Do you think a swisschamp or swisstool complement a fixedblade in the woods?

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SuzukiGS750EZ

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I carry a JK handmade knives custom fixed blade along with either a swisschamo or swisstool, or botg in the woods. The swisschamp is a ton of stuff packed into one, but the swisstool is more robust. I think with those 3 things im all set as far as anything that comes up. What do you guys so?
 
You're set. I'd carry only theSwisstool as the 'Champ, IMHO, is mainly for small jobs (food prep, small game). Unless you really need toothpicks, tweezers and a mag glass, the Swisstool should be fine with the large FB.
 
I actually do carry the swisstool for the tweezers and 'glass, but also for repairs on the trail. I like the pliers, saw, serrated edge and a few other implements on the swisstool, but the swisschamp has a variety of things i find useful also.
 
I think the Swisstool is too big and heavy for backpacking...I usually take my Leatherman knifeless fuse. Only tools i use regularly are the pliers and scissors.

But if youre willing to pack the Swisstool then you cant go wrong. Its a great multi.
 
My vote goes to the SwissTool. It is robust and a good multitool. I would buy seperate tweezers and magnifying glass and put those for example in the survival kit.
 
I picked up a Spirit in a trade over the weekend, and this is a great multi tool. Better than the Powerlock I had, better than my Wave. Tools accessible on the outside of the handles. Ergonomic handles. Great pliers. The blade isn't too shabby either, which was surprising. I had a champ, too bulky and uncomfortable for me. I would definitely go with the Swisstool, any size, but my Spirit is the first I've had in this line.
 
Too much redundancy with all three. I'd say Swisstool and fixed blade is more then good. I wouldn't trust a slip joint and the SwissTool has so many more capabilities.
 
Nikkogi said:
Too much redundancy with all three. I'd say Swisstool and fixed blade is more then good. I wouldn't trust a slip joint and the SwissTool has so many more capabilities.
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I've had a Swisschamp since 1993, for many of those years my only pocketknife. From that experience I believe the champ is at its best in an urban environment. Out in the boonies things get a little more elemental. There, strength and simplicity have an advantage over clever and complex. This is not to say the Swisschamp is fragile, but bigger is better. Also, it can be a real comfort to have good size, usable pliers on hand.

In the city, you seldom need tweezers; in the woods another story. Dedicated ones take up little space and are way more effective than the "better than nothing" SAKs, and you can whittle your own toothpick. That little magnifier might come in handy here and there, but don't think of it as an emergency fire starter. Except for giving an unsuspecting buddy a hot spot ;) , the glass is too small. I have heard about some successes, but neither I nor anyone I know has had any luck in years of trying.

The SAK does small camp chores reasonably well, but scaling fish is how I learned some of its limitations. It took me several sessions to clean it out and smelled bad for days :barf: . Smeared with mud and stuff too terrible to mention made for a gritty, hard to open and close implements until you can do maintenance. A larger tool can swallow more dirt and is easier to clean.

But I will say this; if I didn't own a pliers based multitool, I would without hesitation take the champ into the woods, and in fact have done so many times. Slip joints are fine, handled properly.
 
znapschatz said:
But I will say this; if I didn't own a pliers based multitool, I would without hesitation take the champ into the woods, and in fact have done so many times. Slip joints are fine, handled properly.
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So true, the alox Victorinox Soldier was my outdoor pocket knife for about a decade. Last year I replaced it by the Victorinox Farmer, which is in the pocket on outdoor trips.
 
I carry a Vic Spirit paired with a fixed blade in the woods (either my SDS Nessmuk or a humble Mora 510). When not in the woods, it's the Spirit and a folding knife (GEC Pioneer or Boker Subcom).

A pliers-based multitool is just too handy to go without - in any environment.
 
I would go for one good and strong fixed blade knife (HRC +/- 59, carbon+) together with a strong multitool (the Swistool is absolutely great :))
 
i go for the swisschamp-carry mine all the time in a victorinox black basketweave sheath with sharpening steel,seems like i always have to have it on my side-for my fixed blade the one i always use is my SOG Seal Pup Elite in a blackhawk sheath w/firekit in pouch--the perfect combo for me--:thumbup:
 
i take delight with having nuthin' but the bare essentials,
it keep things cosy with a lightweight carry.
the lack of the ideal tools always spurs on the grey matter to work around such technical challenges in the best tradition of my idol, Angus MacGyver.
nothing wrong in having both the swisschamp anf swisstool in the boonies;
if anything, you probably all the more wiser in have all the bases covered.
 
I am a FB and and Multi tool sort of fella. I usually have a SAK in my pocket and still do even in the field. All my main fixed blade knives have sheaths with an extra pocket and in that pocket I will stuff a full blown multi tool w/pliers. Just how I roll!!!;):thumbup:

DSC08324.jpg


L to R: ---LM Ti Charge-----15yo LM superTool-----VIC SwissTool----- LM Blast
DSC08327.jpg
 
yiterp said:
i go for the swisschamp-carry mine all the time in a victorinox black basketweave sheath with sharpening steel,seems like i always have to have it on my side-for my fixed blade the one i always use is my SOG Seal Pup Elite in a blackhawk sheath w/firekit in pouch--the perfect combo for me--:thumbup:
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I carry mine in the same sheath, but never could figure out what that little tab inside was for. Thanks for the idea! Fire steel seems like it will fit in there, or maybe two depending on the size.
 
babakanoosh45 said:
I am a FB and and Multi tool sort of fella. I usually have a SAK in my pocket and still do even in the field. All my main fixed blade knives have sheaths with an extra pocket and in that pocket I will stuff a full blown multi tool w/pliers. Just how I roll!!!;):thumbup:
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I love those setups. I wish i had a sheath that could fit a multi in it. My fixed blades sheath was handmade, and my other fixed blades also have no pouch.
 
I'm coming in a little late on this, but I have an opinion to share.
I have a SwissTool Plus (Swisstool X & the ratchet/bit set), which I think is to heavy and bulky to carry when hiking. So I used to carry my SwissChamp & Fallkniven F1.
I bought a new pouch for the SwissTool X only, and whilst larger than the Champ, it's now a wearable size.

So SwissTool + Fix Blade is my recommendation.
SwissChamp is marvelous, but as someone else said, probably better for civilized outings where the fixed blade would make you look scary. Even then the SwissTool could be a better choice.
 
I now carry my leatherman surge and a fixed blade. It's been a while since i carried my swisstool, i still carry the swiss champ though.
 
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