Swisschamp or Workchamp?

[Ecchi-Spud]

Put simply, for first-timers who are just starting on SAKs (like myself -- so far the Super Tinker is still my largest SAK, and the one I EDC the most), which of the mentioned two models would you recommend FIRST? (NOTE: I'm of the belief that, eventually, both would be in my medium-sized hands.) Not necessarily as an EDC (maybe a pouch carry; not in the pocket), but for around the house and/or in a kit bag.

 

[SAK Guy]

You can snag a nice used Swiss Champ for around $35 off the bay...Workchamps are over $150 used if you can find them used, much more new.....try a clean used SC first to see how you like the bigger knives.

Other big SAK choices include the Cybertool CT41 and XLT SC and they add (among other things) a nice interchangeable bit driver.

Here's an XLT.

Don't have any good pix of my CT41, sorry.

 

[Brock O Lee]

I would argue that the Workchamp is the more serious tool: large locking blade, full grip, durable nylon scales, longer saw and file, two inline philips drivers, and none of the gimmicky tools like the magnifier glass, parcel hook or fish scaler...

It's big and heavy, so bag carry only for me.

 

[SAK Guy]

Sure the 111's are more serious which is why I have Hercs in my field bags! :thumbup: But for a first big SAK purchase, $35.00 vs. $150-$225 is better IMO, what if Ecchi-Spud hates the big size/width? Lots of folks do. Me, I even like the 130's!!!!

 

[Brock O Lee]

Good points SAK Guy... My strategy is sometimes to buy the most desirable model first. It often works out cheaper in the long run, compared to upgrading a few times and buying the top of the range model eventually anyway!

 

[Ecchi-Spud]

You can snag a nice used Swiss Champ for around $35 off the bay...Workchamps are over $150 used if you can find them used, much more new...

?!? Are you looking at Workchamp XLs? I've seen Workchamps (not the XL model) NEW for under $100 (and Swisschamps NEW at the same sites for less than the Workchamp -- certainly more than off the Bay).

I would argue that the Workchamp is the more serious tool: large locking blade, full grip, durable nylon scales, longer saw and file, two inline philips drivers, and none of the gimmicky tools like the magnifier glass, parcel hook or fish scaler...

It's big and heavy, so bag carry only for me.

That's actually what got me to look at the Workchamp in the first place (and, as it turns out, is actually just a bit NARROWER than the regular Swisschamp -- still longer and heavier, though). And that, while it has fewer tools than the Swisschamp, the fact that some of the tools are improved (i.e. longer and/or locking) is nice. Not to mention that some of the "missing" tools happen to be some that I don't see much use in having at the moment (like the fish scaler and the parcel hook). Oddly enough, of the "missing" tools going from the Swisschamp to the regular Workchamp, I think the one I'd miss the most would be the second blade (One thing I DO envy about the Workchamp XL: the two extra blades it's got. Almost makes me wish Victorinox would put out a SEVEN-layer Workchamp w/ a second blade).

But anyhoo, that's just me and my thoughts at this particular moment. And I'm still not ruling out having BOTH later on; just wondering about others' thoughts about which one to get FIRST.

And, with EITHER knife, it would likely be a "bag carry" with me. Or, at most, a "belt pouch" carry if I had to. With a Swisschamp tipping the scales at about 6.5 ounces and a Workchamp (again, NOT the XL model) weighing in at more than 7 ounces, NO WAY would it go into my pocket (not w/out getting hit with the usual punny question from others).

 

[SAK Guy]

?!? Are you looking at Workchamp XLs? I've seen Workchamps (not the XL model) NEW for under $100 (and Swisschamps NEW at the same sites for less than the Workchamp -- certainly more than off the Bay).

Looked them up and I was thinking about the XL.

Sounds like you've done the research before you asked so buy the one you want and let us know what you think.