You can open the victorinox spirit with one hand. Separate the handle slightly with your fingers then thumb, then "throw" the multi-tool in a downward motion. Finish up by locking the handles with your hand.
I’ve always preferred the Swiss Tools over Leatherman due to their quality and, now that Leatherman are struggling with QC, it’s not even close. I think Leatherman are designed to be thrown away eventually whereas Vic will last a lifetime
I have both the Leatherman Arc and the Swisstool mxbs with added clip and modded scissors to open them up a bit more (easy find on Google). As far as a EDC tool for normal life the Swisstool mxbs is not only superior in every way (weight, quality, looks) also the toolset is far more useful for EDC than the Arc.The only thing the Arc has on the Swisstool is the bladesteel but bladesteel is way overrated for EDC (coming from a knife nerd it hurts me to say) but between the scissors, scrapingtool for opening boxes, serrated blade for rope the plain edge blade barely gets used anyway, only for food, and for food the thinnes is superior to the blade of the Arc. TLDR for me the Swisstool mxbs is superior in everyway!
Hey mate, I checked my SwissTool X again as you requested, did the whack test with all tools, solid as a rock. Only your Spirit seems to not lock securely 😕
Try it again, because I have both a Spirit X and a Spirit MX and they both do it. What are the chances of me buying two different models, 6 months apart, and them both doing the exact same thing? Give it a stout rap and see if the lock holds.
@@SquireSCAVery possible this is a Spirit problem then. I gave each tool a rap on a table. I have no Spirit though only the Swisstool X. I'll ask people who own the Spirit in our FB group to test.
@@adrianjagmag I would think so... But I don't know how many people smack the spine of the blade to test the lock... It might be more common, but unless you give it a good smack, you might never know about it...
Fair review, thanks! I only posted a couple of days under your vid comparing the Arc vs the older style Spirit that this may resolve some of the issues you had with the Spirit, did you already have it on order? As I mentioned, being in the UK none of those are options for EDC, unfortunately. But I do have a lot of EDC gear with which I can configure such a toolset. My supersteel one handed opening knife is the Manly Wasp S90V retrofitted with a thumb stud.
I love my spirit x, it’s a great tool but always have a dedicated knife with a thumb stud and harder steel.i weigh 240 lbs and don’t care if I carry an extra couple ounces.
It's a bit thicker and its a fair bit heavier, but I don't mind it. While the Skeletool CX is much more EDC friendly, it really doesn't have much in the way of tools. No pry bar, no scissors, no can opener, no saw or file, etc... I am fine with the little extra size and weight because it has 3-4x as many tools on it. If all you need is a blade, bit driver and small pliers, than the Leatherman Skeletool CX is the one to get.
@@SquireSCA Thanks so much for the detailed reply! I'm thinking since you say the Skeletool is more edc friendly in the pocket, I may just carry both a Skeletool and Victorinox Compact or Climber. Seems like that combo will fill all the needs you mentioned while staying lighter weight and less bulky in pocket. Sure, it's 2 items vs 1, but less weight in one pocket maybe. The Spirit MX seems like such a well built tool and is still so tempting. Looking forward to future review after you've used it for a while. Cheers.
Hello Dave, do both of your Vic Spirits have play in the player head since new? I know you said one of them is like that in the video but is it the norm? Mine came out the box with a very slight play and have been wondering if it is normal or not.
@@SquireSCA by the way, did yours not have any oil where handles slide? Like under the pliers head. I do not know how to articulate where that is but I think you got the idea. Mine had no oil there but the manual lists it as one of the parts to be oiled. Do you oil it there?
@@Erunanethiel It had some. Victorinox usually ships well oiled... I have a bottle of Lucas Extreme Duty Gun Oil here with a needle applicator, and I use that on all my knife pivots...
@@SquireSCA A few weeks ago woot had the victorinox spirit w/o the lug for like $140. I should have got one and just jb welded or something to put a one hand open helper. Otherwise, I think it's the same tool.
Some people reported that when it launched, but so far its been fine for me. I bought a couple sets of replacement blades here, in case mine ever break.
@@SquireSCAthat was my other question about the flyers and the cutters and I heard that they did fix that issue? And one of the things I noticed on the Leatherman multi-tools that I have used of my friends as far as the surge and the wave plus was that they had a weird metallic smell and I don't know if that was because the tool was brand new and I've never smelled that with the victorinox Swiss army knives because I guess they're very well polished but the Leatherman ARC seems to have a more polished look and also comes with DLC coating so were you able to smell like a strong metallic smell and maybe the smell is because of the oil that they use? And also do you think the Leatherman ARC is good as far as corrosion resistance compared to the victorinox multi-tools? And if you were again to pick between the two which one would you go with and looking forward to hearing back for your information and thank you.
