Swiss tool vs spirit whats the difference

[jscalia]

Can anyone tell me the difference between a Vic spirit and Swiss tool RS. I thought that the Swiss tool was larger than the spirit but the Vic website states they are both 84mm. What is the general preference among users ?

 

[MG_Saldivar]

The Spirit is smaller than the Swiss Tool. I own a ST now and used to used to own a Spririt before I gave it to my brother (couldn't deal with the 'butter knife' shaped knife blade). Others here own both and can give you exact info but I guess the Spirit is about 0.5 to 1.0 inches shorter than the Swiss Tool.

I looked at the Victorinox Web site and couldn't find any length measurements but I did see this statement:

The sturdy SwissTool has also been very well received among experts since 1999, since it is particularly functional, versatile and easy-to-use. Its successor, the
Spirit, is more ergonomic and more elegant, weighs just 205 g compared to 285 g

Other differences come down to tool selection; there are at least two Spirit varieties and three or four Swiss Tool varieties. Any one would be a great buy.

 

[Foilist]

I have a Spirit and an original Swisstool. The smaller Spirit is more convenient for edc, and is still very strong for its size. I made the blade into a plain edge, and now I can deal with the odd shape better. I use the bigger one when I anticipate heavier work around the house or yard.

 

[frank k]

The standard (original) SwissTool has both serrated and plain edged knife blades and no scissors, the SwissTool X is the same but with scissors instead of the serrated blade and the RS is the same as the X, but has seatbelt cutter instead of the file/metal saw.

The standard Spirit is most comparable to the Original SwissTool X (both have a single knife blades and scissors though the Spirit's knife is a serrated sheep's foot style).

The Spirit does not have are the rulers/straight edges on the handles, the “strong Crate Opener”/ 7.5 mm screw driver, but most everything else is there; they even added a “multipurpose hook” to the reamer, a “Isolation Length Cutter” (whatever that is) to the chisel and instead of the small lanyard holes on the original SwissTool, the Spirit has key hole shaped slots that will accept an optional corkscrew attachment.


The big pluses of the Spirit are its slimmer more compact and comfortable contoured handles, improved pliers, and lighter weight (7.4 oz. for the Spirit vs. 9.8 oz. for the original SwissTool).


In my opinion, the Spirit is definitely the one to get.




Frank

 

[dunc5]

The standard (original) SwissTool has both serrated and plain edged knife blades and no scissors, the SwissTool X is the same but with scissors instead of the serrated blade and the RS is the same as the X, but has seatbelt cutter instead of the file/metal saw.

The standard Spirit is most comparable to the Original SwissTool X (both have a single knife blades and scissors though the Spirit's knife is a serrated sheep's foot style).

The Spirit does not have are the rulers/straight edges on the handles, the “strong Crate Opener”/ 7.5 mm screw driver, but most everything else is there; they even added a “multipurpose hook” to the reamer, a “Isolation Length Cutter” (whatever that is) to the chisel and instead of the small lanyard holes on the original SwissTool, the Spirit has key hole shaped slots that will accept an optional corkscrew attachment.


The big pluses of the Spirit are its slimmer more compact and comfortable contoured handles, improved pliers, and lighter weight (7.4 oz. for the Spirit vs. 9.8 oz. for the original SwissTool).


In my opinion, the Spirit is definitely the one to get.




Frank

Great post Framk Although I prefer the bigger more heavy duty Swisstool .

Heres a couple of comparison pics

Dunc

 

[knifetester]

I ahve both, and think they are top of the line as far as standard MT's go. I carry the Spirit on weekends, and the Swisstools serve car and desk, and home duties.

Great build quality.

If I could only own one it would be the Spirit.

 

[Lava]

The Swisstool can be set 'flat' so that it creates essentially a 'complete' ruler, without any guesswork in the middle, as well as if you think you'll ever be doing any kind of carpenty work, it also can be set at a perfect 90 degree angle, which comes in very handy.