Do I need a Swiss Champ?

[cbowt]

   Hi all,
Figured I would ask this here, as no one else would understand. I have been looking hard at a Swiss Champ, I mean, it's the ultimate SAK right?
    Thing is, I have a Swiss Champion with stay-glow (?) scales and it's down right awesome. Is the Champ that much better, will it kick the Champion out of rotation? Should I bother?
    Love to hear some opinions.

[Aloha]

I have 4 Swisschamps and I traded my very clean Champion Plus to great member here so I'd say yes.  If you already love the Champion then the SC just adds the plier layer so it's not like coming from a Tinker.  Tinker is a great tool btw  and the Deluxe Tinker is even better  . 

See how I did that?  The plier layer is all that and then some.  You can add your stayglow scales too and have a sweet SC.  I find the pliers to be a great "better than fingers tool".  I believe Lynn called them "super tweezers" and that is very fitting.  Their capability is not to be missed, if you have them and have used them you will know what I'm saying. 

The added size I believe is negligible when coming from the Champion.  I think the SwissChamp is the Champ because it has everything you might need and everything you have already needed.  The inline philips as you know is on both and is excellent. The only real question is older mag glass or newer one.

While you are at it have you got a Minichamp  .  Pretty great tool if I say so.  Just kidding go for the SC I don't believe you will look back and say Damn Aloha, Damn Aloha to bits.     

[Reinier]

The only differences are the pliers and the plus scales. So why not take a step further and go for the XLT instead?

[captain spaulding]

  I find the pliers to be a great "better than fingers tool".  I believe Lynn called them "super tweezers" and that is very fitting.  Their capability is not to be missed, if you have them and have used them you will know what I'm saying. 

I completely agree about the pliers. I never use them for "pliers like" uses but rather as "super tweezers" or a "grabber." Every pair of Victorinox pliers I have ever came across are very precise and perform very well in the "super tweezers" role. The Pliers on the Vic's are one of or the most liked Victorinox tool. 

[kkokkolis]

Well, regarding SAKs, "size matters". In my opinion the Swisschamp, Cybertool 41 or Swisschamp XLT are the SAKs to get if you are going to have just one for all tasks. I choose the XLT but it might be very big for your hands. So, you could either compare the tools of Swisschamp and Cybertool 41 and decide between the two, or be brave and get their combination, the XLT. With the Swisschamp you'll get the pliers (great for many tasks in electronics, minor repair work, jewellery, modelism etc), or also the Cybertool (need no explanation) or a couple of specialty blades as a bonus.

[PTRSAK]

Want or not want.  There is no "need".

[SAK Guy]

Yes.....

[sticktodrum]

Meh. I tried the Swisschamp a few times. Wasn't for me. For the size of the tools, it was too awkward a handle, and much of them didn't get much use. I'm more inclined to carry a Pioneer type knife.

[Singh]

If you're asking the question, then the answer is 'yes'.

The only difference between the champ and your champion is the pliers and plus scales. As Captain Spaulding said, the pliers are better seen as super tweezers. Anything you would normally pinch between your fingers, the SAK pliers can do much better.

I was critical of SAK pliers but now I like them. They're handy.

 

[SAK Guy]

I have models with the pliers (Swiss Champ and Hercules) in bags and packs (along with a 93mm ALOX model) because have RA and it's hard for me to use a curved needle to sew heavy materials or use a suture to sew up a cut. The pliers will make a passable needle driver for me.

Thinking outside the box in case I end up in one....

ETA: I have Champions as well and along with Explorers are among my favorite cellidor SAKs.

[greenbear]

   Hi all,
Figured I would ask this here, as no one else would understand. I have been looking hard at a Swiss Champ, I mean, it's the ultimate SAK right?
    Thing is, I have a Swiss Champion with stay-glow (?) scales and it's down right awesome. Is the Champ that much better, will it kick the Champion out of rotation? Should I bother?
    Love to hear some opinions.

I like that Champion with stayglo scales - if were up to me I'd stick with that one and use it 

[captain spaulding]

If you're asking the question, then the answer is 'yes'.

The only difference between the champ and your champion is the pliers and plus scales. As Captain Spaulding said, the pliers are better seen as super tweezers. Anything you would normally pinch between your fingers, the SAK pliers can do much better.

I was critical of SAK pliers but now I like them. They're handy.

I did say this, but only quoting Lynn. 

I can't take credit for that one. 

