The swiss army knife is a multi-knife / universal knife derived from a military survival knife, and is now a multi-tool that is more suitable for EDC use than an army knife. Find the one that suits you among the many unique products that make use of your experience.
What are Swiss Army knives, multi knives, and universal knives?
Speaking of army knives, Switzerland is about the head Swiss army knives. Victorinox, a white cross emblem with a red body and a red background, has long been recognized as the pinnacle of multi knives and all-purpose knives. Since its birth, mountaineers, explorers, and even astronauts have expanded their fields of activity from Everest to outer space. Nowadays, some army knives start with LED lights, clocks, barometers and USB memory sticks, and when it comes to bladeless knives, they are no longer in the category of knives and have become a multi-tool itself.
Karl Elsener, father of the Swiss Army knife
As the name implies, Karl Elsener was founded in a small village called Ibach, Switzerland, and has been inventing the officer knife that is the prototype of Victorinox, including the manufacture of army knives.
The origin first soldier knife of Victorinox adopted by the Swiss army in 1891.
With the death of Karl Elsener’s mother, her name Victoria and the international name of stainless steel Inox, which began to appear at that time, were combined to form the company name.
Tim Leatherman is the creator of the American Swiss Army knife
Tim Leatherman of the United States was keenly aware of the need for a grab-type tool due to problems with the water supply of cars and hotels while traveling. From there, it was conceived and developed to become the prototype of the Leatherman model incorporating pliers and drivers, and has become synonymous with multi-tools.
It evolved from a prototype Mr. Crunch to a pocket survival tool, but initially it was called a tool by knife factories and a gadget (small, rare tool) by tool factories. As usual of our predecessors, it seems that it was not easily recognized at the beginning.
Recognized for its practicality and convenience, Leatherman became popular with many people and established a factory for production five years from now.
Looking ahead 10 years, the site was expanded, and along with the expansion of wholesale, the facility was expanded at a pace higher than originally planned, doubling in two years and trebling in three years, since its establishment in 1993. For the first time, we achieved annual wholesale of 1 million units.
How to choose and use an army knife, a multi knife, and a universal knife
It goes without saying that it is not good if there are many functions, and if it is heavy and large, it will be difficult to store it, and if it is too compact, it will be difficult to use, and where and how to use it will be important.
Function of army knife: A versatile knife that goes beyond the multi knife
It is a Victorinox Swiss Champ equipped with 33 kinds of functions that can be called a universal knife rather than a multi-tool, multi knife, but it seems that there are many cases where you do not know how to use it or even forget it. It’s a can opener that isn’t really needed these days, but it’s a typical example and it can be a shame if you don’t know it. Let’s check such a function once again with Victorinox Swiss Champ, which is the representative of the swiss army knife type multi-tool.
Victorinox Swiss Champ
- Large blade (large blade) 2. Small blade (small blade) 3. Cork punching 4. Glasses driver 1.5 mm 5. Reamer (hole punching) / punch 6. Can cut 7. Minus driver 3 mm 8. Minus driver 5 mm 9 Hole punch 10. Wire stripper 11. Scissors 12. Pliers 13. Terminal crushing 14. Wire bender (wire bending) 15. Slope drop 16. Scale (inch) 17. Scale (cm) 20. Tsumayasuri 21. Tsumesoji 22. Metal saw 23. Metal shavings 24. Loupe 25. Phillips screwdriver (flip type) 26. Flat-blade screwdriver 2 mm 27. Only 4 mm 28. Multi-hook 32. Pin 33. Key ring
Leatherman multi-tool wave
Let’s check the function and handling with Leatherman Multitool Wave, which is a representative of plier type multitool.
- Needle nose pliers 2. Regular pliers 3. Wire cutter 4. Hard wire cutter 5.420HC straight blade knife 6.420HC wave blade knife 7. Nokogiri 8. Scissors 9. Woodwork / metal scissors 11. Driver 12. Small bit driver 13. Minus driver (M) 14. Ruler (19 cm / 8 inch) 15. Plug / can cutter 16. Wire stripper
9 selections of Swiss Army knife type summary
The Swiss Army knife type has a structure that makes it easy to grip by storing each tool in an integrated body as a blip. It can be said that it is suitable for people who mainly use knives. The prices are shown on the factory’s homepage, and other unknown prices are shown as reference prices. The actual selling price will drop considerably, but I have summarized it as a guide.
- VERTEX 20 Multi Tool Knife with case Reference price $21.3 (tax included)
There was an opinion that the cost performance is excellent and there is no problem with the sharpness of knives and saws, but the development of each tool is solid and a tool for that is necessary.
