The short-lived pioneer of the Camping identity
Introduction
Introduced early in the 1960s, the Victorinox Elinox Picnicker is one of the most distinctive and underrated models in the 91 mm Officer Knife range.
Produced until 1973 only, it disappeared entirely during the major catalogue reorganisation of that year.
What makes the Picnicker exceptional is its unusual three-layer architecture, combining two highly specialised cutting tools — a pruner blade and a serrated blade — in a format that remains compact and coherent. Widely appreciated in its time and heavily used, the Picnicker is today rarely encountered in good condition, making it a quiet collector grail.
I. Technical overview — A specialised three-layer configuration
1968-1971 Picnicker
Core configuration
- Closed length: 91 mm
- Category: Officer Knife
- Architecture: 3 layers
- Introduction: early 1960s
- Discontinuation: 1973
- Reference: 8237U
Main tools
Serrated blade
Pruner blade
Can opener + small screwdriver
Bottle opener + large screwdriver + wire stripper
This combination is highly uncommon in the Victorinox catalogue. Rather than multiplying layers, the Picnicker concentrates on cutting performance and food-oriented tasks, making it particularly effective for outdoor and picnic use.
Back Layer Tools
Corkscrew
Reamer / awl
Scale Tools (always present)
Toothpick
Tweezers
Unlike many utilitarian models of the period, the Picnicker always includes toothpick and tweezers, confirming its positioning as a civilian and outdoor knife rather than a stripped-down economy model.
II. Historical evolution — A short but influential lifespan
Early 1960s: a new approach to outdoor knives
Picnicker 1963-1965
When the Picnicker appears early in the 1960s, it reflects a different design philosophy. Instead of increasing thickness, Victorinox opts for functional specialisation, focusing on blades adapted to:
- food preparation
- outdoor use
- light camp tasks
This makes the Picnicker particularly appealing to users who value efficient cutting tools over tool accumulation.
Rare bail variants
A small number of early Picnickers fitted with a bail are known.
Their rarity is not the result of a special production, but simply reflects the earliest phase of the model, before the gradual standardisation of keyring. As such, these examples are among the oldest Picnickers documented and are particularly sought after by collectors.
Elinox line and period use
The Picnicker is associated with the Elinox line, which emphasised stainless steel, export markets, and practical civilian use.
During the 1960s:
- the Picnicker was widely appreciated
- it was used intensively rather than preserved
- heavy wear is common on surviving examples
As a result, well-preserved Picnickers are scarce today.
More on 1960's period :
👉📜Victorinox 1961–1973 — Structural and Visual Transformation of the Swiss Army Knife
The first Camping metal inlay
One of the Picnicker’s most significant historical roles is often overlooked.
The Picnicker, was the first Victorinox 3 layers model to feature the “Camping” metal inlay, predating the Camper — even though the Camper itself already existed at the time, both in Elinox and Victoria suits.
👉Victorinox Metal Inlays of the 1960s — Nickel-Silver Models History
This makes the Picnicker the original bearer of the Camping identity, establishing a visual and conceptual link between outdoor use and branding.
1973: discontinuation and legacy
With the 1973 catalogue reset and the disappearance of the Elinox line, the Picnicker is discontinued.
Late 1970's Picnicker with Early 1973 Victoria Camper
After its disappearance, the Camper becomes the long-term bearer of the Camping identity, inheriting a role first introduced by the Picnicker itself.
👉1973 — A Turning Point for Victorinox Metal Inlays
Collector perspective and significance
A knife meant to be used
The Picnicker was:
- popular and practical
- designed for real outdoor use
- rarely kept as a presentation piece
This explains why most surviving examples show significant wear, while clean specimens are increasingly difficult to find.
A quiet grail
For today’s collectors, the Picnicker represents:
- a short-lived and coherent design
- a rare example of functional specialisation in three layers
- the origin of the Camping metal inlay
Early Elinox versions, Camping inlay examples, and rare bail-equipped Picnickers rank among the most desirable.
Related models
- 👉Camper — later and permanent bearer of the Camping identity
- Elinox Officer Knives — transitional export-focused range
- Outdoorsman 8236m — adds Woodsaw and Metal file
Conclusion
The Victorinox Picnicker is a model whose importance becomes clearer with time.
Produced early in the 1960s until 1973, it introduced the Camping identity, explored a bold and specialised blade combination, and proved that outdoor efficiency did not require excessive thickness.
Short-lived, heavily used, and rarely preserved, the Picnicker stands today as a rare, meaningful, and historically pivotal Swiss Army Knife — a model that shaped an identity, then quietly disappeared.
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
