Swiza - Long term thoughts?

[rivercity]

Ive seen these knives out for a while, and have read mixed reviews. But I havent seen anything recently about how they have been holding up under use.

Has anybody got any long term usage with the Swiza knives?

Thanks in advance! 

[magentus]

What's that I can hear? Sounds like a can of worms being opened 

[Gee.B]

Never owned one. I think they look very modern and very nice. Wonder when they'll be bought by Victorinox though


Gee (from mobile)

[Grathr]

Im not sure if anyone who got one bothered to carry one long term.
Etherealicer tested a couple quite hard, and they failed. The opener layer was the problem, chipping under pressure. (Vic handled it fine). Also the opener layer made it uncomfortable to use.

I carried my D02 for a while. (The one layered one, knife, awl, phillips) it performed OK.

[SAK Guy]

A great big flash in the pan IMO. Probably an ok knife if you've never owned a real SAK to compare it to...certainly not the "Evolution of the Swiss Army Knife" as it was advertised to be. 

[Smashie]

Now granted I can be a bit picky, even called a snob, when it comes to watches.

But the 88 models that Swiza have launched are uninspiring, generic and a throw back to the "swiss army" watches of 20 years ago.

Not seeing a future here to be honest 

[kkokkolis]

Optimized beings stop evolving, according to theory. They evolve again when enviroment changes. The SAK will need to change when people change (for example, the size or shape of our hands) and that is going to happen so slowly it will not be evident for some myriads of years in the future.

[shibafu]

I think they have potential.  The current models can't match Victorinox (or even the Sanrenmu-made Boker tech tools) but they have some good points to build on.  The main blade is good and I like the handle material.  I hope they will sell enough to fund development of a next generation.  What I'd put on their to-do list is:

• tougher steel for the openers
• non-locking blade for wider legal compliance
• less crap phillips screwdriver
• scissors

Then they'd have something.

[raistlin65]

I was really surprised to see that The Knife Connection and DLT Trading carry Swiza:
http://www.dlttrading.com/brands/Swiza.html
https://www.theknifeconnection.net/swiza/

[cbl51]

I guess I just don't understand a company trying to reinvent the wheel. I mean, not only is Victorinox the gold standard, but they are such a giant in the field, it's like trying to invent a cheap but good writing ball point pen to compete with the Bic. Kind of a exercise in futile gestures.

I can't see them being around n a few years unless Swiza likes selling stuff at a loss. I think they will just fade away from the pocket knife scene.

[rivercity]

Thanks guys, thats kinda what I was thinking. Ill wait to pick up a used one on ebay someday.....lol 

[jerseydevil]

I guess I just don't understand a company trying to reinvent the wheel. I mean, not only is Victorinox the gold standard, but they are such a giant in the field, it's like trying to invent a cheap but good writing ball point pen to compete with the Bic. Kind of a exercise in futile gestures.

I can't see them being around n a few years unless Swiza likes selling stuff at a loss. I think they will just fade away from the pocket knife scene.

Actually I prefer Papermate pens to Bic.....

[Gareth]

I guess I just don't understand a company trying to reinvent the wheel. I mean, not only is Victorinox the gold standard, but they are such a giant in the field, it's like trying to invent a cheap but good writing ball point pen to compete with the Bic. Kind of a exercise in futile gestures.

I can't see them being around n a few years unless Swiza likes selling stuff at a loss. I think they will just fade away from the pocket knife scene.

Actually I prefer Papermate pens to Bic.....

As long as it's not a fine tip then we can still be friends.

[jerseydevil]

I guess I just don't understand a company trying to reinvent the wheel. I mean, not only is Victorinox the gold standard, but they are such a giant in the field, it's like trying to invent a cheap but good writing ball point pen to compete with the Bic. Kind of a exercise in futile gestures.

I can't see them being around n a few years unless Swiza likes selling stuff at a loss. I think they will just fade away from the pocket knife scene.

Actually I prefer Papermate pens to Bic.....

As long as it's not a fine tip then we can still be friends.

always medium. I can't stand fine tip pens......

[SAK Guy]

I guess I just don't understand a company trying to reinvent the wheel. I mean, not only is Victorinox the gold standard, but they are such a giant in the field, it's like trying to invent a cheap but good writing ball point pen to compete with the Bic. Kind of a exercise in futile gestures.

I can't see them being around n a few years unless Swiza likes selling stuff at a loss. I think they will just fade away from the pocket knife scene.

