Thinking of getting my first really large Vic. What's your choice?

M

Mud Shrimp Moe

Joined
Nov 6, 2011
Messages
644
At heart, I'm a minimalist SAK kind of guy. My favorites include the alox models (all of them), the Executive, the Golfer, the Waiter, the Mini-Champ and the tried and true Spartan and Tinker. I own about 25 Vic models, with multiples of a few of them. The largest SAK I own is a Ranger, with five layers.

But I've never owned a model with pliers. And some part of me wants a big fat SAK just for the gee-gaw factor. Or to put it more intelligently, for the love of the design factor.

I'm contemplating the Cybertool 41 or the Swiss Champ. And part of me just says get a Deluxe Tinker (I own the regular 91mm Tinker, the 84mm, and the Super Tinker) to experience Vic pliers and then forget the larger models. Which model do you suggest to scratch this large Vic itch once and for all?
 
Hey MSM
If you want a VIC with pliers I would go with the Swiss Tool.
8813825523742_3_0238_N_Image_4232_eps_1.jpg

I think it would do a much better job than a knife with those tiny pliers fit into them.
I have found them to be one of, if not the best multitools around. Leatherman does a great job, and is a better buy cost wise. But the swiss tool is very heavy duty.
JMHO
best of luck
trldad
 
The Handyman is a model with pliers and a lot of other tools, but still thinner than a SwissChamp or CyberTool. I carried a Handyman for a while in my laptop bag.
 
I really like the Deluxe Tinker and Craftsman for pliers models.

Jeff
 
Thanks for the recs. I have just about decided that my life as a SAK collector is pretty pointless w/o a Swiss Champ, however. I mean .... it's the Swiss Champ. How can I not have one? I'm sure the SwissTool Spirit with the bits trldad recommended is a somewhat better tool, overall. Unfortunately, those models are more expensive and also not quite scratching my itch for a large SAK. The Workchamp is another option. Perhaps.
 
As a large SAK, Swisschamp (IMHO) is best. It has all the goodies you would ever need in a form still easily handled and not too heavy for EDC in a belt pouch. For years it was my only multi-tool, and although lately I have a bunch more, it is still in the rotation (In fact, I have it on me now :) ). At one time or another, all the implements (except for the pretty useless back-spring mounted small screwdriver) have come in handy, including the much maligned pliers that actually work quite well on many small projects, sometimes big ones. Once, when caught without the proper tools and a deadline, I used it to frame 24 photographs for an exhibit.

There are larger SAKs, but they are kind of unwieldy curiosities, more for collecting than use. As a balance of utility and portability, I consider the Swisschamp a SAK classic, like the Tinker/Spartan and, of course, the Classic :) .
 
Mud Shrimp Moe said:
I'm sure the SwissTool Spirit with the bits trldad recommended is a somewhat better tool, overall. Unfortunately, those models are more expensive and also not quite scratching my itch for a large SAK.
Click to expand...

Cybertool 34 if cost is an issue: a fairly common SAK on fleabay, many with corporate branding like mine:

$(KGrHqFHJBcE9!JGVt9ZBPR!SvWmIw~~60_12.JPG


I paid $45 which is average price, clean and unsharpened. It has pliers. I really like it.

Cybertool 41 is in Victorinox's latest catalog, but SAKWiki.com thinks it is out of production.

In 2011 is appears the CyberTool-41 was discontinued, at least in North America. This could be because of a new model under development. Continued 2011 availability in Europe is most likely from existing stock, or based on sales with the current market pricing.
Click to expand...

http://sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Cybertool#CyberTool_41
 
Tried to snipe a SwissChamp and a Cybertool 34 today and neither was meant to be. I'm playing a bit too cheap, I guess. But I'll get one or the other, though I think I'd rather have the SwissChamp and be done with it.

I also let a deal on a Cybertool 41 go. It's a neat SAK, although I can't see how the addition of just four tools boosts the price so considerably. I also don't see how 34+4=41. What does the "34" mean, for that matter? There aren't really 34 tools on it, are there? Even with the double sided bits.
 
The champion plus is the best bang for your buck. It has everything the swiss champ has minus the pliers, and it only cost around $35-40. But if you want pliers the deluxe tinker might be your best choice besides a swisstool.
 
