111mm Victorinox Hunter

tempmultitool · **on:** January 21, 2009, 02:31:29 PM

The Victorinox Hunter seems to be the most underestimated 111mm series victorinox.
At a small weight (103g) and pocketable size (thin 3 layer ~16,5mm) it offers a very flexible array of tools.
In many areas it wins with the heavier yet also 3 layer Trailmaster or Forester (~124g).
In spite of many advantages It doesn't seem to have found many users.

- the combo tool -
is twice as thick as on other SAKs (91mm and 84mm) so can be used as a prying blade, though it's not lockable and not as wide as on some 111mm vics
great can opener (better that the regular victorinox opener),
quick bottle opener
decent flat screwdriver,
if used at an angle you can unscrew philips screws.
thin wire stripper

- gutting blade -
extremely sharp.
great for making kindling. Because of it's shape and extreme sharpness you can easily shave of a bunch of pretty thick wooden splinters.
Cuts rope or material in a flash.
because of a blunt tip it can be considered as a rescue blade.
I haven't used it for preparing game but it works very well according to reviews as it does not cut intestines.

- wood saw -
the wood saw on the 111mm is the best of all vic saws. great tool.
the back of the saw is great for getting sparks of off the firesteel.
very effective at cutting animal bones.

- corkscrew -
apart from cork pulling I use it for pulling stuffed cotton wool out of small containers.
Great for untanglint knots since it isn't sharp and yet is pointy.
Also I keep a bundle of thread with a needle and a pin stuck into the bundle in the corkscrew.
small patented screwdriver can be kept alternatively

- large blade -
as usually great, lockback locking mechanism, plain edge easy to sharpen.

- awl/reamer -
contrary to many 111m models the hole in the punch is there.
fantastic punch, great for making holes in leather, wood, plastic.

- scales - It comes with either olive or red scales. A model with a philips instead of the corkscrew is sold in camo.

The tool array seems to be a mesh between vic forester, rescue tool (gutting blade), picknicker (awl with hole). Some might miss the OH access because it is made only with a regular blade.

All in all one of the best outdoor activities' knife that can also be easily EDC'd

You can watch a short review of the camo version here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQYWK4edkyY

Rodion · **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2009, 05:34:29 PM

That is very nice. I considered swapping my Atlas for a PE OHT at one point. Now you just added to the confusion.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:34:02 PM

Fine review that mate

max6166 · **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2009, 11:45:00 PM

Excellent job!

I had never heard about that trick for using the flathead on phillips before. I assume it is not as good as a dedicated driver, but how effective is it?

tempmultitool · **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2009, 01:08:53 AM

Quote

but how effective is it?

Actually it works quite. You just can't keep a continuous screwing motion because you're working at an angle, so it's not great for larger amounts of philips screws.

here's a quote from the combo review:

Quote

Now one of the features most loved about the Vic can opener is the small flat driver that also works very well on Phillips and Pozidrive screws. Not many would want to give that option up. Happily you don’t have to as the Combo tool also fills this role. I admit that it is a more tricky operation as you have to hold the knife at 45 deg and insert the point into the screw head but in an emergence it can be done.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,7751.msg142114.html#msg142114

Gareth · **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2009, 01:43:46 AM

Good review Sir, and nice to be quoted as well.

I wouldn't want to use the combo tool to do lots of screwing with a Phillips/pozi head but to tighten a loose screw once in a while it works just fine. When it comes down to it, it's a lot better than nothing.

max6166 · **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2009, 01:49:49 AM

Thanks guys! That's a great trick to know.

Sea Monster · **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2009, 02:40:37 AM

I am intrigued by this Combo tool.

Do any other 111mm offer it?

Leatherman123 · **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2009, 02:43:11 AM

My Victorinox Workchamp XL has one.... I still can't believe how I got this! I traded it for a ST 200!

tempmultitool · **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2009, 03:09:37 AM

Quote

I am intrigued by this Combo tool.. Do any other 111mm offer it?

the Equestrian and Workchamp XL

Quote from: Leatherman123 on January 22, 2009, 02:43:11 AM

My Victorinox Workchamp XL has one.... I still can't believe how I got this! I traded it for a ST 200!

OT: they're entirely not useful probably? I saw a seller place an auction (by I accident without a minimal bid) and a new workchamp XL got sold for 10$

That's probably their market value, quite different from the 130$ retail price

donvito · **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2009, 07:54:58 AM

Great review and thanks for the info, learned something new after reading it. The hunter is on my list now

glorn · **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:37:11 AM

I normally do not care all that much for camo, but I like that Hunter in camo! Thanks for the reviews!

gafftapegreenia · **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2009, 05:05:25 AM

Anyone notice the Camo Hunter has a phillips instead of Corkscrew.

tempmultitool · **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2009, 08:41:10 AM

Quote from: gafftapegreenia on January 26, 2009, 05:05:25 AM

Anyone notice the Camo Hunter has a phillips instead of Corkscrew.

yup I did

Quote from: tempmultitool on January 21, 2009, 02:31:29 PM

A model with a philips instead of the corkscrew is sold in camo.

Dunc · **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2009, 08:11:52 PM

Have you noticed how the gutting blade looks like it curves up on the serrated side ? Almost like its bent but its still flat on the reverse side

I think maybe because its quite thick at the tip and doesnt thin into a point so it kind of slopes up at the tip if you see what I mean .

Anyway heres some pics of my special Hunter

Dunc

gafftapegreenia · **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2009, 02:17:24 AM

Been carrying the Hunter for a couple days now. Gotta say, I am really fond of this knife. I was surprised at how well the combo tool works on phillips head screws. It fits really well. Not that I want to do say, more than one of two screws with it, but if it is all I got, it will work very well. I put a mini driver in the corkscrew for the added utility and it fit perfectly. I'll be honest tho, I might have to get a camo one some time in the future for the phillips so that I can carry just one knife. (But who wants to carry just one knife, and don't hate me corkscrews are great too) The gutting blade is where it really shines. All the rope/line I've pitted it against this week it has powered right through. It even went through our heavy inch thick manilla rope with a little sawing action. Haven't "properly" tested the combo tool yet, but it sure is beefy compared to the 84 mm combo. I really like that it has a half stop. All in all, a great knife, and even better being that I got it for $25 shipped. I think I'll take some shots comparing it to my OH GAK and the 84 mm combo.