NEW 2023 SAK TOOL: "Box Opener with 3 mm Screwdriver"?!

[mzil]

I don't follow their lineup year to year closely but an ad from the Swiss Knife Shop just showed a "Swiss Spirit Companion Wood 2023 limited edition" Vic with a brand new (to me at least) tool which looks quite interesting:
"Box Opener with 3mm Scewdriver", instead of the traditional can opener I guess.

Assuming I am allowed to post a link, here:
https://www.swissknifeshop.com/products/swiss-spirit-special-edition-2023-companion-wood-swiss-army-knife

Wow, I open boxes all the time. . . whereas cans with my pocket tool, um, not so much. Is this the first Vic pocket knife to sport this nifty new tool?

[old Lefty]

The tool looks nice, don't like the scales so much. Wonder if it comes with trad. red scales?

Lähetetty minun SM-T515 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

[EMarkM]

The tool looks nice, don't like the scales so much. Wonder if it comes with trad. red scales?

Lähetetty minun SM-T515 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

I tend to agree. That tool looks useful; far more than the can opener. Even though I'm in the UK, and we still have several food can brands that don't come with an opening tab, I never need a can opener "with me" and just use the Culinare MagiCan ones that we've had for years.

Being alcohol-free these days, I don't have much use for the bottle opener either, and often hope that Vic will start to issue more knives without the traditional "opening layer"

This one really does look interesting but, yeah: I'm not overly impressed with wooden scales on a SAK, even though I love my other traditional knives very much.

[gustophersmob]

From my understanding this is the first use of this tool. There was a thread about it awhile ago, I’ll see if I can find it.

Edit: here's one thread about it, but I thought there was a previous, longer thread, but I'm struggling to find it.

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,90627.msg2403074.html

[Tasky]

I just use the blade to open boxes, which not only cuts cardboard cleaner, but is also easier to clean sticky gunk off than a serrated blade.
Rarely use the bottle-opener for opening bottles,  yet I frequently use the large screwdriver to drive screws and do other stuff.
Nice to see the nail file instead of a small blade, but not a fan of this dedicated box opener. It's up there with an ILP alongside the Cyber bit holder.

[nate j]

Nice to see Vic trying something new, and also to have what was long a rumor confirmed by an actual model available for purchase.

However, I’m not a fan of this tool.  To summarize my reasoning:

- I’ve never felt the knife blade was in any way lacking as a package opener.

- I’m assuming people who open a large quantity of packages as part of their jobs probably have dedicated package openers or utility knives for this, and wouldn’t be using their SAKs or pocket knives for this anyway.

- I may be in the minority, but I actually do get some use out of the can opener, especially on camping trips etc.

[mzil]

Assuming field reports say the tool works well I hope to see this tool on other designs. What I'd really like to see is the combo-tool found on the Compact turned into a "Supercombo Tool" which covers all three tools in one: bottle opener, can opener, and box opener. I dig the smaller 3mm flat head screwdriver over the larger 6mm, partly because it sort of acts like a 2 dimensional Philips in a pinch, but I'll take whatever they do for the tip.

[Rich S]

Not a tool that I'll be getting.

[Sos24]

Assuming field reports say the tool works well I hope to see this tool on other designs. What I'd really like to see is the combo-tool found on the Compact turned into a "Supercombo Tool" which covers all three tools in one: bottle opener, can opener, and box opener. I dig the smaller 3mm flat head screwdriver over the larger 6mm, partly because it sort of acts like a 2 dimensional Philips in a pinch, but I'll take whatever they do for the tip.

I sharpen one of the corners on the combo to which enables it to work pretty well cut through tape on packages.

[Farmer X]

Nate took the words right outta my mouth. If the little "box opener" is capable of getting through those obnoxious clam packs, then maybe...if the SAK didn't have a corkscrew in the back layer.

[Tasky]

Well, it's official. I just got an email from Vic advertising this thing.
I still don't see it becoming a regular feature.

