Giant Swiss Army Knife: MacGyver's head might explode!
Written: Feb 25 '08 (Updated Mar 08 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Quality made, durable, and multi-functional.
Cons: Too large for a pocket.
The Bottom Line: This knife/tool might be slightly ridiculous in size with all of its functions but it is very handy and well made.
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| smallmouth's Full Review: Victorinox Swisschamp Pocketknife |
Who could ever write a Swiss Army knife review without mentioning MacGyver? Perhaps Richard Dean Anderson could have had more than 139 episodes if his Swiss Army Knife were the Swisschamp. Couple this monster with duct tape and there is no situation he couldn’t get out of. But here in the real world I find myself in many situations when I need a knife or a tool. Lucky for me, a friend gave me The Swiss Army Swisschamp as a present. He knows how much I enjoy quality knives and I am not disappointed with this one. The only problem I have had with it other than it’s too large for a pocket size, has been remembering all of the tools and features it has to offer.
---------------------The Blades/Functions----------------------
This one is a whopper with 33 different components. I will list them and briefly describe them here.
Large Blade: This is the standard large blade which is on just about every Swiss Army knife. It is incredibly sharp from the factory and is in a clip point shape. It has a finger groove on the back of the blade to open it from the handle. With most knives this would be the featured component but I am not sure with this particular giant. There are just too many to choose from. The blade is about three inches long and is thin and very sharp. You have no excuse with this tool to ever bust the tip or bend the blade on either one of the knife blades. Sometimes as knife owners we think we can turn a screw or pry something with a blade. I have done it before and have been sorry for it.
Small Blade: I tend to use the small blade on this tool a little more than the large blade. It is thinner and sharper. I find it handy with its small size at about an inch and a half long. I love how sharp the Swiss blades are but they sacrifice some strength and rigidity. I guess they can make a thinner blade if they put a bunch of thick tools alongside of it.
Corkscrew: This is your standard corkscrew made of stainless steel and it is very sharp. It is positioned on the center of the knife on the backside so the handle can be utilized for pulling or popping the cork from a bottle of wine. I am not sure how impressed the ladies are when I show them my $70 corkscrew to open a $9 bottle of wine, but it does the trick.
Screwdrivers: Fine, Phillips, Large, Mini: There are several different screwdrivers on this tool, many of them doubling as another tool. The metal is very hard and strong and I have yet to bend or wear any of them down when turning a screw or prying on something. The only downfall to them would be their short length compared to a screwstick. They can’t really get into tight spaces or long reaches but more often than not I have found I was able to use it when I needed it. I use the Phillips head and the large flat screwdriver the most for turning screws. The smaller flathead is a nice added feature that has come in handy more than once.
Can Opener/Small Screwdriver: This is a handy little tool when needed. I usually end up using the can opener when I forget the larger kitchen models on a camping or hiking trip. This reminds me just how easy and neat the kitchen model is in comparison. When I can, I use the larger screwdriver for flathead screws and I user this one for the smaller ones when required. With both flathead screwdrivers, I am particularly fond of the strength and rigidity of each tool.
Bottle Opener/Large Screwdriver/Wire Stripper: I mostly use this for turning flathead screws or prying things. The bottle opener works great but the wire stripper isn’t much. I rarely use it and I am not sure how well it works.
Magnifying Glass: This is definitely a field magnifying glass and you will be able to use it for some limited reading applications. It will burn ants and start a fire with bright sunlight if needed.
Reamer with Sewing Eye: This is one which I often forget about but find it very handy when I remember it. I use it to punch holes into leather or other strong materials. I haven’t really done much sewing with it, only a little just to try it out and it works. It is more of a pull through sewing tool rather than a push through which makes the job a little longer. I use this component more for punching holes, digging out huge splinters or picking at things. It is another strong tool and has a unique shape to it.
Metal Saw with metal and nail Files: I have not tried any real heavy duty tasks with the edge of the metal saw but I have used the metal file to file down burrs and smooth metal objects. I used the edge of the saw to regain the grooves on a bolt once that was almost stripped and was happy I had it. The file section will work for small tasks or even your fingernails.
Fish Scaler with Hook Disgorger and Ruler: This is probably the least used component for me on this tool. I use the ruler more than the hook disgorger or scaler. I think the scaler is kind of weak and rounded but I have not tried it yet. I really don’t want all of the scales getting into the other components of the knife and I have a nice scaler already for the job. Let’s just hope I never need the hook disgorger.
Pliers with Wire Cutter: This is one of my favorite components of this tool. The little pliers are surprisingly strong. They have a nice grip inside of the jaws to hold onto objects and they don’t bend or twist when applying a lot of force. The wire cutters are so-so in my book and will get you through in a pinch, pun intended.
Scissors: The scissors are very sharp and easy to use. They are small and will not track well for straight lines longer than a couple of inches but for any short cuts they are very handy. A spring keeps them open once they are opened away from the handle of the tool.