- Victorinox Classic SD Red $21 (excluding tax)
The basic model of Victorinox is a compact collection of 7 types of minimum necessary tools. With this, you can handle small things and the length is 58mm, so you can easily carry it with you. There are 10 variations of body color and it seems to be liked by women.
Although it is a 2016 limited model, there are also cute items such as floral patterns and doll patterns that have been solicited from all over the world as a limited edition, so it seems that they can be used as gifts.
- Victorinox Standard Spartan $34 (excluding tax)
It is a multi-tool introductory model that follows the tradition of Victorinox. Set contents Overall length: 91mm Weight: 59g Function: 12
- VICTORINOX (Victorinox) Huntman with warranty 1.3713 [Genuine Japan]
It is a representative model of Victorinox. With the addition of scissors and a saw, it is easier to use. It’s useful for most things, not only outdoors, but also on your desk or at home. Set contents Overall length: 91mm Thickness: 21mm Weight: 97g Function: 15
- Victorinox Traveler Super Tinker with Warranty 1.4703
As the name suggests, it is equipped with functions such as large and small blades, can-cutting, stripping, and corkscrew, so that it is convenient to take on a trip. It has a good reputation for scissors that can be used even by left-handed people. Set contents Overall length: 91mm Thickness: 18mm Weight: 82g Function: 14
- Victorinox Mini Champ DX
The Victorinox homepage says “a small knife with aspirations“. The essence of Victorinox’s multi-tool technology is packed with 16 functions in a 58mm body. Because it is compact, it is convenient to carry in your pocket and is useful in case of emergency. Set contents Overall length: 58mm Thickness: 15mm Weight: 45g Function: 16
⑦ Swiss army adopted model! Soldier knife (0.8461.MWCH) [Multi-tool / Knife tool / Survival knife / Portable tool / Folding / EDC / Present / Popular / Knife market] [Easy gift wrapping]
Victorinox 100-year basic model. It is a scaled-down version of the famous Soldier AL, which has been delivered to the Swiss Army since the 19th century, and is a model of the origin that incorporates the history and tradition of Victorinox. The latest version is the strongest model equipped with a more durable, lightweight and non-slip handle. Set contents Overall length: 111mm Thickness: 18mm Weight: 131g Function: 10
- Victorinox Outrider NL 0.9023
As the name implies, it is also designed for heavy-duty applications, and the main blade is locked and unlocked with a button on the handle for greater safety. Set contents Overall length: 111mm Thickness: 21.5mm Weight: 132g Function: 14
- Victorinox Swiss Champ
At the top of its class in the Victorinox multi-tool, it has the flagship image of the old Swiss Army knife. Set contents Overall length: 91mm Thickness: 33mm Weight: 185g Function: 33
“The Victorinox multi-tool is a useful tool used by the Swiss army during camps. That tradition has been passed down to the “Swiss Champ”. “Swiss Champ” is the ultimate multi-tool, with 33 functions with innumerable possibilities in one place. If anything happens anywhere and can be solved, the “Swiss Champ” will solve it.”
Summary of 7 pliers type multi-tools
When you are in trouble in the actual outdoors or in your daily life, you may often use it by pinching it. To custom the pliers (pliers) easier to use, the body is divided into two parts. The knife is half the width and simpler. The prices are shown on the factory’s homepage, and other unknown prices are shown as reference prices. The actual selling price will drop considerably, but I have summarized it as a guide.
There aren’t many scenes like this in the usage example, but it is a common scene. In addition, there are times when you use it for barbecues.
- Gerber mini multiplier DIME reference price $28.8
Pliers with a spring mechanism are easy to use, and they also come with a package opener and scissors, so they can be used in most situations. Set contents Overall length: 70mm Weight: 66g Function: 8
⑪ Gerber Bear Grylls Compact Reference price $25.6
It is a survival model bearing the name of British adventurer Gururisu. With a compact body and 10 types of tools, it is actually easy to use and can be used in various cases. Set contents Overall length: 63mm Function: 10
A long time ago, Gerber multi-tool scissors had a reputation for being inseparable, but now they are outsourced to Fiska and are now able to cut well.