[Fireman]

I won't buying this one just to get that tool.  For clamshell packages I think a small serrated blade would work well.

[BPRoberts]

The small serrated blade LM puts on some of their budget tools is a great package opener.

$85 isn't too crazy, but I think I'll probably wait for the regular release that I assume is coming later this year.

[DansGearAddiction]

Nice to see Vic trying something new, and also to have what was long a rumor confirmed by an actual model available for purchase.

However, I’m not a fan of this tool.  To summarize my reasoning:

- I’ve never felt the knife blade was in any way lacking as a package opener.

- I’m assuming people who open a large quantity of packages as part of their jobs probably have dedicated package openers or utility knives for this, and wouldn’t be using their SAKs or pocket knives for this anyway.

- I may be in the minority, but I actually do get some use out of the can opener, especially on camping trips etc.

The biggest complaint I've seen regarding opening packages has nothing to do with capability of the blade, but rather the fact that tape residue can gather on the blade and be very difficult to remove.

I carry a Pioneer most of the time and use the reamer tool to open boxes for this reason; it also allows me to keep the knife sharper for more precise cutting tasks rather than burn through my edge cutting through tape -- this isn't going to require any type of maintenance and will keep on cutting regardless of the remaining edge life.

[Buzzbait]

The biggest complaint I've seen regarding opening packages has nothing to do with capability of the blade, but rather the fact that tape residue can gather on the blade and be very difficult to remove.

I carry a Pioneer most of the time and use the reamer tool to open boxes for this reason; it also allows me to keep the knife sharper for more precise cutting tasks rather than burn through my edge cutting through tape -- this isn't going to require any type of maintenance and will keep on cutting regardless of the remaining edge life.

 

I agree that the 93mm inline awl is a sensational box opener. Keeps my blade clean and sharp.

[z1913]

I stopped by in the flagship store to check it in the flesh. I like the back scale, not so sure about the front one, but overall looks better than in pictures. And of course there is the box opener. Hmm, probably not for me (yet), but it looks interesting - the sharp edge starts almost at the tip, just below the screwdriver.

[BPRoberts]

Has anybody figured out what the ridges are for? Are we supposed to "saw" through the box or something? They don't look very sharp.

[Bunk Tuppins]

I really like the idea of a 91mm with the new nail file.  Will have to see how the box cutter tool works, but I am fairly confident that Victorinox engineers were able to come up with a useful tool. It looks to me like they have followed a typical box cutter approach: make the cutting area very sharp but limited in size so you only need to clean adhesive off a small area.  I am not much of a limited edition buyer.  I actually like the scales but that is quite a chunk for a knife that is really pretty similar to a  Climber.  I will pick one up if they come out in regular celidor or basic wood scales.

[Tasky]

Has anybody figured out what the ridges are for? Are we supposed to "saw" through the box or something? They don't look very sharp.

Cutting through those plastic cable straps on pallets?

but rather the fact that tape residue can gather on the blade and be very difficult to remove.

Quick squirt of IPA on a cloth and it all just slides away like smurf off a shovel...
A more pocket-carryable solution is those alcohol hand wipes, which you can get in a box of 100 for about a fiver.

[Sneider]

I'm happy that Victorinox is doing something new and I'm hoping for more SAK innovations.
But personally, I don't like this new tool or the model.

- With the can opener you can open packets and cans, the new tool can only packets.
- Having a nail file is good, but the Hook is also available with a nail file, then the small blade could have stayed.

IMHO, multifunctionality is one of the most important features of SAKs, it's a pity that functions are reduced here

But enough nagging, just my own opinion, there are more than enough models for me. I'm happy for everyone who has been waiting for this.

