Bantam

The Bantam is a 84mm SAK with only two tools, a large blade and a combo tool. Depending on the scales there is also a toothpick and a tweezer.
Because the combo tool has a lot of functions the Bantam is a very compact, light and useful tool to have.

When I started writing this article I had only one Bantam. Now I have three. So let’s see if we can find any differences.

First off, I got them all new in box. Everything in very good condition, which is rare for second hand SAKs. At first glance I thought I had scored some really old ones with the brighter red boxes, but that that was not the case.
The leaflet in the brighter red box was dated 2005 and the other one 2014. Perhaps someone repackaged new SAKs? Nope, the tang stamps confirmed the dates: 2005-2009 and 2011-now.

Bantam 2005-2009 on the left, Bantam 2011- on the right

Still, these are very nice SAKs. And the most obvious difference are the scales. There is a slight colour difference between the two and clearly a different stamp is used on the newer model. The ’05 has a thinner heat film stamp, it’s smaller and the cross is not connected to the outside of the logo. I’m also under the impression that the ’11 model stamp is not centered properly.

Both come with nylon scales. Preciously called eco-scales. I didn’t like them at first, but they grew on me and now I pick them up whenever I can.

Bantam ’05 on the bottom, Bantam ’11 on the top

But this is not where the differences stop. There is a very big difference hidden between these scales. This SAK needs only three pins. One for the large blade, one for the combo tool and a third to hold the spring in place. On the ’05 model there are indeed three pins, but the ’11 has a fourth added on the blade side. According to SAKWiki this is for stability reasons.

Bantams are also made in Alox. Alox scales were discontinued around ’09-’10 (SAKwiki).
I think this can be explained by the fourth rivet. Alox Bantams always have three rivets. The ’11 model is the follow-up of the ’05 model, and with the arrival of the fourth rivet the three riveted Alox scales disappeared.

Bantam ’05 on the bottom, Bantam ’11 on the top

I like to get SAKs in box with the appropriate leaflet/manual. These are different in ’05 and ’11.

        
    Bantam ’05 with ’05 print leaflet                  Bantam ’11 with ’14 print leaflet

This makes the 2011 Bantam a model sold after 2014.