Which armies issue Swisstools/Spirits?

Guardian · **on:** January 29, 2017, 09:40:11 AM

So, in light of some photos I've seem from Jaya_man (one of his great pics attached) I thought a list of armies issuing Swisstools/Spirits would be a nice Sunday topic... :
So,

Spirits:
Switzerland (black coloured with crimpers; green nylon case)
Netherlands (black coloured; embossed leather case)
Belgium (black coloured with crimpers; green nylon case)

Swisstools:
Norway
Australia
Denmark
France (Felin)
United Arab Emirates
Malaysia police

Please add to the list with model numbers and PICTURES

LeaF · **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2017, 10:08:32 AM

If I'm not mistaken, army of Finland also uses BO Spirit and Swisstool (both with crimpers)

glenfiddich1983 · **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2017, 12:11:59 PM

The Dutch version

gregozedobe · **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2017, 12:16:35 PM

I have a Swisstool that I believe was issued to Australian military. Black Oxide, marked "^5110-25-147-5018", Military sheath with velcro, not press stud clip. Sorry, no photos.

Guardian · **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2017, 01:35:42 PM

Great picture and info

So,

Spirits:
Switzerland: BO Spirit X (with crimpers; green nylon case)
Netherlands: BO Spirit S (no crimpers, embossed leather case)
Belgium: BO Spirit X (with crimpers; green nylon case)

Swisstools:
Norway
Australia (BO, NSN 5110-25-147-5018, Velcro closure sheath)
Denmark
France (Felin)
United Arab Emirates
Malaysian police

Both: Finland (with crimpers)

cody6268 · **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2017, 04:52:26 PM

Boy, I'd love to have one of those nice brown leather sheaths for the Dutch issue Swiss Tool.

The Australians ought to be ashamed of themselves--they replaced the SwissTool with a Taylor ST-1, which even makes Ganzos look good.

Mechanickal · **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2017, 08:41:23 PM

Belgium issues Spirits??
Honestly I do not believe that!
The Belgian army NEVER bought what's good, only what's cheap.

Any pics as evidence?
I'd genuinly be mindblown.

The Lone Wanderer · **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2017, 09:10:52 PM

I wish the US Army would. I have a few friends in the US Armed Forces, and they all get Gerber MP600s, which I'm told break quite easily. But it's the Army, everything can be broken by a soldier.

Padre · **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2017, 10:42:52 AM

I wonder if Finnish army has ever issued any tools from Victorinox either. There are SA-INT versions of both tools but probably just for marketing purposes or similar. Maybe to special forces or such?

Australia · **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2017, 10:54:17 AM

Swisstool -
Australian ADF issue version with Defence arrow and NSN , original case

Guardian · **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2017, 08:21:15 PM

Quote from: Mechanickal on January 29, 2017, 08:41:23 PM

Belgium issues Spirits??
Honestly I do not believe that!
The Belgian army NEVER bought what's good, only what's cheap.

Any pics as evidence?
I'd genuinly be mindblown.

Well, curtesy of Jaya_man, I present the Belgium spirit........

Are you not entertained?!

Mechanickal · **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2017, 10:43:17 PM

Quote from: Guardian on January 30, 2017, 08:21:15 PM

Quote from: Mechanickal on January 29, 2017, 08:41:23 PM
Belgium issues Spirits??
Honestly I do not believe that!
The Belgian army NEVER bought what's good, only what's cheap.

Any pics as evidence?
I'd genuinly be mindblown.

Well, curtesy of Jaya_man, I present the Belgium spirit........

Are you not entertained?!

A sign doesn't mean a thing xD
There have been no pocket knives issued to our troops since the 60s/70s...
Wish there were though.

If that thing is really a Belgian Spirit, it'll be my new grail tool.
But you'll need to come up with something better...

Guardian · **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2021, 09:41:22 PM

Spirits:
Switzerland: BO Spirit X (with crimpers; green nylon pouch)
Netherlands: BO Spirit S (no crimpers; leather pouch embossed with Dutch forces interservices logo, now replaced with black nylon pouch) NSN 5110-17-113-299N
Australian Navy: BO Spirit MXBS (one handed opening, with crimpers; special black nylon pouch) NSN 5110-66-166-1357

Swisstools:
Norway
Australia Army: BO (with crimpers; standard black nylon pouch) NSN 5110-25-147-5018
Denmark: BO (standard black nylon pouch)
France (Felin): BO
United Arab Emirates
Malaysian police

Both: Finland (with crimpers)

Rich S · **Reply #13 on:** July 17, 2021, 12:26:15 AM

Slightly OT, but why can't Vic but a small needle nose pliers in place of the nearly useless pliers on the Deluxe Tinker? Seems it would be more useful.
Rich

Greyman · **Reply #14 on:** July 17, 2021, 12:33:04 AM

Hello all, first post here.
I have never seen a Victorinox issued in the Australian Army. I was issued a (quite average) Schrade multitool with yellow writing stamped on it (issued 2013).
The Schrade is the only one I've seen, never really used mine as they are quite bad. Most seem to buy a Leatherman, I did.
Perhaps somewhere people have received a Swisstool? I'd have loved one.
Will take some pics later if anyone is interested.

