First Victorinox ever

[razredge]

Hi
I recently (after much research) bought a Huntsman Plus.
Seemed like had all the features i might need, and still fit comfortably in my pocket. As I intend to use it as an EDC, I am sure within a week I'll have found a dozen daily uses for it.

I have always wanted a SAK when I was a kid (parents would never buy me a knife), sort of forgot about them until now, and decided to buy one, seem to be amazingly useful things. The Swiss quality and the way they click open and close is also fascinating, i'm sure i'll be doing that with all the tools for at least half an hour.

Anyway, I was tossing up between the Explorer Plus and the Huntsman Plus, do you think I made the better choice? I figured that the philips screwdriver wasn't as useful as the wood saw (everyone keeps saying how good it is), and anyway apparently the can opener can be used as a philips screwdriver, is that right?

I was also put off by the fact that the magnifying glass was made of plastic and was only 2x. None of the other 4 layer standard knives had plus scales so that ruled them out.

Another question, are the plus scales only available through online ordering? None of the stores i went to had (or had heard of) the plus models, is getting the plus model worth it? And are the plus scales bigger than the normal scales?

The only concern I have is that I might need longer and stronger nails, seeing as the tools are quite hard to open. Do they need to be 'run in'?

PS: What do you do with the hook? I don't have any parcels to carry (i think it has a built in nail file).
And what do you do with a corkscrew, if you don't drink grape juice? (Besides store the mini screwdriver in it)

 

[stainless]

Welcome razredge. I to wonder about the utility of these implements. I really have not used the parcel hook on my swiss army knives yet. The cork screw has come in handy as a scribe though.

 

[powernoodle]

I went with the Explorer, but what constitutes "best" is very subjective.

As for the hook, here is a thread.

 

[mp510]

I figured that the philips screwdriver wasn't as useful as the wood saw (everyone keeps saying how good it is)

The screwdriver nib on the can opener is good for both phillips and standard (slotted) screws.

And what do you do with a corkscrew, if you don't drink grape juice? (Besides store the mini screwdriver in it)

It has uses in undoing knots, and other impromptu things that just seem to pop-up.

 

[znapschatz]

Hi

apparently the can opener can be used as a philips screwdriver, is that right?

The screwdriver nib on the can opener is good for both phillips and standard (slotted) screws.

PS: What do you do with the hook? I don't have any parcels to carry (i think it has a built in nail file).

I have used it to lift bundles of straw by the baling wire, as an improvised coat hanger in a public restroom without one (a tip from someone on this forum, btw), and to carry tightly bundled newspapers by the cord. The nail file can also be used as a fire starter, I think.

And what do you do with a corkscrew, if you don't drink grape juice? (Besides store the mini screwdriver in it)

It has uses in undoing knots, and other impromptu things that just seem to pop-up.

If you keep an open mind about the implements, with experience you will discover how useful they can be for undesignated purposes.

 

[yobbos1]

The corkscrew is better for undoing knots than it is for pulling corks. You'll come to either love or hate the hook, keep an open mind and you will see uses for it.

 

[znapschatz]

The corkscrew is better for undoing knots than it is for pulling corks. You'll come to either love or hate the hook, keep an open mind and you will see uses for it.

True about the corkscrew, but still works better than breaking off the bottle neck. Just screwing it into the cork and yanking on it is crude, nasty and sometimes doesn't work at all. What I do is screw it almost all the way down to the cork, then lever the backspring tools against the bottle lip to break adhesion. Then the cork draws out easily.

I neither love nor hate the hook, but use it sometimes. It doesn't take up enough space to be concerned about, and someday could save your life.

 

[Foilist]

Excellent choice! The Huntsman was my first SAK - indeed my first knife - when I was twelve. I used it for everything for many years. I still have it and it shows wear but is perfectly functional (I'm 37 now). It still gets occasional use, but mostly waits in a drawer until my daughter is old enough for it.

 

[yobbos1]

Another great thing about the Huntsman is the size of the handle. You can actually get a really good white knuckle grip on it if you need to. Can't do that as easily with some of the smaller SAKs.

 

[razredge]

Thanks for all your suggestions and tips, they're great.

Some more questions (bought it from Amazon, hasn't arrived as yet)
Does the hook on the Huntsman have a built in nail file? Or is that only on certain models.
Are the Plus scales the same thickness as the regular ones?
Does the mini-screwdriver fit the small philips screws you see on electronic gadgets (ie. PDAs, MP3 players) these days or is it mainly for eyeglass screws.

Can you remove the keyring, as it's going to be in my pocket, and I heard the keyring can get in the way of some tools.

