Saphir Transitional

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Corvus
Posts: 261
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 1:21 am

Saphir Transitional

Post by Corvus »

Saphir is a seldom seen mark from the transitional period that was used on picklocks with mostly SS blades in the '50s, and swivels from the early to mid '60s. This one is 20.5cm/8.1" and appears to be in unused/mint condition save for a couple o' bug bites on the rear scale. It fires super-hard; in fact, too hard for my tastes. You really need a firm grip on this lit'l sucker or it'll leap outta your hand and head off for parts unknown. It has the usual transitional lined and soldered nickle silver bolsters, two-piece spring, D-stamped liner, and low button placement.

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JulesVane
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Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by JulesVane »

Oh no! There's that word again: "Transitional" lol! (kidding). It's another beauty Rick!
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"By accepting you as you are, I do not necessarily abandon all hope of your improving"- My Wife (1963-Present)
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Corvus
Posts: 261
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 1:21 am

Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by Corvus »

Thanks, Chris. And hey - at least I didn't call it a tranny, though I was sorely tempted. :?
gravknife
Posts: 1500
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 9:34 pm

Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by gravknife »

Great knife Corvus.

These" transitionals "are always great quality and that one has some pretty horn,and is in lovely condition.

I love the power of these when they are fired and they do sometimes feel like they will leave the hand.
I have a few similar to yours but never had a "saphir" marked piece.

Congrats on your find

gravknife
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Corvus
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Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by Corvus »

Thanks, Grav.

Seems like the so called transitional period knives are a good way to get into decent quality vintage stilettos without tearing up the wallet too much.

There're a couple of guys over at the SD forum with small Saphir collections. I think the largest one totals around seven knives, mostly picklocks, so it's a pretty rare stamp.
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Luke_of_Mass
Posts: 444
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2017 7:36 am

Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by Luke_of_Mass »

Great knife! love the scales! cherish it!!
Knee-deep in the hoopla...
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texans123
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Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2017 7:17 pm

Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by texans123 »

Beautiful knife with great horn.
Tom19176
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Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by Tom19176 »

Great knife and a REAL Transitional one !!! Some people call things they want to sell Transitional...lol
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JulesVane
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Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by JulesVane »

Tom19176 wrote:Great knife and a REAL Transitional one !!! Some people call things they want to sell Transitional...lol
Tom...that's exactly what I meant by "Oh no, there's that word again, "transitional""...What a confusing term. It WAS my understanding that the "Transitional Period" was a period of time, and that those knives made during that time period were "transitional" knives....but noooo....lol. But, I don't really want, yet another, discussion on that term here. Rick's knife above is just a pure beauty!
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"By accepting you as you are, I do not necessarily abandon all hope of your improving"- My Wife (1963-Present)
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JulesVane
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Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by JulesVane »

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"By accepting you as you are, I do not necessarily abandon all hope of your improving"- My Wife (1963-Present)
portlandmike
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Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2018 3:19 am
Location: Portland, OR

Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by portlandmike »

..I can't believe I didn't see that one.. gotta adjust my searches
galvanic1882
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Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2010 3:03 pm

Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by galvanic1882 »

Nice looking knife, great horn!!
Vanderslice
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Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2018 9:14 am

Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by Vanderslice »

Corvus wrote: Fri Nov 09, 2018 12:42 am Thanks, Grav.

Seems like these payday loans are the best and so called transitional period knives are a good way to get into decent quality vintage stilettos without tearing up the wallet too much.

There're a couple of guys over at the SD forum with small Saphir collections. I think the largest one totals around seven knives, mostly picklocks, so it's a pretty rare stamp.
I really enjoy the clean look of the blade. It's a classic.
Last edited by Vanderslice on Fri Oct 07, 2022 2:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Corvus
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Re: Saphir Transitional

Post by Corvus »

Thanks for the kind words, guys.
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