How about another SAK review? Today we're looking at the Signature II Lite, which is essentially a Classic with no tweezers or toothpick, and adds a pen and LED. The "II" designates this as a translucent (see-through) handle color instead of the normal cellidor models. Mine is translucent ruby, and is model number 55192. Cost is about $15. Here we go with the review of this neat keychain-friendly mini-tool...
Overall: The Signature Lite is in Victorinox' smallest class of knife at 2-1/4" in length. It's 6/16" thick and has plastic ruby see-through handles. While it's only two layers (same as a Classic) it's noticeably thicker due to the addition of a pen and an LED light. Hanging off the end is the standard Victorinox split ring; this one is 6/16" in diameter. This is one of those you-don't-notice-it's-there-until-you-need-it knives. Here are the Signature Lite's implements...
Blade: The standard pen knife on all SAKs of this size. It's a non-locking blade, 1-9/16" long with a 1-5/16" cutting edge. It came sharp enough to slice paper, and took a hair-shaving edge very easily. This is a good size for a workable blade that won't scare anyone.
Nail File: Another typical SAK tool. It's 1-1/2" long. But what does it do? Well, the tip is a flathead screwdriver, 1/16" wide. It works very well on Phillips-head screws as well. One side is smooth and flat, while the other has a rough texturing to serve as a nail file. In this function, it performs extremely well. It's not supposed to be used as any kind of sharpener, but I've touched up fish hooks with it with no visible damage. Nifty little tool that I wish more multi-tools had.
Scissors: They're small, but they're just big enough to be useful. The entire tool protrudes 1-9/16" when open, and the cutting edges are 10/16" long. That's just big enough to cut a hangnail, clip a coupon, or trim a stray hair. They're opened via spring and have proved to be very handy in those little every-day tasks that you don't think of until you need a pair of scissors.
LED Light: The "Lite" part of the model designation gives you the impression that this tool is light in weight or something. Well, it means that it comes with a light. A red LED, to be specific. It runs on one CR1025 3-volt battery, and is rated to around 2-1/2 years under normal conditions. To replace the battery, you need to stick a paperclip or a long staple into the hole in the handle scale and push. The battery (along with the cover for it) will come out of the other side of the handle. Simply slide the new battery in place and then the cover.
On to the light itself... operation is simple. You press the Victorinox shield on the handle scale, and the light comes on. Let go, and it goes off. It's not very bright in my opinion. I understand that we're dealing with a small tool that runs on a small and not-so-powerful battery. However, I feel that the light is nearly useless unless you're in total darkness. When lit, you get a red light pattern that's bright around the edges and center, but dim everywhere else. When trying to illuminate a dark background, let's say a brown or black wall, the light is useless. It's more suited for lighter-colored backgrounds, and only has an effective range of about two feet. And that's in total darkness. I'm sure the light will be useful to some users, but I'm not one of them. I think this LED should've either been (a) upgraded, or (b) scrapped and replaced by a different tool.
Pen: The last feature on the Signature Lite is, of course, the "signature" part. It's a retractable ball-point pen that writes in blue ink. It slides along the handle scale and clicks into place; the same sliding mechanism keeps it locked closed until it's ready for use. It extends only 5/16" from the handle, so you have a small writing utensil. The length can be extended by opening the nail file, giving you a more workable tool. The pen is replaceable; just pull it out and click a new one into place. This is an often-overlooked tool that I'm glad to have on a keychain-sized SAK.
Overall, the Signature Lite is a nice keychain tool. It's meager price makes it readily affordable, and its selection of tools offers a nice addition to anyone's keychain. I wish the light were scrapped and replaced by tweezers since neither the toothpick or tweezers made it to this model, but I can make due without them.
Playing school teacher, I'd have to give the Signature II Lite a B-. I just can't get over the uselessness (for me) of the LED. It's just useless unless you're in total darkness.
Overall: The Signature Lite is in Victorinox' smallest class of knife at 2-1/4" in length. It's 6/16" thick and has plastic ruby see-through handles. While it's only two layers (same as a Classic) it's noticeably thicker due to the addition of a pen and an LED light. Hanging off the end is the standard Victorinox split ring; this one is 6/16" in diameter. This is one of those you-don't-notice-it's-there-until-you-need-it knives. Here are the Signature Lite's implements...
Blade: The standard pen knife on all SAKs of this size. It's a non-locking blade, 1-9/16" long with a 1-5/16" cutting edge. It came sharp enough to slice paper, and took a hair-shaving edge very easily. This is a good size for a workable blade that won't scare anyone.
Nail File: Another typical SAK tool. It's 1-1/2" long. But what does it do? Well, the tip is a flathead screwdriver, 1/16" wide. It works very well on Phillips-head screws as well. One side is smooth and flat, while the other has a rough texturing to serve as a nail file. In this function, it performs extremely well. It's not supposed to be used as any kind of sharpener, but I've touched up fish hooks with it with no visible damage. Nifty little tool that I wish more multi-tools had.
Scissors: They're small, but they're just big enough to be useful. The entire tool protrudes 1-9/16" when open, and the cutting edges are 10/16" long. That's just big enough to cut a hangnail, clip a coupon, or trim a stray hair. They're opened via spring and have proved to be very handy in those little every-day tasks that you don't think of until you need a pair of scissors.
LED Light: The "Lite" part of the model designation gives you the impression that this tool is light in weight or something. Well, it means that it comes with a light. A red LED, to be specific. It runs on one CR1025 3-volt battery, and is rated to around 2-1/2 years under normal conditions. To replace the battery, you need to stick a paperclip or a long staple into the hole in the handle scale and push. The battery (along with the cover for it) will come out of the other side of the handle. Simply slide the new battery in place and then the cover.
On to the light itself... operation is simple. You press the Victorinox shield on the handle scale, and the light comes on. Let go, and it goes off. It's not very bright in my opinion. I understand that we're dealing with a small tool that runs on a small and not-so-powerful battery. However, I feel that the light is nearly useless unless you're in total darkness. When lit, you get a red light pattern that's bright around the edges and center, but dim everywhere else. When trying to illuminate a dark background, let's say a brown or black wall, the light is useless. It's more suited for lighter-colored backgrounds, and only has an effective range of about two feet. And that's in total darkness. I'm sure the light will be useful to some users, but I'm not one of them. I think this LED should've either been (a) upgraded, or (b) scrapped and replaced by a different tool.
Pen: The last feature on the Signature Lite is, of course, the "signature" part. It's a retractable ball-point pen that writes in blue ink. It slides along the handle scale and clicks into place; the same sliding mechanism keeps it locked closed until it's ready for use. It extends only 5/16" from the handle, so you have a small writing utensil. The length can be extended by opening the nail file, giving you a more workable tool. The pen is replaceable; just pull it out and click a new one into place. This is an often-overlooked tool that I'm glad to have on a keychain-sized SAK.
Overall, the Signature Lite is a nice keychain tool. It's meager price makes it readily affordable, and its selection of tools offers a nice addition to anyone's keychain. I wish the light were scrapped and replaced by tweezers since neither the toothpick or tweezers made it to this model, but I can make due without them.
Playing school teacher, I'd have to give the Signature II Lite a B-. I just can't get over the uselessness (for me) of the LED. It's just useless unless you're in total darkness.