I've got both Swiss Tool and Spirit, well 2 Spirits and the Spirit is the far superior tool in my opinion
Quote from: Smashie on May 14, 2018, 11:17:09 PMI've got both Swiss Tool and Spirit, well 2 Spirits and the Spirit is the far superior tool in my opinion Would it be too much to ask for a photo of the Phillip's driver's side by side for comparison? I'm wondering if the spirit is thinner than the full size.
Quote from: SuzukiGS750EZ on May 15, 2018, 06:20:25 AMQuote from: Smashie on May 14, 2018, 11:17:09 PMI've got both Swiss Tool and Spirit, well 2 Spirits and the Spirit is the far superior tool in my opinion Would it be too much to ask for a photo of the Phillip's driver's side by side for comparison? I'm wondering if the spirit is thinner than the full size.Ok here you go, the spirit is on the right and the Phillips is 0.5mm thinner than on the swisstool. (Image removed from quote.)However the spirits large flat head/pry bar is noticeably more substantial than the Swiss tool(Image removed from quote.)
I think I'm going to. One last question. I know victorinox makes minor changes throughout production, have the spirits had any revisions like the plier head, tools, etc.?
I'm a little short on time at the moment, but I'll do a blow by blow for you later tonight. I carry both daily and use both daily so I can give you some side by side picks and compairisons from over 20 years of serious use.
As promised I'm back. I'll lay out a few over all thoughts first. After breaking three Leaterman Wave handles in one year I gave up completely on Leatherman and almost on the entire multitool concept. I already knew and had carried Victorinox and Wanger SAKs for years and loved them. When one day shortly after breaking my last Wave my wife and I were shopping at Sam's Club and I spotted a promo package with a Brinkman halogen flashlight and the SwissTool. I LOVE my Swisstool. That was over twenty years ago and if I had not broken the Screwdriver bottle opener prying on something I should not have, it would still be in perfect shape. My wife uses it still regularly. I have sence joining MTo, had the opertunity to try out (and purchse) several other MT's and always come back to my Swisstool as the ultimate for me. With ONE exception and that is the Spirit X. I find the Spirit X to be just as versital a tool as it's big brother just not quite as robust. I use my ST VERY hard on the job and the Spirit just could not handle some of the abuse I throw at the ST. Don't get this wrong, the Spirit is ONE TOUGH COOKIE and will out perform almost any other tool out there in my not so humble opinion. That all being said let's start the compairisons.1) Swisstool Spirit side by side(Image removed from quote.)2) Pliers There are two Spirit styles Standard and XBS with cap crimper (wich I kind'a like, usefull for more than just crimping det caps).The Swisstool has gone through quite a progression of plier head styles. The most recent is the one pictured.Spirit tip is SLIGHTLY more pointed, and opens wider and surprisingly the handle splay is almost exactly the same.(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)3) Philips DriverThe Spirit is a little better shaped for reaching into those battery compartment screw holes than the ST and it is the square design you said you prefer(Image removed from quote.)4) ScissorsFor me this is the biggest let down of all on the Spirit. There just is no better scissor design than the Standard Vic' design. (again just my not so humble opinion)(Image removed from quote.)5) The extra large flat blade screwdiver/ crate openerWell there just is no direct compairson on the Spirit. As shown in a previous post here, the Bottle opener flat blade is substanctially beefed up and will work well as a prybar with no need to fear breaking it. I just miss the extra large flat blade as it actualy FITS many of the screw heads I deal with regularly.So no picture for this one.6) Chisel/ wire/ cable stripperSpirit design is best by far. Better curve on the cable stripper, Better edge on the chisel and love the sharpened corner for splitting cable insulation or opening bubble card packageing.(Image removed from quote.)7) Ruler/ 90deg square.Due to ergonomics of the Spirit these feaures don't exist on the Spirit(Image removed from quote.) Saws/ filesSwisstool wins out for beefieness, but both saws have the exact same cutting design as do the hack saw blades. In my experiance the Spirit files seem to be a bit more agressive though not quite as robust. This is the one place where Leatherman MIGHT win out. I like their diamond file, especialy when coupled with the blade holder.(Image removed from quote.)9) Blades I'm with you on the PE(plain edge) being far prefered over the SE ( serrated edge) blade so my EDC Spirit is actually the XBS. The Standard Sprirt Butter blade is a good blade with a good comprimise between the two I just prefer a PE balde (Image removed from quote.)So there you have it. I cary both while working or when doing heavy work around the house, But only the Spirit on days off when I'm not expecting to need my MT to double as a hammer I truely LOVE BOTH.Hope this was not to much
Again, why do people need wide opening scissors when the cutting area is relatively small?They are simply sturdier then their 91mm counterpart.Ever cut a ziptie with 91mm scissors?It works, but feels as if it isn't meant to do that.Use the Spirit's scissors on one and it cuts through like there's nothing there.Furthermore: integrated spring, zero side to side play.A true mini workhorse