I EDC this model. I carry it in a pants pocket. I’ve never understood the complaints about the size. In general, SAKs are rather small compared to Swiss Tool, Leatherman, Gerber, etc. I guess if you’re prancing around in a Speedo, you’d need a smaller SAK. I’ve used the fish scaler to measure watch cases and lug distances because one side is inches, but the other is centimeters. I use nearly every tool on this often, except the magnifying glass. I’ve used that tool only twice. It a great SAK, IMO.
I know what you mean, mine fits snugly in the 5th pocket of my jeans and doesn't bounce around or cause me any discomfort there. And I'm not some big guy in baggy jeans either. I actually bought it not as a standalone EDC although I do that some days, it's to replace my LM Squirt after the scissors on that broke, and to carry with a Spyderco Urban and sometimes also a Knipex Cobra. All 3 together still less bulky and lighter than a Leatherman Wave for example and imo more capability and better quality.
The Swiss Champ is an engineering work of art! My favorite tools on it are the fish scaler/ruler and magnifying glass. It's great to have all the possible tools you will need in one practical package. Scissors, pliers, metal file/saw, wood saw, awl, 3D Philips, ,pen, cork screw etc....I got the red Victorinox belt pouch for it so carry is easy.
The fish scaler is also an exceptional letter opener! Using it as such prevents the main blade or small blade from dulling by opening letters and envelopes.
I have one that my mother bought for me for my birthday in 1988. Mine has black covers and was from the Hoffritz store in our local mall. I always remember my mom when I use that knife.
I have one from about that year. It was "The Champion" back then. The Phillips screwdriver is a bit longer on the old ones. I lucked out and spent $36 on eBay to get it. Love it.
It's fascinating to see reviews about products which are in the market for nearly 40 years (the Swiss Champ was first invented in 1985) and are more or less identical for decades. Are there really people which did not know in 2022 what a "Victorinox Swiss Champ" is?
The magnifier is offset like that so you can hold it up to your eye and use it as a makeshift loupe. I did that a few times when helping a friend search through vintage coins in a junk shop, looking at the teeny tiny details for specific features. He was struggling with a smartphone camera zoom, while my magnifier made it effortless. I similarly use the magifier on my Cybertool Lite for reading the tiny text on circuit and motherboard components. Mind you, it's far easier to do with an Explorer than a Swiss Champ!
Swiss champ is hard to beat...I always go back to this over my leathermans even... iv broken down firearms with the swisschamp even. Worked on mowers,Cars,chainsaws,whippers garden tools etc. Thing is super useful
Me too. Regardless of whatever other tools I carry to a worksite, I always bring my Swiss Champ. I’ve repaired watches, jewelry, firearms, garden tools, other knives, electronics, automobiles, a pressure washer, a swimming pool pump and filter, house plumbing, a washing machine, a dishwasher, eye glasses, toys, and even used the hook to open the trunk of a submerged car during hurricane Harvey. I should have a t-shirt made that says, “They can have my Swiss Champ when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers”. LOL!
At eight layers, Victorinox says it is the largest "practical carry" 91 mm frame knife The end of the fish scaler will work as a flat head driver in a pinch. I have one but I carry an Explorer primarily because the explorer fits my hand better and I don't use most of the other stuff. They say the pen has a mile of ink in it! Also not a leatherman style multitool.
I’ve read that the fish scaler makes a good drywall saw without getting the teeth clogged up like the wood saw does. Just putting that tip out there in case someone wants to try it. My Huntsman knife doesn’t have one to try it.
I have had one of these from about 1987 and its indispensable! As for sharpening get yourself the official Victorinox orange sharpening stone, its the best method for these knives and its only a few bucks .
Hi Mark, I’m actually a semi-pro sharpener. I’ve found that the little Victorinox pen sized sharpener to be perfect for their knives. I normally would never use a pull through sharpener, but on these soft Victorinox blades they work very well. I don’t have to pull out my big sharpening setup, just keep the little Victorinox pen on my desk and touch up here and there as needed.
The Swisschamp is a good EDC. It's small enough to carry without even noticing it. However, my EDC choice is the Swisschamp XLT which is larger but even better.
If you wear dungarees (what young'uns call jeans), put this tool flat-wise in the "fifth pocket", fits like a defacto pouch, rides high and out of the way, to get it out easily tie a braided paracord lanyard to the keyring.
