Well it is that time again, when I write down my own personal thoughts and add a few photographs and attempt to wrangle those two together into a seamless whole. Yeah right!
This time, I will take a closer look at those multi-tools currently produced by Victorinox…The SwissTool and the smaller SwissTool Spirit. Just be warned, I am by no means an expert on this line. What follows are my thoughts and general ramblings. I am sure I may be making some mistakes with my facts. If so, please correct me.
Intro and other stuffI believe Victorinox starting producing multi-tools back in 97. By that time, Leatherman had been producing such items for about 14 years. With that said, Victorinox has been producing Swiss Army knives since 1884…and well…that is a very long time to be in the cutlery business. Enough time to perfect what they do. Most of you know that Swiss Army knives (SAKs) exude quality that the Swiss are world renown for…and their plier based multi-tools follow suit. Anyways, they took their time evaluating a bunch of competition products and produced their first take on it, the venerable SwissTool back in 97. It is a testament that this multi-tool is still in production, albeit with a few slightly different models. We will get into greater detail about that later in this short article.
The SwissTool Spirit is a newer model that has a more ergonomic handle shape, along with a smaller footprint and lighter weight. It was introduced I believe in 2004, and there have been a few variations introduced since then.
In this short article, I shall endeavor to discuss the 5 models that I currently own.
A little about the sheaths that come with these multi-tools. The SwissTools tend to come with a rather nice nylon sheath. The Plus version comes with an extra large sheath that has room for a bit/wrench set along with a few smaller side compartments included inside. The Spirit comes in a much smaller leather sheath. The Plus and Spirit sheaths use Velcro, whereas the SwissTool sheaths use a snap for closure.
From left to right: SwissTool Plus, Two SwissTool sheaths, and two Spirit sheaths. All sheaths feature the famous Victorinox Swiss symbol.
Variations on the Victorinox SwissTool and SwissTool Spirit. This was highly confusing to me when it was time for me to purchase a few Victorinox MTs for my collection. To be honest, it all seemed odd to me, as I had no clue what the model designation meant. After reading up on them from several web sites, including this wonderful one, it slowly became clear to me. I could not find a single photo that illustrated the differences between them, and thus, I produced the following one of the current models I have to make sense of it all.
From left to right:
1. SwissTool Regular with both blades. This one came in a Plus kit. The Plus designation signifies that you get extra tools and a very nice sheath to carry them. My Plus kit came with a bit wrench, a bit holder, and several screwdriver bits. Rather nice this.
2. SwissTool X. The X model replaces the serrated blade for scissors.
3. SwissTool RS. This model replaces the serrated blade and file, for scissors and a belt cutter.
4. SwissTool Spirit X. This model replaces the butter knife shaped blade for a clip point blade.
5. SwissTool Spirit. This model comes with a butter knife shaped blade.
Let’s recap. The SwissTools come in several variations. We have the regular, X and RS versions. The X version and the RS version both feature scissors. The RS also has a belt cutter minus file for car emergencies and other things that such a blade is useful for. The Spirit X replaces one blade shape for the other. There is also a Spirit S that replaces the scissors for a clip point knife blade. I do not currently have the S version yet. You can also get a Plus version for both SwissTool and Spirit. On top of that, there is also a SwissTool CS version that is very much like the Plus version but also includes a corkscrew and associated mini screwdriver. Whew…see how this can all get confusing!
SwissToolThe SwissTool is one very large and imposing multi-tool. The workmanship and feel of quality is superb. Everything fits nice and tight, with no sloppiness evident anywhere. I must say, these Victorinox MTs put to shame Leatherman and SOG for quality, and that is saying something. The only thing that comes close is a much older Leatherman.
All 3 versions of the SwissTool are outwardly the same, differing only in the combination of the folding tools contain therein. Note the plier head shape, which indicates that these are fairly new versions. It appears that Victorinox changed their plier heads several times during the production cycle. I would think this is a good way to date your model if need be.
