Posted: 6/1/2007 4:16:07 PM EDT
|
I just got a Victorinox Swisstool RS multitool. I've had a couple of Gerber Multipliers that have served me well but kept reading how good the Swisstools are, so I ordered one from Amazon last week. My initial impression is, "WOW!" The Swisstool is really well made and finished. It feels considerably more solid than the Gerbers I have, or the Leatherman tools I've handled. I shouldn't be too surprised, since I have four other Victorinox Swiss Army Knives: a Cybertool 41, and three Pioneers, one of which I've gone back to my everyday carry knife, having bought it in the early 1980s. (I keep one Pioneer in each of our vehicles for emergency use.) The Swisstool RS includes the following tools: * Pliers * Screwdriver (2mm) * Screwdriver (3mm) * Wire cutter (for wire up to a hardness of 40 hrc) * Screwdriver (5mm) * Bottle opener * Screwdriver (7.5 mm) * Large blade * Scissors * Belt cutter * Wood saw * Reamer/punch * Phillips screwdriver * Chisel/scraper * Strong crate opener * Wire bender * Wire stripper * Wire scraper * Wire crimper * Can opener * Ruler (9 inches) * Ruler (230mm) * Hard wire cutter Except for the pliers, the individual tools can be accessed without opening the tool. Each tool locks in place, so you don't have to be concerned with them closing on your fingers. The handle is contoured so that it doesn't dig into your hand when you squeeze down on the pliers. The knife blade, belt cutter, and reamer are very sharp. The seat belt cutter is a serrated, curved blade with a round point. The cutting edge is on the inside of the curve. I could this being useful on boats when you need to cut something but don't want to risk using a pointy knife. The scissors are slightly larger than those on my Cybertool 41, with which I've cut a fair amount of CAT5. The scissors are nice and sharp. A well-constructed black nylon belt sheath with a snap closure was included. The sheath is designed to stay open so that you can easily re-sheath the multitool with one hand. So far, I've used the bottle opener, to open a bottle of Yuengling Lager. Works great. :-) I also tested the scissors on some heavy corrugated cardboard and they worked well. The Swisstool comes with a lifetime guaranty from Victorinox against defects in materials and workmanship. MSRP is $100 but many places online sell it for much less. I paid about two-thirds of that at Amazon. If you're in the market for a good multitool, the Swisstools from Victorinox are definitely worth looking at. |
 Knife Center has them for $69, great service, bought 3 SS Spyderco Enduras and a Pink Kershaw Leek with no hassles whatsoever. They usually have little freebies they throw in if you enter the promo codes from their newsletter. PM me if you need the most recent ones. www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=VN53935 |
|
I've been saying once you get a Swiss tool the Gerber / Leatherman debate becomes moot. I love my Swiss Tool. I will once again say that the Swiss Tool is BOMB proof. I know from experience. Many happy years of use. You forgot two tools Dave The Pry Bar. With the pliers out I hve used them to pry open more than one ammo crate. The hammer. I have driven nails with it closed up. As long as you use the side of the handle you are fine. A lil hard to control. Once Again BOMB proof |
Cool. Nice to see a report from someone who's used one for awhile. I also posted my review to the Yahoo Groups Backwoodsman list and got this reply:
|
|
I own multiple multi-tools Dave. I have owned one for almost 15 years now. I have a leatherman PS1 on my Mav right now, even though it is there and easily accessible I still reach for my swiss tool on my belt automatically. I have had to return a number of Leathermans and Gerbers for repair. Yet even though she has been abused more I have never had to send a Swiss Tool into be fixed. Only Shortcoming is the lack of needle nose. That said Dave this is the Second Swiss Tool I have owned the first I bought at Sams Club for $36. It has been retired and now is in a box with all the other gear that remains from the night my HMMWV was hit by a 500lbs IED here on my first trip to Iraq. I was still using that tool until about a 18 mos. ago when I broke down and spent the money to retire it. So now you know why I say BOMB Proof |
 Stay safe over there, will ya? We want all you guys back home when the job is done. |