The forgotten three-layer Fisher — first bearer of the Seahorse inlay

Introduction

The Victorinox 234f is one of the most elusive fishing-related models in the 91 mm Officer Knife range.
Produced for a relatively short period and disappearing in the 1970s, it is today extremely rare, largely overshadowed by its better-known sibling, the Fishermesser (235fm).

What makes the 234f historically significant is its role as the three-layer configuration that first carried the fish metal inlay, often referred to as the Seahorse. Introduced during the 1960s, this emblem would later become inseparable from the Fisherman and Angler models.

I. Technical overview — A compact fishing configuration

Core configuration

• Closed length: 91 mm
• Category: Officer Knife
• Architecture: 3 layers
• Old reference: 234f
• Production period: 1950s – early 1970s

Main tools

Large blade
Small blade
Can opener + small screwdriver
Bottle opener + large screwdriver + wire stripper
Fish scaler with disgorger

The presence of the fish scaler transforms the Standard-based platform into a purpose-driven fishing knife, without increasing thickness beyond three layers.

Back Layer Tools

Corkscrew
Reamer / awl

Scale Tools

Toothpick
Tweezers

II. Historical context — The first Seahorse bearer

Appearance alongside the fish scaler

The 234f appears in parallel with the introduction of the fish scaler early in the 1950's

234f mentioned in the Catalogue 1954

A nice 1950's 234f from a collector friend 🦊

The Seahorse metal inlay

During the 1960s, at a time when Victorinox actively explores task-oriented variants within the Officer Knife range.

👉Victorinox Metal Inlays of the 1960s — Nickel-Silver Models History

The 234f holds a key place in Victorinox history as:

• the three-layer model that first carried the fish (Seahorse) metal inlay
• produced in parallel with the 235fm Fishermesser
• one of the earliest visual identities dedicated to fishing use

At this stage, the Seahorse inlay functions as a usage marker, not only decoration — clearly signalling the knife’s intended environment and activity.

Colours and scale variants

The 234f is known to exist with red scales, as well as blue scales.

Notably, blue examples are exclusively associated with the fish (Seahorse) metal inlay, making them particularly distinctive and highly sought after by collectors. Red-scaled examples are more discreet but remain historically important and equally rare today.

Overshadowed by the Fishermesser

Despite its elegance and compactness, the 234f is quickly eclipsed by the 235fm Fishermesser, which adds two extra layers and offers a more comprehensive and useful fishing toolset.

Blue 234f & Red 235fm, 1960's

As a result:

• the 234f remains less widely distributed
• production numbers appear significantly lower
• surviving examples are far rarer today

Disappearance in the 1970s

Late 1971-1973 234f from El Muc's outstanding collection

During the 1973 transition, Victorinox rationalises its fishing lineup.

At that point:

• the 234f disappears
• the fish metal inlay is transferred to the Fisherman and Angler
• fishing identity becomes associated with larger, more standardised models

The 234f quietly exits the catalogue, without a direct successor.

1960's 234f & post 1973 Angler

👉1973 — A Turning Point for Victorinox Metal Inlays

A late echo — Murten 1989

Interestingly, the 234f tool configuration reappears much later in a very different context.

In 1989, Victorinox releases the Murten model as part of the Battle Series, commemorating the Battle of Murten.
This knife reuses the three-layer Standard + fish scaler configuration, echoing the architecture of the long-discontinued 234f.

👉Victorinox Commemorative & Collector Metal Inlays

This unexpected revival confirms the coherence and relevance of the original design, even decades later.

Collector perspective and significance

One of the rarest fishing SAKs

Today, the 234f is:

• significantly rarer than the Fishermesser
  So rare, in fact, that documenting this model required calling in favors from fellow collectors to gather enough photographs of its different variants.
  

Its scarcity reflects limited production, and probably lack of interest at the time.

A quiet grail

For collectors, the 234f stands out as:

• the first compact Officer Knife to carry the fish metal inlay
• a short-lived but coherent fishing configuration
• a key transitional step before fishing tools were standardised on larger models

Variants with blue scales and Seahorse inlay are among the most desirable, while red-scaled examples remain elusive and historically important.

Related models

• Fishermesser (235fm) — expanded fishing flagship
• Fisherman — later standard bearer of the Seahorse
• Angler — streamlined fishing variant
  

Conclusion

The Victorinox 234f is a model whose importance far exceeds its visibility.

Compact, specialised, and produced in limited numbers, it introduced the Seahorse fishing identity before passing it on to more famous successors. Its disappearance in the 1970s only reinforces its status today as a true collector grail.

For those tracing the evolution of Victorinox fishing knives, the 234f is not a footnote — it is the starting point.

This article is part of the SAKnife Archives, an independent collector-driven project dedicated to documenting Victorinox Swiss Army Knives. All photographs shown come from the SAKnife private collection unless otherwise noted. The historical and technical information presented here is based on period catalogues and expert collector databases. Additional material will be added as new information emerges.

Explore the evolution of Victorinox 91 mm Swiss Army Knives and discover related model sheets in the pillar page below:
👉📘 Victorinox History & Catalogue – 91 mm Models Evolution

Explore how Victorinox 91 mm toolsets evolved over time:
👉 🛠️ Victorinox Tools & Structure — 91 mm Swiss Army Knife Evolution