Considering a Swisstool Spirit - need advice

K

koz

Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
8
I'm looking at getting a new multi to replace my old standby - a LM Supertool which NEVER leaves my side. I've been reading everything I can on these boards and it looks like I might go with the Spirit. I've really been eyeballing both the LM Charge TTi and the Surge, but I think I might be looking for something a bit higher in finish quality.

My question is, does the Spirit S come with a corkscrew? I know it seems like a little thing, but for some reason I'm kind of wanting this on my new tool (maybe it was the time I kept hunting for one in Italy). I know it has a slot for one, but does it come with the corkscrew attachement?

With all the varieties of Spirit, It's a bit confusing what is actually for sale. I've seen a couple sites that are offering both the ratchet AND the corkscrew, but I didn't think you could get them both (please correct me if I'm wrong). It would be great if I could get all the attachments. The question now is - the extra blade on the Spirit S, or the scissors on the Spirit Plus?
 
koz said:
I'm looking at getting a new multi to replace my old standby - a LM Supertool which NEVER leaves my side. I've been reading everything I can on these boards and it looks like I might go with the Spirit. I've really been eyeballing both the LM Charge TTi and the Surge, but I think I might be looking for something a bit higher in finish quality.

My question is, does the Spirit S come with a corkscrew? I know it seems like a little thing, but for some reason I'm kind of wanting this on my new tool (maybe it was the time I kept hunting for one in Italy). I know it has a slot for one, but does it come with the corkscrew attachement?

With all the varieties of Spirit, It's a bit confusing what is actually for sale. I've seen a couple sites that are offering both the ratchet AND the corkscrew, but I didn't think you could get them both (please correct me if I'm wrong). It would be great if I could get all the attachments. The question now is - the extra blade on the Spirit S, or the scissors on the Spirit Plus?
Click to expand...

I would prefer a Spirit S for no other reason than a good plain edged blade would be of more use to me than the all but worthless scissors on the Spirit. It is very sharp, has a clever spring assembly, but unless used mostly for cutting string or line, not much good for anything else.
 
I am of the opposite opinion; two knife blades on such a tool seem redundant to me and the scissors on my Spirit, while not that great, have still proved useful to me a number of times.

I did grind the serrations off the blade and sharpen the edge on both sides to turn it into a plain-edge though. I wish there was a version of the Spirit with the conventional SAK knife blade and regular SAK scissors!
 
I like the S version. I've had some lock issues with the regular model but never with the S model. (I know it shouldn't make any difference - mayber newer version.) I also agree that the scissors aren't very good but the additional blade is. I say go with the S version.
 
koz said:
I'm looking at getting a new multi to replace my old standby - a LM Supertool which NEVER leaves my side. I've been reading everything I can on these boards and it looks like I might go with the Spirit. I've really been eyeballing both the LM Charge TTi and the Surge, but I think I might be looking for something a bit higher in finish quality.

My question is, does the Spirit S come with a corkscrew? I know it seems like a little thing, but for some reason I'm kind of wanting this on my new tool (maybe it was the time I kept hunting for one in Italy). I know it has a slot for one, but does it come with the corkscrew attachement?

With all the varieties of Spirit, It's a bit confusing what is actually for sale. I've seen a couple sites that are offering both the ratchet AND the corkscrew, but I didn't think you could get them both (please correct me if I'm wrong). It would be great if I could get all the attachments. The question now is - the extra blade on the Spirit S, or the scissors on the Spirit Plus?
Click to expand...

I agree, it's got to have the corkscrew. You never know when and where you're going to enjoy a good glass of wine. ;) :thumbup:

Anyway, if I were you I would choose the Spirit Plus. It has all the things you need (corkscrew included), it has scissors and the combi-edge blade is really useful. But I wouldn't count too much on what swissarmy.com says, it looks like they are the first to be confused about the Spirit. If you buy it in a shop, check if it's exactly what you're looking for. If you're buying it online, flood the seller with specific questions. There seems to be much confusion about names, tools and details. Anyway, the one I'm talking about is this and it also seems to be widely available on eBay.

spiritpluslt2.jpg
 
the european said:
I agree, it's got to have the corkscrew. You never know when and where you're going to enjoy a good glass of wine. ;) :thumbup:

