos with SAKs featured.

It is challenging to identify any Swiss army knife (SAK) as they all share the same appearance and basic functions. It is even more of a challenge to to so from a photo on iNaturalist, where a knife would be used to provide a reference scale rather than the main focus. But it can be done! Here are some models I have managed to identify from observation photos:

Victorinox 91 mm models

• Climber: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/193914223
  It differs from the Spartan by the addition of a third layer which contains scissors and a multipurpose hook.

• Compact: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/185964632
  The Compact is the same size as a Spartan or Tinker, but replaces the layer containing the can opener, cap lifter, and awl with the scissors and a specialty multipurpose hook with an integrated nail file. It also replaces the small blade with the combo tool (can opener, cap lifter, wire bender, flathead screwdriver). The Compact is also one of the few models to come stock with plus scales, which include a slim ballpoint pen. This particular knife is one of my own personal knives, customized with black scales and red scale tools.

• Deluxe Tinker: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/194605349
  It includes a third layer with pliers. It is easy to spot, even from the spine, because of how thick the layer is.

• Elinox Standard: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/140303732
  Elinox models had a different style shield. Certain manufacturing steps were changed or skipped to produce the same quality knife at a lower price point (such as hot foil-stamped logos instead of steel inserts, and tools that were not polished). They often did not include the tweezers and toothpick. The Standard is otherwise identical to the Spartan.

• Fieldmaster: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/197018717
  It is similar to the Huntsman, but replaces the corkscrew with a Philips screwdriver. I was able to confirm from another observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/196969358

• Ranger: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/163730471
  This adds the scissors/multipurpose hook, the wood saw/small screwdriver, and the metal file & saw/chisel to the Spartan toolset. I carry this same model every day and really quite like it. It has one of the highest tool densities for its size—to get any more tools you would need to upgrade to the SwissChamp. Here is another angle of the same model: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/307875

• Spartan: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/211937957
  The Spartan is the base model for all 91 mm Victorinox SAKs. It has two layers of tools: the large and small blade with a corkscrew on the spine; and can opener/slim Philips and cap lifter/large flathead/wire bender with awl/reamer on the spine. Other models add or replace various tools. There are other sizes which I'll describe below. The particular SAK featuring in the above observation has black instead of the archetypal red scales. Many colors are available from the factory for most models, and they are also easy to customize yourself.

• TimeKeeper: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/103373522?photo_id=172993899
  This is a pretty rare model, which has an analog watch in the scale. It otherwise has the same toolset as the Compact.

• Tinker: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/179581874
  The Tinker is a sub-base model, differing from the Spartan by replacing the corkscrew with a Philips screwdriver. Many models derive from the Tinker as well. Here is another Tinker which has been customized with Swiss Bianco aluminum scales (by yours truly): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/191025667

• Traveller or possibly others: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/41942217
  This has the same tools as the Climber, and includes a digital display unit built into the shield-side scale. It features a clock, altimeter, barometer, countdown timer, stopwatch, and thermometer. The display is not visible in the above observation, but you can still identify it because it has the extra slot in the reverse scale for the tweezers (which would normally be on the other side). Aside from the Traveller, this model may actually be the Traveller Lite (which adds in-line Philips and a flashlight), the Altimeter or Altimeter Lite, or the Expedition/Expedition Lite. I can't be certain from the available photo.

• Super Tinker: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/199251387
  It differs from the Tinker by the addition of a third layer which contains scissors and a multipurpose hook. It is also similar to the Climber but replaces the corkscrew with a Philips screwdriver.

Victorinox 84 mm models

• Ecoline Bantam: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/209213317
  The Bantam has a single large blade and a combo tool. Newer Ecoline models have nylon scales which have a frosted, matte finish and a silk screened emblem. This particular knife is a promotional model with a custom printing.

