The Victorinox Climber Swiss Army Knife is one of the most popular of the standard-size models. This model went through a period of rapid evolution between 1987 and 1992-- the awl gained a sewing eye hole, the corkscrew lost its grooves, a hook appeared on the rear of the knife, and the scissors screw was replaced by a rivet.

A very small number of "transitional" Climber knives were manufactured without a hook, and with a smooth corkscrew. We have not yet determined why these variants occurred. They may have been experimental models or manufacturing accidents, or they may have been the result of some "old stock" parts being used during the tool transition in 1991.

There aren't many people that collect the minor variations in Swiss Army knives, but this model is very scarce, so we still sell it at a moderate premium above the standard Climber knives.

Climber Original-- vintage awl with no sewing eye, no hook (retired)
Climber Late 1980's--grooved corkscrew (retired)
Climber 1991-- grooved corkscrew, adds hook (retired)
Climber 1992-- adds hook (retired)
Climber-- scissors with rivet, adds hook