SwissChamp or SwissTool?

[Explorer]

was on vacation recently with a large group of folks most of which generally do not carry pocketknives or Multitools. i was carrying my FX which worked well until someone asked if anybody had a pair of pliers. so out came the swisschamp from my bag which handled the task well. A larger pair of pliers probably would've worked better tho. So then I proceeded to pocket carry the swisschamp for the remainder of the vacation. the SC came in handy multiple times and it was surprisingly easy to carry in shorts- i've carried it in jeans before.



sorry for the long backstory/explanation- so my question is do you think it is worth upgrading from a swisschamp to a swisstool? which one do you favor/carry and why?

the swisstool i'm looking at is the original swisstool without scissors because i usually have a PX, FX or alox classic on me for scissors but i don't have a serrated sheepsfoot blade which is what comes in place instead of scissors. i'd enjoy hearing everyone's thoughts on this especially those who own both- feel free to vote for your favorite!

 thanks 

[G-Dizzle]

If you don’t have a plier based MT you should definitely grab one if the cost is justifiable. If going Victorinox I would definitely give the Swisstool Spirit consideration as well.  It’s smaller and would be easier to pocket carry. You can get that with the serrated blade. The pry tool is even thicker on it IIRC.

[JowiiYoyo]

I am totally biased towards the SwissChamp because it was my first ever knife i recieved on my 7th birthday. It has proved itself worthy more than once as an edc. I recently bough a swisstool tho in order to leave my beloved SC at home. My only reason is because i dont want to loose it due to weird knife laws. It has so much sentimental value by now that i would be devastated if it got confiscated. Also it felt weird to buy another SC to carry while leaving one at home so i went with a SwissTool and im super pleased with it. As an edc i would probably choose a SwissChamp every day tho. No matter how happy i am with the ST im looking for a cheap SC to keep on my person at all times.

Im on the same boat as you with the swisstool in that i went with the serrated blade and not the scissors since i allways have at least a classic sd on my keychain and those scissors will work for almost any scissor task i need it to fulfill. I love a good serrated blade and the one on the swisstool i great.

 

[Explorer]

If you don’t have a plier based MT you should definitely grab one if the cost is justifiable. If going Victorinox I would definitely give the Swisstool Spirit consideration as well.  It’s smaller and would be easier to pocket carry. You can get that with the serrated blade. The pry tool is even thicker on it IIRC.

i've got a few leatherman but they have not held up well. rusty and such. the tools are all bunched together when opening and can only be accessed from the inside. they are outdated tho so was thinking of picking up something new and the swisstool does look nice. thanks

[Explorer]

I am totally biased towards the SwissChamp because it was my first ever knife i recieved on my 7th birthday. It has proved itself worthy more than once as an edc. I recently bough a swisstool tho in order to leave my beloved SC at home. My only reason is because i dont want to loose it due to weird knife laws. It has so much sentimental value by now that i would be devastated if it got confiscated. Also it felt weird to buy another SC to carry while leaving one at home so i went with a SwissTool and im super pleased with it. As an edc i would probably choose a SwissChamp every day tho. No matter how happy i am with the ST im looking for a cheap SC to keep on my person at all times.

Im on the same boat as you with the swisstool in that i went with the serrated blade and not the scissors since i allways have at least a classic sd on my keychain and those scissors will work for almost any scissor task i need it to fulfill. I love a good serrated blade and the one on the swisstool i great.

 

i'm with you i'm biased towards the SC for sentimental reasons. always wanted one when i was a kid and now i've got a few of them and feel like i can handle anything 

the one i carry the most is from 1992 and i don't want to lose it or mess it up because it's in pristine condition. maybe i should just pick up a new SC and a ST 

thanks for your input about the ST serrated blade that's helpful

[JowiiYoyo]

i'm with you i'm biased towards the SC for sentimental reasons. always wanted one when i was a kid and now i've got a few of them and feel like i can handle anything 

the one i carry the most is from 1992 and i don't want to lose it or mess it up because it's in pristine condition. maybe i should just pick up a new SC and a ST 

thanks for your input about the ST serrated blade that's helpful

Im gonna add that i bought the swisstool plus since i wanted a bit driver aswell and the L shaped driver is awesome. You can buy the driver or ratchet separately tho. If i ever get a second swisschamp i might actually go for a cybertool 41 instead. After so long with a SC i believe the cybertool would be the best tool for me. I have never used the fish scaler and i could absolutely go without a magnifying glass 

[Luke Walker]

I own both (Spirit X) and voted for the SwissChamp, but that's due to my personal needs and experience. I often need the tweezers as well as the pen. The magnifying glass hasn't been used often, but it certainly has been handy. These were few occasions, but urgent ones like inspecting a wound or pulling something out with the tweezers.

