A Review of the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn pocket knife: A Good Buy
Written: May 17 '02 (Updated May 19 '02)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Virtually indestructible, sharp blade, very attractive.
Cons: A little pricier than basic knives, nail file not that useful.
The Bottom Line: The Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn pocket knife is a brilliant product that will last forever. For cheaper knives, try my suggestions.
|
|
|
| freelancer1's Full Review: Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn |
I go out into the Scottish mountains quite a lot and a knife always comes in useful. But last year my old knife started to rust, so when my wife gave me the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn for my birthday, I was really pleased. I now keep it in the top of my backpack whenever I go walking.
============================================================
Features of the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn Knife
============================================================
Sharp blade - all the tools on the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn are pulled out from the main body of the knife. The blade and the scissors have little grooves in the top to pull them out by, and once they are about half way out they spring out for themselves. The blade on the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn springs out to a position that is in line with the handle and you hold it just like any other knife. It is an incredibly sharp blade that cuts just about anything - string, rope, wood, and some types of wire. I also sometimes use it to cut food if I'm cooking way up a mountain-side. But watch out – the blade also springs back in when you push it down and it might catch your fingertips if you’re not careful!
Metal file - this is the part that I find least useful and is the main reason the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn knife gets four stars and not five. I just have no real use for a file when I'm walking and I'd prefer a more useful attachment like a serrated blade.
Scissors - these fold out from the bottom of the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn knife and are definitely the most useful feature to me. They can easily cut through plastic food packaging and string and are useful if I get a blister or an injury because they cut through sticking plasters and bandages.
Split Ring - this is on the top of the tool and is useful if you want to attach the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn to a loop inside your backpack so you don't lose it. I suppose you could also attach it to your jacket or anything else with a suitable loop of material or metal.
Tough stainless steel design - So far I've dropped my Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn knife into a loch (that's a lake to most of you!), onto a pile of boulders and into a stream; but it hasn't rusted or been damaged in any way. I expect the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn would stand up to just about anything (and if it doesn't, there is a warranty).
Attractive Design - I think so. The main body of the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn knife is shiny steel with a lattice of grooves in it and has the red Swiss Army Knife symbol near the top. The tools are all shiny stainless steel and fold neatly away into the body.
================================================================
The Verdict on the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn Knife
================================================================
I love my Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn knife and I'm convinced that it is one of the best knives on the market for this price. You can get plastic Swiss Army knives for as little as $15, and these are also excellent so long as you aren't abusing them as much as I do. But I highly recommend the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn Knife and I'm sure anyone who has a love of the outdoors would love to receive it as a gift. For information on similar knives, see Other Knives To Try.
==============================================================
Details of the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn Knife
==============================================================
Size - 5.8 cm (around 2.5") long
Warranty - Yes, the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn knife, like most Swiss Army knives, comes with a "Lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship". As far as I'm aware, they replace the knife if it develops a fault with normal use.
Color - I think it's Barleycorn only, but don't quote me on that.
Cost - around $89
===================================
Other Knives To Try
===================================
Here I've tried to stick to knives that are similar to the Swiss Army Classic Barleycorn knife, but there are many more multifunctional tools on the market, including multifunction pliers.
Victorinox Swiss Army Century Swiss Army Knife - features a serrated blade and costs around $20. You can see a complete review at http://www.epinions.com/content_64291704452.
Victorinox Swiss Army Porsche Design Swiss Army Knife - if you hadn't figured it out from the word "Porshe", I'll tell you that this is a very expensive knife. For $150, I personally don't think it's worth the money.
Victorinox Swiss Army Esquire Translucent Swiss Army Knife - A great knife at a great price ($13) AND you can see through it! You can read a full review of this knife at http://www.epinions.com/content_64256511620.
___________________
Don't Miss -
*Swiss Army SwissCard with Mag-Lite Solitaire - An excellent set of tools for everyday use are concealed in the tiny credit-card sized Swisscard and the Mag-lite torch provides a focused, bright light. You can see a full review at http://www.epinions.com/content_64289083012
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
freelancer1
|
 - Top 500 |
|
Location: USA
Reviews written: 68
Trusted by: 9 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.