 

[Scott Free]

If nobody else has said it yet-- welcome to bladeforums. Congratulations on choosing an excellent SAK. It's cool that you're new to knives and yet made the wise decision of picking one of the most useful knives out there. Lot's of people have to go through the expensive "tactical" phase before moving on to the more useful and affordable SAK. You made the right choose the very first time! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

The Huntsman in any variation has a very useful and efficient tool selection. Good going!

 

[razredge]

If nobody else has said it yet-- welcome to bladeforums. Congratulations on choosing an excellent SAK. It's cool that you're new to knives and yet made the wise decision of picking one of the most useful knives out there. Lot's of people have to go through the expensive "tactical" phase before moving on to the more useful and affordable SAK. You made the right choose the very first time! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

The Huntsman in any variation has a very useful and efficient tool selection. Good going!

Thanks, i usually research things before I buy them. SOSAKonline and SmartKnives helped me choose this one.

 

[vic2367]

welcome aboard,,,you made an excellent choice on the vic huntsman

 

[freezergeezer]

Welcome to BF. Imo, the Hunstman Plus is the best of the Vic's from the standpoint of tool selection. The only downside of the Huntsman & similar size SAKS is I find they tend to wear out pockets pretty fast. Of course, a belt sheath fixes that.
For what it's worth, Victorinox do a version of it with a light built in - I saw it in Switzerland a couple of months ago, but I'm not sure if it's available outside the country.

 

[razredge]

Welcome to BF. Imo, the Hunstman Plus is the best of the Vic's from the standpoint of tool selection. The only downside of the Huntsman & similar size SAKS is I find they tend to wear out pockets pretty fast. Of course, a belt sheath fixes that.
For what it's worth, Victorinox do a version of it with a light built in - I saw it in Switzerland a couple of months ago, but I'm not sure if it's available outside the country.

Do they really wear out pockets?, it's a cellidor case not Alox.
Cause I bought it as an EDC, so it's going to be in my pocket a lot, I mostly wear jeans though, so they shouldn't wear out anytime soon.

I did look at the Huntsman Lite, but it was a bit too thick (5 layers) and the only extra tool was a philips screwdriver and the LED light. As the can opener can be used as a Philips screwdriver, I chose the smaller one. Especially seeing as some people weren't satisfied with the performance of the light.

I'm still waiting for mine to arrive, next week hopefully...
Also anyone know the answer to these questions:

Does the mini-screwdriver fit the small philips screws you see on electronic gadgets (ie. PDAs, MP3 players) these days or is it mainly for eyeglass screws?
Can you remove the keyring, as it's going to be in my pocket, and I heard the keyring can get in the way of some tools?

 

[JOAT]

The mini screwdriver will fit many small electronics phillips screws. But I have broken a couple of mini screwdrivers this way, by applying too much torque. It would be okay as long as the screws aren't too tight.

 

[mp510]

The mini screwdriver will fit many small electronics phillips screws. But I have broken a couple of mini screwdrivers this way, by applying too much torque. It would be okay as long as the screws aren't too tight.

Replacements don't cost too much though.They are only appx. $2.

Can you remove the keyring, as it's going to be in my pocket, and I heard the keyring can get in the way of some tools.

Since I don't have the miini screwdriver with any of my vics, I keep the keyring under the tip of the corkscrew. BUt it is easy enough to remove the ring itself, just spread it and turn it off, like removing keys from a keychain. You can't get rid of the nib the ring attaches to, but you can get rid of the ring itself.

 

[Charlie Fox]

Good choice! It may be your first, but it certainly won't be your last....these things are like crack!

 

[Mike L.]

You can't get rid of the nib the ring attaches to, but you can get rid of the ring itself.

Well, yes you can with a file, belt sander or dremel.
Just be sure you want it gone for good.


--Mike L.

 

[znapschatz]

Do they really wear out pockets?, it's a cellidor case not Alox.
Cause I bought it as an EDC, so it's going to be in my pocket a lot, I mostly wear jeans though, so they shouldn't wear out anytime soon.

(snip)
Can you remove the keyring, as it's going to be in my pocket, and I heard the keyring can get in the way of some tools?

You might want to rethink. The keyring allows you to suspend the SAK into your pocket by dummy cord, in my case a shoestring with a quick release clip on the end, so that it does not touch bottom and also rides securely along the rear pocket seam. It reduces felt weight to next to nothing, and prevents a hunk of metal clunking against your thigh, also reduces pocket wear. With this cheap and simple setup, I can easily carry a Swisschamp without a sheath, the Huntsman would be easier still. Give it a try before removing the keyring or Dremeling off the nib.