Actually I prefer Papermate pens to Bic.....

As long as it's not a fine tip then we can still be friends.

always medium. I can't stand fine tip pens......

And blue...gotta be blue ink!!!! 

[Syph007]

It's a head scratcher as to why they thought they'd be succesful.  Its like reinventing the wheel and making it an oval....

[ReamerPunch]

A great big flash in the pan IMO. Probably an ok knife if you've never owned a real SAK to compare it to...certainly not the "Evolution of the Swiss Army Knife" as it was advertised to be. 

"Evolution of the Swiss Army Knife" 
I'd say Vic linerlock 111mm are the evolution of the standard sak. Tougher and ergonomic scales, locking larger flathead for prying, longer, broader, oho and locking blade, longer saw, etc.
Especially the duo models, or the Rescue Tool, with two oho blades etc.
Arguably, there's still room for improvement, but it's definitely a neat design, which is why several countries have adopted it for their military forces.

[JamesJ]

A great big flash in the pan IMO. Probably an ok knife if you've never owned a real SAK to compare it to...certainly not the "Evolution of the Swiss Army Knife" as it was advertised to be. 

"Evolution of the Swiss Army Knife" 
I'd say Vic linerlock 111mm are the evolution of the standard sak. Tougher and ergonomic scales, locking larger flathead for prying, longer, broader, oho and locking blade, longer saw, etc.
Especially the duo models, or the Rescue Tool, with two oho blades etc.
Arguably, there's still room for improvement, but it's definitely a neat design, which is why several countries have adopted it for their military forces.

I'm no historian but also feel the OH blade really evolved the SAK, since those types of blades had come about only over the last...maybe 3 or 4 decades? After the 91mm SAK was already around.
I also appreciate nylon as the standard scale material.

My current fantasy custom 111mm is a Workchamp with OH partially serrated blade and blue scales. No (easy) way to gen an IL awl on there tho....

RE: locking larger flathead, this is only on the liner lock OH blade knives with the larger pins right? My Outrider cap lifter looks identical to 91mm, is the larger one similar to 93mm Alox caplifter?

[Gareth]

I guess I just don't understand a company trying to reinvent the wheel. I mean, not only is Victorinox the gold standard, but they are such a giant in the field, it's like trying to invent a cheap but good writing ball point pen to compete with the Bic. Kind of a exercise in futile gestures.

I can't see them being around n a few years unless Swiza likes selling stuff at a loss. I think they will just fade away from the pocket knife scene.

Actually I prefer Papermate pens to Bic.....

As long as it's not a fine tip then we can still be friends.

always medium. I can't stand fine tip pens......

I knew there was a reason we were friends.

[JamesJ]

I guess I just don't understand a company trying to reinvent the wheel. I mean, not only is Victorinox the gold standard, but they are such a giant in the field, it's like trying to invent a cheap but good writing ball point pen to compete with the Bic. Kind of a exercise in futile gestures.

I can't see them being around n a few years unless Swiza likes selling stuff at a loss. I think they will just fade away from the pocket knife scene.

Actually I prefer Papermate pens to Bic.....

As long as it's not a fine tip then we can still be friends.

always medium. I can't stand fine tip pens......

I knew there was a reason we were friends.

What's your guys' favorite size of mechanical pencil lead?

[spydutch]

They sell for around 30 to 40 euro's over here.
After reading all this I'll rather spend that money on a nice black Pioneer or one handed Soldier (one handed trekker) 

[Subterranean]

I was thinking of buying one (out of curiosity) until I saw the prices. Actually I like their design, it's like a SAK facelift/refresh. But $40 for a knife comparable to a Tinker that can be found for a half of that price? Nope, sorry. For me, in the SAK world, Victorinox is a golden standard in every way possible - quality/fit&finish, price, warranty, model variety... They can't be beat and it's not gonna change any time soon, I think.

[rivercity]

I was thinking of buying one (out of curiosity) until I saw the prices. Actually I like their design, it's like a SAK facelift/refresh. But $40 for a knife comparable to a Tinker that can be found for a half of that price? Nope, sorry. For me, in the SAK world, Victorinox is a golden standard in every way possible - quality/fit&finish, price, warranty, model variety... They can't be beat and it's not gonna change any time soon, I think.

Thats where Im at. If I can pick up a used one for 10 bucks or less, I will grab one. Past that, nope..... 

