SwissTool: Hardcore Swiss Performer
The Victorinox SwissTool Is a homerun multi-tool and for a Victorinox lover like myself, getting one is like coming home. It gets many things right and would be the perfect inclusion into a time capsule to represent what Swiss quality was all about. In its compact 10.2 ounce, 4.5 inch (115mm) form you will find a excellent of save-the-day tools: clip blade, wire bender/crimper/stripper/scraper, 9 inch (230mm)ruler, 2/3/5/7/5mm screwdrivers, bottle opener, can opener, scissors, chisel, strong pliers and wire cutters (up to 40 Rockwell hardness cutting capability), serrated belt cutter, reamer/punch, long shank Phillips driver, and an effective wood saw. Shown in the video are the polished SwissTool RS which has a rescue belt cutter, scissors, but no file (#53935) and black oxide version (#53954) featuring a file, serrated and plain edge main blades but no scissors (forgot to show that). The SwissTool X (#53936, not shown) has a file, scissors, but no serrated belt cutter. All are excellent and well-designed. Every tool comes out individually (no clumping), deploying easily and locking solidly into position. Standouts in the SwissTool tool set are the strong crate opener, longer tool shanks, and the chisel/scraper which all add welcome capabilities. The locking mechanism is exceptionally smooth and easy to actuate. Also there is an impressive precision and fit and finish to the SwissTool that increase pride of ownership for the user. The pliers are strong and feature a hard wire cutting capability although I found that under a hard tension cut the jaws can flex a bit; other plier taskings such as bolt removal are excellent. The hard wire portion is narrow and should be enlarged in future versions. Many will like the larger gripping area of the SwissTool jaws although I remain a fan of more precise needle nose jaws (like those of the Leatherman SuperTool 300). A few downsides are present: non-replaceable wire cutters, sharp-squared cross section when using exterior tools, polishing shows fingerprints, Victorinox steel is somewhat soft, the plier jaws dont open as far as some competitors (like LM ST 300), and it has a heavier carry weight over some Medium Duty MTs with similar capabilities (but the 10.2 oz weight is appropriate for category). But none of these downsides override what is a very squared away and useful Heavy Duty category MT. And amazingly this MT comes in at very affordable price that maintains the impressive Victorinox tradition of high value for its customers. The SwissTool also may be one of the most desireable and impressive MTs in terms of the Second Kind of Cool; its quality and tool set is a joy to behold. The SwissTool is handsome, strong, versatile, and compact and its worldwide reputation for excellence is well-deserved. /////////////////////////// Nutnfancy LIkability Scale: 9.5 out of 10 (price considered) /////////////////// Music: http://www.archive.org/details/Torley....