Whoa! Vic Spirit!

R

rushane

Joined
Dec 31, 2006
Messages
131
I've been issued Leatherman MTs in the past. Love them. They work awesome and I'll continue to use them. I've been issued Gerbers and Sogs. They blow. I had the opportunity to order new MTs and figured I might as well try Vic, the great unknown. So they came in and the general impression is "whoa".

They're really impressive. Two issues: first, I'm not sold on the slight slip of the surface, but in the last two weeks of use, it hasn't been an issue for anyone (and some of these guys can complain like the best of them); second, the case blows, but Skinth Solutions will take care of that.

If you're looking at picking up a new MT, it's worth looking at. I haven't tried the bits, but I'm of the mind set that if you need bits, you need your main tools. Not a jab at those who use and carry spare bits, just how I feel as I don't like carrying the weight nor the size of the case as it grows (same for Leatherman, though they do it better than Vic).
 
I've been carrying my Vic Spirit S for about 4 years now. I finally settled on what is, for me, the ideal multi, after many years of carrying various Leathermans. I do realize that sometimes the screwdrivers tend to slip a bit, but it's not been a real problem for me.

The one thing I think Victorinox did badly was the sheath. It should have been MUCH better, with a button closure; the Velcro wore out after about a year and made it unusable. I also wish there was a good sheath for it that could position on the belt horizontally. For the past few years, I've been carrying mine horizontally in an old Benchmade Bali-Song sheath, which works fine, but I eventually want something better/tougher.

Jim
 
James Y said:
I've been carrying my Vic Spirit S for about 4 years now. I finally settled on what is, for me, the ideal multi, after many years of carrying various Leathermans. I do realize that sometimes the screwdrivers tend to slip a bit, but it's not been a real problem for me.

The one thing I think Victorinox did badly was the sheath. It should have been MUCH better, with a button closure; the Velcro wore out after about a year and made it unusable. I also wish there was a good sheath for it that could position on the belt horizontally. For the past few years, I've been carrying mine horizontally in an old Benchmade Bali-Song sheath, which works fine, but I eventually want something better/tougher.

Jim
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Kind of interesting. This is the second time in a week I have heard someone say they do not like the sheath for the Swisstool. I find that the Swisstool sheath either snap closure or Velcro is superior to the Leatherman sheaths. With that said I wish all multitool companies put more thought and used better materials in there sheaths.
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
Kind of interesting. This is the second time in a week I have heard someone say they do not like the sheath for the Swisstool. I find that the Swisstool sheath either snap closure or Velcro is superior to the Leatherman sheaths. With that said I wish all multitool companies put more thought and used better materials in there sheaths.
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A few years ago when I went through a Swisstool phase, Victorinox supplied an excellent nylon sheath that I found also worked well for a number of other multi-tools, including Leatherman. Recently, I ordered up another copy of the same sheath. It was now made in Mexico, okay quality but not up to the standard of the earlier ones. In the unrelenting pressure to cut costs, I guess this was one area in which the makers could compromise without degrading the tool itself. Sad, but that's business.
BTW, I don't agree about Leatherman sheaths. The ones I have are well designed, especially for work, better than the Vics, and of equal quality.
 
Hey, if they work for you then all the better. :thumbup: I just find the Leatherman sheaths quality has been dropping off as well as being incredibly bulky. If I wear a sheath it is always under a shirt. If I wear say the Wave with a standard sheath it looks like i'm smuggling something under my shirt. If I wear the Swisstool Spirit or even its bigger brother the Swisstool under a shirt you can't even see it. I also find the Victorinox sheath distributes the weight better and I cannot feel the tool on my belt.

I do like the design of the standard Wave sheath, but I just feel it is to bulky. The one sheath that Leatherman makes that surprised me is the pancake style that comes with the Rebar. I normally hate that style sheath, but it wears quite well. The only issue I see with that sheath is the loop becoming worn and failing over time.

With that said I feel like ALL multitool manufacturers sheaths have been declining in quality and I am sure it is to cut costs without sacrificing the tool. Sadly this seems to not be enough and Leatherman and Victorinox HAVE been sacrificing quality and quality control while increasing prices. Leatherman seems to be a much bigger culprit in doing this. A more expensive product for a cost cut, lesser quality tool and sheath. It really pisses me off. :mad: Sorry for straying into a mini rant. :D
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
Hey, if they work for you then all the better. :thumbup: I just find the Leatherman sheaths quality has been dropping off as well as being incredibly bulky. If I wear a sheath it is always under a shirt. If I wear say the Wave with a standard sheath it looks like i'm smuggling something under my shirt. If I wear the Swisstool Spirit or even its bigger brother the Swisstool under a shirt you can't even see it. I also find the Victorinox sheath distributes the weight better and I cannot feel the tool on my belt.

I do like the design of the standard Wave sheath, but I just feel it is to bulky. The one sheath that Leatherman makes that surprised me is the pancake style that comes with the Rebar. I normally hate that style sheath, but it wears quite well. The only issue I see with that sheath is the loop becoming worn and failing over time.

With that said I feel like ALL multitool manufacturers sheaths have been declining in quality and I am sure it is to cut costs without sacrificing the tool. Sadly this seems to not be enough and Leatherman and Victorinox HAVE been sacrificing quality and quality control while increasing prices. Leatherman seems to be a much bigger culprit in doing this. A more expensive product for a cost cut, lesser quality tool and sheath. It really pisses me off. :mad: Sorry for straying into a mini rant. :D
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I feel your pain, brother. No need to apologize for your "mini rant." If you need to, this is the place to do it.
 
I agree that much more attention should be paid to sheaths. Whether it's multi-tools or fixed-blade knives, the first (and sometimes only) weakness is usually the sheath. But a good sheath is essential! If it's uncomfortable or designed poorly, it won't be carried. Or, worst case scenario, the sheath will fail and the tool can be lost.

I'm annoyed that I have to look elsewhere for a quality sheath for my Spirit. I was considering SOE, but theirs has no horizontal belt carry option. It isn't a total deal-breaker, but IMO, horizontal carry is more comfortable and makes for a more compact carry position.

Jim
 
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