I opted for the Swisschamp over the Handyman just because of the inline Phillips. I'm not really bothered about the fish scaler or magnifying glass but the inline Phillips is just great. There used to be a Handyman with the backtool Phillips instead of the corkscrew, called a Craftsman but to be honest even if they still made those I'd still probably opt for the Swisschamp. But all SAKs are great, I only have 10 at the moment, got another 1 or 2 in my sights.
Magnifier is perfectly positioned for in focus viewing when the opposite side scale of the knife is placed flat against the subject surface (finger, hand, toe, etc.)
Ok, I decided to just buy this SAK, for similar reasons you mentioned. I have been carrying the Outrider, thought about upsizing to the Hercules, but decided on the Swisschamp. I hope it carries well in the pocket. If you could give your feedback it would be much appreciated, thanks.
This might not give you the definitive answer on how I feel about the SwissChamp but currently there’s are my top five Swiss Army knives at the time. ua-cam.com/video/e26h6dOMByc/v-deo.html
Nice review Mark I've been eyeing the SwissChamp for awhile. I have quite a few SAKs but none the size of the Champ and that's the only thing that's held me back. If I did buy one I would imagine it would go in a belt pouch but... maybe not. A few people have said it fits the pocket quite well and isn't that heavy. I usually carry a Leatherman at work along with the Victorinox Compact in my pocket but thought the Champ something I could grab quick on the go and pretty much have everything I need in one package for when I'm off work bouncing around at home and right now online the prices are good. Listen to me talking myself into it 😂 I should be a salesman. Maybe one of those rod type sharpener like a Workpro would work good on this? Anyway great review have a great day!
I’m struggling to find the perfect SAK I want the metal file the wood saw the pliers,the scissors, and the inline screwdriver but I don’t want something as big as the Swiss champ but the next best thing is the handy man but it’s missing the in line screwdriver is there anyway other SAK that are smaller then the Swiss champ that have the same tools as the handy man plus the screwdriver
@@markcoffman494 alright I’ll probably just get the Swiss champ right now I’m carrying the explorer and a pocket clip Gerber to cover my lack of pliers if I get the Swiss champ I can ditch the gerber
I just bought a swiss champ, three days ago. I have been geeking out on it since I saw it, the more that I have learned the more impressed I am. I want to get the flint starter, match replacement, so I dont have to have the sun to start a fire.
I’m so glad that you grabbed one! I’m happy you are geeking out in it! I have to admit I was also when I got mine. Found reasons to use all of the tools whenever! I bet the flint will be useful!
I tried using the magnifying glass to start a fire on a dried leaf. It didn’t work for me. Perhaps the sunlight was not intense enough or my technique was poor.
@@AnotherBuddha Wow that's cool. Going to try that but I'm in the UK so we don't see the sun for more than a few minutes at a time, between rainclouds.
I think that it's funny to rationalize a knife purchase by saying that you could use the fish scaler ruler and tip in your watch work. I expect that there is already a good ruler and a watch pin tool on your bench at work already. But I do get it and have done similar!
Don’t get me wrong I have all the tools I need on my desk however if I had to do a repair or remove a strap or measure anything on the go or while I was out of the office it’s definitely a useful tool.
Ewww you have scraped food off a counter man that stuff must have been on there for quite some time!!!!! You should have used a Jack hammer!!!!!! Lol 😂 I’m just playin around it’s Friday long week!!!!!
I EDC this model. I carry it in a pants pocket. I’ve never understood the complaints about the size. In general, SAKs are rather small compared to Swiss Tool, Leatherman, Gerber, etc. I guess if you’re prancing around in a Speedo, you’d need a smaller SAK. I’ve used the fish scaler to measure watch cases and lug distances because one side is inches, but the other is centimeters. I use nearly every tool on this often, except the magnifying glass. I’ve used that tool only twice.
It a great SAK, IMO.
I know what you mean, mine fits snugly in the 5th pocket of my jeans and doesn't bounce around or cause me any discomfort there. And I'm not some big guy in baggy jeans either. I actually bought it not as a standalone EDC although I do that some days, it's to replace my LM Squirt after the scissors on that broke, and to carry with a Spyderco Urban and sometimes also a Knipex Cobra. All 3 together still less bulky and lighter than a Leatherman Wave for example and imo more capability and better quality.
The Swiss Champ is an engineering work of art! My favorite tools on it are the fish scaler/ruler and magnifying glass. It's great to have all the possible tools you will need in one practical package. Scissors, pliers, metal file/saw, wood saw, awl, 3D Philips, ,pen, cork screw etc....I got the red Victorinox belt pouch for it so carry is easy.
It’s definitely a very useful tool and I definitely agree it is a work of art and engineering marvel.
