Soldier Swiss Army Knife
This is not your father's Soldier knife. It's not even your older brother's Soldier knife. Last year, the Swiss Army produced a new specification - the firstborn since 1961. Showing no favoritism, they invited seven potential suppliers, from Switzerland and other countries, to compete for the exclusive contract. Each condidate's knife was subjected to field testing by Swiss army personnel, as well as independent laboratory testing, even a cost gain analysis. The result? Many changes: ergonomic, dual density handle, the one-hand serrated locking blade, the wood saw and much more. But one thing remains the same: the name of the Official Provider. That hasn't changed in 117 years.
From the widely known and esteemed company that invented the Swiss Army Knife a century ago comes the Soldier Knife, a compact multi-tool for camping, hiking, hunting, or around-the-house use. Field tested and approved by the North American Hunting Club, this version of the Soldier Knife is stylishly cased in an olive-green housing with the intimate Victorinox logo on the side. More importantly, the unit holds a assortment of classic Swiss Army tools, including a one-handed serrated locking blade, a Phillips screwdriver, a may opener, a little screwdriver, a bottle opener, a big locking screwdriver, a wire stripper, a reamer, a key ring, and a wood saw. As with all Victorinox items, the Soldier Knife is made to exacting standards, with dozens of steps going into it is construction. Victorinox attends to each detail, from selecting the finest materials to performing the final inspection. In addition, each person tool has been hardened in a dissimilar way to stand up to it is indicated use. The Soldier Knife--which measures 4-3/8 inches long--carries a lifetime warranty. About Swiss Army Knives
? In 1884, Swiss cutler Karl Elsener set up shop in Ibach-Schwyz, installing a waterwheel in Tobelbach Brook to run his grinding and polishing machines. Thus begun what would become the international brand name Victorinox, a combining of Victoria, for Elsener's mother, and "inox," or stainless steel. Today, Victorinox formulates watches, luggage, clothing, and, famously, Swiss Army Knives. The introductory product dates to 1897, when Elsener patented the Swiss Officer's and Sports Knife he supplied to the Swiss Army. Following World War II, American servicemen and women buying goods in PX stores shortened the name to Swiss Army Knife, which lives on in English-speaking countries around the world and has become a metaphor for versatility. |
Most helpful client reviews 69 of 71 humans found the following review helpful.
 new Swiss Army a winner
By JMH
I in the long run decisive to buy a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife because I knew I would get a lot of use out of it at work as well as home. I've never owned a Swiss Army Knife, just cheap imitations (which this ain't). While browsing their online catalog and searching for the right compromise amongst features and size, I saw that the new standard-issue soldier knife had just gone on sale for 2009.
I was attracted to the olive drab color scheme, much more businesslike than the Swiss red. Since it's brand new and I'm a geek, I had to have it. Factory web site says it's 4 and 3/8" long closed, which is on the big end of the pocketknife scale IMO. Some may even carry this in a belt pouch, but I find it very pocketable. The grips are lightweight, hard plastic with softer black inserts. The matte texture is very easy to hold and won't show fingerprints or smears. Comfortable in the hand.
The size of the knife, along with the tool loadout, make it more suitable for outdoorsmen, soldiers (go figure), and assorted "rural adventurers". The knife blade opens without apparent effort with one hand, lefty or righty, and locks with a satisfying clink!. The lower 1" of the blade is plain (and sharp!) and the rest out to the tip is serrated. Fun fact: I believe they bill this blade as a "seatbelt cutter" as well. I carry the Swiss knife alongside a plain folding knife, so I don't in truth miss having a plain blade, but this may be a concern for some.
The bottle opener is the only other tool with a liner lock; it doubles as a big flat screwdriver and it has a little wire-stripper notch onboard (works well on little wires, fyi). The may opener has a little flat screwdriver at the end. The saw is accessed by pulling up on the blunt tip on the blade (it sticks out of the knife just sufficient to get ahold of but not sufficient to snag anything). Its capacity to fell little trees is fixed only by your patience. The keychain attachment point could be used for a lanyard or something too, because it's kind of a huge knife for a keyring. The Philips screwdriver is fine but boring, so I won't talk anymore regarding it. The "reamer" is a fearsome looking sharp little dude, utile for punching reamer-shaped holes in in regards to anything (use your imagination), but be careful because it doesn't lock open.
This knife is all with regards to craftsmanship and good steel, no cheese to be found. It's got the quality you'd suppose from Victorinox, particularly since they're building these for the military. It comes together like a Swiss watch, or perhaps a bank vault. I look forward to slaying a lot of beer bottles and odd jobs with it, and if it turns out to be a lifesaver someday then that's cool too. 29 of 30 people found the following review helpful.
After 48 Years the Soldiers Get a New Knife
By ThroughTheLookingGlass
OK you have to think if it took them 48 years to determine that they necessitated a new knife, the old one ought to have been gorgeous good. It Was! Buy one while you still can!
So what's up with the new one? Quite a lot, this knife is a lot bigger, the old Soldier's knife being 93mm this new one is 111mm. That may not sound like a lot but it actually is in a dissimilar size category. Some people would have a hard time carrying this one loose in a pocket because of the size increase and the weight has increased from 70g to 130g. This feels like a very substaintial knife, but has injection molded handles using a non-slip composit material that is likewise a bit soft. It feels very comfortable to hold, it sort of melts into your hand.
The round hole on top of the blade allows it to be opened with one hand, using your thumb as you grip the knife. Unlike most Victorinox Swiss Army knives, the blade on this new one locks in the open position, so it may take a bit more abuse and using the blade it in a sawing motion won't remove your fingers. Still consider the lock a safety feature, not a license to use bad technique. The huge Screwdriver likewise locks open, this may not sound so interesting, but it actually is night and day equated to the non-locking screwdrivers on other models. First it is fantastically solid, you'll feel convinced using it. It's in truth build extra strong so you may use it as a little prying tool for getting into cans, opening jammed doors, windows, screens, or anything where a little lateral strength would help. This way you won't abuse your knife blade for these tasks. This is one of my favored tools on this knife.
The Soldiers get a saw! Why didn't they have this before? This likewise makes this knife much more utile for camping and hiking, it may effortlessly grant you to cut little sections for shelters or cooking utensils/grills, or to notch larger pieces for galore actually imagination structures. It may likewise be a great tool to cut more fiberous material like perchance that radiator hose.
You have a place to attach a cord which might keep it from getting lost while outdoors, and the can-opener and bottle opener are there and work as great as ever. As cited in other reviews the partially seratted knife blade is not liked by everyone, but it in truth works well.
I won't go over the rest of the tools as there is lots of data on this knife on the internet. At the oftentimes ($33) or lower Amazon price. Victorinox is still the Best Value, and the Best Quality in an lowcost knife. They offer a liftime warranty because it genuinely may last you a lifetime; perhaps sadly, it might even last longer, pass it on. 15 of 15 persons found the following review helpful.
a simple, sturdy knife
By Aaron M. Bennett
I carry this knife with me all the time, and I do a lot of outdoors activities, principally long hikes. I carry a Mora carbon steel as my main knife, but this one is more than adequate for other jobs or as a backup. The saw is littler than my camp saw, of course, but is capable of some decent sized saplings. This knife is more than competent of daily jobs, as well as numerous wilderness tasks. It will not replace a full size blade or a campsaw, but it unquestionably has it is place. See all 33 client reviews... |
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