So the Swisschamp is the more complete and useful toolset for me. It weighs 25g less and is more pocketable. The only advantage the Spirit X has are the pliers. My strategy to deal with that is to carry an EDC pouch that includes two pairs of pliers: a Knipex Cobra XS and small Knipex radio pliers or the small needle nose combination pliers. I don't carry it when I go for a walk, but as soon as I leave the house with a backpack or by car, I throw my pouch in (also because of the bit set, other handy things and first aid stuff). And if I carried the Champ, I can only imagine very few situations where the Spirit X would have served me better.

[nate j]

Swisschamp and Swisstool are both heavier than I want to carry around.

Swisstools are my choice for vehicle emergency kits though.

[Grand_Banana]

I voted Swisstool but would suggest the Spirit.  I just took the Spirit camping and it was the perfect companion tool.  I did have my Explorer (which didn’t come out of the car) so I suppose if you wanted the best of both worlds the Swisstool and Explorer is a good combo. 

I have carried the SC on a number of day hikes.  It was the best option for the weight and tool section and I wore it in a belt sheath.  The Spirit was the better option for tent camping and with belt carry it was barely noticeable. The downside for the Spirit is that I do use the scale tools so it needs paired with another SAK. 

As others have said, if you can justify the cost, I’d agree to grab one you won’t regret it.  I prefer my Spirit to any Leatherman.

[Farmer X]

I don't very often carry PB multis due to their bulk and my infrequent use of pliers, but they can be handy. And getting both is the MTo way.

[Steelej1976]

I voted Swiss Champ because if you really need pliers I have found just having a pair of Channellock Slip joint pliers (4", 6", or 8")\ Knipex Cobras and a SAK is a way better then any multitool made.  Since you already have a Swiss Champ I would just pick up a $12 Channellock and call it a day.

[zenostoic]

I don't very often carry PB multis due to their bulk and my infrequent use of pliers, but they can be handy. And getting both is the MTo way.

  get both.. you will not regret it..

[Juan el Boricua]

I'm more of the PB multi, due to the pliers (which can handle a myriad of tasks easily, including removing grates/grills from a barbecue); their locking tools, and can handle awkward places better and easier. I have a Swisstool CS Plus kit that came with ratchet and extension, but has been complimented by an L-wrench also; mostly rides in my bag. Have a Swisstool Spirit XC that rides in my pocket via pocket clip; better ergos ( not at the same time/day!).

[matzesu]

None of them: The Cybertool is the better Swisschamp if you dont need the Magnifier ^^
But if its only Swisschamp or Swisstool, i would say Swisschamp: The Swisstool got a nice Plier, but its quite unpractical to Pocketcarry as its a big piece of Metal ..
I bought in the 90tes a Swisstool, and back then it was allready quite difficult to open the tools whitouth breaking your fingernails..

Its a shame i cant carry my Leatherman FreeP4 Anymore because of this idiotic knive law in Germany, this was quite easy to unfold the tools ..

[EMZ]

I voted SwissTool because of its strenght and large tools. It is better suited when heavy duty is expected. But for pocket carry I would choose the SC. I've carried SwissTool and Spirit also, but the SC is much more comfortable in a jeans pocket.

In a 'survival situation' carrying only the minimum the SC would probably be the best choise. Just try to remove a splinter from your finger without a magnifying glass and tweezers, especialley at the age of 55+ (reading glasses!)

[Alan K.]

Both.
I regularly have carried a Swiss Champ and a Spirit together in a leather slip in my back pocket.  The Swiss Tool is a little bigger than the Spirit so it would have to ride in its own sheath on my belt instead of in the slip.

If I had to only carry one, it would depend on the type of work I was doing.  Swiss Champ for urban office type work and Swiss Tool for anything outdoors or if I was a maintenance guy doing generic small fixes all the time.  Although, I do still prefer the Spirit because it is just as capable as the Swiss Tool in a more comfortable package and I don't mind carrying both.  If it was a long term survival situation such as on the TV show, Alone, I would 100% be carrying the Swiss Tool because it is a beast that you would have a hard time breaking.