[Big ol’ Hauger]

I went ahead and put my order in for one, partly out of curiosity, and also as a potential investment piece. It seems a well-rounded toolset. Having a nail file and scissors on a 91mm in itself is attractive to me. The package tool might be a nice bonus. I don’t think I’ve opened a can in two years now, anyway. This one will likely be fondled for a bit, and shoved away in a drawer to await the arrival of the cellidor version. Swiss Knife Shop had sent me a text a couple of days ago with a ten-percent off code. They really know how to sucker a guy in! I just wonder if the new tool will start phasing out the can opener, or maybe be more like the corkscrew/Phillips option?

[nate j]

The biggest complaint I've seen regarding opening packages has nothing to do with capability of the blade, but rather the fact that tape residue can gather on the blade and be very difficult to remove.

I carry a Pioneer most of the time and use the reamer tool to open boxes for this reason; it also allows me to keep the knife sharper for more precise cutting tasks rather than burn through my edge cutting through tape -- this isn't going to require any type of maintenance and will keep on cutting regardless of the remaining edge life.

In my experience, giving the blade a quick wipe (just fingers work fine) when the adhesive is fresh (ideally immediately after cutting the tape, before even folding up the knife) goes a long way toward preventing the dreaded buildup.

And if you do end up facing a gunky mess of dried adhesive, a bit of acetone (commercially available as nail polish remover) on a paper towel will take it right off.  Just be careful not to get any on the scales, and rinse the blade with water afterward to clean off any residual acetone.

Having the 93 mm awl (as you say) or two knife blades (as on most 91 mm models) is handy, as it allows for having one clean sharp blade and one dirty/beater blade, but this combination is more versatile than having one knife blade plus a dedicated package opener.

[charlie fox]

Interesting, but a pass for me. I like having options and this reduces the utility of the SAK - to me the SAK is a compromise between carrying a bunch of separate tools or carrying a single tool that does a lot. Taking away the can opener, although it may be less used these days, doesn't make sense to me. If they replaced the small blade with this function I might get onboard. 

[Bunk Tuppins]

99 SAKs out of 100 have a can opener.  It's not like with the advent of this one model, calls will now echo down the corridors in search of a knife with a can opener!  I can't even remember the last time I used a SAK can opener to open a can.  Even camping or on a road trip - how often do you actually open a can? On the other hand I open packages frequently.  The beauty of this model for me is it has the functions I use most:   main blade, scissor, file, package opener.  OK you can argue that one can open a package with main or small blade or an awl, etc but the combination of features is undeniably attractive if you happen to use those functions a lot.

[Buzzbait]

I'm very excited about the small blade being replaced with the nail file. I've always questioned the redundancy of a second spear blade. Never made sense to me. The nail file is definitely useful to me.

But the new tool....... I'm not sold yet. From an aesthetic point of view, it's sort of hideous. Definitely not as graceful looking as a traditional Vic tool. From a utility perspective, the usefulness remains to be seen.

I would have been much happier if they'd replaced the can opener with the electrician blade. A sheepsfoot blade is a great compliment to a spear.

[marlowe221]

I hope there's a cellidor version of this SAK soon.

I really want to get my hands on a knife with this tool though. I use the can opener all the time... but almost never to open an actual can of food. I use it for all sorts of "unofficial" uses. After all, it's the tool that some people call the "Macgyver tool" or the "Swiss Army knife of the Swiss Army knife". And both of those names fit my use of can opener far better than its official name.

If this new tool matches and/or increases the number of creative uses of the tool in that sense, I'll be really happy with it personally.

[EMarkM]

Re: Buzzbait – Yep, the Electrician blade, or the mini hawksbill from my belovéd Pruner, would be a grand alternative.

[psyjohn]

Got mine in the mail today. The package opener definitely seems up to the job. I really like having a nail file, but I wish it was the old style. The new one is almost too aggressive for fingernails.

[Echotech]

  nice psyjohn, I'm very tempted i have to say

[psyjohn]

Thanks! It's a pretty knife and I love the tool set. I feel like I need to oil the wooden scales though. It feels dry and the grain is very coarse. I'm almost afraid it could splinter.