@@clarkkent4608 Wow, that's a lot of questions. haha. It will all come down to personal preference. The Leatherman has higher grade blade steel, and it feels a bit more like a tool. But honestly, the Victorinox has better fit and finish, it's polished better, a bit more sleek and slide in the pocket better. I feel like it's more refined and sleek, and it's the better buy. The Leatherman has US made, better blade steel, and replaceable cutters on the pliers. As for smell, it's the oil used. Vic uses food grade mineral oil and Leatherman I am sure uses more of an industrial machine oil.
Running out of multitools? 🤔 Have you checked out the Roxon KS2 Elite (D2 steel blade) ? It has better steel on the tools than the original KS2, and it comes with a bit kit. One hand opening for basically all the tools too. It does not have pliers but, to me, it's no problem since I just carry Knipex Cobra XS. It is getting a lot of positive feedback on UA-cam and Amazon reviews / ratings. It seems Roxon just might be upcoming competition in the multitool market. They're still fixing mistakes from their past but with this KS2 Elite, it seems they're going in a good direction compared to many others.
Yeah, I know there are other tools out there, but when you already have the ones that I have, a lot of those are cool, but a down grade. Now the one I am looking forward to is the Roxon Reflex that will be out in a few months. Its a "build your own" multitool where they have dozens of tools, and you order it and configure it however you want, or just buy the chassis and a bunch of their tools and assemble it and swap things around at home. Finally a tool that you can truly make your own. Can't wait for that!
they messed that one hand deploy in my opinion....it's confortable, ok, BUT.....at the expense of the blade....you lose more than 1/5 of the cutting space.....its very annoying.
one-hand-opening is considered a wapon in Germany - that is why you are not allowed to carry a one-hand-opening blade with you - it is illegal in Germany - in teh US and other countries - legislation is differnd. Cheers - just informing people who travel - may get in deep trouble over here....
You can open the victorinox spirit with one hand. Separate the handle slightly with your fingers then thumb, then "throw" the multi-tool in a downward motion. Finish up by locking the handles with your hand.
Love the cat paw stud on the M-series!
I’ve always preferred the Swiss Tools over Leatherman due to their quality and, now that Leatherman are struggling with QC, it’s not even close. I think Leatherman are designed to be thrown away eventually whereas Vic will last a lifetime
Victorinox 👑
Very well explained. You have a talent for this. I subbed
I have both the Leatherman Arc and the Swisstool mxbs with added clip and modded scissors to open them up a bit more (easy find on Google). As far as a EDC tool for normal life the Swisstool mxbs is not only superior in every way (weight, quality, looks) also the toolset is far more useful for EDC than the Arc.The only thing the Arc has on the Swisstool is the bladesteel but bladesteel is way overrated for EDC (coming from a knife nerd it hurts me to say) but between the scissors, scrapingtool for opening boxes, serrated blade for rope the plain edge blade barely gets used anyway, only for food, and for food the thinnes is superior to the blade of the Arc. TLDR for me the Swisstool mxbs is superior in everyway!
I don’t really need any of these, but still I want one just because they are cool. Which one is most inspiring as design and craftsmanship?
I finally settled on the Spirit X. It's the best made, the nicest finish, the thinnest in the pocket, it has the best ergos....
Hey mate, I checked my SwissTool X again as you requested, did the whack test with all tools, solid as a rock. Only your Spirit seems to not lock securely 😕
Try it again, because I have both a Spirit X and a Spirit MX and they both do it. What are the chances of me buying two different models, 6 months apart, and them both doing the exact same thing? Give it a stout rap and see if the lock holds.
@@SquireSCAVery possible this is a Spirit problem then. I gave each tool a rap on a table. I have no Spirit though only the Swisstool X. I'll ask people who own the Spirit in our FB group to test.
@@adrianjagmag I would appreciate that. It would be odd that I happened to just get two with the same issue... but that would also be my luck. lol
@@SquireSCA Defo odd, I've asked, if this is a Victorinox issue it should be rectified, it's not safe since advertised as locking.
@@adrianjagmag I would think so... But I don't know how many people smack the spine of the blade to test the lock... It might be more common, but unless you give it a good smack, you might never know about it...
Fair review, thanks! I only posted a couple of days under your vid comparing the Arc vs the older style Spirit that this may resolve some of the issues you had with the Spirit, did you already have it on order?
As I mentioned, being in the UK none of those are options for EDC, unfortunately. But I do have a lot of EDC gear with which I can configure such a toolset. My supersteel one handed opening knife is the Manly Wasp S90V retrofitted with a thumb stud.
I read your post, and its one that people have suggested before so I just said fuggit and ordered it that night. haha
I love my spirit x, it’s a great tool but always have a dedicated knife with a thumb stud and harder steel.i weigh 240 lbs and don’t care if I carry an extra couple ounces.
Good video. How thick is it in pocket compared to the Skeletool? Thanks!
It's a bit thicker and its a fair bit heavier, but I don't mind it. While the Skeletool CX is much more EDC friendly, it really doesn't have much in the way of tools. No pry bar, no scissors, no can opener, no saw or file, etc... I am fine with the little extra size and weight because it has 3-4x as many tools on it.
