Victorinox Sportsman blade grind

[sambeaux]

I recently picked up a Victorinox Sportsman and a Victorinox Compact. I haven't decided yet which one will become my new EDC... The Compact is the same quality I've come to expect from Victorinox. The Sportsman, however, had an issue. The blade grind was WAY off. On the side of the blade opposite the nail nick, the grind was nonexistant near the tip. The whole profile was twisted. It took me close to an hour to reprofile the blade to be more or less even on both sides. It was the dullest I've ever received a swiss made swiss army knife. Now it's one of the sharpest knives I own.

[NG VI]

How do the two stack up against each other so far?

[sambeaux]

I'm having trouble making a decision. I like the 91mm size better. I like that the Compact has scissors and a pen.

I like the nailfile and dedicated can opener on the Sportsman.

The file on the back of the hook kinda sucks. It's difficult to use for fingernails.

In spite of that, I find myself liking the compact a tiny bit more. I'll probably rotate between them... I'll pocket he sportsman if I need to work on my nails or open a can ( low carb diet... lots of tuna cans ). Any days where those aren't a concern, I'll probably grab the Compact.

A 91mm Sportsman with plus scales would be almost perfect. Or a Spartan with a nailfile and plus scales. LOL

Are you thinking about picking one of these up?

Sam

[NG VI]

Well I've got a Cadet and a Recruit that I've been using, but I don't have a 91mm knife yet and the Compact is high on the list when I decide to fill that niche.

[sambeaux]

So far, I like it a lot. I'm not convinced that I prefer the combo tool over the opener layer like some people, but it makes an okay can opener. I've heard it's a better bottle opener than the standard one. The plus goodies are very nice.

I've been debating possibly picking up a climber... unfortunately, I don't know of any plus model climbers.

Sam

[Sparky415]

 

 

 

[Rich S]

I carry a Deluxe Tinker in a belt sheath as my EDC and have for a good while.
Love it. Also have a Classic SD on my keychain. Wife carries a Classic on hers
also and an old Climber in her purse.

Rich

[sambeaux]

Well... I seem to be carrying the Compact even though I prefer the dedicated openers and like having the nail file. The ink pin, larger blade, and scissors seem to have won me over.

Sam

[space cowboy]

Was the Sportsman brand new? I have two & love them. I find the nail file very handy as I work as a mechanic..!!

[Jasta]

Sportsman is a great SAK!

[sambeaux]

Was the Sportsman brand new? I have two & love them. I find the nail file very handy as I work as a mechanic..!!

Yes, brand new. The nailfile was the main selling point. I foresee carrying it a couple of times a week. Right now, the compact is my go-to SAK.

Sam

[space cowboy]

That one must have slipped by quality control..! It might have been made for the African market as they prefer their blades sharpened on only one side. I am probably wrong on this though.!

[sambeaux]

Then wouldn't the whole blade have been sharpened only on one side? Not just the tip?

-

Well, today I'm carrying the Sportsman again. I used the combo tool for the first time yesterday, and it was a pain. I guess I need to learn a new/different technique. Right now, I MUCH prefer the dedicated can opener on the Sportsman. So... If I know I'm opening a can for lunch, I'll pocket the sportsman. If I think I won't, I'll carry the Compact...

My biggest beef with the combo tool is that it's slippery. When I try to open a can, it slips rather than biting and cutting the can's lid. I might try roughing up the inside of the hook on the compact.

Sam

[neillcurrie]

If you're going to rough up the gripping end of the combo tool, I'd suggest going slow with the metal removal. You can't add metal back on once removed
Also, whatever you use will need to be pretty hard, maybe a parting disk on a Dremel might be good. The gripping end won't need much pattern in it to grip better, it's a very small area doing most of the work anyway.

[sambeaux]

I was thinking about taking a few swipes with the diamond file on my leatherman.

Sam

[Kid33]

[quote
I've been debating possibly picking up a climber... unfortunately, I don't know of any plus model climbers.

Sam
[/quote]

They Make a Climber Plus
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-Knife-Original-RED-CLIMBER-PLUS-91mm-17-Features-53380-/121116803174?pt=US_Knives_Tools&hash=item1c331fc066

Search around and you will find different colors of the same model.  You can also buy plus scales to add to an SAKS that do not normally come as plus models.

Finally, the Parcel hook will hold the Pen if you put the pen in the slot that the Hook comes out of. Then  lower the hook on top of the pen.  I would consider that before altering the hook on the compact. 

Both the Sportsmen and Compact are really great. 

[sambeaux]

They Make a Climber Plus
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-Knife-Original-RED-CLIMBER-PLUS-91mm-17-Features-53380-/121116803174?pt=US_Knives_Tools&hash=item1c331fc066

Search around and you will find different colors of the same model.  You can also buy plus scales to add to an SAKS that do not normally come as plus models.

Finally, the Parcel hook will hold the Pen if you put the pen in the slot that the Hook comes out of. Then  lower the hook on top of the pen.  I would consider that before altering the hook on the compact. 

Both the Sportsmen and Compact are really great.

I realized recently that if I get the climber, that I lose the file on the parcel hook. Gaining the dedicated openers is nice, though.

Someone mentioned that they knew of a source of older climbers with the long nail file instead of the parcel hook. That's pretty appealing to me, it would get me all the tools I want in one package and be reasonably thin.

Thanks!

Sam

[pawn]

Someone mentioned that they knew of a source of older climbers with the long nail file instead of the parcel hook. That's pretty appealing to me, it would get me all the tools I want in one package and be reasonably thin.

Where are you from? Not sure if they ship internationally. The store is swiss-based.
http://www.sackmesser.ch/496_7003/armeemesser-sackmesser-climber/

[sambeaux]

I'm in the US.

[Kid33]

They Make a Climber Plus
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victorinox-Swiss-Army-Knife-Original-RED-CLIMBER-PLUS-91mm-17-Features-53380-/121116803174?pt=US_Knives_Tools&hash=item1c331fc066

Search around and you will find different colors of the same model.  You can also buy plus scales to add to an SAKS that do not normally come as plus models.

Finally, the Parcel hook will hold the Pen if you put the pen in the slot that the Hook comes out of. Then  lower the hook on top of the pen.  I would consider that before altering the hook on the compact. 

Both the Sportsmen and Compact are really great.

I realized recently that if I get the climber, that I lose the file on the parcel hook. Gaining the dedicated openers is nice, though.

Someone mentioned that they knew of a source of older climbers with the long nail file instead of the parcel hook. That's pretty appealing to me, it would get me all the tools I want in one package and be reasonably thin.

Thanks!

Sam

If I were you, I would get the Climber plus because it sounds like you really do like the opening layer with heavy duty openers.  What you can do to solve the File Problem, is look to get a Classic Sized Key Chain SAK.  The Classic which can be bought on Ebay for peanuts will add the file you are missing from the climber.   If you want to step it up a notch, then The Rambler even has a mini Phillips ( which is actually really good)  and a bottle opener with the file as well.  The Manager which is my Favorite even has a Pen. 

I think if you combo a 58mm with your 91mm, you can have the best of both worlds

Here is a link to all the different 58mm.   You can also see other models from the menu. 

http://www.smartknives.com/Knife-Directories/58mm-Victorinox-knives.html