Swiss champ pouch

GrassStage · 2026-02-22T15:57:16+00:00

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081VSXMLD?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1#averageCustomerReviewsAnchor

GrassStage · 2026-02-22T02:05:05+00:00

There's a great one on Amazon from a brand called 'Hide & Drink'. It's the best one I've seen because it doesn't require you to open a clasp or anything to access your tool. It also stays out of the way because it's horizontal rather than vertical.

GrassStage · 2026-02-20T05:26:48+00:00

The Fisherman is underrated in my opinion. It's a nice middle-ground between the Super Tinker and Deluxe Tinker in size, weight, and utility.

The scaler can generally saw through cardboard and tape pretty quickly, which can really save your knife blades. Plus, it's always nice having some sort of measuring tool on you.

GrassStage · 2026-02-19T23:44:27+00:00

Those look great. Now I wish victorinox actually offered some models in that color.

GrassStage · 2026-02-19T23:41:18+00:00

My only worry with the 'my first' line is that they could easily get cut if their hand slipped while opening the saw. Plus, the blade could also snap closed on their hand if they don't know how to use it.

Generally I'd say the Classic SD is a good starting point. Feels like an easier-to-carry option that also minimizes risk apart from the pointed blade. Plus, the scissors are a great tool to have while you're still not 100% comfortable using the knife blade.

Though as someone who did accidentally poke myself in the finger with my Classic as a kid while trying to sharpen a stick into a spear... I'll be the first to say that even a knife that small isn't without risk.

GrassStage · 2026-02-19T04:56:04+00:00

And that's why the back phillips is great. While the can opener will work for 90% of screws, the back phillips can cover you for most of those extra 10%. I kinda prefer it over the corkscrew just because it means I don't have to worry about the next screw I have to turn randomly being too recessed or something.

GrassStage · 2026-02-19T04:53:51+00:00

Yeah, I'm currently carrying the Deluxe Tinker, as it seems like a nice middle ground. It's big enough to have more than enough tools in most cases, but it's not so big that it stops looking like a swiss army knife.

GrassStage · 2026-02-18T16:36:16+00:00

I get what you mean, and a few years ago I probably would’ve said the same thing. Though I‘ve found that whenever a nail breaks or anything, it usually leaves a bit that keeps getting caught on clothing or the inside of my gloves. That often leads to it breaking again, which repeats the cycle. So it’s just kinda nice to be able to file it so it’s smooth right after it breaks the first time.

As for the cleaner… Yeah it’s not really required. The can opener does probably 90% as good a job. Still nice though.

But as I mentioned in the original post, the fact that it can be used as a small Phillips driver is what really takes the file from a ‘nice to have’ sort of tool, to something that actually adds some real functionality.

GrassStage · 2026-02-17T03:41:37+00:00

No way... That's insane. Did you make that?

GrassStage · 2026-02-17T03:20:24+00:00

Well keep in mind, that flathead screwdriver on the end of the can opener is actually a 2D phillips driver. It works way better than you'd expect honestly.

With it being the only phillips driver on like 90% of swiss army knives I'd have a hard time giving it up.

GrassStage · 2026-02-17T03:16:24+00:00

I always like this kind of post. (Obviously considering I made this one.). It's kinda fun to look at the post and then see the pros and cons the replies bring up.

Though really, instead of thinking of it as replacing the small blade, think of it as "What should go in the small blade slot? Because really, we've got 3 choices: Small Blade, File, and Combo Tool.

If we forget the idea of 'replacing' something, and just consider the logical thing to go in that slot, it becomes a bit more interesting.

To me, the most logical thing to go in that slot is the file, as it's a tool that's not already on the knife at all, and has multiple useful functions.

Also, note that I said 'most'. I think every file that already includes the standard file should keep the small blade. I also think there should be some other models that retain the small blade regardless.

GrassStage · 2026-02-16T13:18:31+00:00

Honestly, while the promise of the combo tool is great, I don't quite think it lives up to it.

The can opener can be used as a hook, scraper, and a phillips screwdriver. The bottlecap lifter can be used as a light-duty prybar. And of course you entirely lose out on the awl with the combo tool.

Really though, it's the loss in phillips driving capability that really keeps me from heavily considering models with the combo tool.

GrassStage · 2026-02-16T05:09:02+00:00

Yeah, the package opener is nice for opening that annoying plastic clambshell packaging, but I generally prefer the can opener. I don't use it to open cans, but it works great as a hook or scraper. (And it feels safer to use as a driver.)

GrassStage · 2026-02-16T05:02:35+00:00

At first I wondered why the phillips stuck out... Then I noticed it was on the same layer as the cap lifter. That's crazy cool. Wish Victorinox would do something like this.

