Swiza - a new take on the SAK

Given that the Bokers are a more urban tool set, and marketed for that direction, I think that it makes sense for them to have some tools that in all likelyhood will never be needed, but might be. Even if you don't drive, but are in an urban area, it could be very useful. Despite a lot of advertising, dogs and kids do get left in cars, and a lot of places have a break-glass ask later policy when it comes to that situation. So I can see where they are coming from. And again, with more competition its all good. besides, the more these knives find a place in peoples pockets, the more normal knife carry becomes again. be it hipsters who only drink pop-tops with beer scout knives, urban boy scouts, or desk warriors with manicure-benzas, more knives is a good thing.
 
Same tools as a regular SAK, just with holes everywhere? Pass.
 
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SAK Guy said:
I won't be purchasing one.
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I did. The D04. It's a great knife. More comfortable than VIC cellidor or alox. Every bit as useful, and the lock is quite innovative. You're missing out.

Hope they do well with their knives.
 
Has anyone purchased one of these yet?

I would love to hear a comparison of the tools to the Vic tools we're all familiar with.
 
 
leghog said:
I did. The D04. It's a great knife. More comfortable than VIC cellidor or alox. Every bit as useful, and the lock is quite innovative. You're missing out.

Hope they do well with their knives.
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I'm glad you're happy with it, it's a good knife, but being a dyed in the wool SAK Guy, no, I'm not interested in them. Most of Swiza's innovative features already appeared in Vics and Wengers (soft touch scales, shield release locking mechanism etc). In fact, the shape and the holey nail nicks are about the only thing new. Besides, Swizas aren't SAKs, they are SK's (Swiss Knives) in that their company has never had any affiliation with the Swiss Army. Read a few of the links above...some of the tools tested a little soft and deformed easily.

To paraphrase UT Head coach Darrell Royal, I'll dance with the one that brung me and stick to the originals.
 
SAK Guy said:
I'm glad you're happy with it, it's a good knife, but being a dyed in the wool SAK Guy, no, I'm not interested in them. Most of Swiza's innovative features already appeared in Vics and Wengers (soft touch scales, shield release locking mechanism etc). In fact, the shape and the holey nail nicks are about the only thing new. Besides, Swizas aren't SAKs, they are SK's (Swiss Knives) in that their company has never had any affiliation with the Swiss Army. Read a few of the links above...some of the tools tested a little soft and deformed easily.

To paraphrase UT Head coach Darrell Royal, I'll dance with the one that brung me and stick to the originals.
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The VAST majority of Victorinox and Wenger products had nothing to do with the Swiss Army either and are simply "Swiss Knives", as you put it.
 
leghog said:
The VAST majority of Victorinox and Wenger products had nothing to do with the Swiss Army either and are simply "Swiss Knives", as you put it.
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Gee whiz bud, that's like saying Jeeps can't be called Jeep since all of the current models have nothing to do with supplying the Army. This has all been discussed before over at those links above including Swiss trademark/copyright law etc. I don't see the use of repeating it here except to generate more hard feelings. You've made up your mind already and that's fine. Glad you like it LH. It's a good knife and lots of folks like 'em. Swiza will do well I think, esp with the younger crowd.
 
leghog said:
The VAST majority of Victorinox and Wenger products had nothing to do with the Swiss Army either and are simply "Swiss Knives", as you put it.
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The foundation for the Victorinox company was producing knives for the Swiss Army. Demand for these was beyond Vic's earlier production capability, so the SA also contracted with Wenger to produce basically the same design, and that was also their main business. Both were primarily Swiss Army contractors before branching out with civilian varieties, so they and all variations of the original concept deserve to be known as "Swiss Army" products. Swiza, or any other company never contracted by the Swiss Army, is not entitled to the term.
 
znapschatz said:
leghog said:
The VAST majority of Victorinox and Wenger products had nothing to do with the Swiss Army either and are simply "Swiss Knives", as you put it.
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The foundation for the Victorinox company was producing knives for the Swiss Army. Demand for these was beyond Vic's earlier production capability, so the SA also contracted with Wenger to produce basically the same design, and that was also their main business. Both were primarily Swiss Army contractors before branching out with civilian varieties, so they and all variations of the original concept deserve to be known as "Swiss Army" products. Swiza, or any other company never contracted by the Swiss Army, is not entitled to the term.
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Ok then, using your argument then, the SWIZAs too are a variation of the same concept envisioned when a Wenger exec moved to SWIZA after the Wenger knives were discontinued.

