SwissTech Utili-Key

B

bladeNUT82

Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
122
Hello,
I have recently picked up a SwissTech Utili-Key, I tested it out a bit and put it on my keychain. I thought it would be a good blade in the case that I don't have anything else on me in an emergency(highly unlikely since I carry my Vic Farmer all the time, but it MIGHT happen). I was just wondering how many of you out there have one and carry it, and what your opinions are.

In the case that you have never seen one of these, here is a link
http://www.swisstechtools.com/productdetail.aspx?PID=VZ75GDTdP68A

I was also just thinking, if I forget about this, and try to fly somewhere, i'd probably be reminded of it when security takes it away. I know this has happened to someone.

Cheers...
 
I've been thinking about getting one myself, but I've not seen one "in the flesh". How tightly do the two parts fit together to fix to the keyring? if you catch it on something do you think it's likely to come off?
 
inncubus said:
I've been thinking about getting one myself, but I've not seen one "in the flesh". How tightly do the two parts fit together to fix to the keyring? if you catch it on something do you think it's likely to come off?
Click to expand...

They all CLOSE and STAY CLOSED very well, notice the dip at the top where the clasp catches(Opposite of the Phillips screwdriver). There are actually two positions where it "catches" open. I actually received 4 utili-keys, and 2 of the 4 really dont catch open when the are supposed to in the middle, or should i say, I like the way 2 of the 4 catch mid-way. Overall, i don't plan on using these much, but I thought it would be nice to have in the case that i did need it.

Heres a scenario...
I'm driving in my car, someone t-bones me, and my car rolls over. I'm hanging upside down, and my seatbelt is locked up and i cant get down. My knife was in my cup holder, but now its god knows where, But my Utili-Key is still on my key chain in the ignition(which is usually at reach). I can get free :)
 
I’ve had one for a while now. I really like how compact it is, doesn’t add a ton of bulk to my keys. I’ve mostly use the screw drivers. Never really used the blade for any cutting, but I’m sure it’d work in a pinch.

Great little tool:thumbup:

-sh00ter
 
I have one on my keychain, and I forget it's there except for the 2 or 3 times a year I actually need to use it. I also fly a few times a year as well, still forget it's on my keychain, still have it. If I remembered, I'd probably remove it, but as yet it still goes through unnoticed.
 
I've had one for a few years now, it's a great little tool. The blade cuts the light stuff just fine, and I've used it many times when I didn't have anything else handy. It can get a little uncomfortable if you try to do something big, or something that takes more than a couple minutes--but that's to be expected when you compare it with a SAK or a dedicated pocket knife. It locks perfectly, it goes where ever my keys go and it's never opened itself or fallen off.

When I say it goes wherever I go, it should be noted I don't go near airports. ;) I did take it to a nearby amusement park which I visited pretty frequently, they have metal detectors and people checking your stuff. Not a very thorough check and it went totally unnoticed till a few weeks back, when I got a grunt as the guy stared at the key. It was a busy night and he handed it back though. It's not a huge loss if it's lost, so I'm not too concerned about removing it. I can see myself losing it quick if it gets taken off the key ring anyway.
 
I, too, have one on my keychain. It lives there. Security has never given me a problem with it, or they just never noticed it. The thing stays closed until I open it (no falling off). I use it a lot, mostly the Phillips screwdriver. The tiny eyeglass screwdriver was broken off by over-torquing a screw. But it's still very well-made, especially for a $9 keychain tool.
 
I'm a utili-key fan as well. I bought one on a whim about a year ago, and it has come in quite handy over the last several months. It mostly gets used as an emergency bottle opener or prying tool. I went through a couple airports on my way to and from Vegas over the summer and totally forgot it was on my keychain.
 
I have one of those also.

I never tried to board a plane with it but it sure is handy on a key chain.

In my opinion, it is a very well thought out item.

Jim
 
I've been somewhat disappointed with mine. The screwdrivers are poor compared to a small SAK. The Phillips is poorly formed and doesn't seem to fit as many screws as the small SAK Phillips. The flat screwdriver was buffed into near roundness. The small eyeglass screwdriver was completely useless, being too thick to fit in any small screws.

