Handyman VS Swisschamp

[Mad Scientist]

I always thought the Swisschamp was too big to be practical, but due to recent YouTube influence I decided to bite the bullet and try it out...

...and I love it!

But now my minimal tendencies are creeping in and I'm wondering if I should scale it down a bit. I've been looking at the Handyman to keep most of the utility but lose some of the more niche tools. But then I think six-vs-seven layers isn't that much of a savings, and for a similar price would the loss of those tools even be worth it?

Does anyone with experience with both have any good reason to carry the Handyman over the Swisschamp?

Thanks!

[Barry Rowland]

The only downside to the Handyman is a lack of a dedicated Philips screwdriver.  That being said, you have the can opener tip.  I used to joke about it, but I'm finding as I get older that the mag glass is really useful.  I have both, but it's my Swisschamps that go with me most of the time.

[Jazz]

Oddly enough, the Swisschamp feels better in the pocket. It's wider, so stays flat better.

[Tasky]

I would also really miss the ILP/Mag layer, and yet I still managed without one for a good while. The ILP and fish scaler between them do equate to about 2 layers, though.
I carry using a pocket hanger clip, so pretty much anything vanishes in my pocket. But then I also carry at least two other SAKs, with the SwissChamp mainly as a backup, so it's much of a muchness.

If it helps, I find the Handyman is about the maximum thickness in terms of hand comfort, as anything larger is a struggle to slice things against my thumb (chipping apples, peeling potatoes, etc), but even then it's pushing it. If I want proper comfort, I'll go to the Ranger for outdoor cutty things, or the S557 for more urban applications.

[Mad Scientist]

...I used to joke about it, but I'm finding as I get older that the mag glass is really useful...

I'm right there with ya' on that.

Oddly enough, the Swisschamp feels better in the pocket. It's wider, so stays flat better.

That actually makes a lot of sense.

[Enginears]

 Instead of thinning down to a Handyman I have been considering modding something like a Modeler. (Champ - pliers, WS, and scaler). Then I think maybe just removing the pliers would make it thinner enough. Then I am back to the Champ being perfect. 

[Buzzbait]

I firmly love the SwissChamp, and live with the extra width because I adore the interesting toolset so much. But I do understand the wish to lose a bit of bulk in the name of comfort.

The Handyman is an interesting option. But at that width, I think I’d probably prefer the Cybertool 34, trading the file and saw for the excellent bit driver layer of the Cybertool. That bit driver is amazing.

[BPRoberts]

IMO once you get above 4 layers (~20mm) it's all pretty much the same, until you get to the monsters like the XVT. I tried carrying a Champion Plus and an Outdoorsman, and I always wind up either going back up to the Swisschamp or down to a Huntsman, Angler, etc. depending on whether I want easy carry or maximum utility.

[Mad Scientist]

...The Handyman is an interesting option. But at that width, I think I’d probably prefer the Cybertool 34, trading the file and saw for the excellent bit driver layer of the Cybertool. That bit driver is amazing.

You know, that's a good option. It's different enough that it would be interesting on its own, rather than just be a "step down" from the Swisschamp. Plus it's still got the pen, so bonus!

[charlie fox]

I had a Swiss Champ but traded it off. I never took a real liking to it. I looked at the Handyman but settled on a Craftsman. I don't need a corkscrew and have never used the fish scaler for anyhting. The Craftsman gives me all the tools I need and none that I don't  - too bad it's been discontinued

[Simon_Templar]

You know, that's a good option. It's different enough that it would be interesting on its own, rather than just be a "step down" from the Swisschamp. Plus it's still got the pen, so bonus!

Another alternative would be the Champion (Plus). Although discontinued, it can still be found rather easily. It is the exact same width as the Handyman and the CT34. Same toolset as SW but without the pliers. Of the three, my personal preference is CT34 > Champion > Handyman, but it really all depends on the tools you prioritise.

[hsherzfeld]

I made my own hybrid by adding a mag/driver layer to a handyman. It basically becomes a SwissChamp without the fish scaler.

It’s noticeably lighter and thinner than the SwissChamp, but just barely.

[pfrsantos]

I made my own hybrid by adding a mag/driver layer to a handyman. It basically becomes a SwissChamp without the fish scaler.

It’s noticeably lighter and thinner than the SwissChamp, but just barely.

What is that? A Handyexplorer?!

 

[Simon_Templar]

What is that? A Handyexplorer?!

 

The Fishchamp! (not)

[hsherzfeld]

What is that? A Handyexplorer?!

 

That’s exactly what I dubbed it.

[Kraken]

I faced the same dilemma years ago when I wanted to try a model with a bigger tool set. I shied away from the SC because I thought it was too big and that I would have no use for a fish scaler and that the magnifying glass was a novelty. After spending a lot of time on this forum and seeing how much use others got out of their SC, I decided to give it a chance for my work EDC to replace the Explorer I had been carrying. I was worried about the bulk of the knife in the bottom of my pocket, so I connected a pocket dangler clip to a spinning-barrel clasp from my fishing tackle box to the SC. The clip kept it suspended in my pocket and the barrel clasp let it spin and move with me. For such a large SAK, it practically disappeared and there were times that I had to tap my pocket to make sure I hadn’t lost it somewhere along the way. I found that the mag glass came in handy for reading the micro printed serial numbers on modern electronic devices and the fish scaler is the ultimate 'all purpose pokey thing' when you don't want any sharp edges or points digging into anything when you're poking around. IMHO the SC is not much bigger than the Handyman and the inline Philips driver can reach places where the can opener driver cannot, so it was a win for me. I also carried a CT34 at work prior to the SC, and felt that I was better off with a dedicated screwdriver with mini bits rather than the driver on the CT. I work in IT deal with a lot of small screws; the driver on the CT34 is awkward to use on more than 4 screws at a shot. I became such a fan of the SC I bought 6 more: one in each vehicle, one in the kitchen drawer, one in each of my tool kits and a spare NIB.
 

[Enginears]

I became such a fan of the SC I bought 6 more: one in each vehicle, one in the kitchen drawer, one in each of my tool kits and a spare NIB.
 

Wow that is a success story! I have been shopping for more champs since I got mine too.

I have a theory that maybe 4-8 layers end up being equally bulky in the pocket, but it is untested on 5,6,7 layer models. I just find the champ inexplicably pocketable. I have pretty much gotten used to the weight when I am wearing normal clothes.

[peddy v]

I like the Champion and the Swisschamp equally but feel they are better carried on a belt, the Cybertool lite however is noticably lighter, carried that one often in pants. But now the climber is a good compromise between weight and functionality (dont like the compact)
A Handyman is a champ without fishscaler and magnifier/philips, correct? That and the Ranger seem to be nice options. Man, Victorinox created a desire to own them all with their options.