Victorinox has been in the knife business for quite some time, starting in 1884, and supplying their military since 1891. This means that the company has plenty of experience in making knife based multi-tools. However, they only got into the plier based multi-tool in 1997. Prior to that, they bought Bear MGC a year or two prior so that they could use the patent for outside opening tools. Personally, I have always felt that Bear MGC, and present day Bear & Son lent the SwissTool more than the use of a patent. They both feature polished stainless steel exteriors, heavy construction, and durability. Mind you, Victorinox definitely added their many years of expertise in producing top notch tools, which equated to the SwissTool's industry leading fit and finish. Yes, there are a lot of refinements seen in the SwissTool, and the later SwissTool Spirit that aren't seen in the American Bear Jaws lineup...but I like to think that they built upon the Bear Jaws, and perfected it in their own Swiss fashion. This is to say they just didn't copy the Bear Jaws and slap a Victorinox label on it. They are two different tools, that share a common heritage to a degree.
So the SwissTool came out in 1997. Prior to that, Victorinox did try to couple a full sized pliers with a Swiss Army Knife (SAK). This strange combination is definately eye catching, if not a bit entertaining to use. The pliers in the following example feature extra wide plier handles (which makes using them a bit interesting) to accommodate one of their knives. The whole thing in packaged in a well thought out sheath that has a fairly large Velcro flap.
I like to consider the above the granddad of the SwissTool. I have no idea when they came out with the above combination, but I like to think it was prior to 1997.
Thus, in 1997, the SwissTool was born. It was Victorinox's first foray into the plier based multi-tool market...and what a splash it made. If you looking for something that oozes precision and quality, you can't go far wrong with this tool. Interestingly enough, the attention to detail is such that Victorinox splayed the top and bottom handles slightly outwards from each other in such a fashion that it fits your hands perfectly. Instead of having a thick squarish tools, it is subtly sculpted to be more ergonomic. Attention to detail just didn't stop there either. Vicrorinox has a rather innovative system of nail nicks that is logical and very well thought out. This makes access to any tool a simple matter.
With that said, Victorinox has not seen the need to update their SwissTool much over the years. The biggest change being that of the plier heads. I am not going to go into that as we have an excellent thread on that here...
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,2463.0.htmlTherefore, for the collector, hunting down the different plier head versions can be fun. Most other people simply won't care.
As for model variety, Victorinox has kept that a bit simple in numbers, if not a bit confusing. All SwissTools outwardly look the same. What differs are a few tools inside.
SwissTool: Feature both a plain and serrated knife blade.
SwissTool X: Replaces the serrated blade with a pair of scissors.
SwissTool RS: Same as the X, but replaces the file found in both above versions with a curved serrated belt cutter.
SwissTool CS: Same as the X, but also includes a removable corkscrew with mini eyeglass driver.
The corkscrew fits into a slot on both sides of the Swisstool as seen in the next two photos.
To make things a bit confusing, there are also two additional kits that add a bit driver with a 90 degree bend...called the Plus, and a kit that adds a mini Ratchet...called the Plus Ratchet. Both of these versions include a cute red bit holder and some driver bits.
Much like other manufacturers, Victorinox also produces a black version of the SwissTool with a major difference. Most other manufacturers use black oxide (BO). Victorinox does not coat their tools with black oxide, but uses a different finish that is very very beautiful. More of an anodized finish than painted, but it shows depth, and is very striking to see in person. To be honest, I have no idea what the finish is...but I do know it isn't black oxide.
See these two SwissTools. They are the black versions, but differing in plier heads. The top is a 1998, and the bottom is a 2005 or newer model. You can tell this is not a black oxide coating. The photo does it no justice.
Not only are the black tool exteriors black, but so are the tools inside.
Speaking of black SwissTools, there is a variation out there of interest to collectors, the Nato branded version from Australia. All Nato issued SwissTools are black and have the standard Nato numbers inscribed onto one handle. The number does not vary from year to year...as I have two with different plier heads.
Here is a close up of the number.
You can tell they are standard SwissTools as they both have a plain and serrated knife blade.
Getting back to the stainless steel SwissTool, there is a BSA marked version found in the United States.
This has "Boy Scouts of America" laser etched onto one handle.
Like the black SwissTools, I have a few of the same model in stainless steel. The big difference is the plier head variation denoting what year it was made.
Here is a SwissTool X. Note the addition of scissors instead of the serrated blade.
Here is a SwissTool RS. Along with the scissors, the file was replaced by that curved belt cutter. By the way RS stands for Rescue and Security.
Another SwissTool RS with a different plier head.
Here is a SwissTool.
Here is an other SwissTool, but with a different plier head.
And another SwissTool with a different plier head.
Another SwissTool with the newer 2005 plier head.
Of interest to collectors, this SwissTool Peace Support Plus kit.
Here is an example of a Plus sheath with added bit driver and bits.
One one side, Peace Support Switzerland.
And on the other side, a little symbol with the usual SwissTool markings.
Of interest to collectors, there is a black SwissTool Plus kit that came with a black bit holder for some German motorcycles. Likewise, there is also a cap crimper blasting cap version of the SwissTool out there.
In 1999, Victorinox added a series of tools called "Lifestyle Series", which was a bit adventurist for Victorinox. Many of the tools in this series did not achieve high success, such as the Ratchet tool, and the next addition to this article...the Auto Tool.
The Auto Tool has got to be one of the wierdest plier based commercial ventures ever undertaken by any multi-tool manufacturer. The fact that Victorinox produced this tool in the first place is amazing. That they made two versions of this tool, even more amazing.
The Auto Tool is just that, a plier based multi-tool aimed at well, anyone with a car. I won't get into details with the Auto Tool, but I will link to SAkWiki as they can say it better...
http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=AutoToolThe original Auto Tool came with a can opener. The later version replaced that can opener with a small flat screw driver.
The Auto Tool is a must have for collectors in my opinion as it was never a popular tool, and well, props for having one of the wackiest Victorinox tools on the market. Bonus points if you also have the Ratchet tool.
In 2004, Victorinox added to their SwissTool line with the SwissTool Spirit. The Spirit is a smaller tool with curved handles, but equally exhibits superb quality. There are also multiple models of the Spirit.
SwissTool Spirit: Features the serrated butter knife with a pair of scissors.
SwissTool Spirit S: Replaces the scissors with a standard knife blade, but also retains the serrated butter knife.
SwissTool Spirit X: Features a pair of scissors, but replaces the serrated butter knife with a standard knife.
Like the older and larger SwissTool, you can also get these in Plus and Plus Ratchet versions.
Here is a Victorinox SwissTool Spirit. Note the shape of the handles. Whereas the original and larger SwissTool had some impressive subtle engineering to make them more ergonomic, the Spirit went straight for an in your face approach to ergonomics.
Here is a SwissTool Spirit X.
Here is a SwissTool Spirit Road Tour. You can't tell in this photo, but the Road Tour is a gray colour with the logo on the blade.
Here is a Black SwissTool Spirit S.
You can see the serrated butter knife well in the following photo of a black SwissTool Spirit S.
Here is a stainless SwissTool Spirit.
And a SwissTool Spirit S.
As you can see, Victorinox has two basic models, each with a few sub models based upon tool variations. If you don't have one or both models, you owe it to yourself to see what these are all about. I strongly suspect you will be a convert once you have one in your possession.
A bonus shot of my Victorinox SwissTool collection drawer.
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