I'm torn between buying a Vic Swisschamp and Workchamp. Besides the obvious difference of the handle length, has anyone had experience with both? I've never handled them side by side. Except for the saw, which I have never used on any SAK (maybe it could be used like a SE knife for crusty bread?), the Workchamp has the best array of necessary tools. There's a lot of extraneous stuff on the Swisschamp (chisel, fish tool, the dreaded hook), BUT I think the magnifying glass is both cool and usable. Also, I'm wondering about the file on the Workchamp. I have always liked the pointy nail file/metal file for cleaning my nails (such as on the Swisschamp) but I've noticed that the Workchamp's version is kind of rounded at the end (and not called a nail file). Does it work the same way? I know this sounds kind of trivial, but when one has the SAK crazies, this kind of dilemma takes over your mind. Any help deciding would be appreciated. Thanks.
During 13 years of carrying a Swisschamp, I have used every implement except for the small screwdriver on the backspring and small knife blade, which I save for an emergency where a scalpel-sharp edge might be necessary. Although I don't like the fish scaler for its intended purpose (the regular knife blade works better), it serves often as a probe, to pick up things I don't want to touch barehanded, and the ruler on it has been useful to measure small stuff. I don't understand why the hook gets no respect. It has come in handy several times to pick up stuff bundled tightly with twine or wire, like newspapers and baled straw. The saw is no good for cutting bread, unless you are working on a seriously stale loaf, but very effective on branches, vines and other manageable sizes of wood. It is just the thing for growths tight against obstructions, like chain link fencing, where you can't work a regular saw.
For many years I used a belt puch, but later found that clipping the Swisschamp to a shoestring suspended by belt into a front pocket worked just fine, avoiding the discomfort of it bouncing loose against the thigh and also saving wear on the pocket. With either carry option, felt weight is negligible. Beltless trousers or shorts don't support it well, but in my lifestyle it doesn't matter much. When I am dressed that way I don't usually carry anything but ID. On the rare occasions a tool might come in handy, I just opt for something lighter in weight.
Although the small pliers are surprisingly effective for many things, the only thing lacking is full size pliers. This caused me eventually to gravitate to a Leatherman, but I still switch off between them as EDC. Often, when I carry one, I wish I had the other, and vice versa.
My first SAK was a Wenger, and it was okay, but IMHO the Vic is just a bit better in tool design and construction. It has been decades, though, so that may have changed. But I can definitely vouch for the Swisschamp. In a perfect world, everyone should be issued one at birth.
