Victorinox Swiss Tool (Bought December 2006)

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Suzukigsx1300r08

Joined
Nov 18, 2006
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273
I don't know if the date made has anything to do with the tool (changes in materials, design, etc.) but i was just wondering how well the tool holds up. I'm kind of abusive on my multi tools and ive wrecked a buck tool, broke the tip off of a leatherman supertool plain blade knife and killed the wirecutters so the tool doesnt even open, broke the wire cutters on my gerber legend 800 and the small flathead screw driver tip and well, thats about it for the multi tools ive owned. I want to know if the blades on the vic hold an edge well and if i use it for cutting rope, paper, cardboard and tape will it wear out fast on me? How strong are the tools on it? Will the phillips screw driver round off if its used in a hard screw and the screw strips? How hard are the teeth in the pliers, will they round off as well if the tool slips on a nut or something? And the wire cutters, how hard are they? Will they dent? Overall impression on the tool? As far as looking at it and playing with it i like the finish, im impressed with victorinox as a company and love their SAKs.
 
The SwissTool is a very tough multi-tool, but so is the Leatherman Super-Tool.
Remember, no multi-tool is as tough as a dedicated tool and they are not intended to replace a real fully stocked toolbox.
 
I have a very large toolbox lol, toys toys toys. But when im around the yard or on the bike i need to pack a small tool box, which was my reason for getting the swisstool. How would you rate the supertool against the swisstool?
 
Suzukigsx1300r08 said:
I have a very large toolbox lol, toys toys toys. But when im around the yard or on the bike i need to pack a small tool box, which was my reason for getting the swisstool. How would you rate the supertool against the swisstool?
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Funny you should ask. :) For the last year I have been alternating for EDC a Super Tool 200, Swisstool and Core. Originally, I was satisfied with the ST 200, not really in the market for a replacement, but I was aware of the good opinion many users have for these others. When each went on sale at blowout prices, I bought in, figuring to try them all out, keep what I like and sell the rest for close to what I paid ( I have done this before successfully, in fact came out a little ahead.)

All I can offer is personal impressions. Short answer: they all do the job, are tough enough and offer different but useful mixes of tools and capabilities. My so far favorite is the Core because I find the tools easier to access, better screw drivers, true needlenose pliers that open wider (also ST 200) than Swisstool, best braided wire cutter (the others not bad).

I haven't had any of them long enough to know how well they hold up long term. By this, I mean my original Super Tool worked great for 9 years and still looked good when I gave it away last year. If anything, the ST 200 seems to be an improvement. My bet is any of them will do okay, though.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of these candidates, so let your inner voice guide you. That will do as well as anyone's opinion here. Don't follow my example, though. I have grown attached to them all and am reluctant to sell any, which means I will probably wind up with 2 more multi-tools than I need. Whatever became of my dreams to travel light?:(
 
Lol. I like your opinions. I guess i also like to keep things looking new, but above that i disklike ruining my tools, although very good at it by usually pushing their limits. On previous tools the most frequent problems ive had were the blades dulling and the plier teeth getting rounded off/wire cutters getting knicked or chipped making the tool hard to operate. How easily does the swisstool scratch also, not that i care i just like my tools to look new if i can help it :-D
 
Suzukigsx1300r08 said:
Lol. I like your opinions. I guess i also like to keep things looking new, but above that i disklike ruining my tools, although very good at it by usually pushing their limits. On previous tools the most frequent problems ive had were the blades dulling and the plier teeth getting rounded off/wire cutters getting knicked or chipped making the tool hard to operate. How easily does the swisstool scratch also, not that i care i just like my tools to look new if i can help it :-D
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With enough hard use, any of them will show wear, but Swisstool will probably show it least. I have used mine, as earlier noted, and although not abusively and not quite for a year, it got some home and away repair, yard and other kinds of planned and unexpected chores done. At this time it looks and operates like new, in fact the only visible difference is that the plain blade edge has been sharpened, and that would only be seen by somebody who knows what to look for. Victorinox lavished great care on fit and finish, which definitely paid off. My Super Tool, used for the same length of time, is looser than when new and there are some light marks here and there, none of which bothers me.

From what you posted I think you are a Swisstool kind of guy.
 
I have sogs and spirit and the spirit is awesome. I use it day in and out As HVAC tech always carring a tool bag is a pain. The Spirit holds well to my beatings and think the swisstool would do the same. Fit and finish is second to none! I had the spirit for a year, in fact I getting a second as a collectable.
 
I used my Spirit yesterday cutting five 1.25 or so branches damaged due to wind storms. The wood was green, but the saw blade cut as strong as the first cut to the last. I had no saw and was glad I had at least this.
 
After I got my Spirit last year, my other multitools have mostly been gathering dust. I carry the Spirit virtually all the time due to its quality, size, and sensible array of implements. After making the knife blade a plain edge, I like it even better!
 
WOW and I thought I was tough on my muti's. I recomend the SOG powerlock. Before evryone in here groans that the swisstool looks better hear me out. It seems to me that no matter what tool you get you will probably break the tool implements. The SOG is going to have the strongest pliers of any of the above mentioned tools. The wire cutters are pretty bullet proof as well. The tools in the handle are a little on the rough side but it is the only tool that you can modify/change out broken tools with common wrenches. You can even buy replacement tools ahead of time so you have them when the tool breaks. I have never used the socket adapter on mine but thats just me. I broke the flat head on my gerber once to and they wanted the whole tool back to replace the screw driver, I just reground it with my dremel it is a little stumpy but functional. The tools in the SOG work about as good as any other tool, but they are made to replaceable instead of having to replace the whole tool. I modified the knife on mine a little with some sandpaper and my lanskey dimond hones. It cuts alot better but I still use it as my beater knife. This is my .02 cents worth. One more thing the powerlock comes with a very nice leather sheath with a snap, one of the few manufacturers that still cares about their belt case. You will need this case(not a tool to carry in your pocket) this tool is heavier than the others maybe thats why it is so bullet proof.
 
I've destroyed gerbers and leathermans but so far my swisstool has held up, probably because I know how far I push victorinox steel. I liked the leatherman 200 even though I broke it, but the wave is a piece of junk. Gerbers I find brittle having snapped two sets of the pliers but you can repair them so they get my second place. the sog was a good tool but badly designed IMO so I traded it.
 
Suzuki,

I assume by your moniker that you are a rider. I ride a Kawasaki Concours. I find the Spirit to be just right to bring along on the bike; it is not too big or heavy to carry in a jacket pocket (like the Surge I had briefly. True, it's a little smaller, but I wouldn't call it light duty. It is a good supplement to the proper tools that I keep on board the bike in a tool roll.
 
Yeah, i used a leatherman on my bike for a few things but it didnt cut it. So i switched to my buck tool and i loved it but the handles flexed so hopefully i hit the nail on the head with this one. Where do you like to ride here in CT?
 
For the bike, I limit multitool use for quick, easy adjustments when I don't want to dig out the dedicated tools in the tool roll. For anything serious, I go for the real tools.

I live in the northeast Quiet Corner (Windham county), and do most of my local riding around here.
 
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