Hook: The hook has a blunt point and is made for pulling wire or small diameter rope. The opening of the hook is rather small but it does open from the center of the tool providing a nice grip when using it. I have twisted fence wire and tightened fence lines with this tool and it worked great.
Ball Point Pen: This is another one of those components that you might scoff at in a knife but it has been very helpful on certain occasions, that is if you remember it is there. Good for taking down phone numbers or writing down a name or that thought that you just do not want to forget. This component is detachable from the knife and is small. You aren’t going to want to write for a prolonged time with it because of it’s size. I am not sure how much ink it holds but I have gotten a bunch of use out of it without needing to refill it yet.
Straight Pin: The straight pin is great for picking out splinters or making holes. It is strong and rigid and is also detachable from the tool. It slides into the end of the tool and tightly locks into place. It can be removed by a fingernail when needed.
Wood Chisel: I really don’t use the wood chisel much other than as a pry tool. I don’t think it is very necessary for this tool but I am sure other folks have different strokes. It is small and I will say it is strong.
Toothpick: The toothpick is plastic and detachable and serves its purpose.
Tweezers: This is perhaps one of the most useful components that has been exclusive to Swiss Army Knives. I cant tell you how many splinters I have picked out with these and the straight pin over the years. They are detachable and made of metal with a slight spring to them. They are pliable yet strong. The edges of the end are sharp enough to dig and grab at the same time. I would be very disappointed if I ever lost these.
Key Ring: I can’t imagine having a key chain or ring as large as this unless I was a janitor. I don’t use the ring for keys but I have tied a small leather strip on it before making it easier to pull the tool out of the sheath or easier to grab onto.
---------------------The Handle----------------------
The handle is the standard Swiss Army knife handle. This one is the standard Red with the Swiss Army logo on the handle. You should always look for the logo when buying Swiss Army knives and the Victorinox name on the blade as there are many imposters and fakes on the market. The handle with everything closed is 3.5 inches long. There are several different handles for the Swisschamp. Ranging from the standard red plastic to Mother of Pearl, real wood, and even bone. Other plastic colors are black, ruby, and sapphire. The handle is a hand full and is very wide. It takes a little getting used to at first and can feel cumbersome or too large for some applications.
-------------------- Handling It----------------------
I have found that this knife is just too darn large to carry in my pocket. Swiss Army Knife sells sheaths for it that will attach to a belt for easier carry and I recommend getting one if your knife didn’t come with it. When I am not wearing it on my belt I either throw it into a backpack for camping or hiking or in the pick-up truck. It is like it’s own mini-tool box all in one.
---------------------Appearance----------------------
There’s no getting around it, this tool is a behemoth Other than it’s large size, it is a good looking tool The blades and tools are stainless steel and have a bright shiny silver color. The red shows up nicely and this knife looks like a regular Swiss Army knife on steroids.
---------------------Maintenance/Durability----------------------
There really isn’t a lot of maintenance with this tool. If you don’t like how hard each individual tool opens or you want them to move a little smoother, you can oil them at the joint. Just be careful not to put too much oil on, just enough so it is hardly noticeable will suffice. If you can see it or it pools up, you have too much applied and it will actually hinder the action rather than help it. The excess oil will collect dirt and dust and even pocket lint, so after applying it, it is a good idea to wipe it off with a rag or cloth. The blades are all stainless so rust is not an issue with this knife, and the blades are made of hardened steel so they stay sharp. They are rather easy to sharpen with a stone or sharpening tool. Keeping them sharp will ensure easy and safe cutting. We tend to put more pressure on with a dull blade and more pressure cause mishaps and slips, which turn into trips to the hospital. Overall the knife is incredibly durable and I don’t have any complaints about it. All of the tools function well and open and close correctly. There is no excessive wear. Not a spot of rust. No broken parts. It is very well built and a quality product.
---------------------Function----------------------
None of the blades or tools are mechanically locked into the open or closed position. They are all spring loaded and are somewhat locked when fully open or closed. Every one of them fit extremely tight with very little tolerance and no wobble. When I first got it I found it annoying how hard it was to open each individual tool but after working them a little bit they open much easier now. A little bit of oil didn’t hurt either.
---------------------Uses----------------------
There are just too many uses to list here. This knife is really the prototypical multi-tool. Most of the time I forget I have the tool on this thing to do the task and I remember on my way to my tool box. Sooner or later I will probably learn or remember all of the functions and components on this thing, I will definitely say that writing this review has helped me learn them again.
I have found it to be used the most on camping trips or hiking. You don’t usually bring your toolbox along into the field but with this either on my belt or zipped up into my backpack, I have found it most useful. I seem to always forget a can opener and end up using my Swiss Army Knife. A lot of the tools and other functions are great for doing handyman jobs or fixing and tweaking things around the house.
---------------------Price and Availability----------------------
I was lucky enough to receive this as a gift but I think they are selling from $50-$85 depending on where you buy them and when. Swiss Army knife is an incredibly popular knife company known for quality so you should have no problem finding one if you are interested.
©smallmouth 2008
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Spyderco Delica 4 • Buck Camp Axe
Recommended:
Yes
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