new to me Vic Swisstool!

F

Foilist

Joined
Dec 20, 2004
Messages
3,863
I just got a Swisstool from another forum member in trade for a Surge. Some would say that it was a lop-sided trade becasue the Surge originally costs more, but I think of it as swapping something I didn't want anymore for something that I did want.

I like the Swisstool's simple design. The array and style of implements suits me too, although I'm gonna miss the scissors. I also like the precise way that the Swisstool snaps open and closed. Leatherman handle wobble always bothered me vaguely even though it was never a problem.

The pouch is for horizontal carry only, and is expandable. What else is meant to be stored in there? Right now a Kershaw Vapor II fits nicely.
 
Foilist said:
The pouch is for horizontal carry only, and is expandable. What else is meant to be stored in there? Right now a Kershaw Vapor II fits nicely.
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Well, all three of my SwissTool sheaths are black nylon, they snap-closed, and each sheath is vertical carry, only. Also, the SwissTools fit pretty snugly in the sheath version I have. No spare room for a knife, anyway...unless it's a sharpened credit card, maybe.

I'm thinking that perhaps you've gotten a SwissTool Plus sheath with your SwissTool, minus the wrench and bit kit:



GeoThorn
 
Vic did make a leather horizontal pouch for carrying the SwissTool products. Unfortunately, U.S. dealers can't buy them from Vic. (Stupid policy!)

- Tim
 
I thought that adding a photo of my SwissTool sheaths might help. I needed to wait until daylight returned, to take the photo.

SwissTools-Sheaths50.jpg


I think that these are examples of the original nylon SwissTool sheath, though, I might well be mistaken. Also, one hears a lot about Cordura being a high-quality of nylon, and, if any company actually uses Cordura nylon, I suspect that Victorinox would.

GeoThorn

P.S. Want to know one previously unrecognized bonus of owning three SwissTools? Being able to take a simultaneous front, back, and side photo.... ;)
 
The pouch I have is black leather, horizontal carry, velcro flap with a metal Vic logo. It has an accordion pleat to expand and an internal divider that makes a large and small compartment. The previous owner tells me it is for an optional bit kit, which he never had. Sorry, I don't have a picture.

It is sort of neat and elegant looking, but I think I'm going to get a more conventional pouch for it to have in addition for edc.
 
Foilist said:
The pouch I have is black leather, horizontal carry, velcro flap with a metal Vic logo. It has an accordion pleat to expand and an internal divider that makes a large and small compartment. The previous owner tells me it is for an optional bit kit, which he never had. Sorry, I don't have a picture.

It is sort of neat and elegant looking, but I think I'm going to get a more conventional pouch for it to have in addition for edc.
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It sounds like you've still gotten a great deal! No multi-tools that I've held feel as solid and capable as the SwissTool, and that can lead to additional confidence when using it.

I would suggest ordering the bit kit (without the sheath, if possible, because you already have a Plus sheath) and an original SwissTool sheath. Then you'll have two carry options for your SwissTool, either with or without the bit kit.

GeoThorn
 
geothorn said:
I thought that adding a photo of my SwissTool sheaths might help. I needed to wait until daylight returned, to take the photo.

SwissTools-Sheaths50.jpg


I think that these are examples of the original nylon SwissTool sheath, though, I might well be mistaken. Also, one hears a lot about Cordura being a high-quality of nylon, and, if any company actually uses Cordura nylon, I suspect that Victorinox would.

GeoThorn

P.S. Want to know one previously unrecognized bonus of owning three SwissTools? Being able to take a simultaneous front, back, and side photo.... ;)
Click to expand...


I have exactly a Swisstool original with that pouch, and when I see inside says:
Pouch made in Mexico, is not important to me but where I can get more pouches like this ones???

Thanks
 
IMHO, you traded up. I've used my SwissTool and SwissTool Spirit in very demanding environments and SAR missions, they were always excellent. I tried a Leatherman Wave for a month and quickly went back to my ST.

If you miss the scissors, get a slim SAK with scissors and stick it in the pouch with the SwissTool. A Vic Classic with alox scales or an alox Wenger Squire (its a bit bigger with better scissors). Just ask the bloke with the winged kitten avatar (Tim) about cheap SAKs, he has quite a few.
 
