My thoughts on the Spirit

[Benner]

I have had a Spirit now for a couple of weeks and here are just a few thoughts.

For those that didn't know, prior to me receiving my Spirit (that I bought used from Tim at felinevet.sosakonline.com) I carried a Swisstool X.  I loved this tool, however, there were a few things I would have changed on it. 

Firstly, was the lack of a set of pliers that opened one handed.  Due to the ruler on the X, a "half stop" was put in place to make it so the handles would line up and make a long ruler.  This meant that it wasn't possible (on my model anyway) to open them one handed.  This was changed on the Spirit and now the pliers can be opened one handed which I much prefer.  One drawback with this though, is that the Spirit lacks the ruler which I frequently use.

The file was another minor issue I had with the X.  The file seemed to be too highly polished and too smooth for any of the tasks I wanted to use it on.  The file on the Spirit however is far more aggressive, making it more suitable for what I need it for.

Although size and weight is not a problem to me, it is good to see that the Spirit is quite a bit smaller and feels more 'slender' than the X.  What is particularly impressive, is that packed into the Spirits frame is a very similar tool compliment to that of the X and that all the tools still have the same solid and strong construction to it's bigger brother.  Together with this decrease in size, the Spirit also has a more ergonomic shape.  As I have relatively small hands, these are more comfortable to use than the X's.

As the X doesn't come with a serrated blade, this was always something I missed.  I always twin a multitool with a SAK and therefore having just a plain edged blade on a multitool is a little bit of a waste to me.  The Spirit's blade I feel is the perfect compliment to a SAK and I feel more bases are covered when carrying a SAK paired with the Spirit.

Overall, both tools are great and both have slight advantages over the other.  For me though, as an EDC tool, you cannot really go wrong with the Spirit as it seems to pack everything in that the X has, but in a far more easy to carry package.

Just my 2 cents. 

[Leatherman123]

Yeah, I agree with all your points. The Spirit is a great MT! I just cannot wait for the Spirit w/ PB!

[WhichDawg]

shucks and here I thought it was gonna be about "peace on earth and good will toward man" or the evils of alcohol 

on the other hand I agree boss, and good points. Swiss Junior is my favorite MT for the reasons you said and because it fits
my bigger hands (man hands) and the warranty drew me!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Glad your getting on with it mate, and although I still like the heft of a regular ST, the Spirit is the undisputed champion of the middleweight's imo

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

So can you see yourself being swayed into getting the new point version?

[Benner]

So can you see yourself being swayed into getting the new point version?

No, I prefer the original type as I like to carry a SAK as well.  I like to have the option of PE and serrated blade and that combo is only achieved when the Spirit has a serrated blade.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

So can you see yourself being swayed into getting the new point version?

No, I prefer the original type as I like to carry a SAK as well.  I like to have the option of PE and serrated blade and that combo is only achieved when the Spirit has a serrated blade.

I might have been tempted if I hadn't already modded the blade on mine

[Dunc]

Great to here your getting on so well with it and I have to agree with you on your comments .While I EDC a fullsize Swisstool 99% of the time due to its suitability for my needs I consider the Spirit to be the best in its class and the best multitool for ergonomics . Victorinox really did do a good job refining the Swisstool .

Dunc

[Styerman]

Cant say a single bad thing about the Spirit , I even like the butter knife on the original . Recently mine's out of work , I carry the Skeletool CX for non work applications , and the Swisstool on the job .

Chris

[scibeer]

Ever since I added the clip to my Spirit, the Charge that I was carrying has been collecting dust.    The only thing I miss is the mini driver on the charge.   

Gotta figure out where to put one on the spirit.

Besides that and a one handed blade, it is just about perfect.   

[Benner]

Ever since I added the clip to my Spirit, the Charge that I was carrying has been collecting dust.    The only thing I miss is the mini driver on the charge.   

Gotta figure out where to put one on the spirit.

Besides that and a one handed blade, it is just about perfect.   

I think I need to look into a clip for my Spirit as I really like the one on my Charge.

[gafftapegreenia]

I got to play with a black oxide Spirit S at the surplus store today. Oh man, I was drooling. I want one sooo bad now.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I got to play with a black oxide Spirit S at the surplus store today. Oh man, I was drooling. I want one sooo bad now.