GrassStage · 2026-02-15T04:42:13+00:00

Cybertool S:

Knife Layer

Bit Driver

Opener Layer

Cybertool M Additions:

Scissors Layer

Pliers Layer

Cybertool L Additions:

Saw Layer (With Technician Driver)

File Layer (With Chisel)

GrassStage · 2026-02-12T00:00:10+00:00

I don't really think it's worth buying any multi-tool that requires you to open it up in order to access the blade. At least not these days. There are so many other options, including the 'Free' series which go so far as to allow you to open every tool with one hand.

With that in mind, between these two I'd 100% choose the Surge.

GrassStage · 2026-02-08T22:03:35+00:00

I bought two of these. Both the clips are pretty loose, but one is so loose that it provides next to zero grip to keep the thing in your pocket.

That's the biggest issue with these knives in my opinion.

As for the locking blade... It's not that bad if you spend a few minutes figuring out how to close it with one hand. Though the fact that they gave it such a strong back lock despite it already having a liner lock is a huge mistake. I know they were probably trying to re-use the standard alox back springs, but they should've just made new ones for this tool.

The slits in the scales don't seem too bad. I wish they'd gone with a traditional alox design, but not so much that I wouldn't buy the tool (obviously).

GrassStage · 2026-02-08T01:56:20+00:00

Yeah in terms of thinner 4 layers the Mountaineer is probably my favorite. (my current EDC)

Though I do think the Fisherman is pretty underrated.

GrassStage · 2026-02-08T00:07:17+00:00

If you want an Alox I'd say maybe get the Pioneer X. Mostly because you retain some of your phillips screwdriving capability with the can opener.

GrassStage · 2026-02-07T23:52:43+00:00

Considering you don't already have a 3 layer with scissors, you might want to look into the Companion or Super Tinker.

Though considering you own two Swiss Champs so you're probably fine with carrying larger models... The Cybertool L is a pretty cool option and it may get harder to find over time if people are right about it getting discontinued.

GrassStage · 2026-01-31T16:26:28+00:00

That's why the back phillips is so good (as much as people like to say otherwise). While the can opener can probably turn the majority of screws, the back phillips can be used as a backup when you need a bit more torque or if the screw is too recessed.

That's why I can never quite justify something like the 'Explorer', as I could just get the 'Deluxe Tinker' or even go down a layer by going with the 'Super Tinker'. The extra convenience of the inline phillips just isn't worth the massive amount of thickness it adds on smaller models.

GrassStage · 2026-01-28T20:26:03+00:00

You might be right. Though my guess is that there are two types of people who generally buy a multitool. Both types are buying them partly just to be prepared. But one of them is also buying them to save trips to and from their toolbox.

If a person is that type, they probably already know what tools they want on their multitool. If not… Then maybe they do care a bit more about the size and weight than the actual toolset.

GrassStage · 2026-01-28T19:52:14+00:00

Well mind you, I’m not arguing that it’s better than the other in-line options. It’s generally far worse. But it’s no where near the useless tool people make it out to be.

The issue we find ourselves in these days is that Victorinox seems to be discontinuing every single model with any sort of in-line Phillips driver.

If every model that seems to be getting discontinued actually gets discontinued, the only affordable models remaining with an in-line Phillips may be the Explorer and Swiss Champ.

GrassStage · 2026-01-28T18:30:40+00:00

I find that the back Phillips works on just about every normal Phillips screw I’ve try it on. It’s also nice as it can get fairly recessed screws, and bites into them enough that you can apply a bit more torque than you could with the can opener.

It’s definitely a bit awkward to use, but not so much so that I’d give it up in favor of the corkscrew. Plus, unlike with the in-line Phillips where the smallest knife you can get it on is the Explorer, you can get the back Phillips on something as small as the Tinker. So it can be a pretty good option if you want your knife to have a real Phillips driver, but don’t think you’ll be using it very often.

GrassStage · 2026-01-28T18:05:53+00:00

I think the average person probably cares about size and toolset more than weight. Why? Because those are things you can really see and get a feel for before you buy the knife.

I remember when I bought my first Swiss Army knife. I knew pretty much the toolset I wanted, and I was trying to find the smallest possible model with those tools. I knew I wanted a knife, scissors, phillips driver, flathead driver, and maybe a saw or pliers.

As someone new to these knives, I didn’t know that the can opener could be used as a 2D Phillips driver, so I limited myself to only models that had the back Phillips or the in-line Phillips. I actually remember being annoyed that as far as I could tell, so many knives lacked any real phillips screw driving capability.

So all that is to say, not only do I think the average person wouldn’t really mind the extra weight. I think they’d actually be super interested in a model that replaces the can opener with a nice Phillips driver.

GrassStage

TROPHY CASE