I EDC a Swisstool RS (which has scissors and curved rescue blade ) and have owned a std and X model in the past , They are far superior to leatherman and gerber although one or two people may disagree with me ;)

Dunc
 
dunc5 said:
I EDC a Swisstool RS (which has scissors and curved rescue blade ) and have owned a std and X model in the past , They are far superior to leatherman and gerber although one or two people may disagree with me ;)

Dunc
Click to expand...

I dont desagree, Swisstools are a lot more superior to Leatherman's and Gerber's
 
Tango44 said:
I have exactly a Swisstool original with that pouch, and when I see inside says:
Pouch made in Mexico, is not important to me but where I can get more pouches like this ones???
Click to expand...
Tango44, my three nylon SwissTool sheaths/pouches also have the "POUCH MADE IN MEXICO" tag, sewn into the upper left-hand side, as one is looking directly at the front of the sheath.

As far as I know, the only way to get a SwissTool sheath exactly like the one I've pictured above is when one is purchasing a SwissTool. There are replacement sheaths for the SwissTool that are available online, like this one, for sale at Amazon.com. However, beyond the photograph picturing a SwissTool sheath that looks like the one I have, I cannot say that it is padded as well, or made as well, or, if, indeed, it is the same sheath.

All that I can suggest is to look on the Internet for a sheath that closely matches the sheaths that I have pictured above, and then cross your fingers and hope for the best that it is the same sheath. Another way would be to look for SwissTool sheaths being sold on Ebay, say, for example, if someone has lost their SwissTool overboard, but, they managed to keep the pouch.

(Though dunc5 spends lots of his time on the water, I doubt that dunc5 would lose his SwissTool RS overboard.... ;))

Good luck in your quest!
GeoThorn
 
geothorn said:
(Though dunc5 spends lots of his time on the water, I doubt that dunc5 would lose his SwissTool RS overboard.... ;))

Good luck in your quest!
GeoThorn
Click to expand...

LOL no that just aint going to happen ;)

Dunc
 
Tango44 said:
I dont desagree, Swisstools are a lot more superior to Leatherman's and Gerber's
Click to expand...

I think that both Swisstools and Leatherman are superior to Gerber, but I think Swisstool and Leatherman are pretty close in quality. Swisstools appeal to me a bit more - I like the precise way that the Swisstools snap open and closed without that wobble that my Leathermans (Leathermen?) seem to have. I don't know if the difference is really an indication of quality or function, or if it is just an aesthetic thing.

The other thing is that some Leatherman tools seem to be getting a little complicated and gimicky, whereas Swisstools stay pretty simple. If Leatherman wanted to offer a truly different and useful feature, they ought to make a tool body where you change the implements in and out that you buy separately. That would be a neat feature.
 
hello and greetings across the ocean,
i live and work -as a technician on live events- in germany and would be really
lost without my swisstool wether on or off duty.
one important advantage, compared to lm (wave),it has 12 separate springs
to lock every tool attached, so you won´t squeeze or cut your fingers.
that´s why the german elite police squad gsg9 changed from wave to swisstool(black,like mine).
bye
uwe
 
Foilist said:
The other thing is that some Leatherman tools seem to be getting a little complicated and gimicky
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree with this. In what appears to be an effort to churn out more new tools they add things that don't awlays fit the chassis well. I too like simple and fuctional.
 
After reading so much about the Swisstool, I decided to get one and compare it to my Leatherman tools. I have carried Leatherman, Gerber and SOG multi-tools in several environments and have always gone back to Leatherman (the only thing SOG has over leatherman is their pliers).

The Swisstool is very solid and well built. I really like the external accessability of all of the implements and was surprised at how good it felt in my hands. (Lots of multitools feel very uncomfortable).

I haven't put it through any really serious use, other than daily use in a mechanics shop, but I found a few things that I would change:

1. The file (leatherman is far superior with their diamond file)
2. The blade steel, thickness and lack of one hand operation.
3. The pliers should be longer nosed.
4. The sheath, I hate the snap and the sides need a lower profile for ease of use.

Besides the things that I listed above, I have to give this tool very high marks. For the money, you get a very well made, tough tool.

I am going to continue to carry the Swiss for a few more weeks, I think it will grow on me.:thumbup:
 
edamhcneb said:
I haven't put it through any really serious use, other than daily use in a mechanics shop, but I found a few things that I would change:
Click to expand...

What would you consider "really serious use?"
 
I would consider "serious use" something like a trip to the National Training Center, Graffenwoher training center or Iraq. :D
 
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