From left to right: SwissTool, SwissTool RS, SwissTool X.
The tools included are extensive and at times rather ingenious in how they have multiple capabilities per folding tool.
We have (taken from Victorinox’s website):
- Screwdriver 2mm
- Screwdriver 3mm
- Heavy duty Wire cutters
- Belt cuter (RS version)
- Screwdriver 5mm
- Cap lifter
- Serrated blade (regular version)
- Scissors (RS and X version)
- Metal file (missing in RS version)
- Metal saw (missing in RS version)
- Wood saw
- Reamer and punch
- Phillips screwdriver 1+2
- Chisel/scraper
- Strong crate opener
- Wire bender
- Wire stripper
- Can opener
- Lanyard hole
Showing the thickness of the various versions of the SwissTool. As you can see, there is no difference from one to the other.
SwissTool SpiritThe SwissTool Spirit is a smaller more ergonomic multi-tool that is designed to please those who are wanting something smaller and lighter to carry. The handles, instead of being straight as on the SwissTool, has a bend to them that does make using the pliers a little more comfortable.
The SwissTool Spirit is built with the same precision and attention to details that Victorinox pours into each and every product they manufacture. As such, the Spirit oozes quality. It is very hard to express in words, as its more of a feel. These sort of make other multi-tools from other manufacturers feel a little less refined in comparison.
The tool selection is as good and as diverse as those found on the larger SwissTool.
We have (taken from Victorinox’s website):
- Screwdriver 2mm
- Screwdriver 3mm
- Light duty Wire cutters
- Cap lifter
- Screwdriver 6mm
- Crate opener
- Practical Spirit combi-edge blade
- Scissors
- Metal file
- Metal saw
- Wood saw
- Reamer and punch
- Phillips screwdriver 1+2
- Chisel/scraper
- Isolation length-cutter
- Wire bender
- Wire stripper
- Wire scraper/Isolation round cutter
- Can opener
- Multipurpose hook
- Lanyard hole
Conclusion and General Thoughts Both multi-tool series are very nice. All the folding tools are silky smooth. There are no nail breakers to be found on any of these Victorinox tools. The fit and finish is tops, and the general quality is one that inspired confidence.
I tend to favor the original SwissTool over the SwissTool Spirit. Although the handles are a little more comfortable on the Spirit, there is something to be said about the handle shape on the SwissTool. In use, I tend to find the bent handles on the Spirit are more apt to pinch my palm at the top of the handle just south of the pliers if I am not carful. I have a harder time to do this with the Swisstool. Likewise, I really like the feel when you open the Swisstool. There is this 3 or 4 part ratchet/notch feel to this. The Spirit doesn’t have this tactile input. Both tools open butter smooth, but the SwissTool gives me that little bit more feedback.
Both tool selections are top notch. Most folding tools have multiple uses, and you can see how Victorinox maximized their functionality. You don’t see too many single use folding tools unless they are main tools such as the knife blades, etc… Overall, a very functional tight package for either series.
I really love how Victorinox allowed all the tools to be easily accessed. You can select each and every tool alone and easily with your fingernail. Some of the other manufacturers haven’t quite figured this part out as well as Victorinox has.
There are a few things that I didn’t like as much. For one, the Spirit palm pinch sort of defeated the ergonomics a little for me. To be honest, it could be just my big meaty hands that get in the way. You may never see this issue. I suppose, user experience will vary. The super shiny finish is a bummer for photographers as it picks up every fingerprint. It also gives the tool less traction in hand, meaning it can be slippery during use. On the plus side, you could use it as a mirror, survival fire starter, aircraft flasher, etc…
Pros:
- Quality design, build, and functions.
- Excellent array of tool functions.
- Folding tools easily accessed for use. Ingenious way of accessing middle folding tools.
- Sheaths are well made.
- Folding tools well made.
Cons:
- Spirit palm pinch.
- Slippery shiny finish.