Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => Swiss Army Knights Forum => Topic started by: Kraken on November 08, 2018, 02:38:31 PM
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Hi folks, one of the great things about this forum, in my opinion, is the variety of views expressed and knowledge gained through everyone’s collective experiences. This makes it a great resource when trying to make a decision on a piece of gear or a new knife. For the past year or so I’ve slowly been building and adding to a small tool kit, with stripped down versions of what I would consider commonly used tools for small to moderate fixes around the house, or in some cases, out and about. I initially built it to take with me when the family drove 8 hours down the coast for vacation. In the previous years there were times when things in the rental house needed tweaking/ fixing and some of those jobs required more than my EDC was capable of. I have bits and a Swisstool bit driver, small vise grips, a small adjustable wrench, flashlight, 4 inch pry bar, Victorinox pocket sharpener, Victorinox mini sharpening steel and a Swisschamp, among other small odds and ends. All of this in a Maxpedition Fatty.
I was thinking of adding a smaller, secondary SAK to the mix, mainly for a small blade for detail work and a smaller pair of scissors. My normal EDC is an Explorer w/ plus scales and a Rambler on my keychain. I absolutely love the Rambler and was thinking of adding another one to the tool kit. But then I’m warming up to the idea of the Minichamp. I like the combo caplifter/ Phillips driver on both tools. But, thanks to this forum, I am recently interested in the Executive too.
So what do you guys think? Another Rambler, or my first Minichamp or Executive? Or another model I’m overlooking altogether?
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I think the Executive is a great choice. Also there was a recent thread about the Ambassador maybe have a look at that.
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Hello! If you don't mind buying second-hand, I highly recommend the Vagabond. :tu: It's out of production which is why you have to find them used.
My second recommendation would be a MiniChamp.....love them, but they do have a couple of tools that I don't use as often.
I know others will chime in and I look forward to reading their opinions.
One of my Vagabonds. I put different scales on it:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1734/27700350237_b6bb2a3c8f.jpg)
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I would go with the MiniChamp...the only reason it is not on me is because I am doing the Huntsman Challenge. I have only had it a short time but it gets or was carried everyday. I went with the Alox version because it came with the Alox Farmer at a great price. Think I got them both for $60.00 brand new in the boxes. As FB has stated that there are a couple of tools that don’t get used as often...they will be there when you need them! Either way have fun selecting your next one.
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I am a big fan of both the MiniChamp and the Executive.
The Minichamp is an amazing little knife. Both blades will take a shaving sharp edge and are big enough to cut open cardboard boxes or to cut the flaps off of boxes. They are also good for opening envelopes.
If you get a small pocket steel, you can keep the edges sharp by touching them up regularly. The pocket steel just realligns the edges without removing any metal.
The nail file comes in handy and the tip of it can also be used on phillips screws that are too big for the smaller magnetized phillips screwdriver on the bottle opener tip.
The small magnetized phillips screwdriver is great for removing the small phillips screws on doors to battery compartments on handheld electronic devices.
The cut and picker blade (also called the orange peeler) will cut open clamshell packaging very easily, and also peel oranges. Just hook the point on the under side of the tip in the plastic and pull the peeler toward you and it will zip right throught the plastic.
The scissors are great for cutting out coupons or clipping loose threads on clothing.
The cuticle pusher also serves as a screwdriver, or can be opened to extend the handle when you are using either of the knife blades, scissors, or the orange peeler.
There is also a small ruler with w screwdriver tip on it.
The Minichamp is so small you don't even know you are carrying it, but it is there when you need it.
If you want slightly larger scissors the Executive scissors are great. The new nail file on the Executive is more aggressive than the old style file. The orange peeler can also be used on clamshell packages.
Both blades will zip through cardboard and handle most light cutting tasks. If you carry a small pocket steel and use it when ever the blade starts to get dull, you can keep them sharp without removing any metal from the blade.
I always have a Swiss Champ, a Mini Champ, and an Executive on me, but lately I have been using the Executive 90% of the time. I keep it in my watch pocket on my jeans.
