Swiss-Tech Smart-Clip

J-sews · **on:** January 02, 2008, 02:01:00 AM

Anybody heard of this thing? I never knew it existed until I saw a display of them at the hardware store yesterday. A quick review of the Swiss-Tech website reveals there is an "Ultra" model and a "9-in-1" model. Hmmph, news to me. $:-\$

The Ultra model reviewed here is not much bigger than a regular set of nail clippers. While still in the closed position, you are able to access a 1-1/2" knife blade (40mm) and a nail file from one side of the tool. From the other side a sturdy little set of scissors emerges. For a scissors spring, the Swiss-Tech uses a solid piece of spring bar - like the Vic Spirit uses - instead of a flimsy piece of sheet metal. Good deal.

Also usable while closed, there is a small LED light available in the upper handle. The light isn't very bright, mostly a help-find-the-keyhole-in-the-dark sort of a thing. It's also where I run into problem #1 on the Smart-Clip: The LED switch is much too small, (see picture below) and much too stiff. There are grooves along the length of the sliding switch, but they don't stick out far enough or provide enough traction. No way can the light be turned on with cold hands.

The main feature of the Smart-Clip is of course the nail clippers. In order to Open the tool and access them, one must slide another extrememly small, extremely stiff little switch. (problem #2) Again, it is unlikely that a person with weak hands would be able to actuate this switch. Hopefully it will loosen up with time.

As regards the clippers themselves...well...maybe I've just got extra-thick fingernails or something. When trying to take a "full bight" of fingernail, the clipper jaws would begin to bight down, but then the handle material would start to bend. No go. The only way it would work is if small bites of the fingernail were clipped off at a time.

So who knows? Swiss-Tech products are well known for being strong and well made. Maybe I just got a dud. Otherwise it would seem a few more refinements are necessary.

Plus:
Compact, with lots of features
Far better scissors than most small tools
Attaches to keyring with clipper jaws

Minus:
LED switch is difficult to operate
Open/Close switch is difficult to operate
Nailclipper handles seem a bit weak

Specs:
Length...........2-3/4" (72mm)
Width............3/4" (21mm)
Thickness......5/8" (15mm)
Weight..........1.6 oz (45 grams)

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2008, 02:19:21 PM

Great review Bob and a good find too

, I'd never seen that tool before either

ducktapehero · **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2008, 05:37:09 PM

I've never heard of that tool. I have one of their little keychain pliers and it's a decent little tool. I wish they made a version about a inch longer. It would still be "keychain handy" but would be a lot easier to use. Might even be a little harder duty.

zackhugh · **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2008, 09:29:02 PM

Actually, I've had one of these for some time now. I stumbled upon it browsing around for tools during an Amazon sale and bought a few on eBay. As J-sews reported, the light switch is very stiff. Kind of annoying, but at least you won't accidentally turn it on. You may not even be able to intentionally turn it on. The nail clipper portion doesn't cut very well either. It tended to crush my fingernail and didn't function like the nice crisp action of the Wenger clipper.

IMO, this tool is OK, nothing great. It's not up to the quality of the Wenger clipper but it's cheaper and offers a few more implements.

hawkchucker · **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2008, 10:54:20 PM

I am kinda coming arout to the Swiss tool stuff. They are kinda cute and relly cool little gismos. Where did ya find that one?(what store name) I really think that that would be a nice little addition.

By the way where did ya get the ruler? I think that is cool to show off gear so people see the actual size.

Dtrain · **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2008, 12:35:10 AM

They are or used to be right down the street from my house.I rember when they had everything built here.Now it's from China

.Ihave one of their Pliers and a couple of UST's.The quality at least has not slipped.

They do come out with some neat stuff for a keychain.

Dtrain

665ae · **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2008, 06:21:37 AM

I'm still shocked Bob didn't know about those... I thought Bob knew EVERYTHING!!!!

Those things are pretty cool though. Do you have one of the Wenger clippers? I'd be curious how they compare...

J-sews · **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2008, 05:14:58 PM

The ruler is a prototype I made from cardstock. There may be some .5mm plastic ones available down the road. Still checking into that.

Our local Ace Hardware carries a few Swiss-Tech items. They are usually right near the check-out aisle, in the "impulse buy" zone.

I don't have a Wenger Swissclipper to compare this guy to. (yet) As much as Def raves about the Wenger though, I suspect it would win in a nail clipper shootout.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2008, 07:39:48 PM

Who, me?

Def

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #9 on:** March 26, 2008, 01:49:22 AM

I got a Nail Clipper in the mail today thanks to Geoemt and I have to say that I agree with pretty well all of the above so far. I thought about posting a video shootout of the Smart-Clip versus the SwissClipper, but I figured no one wanted to see that....

The Smart-Clip really does look cool, but it's not really all that great- not up to the same standard as the Wenger, or even the other Swiss*Tech products. It is good enough, especially for what I paid for it (not much) but I think if you are looking for nail clippers, Wenger is still the way to go.

The silliest thing about the Smart Clip is that it seems perfectly set up for a key chain tool, except for one simple detail- there's no way to attach it to a key ring!

Def

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #10 on:** March 26, 2008, 08:57:22 AM

Quote from: Defender on March 26, 2008, 01:49:22 AM

The silliest thing about the Smart Clip is that it seems perfectly set up for a key chain tool, except for one simple detail- there's no way to attach it to a key ring!

Def

Thats a bit of an oversight

Dtrain · **Reply #11 on:** March 26, 2008, 02:12:59 PM

Well with the price of fuel as of late,keys might become a luxury pretty soon.

Dtrain

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #12 on:** March 26, 2008, 02:24:05 PM

According to the package, you are supposed to clip the jaws onto a keyring, but given how easily the lock is opened, I'd say if you did this, you wouldn't have them for long.

Def

J-sews · **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2008, 01:41:19 AM

Quote from: Defender on March 26, 2008, 02:24:05 PM

According to the package, you are supposed to clip the jaws onto a keyring, but given how easily the lock is opened, I'd say if you did this, you wouldn't have them for long.

Def

Not that losing a Smart-Clip would be all that great of a loss.....