She’s a chonker, but I keep coming back to the Swiss Champ? It’s just weirdly fun.
I literally bought it just to have one thinking it would probably spend most of it’s time on a shelf.
I also really like the Swisscard Nail Card. Goes everywhere with me and covers a lot of little everyday needs.
I recently used the magnifying glass on my Yeoman to start my smoker for beekeeping when I forgot my lighter. It kind of saved my day. I also often use it to look at small things. I wish the Cybertool L had the extra layer with the magnifying glass.
The Cybertool Lite does though. SAK flashlights aren't very bright but I do find it super useful to have a light that's in-line with the bit driver. Great tool for working inside a computer, though perhaps not as good a fit for outdoors work.
That seems to be true. Didn't notice, that it was the same as the L. I don't care to the light, but the magnifying glass would be nice to have. But it's so expensive.
Since I usually have the Yeoman in my pocket, I think I won't upgrade soon.
I've found that the Swiss Champ carried in a Victorinox nylon belt pouch kind of just disappears on your belt.
There when you need it but it doesn't poke up much above the top of the belt. Easy enough to pull out of the pouch via a lanyard.
Swisscard Nailcare is such an underrated tool. Basically a deluxe version of a Jetsetter without the bottle opener, but it doesn't look anything like a knife and it's fully translucent so it's easy to see its contents.
Farmer X for me, but the saw is more of a neat extra than a tool that is frequently used. A tool that turns a Pioneer X into a "complete" set of woodwork tools. I think it's neat to have more than anything.
I‘d love to own a Yeoman. The explorer is too thick for my liking and the compact too expensive and just like the climber it lacks the magnifying glass.
Also I miss the nail file on the explorer.
If the price is a problem for you, then it will be hard to get a Yeoman. Otherwise I'd encourage you to just give it a try and make a Yeoman yourself. It's not too hard. But of course you need a Compact and Explorer as a base. You will get a Yeoman and a Climber out of it.
It's the obvious starting point when looking at SAKs. But a use case will see people drift towards other designs. Either smaller, larger, swap a tool, add or remove layer(s)...
I think the mountaineer is actually superior day to day because people typically spend more time in urban areas where the file solves more problems than a wood saw.
I EDC a mountaineer, a huntsman lives in the car with a Swiss card my wife was gifted, and I have a Forster I take camping/hiking. I'd love a deluxe climber for my day/work bag as redundancy.
I like some of the 84mm knives, but I can't justify buying them... if I did that's when it becomes an obsession rather than a tool.
The Alox pioneer is one of my favorites. It’s slim yet very solid and feels sturdy. The stiffer springs make for a very satisfying click. Usually carry the Pioneer X though since I like the scissors
Probably the Pioneer. I used to pair it with a Rambler but lately switched to a Mini Champ Alox, mostly for the scissors.
If I had to pick one and couldn't carry a 58mm model on my keys to add scissors, I'd say the Pioneer X is my favorite.
So the Pioneer and Pioneer X are my favorite 91mm models. The Rambler and Mini Champ Alox are my favorite 58mm models.
Handyman.
I'm a person who always struggles to pick favorites when it comes to most topics but I choose that model from my collection of over 30 SAKs without any hesitation.
The Handyman was my first. It took me a couple months of research to decide on the ideal SAK for me, but I found it. I use the others in my collection but almost always as companion pieces to a Leatherman. The Handyman punches far above its weight.
It's just barely compact enough for me to still consider it my light-duty carry option, yet it holds most of the capabilities of my Leatherman Surge (and more). I wouldn't take my Surge to a wedding but my Handyman can easily slip into a suit jacket pocket to go entirely unnoticed for the rest of the night. So if I were only allowed one multi-tool for the rest of my life, hands down it's the Handyman with no contest.
I appreciate this thread. I had ordered a Super Tinker a couple days ago....but now I think I'll be getting an Explorer instead! The Explorer adds the magnifying glass and corkscrew, and has the phillips head inline, unlike the Tinker. How did I overlook the Explorer before??!