I have used the Black handled Victorinox pocket steel in the middle of this picture for years to touch up the knives I carry.
Click on picture for best picture
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I think the Executive is a great choice. Also there was a recent thread about the Ambassador maybe have a look at that.
The Ambassador...I'll take a look at it. Thanks Aloha!
Hello! If you don't mind buying second-hand, I highly recommend the Vagabond. :tu: It's out of production which is why you have to find them used.
My second recommendation would be a MiniChamp.....love them, but they do have a couple of tools that I don't use as often.
I know others will chime in and I look forward to reading their opinions.
One of my Vagabonds. I put different scales on it:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1734/27700350237_b6bb2a3c8f.jpg)
I don't mind second-hand at all; sometimes I actually prefer it, especially when trying out a new model. I forgot about the Vagabond and think that might be in the running now instead of the Rambler. Thanks FB!
I would go with the MiniChamp...the only reason it is not on me is because I am doing the Huntsman Challenge. I have only had it a short time but it gets or was carried everyday. I went with the Alox version because it came with the Alox Farmer at a great price. Think I got them both for $60.00 brand new in the boxes. As FB has stated that there are a couple of tools that don’t get used as often...they will be there when you need them! Either way have fun selecting your next one.
I really like the tool density on the MiniChamp. I feel the same way about the tools that won't get used as often. I'd rather have them and not need them, then need them and not have them. Especially if they don't add any real noticeable weight/size to the tool kit. Thanks Rapidray!
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I am a big fan of both the MiniChamp and the Executive.
The Minichamp is an amazing little knife. Both blades will take a shaving sharp edge and are big enough to cut open cardboard boxes or to cut the flaps off of boxes. They are also good for opening envelopes.
If you get a small pocket steel, you can keep the edges sharp by touching them up regularly. The pocket steel just realligns the edges without removing any metal.
The nail file comes in handy and the tip of it can also be used on phillips screws that are too big for the smaller magnetized phillips screwdriver on the bottle opener tip.
The small magnetized phillips screwdriver is great for removing the small phillips screws on doors to battery compartments on handheld electronic devices.
The cut and picker blade (also called the orange peeler) will cut open clamshell packaging very easily, and also peel oranges. Just hook the point on the under side of the tip in the plastic and pull the peeler toward you and it will zip right throught the plastic.
The scissors are great for cutting out coupons or clipping loose threads on clothing.
The cuticle pusher also serves as a screwdriver, or can be opened to extend the handle when you are using either of the knife blades, scissors, or the orange peeler.
There is also a small ruler with w screwdriver tip on it.
The Minichamp is so small you don't even know you are carrying it, but it is there when you need it.
If you want slightly larger scissors the Executive scissors are great. The new nail file on the Executive is more aggressive than the old style file. The orange peeler can also be used on clamshell packages.
Both blades will zip through cardboard and handle most light cutting tasks. If you carry a small pocket steel and use it when ever the blade starts to get dull, you can keep them sharp without removing any metal from the blade.
I always have a Swiss Champ, a Mini Champ, and an Executive on me, but lately I have been using the Executive 90% of the time. I keep it in my watch pocket on my jeans.
Thanks for the detailed breakdown VICMAN! Sometimes it's hard to see uses for some of the tools, especially if you've never handled one before. I was like that with the SwissChamp and the fish scaler. Once I got my hands on one though, I use the fish scaler a lot more often than I would've thought. And the MC has such a high tool density count in such a small package that really appeals to me.
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I really like the tool density on the MiniChamp. I feel the same way about the tools that won't get used as often. I'd rather have them and not need them, then need them and not have them. Especially if they don't add any real noticeable weight/size to the tool kit. Thanks Rapidray!
That got me wondering, so here are the weights according to my postal scale:
Vagabond 1.3 oz. or 34 grams
MiniChamp 1.6 oz. or 44 grams
If you go with a MiniChamp, I would recommend the current one, the MiniChamp II, although it's not referred to as that "II" very often. I say this because the newest has 8 tools which includes the cut and pluck tool, one of my favorites for opening plastic clam shell protected products, the older (original) lacks this therefore has a tool count of 7.