[Etherealicer]

If 10 days qualify: Swiza D04 - thoughts after 10 days of use

my verdict is: Don't bother

[shecky]

Decided to give the newcomer a try. I've been carrying a D04. I'm finding a lot to like about the knife. Construction is as solid as any Vic or Wenger. Spring on the can opener is softer than a typical SAK. The can opener cutting edge is sharpened more than the typical SAK, more than it needs to be, really. As a result, I found it had a small tendency to shave small slivers of steel from the rolled edge of a can when used. I think the Vic can opener works better, but it's pretty close, and works in a similar way. Cap lifter blade works OK. It tapers to a fairly thin screwdriver edge. Highly polished like a Vic. It seems to have a similar tang to a Vic cap lifter, which I think is to aid in keeping it securely open. The awl is a nice design, with a fairly sharp edge. I think it's a bit stubbier than I would like it to be, but it'll suffice. The Phillips is nicely formed and seems to fit well, at least as good as any back Phillips on a SAK. The tweezers are simple, two blades spot welded together. The beveled and ground ends meet up nicely.

The blade is pretty nice,  with a thin cross section profile, tapering gently toward the tip. It's an old school liner lock, similar to the Vic One Hand openers, in that the liner doesn't wedge against the blade tang. It simply blocks the tang. As a result, there is a tiny bit of play. The knife would be a fine slipjoint if the liner were eliminated. Disengaging the lock is elegantly done, without protrusions or cutouts usually associated with liner locks. Someone not familiar with the knife might find it baffling. I do like the hole nail nick. The stamped recess and logo I think look quite nice. I think I saw the steel advertised as 440A, feels about right, about the same as Vic's stainless.

All tools have a nice snap. Backsprings rate about 5 on a scale of 1-10, the spring for the can opener maybe a 4. Still exhibiting good snap, however. The rubbery scales are a nice departure from traditional SAKs. It'll be interesting to see how well they hold out at the cross/blade release button. I'm also a bit curious to see how well they hold up to solvents. The plastic they used reminds me of similar rubbery plastics that have not held up to solvents, or even exposure to the elements, ending up tacky to the touch, a condition that I've not found solvable in the long term. Hopefully, they were wiser about the plastic they used for these handles. I think I'll be testing these scales out with different solvents, and also sitting all day in the sun.

I like it enough that I'm keeping it in circulation for at least a while. Compared to a SAK, it is pricier, though it certainly won't break the bank. And it's a nice variation of the scout knife that Vic/Wenger doesn't offer. I hope the company does well with these knives and brings out more of their distinctive products.

[PTRSAK]

I guess I just don't understand a company trying to reinvent the wheel. I mean, not only is Victorinox the gold standard, but they are such a giant in the field, it's like trying to invent a cheap but good writing ball point pen to compete with the Bic. Kind of a exercise in futile gestures.

I can't see them being around n a few years unless Swiza likes selling stuff at a loss. I think they will just fade away from the pocket knife scene.

Actually I prefer Papermate pens to Bic.....

As long as it's not a fine tip then we can still be friends.

always medium. I can't stand fine tip pens......

I knew there was a reason we were friends.

What's your guys' favorite size of mechanical pencil lead?

I gotta weigh in to this derail...
Parker pens for me, or at least pens that take a Parker refill. Prefer the blue gel ink but have worked in positions where only black ink is allowed.
Yes medium point, fine makes my writing look like the tracks of a spider that's had one too many of whatever it is that spiders have on a night out.

Pencil... that's a whole different kettle of fish, ideally a 0.5 in 2H and a 0.9 in HB but I can survive on just the 0.9 or 1.0 mm HB.  0.7 mm is just "wrong" it's like a reverse Goldilocks size. Too skinny AND too fat at the same time.

Mind you, I wouldn't mind an old skool Staedtler Mars Technico clutch pencil.

[Gareth]

Thanks for sharing your experience shecty.

[shibafu]

Great review Shecky, and I agree with all your observations, except about the Phillips driver.  The Swiza one sucks badly.  It's too pointed, and the taper of the thickness of the wings is not acute enough.  The Vic back-side Phillips is pretty usable on all the screws shown below, even the PZ3, but I find the Swiza one cams out much too easily on all of them.

[JamesJ]

From the look of it, the swiza phillips doesn't fit anything...maybe you have to buy special swiza compatible screws...

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

I was going to suggest that it was a Posidrive....but your PZ3 photo clearly shows a Posidrive screw

...I guess that's why they are labeled PZ