New Toy, Old Hike!- Victorinox Swiss Tool X

B

bearthedog

Joined
May 17, 2006
Messages
4,290
Bertha Peak, Big Bear California

I got a new toy and have been itching to get to some higher elevation. Just a quick day hike in Big Bear California- Bertha Peak. The hike starts at about 6,500 feet and the peak is around 8,200. Not a hard hike but definitely one for scenery. I have done this three other times in the snow and in the summer heat.

After much debate and soul searching I picked up a new toy, the Victorinox Swiss Tool X. I was in the market for a new Multi-Tool and although I have the Leatherman Wave (old model) I never really liked the performance of the clip point blade on wood and the saw always seemed a tad too short but then again I never took it outdoors. I know I give up the one-handed opening feature but I feel the gain is worth it. On the Swiss Tool X, all the tools lock. I now have a longer saw and the famous Swiss Army spear point flat ground blade. One more huge reason for ditching the one- handed opening blades, in some countries that I have been to they are illegal. With the Swiss Tool X, I don’t need to worry about local law enforcement or customs officials in other countries giving me crap.

Here are a few pictures from the hike and of course, the Swiss Tool X.

-RB

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Victorinox Swiss Tool X
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Scissors, a tool perfect for trimming toe nails out on the trail, cutting zip ties, string hanging off clothes, first aid use, and many other tasks.
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Larger locking Blade and Saw than the Hiker
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Larger tools on the Swiss Tool than the Hiker
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In hand shots for Will (spooky) and Hollowdweller
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NICE PICTURES!!! I'm jealous! That Swiss Tool looks like a solid multi-tool. Congrats!
 
Those are some spectacular pics, awesome country.


That swisstool looks really nice. I never gave them much thought until the big multi-tool thread, but they appear to be some of the best.
 
Congratulations, BTD, you have finally found RELIGION! :D

You can't beat Victorinox. I have a Swiss Spirit and I love it. The Swiss Tool X would be (and might be) my choice if I was ready for something a bit heavier.

I had something else to say, but I got distracted by the lovely Mrs BTD. :o

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Congratulations, BTD, you have finally found RELIGION! :D

You can't beat Victorinox. I have a Swiss Spirit and I love it. The Swiss Tool X would be (and might be) my choice if I was ready for something a bit heavier.

I had something else to say, but I got distracted by the lovely Mrs BTD. :o

Doc
Click to expand...

Hey Doc, I went to buy the Spirit X but they only had the Spirit RS. I got a chance to handle the saw and plain blade on the Spirit and they were smaller and a little whimpy for me. I like the extra size on the Saw, blade, and screw drivers/Pryers.
It was the good people here who encouraged me to get the Vic Tool and I thank them all for it.

-RB
 
Bear my swiss tool doesn't have the sissors , I beleive mine has a serrated blade in that spot and the my awl doesnt seem to be as substancual, maybe I new to up grade even though it has been a great tool none the less.
 
mkhop said:
Bear my swiss tool doesn't have the sissors , I beleive mine has a serrated blade in that spot and the my awl doesnt seem to be as substancual, maybe I new to up grade even though it has been a great tool none the less.
Click to expand...

The only difference between the full-sized Swiss Tools are the 4 tools closest to the outside--the bread in the "tool sandwich" if you will. All of the tools in between (the chisel, awl, screwdrivers, etc) are identical between Swiss Tool models. :)
 
Very nice. I'll have to look into the Swiss tools. I have been using Sogs since my first and only leatherman broke The first time I used it.

I grew up going to Big Bear. Some of my fondest memories are of the lake and waking up in the morning, smelling the bakery in town and having to get some fresh baked goods for breakfast! You could smell that danged bakery for miles.
 
Great shots as usual Ruben!

I have original and X-model Swiss Tools...they are definitely the tanks of multi-tools! I too slimmed down to the Spirit model like Doc...I was at first a little disappointed with the serrated butter knife blade, but it actually complements my other tools quite well. You're right though, the saw blades on the standard models are much more heavy duty, but I haven't seen a major difference between the two. I also like that the Spirit has more of "needle-nose" pliers as that's my main beef with Vic's multi-tools although it's more of just my personal preference. Lastly, I wish they would put a thread hole for their leather-puncher...it works like a charm and I'm tempted to drill a small hole in the blade for it. I don't know why, but I love that chisel/wire stripper on the Spirit:D

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ROCK6
 
I'm a huge fan of the Swisstools. I had an original Swisstool which I gifted away to a forumite once, and my Spirit with serration-ectomy has been my near-constant edc for a number of years. I hope to get ahold of the Spirit X version soon.
 
Thanks Reuben!! Love the photos. They are validation for me. I've asked Santa for one of these a month ago and have my fingers crossed.
 
The original Swisstools were too big for my small hands, so I used Leatherman for a while. I now have a pair of Spirit X's, and they are my favourite multi tool. The corrosion resistance of these tools has been a bonus whilst in the outdoors.
 
I much prefer the file on the Spirit as compared to the standard Swiss Tools--it's the most aggressive thing I've ever seen short of a fresh lead file! :eek:
 
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