Victorinox Swisstool

Ludwig

Ludwig

Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
1,877
So I'm in the market for my first multi-tool after borrowing my roommates Leatherman Wave and realizing how useful these things can be. I've been doing some research, along with my personal experience with SAKs, it seems like I can't go wrong with the Victorinox Swisstools.

I don't think I'll be EDCing this everyday so size and weight aren't an issue. For the sake of having it in case I ever need it, I'm looking for the most tools as well, but scissors and a plain-edge blade in particular would be nice.

Which Swisstool model would you guys recommend?
 
The SwissTool X is the same as the original SwissTool except it has scissors rather than a serrated drop point blade.

The SwissTool RS is the same as the SwissTool X except it has a serrated rescue blade rather than a file.

I like the SwissTool X the best but its a just a matter of personal preference. If you want scissors go with the SwissTool X or RS. If you want scissors and a file go with the SwissTool X. Etc.

Here's a photo for comparison:
SwissTools.jpg
 
You might also consider one of the SwissTool Spirits. They're a bit more ergonomic. Although they are a bit smaller than the SwissTools, they're just as strong.

spirits.jpg
 
This is proving to be a pretty tough decision. It's a toss-up between the Spirit S and the Swisstool RS for me. I made a quick comparison chart of the different models, and I would be paying around $10 extra for the RS which has a ruler and scissors but no metal file/saw or corkscrew like the Spirit S.

The Victorinox website has the Spirit S listed at almost a full inch bigger than the RS. Does anyone have an actual photo of a few of the different models together?
 
I'm confused.
1. The Spirit S is a smaller tool than the Swisstool RS.
2. The Spirit S does not have a corkscrew. If you buy a "Plus" package you get a corkscrew that attaches to the tool. I think it can also be bought separately and used with any Swisstool.

May I ask why you are deciding between the Spirit S and the Swisstool RS?
The Swisstool X has the scissors and plain edge blade that you specified, plus the metal file/saw.
 
Steven Andrews said:
I'm confused.
1. The Spirit S is a smaller tool than the Swisstool RS.
2. The Spirit S does not have a corkscrew. If you buy a "Plus" package you get a corkscrew that attaches to the tool. I think it can also be bought separately and used with any Swisstool.

May I ask why you are deciding between the Spirit S and the Swisstool RS?
The Swisstool X has the scissors and plain edge blade that you specified, plus the metal file/saw.
Click to expand...

If you look at the product descriptions here:

http://www.swissarmy.com/multitools/Category.htm?category=swisstool&

The Spirit S is listed at 4.13 inches while the RS is listed at 3.25. If the website is wrong, let me know.

I stand corrected on the corkscrew, it only comes with the corkscrew coupling.

I prefer the Swisstool RS over the X model because it has both a PE and CE blade. This is being weighed against the Spirit S because it costs around $10 less, and it's only missing the scissors which would be nice but I could live without.
 
Interesting thread. I've been carrying a Swisstool for a while now (after having stolen it from Mrs. Powernoodle's car) and didn't know which model it is. Turns out its a Spirit.

Not much to dislike about it. I generally do not care for serrated-only blade, but the serrations on this one are so minimal that its almost a plain edge.

It is a little thinner to carry on the belt than the Wave that I'm used to, and somewhat smoother opening. I much prefer the Spirit's real 3-dimensional phillips (which also is long enough to have some reach) as compared to the Wave's flat phillips.

Edit:

The Spirit S is listed at 4.13 inches while the RS is listed at 3.25. If the website is wrong, let me know.
Click to expand...

That is the correct length for the Spirit.
 
The web site is wrong. The RS is 4.5 inches, same as original and the X.
You cannot go wrong with either. I personally like the X, even though I have Spirit as well, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it :-)
 
Thanks for the input guys.

Just to make things interesting, I've started considering the Leatherman Surge too. From what I've read, it's a tank and I think that's what is appealing to me.

Keep the info coming :thumbup:
 
ufox9al said:
The web site is wrong. The RS is 4.5 inches, same as original and the X.
You cannot go wrong with either. I personally like the X, even though I have Spirit as well, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it :-)
Click to expand...

Totally agree except I don't like the shape of the serrated blade on the Spirit.
 
FWIW,

I have a Swisstool RS and love it. I don't miss having the file. The rescue blade is useful when you need to cut something and need to be extra careful about poking something with the point of a knife.

I think you'll be pleased with any of the Vic multitools.
 
Because I carry a tool of that type to replace a tool kit, it should have the best possible useability. For that reason, I prefer the largest, most "toolish" offerings still in a reasonable size and weight.

Although Leatherman products seem to be a better fit for me, I did have some experience with a Swisstool and a Spirit. Both are impressive, but if I were to go Vic, it would be with the Swisstool. The original would be my pick. It has everything I need, and I can carry a Micra easily enough to provide scissors, which BTW, on the Spirit, suck.
 
The Spirit can be improved (in my opinion) in about 20 minutes by sharpening off the serrations on a coarse whet stone and beveling both edges of the blade. I like mine and edc it most of the time. I would like to get a Swisstool X though.
 
I'm a Sakaholic (overs 50 at last count) and am predisposed towards Vic multi's. However i use my Sak scissors a lot. So do the scissors on the Spirit REALLY suck that bad? I can mod the blade if need be but if the scissors are poorly designed and don't work well thats a deal breaker. how do the Spirit scissors compare to regular Sak scissors, Wenger scissors or to the Leatherman Wave scissors?
 
if your going to use your tool like a toolbox, i think that the core is probably the best bet. the tools are huge and the screwdrivers work as well as dedicated screwdrivers. no bits to loose or small parts to break.
 
tholiver said:
I'm a Sakaholic (overs 50 at last count) and am predisposed towards Vic multi's. However i use my Sak scissors a lot. So do the scissors on the Spirit REALLY suck that bad? I can mod the blade if need be but if the scissors are poorly designed and don't work well thats a deal breaker. how do the Spirit scissors compare to regular Sak scissors, Wenger scissors or to the Leatherman Wave scissors?
Click to expand...

Those scissors on the Spirit were a big disappointment , since I always regarded Vic scissors the best. Although the new spring design is an "improvement" over the regular like on the X, the scissors blades are so tiny they only nip at stuff the regular ones, like on the X, cut with ease. They are more like those on the Classic, good for cutting thread, fish line and the like, barely useable for anything else. They don't belong on a substantial multi like the Spirit. Makes me look at the S model for the extra PE blade instead, supplemented by a Micra for scissors, perhaps not the equal of the standard Vic, but good enough and far better than those on the Spirit.

Scissors on the old Wave are pretty good, the New Wave less so, although better than the Spirit. They are sharp and cut okay, but smaller than those on the original. I haven't tried the Wenger.

You might want to reconsider the Spirit SE blade. At first, I found it off-putting, but after some weeks of EDC, I got to appreciate it more. It turned out to be very effective for a variety of cutting chores. If you decide on a Spirit, give the blade a chance before thinking of modding it. Maybe you will grow to like it, as well.
 
Kronos said:
if your going to use your tool like a toolbox, i think that the core is probably the best bet. the tools are huge and the screwdrivers work as well as dedicated screwdrivers. no bits to loose or small parts to break.
Click to expand...

That's what I think and use, a personal choice based on my needs. Others might find happiness with a Vic product, and no arguement here.
 
I have the Spirit, and EDC it easily thanks to the optional multi position sheath which I highly recommend. :thumbup:
 
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