Short Vic Compact review

[Dave in PA]

Well, I had seen this model on several websites for awhile and was at a gunshow last weekend...and there it was! I got a good deal; the knife and small Victorinox sheath for $20 out the door.

The knife is my new EDC user blade, as opposed to my EDC carry blade which is to be used "just as needed". That blade is a BM 550 plainedge which is kept razor sharp.

The Vic Compact model is very close in thickness to a Tinker or Spartan, with a few differences. The Compact has a large scissors, large blade, combo bottle cap lifter/can opener/screwdriver. I used the can opener to open a can of olives with no difficulty at all. The scissors cut well enough for my needs, which admittedly are not to cut heavy or thick material. For those needs, a multi-tool would most likely be more appropriate.

The knife is also equipped with the standard toothpick and mini tweezers, but also had a small ball point pen, a mini eyeglass screwdriver held in the corkscrew and a nice size straight pin hidden behind the corkscrew. The knife is also equipped with a combo package hook/nail file. This takes up no space, but I really have no use for either.

I tied a para-cord lanyard on the knife and I've been carrying it since. For my metro-area neighborhood, the combo of tools seems to meet my needs very well and still fit easily in my front pants pocket. When we go camping, kayaking or even just day hiking, I carry one of the larger SAK's, but for most of my needs, the Compact fits the bill.

All in all, for $20 it can't be beat! I'm happy.

 

[mnblade]

I love the looks of that knife and the compact design. Just two problems, IMHO. I really miss having a second, smaller blade. And I don't like having a pen on a knife. Let us know how yours holds up.

Thanks for the review!

 

[Dave in PA]

mnblade, like you, I also prefer a second smaller blade on my user knives. Time will tell if that is really an issue or not. As far as the pen on a knife, it is hidden in the handle just like the toothpick and tweezers, so it's out of sight and out of the way.

As far as how it's holding up, I've only had it for a short time, but for the normal cutting chores it's done just fine. You know, paper, string, cardboard boxes and dog food bags. I realize that the blade steel isn't "good" by todays standards, but the Victorinox SAK's have always held up fine for my needs.

In the past, my eyeglass frames have come loose, like many other folks experience. Usually this is when I'm away from home and a good screwdriver to tighten them before loosing a screw, so this feature really pleases me.

I think the knife will work out well.....at least until my next "must have" knife comes along. Dave

PS: as a duty knife, I still carry one of the larger SAK's to take advantage of the other tools, but this one is for off-duty use.

 

[Bucky]

Great review. I've really been meaning to pick one up to complement the Leatherman Juice Kf4 that I will be getting soon. The Juice lacks the corkscrew and scissors that the Compact has, so it seems to be a great fit. I think the pen would come in handy for emergencies and the small screwdriver would be nice for repairing glasses. I guess I'll have to get one now.

PS - I think too many forumites dismiss the usefulness of the SAK as a complement to a primary folder and/or a multi-tool. Anyone else agree?

Bucky

 

[mnblade]

>"I think too many forumites dismiss the usefulness of the SAK as a complement to a primary folder and/or a multi-tool. Anyone else agree?"

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To me, a SAK makes a <i>fine</i> primary folder in and of itself.
The main blade and pen blade of a SAK, plus the basic assortment of tools, of course, are what are essential for me - a single-blade folder is what's optional. I hike and camp and travel a bit and moonlight as a musician, and I literally cannot remember any instance where a SAK could not have sufficed. Now, that's not to say that I didn't sometimes opt for the Spyderco Endura or Leatherman Wave instead, but the SAK blade can and does handle anything short of self-defense, big game field dressing, etc.