The fish scaler is also an exceptional letter opener! Using it as such prevents the main blade or small blade from dulling by opening letters and envelopes.
I have one that my mother bought for me for my birthday in 1988. Mine has black covers and was from the Hoffritz store in our local mall. I always remember my mom when I use that knife.
I have one from about that year. It was "The Champion" back then. The Phillips screwdriver is a bit longer on the old ones. I lucked out and spent $36 on eBay to get it. Love it.
It's fascinating to see reviews about products which are in the market for nearly 40 years (the Swiss Champ was first invented in 1985) and are more or less identical for decades. Are there really people which did not know in 2022 what a "Victorinox Swiss Champ" is?
The magnifier is offset like that so you can hold it up to your eye and use it as a makeshift loupe. I did that a few times when helping a friend search through vintage coins in a junk shop, looking at the teeny tiny details for specific features. He was struggling with a smartphone camera zoom, while my magnifier made it effortless. I similarly use the magifier on my Cybertool Lite for reading the tiny text on circuit and motherboard components.
Mind you, it's far easier to do with an Explorer than a Swiss Champ!
Swiss champ is hard to beat...I always go back to this over my leathermans even... iv broken down firearms with the swisschamp even. Worked on mowers,Cars,chainsaws,whippers garden tools etc. Thing is super useful
Me too. Regardless of whatever other tools I carry to a worksite, I always bring my Swiss Champ. I’ve repaired watches, jewelry, firearms, garden tools, other knives, electronics, automobiles, a pressure washer, a swimming pool pump and filter, house plumbing, a washing machine, a dishwasher, eye glasses, toys, and even used the hook to open the trunk of a submerged car during hurricane Harvey. I should have a t-shirt made that says, “They can have my Swiss Champ when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers”. LOL!
Victorinox makes absolutely fantastic knives!
Yes they do!
Good review! The metal file includes a metal saw...😊
At eight layers, Victorinox says it is the largest "practical carry" 91 mm frame knife The end of the fish scaler will work as a flat head driver in a pinch. I have one but I carry an Explorer primarily because the explorer fits my hand better and I don't use most of the other stuff. They say the pen has a mile of ink in it! Also not a leatherman style multitool.
Actually kinda amazing how useful the fish scaler can be, just found out recently that it's pretty dang good for breaking down styrofoam.
That’s good to know!
Can be used for lots, as can the hook! Multi tool multi uses. Even the main blade can be a signal mirror if polished enough!
I’ve read that the fish scaler makes a good drywall saw without getting the teeth clogged up like the wood saw does. Just putting that tip out there in case someone wants to try it. My Huntsman knife doesn’t have one to try it.
Yes, the fish scaler has alot of additional uses...one is as a screwdriver for interrupter slot head screws...😊
Pliers could come in handy for pulling automotive fuses from tight spaces.
I have had one of these from about 1987 and its indispensable! As for sharpening get yourself the official Victorinox orange sharpening stone, its the best method for these knives and its only a few bucks .
I bought the German made victorinox sharpening tool. It gets them pretty darn sharp with very little effort. Also makes a great nail file.
Hi Mark, I’m actually a semi-pro sharpener. I’ve found that the little Victorinox pen sized sharpener to be perfect for their knives. I normally would never use a pull through sharpener, but on these soft Victorinox blades they work very well. I don’t have to pull out my big sharpening setup, just keep the little Victorinox pen on my desk and touch up here and there as needed.
You missed the pin , at end of cork screw 👍
I settled for this model as well. And the magnifier is a great help for using the precision mini screw driver on glasses
The Swisschamp is a good EDC. It's small enough to carry without even noticing it. However, my EDC choice is the Swisschamp XLT which is larger but even better.
If you wear dungarees (what young'uns call jeans), put this tool flat-wise in the "fifth pocket", fits like a defacto pouch, rides high and out of the way, to get it out easily tie a braided paracord lanyard to the keyring.
Fish scaler makes a good back scratcher
I have both the swiss champ and the handyman, I see the second one getting more tooltime. Both are great knives
I opted for the Swisschamp over the Handyman just because of the inline Phillips. I'm not really bothered about the fish scaler or magnifying glass but the inline Phillips is just great. There used to be a Handyman with the backtool Phillips instead of the corkscrew, called a Craftsman but to be honest even if they still made those I'd still probably opt for the Swisschamp. But all SAKs are great, I only have 10 at the moment, got another 1 or 2 in my sights.
I use Victorinox Dual-Knife Sharpener for all my knifes. Ceramic coating double side and fast sharpener on the top does the job.