⑫ Leatherman Micra
It is the oldest model among Leatherman’s products, and it is a model that mainly uses scissors rather than pliers. It has 6 body colors and aims from every day to light EDC. Set contents Overall length: 65mm Weight: 51g Function: 10
⑬ Leatherman Square
It is in the top position in Leatherman’s key chain tool series, and when you use it, it has a presence that is larger than its size. Set contents Overall length: 57mm Weight: 56.4g Function: 9
⑭ GERBER SUSPENSION multiplier GE-22-01471
It has evolved from a military knife in the Vietnam War to a survival series, is now adopted by countries and police around the world, and is said to have a reputation for quality and durability. Set contents Overall length: 165mm Weight: 250g Function: 12
⑮ Leatherman Wingman
It is a top-class popular model among multi-pliers, and it firmly grasps the feelings of the user with excellent performance in each function from EDC to every day.
The characteristic pliers are very easy to use with a spring action mechanism, which is also useful in fishing situations. Set contents Overall length: 97mm Weight: 198.4g Function: 14
⑯ Leatherman WAVE Multiplier [Silver / Leather Sheath] | Pliers Portable Multi Tool Universal Knife Survival
The “palm-sized tool box” can be compared to its functionality and reliability. In addition to the high precision of each tool, all parts are equipped with a lock function, and it has the quality as a hard field tool from the EDC. Set contents Overall length: 100mm Weight: 241g Function: 17
This kind of hard usage like an army knife is also possible.
Summary of other multi-tools 2 selections
Introducing a unique product made of titanium, which is hard and light, specializing in survival. The price is the one shown on the factory’s homepage. The actual selling price will drop considerably, but it is summarized as a guide.
⑰ Northman ｜ 5 Multi-Tool with Titanium Spoon and Fork KT-525
Made of pure titanium without the knife and bottle opener, it’s light and durable. Each tool is a split type that can be used independently. It is useful not only for mountaineering and EDC activities but also as a disaster prevention tool. Set contents Overall length: 95mm Weight: 78g Function: 5
It has an appropriate size, can be stored compactly, and is extremely light.
⑱ LEATHERMAN TOOL SIGNAL with nylon case genuine [SIG-N]
A full-scale survival item with a rescue whistle, a fire starter, and a sharpener. It is an epoch-making and original high-spec tool. Set contents Overall length: 114mm Weight: 212g Function: 19
Two selections of army knives and bladeless multi-tools
Although it is a multi-tool that has evolved as an army knife, there are not many opportunities to use blades (knives) on a daily basis. Of course, it also means to be prepared for emergencies, but I think the trend is that it is becoming lighter than blades. In a summary, I have listed two typical instruments.
⑲ Victorinox Bladeless
⑳ LEATHERMAN multi-tool STYLE PS style 25 years warranty LTJ mark included STPRD
It is a bladeless model of multi-pliers. It is a well-established spring action pliers’ type, and it is a carabiner integrated type that can be equipped close to you, making it extremely portable.
Summary of 3 selections of army knife appendix
Nowadays, there are some variations of each model equipped with LED lights. It also tells us how the USB-equipped and card-type army knives have become familiar and evolved. As a summary, I have listed three typical instruments.
Victorinox Swiss Light T2 with LED
Victorinox Classic with a small and powerful LED light. Set contents Overall length: 58mm Thickness: 11mm Weight: 24g Function: 7
Victorinox ｜ @ work16GB with warranty 4.6125.TG16
The USB port is removable, so you can bring it on an airplane, but nowadays, cheap and large-capacity USB memory is on the market, is it necessary so far? Set contents Overall length: 58mm Thickness: 17.5mm Weight: 30g Function: 8
Victorinox Swiss Card Light $42 (excluding tax)
The army knife that has come so far has become a card-type multi-tool with the branch of evolution. The tools used in daily life are set compactly. Flat and thin is comfortable to sit in no matter where you put it. Multi-tools have become more familiar.
About Leatherman multi-tool until birth and guarantee.
The “LTJ mark” is engraved on the regular products sold by Leatherman Tool Japan Co., Ltd. This is proof of the 25-year free repair warranty.
Victorinox Multitool Birth and Warranty
Victorinox multi-tool assembly
Evolutionary monster? For demonstration purposes, it is the now-defunct Wenger’s “biggest pocket knife in the world,” one of the male army knives. Now that the army knife has become a multi-tool, I am curious about what kind of evolution it will custom in the future.
I used to call it an army knife, a multi knife, and a universal knife, but now I have to call it a multi-tool. There are many things that can be placed not only in EDC but also on the desk in the study or office. There are innumerable choices depending on how you use it and where you use it. There is no doubt that it is best to focus on the features you need, but if you are prepared for a disaster, you will have different choices. Thank you for staying with us until the end.
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