Greyman · **Reply #15 on:** July 17, 2021, 02:04:08 AM

Here's some pics.

Greyman · **Reply #16 on:** July 17, 2021, 02:08:51 AM

I'll try again, was supposed to be four pics in the last post.

Guardian · **Reply #17 on:** July 18, 2021, 02:51:25 PM

and welcome aboard shipmate

Guardian · **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2021, 09:49:33 AM

SPIRIT:
Australia (Navy?): Spirit MXBS (Black oxide, one handed opening, with crimpers; special black nylon pouch). Model number 3.0226.3AUS. NSN 5110-66-166-1357. Since 2020.
Netherlands: Spirit S (Black oxide, no crimpers; leather pouch embossed with Dutch forces interservices logo, now replaced with black nylon pouch). Model number 3.0223.

. NSN 5110-17-113-2998. Since ?
Switzerland: Spirit X (XBS) (Black oxide, with crimpers; green nylon pouch). Model number 3.0224.3CN (previously 3.0224.3CCH). Since ?

SWISSTOOL (unless stated, all are the BS (black oxide) model, 3.0323.3CN, which has crimpers and comes with a standard nylon pouch):
Australian Army: Engraved NSN on handle. NSN 5110-25-147-5018. Since 2000.
Denmark
Finland
France (Felin project)
Malaysian Police
Norway
United Arab Emirates

Echotech · **Reply #19 on:** July 28, 2021, 10:21:25 AM

Quote from: Greyman on July 17, 2021, 12:33:04 AM

Hello all, first post here.
I have never seen a Victorinox issued in the Australian Army. I was issued a (quite average) Schrade multitool with yellow writing stamped on it (issued 2013).
The Schrade is the only one I've seen, never really used mine as they are quite bad. Most seem to buy a Leatherman, I did.
Perhaps somewhere people have received a Swisstool? I'd have loved one.
Will take some pics later if anyone is interested.

G’day Greyman

I’ve managed to pick up an Australian Army issued Swiss Tool for my collection, apparently issued from 2000 according to

https://www.australianmilitaryknives.com/multitool.html

An excellent resource

The Shrade you had is mentioned on the same page

I’m in Sydney (in lockdown!)

Cheers mate

And here’s a pic of my Army knives, bottom row - first two British but think Australian issued, next two are Whittingslowe made in Adelaide (all circa 1940’s), then a Joseph Rodgers (British) and an Australian Shelham and a FRED I’m sure you know well, plus a Camillus US Army knife from 1972

Chako · **Reply #20 on:** July 28, 2021, 12:31:55 PM

l have a pair of the Vics. Note the different plier heads. These date 1999, and 1998.

20210723_064309A by Chako, on Flickr

20210723_064315A by Chako, on Flickr

20210723_064146A by Chako, on Flickr

20210723_064154A by Chako, on Flickr

I would love to add one of those yellow Schrade to my collection one day. I fear the Schrads, if produced by Taylor LLC, are probably junk overall.

Greyman · **Reply #21 on:** July 28, 2021, 01:33:04 PM

Quote from: Echotech on July 28, 2021, 10:21:25 AM

G’day Greyman

I’ve managed to pick up an Australian Army issued Swiss Tool for my collection, apparently issued from 2000 according to

https://www.australianmilitaryknives.com/multitool.html

An excellent resource

The Shrade you had is mentioned on the same page

I’m in Sydney (in lockdown!)

Cheers mate

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

And here’s a pic of my Army knives, bottom row - first two British but think Australian issued, next two are Whittingslowe made in Adelaide (all circa 1940’s), then a Joseph Rodgers (British) and an Australian Shelham and a FRED I’m sure you know well, plus a Camillus US Army knife from 1972

(Image removed from quote.)

Hi ET,

Those clasp knives are cool.
Yep, still have the Schrade, good as new. I've come across stacks of them in various Q's and been offered many but the one I got at Kapooka remains basically unused. I've been on jobs where guys swapped them with US Army and Marines issued(?) Leatherman, quite a good deal for us, not so much for the Americans

I've got a few of those little spoon/can opener gadgets laying around and thrown out stacks. They come in rat packs.
I'm pretty well out now, well they can nab me back for another three years but all is quiet so far.

Another four weeks for you guys, I'm further north. Hope you're going alright down there

Just had a dig through some crap, I mean stuff, in my garage. Each one of those condiments, tea/coffee bags has one of those trinket spoons in them.
Can't believe that steak bar made it home

Guardian · **Reply #22 on:** July 28, 2021, 01:44:22 PM

Defence Forces which issue Victorinox Swiss Tools to their personnel.