[kkokkolis]

Vic's pliers work with curved needles on leather perfectly. Also used as tweezers to remove stuck items from narrow places. You can heat a needle, form paper clips, wires, chain links etc

[gene stoner]

   Hi all,
Figured I would ask this here, as no one else would understand. I have been looking hard at a Swiss Champ, I mean, it's the ultimate SAK right?
    Thing is, I have a Swiss Champion with stay-glow (?) scales and it's down right awesome. Is the Champ that much better, will it kick the Champion out of rotation? Should I bother?
    Love to hear some opinions.

If you're like me you need one just because you don't have one yet.

[Corwyn]

Not carrying my Camper because I find it too thick, not carrying my Huntsman, because I find it too heavy... and yet I just ordered a Swisschamp 

[SAK Guy]

Not carrying my Camper because I find it too thick, not carrying my Huntsman, because I find it too heavy... and yet I just ordered a Swisschamp 

Funny how that works...but it does!

[Styerman]

Yes !

[Rich S]

I don't know of anyone who "needs" a Swiss Champ, although I have one and an old Champion.
IMHO, they are too bulky to carry as an EDC. I prefer the Deluxe Tinker; smaller, lighter and
has the pliers (which I think are a must for a "pocket tool kit". I carry my Deluxe Tinker
as a EDC when I go out, but carry a regular Tinker in my pocket around home just so
I don't have to go for screw drivers, pliers, etc every time I need a tool.

Rich

[Caranthanus]

Of course you need SwissChamp, what kinda question is that


 

[sawman]

I say NO, stick with what you have. If you really want an upgrade, buy a CT41 while you still can.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121273272628?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

ONLY 10 left so act soon. 

[SAK Guy]

Back in '80, I carried a Champion as my sole knife for almost 3 months while traveling/backpacking in Europe...it did everything I asked of it (which was a lot). Now, only carry a Champion or Swiss Champ on trips (or hikes) and usually in a bag or in the glove box.

These days,  it's usually a Pioneer/Farmer/Soldier in a necker sheath and they can handle most things. Occasionally pocketed an Explorer (years ago) and it's a good EDC as well.

[Caranthanus]

I say NO, stick with what you have. If you really want an upgrade, buy a CT41 while you still can.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121273272628?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

ONLY 10 left so act soon. 

... no mag-glass on CT 
 

[sawman]

I say NO, stick with what you have. If you really want an upgrade, buy a CT41 while you still can.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121273272628?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

ONLY 10 left so act soon. 

... no mag-glass on CT 
 

Magnifiers are a dime a dozen, Get one of those flat credit card wallet ones and carry that, it works even better! 

[RedRamage]

NEED is such a complex word.  I prefer to let my wallet size decide if I really need anything. 

[Mr. Whippy]

Unless you really use the fish scaler/ruler and magnifier, you're better off with a Cybertool 41.  But yes, everyone needs a SwissChamp, but I carry a Cybertool 41 (with Timekeeper scales )

[PTRSAK]

I actually have 2 SwissChamps. One is in the SOS pouch.  AND I have an old Champion.

The SwissChamp goes away on trips with me but daily it's more likely to be something like Explorer or Climber/Wenger Traveller with Hercules and/or Wave in my bag.

But yes, everyone needs a SwissChamp

[kirk13]

Yes,of course you need a SwissChamp,if only to keep the Plus company!

Oh,and loving the stayglo Plus

[kkokkolis]

For me it didn't work to go with a lighter SAK. I bought a Harvester and then a Mountaineer after considering the tools I mostly use. But I missed one tool today, another the next day and found myself carrying the XLT everyday (in the bag). So I leave the lighter SAKs at home, except my Minichamp.
I agree with Sawman. The pliers is a great tool but the Cybertool even more. But that brings another player in the field. You can keep your Champion and get pliers and bit holder in a Multitool, such as a Wave, Charge or Spirit Plus. How's that?

[Caranthanus]

I say NO, stick with what you have. If you really want an upgrade, buy a CT41 while you still can.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121273272628?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

ONLY 10 left so act soon. 

... no mag-glass on CT 
 

Magnifiers are a dime a dozen, Get one of those flat credit card wallet ones and carry that, it works even better! 

got that one, acctually two (just in case ), one in wallet btw
But there is no sach magnifier as SAK mag is 

Contest 

card-mag 


SwissChamp-mag 


players

 


And the Winner iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis ...


 

[Syph007]

Depends on what tools are important to you I guess.  I do use the pliers often so I always carry a SAK with one. jI also use the scale pen quite a bit. On a swiss champ the only tools I have never used are the wood saw and fish scaler, so I would remove those 2 layers from a champ to form the best EDC SAK for me.