[MrToolJunkie]

I voted Swisstool. Better tools and pliers. More robust and all lock8ng. I regularly pair it with another SAK, like a Swisschamp or PX or Compact or something with scissors and scale tools ( I put all scale tools in my Al9x versions under the scissors and cap lifter). Yes, it is bigger and heavier, but I have never had an issue with pocket carry on any of these. You can add the clip now too, making it easier to hande. As others have said, consider a Spirit for a slimmer profile with the same and in some ways, a better toolset to the Swisstool. You can still find butter blade variants around which is my suggested version since it too pairs nicely with other plain edge knives/SAKs.

I joined the monster SAK challenge this month and will be seeing how I get along without a pliers based MT...which will be interesting.

[Farmer X]

Let me see if I can answer this a little more objectively. The pliers in the SwissChamp are great, but they do have their limitations. If you have a frequent need for the larger pliers (especially the wire cutters), then a PB multi is a great choice. But if you don't need them much or locking blades present a legal hassle, the SwissChamp is a better choice.

[Explorer]

thanks for awl of the great input 

yawl raised some good points! and i think getting both is a sound decision. of course i do already have two SC but one is an early 80s model with the slim pliers and the other is a 90s version that's in mint condition and both have kinda been shelf queens but i think it's time to just put them to work. i'm in the MONSTER challenge this month so they are going to get a workout.


i could always just pick up a newer SC but i'm not the biggest fan of the newer mag glass. 

as far as the ST the spirit looks cool but i think i'd prefer that BEAST original swisstool it looks hefty like you could throw anything at it and i like that. the ruler is also something I can see myself using quite frequently.

my thinking is if im carrying the extra weight of a PB multitool i might as well go big or go home but I could be just rationalizing here lol. now just can't decide if I should get the X and have scissors or go for the original serrated blade model. I feel like having that extra blade that is serrated would definitely come in handy and I could always carry a back up SAK that had scissors. Or maybe the MX for the one handed opening?? Decisions decisions...

sorry for the long ramble
 

[nate j]

now just can't decide if I should get the X and have scissors or go for the original serrated blade model. I feel like having that extra blade that is serrated would definitely come in handy and I could always carry a back up that had scissors.

YMMV, but I’ve always felt like scissors on a large PBMT seemed kind of silly.  I’d go with the original version, and carry a key chain 58 mm for the scissors.

[Explorer]

 
i'm always carrying a alox classic on my keychain and usually a PX or explorer in the pocket so i agree having that extra serrated blade means no duplicate scissors and more tools! 

[JowiiYoyo]

 

YMMV, but I’ve always felt like scissors on a large PBMT seemed kind of silly.  I’d go with the original version, and carry a key chain 58 mm for the scissors.

  Exactly my thought process aswell!! I eat a lot of bread and tomatoes so a serrated blade was a no brainer when i allways have an awesome pair of small scissors o  my keychain 

[Chako]

I am going to be different and recommend a WorkChamp XL. 

 

[Farmer X]

i could always just pick up a newer SC but i'm not the biggest fan of the newer mag glass.

I don't really use the magnifier, so either type is fine by me.

[Grand_Banana]

I don’t have the big boy Swisstool but I don’t think you can go wrong with the regular (serrated blade) version. Pair that with a compact and you’ve got the 91mm scissors, corkscrew, hook and only overlap the plain edge blade. 

That said… just go the MTO way and also get the Spirit while you’re at it 

[G-Dizzle]

I am going to be different and recommend a WorkChamp XL. 

 

I will say I think the standard workchamp is a better tool than the swisschamp if you can carry the weight and bulk.

[Chako]

It is the size of a Swiss Tool for the most part. I haven't priced on in ages though.

[MrToolJunkie]

You really cannot go wrong with either one. Both versions of PB Swiss Tool are great. I would opt for the serrated blade personally because as others have noted, you can get scissors on so many other models. Good luck!

[Gio_Luso]

SwissChamp always!!

[G-Dizzle]

It is the size of a Swiss Tool for the most part. I haven't priced on in ages though.

It is. Maybe bigger in some ways. And it’s a better tool than the swisstool for blade, saw, file, scissors (if comparing to Swisstool Spirit), and driver selection. The swisstool beats it in pliers and the little chisel tool.