I had this tool for two years, found most of the tools to be redundant and not beefy enough in my hands. Upgraded to leatherman wave
240 g weight?
That is one intense knife, looking forward to your followup on the Champ
It's such a champ have two of them.
Magnifier is perfectly positioned for in focus viewing when the opposite side scale of the knife is placed flat against the subject surface (finger, hand, toe, etc.)
Ok, I decided to just buy this SAK, for similar reasons you mentioned. I have been carrying the Outrider, thought about upsizing to the Hercules, but decided on the Swisschamp. I hope it carries well in the pocket. If you could give your feedback it would be much appreciated, thanks.
This might not give you the definitive answer on how I feel about the SwissChamp but currently there’s are my top five Swiss Army knives at the time. ua-cam.com/video/e26h6dOMByc/v-deo.html
Awesome video just subscribed to your channel. I carry my Swiss Champ everyday
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice review Mark I've been eyeing the SwissChamp for awhile. I have quite a few SAKs but none the size of the Champ and that's the only thing that's held me back. If I did buy one I would imagine it would go in a belt pouch but... maybe not. A few people have said it fits the pocket quite well and isn't that heavy. I usually carry a Leatherman at work along with the Victorinox Compact in my pocket but thought the Champ something I could grab quick on the go and pretty much have everything I need in one package for when I'm off work bouncing around at home and right now online the prices are good. Listen to me talking myself into it 😂 I should be a salesman. Maybe one of those rod type sharpener like a Workpro would work good on this? Anyway great review have a great day!
You didn't mention the pin.
Hey! Is the wood saw less snappy than the big blade & metal saw?
Just by a little bit. But not much.
@@markcoffman494 the difference is quite prominent on mine actually
nice video, I'm looking forward for your detailed review :)
My dad's has a similar knife but it does have a hook do you know what it's called
Yours would be an older model. The hook is a parcel hook.
I love the swish champ i own the mother of pearl one.👍🏻
Wow!!
I have the explorer. Just wish it had the led light instead of the magnifying glass
The light always came on in my pocket and drained the batteries. That said you can look for a Huntsman Lite.
Great video my friend!
Thank you!
I’m struggling to find the perfect SAK I want the metal file the wood saw the pliers,the scissors, and the inline screwdriver but I don’t want something as big as the Swiss champ but the next best thing is the handy man but it’s missing the in line screwdriver is there anyway other SAK that are smaller then the Swiss champ that have the same tools as the handy man plus the screwdriver
That’s a really tough order! I’m not sure if there’s anything out there that fits that description. You’d probably have to have something custom-made.
@@markcoffman494 alright I’ll probably just get the Swiss champ right now I’m carrying the explorer and a pocket clip Gerber to cover my lack of pliers if I get the Swiss champ I can ditch the gerber
I just bought a swiss champ, three days ago. I have been geeking out on it since I saw it, the more that I have learned the more impressed I am.
I want to get the flint starter, match replacement, so I dont have to have the sun to start a fire.
I’m so glad that you grabbed one! I’m happy you are geeking out in it! I have to admit I was also when I got mine. Found reasons to use all of the tools whenever! I bet the flint will be useful!
I tried using the magnifying glass to start a fire on a dried leaf. It didn’t work for me. Perhaps the sunlight was not intense enough or my technique was poor.
@@totallyfrozen believe it or not, it was a clear bright sunny day, I got bored and lit my cigarette with it!
@@AnotherBuddha Wow that's cool. Going to try that but I'm in the UK so we don't see the sun for more than a few minutes at a time, between rainclouds.
What to do when the pen goes dry how to refill it please tell me
You can buy replacement ones very cheap
Use the pliers to pull nose hairs works like a champ!!!!!
LOL!
I think that it's funny to rationalize a knife purchase by saying that you could use the fish scaler ruler and tip in your watch work. I expect that there is already a good ruler and a watch pin tool on your bench at work already. But I do get it and have done similar!
Don’t get me wrong I have all the tools I need on my desk however if I had to do a repair or remove a strap or measure anything on the go or while I was out of the office it’s definitely a useful tool.
Ewww you have scraped food off a counter man that stuff must have been on there for quite some time!!!!! You should have used a Jack hammer!!!!!! Lol 😂 I’m just playin around it’s Friday long week!!!!!
It definitely has been a very long week continually it feels like it will never end!
@@markcoffman494 I know Mark let’s pour a stiff one let’s tie one on!!!!
Scaler will cut through cardboard with ease.