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

[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.

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.

Oh that's good to know, thanks Syph   I only ever see the red scaled version there though, and I want something different I think.  I wouldn't mind onyx scales, and I think I can get one like that on Ebay, but I'm not sure of the mag glass version.  Either way, by the time I may or am able to get one, they may all be glass

[Donald]

I enjoyed the illustrated review Detron. Thanks.

Thanks also to Marius for the comparison pics and pointing out that there is a new type of magnifying lens. I had not heard that. Perhaps because I had been "away" with computer problems.

I purchased my SwissChamp from a seller on eBay because it had the old style magnifying lens and the price was right. I thought it had a generic belt pouch, but it turned out that it was actually the standard  Victorinox leather Zermat pouch. Further, the "used" knife was probably in better shape than several new ones I have purchased. I was quite pleased. I posted some pictures in this Swiss Forum thread http://forum.multitool.org/index.php?topic=36629.0

I find it makes an excellent knife to keep around my desk as it always has what I need, scissors, a small blade, pliers for removing a staple when I need to uncurl it rather than use my usual staple remover, etc. It saves opening the drawer to pull out a pair of larger scissors. Further, they seem to get a lot of use cutting off clothing tags for my daughters.

I think this tour de force of the knifemaker's art has been supplanted to some extent by the pliers-centric type of multitool, but I always wanted one, and it is a fine tool. I do recall reading a post by a BSA leader who carried it as part of an SOS pouch kit and felt that he thus always had what he needed to handle troop emergencies. In college (1972-1976) I had a friend who always had on his belt in a Zermatt pouch whatever the equivalent would have been then. (a Champion??)

[sir_mike]

Did anyone find out about when the mag glass change took effect and does anyone know if the mag power changed also.

I guess I should also wonder if the glass mag glass breaks, can one order one as a replacement??

Just curious but if no one knows, maybe I can email Victorinox customer service and find out.

[enki_ck]

A few months prior to june this year. Syph007 discovered it in June. I believe the mag glass power staid the same.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,45331

[CanadianLMfan]

How heavy is the Swisschamp?

[detron]

about 6.5 ounces

[sir_mike]

about 6.5 ounces

Even less if you carry it on a P-7 clip in front pocket.  LOL 

It carries very well that way!

[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

To expound on detron's post,  I'm trying to figure out a mod where I could have the driver AND the magnifying glass...

[detron]

about 6.5 ounces

Even less if you carry it on a P-7 clip in front pocket.  LOL 

It carries very well that way!

Ok,   it is plastic,  but the source is cheap!

Air freshener vent clips for the car.

I bought 4 for a dollar.

It is plastic,  but strong enough to hold 2 hammers.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

here is my super cheap clip,  has been working fine for a few months or so

[detron]

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

To expound on detron's post,  I'm trying to figure out a mod where I could have the driver AND the magnifying glass...

I would not mind even if it was in the scale and removable!! 

EDIT,
and thanks for even considering it

[enki_ck]

Fixed the img links to proper sized ones, hope you don't mind. Cool tip too.

[detron]

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

To expound on detron's post,  I'm trying to figure out a mod where I could have the driver AND the magnifying glass...

ever notice how big this void is?  grab a Cybertool and look.  it might be big enough for all kinds of things, but a mag glass might fit.  I do not have a loose one to test with

[detron]

Fixed the img links to proper sized ones, hope you don't mind. Cool tip too.

thanks,  on my post where i stole them from they were just thumbnails, I copied image location, and posted with the image button.  guess I should slow down and see what happens next time.  however, thank you very much

[enki_ck]

Fixed the img links to proper sized ones, hope you don't mind. Cool tip too.

thanks,  on my post where i stole them from they were just thumbnails, I copied image location, and posted with the image button.  guess I should slow down and see what happens next time.  however, thank you very much

Lowering the thumbnails img second number by one should give you the full sized picture.