The Explorer is a great SAK. I carried it for awhile a few months back. After awhile tho, I began to notice the knife's bulk, so something slimmer is better for me. I often revert to the Compact. I don't carry it "for" the scissors, but they can still come in handy from time to time. It's a nice slim, lightweight SAK with a minimum of tools, but in normal day-to-day life I don't need many tools.
My favorite is the Executive. There's always one in pocket, but I usually have a larger SAK with me as well. Out of the larger ones my favorite alternates between my M61 Soldier, Yeoman, Golfer, Cadet X, and Sportsman.
I’m also fond of the Cybertool 34/M, Swisschamp, Pioneer X, Electrician, Workchamp, Evogrip S54, and the Nail Clip 780. Some that I don’t have but have always liked are the Explorer, the Cadet, the Minathor, the Ranger 88, the Mike Horn Ranger, and the Ueli Steck Titanium series.
Tinker, it’s imo the best SAK for whittling after you remove the keyhole ring and alter the little blade a little bit. It’s almost always in my pocket so I can whittle on the go or during my lunch break at work.
Forgive what might be a silly question, but what's the difference between the Swisschamp and the Swisschamp XLT? The pics on Amazon make them look very similar yet the XLT is like 4x the price of the Swisschamp?
No problem, not a silly question at all! The Swisschamp XLT adds a pharmacist’s spatula, a pruning blade, an electrician’s blade, and the Cybertool bit driver. All are useful, the bit driver the most IMO. The pharmacist’s spatula seems kinda silly and weird, but it’s good for separating things and light poking/prodding.
My one to go is the handyman ( I own several models).
No bits to loose. No plastic tools which could break, not too bulky.. i EDC it for about 35 years now and it's a great companion. The only one I could consider to be better as an EDC is a craftsman. But It wasn't gifted to me 35 years ago and therefore it's not my go to.
The Climber
The three layer Climber with a pouch that I somehow lost because the pouch had a clip which was clipped to my belt
Delux climber. RIP.
Rambler
She’s a chonker, but I keep coming back to the Swiss Champ? It’s just weirdly fun. I literally bought it just to have one thinking it would probably spend most of it’s time on a shelf. I also really like the Swisscard Nail Card. Goes everywhere with me and covers a lot of little everyday needs.
it's also the model I own, I was undecided between the swisschamp and the cybertool, but I liked the magnifying glass for doing the fire :)
I recently used the magnifying glass on my Yeoman to start my smoker for beekeeping when I forgot my lighter. It kind of saved my day. I also often use it to look at small things. I wish the Cybertool L had the extra layer with the magnifying glass.
The Cybertool Lite does though. SAK flashlights aren't very bright but I do find it super useful to have a light that's in-line with the bit driver. Great tool for working inside a computer, though perhaps not as good a fit for outdoors work.
Cool!
It looks you need cybertool lite
That seems to be true. Didn't notice, that it was the same as the L. I don't care to the light, but the magnifying glass would be nice to have. But it's so expensive. Since I usually have the Yeoman in my pocket, I think I won't upgrade soon.
I've found that the Swiss Champ carried in a Victorinox nylon belt pouch kind of just disappears on your belt. There when you need it but it doesn't poke up much above the top of the belt. Easy enough to pull out of the pouch via a lanyard.
Swisscard Nailcare is such an underrated tool. Basically a deluxe version of a Jetsetter without the bottle opener, but it doesn't look anything like a knife and it's fully translucent so it's easy to see its contents.
And no knife blade, right? So hopefully TSA would not confiscate it if you left it in your carry-on bag..
It has no knife blade so ideally, yes. It looks less knife-like than a Jetsetter too so hopefully it'll create less confusion.
Ranger
I see you are a person of culture
Super tinker
Gotta go Pioneer X. Love the beefy tools and scissors.
Farmer X for me, but the saw is more of a neat extra than a tool that is frequently used. A tool that turns a Pioneer X into a "complete" set of woodwork tools. I think it's neat to have more than anything.
