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Victorinox Swiss Army Swiss Champ

rated 4.0 of 5 stars
photo: Victorinox Swiss Army Swiss Champ multi-tool

This multi-tool is in my EDC bag and goes with me everywhere. No matter what activity you are doing outdoors this little guy can assist you with all your tasks at hand. I give this only 4.5 stars as the 5-star version is the Victorinox SwissChamp XLT 4inch ~priced $250.

Pros

  • Well made, long lasting, extremely sharp knives and scissors
  • Quoted to have 33 functions (I would double that number)
  • Lightweight (~6.5 oz)

Cons

  • It is smaller than the one I bought in Switzerland (same knife, just larger) and only recently has it been able to be purchased from Switzerland here in the USA online.
  • Hefty price tag
  • Due to its smaller size you are limited to:
  • *cutting smaller branches,
  • *cutting thinner materials with scissors
  • *pliers not strong enough for automobile work
  • *screwdrivers etc are meant for small appliances and electronics and bikes etc

 

0820211636.jpg
left to right      Sharpening rod, Leather Sheath, Swiss Champ

 

The Victorinox Swiss Army Swiss-Champ multi-tool is the go-to EDC companion.

I have had both the USA version and the Switzerland model (merely larger in size) that I bought during my travel to their country, with me  for the past 20+ years.

As a child I used to watch the TV show MacGyver and due to production costs they used a cheaper version of this knife (lifetime family friend dated Henry Winkler, so got the inside info on this) but seeing all the amazing things that this gadget could be used for I had to get one for myself.

Let me first start by saying the greatest tool that a person can have for the great outdoors/ survival is Knowledge. Just owning this multi-tool knife will not save your life nor will it allow you to repair anything just by owning it.

But with knowledge this little guy in the right hands can conduct orchestras.

0820211633.jpg
Swiss Champ when opened completely.

I have used the Swiss Champ to start fires (cutting small dead branches, making tinder, igniting the wood with the magnifying glass ), to repair camping equipment, to cut rope and paracord, to fix tents, unhook fish that I caught, open wine bottles and pop off glass beer and soda bottles, personal grooming/ hygiene (cutting hair, trimming beard, trimming and filing nails, using toothpick, while camping for long periods of time), removing ticks and splinters, food prep, Whittling (making wood figurines and whistles), repairing sunglasses, and even to write a letter with the included  pen.

0820211635.jpg
top left pen, next to it toothpick behind that tweezers (hard to see) and far right corkscrew with mini eyeglass repair screwdriver embedded in it.

I can honestly say that the knives are the sharpest of any knives that I own on the Swiss Champ. The saw is amazing, I use the scissors often, bottle cap, can opener and corkscrew too.

0820211634.jpg
A handy knife that fits in the palm of your hand

Height:  1.3 in
Length:  3.6 in
Weight:  6.5 oz

 List If Tool in the Swiss Army SwissChamp

  1. large blade
  2. small blade
  3. reamer, punch and sewing awl
  4. can opener
  5. screwdriver 3 mm
  6. bottle opener
  7. screwdriver 6 mm
  8. wire stripper
  9. scissors
  10. pliers
  11. wire cutter
  12. wire crimping tool
  13. fish scaler
  14. hook disgorger
  15. ruler (cm)
  16. ruler (inches)
  17. wood saw
  18. nail file
  19. nail cleaner
  20. metal saw
  21. metal file
  22. magnifying glass
  23. Phillips screwdriver 1/2
  24. screwdriver 2.5 mm
  25. chisel 4 mm
  26. multipurpose hook
  27. toothpick
  28. tweezers
  29. pressurized ballpoint pen
  30. pin, stainless steel
  31. key ring
  32. mini screwdriver
  33. corkscrew

 

Background

Unlike knockoffs of this product (any other multi knife tool that you ever see is a knockoff of this gadget, think of Qtips i.e. cotton swabs on tiny plastic rods to clean your ears, Qtips is a brand name, yet we refer to cotton swabs by that name Qtips) this is the real deal, the amazing knife multitool that the world has made knockoffs from.

Owning this product for over 20 years and its larger version from Switzerland, and owning dozens of knockoffs over the years I can tell you that only these two knives / multitools are still with me and fully functional as if I just bought them yesterday.

I have used these in Yosemite, Adirondacks, Hunter MT, Bear MT, while camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, cycling, and even for ER field medical situations.

Realize this is the outdoorsman model and the company has other models for other activities and professions, i.e. golfing, computer repair, garden, combat, and gentleman's pocket knife, etc.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $80

Nice blades and has everything, but too heavy and cumbersome.

Pros

  • Good steel blades

Cons

  • Too heavy for a "pocket" knife
  • Many of the tools just aren't necessary

I've had one of these for over 30 years. Went for the "ultimate" pocket knife. 

While it does have everything, most tools just really aren't necessary and make the knife overly thick and heavy. It is nice, but it never ends up going on trips with me.

The standard Victorinox Swiss Army Knife has everything one would usually need and is lighter, more compact, and 1/4 the price.

Background

30 years ago I moved to Switzerland and I got the Champ as a gift two years later (it's engraved Xmas 1993). I have a few different Victorinox SA knives, my favorite being one with a larger handle and larger locking blade. The steel is decent, and the workings hold up well with a little maintenance

Source: received it as a personal gift

Price Paid: $50

A great EDC.
It's not a multitool.

Pros

  • Sufficient toolset, the best being the all-purpose hook, scissors, awl, chisel, plastic magnifying glass, saw, file and openers.

Cons

  • It has plastic parts, which really sucks. I wish the scales were made of titanium and the magnifying glass of sapphire. I'm willing to pay much more for better quality.
  • The toothpick is completely useless. There should be a small knife sharpener there instead.

A great little thing.

Beware! It's not a multitool, it's an EDC! This means it's not made for work, so don't expect it to help you assemble furniture, fix your dishwasher, or build a garden shed, it's designed to help you manage everyday tasks, solve small random complications, and do these easy jobs comfortably.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: 1765 CzK

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Specs

Price MSRP: $87.99
Current Retail: $106.99-$143.99
Historic Range: $59.99-$143.99
Reviewers Paid: $50.00-$80.00
Height 1.3 in
Length 3.6 in
Weight 6.5 oz
Tools 33—large blade / small blade / reamer, punch and sewing awl / can opener / screwdriver 3 mm / bottle opener / screwdriver 6 mm / wire stripper / scissors / pliers / wire cutter / wire crimping tool / fish scaler / hook disgorger / ruler (cm) / ruler (in) / wood saw / nail file / nail cleaner / metal saw / metal file / magnifying glass / Phillips screwdriver 1/2 / screwdriver 2.5 mm / chisel 4 mm / multipurpose hook / toothpick / tweezers / pressurized ballpoint pen / pin, stainless steel / key ring / mini screwdriver / corkscrew
Product Details from Victorinox Swiss Army »

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