Also, there's a Midnite MiniChamp, has a white LED (maybe a red LED version too :think:, but I prefer the white) and is 1.7 ounces. You push the shield and it throws a bit of light, not bad at all for the size. The Midnite version also has a slide in/out pen. It lacks toothpick and tweezers though.
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I really like the tool density on the MiniChamp. I feel the same way about the tools that won't get used as often. I'd rather have them and not need them, then need them and not have them. Especially if they don't add any real noticeable weight/size to the tool kit. Thanks Rapidray!
That got me wondering, so here are the weights according to my postal scale:
Vagabond 1.3 oz. or 34 grams
MiniChamp 1.6 oz. or 44 grams
If you go with a MiniChamp, I would recommend the current one, the MiniChamp II, although it's not referred to as that "II" very often. I say this because the newest has 8 tools which includes the cut and pluck tool, one of my favorites for opening plastic clam shell protected products, the older (original) lacks this therefore has a tool count of 7.
Also, there's a Midnite MiniChamp, has a white LED and is 1.7 ounces. You push the shield and it lights up, this also has a slide in/out pen. It lacks toothpick and tweezers though.
For a tenth of an ounce, getting an LED isn't a bad deal at all. I understand that they aren't terribly bright, but I wouldn't expect them to be either. I have a flashlight in the kit, so this would be a backup light. I can live without the toothpick and tweezers too since I have those on the SwissChamp. It's looking like the MiniChamp is in the lead, followed closely by the Vagabond. Why do I have the sneaky suspicion that if I do get a MC, I'll have to get another one to replace the Rambler on my key chain?
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Why do I have the sneaky suspicion that if I do get a MC, I'll have to get another one to replace the Rambler on my key chain?
:rofl: Because you're like the rest of us, you're in good company!
You will be amazed at the brightness of the newest LED in the white version of the Midnite MiniChamp. :cheers:
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Rambler.
I've had one on my keychain for 10+ years, and I feel it has the best combination of size and functionality. The Manager is another good choice.
I also like the MiniChamp, especially the smaller MiniChamp I, but it has a lot of tools I never use, so it's just wasted space for me.
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+1 minichamp :climber:
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If you don't mind buying second hand the out of production Wenger Pocket tool chest is very hard to beat. In my opinion it's the most useful keychain size SAK ever made.
I've carried both a Rally and a PTC at the same time just to see if one set of screw driver's is better the the other and the 65mm PTC can get all the same screws including Phillips as the 58mm plus several the 58mm can't get like eyeglasses screws. And personally awls and Jewelers screw driver's beat cuticle pusher's and orange peeler's all day long.http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Pocket+Tool+Chest
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....and off I go to look at PTCs! Maybe I need to get a MiniChamp and a Pocket Tool Chest and do a head-to-head field test for a week or two, then post my results? Enablers, the lot of you. This site is the reason I got a gently used SwissChamp and then purchased two more in the space of a week and a half. I really should limit my time on here....
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....and off I go to look at PTCs! Maybe I need to get a MiniChamp and a Pocket Tool Chest and do a head-to-head field test for a week or two, then post my results? Enablers, the lot of you. This site is the reason I got a gently used SwissChamp and then purchased two more in the space of a week and a half. I really should limit my time on here....
I would so follow a test like that! :popcorn:
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....and off I go to look at PTCs! Maybe I need to get a MiniChamp and a Pocket Tool Chest and do a head-to-head field test for a week or two, then post my results? Enablers, the lot of you. This site is the reason I got a gently used SwissChamp and then purchased two more in the space of a week and a half. I really should limit my time on here....
True...very true...they are good enablers. :rofl:
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So I misread what exactly you were looking to do however my Executive suggestion still stands. I carry a Manager everyday and swear by it. If the Rambler has served you well why not just stay with that :tu:. I have 3 Minichamps, a midnight, a 7 tool, and a 8 tool. I wouldn't suggest the 7 tool simple cause it doesnt have the Philips. That Philips on the 58mm is pretty awesome. I recently got a Wenger PTC and its pretty awesome.
