Victorinox S111, an excellent knife

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Mar 25, 2012
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I recently bought a Victorinox S111 Evolution. It is 85mm in size. This knife was a pleasant surprise. Unlike most SAK, the S111 has contoured scales that actually make the knife feel good in the hand and they give a more secure purchase on the grip.

The knife has a locking main spear point blade. It is a little odd in that the lock is basically a back lock with the button moved to the opposite side of the knife, where a liner lock would be located. It works very well, but it is not a very stout lock. It is, however, hardy enough for the tasks for which the knife is designed. The main blade is smooth and has a good half stop. It click into place with a good snap and the sound is positive. It has good walk and talk, in other words. While the steel is no super steel, I believe it was JD Davis that did a cutting test with a SAK and it did better for him than some "super" steels. It is easy to sharpen the blade and often all one needs is a leather belt for a strop to return the knife to hair shaving sharp. The knife also has a smaller clip blade that does not lock.

Regarding the lock, I was afraid the lever/button would get in the way of my big hands and be uncomfortable. However, I found that I can put my index finger in front of the lock button and it is not in the way, at all. The lock operates easily but will not disengage accidentally. It is spring loaded, or something, so a person has to be really trying in order to depress it. Also, it does not disengage until fully depressed.

The knife also has a reamer/punch, Can opener with small screwdriver, Bottle opener with large locking screwdriver & wire stripper, Phillips screwdriver, key ring, Toothpick, and Tweezers. As with all Victorinox knives it comes with a life time warranty.

The quality is amazing on these knives. How the Swiss can get such smooth operation and consistent quality out of their inexpensive knives is beyond me. You can spend upwards of many hundreds of dollars and not find anything with this level of quality. If anyone doubts this, buy an Alox SAK and go compare more expensive knives to it. The fit and finish of my sample is a pure delight.

My wife bought me an Esee Izula II with a clip plate so I used the phillips screw driver to put the plate onto the sheath (make certain to put the washer between the sheath and the clip plate or you will not be able to get your knife in and out). It worked perfectly and saved me a walk to my tool box.

I cut up the box it, and some other things, came in, plus the one the Izula was shipped in. I have cut apples and pears with the knife blade. It cuts very thin slices. I have opened mail and cut some twine. It does all of these things well. I have not used the small clip blade, as of yet, but the tweezers have come in handy to pluck a wild hair from my eyebrow.

This is a nice knife and has kicked my Cadet out of my pocket, for now at least.
 
I have one also, but it is in the DNU (do not use) box because of the lock position. It is right where it would disengage by accident if you put any pressure on it while gripping the knife in use. I consider it a dangerous design.
Rich
 
I have one also, but it is in the DNU (do not use) box because of the lock position. It is right where it would disengage by accident if you put any pressure on it while gripping the knife in use. I consider it a dangerous design.
Rich

On this newer model there is no way the lock will disengage like that. I have tried it. I believe there was a change in design. On this one, the lock is spring loaded and it must be fully depressed with some direct force in order to unlock it. Also, the lock button fits between my fingers so it is ostensibly out of the way.
 
Good to hear. Mine is an older Wenger model from before the name change, etc.
Rich
 
Perfect knife if it had scissors. Also can live without the lock. I've used SAKs for many moons and have never felt the need for a lock.
 
Likewise, while I have a locking SAK S111, I still carry my ancient Tinker. Never leave home without a SAK!
Rich
 
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