Statements that one won't even consider SWIZA because they aren't Victorinox or Wenger is, to me, akin to one stating he doesn't like a food before he even tastes it. All he does is miss out in life with that attitude. Try a SWIZA, then decide. I did, and I can say I'm favorably impressed with mine. My son actually prefers the SWIZA D04 over his Victorinox Electrician. I hope they do well with their knives. It will be good for all knife enthusiasts.
 
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My understanding is that Victorinox was from a German-speaking canton, and Wenger from a French-speaking canton. There was a purpose in the "Swiss Army" arrangement, and the relationship between the two companies, what constitutes Swiss Army, Swiss monopoly law, and slogans such as "Genuine," and "Original" are complex. In term of Victorinox buying up Wenger, all parties (including Switzerland) were very concerned that the name "Swiss Army" remain under Swiss ownership.

This suggests Swiza is not "Swiss Army" unless it has a government contract.
 
I don't know if I like it or not. I can't even get myself to accept the Victorinox evo line. Maybe I'm just into the classic pill shape, just like how I'm into muscle cars vs. modern cars. If I were to pick one up though, I'd go with the all white. That's completely different looking and adds a little more high tech look (IMO) to a high tech design.
 
I think I may be on the fence.

At first, I didn't like them at all. It seemed to me a solution to a non existent problem. An answer to an unasked question. The Swiss Army Knife is such a market icon that I wondered why some would try to challenge Victorinox in a theater that they own the audience.

I may be wrong.

Lord knows I've been a Victorinox fan since 1969. I've used them in Germany, England, Wales, Libya, and Vietnam. And a heck of a lot in the U.S. in my civilian life. I've fixed motorcycles, clothes driers, door locks, lawn mowers, firearms and much more with the basic tools that my Victorinox SAK had. As a pocketknife, it's never let me down. So why would I look at any other "Swiss Knife"? While I love the Vic's, I've had some mild criticism over the years. It seems like Wenger was a bit more adventurous in design sometimes. They had a lock on the main blade back in the 70's, and they had a locking screw driver, a fact that I envied a few times I was try8ing to undo a tight rusty screw and the Victorinox folded over on me.

The new Swiza's do seem to have taken a newer approach in design and modernization. I may have to try one, just out of curiosity of course. I have to admit I kind of lie the Scagel type blade opening holes!
 
As nice as they appear and using 440C steel for the blade, I understand the other tools use a pretty soft steel. Both screwdrivers are easily deformed at the edges from the reviews I'm reading. Also the ergo shape of the handle is kind of wasted from the tools sticking out so far. Swiza is a relatively successful company though, maybe in the future they'll fix the problems. Until then I'm not even going to get one out of curiosity.
 
I have a Swiza, basically a Pioneer with a corkscrew. For the most part, it's a nice knife. I bought it earlier this year, wrote it off, and then carried it for a few days recently because it came up in a thread on a multitool related forum I frequent.


I like the blade, which is very thin and hollow ground. It's canted forward, at a more acute angle than any Vic or Wenger I've ever held; I am still not used to it after three days in the pocket. The blade locks in place with a liner lock, which is disengaged with a button, similar to the locks on the 130mm Wengers. Not sure what grade the stainless is, nor have I had to sharpen it yet. Seems to hold a decent edge.

The scales remind me of Wenger's soft touch scales, which I always thought felt weird. I don't have any input on how robust they are compared to cellidor or nylon scales.

The springs on which the blade, awl, and cap lifter lay all have comparable snap to a 91mm Vic. The snap on the can opener and the corkscrew are noticeably weaker, which I don't particularly mind. I may be mixing up the can opener and the cap lifter, though. One was fairly weak, the other was decent.

The drivers seem thin, making me afraid to over torque, and subsequently deform them. The can opener does fit #2 phillips screws, though.

The awl is stubby, but sharp.

The tweezers are as good as anything Leatherman puts out, with slanted tips. Same thin metal you'd expect on a SAK, though.

I haven't opened any wine with the corkscrew, nor have I put in a Vic minidriver, so not sure if one will fit.

Fit and finish seems to be 6-7 out of 10. Personally, overall, I give this knife a 7 out of 10. I certainly like the knife, but like Vics better. Also, Wengers, and even Boker's tech tool (OMG those scales are to die for). More options for just about everything, I guess, which isn't bad thing. But, they're twice the price of a new Tinker or Spartan, for essentially the same tool layout. Hope this helps. I plan on carrying it more often, so will post a longer term carry review at some point in the future.
 
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