Victorinox 111 mm models

• Hunter: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/231668325
  The 111 mm models are significantly larger tools, with contoured handles and locking main blades. This example has a slide lock in the back scale but after 2017 all 111 mm models were updated with liner locks. The Hunter is usually offered in Victorinox red, but an olive green version is also available. There are some special editions in olive green but I don't think this is one of those.

Victorinox 58 mm models

• Classic SD: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/205126067
  This is a short model (58 mm in length) and small enough to fit on a keychain. It can be distinguished from the standard Classic because it features a screwdriver tip on the nail file (SD = screwdriver). Another Classic SD in blue: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/200864951

• MiniChamp: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/236108657
  The MiniChamp is loaded with nearly all the tools available in the 58 mm line.

• Rally: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/197585103
  This is another 58 mm model based on the Classic, which replaces the scissors with a combo tool (Philips screwdriver, cap lifter, and wire bender).

I do not recall coming across any Wenger models here, but I plan to keep updating this journal post. I stand corrected!

Wenger

• Commander probably: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/214711681
  It appears to be a two-layer knife, but the tools are not very visible so I can't narrow it down much. My guess is that this is a Commander, which is the base model of the Wenger 85 mm line. It could also be the Canyon, Highlander, Trailblazer, Viking, something with 3 or 4 layers, or any model featuring tools on the spine and an cutout in the scale to access the nail nick. All Wenger models have been discontinued for a decade (except ones that live on as Victorinox Evolution and Delémont models, which feature some of the same toolsets) so this is an especially uncommon SAK to see on iNaturalist!

Unbranded

There are countless examples of unbranded knives, or variously branded, but are not made by Victorinox or Wenger. I will attempt to list a few examples. By nature of these brands I do not have model names for them (if you know, chime in please!)

• Q: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99006667?photo_id=165627815
• Metal Scales & Plastic Texture: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/220135012

• Metal Scales: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/97407457
  This one has a flashlight!

Honorable Mentions

• Victorinox Compass Tool: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10451278
  This tool—a combination compass, thermometer, spirit level, magnifying glass, and ruler—was available paired with the Expedition Lite as part of the Expedition Kit, or as part of the SOS Kit which included the SwissChamp and a number of additional accessories. Here is another view through the magnifying lens: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10451508

• Victorinox SwissTool: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/68958148
  This is a very capable tool made by Victorinox but it is firmly a part of the multitool family rather than a traditional Swiss army knife. If I were to include it in the project, I would feel compelled to include all Leatherman, SOG, and Gerber multitools as well.

• Victorinox Swiss Classic Paring Knife: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/194491440
  This perennial utility knife is found in the kitchen, the garden, in tackle boxes and aboard boats. It is inexpensive and always seems to be sharp. It is not a Swiss army knife, but made by the same company, and is worthy of a shout-out.

• Victorinox Belt Sheath: (placeholder; I lost the URL, but when I find this one again I'll add it).

Some notes, for my reference.

https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/search+urls#multiple-places

On the above linked page, there are instructions for how to exclude specific places. They must be entered into the URL string as their place ID (which is a number string).

I have been having issues searching for new observations because the simple 'Description/Tags' box scoops up everything with the word 'knife', for example 'Big Knife Provincial Park'.

So I just add [&not_in_place=149037] to the URL string. Boom, no results from that location. Of course, if there were any observations from Big Knife with a Swiss Army knife in the photo, I would not see it.

This is the URL I tried:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?not_in_place=149037&not_in_project=swiss-army-knives-of-inaturalist&place_id=any&q=knife&subview=table&verifiable=any

I'm still having trouble though. It seems there are places with number strings and places with text strings. I'm not sure how they differ. Also, there are still some results for 'Big Knife Provincial Park' that appear in the search results. Is that because there are two different 'places' in the system?

Wow, we have had a 300% increase in membership since I created this project!

In case either of you are interested in adding more observations of Swiss army knives, here is a handy link to try:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?not_in_project=swiss-army-knives-of-inaturalist&place_id=any&q=knife&subview=map&verifiable=any

Thank you for your interest!