Here they are
L ro R
1st pic.
Midnite MC ( red led ) get white led if you go this route.
MC
Original MC ( 7 tools )
Manager.
2nd pic is all tools except PEN and led displayed. The Original MC didn't have a pen.
3rd pic just the MC, Original MC and PTC with tools displayed.
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Here is the Wenger PTC added to the mix.
Wenger is shown with MC. The MC is a tad wider but the addition of a pen is a huge plus to me. The PTC is noticeable longer and thats a good thing IMO. I like that the PTC only has one blade and AWL. The long thin flat driver works on small Philips BUT the magnetic phillips is a huge plus to me. That beefy bottle opener/flat driver is super neat. I dont open bottle but the tools is a small pry tool for me. Plus is a great flat driver.
The extra tools on the MC are nice but like most people I don't use them all that often. The "coke" spoon works on a variety of tasks. Additional blades means you always have a sharp one on deck.
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I have a Vagabond residing in my right front pocket on a dangler so a Midnight Minichamp goes into the little tool kit in a get home bag (don’t need a bug out bag, kind of already did that, lol). Look familar? 😊. :cheers:
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The Rambler and the Minichamp are great choices. The Executive is a good choice also but it depends on your usage.
I don't use my executive that much for EDC as I've found that I often need to work on some screws, which the rambler and minichamp are better suited for, as opposed to the executive with its little flathead at the end of the orange peeler. It's quite a long tool and I don't feel comfortable torquing screws with it as much as I do with the combo tool on the rambler or an SD nail file.
Although I gotta give it to the Executive, the nail file and the scissors on it really get the job done. Also having a longer blade in a SAK this size is great if you happen to cut food every once in a while, as you can save the small pen blade for "dirtier" cutting tasks such as opening packages, and keep the longer blade for cutting food.
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The Rambler and the Minichamp are great choices. The Executive is a good choice also but it depends on your usage.
I don't use my executive that much for EDC as I've found that I often need to work on some screws, which the rambler and minichamp are better suited for, as opposed to the executive with its little flathead at the end of the orange peeler. It's quite a long tool and I don't feel comfortable torquing screws with it as much as I do with the combo tool on the rambler or an SD nail file.
Although I gotta give it to the Executive, the nail file and the scissors on it really get the job done. Also having a longer blade in a SAK this size is great if you happen to cut food every once in a while, as you can save the small pen blade for "dirtier" cutting tasks such as opening packages, and keep the longer blade for cutting food.
I would agree about putting too much torque on the longer tool of the Executive. I think the combo tool Phillips and the flat driver on the file of the Rambler or the MC would be better. And I think either of those would fit the role of the sidekick to the SwissChamp, filling in where the SC tools would be either too big or overkill on the job at hand.
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Here is the Wenger PTC added to the mix.
Wenger is shown with MC. The MC is a tad wider but the addition of a pen is a huge plus to me. The PTC is noticeable longer and thats a good thing IMO. I like that the PTC only has one blade and AWL. The long thin flat driver works on small Philips BUT the magnetic phillips is a huge plus to me. That beefy bottle opener/flat driver is super neat. I dont open bottle but the tools is a small pry tool for me. Plus is a great flat driver.
The extra tools on the MC are nice but like most people I don't use them all that often. The "coke" spoon works on a variety of tasks. Additional blades means you always have a sharp one on deck.
Great comparison pics! This is helpful in that I can see all the differences side by side, and at the same time not helpful in that I really want a MC and a PTC after seeing them side by side. But with the holidays looming, I have to choose just one. But which one will it be.... :think:
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When I got my PTC I was in the market for a Minichamp but I used the money I had to buy a lot of SAK's that had several SAK's I really wanted. In that lot was my first PTC. I figured it would hold me over till I could afford a MC. Almost 5 years later I still plan on getting a MC but there's no rush because I accidentally bought a more useful model.
