Victorinox Compact Knife - my new favorite SAK

L

LongDistance

Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
319
Just got my Compact Knife in the mail today and I am impressed. :thumbup:

swi-54941.jpg


Features

* 91mm long.
* Nylon sides, stainless steel implements, aluminum spacers.
* Large blade.
* Scissors.
* Can opener with screwdriver and wire stripper.
* Parcel / multi-purpose hook.
* Corkscrew with eyeglass screwdriver.
* Lanyard ring.
* Tweezers.
* Toothpick.
* Ball point pen.
* Straight pin.

IMHO, this is an improvement over the old SAK. The ball point pen, the eyeglass screwdriver, and the pin should be standard features in all future SAKs. The pin is cleverly blocked by the eyeglass screwdriver, so the pin won't accidently fall out. There is actually a nail file on the back side of the multi-purpose hook, but it is not mentioned in the official features guide for some reason. The multi purpose can opener, bottle opener, and screw driver is great. The screw driver can open both flat and philips screws. For the philips, you have to position your SAK at an angle to use it. Not the most comfortable position, but it is a SAK not a screw driver. I wonder if Victorinox will replace their standard can opener and bottle opener with this new combo can/bottle opener.

Overall, the Compact is very well designed and a fine example of a modern SAK. I would reccomend it to anyone seeking a new multi tool who don't need pliers, saw, or a file.
 
the pen, pin and the eyeglass screwdriver are a big factor in me carrying a Swiss Champ all the time... i could see just carrything this thing
 
The compact is a very nice model.

Thats the thing with Victorinox, there are so many models for differing lifestyles, and they are such a good pieces of equiptment, you can't go wrong with them.
 
I EDC a Compact, since I wear scrubs 5 days a week, most pocketable knife with a great tool selection- not too much and not too scant.:thumbup:
 
Do you like the Compact better than the vic Scientist? I was in a straight and couldn't decide between the compact and the scientist. Both seemed very good choices but I couldn't decide between the scissors and the inline phillips. I finally decided on the scientist and then waited for Tim at FelineVet
to find one. I EDC an Executive along with the scientist so I'm covered in the scissors dept. But from time to time I get to thinking that maybe it would be great to be able to have the Compact to replace the other two.
 
I EDC an Executive and a 91mm Vic SAK called a Hoffritz Limited Edition that is no longer in production. The Hoffritz doesn't have scissors, but it does have pliers, which I find useful. The scissors on the Executive are sufficient for my scissoring needs, and in my assessment the nail file on the Executive is the best found on any SAK.

Your mileage may vary...

- Tim
 
okBookGuy said:
Do you like the Compact better than the vic Scientist? I was in a straight and couldn't decide between the compact and the scientist. Both seemed very good choices but I couldn't decide between the scissors and the inline phillips. I EDC an Executive along with the scientist so I'm covered in the scissors dept. But from time to time I get to thinking that maybe it would be great to be able to have the Compact to replace the other two.
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My favorite EDC is now the Yeoman (original). It combines what you (and I) are looking for in a Compact and a Scientist - it is a Scientist with scissors or if you like a 3 layered Explorer Plus. And it means I don't need to EDC multiple SAKs to get the functionality I want. I love the combo tool - in fact I just ordered a Bantam Alox for really minimalist days.

Beware if you seen a Yeoman advertised as like the Scientist it is no longer produced and many sellers will actually sell you an Explorer Plus(which is a great SAK in itself and one of my favorites - but not what you want in minimalist terms), even if the Yeoman is pictured.
 
LongDistance said:
does the Scientist contain the pen, the pin, and the multi purpose can/bottle opener/screwdriver?
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Yes

GarageBoy said:
Is the pin replaceable?
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And yes, any sewing pin book should contain a similar sized pin. The pin is just like your generic pin, not exactly exclusive to Victorinox
 
gatch said:
My favorite EDC is now the Yeoman (original). It combines what you (and I) are looking for in a Compact and a Scientist - it is a Scientist with scissors or if you like a 3 layered Explorer Plus. And it means I don't need to EDC multiple SAKs to get the functionality I want. I love the combo tool - in fact I just ordered a Bantam Alox for really minimalist days.
Click to expand...

Yes that's a good point. How pocketable is the orig Yeoman? I'm kinda leary of a 3 layer (like my super tinker which I just keep in my desk).
 
okBookGuy said:
Yes that's a good point. How pocketable is the orig Yeoman? I'm kinda leary of a 3 layer (like my super tinker which I just keep in my desk).
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I think it is just about the limit as what could be considered pocketable, whereas the Explorer is just over the limit in my opinion.
 
stevekt said:
The Compact was my favorite but the Spartan overtook it.
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Yes I believe I recall seeing your post about the Compact. Tell me what it is about the Spartan that overtook the Compact for you?
 
okBookGuy said:
Yes I believe I recall seeing your post about the Compact. Tell me what it is about the Spartan that overtook the Compact for you?
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Hmmm... Hard to say for sure. I think I found myself in situations where I wished I had a small blade instead of a scissors. Also the can opener + bottle opener seemed to get more screws turned than just the combo tool alone. Maybe also because the tool selection of the Spartan seems to have the classic look of a bare bones Swiss Army Knife. :thumbup:

Both are great knives but I carry the Spartan a bit more often. I'll carry the Compact tomorrow because you're making me feel guilty. :o
 
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