Swisstool - Initial Impressions (with pics)

[farmerjohn]

After being a Leatherman guy for the past ten years (apart from my "normal" 15 or so Vic SAKs of course), i got my first SwissTool today.
After toying around with it a bit, i thought i might share my initial impressions.



After having worked with a Wave for the last ten years or so, the SwissTool is my first BIG MT
(well, technically only if you don't count the short time i had a ST300 i had to send back because of QC issues).
To me it feals considerably more like a "real" tool compared to the Wave due to the weight and construction.
Below i included a picture for size comparison:

From left to right: Wave 04, Freestyle CX, Swisstool, Alox Soldier, Mountaineer.


Something i wasn't aware of before is that one side of each handle is higher than the other. I really have no idea
why so, so please feel free to share your knowledge



Another thing i haven't noticed on other pictures are these two marks in the following picture:


Seem like left overs from the manufacturing process to me, althoug i'm not too sure....

I really like the tool selection on the Swisstool: The standard Vic scissors (THE best folding scissors known to man ),
the chissel, the awl and all the other tools, which are mostly very similiar to their folding knife counterparts make up the best
tool selection for my needs. The fact that you can access all tools from the outside is a big plus (and no clumping as well **yeah*** ).
This also means that the knife's edge doesn't point towards the other handle (think Leatherman ST(300))
 but outwards (like on the OHO Leathermans):


I like this setup more, since to me it offers more control when using the knife.

The plier shape is ok. To me it's not as good as the one on the ST300 (my MT reference), but it's still a very useable shape for various tasks.

One other thing about the pliers though:


First i thought: "Ok, too much cider (that's hard cider for you oversea guys ) last night",
but the plier heads are ground slightly uneven as you can see in the two pictures above.
Nothing that compromises the function, but something i wouldn't have expected in a Victorinox product....

All in all, the Swisstool is the perfect tool for me (Only until someone puts me some Swisstool handles on ST300 pliers though  ).
As i always carry a backpack its size and weight don't bother me at all.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

There a cracking tool alright

Not sure what the mark's indicate though

[Pacu]

my handles are higher on one side than the other too....no marks on the pliers though except for the logo.

[Zed]

Im the same mate after using a LM for many years i took the plunge about a week back, ive been edc'ing it in my bag every day and im liking it a lot, i was the same about the grips being different sizes i thought they was twisted at first look, mine has the smaller looking pliers and prefer the look of the wider ones like yours,im sure you will love it the more you use it, it took me a while to start enjoying it, 

[Magic Bus]

Nice Swisstool   Those marks are a dead giveaway to Vics new Plasma injection Moulded casting Technology (PMT for short)  

[farmerjohn]

Since i couldn't find a reason for the handle shape, i just dropped an email to Victorinox's customer service about the intention behind that.
I'll post their answer here as soon as i get it.

Nice Swisstool  Those marks are a dead giveaway to Vics new Plasma injection Moulded casting Technology (PMT for short) 

Thx, good to know.

[Zed]

Nice Swisstool   Those marks are a dead giveaway to Vics new Plasma injection Moulded casting Technology (PMT for short)  

those words PMT scare me chris        

[John]

Nice Swisstool   Those marks are a dead giveaway to Vics new Plasma injection Moulded casting Technology (PMT for short)  

those words PMT scare me chris        

Oil of evening primrose for that mate 

[John]

There a cracking tool alright

Not sure what the mark's indicate though

Could be seconds mark like what spyderco use 


Should there be a gap like that 

[Dunc]

I've never seen those marks before , its either something that was missed in manfacture or they may all be like this from now on 

Dunc

[AHB]

I always thought Victorinox had a bad QC... 






















Just kidding... 

[DaveK]

It's a clear indication of their QC going down the pan - obviously 

[glorn]

For sure. Seems like all I hear about is the decline in Vic's QC. Everybody is always saying that.

You should send it back.

[DaveK]

[Dunc]

It's a clear indication of their QC going down the pan - obviously 

 

[farmerjohn]

Maybe i should try cutting some screws by standing on the handle to see if snaps   

[AHB]

Maybe i should try cutting some screws by standing on the handle to see if snaps   

     

There's alot more on Swisstool plier heads here: Click. 

[Gareth]

It's a clear indication of their QC going down the pan - obviously 

You are a bad, bad man Dave.

Good write-up farmerjohn. I see what you mean about the grinding of the plier head though, nothing that'll affect how the tools works but not very pleasing on the eye either.

[AHB]

Knowing the high QC standard from Victorinox, I think those PMT marks are really cool...

[DaveK]

It's a clear indication of their QC going down the pan - obviously 

You are a bad, bad man Dave.

Good write-up farmerjohn. I see what you mean about the grinding of the plier head though, nothing that'll affect how the tools works but not very pleasing on the eye either.

Lol - at least noone takes me seriously

[sergemaster]

Despite some reported issues with the polished drivers under some serious torque, has anyone encountered or had any concerns about the polished handles and resulting in some injury to the users hands?

I have and love my swisstool x but I envision using it and for whatever reason my hands slipping due to the polish and OUCH!!

Cheers,
Serge

[Dunc]

Despite some reported issues with the polished drivers under some serious torque, has anyone encountered or had any concerns about the polished handles and resulting in some injury to the users hands?

I have and love my swisstool x but I envision using it and for whatever reason my hands slipping due to the polish and OUCH!!

Cheers,
Serge

I never had any problems when I EDCed a Swisstool .I often used one with wet hands and it was fine although I never used it much with oily hands .

Dunc

[farmerjohn]

Something i wasn't aware of before is that one side of each handle is higher than the other. I really have no idea
why so, so please feel free to share your knowledge
(Image removed from quote.)

I still haven't received an answer from Victorinox about this.
So if anyone has an idea why they choose that construction, please feel free to share.

[ICanFixThat]

My only thought is something to do with the use of the ruler?  Or the tools (or tool) in the one handle just needed to be bigger to meet their strength requirements?