Swisstool Spirit

I decided to return my Spirit for a replacement. Amazon is amazing...a few clicks and a new tool is going to arrive Monday. In additon, they are sending me a pre-paid return label to send to old one back. I wish all on line purchases were as easy as dealing with Amazon. Even at the new prices the Spirit is still worth the money.

S.
 
Sidewinder said:
I decided to return my Spirit for a replacement. Amazon is amazing...a few clicks and a new tool is going to arrive Monday. In additon, they are sending me a pre-paid return label to send to old one back. I wish all on line purchases were as easy as dealing with Amazon. Even at the new prices the Spirit is still worth the money.

S.
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True, their service is very good. I dunno why the ship is slow for me. When you get your new one, let us know if it is significantly better (or not.)
 
Foilist said:
After a little searching, I found some on Amazon for $49 and placed my order. It was some sort of promotional deal and includes a hat (which I probably won't wear).
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Interested in selling it? I would wear it! :D
 
I just got my replacement form Amazon. It is better. I guess I got one that didn't pass QA. I love dealing with Amazon. Off to send the old one back...

S.
 
Just got mine. No play problems whatsoever. Just FYI.
Of course, I haven't used it yet...
 
My Spirit arrived today, and I am pleased with its apparent quality, although I have not used it for anything yet. I like the choice of implements it has as well as the precise way they all open and close (and without unfolding the whole tool). My original Wave has far more slop and play in both the pliers and handles. The knife blade may have a blunt tip, but the edge is wicked sharp. If a point is needed to pierce, I can always use the awl or an accompanying folder. The scissors seems more robust than the old one on my SAK Huntsman. I might miss the one-handed blade of the Wave, but that's not critical. My only gripe is the cheesey velcro closure on the pouch instead of a proper snap. Does Victorinox (or anyone else) have a better pouch with a snap? My old Leatherman Super pouch may be a good fit, if I can find it.

I'll retire my Wave to the car's glove compartment or the motorcycle's tool roll and EDC the Spirit for awhile. I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a permanent arrangement.
 
ken_nerve said:
The pouch that came with my Swiss Tool X has a snap closure...
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Yes but the SwissTool _Spirit_ is a different size, and they seem to be coming with only velcro sheaths.

The spirit may fit in the old sheath, but would probably be loose.
 
klattman said:
The spirit may fit in the old sheath, but would probably be loose.
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I tried that, actually; it's not really loose, the curve in the handles make sit just a bit wider than the original SwissTool. Biggest problem is that it's shorter, to there's not enough tool to grab. Getting it out is difficult.

One sheath it *does* fit in: the one from my Leatherman Charge. It's the nylon one, which also has velcro; but the "leather" version has a snap, and should fit as well. It works surprisingly well; there's even room in the back slot to hold the "Plus" wrench and bit holder, and the side slots give me a place to put the corkscrew in one side and a small flashlight (Peak Matterhorn 3xLED AAA) in the other.
 
So, do you guys agree that the Swiss Tool Spirit is better than the Leatherman Charge? In what aspect exactly?

I am considering to buy a multitool and I was thinking about a charge for a while untill I found out about this new tool... decisions...
 
I've never handled a Charge, but I gather its big selling point is the extremely high quality steel for the main knife blade.

The Vic Spirit has the same robust quality construction and materials of regular Swiss Army Knives, but is more heavy duty. It seems like it would hold up to hard use more than a lot of other multitools, including the older Leathermans (Leathermen?). Of course, I've had the Spirit for only a day and I'm still in the honeymoon phase, so to speak. :D
 
So, do you guys agree that the Swiss Tool Spirit is better than the Leatherman Charge?
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I have both tools. I cannot say that one is better than the other. They are different. The fit and finish on the Spirt is better, yes...but I think the pliers on the Charge is beefier. I also like the integrated bit holders on the Charge.

If you need what the Charge offers, get it. That said, I carry the Spirit as my EDC because it weighs less and is slimmer. Fit nicely in my back pocket along with my wallet. I tried to EDC the Charge, but it was a little too big for me.

I think you need to feel both in the hand to make an informed decision. Each tool has its merits. Only your intended use and preference will determine what is best for you.

Good luck.

S.
 
Guust-Fi said:
So, do you guys agree that the Swiss Tool Spirit is better than the Leatherman Charge? In what aspect exactly?

I am considering to buy a multitool and I was thinking about a charge for a while untill I found out about this new tool... decisions...
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I don't OWN a charge, but I have handled them quite a bit. The charge has a better blade Steel, but most of us carry an additional blade anyway. The blade on the spirit is thin and cuts well, it will need more resharpenings.

The Charge has a one-hand opening blade. Because of the way it is made, the pivot for the blade is near the pivot for the pliers. This means that you cannot fold one handle away and use the knife as easily in 'apple-peeling' grip (like you can with the Sprirt)

If we compare the Spirit to the Charge, I think the charge is more versatile, BUT if you compare the Spirit PLUS (Which is nearer the same cost), the ratchet makes it better.

On the charge, you have a few drivers on-board and extras in the sheath, unfortunately you don't have much reach with the short driver bits.

On the Spirit itself you have more room for flat drivers, scraper etc., because the bits and ratchet-wrench are separate, but still fit in the sheath. The ratchet has more reach than the charge and can be used as a ratchet OR a thin driver.

They both seem fairly robust, and I think you need to try both and see what you like, and largely depends on how much you like/need a one-hand blade, and what bit-driver method you prefer.

I think the charge vs. spirit is a close match, but the Spirit PLUS is clearly a better solution IMHO.
 
I've had some occasions to actually use my Spirit now, as opposed to just playing with it. I'm pleased with the way that the pliers works and feels much more like a real pliers than a multitool pliers, if you know what I mean. I also find it handy and convenient how all the tools are accessible without unfolding the whole contraption. I'm not liking the blunt, comb-edge blade so much though. That's not a deal breaker, but it does mean carrying a second knife. I was hoping find the Holy Grail - to edc just one knife/tool.

What sort of person would I go to to reshape that blade into something more SAK-like, if I chose to?
 
Foilist said:
What sort of person would I go to to reshape that blade into something more SAK-like, if I chose to?
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You could attempt it yourself with a coarse file and some stones. Stay away from a dremel, that's way to fast and not enough power and will get hot.

A slow belt sander may be the way to go for re-shaping the point, but I think that would require quite a bit of experience.

If you just want to get rid of the serrations, that's fairly easy with a diamond stone.

If you want to drop the spine (i.e. like a wharncliffe blade), you can probably file it down yourself (lots of time).

OTOH, If you want a SAK blade, you need to raise the edge to meet the dropped point, and the flat grind near the tip will be too thick.. would take work to figure out how to fix that.

Maybe you should ask in the knifemakers forum. You may find someone who can do it for you or they could explain how to do it yourself.
 
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