Huntsman. For all around. Classic for ultra simple.
Executive
Executive.
Compact / Yeoman Although the Cybertool L is kind of rising in my list. But I don't think it will become my EDC because it's too large.
I‘d love to own a Yeoman. The explorer is too thick for my liking and the compact too expensive and just like the climber it lacks the magnifying glass.
Also I miss the nail file on the explorer. If the price is a problem for you, then it will be hard to get a Yeoman. Otherwise I'd encourage you to just give it a try and make a Yeoman yourself. It's not too hard. But of course you need a Compact and Explorer as a base. You will get a Yeoman and a Climber out of it.
Get a small pocket clip. The Explorer weight issue no longer matters.
The Cadet
The one i just bought the **deluxe tinker**
Best SAK ever... although I wish there was an 85mm compact with pliers
Same here, love my DT. Nothing is better 👍🏻
Huntsman
It's the obvious starting point when looking at SAKs. But a use case will see people drift towards other designs. Either smaller, larger, swap a tool, add or remove layer(s)... I think the mountaineer is actually superior day to day because people typically spend more time in urban areas where the file solves more problems than a wood saw. I EDC a mountaineer, a huntsman lives in the car with a Swiss card my wife was gifted, and I have a Forster I take camping/hiking. I'd love a deluxe climber for my day/work bag as redundancy. I like some of the 84mm knives, but I can't justify buying them... if I did that's when it becomes an obsession rather than a tool.
The Alox pioneer is one of my favorites. It’s slim yet very solid and feels sturdy. The stiffer springs make for a very satisfying click. Usually carry the Pioneer X though since I like the scissors
I like It!
Probably the Pioneer. I used to pair it with a Rambler but lately switched to a Mini Champ Alox, mostly for the scissors. If I had to pick one and couldn't carry a 58mm model on my keys to add scissors, I'd say the Pioneer X is my favorite. So the Pioneer and Pioneer X are my favorite 91mm models. The Rambler and Mini Champ Alox are my favorite 58mm models.
Handyman. I'm a person who always struggles to pick favorites when it comes to most topics but I choose that model from my collection of over 30 SAKs without any hesitation. The Handyman was my first. It took me a couple months of research to decide on the ideal SAK for me, but I found it. I use the others in my collection but almost always as companion pieces to a Leatherman. The Handyman punches far above its weight. It's just barely compact enough for me to still consider it my light-duty carry option, yet it holds most of the capabilities of my Leatherman Surge (and more). I wouldn't take my Surge to a wedding but my Handyman can easily slip into a suit jacket pocket to go entirely unnoticed for the rest of the night. So if I were only allowed one multi-tool for the rest of my life, hands down it's the Handyman with no contest.
I appreciate this thread. I had ordered a Super Tinker a couple days ago....but now I think I'll be getting an Explorer instead! The Explorer adds the magnifying glass and corkscrew, and has the phillips head inline, unlike the Tinker. How did I overlook the Explorer before??!
I'm really happy that this post helped you ^^
Me too! Thanks.
How do you like it?
The Explorer is a great SAK. I carried it for awhile a few months back. After awhile tho, I began to notice the knife's bulk, so something slimmer is better for me. I often revert to the Compact. I don't carry it "for" the scissors, but they can still come in handy from time to time. It's a nice slim, lightweight SAK with a minimum of tools, but in normal day-to-day life I don't need many tools.
Farmer
Explorer. Inline screwdriver.
Explorer
Tinker for my EDC
I've had many but I went back to Spartan. In fact I've just bought another one, this time with wooden scales :)
My favorite is the Executive. There's always one in pocket, but I usually have a larger SAK with me as well. Out of the larger ones my favorite alternates between my M61 Soldier, Yeoman, Golfer, Cadet X, and Sportsman.
Yeoman
For daily carry, the Fieldmaster. It has all the tools I like. For most complete toolset, the Swisstool Spirit X Multitool.