[detron]

Fixed the img links to proper sized ones, hope you don't mind. Cool tip too.

thanks,  on my post where i stole them from they were just thumbnails, I copied image location, and posted with the image button.  guess I should slow down and see what happens next time.  however, thank you very much

Lowering the thumbnails img second number by one should give you the full sized picture.

nice tip!  thanks!

[sir_mike]

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

To expound on detron's post,  I'm trying to figure out a mod where I could have the driver AND the magnifying glass...

Seems like a CT 29 to start with and an Explorer for parts would work!  Yes, No, Maybe?

[detron]

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

To expound on detron's post,  I'm trying to figure out a mod where I could have the driver AND the magnifying glass...

Seems like a CT 29 to start with and an Explorer for parts would work!  Yes, No, Maybe?

I like ALL of my CT41, if the swisschamp had the CT layer, or if the CT41 had the mag glass I would be super happy.

[sir_mike]

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

To expound on detron's post,  I'm trying to figure out a mod where I could have the driver AND the magnifying glass...

Seems like a CT 29 to start with and an Explorer for parts would work!  Yes, No, Maybe?

I like ALL of my CT41, if the swisschamp had the CT layer, or if the CT41 had the mag glass I would be super happy.

Yeah, I agree.  I would like to see a CT layer on anything like a climber, explorer (remove opener layer), and maybe a Champ Plus (also remove the opener layer).

[AimlessWanderer]

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

To expound on detron's post,  I'm trying to figure out a mod where I could have the driver AND the magnifying glass...

I would not mind even if it was in the scale and removable!! 

EDIT,
and thanks for even considering it

I'm sure someone did a mod where they paired the LED light with the older mag glass in one layer  Aside from that there are a couple of other easily carried options, Fresnel lens in the wallet, or a True Utility Eyeglass attached to the key ring

[victordomingos]

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

You can use the magnifier as a macro lens placing it over your phone camera ;-) I use it like this all the time to get further detail from small objects.

[victordomingos]

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?

When did Victorinox started building those new lenses with glass over plastic? I have an Explorer and I really need to check if it is glass or plastic (I think I got the plastic version).

[zoidberg]

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

To expound on detron's post,  I'm trying to figure out a mod where I could have the driver AND the magnifying glass...

Seems like a CT 29 to start with and an Explorer for parts would work!  Yes, No, Maybe?

I like ALL of my CT41, if the swisschamp had the CT layer, or if the CT41 had the mag glass I would be super happy.

I love my CT41. But super happy for me would be finding the XLT.

[victordomingos]

I just found that my recently bought Explorer still has the plastic lens. Should I start crying in a desperate way? :-)

[detron]

I just found that my recently bought Explorer still has the plastic lens. Should I start crying in a desperate way? :-)

I know that is disappointing,  but better a plastic lens than no lens.

I do with there was a different part number or package identifier if the lens is glass versus plastic

[jerseydevil]

One nice thing about threads like this, it inspires me to carry things that haven't seen use in a while.  My SwissChamp is in my pocket today. 

[detron]

One nice thing about threads like this, it inspires me to carry things that haven't seen use in a while.  My SwissChamp is in my pocket today. 

  all of your babies deserve a breath of fresh air

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk now Free

[jerseydevil]

One nice thing about threads like this, it inspires me to carry things that haven't seen use in a while.  My SwissChamp is in my pocket today. 

  all of your babies deserve a breath of fresh air

Everything sees some use here, even limited editions.    No shelf queens in this house, I assure you.  It's just that there seem to be a lot more babies around lately than there used to be..... 

[detron]

One nice thing about threads like this, it inspires me to carry things that haven't seen use in a while.  My SwissChamp is in my pocket today. 

  all of your babies deserve a breath of fresh air

yeah, this place creates a larger number of babies.

the only SAK I have that I do not carry, is my McKinley.  I know it is not that rare or valuable, but it is the closest thing I have to a rare SAK.  (and I do not like partially serrated blades)
it is my only Camo SAK, and I wish I had others


Everything sees some use here, even limited editions.    No shelf queens in this house, I assure you.  It's just that there seem to be a lot more babies around lately than there used to be.....