Mud Shrimp Moe said:
I also let a deal on a Cybertool 41 go. It's a neat SAK, although I can't see how the addition of just four tools boosts the price so considerably. I also don't see how 34+4=41. What does the "34" mean, for that matter? There aren't really 34 tools on it, are there? Even with the double sided bits.
Click to expand...

Swiss math from the Victorinox catalog:

CyberTool 34
1. large blade
2. small blade
3. corkscrew
4. can opener with
5. –small screwdriver 3 mm (also for Phillips screws)
6. cap lifter with
7. –screwdriver 6mm
8. –wire stripper
9. reamer, punch
10. key ring
11. tweezers
12. toothpick
13. sewing eye
14. wrench with
15. –female Hex drive 5 mm for D-SUB connectors
16. –female Hex drive 4 mm for the bits
17. –Bit Pozidrive 0
18. –Bit Pozidrive 1
19. case with
20. –Bit Slotted 4 mm
21. –Bit Phillips 2
22. –Bit Hex 4 mm
23. –Bit Torx 8
24. –Bit Torx 10
25. –Bit Torx 15
26. pressurized ballpoint pen
27. –also to set DIP-switches
28. pin, stainless steel
29. mini-screwdriver
30. pliers with
31. –wire cutter
32. –wire crimping tool
33. scissors
34. multi-purpose hook

CyberTool 41
contains in addition to the features 1–34:
35. wood saw
36. metal saw with
37. –metal file
38. –nailfile
39. –nail cleaner
40. screwdriver 2.5 mm
41. chisel and scraper
Click to expand...
Bet you didn't think the bit case and the pointy end of the metal saw were tools, that the pen was two tools, or that the bit driver was three tools in one. Hoohah! Actually they should be CyberTools 36 and 43 because (as I pointed out in another thread) the tweezers are also a roach clip, and the toothpick is an excellent flexible probe for clearing the vent of your bong or opium pipe. No doubt Richard Dean Anderson could think of a few more, they should really keep him on retainer.
 
Piso Mojado said:
the tweezers are also a roach clip, and the toothpick is an excellent flexible probe for clearing the vent of your bong or opium pipe.
Click to expand...

HAHA! Nice. I Have A Friend That Thought The Same Thing.
Anyways I Say:
Workchamp
Swisschamp
Hercules
Or The Deluxe Tinker

But The Swisschamp Is Just Classic.
 
Piso Mojado said:
Bet you didn't think the bit case and the pointy end of the metal saw were tools, that the pen was two tools, or that the bit driver was three tools in one. Hoohah! Actually they should be CyberTools 36 and 43 because (as I pointed out in another thread) the tweezers are also a roach clip, and the toothpick is an excellent flexible probe for clearing the vent of your bong or opium pipe. No doubt Richard Dean Anderson could think of a few more, they should really keep him on retainer.
Click to expand...




Thanks for the lesson on Swiss math and the laugh! Funny stuff.
 
Cybertool 34:
After EDCing one for 11.5 years and having nothing broken or missing - I gotta say that everyone should consider this great & useful tool. The bit driver & 4 bits (3 are reversible) is a fantastic tool.
 
my pick is the champion plus it has all the basic tools that you can use with ease. And it still is somewhat pocketable. if i were you and if i wanted a pair of pliers i go with the swistools or leatherman. because i find the pliers on the swiss champ (or any other 91 mm model that has it) not so useful. champion plus is 6mm thicker than your Ranger. But if you want a big SAK just for fun go with the swiss champ IMO :D
 
After doing a bit of research online I really think the Leatherman Juice XE6 is a competitor for the Swisschamp. While it's a pliers based multi, it has nearly all of the functions of the Swisschamp, minus a few mostly silly things like the fish scaler. The pliers are obviously much better.

I still want a Swisschamp at some point. But the XE6 seems a more practical tool to me.
 
i watched a TON of leatherman juice reviews in youtube and %90 of them were positive. But the negative ones always stated that it hasn't got a good corrosion resistence like victorinox and the backsprings tend to break.But i too ordered a leatherman juice s2 couple of days ago for the pliers :D so it's your choice. If you want to carry a big collection of tools i suggest you to buy a charge series. (i don't own a charge but i watched a lot of reviews about those too and they look good)
 
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