Just give in mate, save yourself the sleepless nights

[Swiss Man]

For years I carried the original Swiss Tool and even though I tried to replace it several times with "the other guys" I could never find a suitable replacement until the Spirit arrived in my life.
http://www.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&pt_show=1&start=5

Finding the Swiss Tool too heavy now it rides in the pocket of my car door (close at hand) but the Spirit rides on my belt. Now that my son got me an OH Sentinel for Father's day I believe I found the perfect combo (at least for right now).

Its been over a week and I haven't carried another SAK (I even put my "mistress" away, an Spyderco Endura 4).

I think I am running a fever...

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'm sure the saks will worm there way back in mate

[Benner]

OT, but who is in your avatar Swiss Man?

[Dunc]

Since I got my Spirit about a month ago I've EDC'ed it along with my fullsize Swisstool .So far I havnt had to do anything the Spirit couldnt handle  The only down side is while my Swisstool is well used my Spirit is mint so I'm a bit reluctant to use it too hard . Guess I'm going to have to get another 

I really like the Spirit BUT it still comes down to my old argument that while the fullsize Swisstool is bigger heavier with more metal on the pliers and around the joints why EDC the Spirit  ( unless clothing/ weight is an issue ) . I've said this many times but if you find yourself in a tricky situation , anything from a broken down car in the middle of nowhere to half way up a mountain with equipment failure then your going to want the biggest toughest tool and not its slimmer trendy younger brother .

Still love the Spirit though but EDCing both isnt the longterm answer .

Dunc

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That's pretty much my arguement mate, I love the spirit, I really do, but to me MT's should be heavy duty, and while I know it'd take a hell of a lot of abuse to break a Spirit, it just doesn't instill the same sort of confidence that a Swisstool does

[WhichDawg]

I personally don't envision my needle nose/plier based type multitool as a heavy duty tool,
needed to tackle heavy/hard jobs; be it full size tank or smaller. Of course a day may come where
I may need it to be more, but I hope I will have other tools to do the job or at least have access to more.

I think at least 90% of the time (I hope), my Spirit will suffice for most jobs, so the weight and size is and will be
an issue for me, since I carry/edc other things.

I think if I really torque it, really push it with "any" quality MT, I'm asking for trouble, for it to fail,
the size of the most MTs (needle nose, average tool thickness and length) are not designed for heavy/big stuff use.

I really like my RS but I edc my Spirit, I keep it sharp and clean, and if it fails on me, you'll hear my rant!
(even though it may be my own fault )

[AndyTiedye]

One thing the Swisstool has that the Spirit doesn't is a ruler!
To get the nice ergonomics you give up the ruler.

[Sea Monster]

To get the nice ergonomics you give up the ruler.

I like to call them "ergo-you're-a-damned-wance-nomics"



I kid, I kid, no one embraces rubber handled tools more than I do.

[Benner]

See, I don't see the Spirit as being any weaker really.  Infact, quite a few of the tools on the Spirit are a lot thicker than those on the Swisstool.  I would feel more than happy carrying either of them, but as I see the Spirit as having everything the Swisstool does (bar the ruler) in a smaller, more comfortable to use package, I would EDC the Spirit.

[Dunc]

I think in time I will get another Spirit and have one for regular use like my RS and see how it holds up .

Dunc

[Leatherman123]

Ben, if you need a ruler why not carry around a little tape measure?

[parnass]

One advantage of the Swisstool X over the Spirit is that the Swisstool's largest flat blade screwdriver is larger than the Spirit's.



 

[Benner]

Ben, if you need a ruler why not carry around a little tape measure?

I tend to carry my Micra which does the job most of the time.

[Leatherman123]

Oh, I see!

[Dunc]

Oh, I see!

Thats what I thought  Ben you obviously only measure short things 
  Ever read the secret diary of Adrian Mole ? 


Dunc

[Leatherman123]

Ben you obviously only measure short things  Evil

LMAO!

[Benner]

Oh, I see!

Thats what I thought  Ben you obviously only measure short things 
  Ever read the secret diary of Adrian Mole ? 


Dunc

Sadly, it is very true.