Swiss Tool : One Hand Opening ?

Pointshoot777

Pointshoot777

Joined
Feb 16, 2001
Messages
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Hello everyone. I'm interested in maybe getting a Swiss Tool. I like the quality of Swiss Army knives (actually always carry a small SAK all the time). - - I would use this multi-tool when hiking and doing other activities in the backcountry. Would an owner of one of the Swiss Tools please comment on how easy it is to open with one hand ? Is there a hole or ring for lanyard use ? I ask this question, because I buy tools that can be operated with one hand. Awhile back I was in the backcountry and had injured one of my hands making it impossible to use it. Being able to open and operate a tool with one hand is a must for me. (I have several Leatherman multi-tools and are able to open & use them one handed.) Thanks, - - -
 
My original Swiss Tool is quite stiff and for sure a two handed tool. My later generation of the same tool is easier to open but I'd still be very hesitant to call it a one handed tool

I've seen one old Leatherman which was one of the original ones and it was one you could swing open to use the pliers one handed but any of the other tools you wanted you ended up pulling out all or several at the same time you pulled the one you that you wanted. The reason I bought the Swiss Tool when I did was just because of that. At least with it when I wanted the saw I got just the saw and not the file, can opener and something else with it. Nowadays they have resolved a lot of those old issues across the board. I owned a Leatherman Wave until just recently and it had blades that were easily one hand operation and you could use it like any liner lock and open it and close it with one hand. You could probably open the pliers and use it also but it would take a bit of finesse I think although its certainly doable.

STR
 
The SwissTool/Spirit tools are definitely not for you then. They are extremely high quality but what you want is a Wave/Charge/Skeletool. :)
 
I just tried this with my Swisstool Spirit. I'm a lefty, so pretending my left hand was injured (not using it at all), I took the Spirit from the sheath, opened and closed it and several of the tools. It is possible but not easy, although the most difficult operation was actually removing it from the sheath on the opposite side.

Under those circumstances, yes, you can do it. It is not difficult with the Spirit, the regular Swisstool shouldn't be too much different. It is definitely not a one-handed tool, for most of it I had to brace the tool against my leg.
 
Swisstools aren't meant for one-handed operations, but with some practice (and quite a considerable risk of cutting myself) I can open it with one hand without bracing against whatever. Wouldn't recommend it though.
 
Bill_H said:
I just tried this with my Swisstool Spirit. I'm a lefty, so pretending my left hand was injured (not using it at all), I took the Spirit from the sheath, opened and closed it and several of the tools. It is possible but not easy, although the most difficult operation was actually removing it from the sheath on the opposite side.

Under those circumstances, yes, you can do it. It is not difficult with the Spirit, the regular Swisstool shouldn't be too much different. It is definitely not a one-handed tool, for most of it I had to brace the tool against my leg.
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Although Spirit implements come out easier than those on the full size Swisstool, neither are easy to open one handed. Even two handed it can be a challenge if your hands are cold and/or wet enough to soften thumbnails. For that reason, Leatherman is a better bet for one handed access. This is obviously true of the Wave, Charge and Surge, although not lefty friendly, but also the Core and probably Super Tool 300, which I haven't yet handled but has the same tool set. Although all Core implements are inboard, I have found them easier to pull out than those on either Vic. As a righty, though, I have found a Charge TTi best of all for OH opening, just about spoiling me for anything else.
 
Thanks guys for your comments. I love the quality of Swiss Army products, but after looking at my Leathermans & photos of the Swiss Tool, I think that I'll go the Leatherman route when it comes to a multi-tool used in the backwoods. As I mentioned, I've been up in the mountains with an injured hand. Night was falling. The wind was blowing & it was raining. I was cold and shivering. Its important to be able to open the tool as quickly & easily as possible. (And with one hand IMO.) - - If the Swiss Tool had long nail nicks that would probably help. (The Leatherman SuperTool 300 has this on the knife blades.) I also prefer the size & location of the lanyard ring found on the Leathermans. You can grasp a blade in one hand while the other end of the knife is held by a lanyard and pull the knife blade open against the tension of the lanyard.
A multi-tool can be very useful in the mountain back country. But, I always carrry a fixed blade knife in a sheath too. - - -
 
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