Ive been using a SwissTool as my EDC Multitool for the last couple of weeks and I thought Id share my thoughts.
Firstly a couple of qualifying statements-
Why do I carry a multi tool?
To save the, sometimes long, walk back to my van for a screwdriver/pliers/spanner etc that I forgot to put into my pocket during working hours and because you never know what to expect or when it will come in handy the rest of the time.
Ill admit I am biased towards Leatherman having EDCed a Sideclip, then original Wave and for the last couple of years a Supertool 200, in addition to owning a Crunch, Charge Ti, Squirt S4 and a Minitool.
Although I do have SAK Champ, OH Fireman and Cybertool 34 in my EDC rotation.
SwissTool Evaluation
Likes
A first impression of the Swiss Tool is that it feels very solid with a very satisfying action when opening the pliers.
The pliers are very robust with hardly any give or twist in them.
Handles are comfortable when using the pliers.
The blades are typical SAK. Straight edge is nice and sharp, the serrated works fine & the wood saw is something that Victorinox always do well
Good array of utensils, really like the chisel/scraper and the crate opener.
All the blades/tools can be accessed without opening the handles.
The bottle opener, can opener, awl & crosshead screwdriver all work well.
Dislikes
The pliers are a little short and would benefit from being more needle nose in profile; at present they are caught between blunt nose and needle nose tips.
The wire cutting blades are a quite short so that when cutting insulated cable it sometimes takes a couple of cuts to get through, as the first cut only cuts the insulation not the conductor.
The 3mm screwdriver on the end of the can opener is seriously limited in its use due to the can opener fouling if the screw head is recessed even the slightest amount, nothing new about that opinion.
The 5mm screwdriver suffers a similar problem, its nice and long, but widens from the tip to form the bottle opener so access is again limited.
The 2mm screwdriver twisted on its first use and needed grinding flat, admittedly from being used on screw heads too big for it due to the 3 & 5mm not being able to access the screw head!
The serrated blade would probably benefit from being a sheepsfoot profile from a safety point of view, which wouldnt affect its performance at all.
Overall:thumbdn: :thumbup:
The look, feel and finish of the SwissTool are superb.
Unfortunately its just not suitable as an EDC Multitool for me, as I am an electrical engineer the pliers are too wide, although without trying it in person I wouldnt have known, and I need the straight screwdrivers for access to recessed screws.
I would however recommend it to anyone who doesnt need needle nose pliers & can cope with the multiuse screwdriver blades.
Does any one agree or disagree?
Firstly a couple of qualifying statements-
Why do I carry a multi tool?
To save the, sometimes long, walk back to my van for a screwdriver/pliers/spanner etc that I forgot to put into my pocket during working hours and because you never know what to expect or when it will come in handy the rest of the time.
Ill admit I am biased towards Leatherman having EDCed a Sideclip, then original Wave and for the last couple of years a Supertool 200, in addition to owning a Crunch, Charge Ti, Squirt S4 and a Minitool.
Although I do have SAK Champ, OH Fireman and Cybertool 34 in my EDC rotation.
SwissTool Evaluation
Likes
A first impression of the Swiss Tool is that it feels very solid with a very satisfying action when opening the pliers.
The pliers are very robust with hardly any give or twist in them.
Handles are comfortable when using the pliers.
The blades are typical SAK. Straight edge is nice and sharp, the serrated works fine & the wood saw is something that Victorinox always do well
Good array of utensils, really like the chisel/scraper and the crate opener.
All the blades/tools can be accessed without opening the handles.
The bottle opener, can opener, awl & crosshead screwdriver all work well.
Dislikes
The pliers are a little short and would benefit from being more needle nose in profile; at present they are caught between blunt nose and needle nose tips.
The wire cutting blades are a quite short so that when cutting insulated cable it sometimes takes a couple of cuts to get through, as the first cut only cuts the insulation not the conductor.
The 3mm screwdriver on the end of the can opener is seriously limited in its use due to the can opener fouling if the screw head is recessed even the slightest amount, nothing new about that opinion.
The 5mm screwdriver suffers a similar problem, its nice and long, but widens from the tip to form the bottle opener so access is again limited.
The 2mm screwdriver twisted on its first use and needed grinding flat, admittedly from being used on screw heads too big for it due to the 3 & 5mm not being able to access the screw head!
The serrated blade would probably benefit from being a sheepsfoot profile from a safety point of view, which wouldnt affect its performance at all.
Overall:thumbdn: :thumbup:
The look, feel and finish of the SwissTool are superb.
Unfortunately its just not suitable as an EDC Multitool for me, as I am an electrical engineer the pliers are too wide, although without trying it in person I wouldnt have known, and I need the straight screwdrivers for access to recessed screws.
I would however recommend it to anyone who doesnt need needle nose pliers & can cope with the multiuse screwdriver blades.
Does any one agree or disagree?
