Opinions of the Victorinox package opener tool?

ShaiHulud said:
I think it's a waste of a tool slot, its essentially a tape cutter, and you can cut tape with virtually any tool on a swiss army knife
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This is a good take. I have used the package opener on the Leatherman T4 extensively - but at the end of the day, it’s more fun to use an excessively overkill knife for the job.
 
DrRollinstein said:
So they took off the knife and replaced it with a worse knife?
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I am not really sure who the bladeless SAKs are for. They seemed designed for folks who were flying, or going to places which are nonpermissive towards knives. Problem is, as soon as you're found with it, and the tools inspected, they seem to get confiscated anyway. I mean, the package opener, while small, IS a sharp edge, and technically, so is the can opener. Victorinox should probably have given the TSA a call before advertising that these could be flown with.
 
Quiet said:
I am not really sure who the bladeless SAKs are for. They seemed designed for folks who were flying, or going to places which are nonpermissive towards knives. Problem is, as soon as you're found with it, and the tools inspected, they seem to get confiscated anyway. I mean, the package opener, while small, IS a sharp edge, and technically, so is the can opener. Victorinox should probably have given the TSA a call before advertising that these could be flown with.
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When I worked at TSA and I guess I can only speak for my airport even though all tsa follow (should) the same guidelines on the tsa website, as long as it didnt have an edge (and the scissors wasn't 4 inches passed the fulcrum, or a tool passed 7 inches, whatever) it was good to go. Tsa who are taking bladeless swiss army notknives are breaking their own rules, or on a power trip. Its always a good practice to have them open up the bladless tool and ask them to show you the knife, they wont be able to, so the tool is allowed, the passenger just has to advocate for themselves. I can't see these blade free variants becoming the next big victorinox hit, but theyre made an option, so
 
I personally can’t see the box cutter blade to be in any way ”bladeless” or more legal than your average SAK blade. In fact the way the blade looks more of a hook that could slash someones face pretty efficiently IMO. It might look a little less obvious however.
You are definitely not going to travel with it in carry on luggage.
 
Quiet said:
I am not really sure who the bladeless SAKs are for. They seemed designed for folks who were flying, or going to places which are nonpermissive towards knives. Problem is, as soon as you're found with it, and the tools inspected, they seem to get confiscated anyway. I mean, the package opener, while small, IS a sharp edge, and technically, so is the can opener. Victorinox should probably have given the TSA a call before advertising that these could be flown with.
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There Has Been a General Trend over the Last 50 some odd Years to Make Packaging Easier to Open without any Knife.

Coupling that with The General Public is growing Accustomed to Not carrying a Knife due to Hollywood Stigma, The UK's issues, Insane Laws, etc. etc.

It Has Gotten to the Point where in 50-60 years We went From "Why aren't you carrying your pocket knife" To "WHY Do you have a Pocket Knife???"

My Pal said it best,,, ""Sheep will Be Sheep""
 
I have to say, albeit small, the Victorinox package opener is very sharp. It is essentially a small chisel ground blade that does slice through cardboard very easily. Plus it is my only option at my place of employment as knives are not allowed on the property.
 
I used to love Flying. Damn terrorist ruined it for me. When i lived in England as American GI I carried a buck knife both on and off duty on my belt for everyone to see. Sad times have changed. Honestly i can’t recall but i might have carried it on board airliners too where smoking on a plane was normal.
But not surprised that TSA would confiscate this blade less knife. The confiscated two lovely Canned Steak and kidney pies. I know someone ate good that night, lol!
Truth be told i like many just use a blade on my SAK’s
 
I have the New York Style and Sydney Style Companion's and I like the box opener tool and find it more useful than the can opener I never use. I wish the Companion had the small blade instead of the nailfile but I like how it comes standard with plus scales and I added the mini screwdriver to the corkscrew and put a straight pin in the scale slot. The 91mm cellidor Companion's have been well received and have gotten great reviews on Youtube and other places. Blade Forums should be called The Place Where People Go To Complain About Knives. It's kind of ridiculous the amount of complaining on here and it's mostly old miserable men stuck in their bad marriages and they vent through whining about knives. FACTS
 
I’ve had it since the first wood scaled Swiss spirit LE, and I like it enough that I’ve added a gifted most of the newer variants as they were available. I think it’s a good tool, even if not the best all-around. I do like how it works on clamshell packaging. Before they were even released, while it was still an unconfirmed rumor, I made several different types from the can openers. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, but one is better than the official tool in every way except perhaps…clamshells. And it still opens cans. 😁 It’s not the hook/gut type that Felix popularized (stolen from a member at MTO that went by Combo Tool, IIRC). However, it’s not something I’d try to get others or even Victorinox to do…because they probably couldn’t automate how it’s ground into the can opener. And if I’m wrong about that, it would damned expensive for Vx to do. Difficult for most knife guys to grind. That said, it’s not hard to make an edge like the curved main part of the new tool. I’ve done a few and they cut clamshells similarly enough. Sharpening isn’t as difficult as some make it out to be, as long as you know how to sharpen a curved chisel grind. There’s no need for people to hate it. At least Vx isn’t gatekeeping them with limited editions now.
 
I like the package opener on my Sydney model and use it a lot. I honed it a bit when I first got it because of an insignificant burr I could feel on the edge, but it's served me well almost daily for two and a quarter years with no need for a touch up. Just an occassional wipe down with an alcohol pad (like they use when you get poked with a needle) if it gets gunked up has been all the maintenance it has needed.

Oh, and the main blade stays clean and gunk free!

I love it and and will continue using it despite what the hater nay-sayers feel about it.
 
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