Introduction
The Victorinox “Automobile Pavag Nebikon” is an early 1960s corporate special run based on the Automobile platform.
It stands out for replacing the standard metal file with a wood saw, creating a configuration directly adapted to the industrial context of the client.
I. Technical Overview
Model: Automobile Pavag Nebikon (Wood Saw Variant)
Length: 91 mm
Layers: 3
Tools
- Large blade (Elinox)
- Inline technician screwdriver
- Can opener
- Cap lifter (with screwdriver / wire stripper)
- Wood saw (replacing metal file)
Back tools
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Awl
II. Pavag Nebikon Special Run and Toolset Logic
This model was produced for Pavag, a Swiss company founded in 1924 and active in paper production and material processing.
As a paper manufacturer, Pavag operated in environments involving raw materials, wooden structures, and industrial packaging.
The choice of the Automobile platform is coherent with a workshop-oriented environment. At this period, the Automobile consistently includes the inline technician screwdriver, making it a suitable base for mechanical and industrial applications.
The scales feature dual metal inlays:
- Front: “Pavag Nebikon” with a tree motif
- Back: St. Christoph (Saint Christopher), traditionally associated with protection and travel
Within this context, the modification lies in the replacement of the metal file with a wood saw.
This adaptation directly reflects the activity of Pavag:
- wood as a primary resource for paper production
- use of pallets, structures, and packaging
- workshop and handling environments
The resulting configuration combines:
- technician screwdriver for adjustments and maintenance
- wood saw for material handling
This makes the knife a purpose-driven tool shaped by industrial use rather than catalogue logic.
For broader context on limited editions and factory outliers, see:
👉Victorinox Special Runs — SAKnife Archives
III. Transitional Components
One of the most interesting aspects of this knife is the use of components from different production periods.
- The main blade features the Elinox tang stamp, consistent with early 1960s Automobile production
- The wood saw appears to be an earlier pattern, featuring nail nick from 1950s production
This suggests the use of old stock tool during assembly, a practice occasionally observed in special runs and transitional models.
Related Models
Conclusion
The Victorinox Automobile Pavag Nebikon is not simply a variation of the Automobile model.
It is a corporate-driven adaptation where a standard industrial toolset is modified to reflect the specific needs of a paper manufacturer. The replacement of the metal file with a wood saw highlights a direct link between the toolset and the client’s activity, making this model a particularly clear example of function-driven design.
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.
Identify every Victorinox 91 mm configuration using the structural identification tree:
👉 🔎 Victorinox 91mm Identification Tree – Identify Your Swiss Army Knife by Toolset
Identify the production period of your Swiss Army Knife using the interactive visual tool based on tang stamps and tool evolution:
👉 ⌛ Swiss Army Knife Production Period Guide – Victorinox Interactive Tool Evolution
Explore the evolution of Victorinox 91 mm Swiss Army Knives and discover related model sheets in the historical timeline:
