Detron's review AND observations of his new Swiss Champ!

[detron]

Before I get to it, let me say that I understand the school of thought of minimalist carry,  I want a Victorinox compact pretty badly, however, for the most part, I am a greedy EDC'er.

so here we go.

so my amazon box arrived today, and this was not my only purchase, so it was a good sized box.
inside the box I see my other items and a Victorinox that must be too small.  that's right, in the box, it looked tiny, and I thought I received the wrong thing.   




I should point out that I bought a Super Tinker on a blister, and all of my other purchases before this were from the flea market, and ebay.

now that we have survived the 30 second nightmare we can continue to play with this cool toy.

Common info

This tool has the standard level of excellence you would expect from Victorinox,  The Loup (Magnifying glass) to me is not as nice as the older ones I have, but the function is more than sufficient.

SIZE

OK, yeah this is a big SAK, It is listed as being 33mm wide, as is the Cybertool 41.
BUT, I think it is about 1mm thinner than the CT41.

in the two pictures below, I lined up the blue CT41 and the red Swiss champ, and you can notice that the two SAKs are lined up on one side, and the CT41 sticks out a little further on the other





I know some people are considering the Champion, so I made this visual comparison as well.  In case it matters, my Champion is from the mid 80's.  to my limited knowledge, they newer ones are still the same width.



The Tool Itself

Closed Swiss Champ





Deployed tools  (yeah the phillips is hiding, it has it's own pic following this one)






The Magnifying glass

the magnifying glass does seem cheap compared to the older ones I have, but the functionality seems to be OK


The File

For MT.O users who have both a Supertool 300 and a Rebar, you will understand when I say all of my other SAKs have a file and this new one has a rasp! I feel like one pull across a finger nail would lead to a finger with a bleeding quick



Also, look at the teeth on the saw, super sharp, and it is almost as if it was sharpened in one direction only, and the teeth are almost burrs of furry.

Question for the SAK experts of MT.O

I noticed the liners and dividers on my brand new tool look like they are showing some form of oxidation (looks like chalk on the bottom, top, and ends)
I know it is probably nothing, but thought I would ask.




Final Thoughts

I love it very much, and though I wanted black (red was $16 cheaper) the red looks great and I am very content with the color.

the tool layout is great and though this is a beefy tool, I use a pocket clip hanger and do not mind carrying this (Assumption made on the fact I carried the CT41 for years)

If I discover any other non-standard uses, or further info I think will be useful to the members here, I will add on to this thread.

thank you for reading!  and feel free to correct any that is wrong.

Detron

[sawman]

Great review  I'm glad you are pleased with your new Champ 

[detron]

I wish I had a DSLR camera, these review pictures would look soo much better.  however not bad for a cell phone.

[Marius]

the magnifying glass does seem cheap compared to the older ones I have, but the functionality seems to be OK

(...)

Question for the SAK experts of MT.O

I noticed the liners and dividers on my brand new tool look like they are showing some form of oxidation (looks like chalk on the bottom, top, and ends)
I know it is probably nothing, but thought I would ask.

Can you see if you got the latest style of the mag glass, that comes in two pieces, glass lens and transparent plastic frame? Or is it the previous new version, one piece clear plastic?

About the question: the newer liners are no longer nicely finished as the older ones used to be. That's what you see there. I'll try to find a photo of mine to show.

 

[detron]

the magnifying glass does seem cheap compared to the older ones I have, but the functionality seems to be OK

(...)

Question for the SAK experts of MT.O

I noticed the liners and dividers on my brand new tool look like they are showing some form of oxidation (looks like chalk on the bottom, top, and ends)
I know it is probably nothing, but thought I would ask.

Can you see if you got the latest style of the mag glass, that comes in two pieces, glass lens and transparent plastic frame? Or is it the previous new version, one piece clear plastic?

About the question: the newer liners are no longer nicely finished as the older ones used to be. That's what you see there. I'll try to find a photo of mine to show.

 

thanks for explaining about the liners, though that is sad to hear.

as far as the mag glass, I think it is the glass inside of plastic holder, I can spin it inside the holder, and tapping it with a brass pin sounds different on the glass than on the plastic holder.  I am very happy it is not the plastic lens, but I still like the older holder that my mid 80's Champion has.

[Marius]

That's good, the all plastic one is horrible in my opinion (others like it). And the plastic "lens" part scratches and fogs way too easily. Big deal to have the lens in glass again, even with the same kind of frame.

Here's what I promised. Two Craftsmen, old and new, you can see which one is which:

[detron]

That's good, the all plastic one is horrible in my opinion (others like it). And the plastic "lens" part scratches and fogs way too easily. Big deal to have the lens in glass again, even with the same kind of frame.

Here's what I promised. Two Craftsmen, old and new, you can see which one is which:

(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

Thanks Marius,  and I do agree that they should still polish them the way they use to.  it looked much nicer.

[Aloha]

good job Detron.   too bad about the liners not being finished. im looked at my mag glass on my explorer to see if its glass in plastic or completely plastic and bummer its all plastic, thanks comis for pointing that out.   

[HighlandPark]

great pics, detron! thank you for the review.
i understand you bought the swiss champ after having edc'ed the cyber tool 41 for a long time.

just wandering: 
why did you change?

to me basic difference is fish scaler vs. all the bits and this is why i carry the 41.
i swapped the red scales for black ones, too.

cheers! HP

[detron]

great pics, detron! thank you for the review.
i understand you bought the swiss champ after having edc'ed the cyber tool 41 for a long time.

just wandering: 
why did you change?

to me basic difference is fish scaler vs. all the bits and this is why i carry the 41.
i swapped the red scales for black ones, too.

cheers! HP

HighlandPark,

all of these enablers around here make me want way more than I need.   they are cool, and I enjoy the hobby as much as the tool itself.

basically, I did not have a swisschamp.  that is the best answer I can give

EDIT
and I can start a fire with a magnifying glass 

[detron]

Also to further expound on HighlandParks question, if my CT41 had a magnifying glass, then I would carry it all of the time

[Monrogue]

Excellent review Detron   I appreciate that comparison pic with the Champion   It is a fair amount slimmer really.  The SwissChamp is definitely too thick for my liking though, and probably the Champion would be as well since it adds 2 layers to the Ranger, which is thick enough to me.  If I really wanted to simplify and reduce the number of SAKs in my EDC rotation, then I would get the Champion and replace my Yeochamp and Ranger.  Still a bit tempted to get a Champion at some point though

[detron]

Excellent review Detron   I appreciate that comparison pic with the Champion   It is a fair amount slimmer really.  The SwissChamp is definitely too thick for my liking though, and probably the Champion would be as well since it adds 2 layers to the Ranger, which is thick enough to me.  If I really wanted to simplify and reduce the number of SAKs in my EDC rotation, then I would get the Champion and replace my Yeochamp and Ranger.  Still a bit tempted to get a Champion at some point though

Fair points, and Like I said I know there are multiple schools of thought, and none are wrong, they are just different.

the one thing I will say about a Swiss Champ and similar tools is that it can go in a small sheath (OR SKINTH!!!) and be sufficient to leave a leatherman behind (NOT AS AN EVERY DAY PRACTICE).

[Syph007]

I still love the swiss champ too!

My mind has been mulling over building a fancy one that has all the tools (well probably minus fish scaler) of the swiss champ but slimmer.  If I did Ti scales I wouldn't need the outer liners, and could use thin scales.  I could also replace the soft Al liners with thin Ti that would be half as thick but stronger.  Someday I'll get around to it.

Thanks for posting your write up!
Cheers

[detron]

I still love the swiss champ too!

My mind has been mulling over building a fancy one that has all the tools (well probably minus fish scaler) of the swiss champ but slimmer.  If I did Ti scales I wouldn't need the outer liners, and could use thin scales.  I could also replace the soft Al liners with thin Ti that would be half as thick but stronger.  Someday I'll get around to it.

Thanks for posting your write up!
Cheers

Syph, since I know you are a mod master, I have a quick question for you.

I know plus scales have a slot for the ball point pen, and looking at translucent scales it looks like I could add a similar slot on the other side.  do you know if this is true or not?  I could store a paracord needle, or pencil lead, or even a match in there.

thanks!

[sir_mike]

That would be cool if you could get a Swisschamp to the size of a Champion!

I still love the swiss champ too!

My mind has been mulling over building a fancy one that has all the tools (well probably minus fish scaler) of the swiss champ but slimmer.  If I did Ti scales I wouldn't need the outer liners, and could use thin scales.  I could also replace the soft Al liners with thin Ti that would be half as thick but stronger.  Someday I'll get around to it.

Thanks for posting your write up!
Cheers

[sir_mike]

When did this change happen??


[/quote]

Can you see if you got the latest style of the mag glass, that comes in two pieces, glass lens and transparent plastic frame? Or is it the previous new version, one piece clear plastic?

About the question: the newer liners are no longer nicely finished as the older ones used to be. That's what you see there. I'll try to find a photo of mine to show.

 
[/quote]

[neillcurrie]

The liner edges on Vic's vary from batch to batch, and even from time to time IMO. Some of them are clean and neatly pressed out, others are just 
I have sanded and polished some of my Vics, then polished the liners, but it's a lot of work. And depending on how the liners are aligned with the springs it may be difficult to impossible to complete within a reasonable time.......or SAK disassembly.
That said, I just got a new Compact as a Warranty replacement from Vic, and the liners are about as good as they could be.
YMMV.

[Aloha]

Excellent review Detron   I appreciate that comparison pic with the Champion   It is a fair amount slimmer really.  The SwissChamp is definitely too thick for my liking though, and probably the Champion would be as well since it adds 2 layers to the Ranger, which is thick enough to me.  If I really wanted to simplify and reduce the number of SAKs in my EDC rotation, then I would get the Champion and replace my Yeochamp and Ranger.  Still a bit tempted to get a Champion at some point though

this is my champ plus (left ) and ranger (right ) it is wider for sure but i found it a comfortable carry though we all carry different. 

   

[sawman]

I really don't worry about the liner edges being a bit rough. It's a tool... for cutting etc. Not an art piece.

[detron]

I really don't worry about the liner edges being a bit rough. It's a tool... for cutting etc. Not an art piece.

I agree and dissagree,   it is a tool,  yes, but I seem them as functional art. It will not keep me from buying more,  it just is a little odd since My flea market ones were so Shiney,  then my brand new one was not

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

[Monrogue]

Excellent review Detron   I appreciate that comparison pic with the Champion   It is a fair amount slimmer really.  The SwissChamp is definitely too thick for my liking though, and probably the Champion would be as well since it adds 2 layers to the Ranger, which is thick enough to me.  If I really wanted to simplify and reduce the number of SAKs in my EDC rotation, then I would get the Champion and replace my Yeochamp and Ranger.  Still a bit tempted to get a Champion at some point though

this is my champ plus (left ) and ranger (right ) it is wider for sure but i found it a comfortable carry though we all carry different. 

 

Thanks for that pic Aloha   The Champ really isn't a whole lot thicker when looking at them together like that, but I bet it feels thicker for sure.  I could feel the difference between my Ranger and Yeochamp the first time I held the Ranger, and it's probably only like 1mm thicker   I'm sure it would carry fine with a lanyard belt loop method that I picked up from Colt1911 a while back.  Or a clip, but I don't have a good one yet.  It would actually fit in the same little change pocket in my work pants that I currently use for SAK carry, but it just may seem too bulky of a piece to put in my pocket like that.  You watch though, I'll probably end up with one eventually

[AlephZero]

Great, now I can't wait to get myself one...  Soon, very soon...

Great review, though

[detron]

Thanks to everyone who read my review,   and thanks to those who were able to answer some of my questions.

People's appreciation makes it easier to invest the time to do a review

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

[AimlessWanderer]

Yep, nice review mate  Personally the fish scaler and pliers do nothing for me so I've avoided the urge (several times  ). I did once get one for a friend though, and he absolutely loves it 

[Mr. Whippy]

Also to further expound on HighlandParks question, if my CT41 had a magnifying glass, then I would carry it all of the time

Absolutely this!

[sir_mike]

So when did the mag glass change from all plastic to plastic shell with glass mag?

[detron]

So when did the mag glass change from all plastic to plastic shell with glass mag?

I am not sure,  but it was not to long ago,   I also would like a time frame on that.    Curiosity has a death grip on me

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

[Monrogue]

So when did the mag glass change from all plastic to plastic shell with glass mag?

I am not sure,  but it was not to long ago,   I also would like a time frame on that.    Curiosity has a death grip on me

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah, the new glass mag glass is part of the reason I'm tempted to get an Explorer again, but there's probably no guarantee it would be a brand new mag glass version, or left over stock of the other plastic version.  The only way to be more sure I suppose, would be to wait a while longer before getting one, which isn't a problem for me right now anyway due to lack of funds.

[Syph007]

So when did the mag glass change from all plastic to plastic shell with glass mag?

I am not sure,  but it was not to long ago,   I also would like a time frame on that.    Curiosity has a death grip on me

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah, the new glass mag glass is part of the reason I'm tempted to get an Explorer again, but there's probably no guarantee it would be a brand new mag glass version, or left over stock of the other plastic version.  The only way to be more sure I suppose, would be to wait a while longer before getting one, which isn't a problem for me right now anyway due to lack of funds.

Amazon seems like a safe bet.  Ive bought both explorers and swiss champs from amazon.com (via steve ) and they have all had the new glass.