Victorinox Swisstool vs spirit (x)

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Hey guys. I'm looking to buy another multitool. I currently own a leatherman charge tti, a swisstool and a leatherman supertool 300. I bought my swisstool first and have owned it maybe 12 years. The 300 I have owned maybe 8 and the tti maybe 2. I carry the tti the most right now. I use the plain edge the most. I never use the serrated blade, even for rope. I keep my knives plenty sharp. I use the pliers the most next. Scissors occasionally. Phillips head and once in a while the eyeglasses driver. I can't decide between the swisstool x or the spirit x. I don't mind the weight but a lighter tool would be nice. Does the spirit have a thinner Phillips that will fit into kids toys easier than the swisstool? How rigid is the saw? I feel like I may miss the one hand blade opening from the tti but I've always loved my swisstool. Just wish it had needlenose pliers. I do a lot of automotive work, fishing, electrical. Any ideas to help me choose? I want scissors either way.

[FolderBeholder]

This is kind of an old review (2009), but I thought I'd link it in case you hadn't seen it:
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=12075.0

This comparison is the Spirit vs the TTi:
https://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=38244.0

I apologize if you've seen both of those already.

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Thank you for your time. When I get to my PC I will watch those! Anybody else have opinions?

[Vidar]

By now I've had both the Swisstool and Spirit for some time, and I have a clear preference for the Spirit. Both have great build quality, but the design, size and weight of the Spirit make it an obvious choice for me. It isn't perfect, but it is very good.

[Thunderpants]

The Spirit X is pretty awesome. But if you need the super tiny phillips I'm afraid you'll be disappointed - you get a terrific phillips driver but not the tiny one. To get that you'd need a Rambler/ Minichamp or an Outrider which is a totally different kettle of fish.
The saw is as good as a 6.5cm saw possibly could be - I've used mine for cutting out the backs of shelving units which other saws couldn't reach or for which they'd be too bulky. It's a great little saw.
The weight difference is the biggest bonus - I had a Swisstool but sold it immediately. I couldn't imagine myself schlepping that around, since I already owned a Spirit and couldn't see any massive advantage to having the Swisstool.
So, of course I'd highly recommend any flavour of the Spirit - the black ones are ridiculously overpriced nowadays and apart from looking cool aren't any better than the silvery ones. Whichever one you get, I'm sure you'll love it.

[Guardian]

Spirit for me. Have 3 of them, one of which is a black Dutch Army issue (the other 2 are serrated and plain bladed versions). As said already, the black version is not worth the extra money; as soon as you start using it the paint will come off and then it will look manky.
 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Can somebody explain or show the size difference in thickness for the phillips driver?  And maybe how wide the jaws open? Also, I like the crate opener on the full size tool, is the something close on the spirit?

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Anybody?

[Mechanickal]

There is no crate opener on the Spirit, only the cap lifter, which performs well.

Can't make any comparisson shots since my full size Swisstool is at a client's

[Steinar]

SuzukiGS750EZ, does the chisel/scraper address your requirements? http://sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Spirit

It's pretty stout.

[Smashie]

I've got both Swiss Tool and Spirit, well 2 Spirits and the Spirit is the far superior tool in my opinion

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I'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.

[Smashie]

I'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.



However the spirits large flat head/pry bar is noticeably more substantial than the Swiss tool

[Thunderpants]

I've tested it and you can open 732,000,000 bottles of beer before it breaks...

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I'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.)

Thank you! I think I'm going to try out the spirit. The one handed opening blades on my tti have spoiled me though...

[tango44]

Spirit X is the way to go!
For me  the X is the perfect tool, never had problem with any swisstool at all.
People says that swisstools are sensitive to dust, sand, but like I said never had a problem with it, I had broken Leathermans and Gerbers, but never a swisstool!

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

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.?

[tango44]

I'm not aware of that, I have a 2005 and a 2015 spirit made and I see no differences.

[magentus]

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.?

See these stickys for details of Swisstool and Spirit changes:

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,2463.0.html

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,1575.0.html

[Mechanickal]

Nobody reads the stickys!

[ezdog]

I don't remember even using my Swisstool since getting the Spirit X if that tells you anything?
I carry mine along with the Leatherman Bit Adapter & Bits and this lets me work many screws by slipping the adapter onto the Spirit Phillips driver,works well too.
Also the small straight driver on the Spirit works surprisingly well for smaller things that I need a lot.

Also have not carried any Leatherman for the same reason though I do have several of them still I think I even prefer the older Gerbers that I have to the Leatherman in general.

I have been carrying the Gerber Centerdrive though for the last 2 months or so on and off with the Spirit and have to say that it is GREAT for what it offers but sadly it does not offer the breadth of tools that the Spirit does and is somewhat more bulky or less streamlined too.

The Centerdrive Pliers though are really good compared to anything else for me as they are both more Needlenose than most and are spring loaded while still being beastly as needed!
The Centerdrive Driver is the whole reason for the tool and there simply is just nothing else that can compare to it on a MT that I have seen and if it works for your needs then there is no real alternative aside from carrying an interchangeable bit screwdriver?
On the other hand the driver is not really thin and there is no small straight or thinner phillips driver on the Centerdrive and these are blades that I do need every day so......

I don't really use the knife in a MT either as I always carry a knife too and I have no idea what you are asking about the Kids toys and the screws on them?

I also only ise Scissors for cutting Velcro or VHB tape and the Spirit works well for this for sure!

I would sure choose the Spirit if it were for me but take a look at the Centerdrive too it really is something a little different and not just a gimmick either.

[kmanct3]

Couldnt decide ,bought both

[Douglas]

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.

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

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.

Thank you very much. I always appreciate a stranger taking time out for me. I have carried and used the swisstool. I like my swisschamp and huntsman lite tools so having the swisstool worked for me! What I never used was the serrated blade. The pliers also left something to be desired for me. But I prefer the drivers on the swisstool over the tti. In fact, I felt like I lost a bunch with the tti drivers.

What i meant by "the Kids toys" was that with electronics or toys the holes are recessed. How does the swisstool spirit Phillips compare to say a swisschamp? The square Phillips on SAK's I use a ton. It's my go to. The round one on let's say a tinker I dislike.

[Douglas]

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


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.









3) Philips Driver
The 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



4) Scissors
For 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)



5)  The extra large flat blade screwdiver/ crate opener
Well 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 stripper
Spirit 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.



7) Ruler/ 90deg square.
Due to ergonomics of the Spirit these feaures don't exist on the Spirit



Saws/ files
Swisstool 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.



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




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

[ezdog]

Funny but I too was converted to the Swisstool after the 3rd Leatherman bite the dust in my hand?
They did fix them/replace but........
And I also can not kill a Vic or at least not yet!

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 Driver
The 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) Scissors
For 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 opener
Well 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 stripper
Spirit 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/ files
Swisstool 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

[Aloha]

Well done Douglass  .

From my perspective,  I'd say since you've already had time with the Swisstool it might be time to tryout a Spirit X.  The only gripe I ever hear is about the scissors.  Why Vic decided to put a different type scissors in the Spirit is  .  I've modded mine slightly and while they open a lot better I would take standard Vic scissors any day.   

[Mechanickal]

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

[hiraethus]

My only issue is that they're left-handed so it's tricky trimming my nails.  Otherwise, all good.

[ThePeacent]

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

+1 all the Spirit tools that are also found on SAKs are like a beefed up version of the SAK implements for harder and tougher stuff, from pivots, to scissors, drivers, openers and file 
I like them scissors! 



I got an additional Spirit for every Swisstool I sold or gave away.
Now Ii have 3 Spirits, and 0 Swisstools