If all you need is a blade, bit driver and small pliers, than the Leatherman Skeletool CX is the one to get.
@@SquireSCA Thanks so much for the detailed reply! I'm thinking since you say the Skeletool is more edc friendly in the pocket, I may just carry both a Skeletool and Victorinox Compact or Climber. Seems like that combo will fill all the needs you mentioned while staying lighter weight and less bulky in pocket. Sure, it's 2 items vs 1, but less weight in one pocket maybe. The Spirit MX seems like such a well built tool and is still so tempting. Looking forward to future review after you've used it for a while. Cheers.
Swisstools are notorious for loose plier pivots with some side to side play, due to over polishing of the pivot during manufacturing.
Yeah, every one I have ever touched was that way, but they say that they don't get looser over time... they start and stay that way...
Hello Dave, do both of your Vic Spirits have play in the player head since new? I know you said one of them is like that in the video but is it the norm? Mine came out the box with a very slight play and have been wondering if it is normal or not.
Yup, both of mine have it, as does the one at the local knife shop that is sitting new on the shelf
@@SquireSCA Thank you so much Dave!
@@SquireSCA by the way, did yours not have any oil where handles slide? Like under the pliers head. I do not know how to articulate where that is but I think you got the idea. Mine had no oil there but the manual lists it as one of the parts to be oiled. Do you oil it there?
@@Erunanethiel It had some. Victorinox usually ships well oiled... I have a bottle of Lucas Extreme Duty Gun Oil here with a needle applicator, and I use that on all my knife pivots...
@@SquireSCA all the other tool on mine were very well lubricated. But the handle sliders now have wear marks on them due to no lubrication
couldn't you weld a thumb lug on the regular spirit?
I guess, but welding it might look ugly and the heat from welding on such a small blade could reduce the temper and hardness...
@@SquireSCA A few weeks ago woot had the victorinox spirit w/o the lug for like $140. I should have got one and just jb welded or something to put a one hand open helper. Otherwise, I think it's the same tool.
@@robbyddurham1624 The Spirit MX blade is slightly smaller and has a different grind than the X.
I heard the pliers (with their hole) are a problem on the Arc.
Some people reported that when it launched, but so far its been fine for me. I bought a couple sets of replacement blades here, in case mine ever break.
@@SquireSCAthat was my other question about the flyers and the cutters and I heard that they did fix that issue? And one of the things I noticed on the Leatherman multi-tools that I have used of my friends as far as the surge and the wave plus was that they had a weird metallic smell and I don't know if that was because the tool was brand new and I've never smelled that with the victorinox Swiss army knives because I guess they're very well polished but the Leatherman ARC seems to have a more polished look and also comes with DLC coating so were you able to smell like a strong metallic smell and maybe the smell is because of the oil that they use? And also do you think the Leatherman ARC is good as far as corrosion resistance compared to the victorinox multi-tools? And if you were again to pick between the two which one would you go with and looking forward to hearing back for your information and thank you.
@@clarkkent4608 Wow, that's a lot of questions. haha. It will all come down to personal preference. The Leatherman has higher grade blade steel, and it feels a bit more like a tool. But honestly, the Victorinox has better fit and finish, it's polished better, a bit more sleek and slide in the pocket better. I feel like it's more refined and sleek, and it's the better buy.
The Leatherman has US made, better blade steel, and replaceable cutters on the pliers.
As for smell, it's the oil used. Vic uses food grade mineral oil and Leatherman I am sure uses more of an industrial machine oil.
Running out of multitools? 🤔 Have you checked out the Roxon KS2 Elite (D2 steel blade) ? It has better steel on the tools than the original KS2, and it comes with a bit kit. One hand opening for basically all the tools too. It does not have pliers but, to me, it's no problem since I just carry Knipex Cobra XS. It is getting a lot of positive feedback on UA-cam and Amazon reviews / ratings. It seems Roxon just might be upcoming competition in the multitool market. They're still fixing mistakes from their past but with this KS2 Elite, it seems they're going in a good direction compared to many others.
Yeah, I know there are other tools out there, but when you already have the ones that I have, a lot of those are cool, but a down grade.
Now the one I am looking forward to is the Roxon Reflex that will be out in a few months. Its a "build your own" multitool where they have dozens of tools, and you order it and configure it however you want, or just buy the chassis and a bunch of their tools and assemble it and swap things around at home. Finally a tool that you can truly make your own. Can't wait for that!
they messed that one hand deploy in my opinion....it's confortable, ok, BUT.....at the expense of the blade....you lose more than 1/5 of the cutting space.....its very annoying.
Yeah, I feel like there was a better way to get a one handed blade, but not reduce the blade itself...
one-hand-opening is considered a wapon in Germany - that is why you are not allowed to carry a one-hand-opening blade with you - it is illegal in Germany - in teh US and other countries - legislation is differnd.
Cheers - just informing people who travel - may get in deep trouble over here....