On the plus side, it's very easy to carry. It's so unobtrusive, I carried it for a long time without ever even knowing or being detected. Then again, the only consistently useful implement on the thing is actually the cutting edge, which of course, pales in comparison to just about any real knife. In a pinch, if you have absolutely nothing else, sure it'll have to do. But even the tiniest SAK offers more utility, IMO.
 
yeh i got one about a year- its not bad and in a bad situation u can use but still I carry an sak usually- kinda uncomfortable to use the philips with the blade being out and all but it isnt a bad tool for 10 bucks- havent used the bottle opener yet, looks a little fragile, usually i hav the one on an sak but it could be effective
 
I've had one for a few years now. I really like it. I never even notice it's there until I actually need to use it. I'm not saying that it's as effective as a SAK, but at least whenever I have my keys, I have a few tools that I can use in a pinch. That's my take on it anyway.
 
I use mine maybe 4 or 5 times a year but it is there when I need it. Mine has been through airport security a dozen times with no problem, it sits on my key chain in my carry-on and looks just like my other keys.
 
Have one too. Just to add, the blade on the utilikey if one of those one sided blades (just like the leatherman micra blade, but the leatherman micra cuts better), except half the blade is serrated on the utilikey. Like it's been said, even the smallest SAK would cut better, but the utilikey would certainly at least cut you out of a seatbelt if needed. Any cutting edge is better than nothing.

Have not used it except once in 2 years as I always carry a knife also (Benchmade Mini Grip mostly and when going smaller a Kershaw Scallion or Chive) However, I go to court often and it has never been noticed or scrutinized. I sharpened the blade a bit on mine so it is sharper than how it came.

Agree with one of the post that the screwdriver is a bit round. If you are really anal about it I guess you can regrind it to be more square.



Still, think it is an ingenius little device.
 
I had considered getting one, but instead got the Micro-Plus 8-in-1. I thought the little wrench would be needed more, but I think the little serrated blade & bottle opener, would probably come in handy more.
 
I like mine, never had it open when I didn't want it to. In fact, a drawback is that it is a bit of a hassle to open, it requires 2 hands. But it fits perfectly with the keys, it is a bit longer than standard keys but not so anyone'd notice. Been through many MANY airport security checks never a problem, a big advantage over a SAK, even a small one would be confiscated. Don't use it often but I've opened some boxes with the blade, that's likely all it'd be good for really. I'm happy with it, never know when I might have to MacGyver something and it's all I have handy.
 
jvan said:
I use mine maybe 4 or 5 times a year but it is there when I need it. Mine has been through airport security a dozen times with no problem, it sits on my key chain in my carry-on and looks just like my other keys.
Click to expand...
+1 on that. The Utilikey flies below TSA radar...
 
bladeNUT82 said:
Heres a scenario...
I'm driving in my car, someone t-bones me, and my car rolls over. I'm hanging upside down, and my seatbelt is locked up and i cant get down. My knife was in my cup holder, but now its god knows where, But my Utili-Key is still on my key chain in the ignition(which is usually at reach). I can get free :)
Click to expand...


I just ordered one of the new SwissTech Utili-Key 8-in-1 models that have a file instead of a knife blade. I carry a real knife at all times, so I didn't care about that, but I do like to have a way to open a beverage.

Here's a scenario...
I'm walking down the street on a hot summer day. A gorgeous, thirsty babe walks up with two bottles of cold Czech beer but no way to open them. My Utili-Key is on my key chain (which is usually at reach). I can get drunk :)
 
mnblade said:
I just ordered one of the new SwissTech Utili-Key 8-in-1 models that have a file instead of a knife blade. I carry a real knife at all times, so I didn't care about that, but I do like to have a way to open a beverage.

Heres a scenario...
I'm walking down the street on a hot summer day. A gorgeous, thirsty babe walks up with two bottles of cold Czech beer but no way to open them. My Utili-Key is on my key chain (which is usually at reach). I can get drunk :)
Click to expand...

hey mnblade, i'm sold on one ;):D
 
I had one on my key chain with my car keys.

i had it for about a week. i think I opened all of one box with it. It worked well, but one night i put my keys into the ignition, cranked the ignition to start the car, and heard a little "ping" as something hit the floor.

That something was my swiss key. The latch had snapped off, and it can no longer be affixed to a key ring.

it DOES hav a warranty, and I could send it in and get it replaced, but it seems like a LOT of hassle to go through for a novelty item.
 
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