Swisstool or Spirit?

Lynn LeFey · **on:** April 05, 2012, 08:35:05 PM

So... I own a Leatherman Wave, a SOG Powerlock, and I have a Gerber MP400 on the way.

If I were to pick a representative tool from Victorinox, would you all recommend the Swisstool or the Spirit (or one of the Spirit variants like the X)?

nuphoria · **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2012, 08:38:35 PM

Spirit for me. Really comfortable in the hand and not too big

Millhouse · **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2012, 08:39:39 PM

The Spirit X is my favorite, and is the one I carry and use the most.

I did have a Swisstool, but found it a little too big for my hands (I have small hands).

Fit and finish on both tools were excellent.

I like the Spirit so much that I have 2 X's and 1 S.

enki_ck · **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2012, 08:53:10 PM

Another vote for the Spirit, the scissors on the X could have been done a lot better, but overall it's the best tool in its size range.

Vladimir · **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2012, 08:57:41 PM

I have both, and I vote for Spirit

badwolf · **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2012, 08:57:59 PM

I got a Spirit, butter blade model, loved it, then after a while, decided its just too damn good a tool and wanted something less 'perfect' so I stuck it in my man draw and forgot about it, then went all SOG'y, well, I've started using it more and more, so if you want a tool to represent the Vic line up, then the Spirit in one of its guises will do this very well

nsa-x-file · **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2012, 09:08:12 PM

Spirit X.

Chain Gang · **Reply #7 on:** April 05, 2012, 09:18:43 PM

Spirit X all the way.

edcgear · **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2012, 09:49:27 PM

Spirit Road Tour

captain spaulding · **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2012, 10:04:17 PM

Spirit X if you ever plan on carrying it. I would take a Swiss Tool with me over the Spirit X if it was going in a day pack or if I was camping or hunting.

They are both great tools and once you get a Victorinox MT you might never go back.

Seriously.

parmenides · **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2012, 10:40:29 PM

The eternal question... love the Spirit, love the Swisstool RS. Get 'em both.

evanPGH · **Reply #11 on:** April 05, 2012, 10:41:55 PM

I'm gonna go against the grain here and say the Swisstool.

I've owned both and I like the original a bit more because it's a little more heavy duty and to my hand, it's actually more comfortable to use than the Spirit. If you're planning on EDC'ing it, I dont think the weight/size difference would be noticeable on a belt sheath or carried around in a bag.

If at all possible I would find a local store where you can handle both and choose from there. Just go with which one feels better, as far as functionality goes they're very similar.

Singh · **Reply #12 on:** April 05, 2012, 10:54:15 PM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on April 05, 2012, 08:35:05 PM

If I were to pick a representative tool from Victorinox, would you all recommend the Swisstool or the Spirit (or one of the Spirit variants like the X)?

I have a Swisstool RS and Spirit X.

Get the Spirit X.

Syph007 · **Reply #13 on:** April 05, 2012, 11:58:24 PM

Spirit x is the closest there is to MT perfection... I have alot of MTs and the spirit x is the only one I have 2 of..

Gareth · **Reply #14 on:** April 06, 2012, 12:33:28 AM

I did have a look at the Swisstool but in the end I got myself a Spirit X and couldn't be happier with my choice.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #15 on:** April 06, 2012, 01:07:12 AM

Wow... that's a pretty clear majority there.

Frankctz · **Reply #16 on:** April 06, 2012, 06:35:10 AM

Definitely Spirit X.

AHB · **Reply #17 on:** April 06, 2012, 06:52:27 AM

Both..

macabee · **Reply #18 on:** April 06, 2012, 09:28:27 AM

Swisstool.

I do not have a Spirit [yet] Leatherman's yes, SOG's yes, but I do consider the swisstool best of the lot

Dunc · **Reply #19 on:** April 06, 2012, 10:18:35 PM

When it comes to plier based multitools both are legends . To choose is a tough call

I'd have to go with Spirit because its smaller compact size makes it more universal .

MultiMat · **Reply #20 on:** April 07, 2012, 04:19:40 AM

Lynn like the other guys/gals have said the Swisstool is a fair bit bigger/heavier so the appeal of the more compact Spirit with almost the same capabilities is high.

I got my Spirit X with the VERY cool ratchet set , bit kit + extension.

If you do go for the ratchet kit don't forget to ask about the bit extension , it's an extra.

Styerman · **Reply #21 on:** April 07, 2012, 04:31:39 PM

Spirit , 95% of the capability , lighter , more ergonomic package . A much more evolved lifeform !

Chris

Smaug · **Reply #22 on:** April 10, 2012, 06:32:25 PM

The SwissTool is the original offering from Victorinox. It was their refinement of the original Leatherman design. As I recall, Gerber had released their Multi-Plier, and some folks liked it. One-handed opening pliers is a pretty cool idea, but the problem was that if the pliers slipped while one was grabbing something hard, it would easily pinch a blood blister on the palm of one's hand. It HURT.

Along came Victorinox with the SwissTool:

Added the famously good Victorinox scissors
All tools lock
All tools (except pliers) were on the outside, so no need to open everything up.
All the most popular tools for the handyman were included: Scissors, saw, a wide selection of flat-head screwdrivers, and a #2 phillips
Famously heavy
Famous Victorinox fit and finish, and world-leading quality control

The Spirit and other suffixes on the SwissTool came later.

So if you're after something that is more significant from a collector's point of view, get an original SwissTool.

If you're after something that is easier to carry and still offers most of the tools of the SwissTool, a Spirit may be the way to go. But I have to say, although the SwissTool is big and heavy, the Spirit is not really light enough that it is viable for pants pocket carry. It's still too heavy for that. So if you're going to belt carry it anyway, why not get the one with the most toolage?

Ashley · **Reply #23 on:** April 10, 2012, 06:41:26 PM

Spirit on the road tour with a nite ize eclipse for pocket carry. I also have an RS in my bag just in case. Both great tools but I'd choose the spirit.

Sent from Ash forum mobile

gustophersmob · **Reply #24 on:** April 14, 2012, 04:17:45 PM

I think they are both nice tools, but I'd definitely go for some version of the Spirit. I find the curved handles not only make the pliers more comfortable, but the make the nail-nick access much better as well.

I now have two Spirit + kits with ratchets and one regular Spirit. As you can tell, I love 'em!

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