Anyway, if I were you I would choose the Spirit Plus. It has all the things you need (corkscrew included), it has scissors and the combi-edge blade is really useful. But I wouldn't count too much on what swissarmy.com says, it looks like they are the first to be confused about the Spirit. If you buy it in a shop, check if it's exactly what you're looking for. If you're buying it online, flood the seller with specific questions. There seems to be much confusion about names, tools and details. Anyway, the one I'm talking about is this and it also seems to be widely available on eBay.

spiritpluslt2.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone for all the responses so quick. I think this is what I'm looking for above, but in the S-version. Does this come exactly as above except with the additional blade instead of the scissors? I'm still a bit unsure about the necessity of the the scissors if the straight blade is good and sharp. Also, does it come with the ratchet instead of the wrench along with the corkscrew? Thanks again to everyone.
 
koz said:
Thanks everyone for all the responses so quick. I think this is what I'm looking for above, but in the S-version. Does this come exactly as above except with the additional blade instead of the scissors? I'm still a bit unsure about the necessity of the the scissors if the straight blade is good and sharp. Also, does it come with the ratchet instead of the wrench along with the corkscrew? Thanks again to everyone.
Click to expand...

That is a good question and my best answer is: I don't know. :o The problem is with the description of some Spirits (on swissarmy.com and eBay as well): some say "large blade, serrated blade" which to me sounds like a Spirit S, but the picture above that description, most of the times, is a regular Spirit with scissors and a sheepfoot blade. So, yes, I guess there is a Spirit S Plus, but where to find it and how to be sure of buying that one is a different story. Anyway, if you can't find it, don't worry and give a look at the one with one blade and scissors: I know that a sharp blade can do most of what scissors do, but sometimes a pair of scissors is really helpful, especially when (and it happens) the main blade is not so sharp anymore because you've been using it a lot. :)
 
If you don't need the other extra parts that come with the Plus packages, you can buy the corkscrew alone from this seller on eBay. There's another seller on eBay bundling them with mini-screwdrivers. Will probably save you some money. Both are excellent sellers (from my own experience).
 
kmcrawford111 said:
If you don't need the other extra parts that come with the Plus packages, you can buy the corkscrew alone from this seller on eBay. There's another seller on eBay bundling them with mini-screwdrivers. Will probably save you some money. Both are excellent sellers (from my own experience).
Click to expand...

There we go! That's exactly what I'm looking for - best of both worlds. Thanks, kmcrawford111.
 
You're welcome. I should have mentioned that both of them also sell the Spirits, too, and from what I've seen the prices are excellent, so you might want to pick up both in one fell swoop.
 
Spirit is a well round multi tool. Got mine from ebay at a price well below retail. I use it everyday. I work in HVAC field and it has held up to my abuse. Sheepfoot blade is ok, but perfer plain edge. I read the tip above and might do the same.
 
Have you considered a Swisstool? I love mine, why are you choosing the spirit over the swisstool? Just wondering, the spirit is a great choice also.
 
Suzukigsx1300r08 said:
Have you considered a Swisstool? I love mine, why are you choosing the spirit over the swisstool? Just wondering, the spirit is a great choice also.
Click to expand...

I have considered the Swisstool. It's an outstanding tool. My brother has had one for years who's a missionary in Guyana and uses it all the time. But, I think I've been drawn to the to the Spirit for a couple reasons, but mostly the size and finish. To me, the Spirit's quality reminds me of "Grandpa's old jackknife" that could be passed on to a family member or a close friend. The attention to detail is THAT good. I don't see that with some of the others - not even the Swisstool. The pliers are another concern. I've always had needle nose pliers and have come to find them very useful. I don't know if the more blunt tips of the pliers on the Swisstool will meet my needs. Honestly, if I go with another belt carry tool, it will probably be the LM Surge. Although the Swisstool has some very outstanding features, I really like the ability to change out the saw blades & driver bits on the Surge as well as the one-handed opening for the blades, even though the finish quality doesn't match the Swisstool.
 
IF YOU WANT IT GO AND GET IT!

Love mine I dont have the S version I have the normal version ans that what I need.
 
I briefly had a Surge. The first time I tried to use it to tighten a loose cabinet door, the stubby bit driver couldn't reach the recessed screw. I had to go get my Spirit to do the job. After this sort of thing happened a couple more times, I decided to trade away the Surge for a used regular Swisstool, that I now get out when I don't want to abuse the Spirit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top