Trust me get the PTC first. They're less common the the MC and although still easy to find they're getting harder to find every day.
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Thanks for the detailed breakdown VICMAN! Sometimes it's hard to see uses for some of the tools, especially if you've never handled one before. I was like that with the SwissChamp and the fish scaler. Once I got my hands on one though, I use the fish scaler a lot more often than I would've thought. And the MC has such a high tool density count in such a small package that really appeals to me.
You are welcome Kraken! :cheers:
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....and off I go to look at PTCs! Maybe I need to get a MiniChamp and a Pocket Tool Chest and do a head-to-head field test for a week or two, then post my results? Enablers, the lot of you. This site is the reason I got a gently used SwissChamp and then purchased two more in the space of a week and a half. I really should limit my time on here....
Might as well face the fact that SAKS are addictive! :D
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When I got my PTC I was in the market for a Minichamp but I used the money I had to buy a lot of SAK's that had several SAK's I really wanted. In that lot was my first PTC. I figured it would hold me over till I could afford a MC. Almost 5 years later I still plan on getting a MC but there's no rush because I accidentally bought a more useful model.
Trust me get the PTC first. They're less common the the MC and although still easy to find they're getting harder to find every day.
Gene, you bring up a good point about the availability of the PTC. I'll take that in to account.
....and off I go to look at PTCs! Maybe I need to get a MiniChamp and a Pocket Tool Chest and do a head-to-head field test for a week or two, then post my results? Enablers, the lot of you. This site is the reason I got a gently used SwissChamp and then purchased two more in the space of a week and a half. I really should limit my time on here....
Might as well face the fact that SAKS are addictive! :D
They are indeed! To be fair, one of the SCs resides in the toolkit, another in my wife's car and the third is spare.
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Here they are
L ro R
1st pic.
Midnite MC ( red led ) get white led if you go this route.
MC
Original MC ( 7 tools )
Manager.
2nd pic is all tools except PEN and led displayed. The Original MC didn't have a pen.
3rd pic just the MC, Original MC and PTC with tools displayed.
Great reference photos Aloha007! :like: :cheers:
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Thank you to everyone for your input and suggestions! You guys are great! :2tu:
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I've only had a PTC for a few days but I'm totally diggin' it. Packs so much functionality into such a small space. Love the awl. Used it last night to unplug a cigar, it was the perfect tool for the task.
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I've only had a PTC for a few days but I'm totally diggin' it. Packs so much functionality into such a small space. Love the awl. Used it last night to unplug a cigar, it was the perfect tool for the task.
I have to admit, I am rather intrigued by that inline awl. It's looking more and more like I'll have to get a PTC and a MC.
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I've only had a PTC for a few days but I'm totally diggin' it. Packs so much functionality into such a small space. Love the awl. Used it last night to unplug a cigar, it was the perfect tool for the task.
It's looking more and more like I'll have to get a PTC and a MC.
That's a good idea! :like:
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I've only had a PTC for a few days but I'm totally diggin' it. Packs so much functionality into such a small space. Love the awl. Used it last night to unplug a cigar, it was the perfect tool for the task.
I have to admit, I am rather intrigued by that inline awl. It's looking more and more like I'll have to get a PTC and a MC.
That is the MTO way. Good thing SAK'S aren't monogamist.
:tu:
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So I bought a second-hand Minichamp and cleaned it all up and oiled it. It now sits right next to my Swisschamp in my tool kit. It sure is a hefty little bugger! Before it arrived I thought about swapping it out w/ my Rambler on my keys and use that for a while to field test it, but now I think it would be a bit too bulky on my keys for my taste. And for those in the PTC camp, I haven't ruled out adding one to my collection and doing a head-to-head comparison.
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Excellent - can’t go wrong with the MiniChamp! :tu: :cheers:
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:rofl:
Yeah, well that's the nature of SAKs. :cheers:
(Oh, an extra vote for an Ambassador. Just ''cuz I love 'em.)