SPIRIT:
Australia (Navy?): Spirit MXBS (Black oxide, one handed opening drop point and serrated emergency blades, with crimpers; special black nylon pouch). Model number 3.0226.3AUS. NSN 5110-66-166-1357. Since 2020.
Netherlands: Spirit S (Black oxide, no crimpers; leather pouch embossed with Dutch forces interservices logo, now replaced with black nylon pouch). Model number 3.0223.?. NSN 5110-17-113-2998. Since ?
Switzerland: Spirit X (XBS) (Black oxide, with crimpers; green nylon pouch). Model number 3.0224.3CN (previously 3.0224.3CCH). Since ?

SWISSTOOL (unless stated, all are the BS (black oxide) model, 3.0323.3CN, which has crimpers and comes with a standard nylon pouch):
Australia (Army): Engraved ‘Broad Arrow’ & NSN on handle. NSN 5110-25-147-5018. Since 2000.
Denmark
Finland
France (Felin project)
Malaysian Police
Norway
United Arab Emirates

Greyman · **Reply #23 on:** July 28, 2021, 02:18:03 PM

Quote from: Chako on July 28, 2021, 12:31:55 PM

l have a pair of the Vics. Note the different plier heads. These date 1999, and 1998.

I would love to add one of those yellow Schrade to my collection one day. I fear the Schrads, if produced by Taylor LLC, are probably junk overall.

If you mean by yellow Schrade the one I have, they're not completely junk. They are quite usable, I've seen some pretty beaten up ones. I certainly wouldn't say they are on the level with the Swisstool though. I don't have a Swisstool but I do have a Spirit X and it's much nicer than the Schrade.
I bought myself a Charge TTi to use instead, also much nicer.

Chako · **Reply #24 on:** July 28, 2021, 02:29:03 PM

Taylor made = nothing compared to the older USA made models. When Taylor LLC took over the Schrade name, they degraded the quality of the Schrade Tough tool to something almost laughable. I recall one member buying one with bent inside tools because they did not fit inside the handle properly. Has Taylor LLC improved their quality since? After looking at all of mine, I doubt it.

Chako · **Reply #25 on:** July 28, 2021, 02:44:34 PM

The 2 on the left are USA made and far better quality wise compared to when Schrade left the business and Taylor LLC took over the name. The two on the right are Taylor tools. I can say this with no problem as I also have a few knives and NaviTools made by Taylor and they do not compare to my older same Schrade models made in the US.

20210728_083359A by Chako, on Flickr

I do hope they put more quality for those made for the Australian army. If those are anything like this one...not that good.

20210728_083652A by Chako, on Flickr

20210728_083703A by Chako, on Flickr

Greyman · **Reply #26 on:** July 28, 2021, 02:53:13 PM

Quote from: Chako on July 28, 2021, 02:29:03 PM

Taylor made = nothing compared to the older USA made models. When Taylor LLC took over the Schrade name, they degraded the quality of the Schrade Tough tool to something almost laughable. I recall one member buying one with bent inside tools because they did not fit inside the handle properly. Has Taylor LLC improved their quality since? After looking at all of mine, I doubt it.

I don't have anything to compare it to, only Schrade I've owned. I don't doubt they used to be much better.
As I stated, I think the one I have is pretty average/quite bad but not quite junk. The pliers still "plie", albeit with a bit of handle flex, and yes the handle tools are pretty woeful. Definitely not Swisstool or Leatherman grade.
None the less I wouldn't call them junk, nor would I buy them unless on a budget. If I needed a tool/pliers and it was them or nothing then I'd be more than happy to have them.
On that note I've seen American soldiers very pleased to get them, no doubt more as a momento than their merits. Then again guys will swap crusty shirts etc. Only thing I ever swapped were flag patches as a good gesture.

Greyman · **Reply #27 on:** July 28, 2021, 03:00:16 PM

Ha ha, yep Chako that's the one. Looks exactly like mine.
Don't get me wrong, they're not good, but it's all relevant as far as junk goes.
I've seen many put to use and I'm sure many damaged. Most aren't really bothered about gadgets and so on, that said most appeared to have bought a Leatherman etc if it were something they needed/valued. I did.

Chako · **Reply #28 on:** July 28, 2021, 05:53:43 PM

No worries. 👍

Greyman · **Reply #29 on:** July 28, 2021, 11:02:49 PM

Quote from: Chako on July 28, 2021, 05:53:43 PM

No worries. 👍

It made me think; if it were my decision on what to supply and I didn't want to fork out for the Swisstool, then I wouldn't bother spending on the Schrade?
I'm not sure on the logic but maybe it was something along the lines as better than nothing? Usually tools are available e.g. pliers.
Personal effects like watches and pocket knives etc are likely something for the individual to sort out. Personally I'd have like to been issued a Rolex and a Swisstool

but that's likely not sensible and didn't matter that I didn't.
Anyway I've banged on enough about the awesome Schrade

Back to the Swisstool.

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Which armies issue Swisstools/Spirits?

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