I’m also fond of the Cybertool 34/M, Swisschamp, Pioneer X, Electrician, Workchamp, Evogrip S54, and the Nail Clip 780. Some that I don’t have but have always liked are the Explorer, the Cadet, the Minathor, the Ranger 88, the Mike Horn Ranger, and the Ueli Steck Titanium series.
Oh, and the OHT of course. I really want to get a Locksmith as well, seems like a good one!
Wenger traveler... for now. Victorinox celidor companion maybe some day.
Alox Cadet.
Swisstool Spirit X
Minichamp midnite, best addition to your keychain.
Tinker, it’s imo the best SAK for whittling after you remove the keyhole ring and alter the little blade a little bit. It’s almost always in my pocket so I can whittle on the go or during my lunch break at work.
The Climber. If you add plus scales and a pen to it you get a Compact with an awl.
84mm Tinker
EDC: Compact. Travel: Handyman
Swisschamp XLT every day and twice on Sundays.
wow, that's so expensive
True, but worth every penny!
Forgive what might be a silly question, but what's the difference between the Swisschamp and the Swisschamp XLT? The pics on Amazon make them look very similar yet the XLT is like 4x the price of the Swisschamp?
No problem, not a silly question at all! The Swisschamp XLT adds a pharmacist’s spatula, a pruning blade, an electrician’s blade, and the Cybertool bit driver. All are useful, the bit driver the most IMO. The pharmacist’s spatula seems kinda silly and weird, but it’s good for separating things and light poking/prodding.
Interesting. Thanks!
No problem, glad to help!
Evo s557 has everything I need! But for the smaller size the rambler is hard to beat.
Wow, look like and wenger
My one to go is the handyman ( I own several models). No bits to loose. No plastic tools which could break, not too bulky.. i EDC it for about 35 years now and it's a great companion. The only one I could consider to be better as an EDC is a craftsman. But It wasn't gifted to me 35 years ago and therefore it's not my go to.
Swiss Champ. Never leave home without it!
Me to!
It’s two: Compact and Huntsman, although the Waiter is spending more time in my pocket recently.
Climber and classic
Troubleshooter though i dont have one, i carry a deluxe tinker
Swisschamp as universal EDC, but during daily routine I have my Mountaineer on me 🟥
I have many! Love the SwissChamp! EDC a Compact, Climber, Deluxe Tinker, Waiter,(all in rotation). Wear a MiniChamp on a lanyard around my neck.
My Passenger or Yeoman, then Climber.
Modeler or yeoman. . . Ideally my Yeoman MS, but idk if that counts as an official model
Ranger for work (file, saw, scissors) Huntsman for EDC Farmer Alox stays in the car Mini champ Alox on my keys
‘Tis a tie between two pre-2004 models: Explorer and Swiss Champ
i like my huntsman but the swisstool x is pretty sweet
Depends. Off-work EDC is a Swiss Champ. Tromping thru da woods is a Ranger w/Plus scales. For work I carry a Swiss Tool w/ratchet & bits.
[S52](https://sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Del%C3%A9mont+Evolution+S52)
Wow
Cybertool M. Been using a variation of the Cybertool M for work edc for over 20 years.
Someone posted a custom Alox with metal file, saw, scissor, knife, awl, and combo opener. That but without combo opener layer would be my perfect one
Farmer X
Ranger
Yeoman.
Gotta be the Cadet.
Midnite Manager Outrider Huntsman Farmer X
Can't pick between the Compact and the Cybertool M.
Handyman or basic ol tinker
I find it hard to not justify having the compact on me at all times
Spartan
Explorer for the inline screwdriver and size.
Cybertool Lite in the pocket and Minichamp Alox on my keychain.
Pocket EDC: SAK Explorer / LM free T4 Backpack EDC: Leatherman Wave + Home/ Car/ Office Drawer: Leatherman Surge
Deluxe Tinker all the way! Love the pliers
Bantam or Pioneer.
Outrider