Victorinox Explorer Swiss Army Knife - Red

Bought this due to it having some of my most commonly needed tools on the go... I have a tenancy to want everything with me all the time but I seem to have grown up a little now (and realised my Swiss Champ and my Handyman although perfectly legal as EDC where I live are a bit chunky to take out all the time) and got down to basics. A simple blade, couple of screwdrivers, can opener, bottle opener, nail file, pen, scissors, tweezers, toothpick etc... It's surprising for the overall size all that and more is included.I don't think I'll get much use out of the corkscrew or weird little hook thing that nobody truly agrees on more than two uses for, but I'm sure it'll be welcome on the right occasions.I still carry my mini champ alongside this as I find it a little ... MoreBought this due to it having some of my most commonly needed tools on the go... I have a tenancy to want everything with me all the time but I seem to have grown up a little now (and realised my Swiss Champ and my Handyman although perfectly legal as EDC where I live are a bit chunky to take out all the time) and got down to basics. A simple blade, couple of screwdrivers, can opener, bottle opener, nail file, pen, scissors, tweezers, toothpick etc... It's surprising for the overall size all that and more is included.I don't think I'll get much use out of the corkscrew or weird little hook thing that nobody truly agrees on more than two uses for, but I'm sure it'll be welcome on the right occasions.I still carry my mini champ alongside this as I find it a little less conspicuous for things like emergency nail filing/opening boxes but the Victorinox Compact really is satisfying to carry.No DIY pocket-miracle like my Handyman or Swiss Champ but as a gadget geek who works in a bank I don't think I'll be pining for a fish scaler, metal file, wood saw, 2nd blade, wire cutters on a daily basis.Class.

A truly fantastic knife - worth every cent.

We just bought another of these for my son to use as he learns to safely use a knife. I've had one for more than 20 years and it has been absolutely brilliant. The blades are fantastically sharp and hold an edge with little maintenance. At 20 years old I eventually had to replace the spring in the scissors (very easy, parts from Victorinox) and oil the hinge points, but that's it. The huntsman model has the perfect selection of tools for the outdoors (blade, saw, awl and scissors are all used extensively). You'll not be disappointed to spend the few extra dollars for this model and with a lifetime guarantee, it's hard to go wrong.

Brilliant design

There is an elegance in it's efficiency. With the elimination of the small blade, and inclusion of an ingenius multi tool that covers the can opener and bottle opener and screw driver functionality, the Compact offers scissors in a slim two layer knife. The corner edge of the flat head on the multi-tool works on most philips heads too. Then throw in the plus scales and you have a pen and standard toothpick and tweezers. I am glad the traditional cork screw was included over the philips screwdriver going back to the swiss army knife roots. While I would have preferred the awl over the parcel hook, there is a benefit with the parcel hook as it can be used to hold down the pen in it's groove, making the pen function more practical. This enables me to use the Compact as ... MoreThere is an elegance in it's efficiency. With the elimination of the small blade, and inclusion of an ingenius multi tool that covers the can opener and bottle opener and screw driver functionality, the Compact offers scissors in a slim two layer knife. The corner edge of the flat head on the multi-tool works on most philips heads too. Then throw in the plus scales and you have a pen and standard toothpick and tweezers. I am glad the traditional cork screw was included over the philips screwdriver going back to the swiss army knife roots. While I would have preferred the awl over the parcel hook, there is a benefit with the parcel hook as it can be used to hold down the pen in it's groove, making the pen function more practical. This enables me to use the Compact as a practical pen, and I've written pages with it. Like the Alox Farmer, if Victorinox could add another layer and include a wood saw, and an awl on the back, it would be perfection. A 3 layer knife with scissors, wood saw, and awl, would be perfection as an awesome urban + outdoors EDC. Can maybe call it the Compact Wilderness Adventurer.

Explorer Knife

The knife is well made and functions great. The only gripe I have to complain about is the cheap nylon sheath with a clip on it. This sheath should not of even been put in the package with the knife because I consider it an insult to the quality of the knife itself. It does not stay snapped, it is poorly stitched cheap nylon and the belt clip is totally useless as it does not stay on a belt if you bend, move or just slightly catch it on something. I will be quickly replacing the sheath with an a better aftermarket one so I don't loose this quality multi tool knife which I know I will with this sheath. I think Victorinox could have done much better on a cloth or leather sheath then this one because it is simply useless. Why make a quality knife and then throw in a ... MoreThe knife is well made and functions great. The only gripe I have to complain about is the cheap nylon sheath with a clip on it. This sheath should not of even been put in the package with the knife because I consider it an insult to the quality of the knife itself. It does not stay snapped, it is poorly stitched cheap nylon and the belt clip is totally useless as it does not stay on a belt if you bend, move or just slightly catch it on something. I will be quickly replacing the sheath with an a better aftermarket one so I don't loose this quality multi tool knife which I know I will with this sheath. I think Victorinox could have done much better on a cloth or leather sheath then this one because it is simply useless. Why make a quality knife and then throw in a useless sheath?

My favourite knife. Because it is…compact

This one is amazing. It does everything you need, with almost no wasted space. The can opener/bottle opener/flat and Philips screwdriver is a particular highlight even if the wire stripper isn’t much use. Looks great and fits easily in a pocket. No wast of space 2nd blade and the essential scissors. And the full set of mini tools- biro, pin, glasses screwdriver, toothpick and tweezers.Even the stupid ‘multi function’ hook has a single use- a hidden nailfile.

Ok as an EDC, but expected more

All-in-all is quite good for the city, but I think that for the plus scales could be better. Also the magnifying glass can fall out easily, pay attention to it.But my main complain about this knife is the phillips screwdriver. It is way too big. In my mind if I have a SAK with a philips screwdriver I should be able to take apart my laptop, a keyboard, a mouse or some other toys, but with this one it is impossible (except if I file down most of the tip). I also have an Outrider, and the screwdriver on that is fantastic. I can screw almost every phillips scews with that (laptop, keyboard, door, even a wrist watch). I would like to have the screwdriver from the Outrider on this. Also most of the things that this big screwdriver can do, can be done with the can opener ... MoreAll-in-all is quite good for the city, but I think that for the plus scales could be better. Also the magnifying glass can fall out easily, pay attention to it.But my main complain about this knife is the phillips screwdriver. It is way too big. In my mind if I have a SAK with a philips screwdriver I should be able to take apart my laptop, a keyboard, a mouse or some other toys, but with this one it is impossible (except if I file down most of the tip). I also have an Outrider, and the screwdriver on that is fantastic. I can screw almost every phillips scews with that (laptop, keyboard, door, even a wrist watch). I would like to have the screwdriver from the Outrider on this. Also most of the things that this big screwdriver can do, can be done with the can opener (and the Outrider screwdriver). The tip does not fit in most screws, and if the screw is a little bit sunken, then it is even worse, because the head is widened for easier access. Smaller head and thin arm...

Quality knife

My two favorite SAKs are the Sportsman, and the climber. I purchased the Compact thinking it would bridge the gap between the two. I think the main tool I wanted was the scissors while keeping the the knife two layered. Mission accomplished on that goal.But,the nail file on the Compact cannot compare to that of Sportsman, and is not even available on the Climber.The Compact does do most of what I need in urban situations and Im guessing thats what it's designed for.I gave this knife four stars because its price is much higher than other models that do more. It is however a very fine knife

The best outdoors companion money can buy

I have been using my huntsman for over 10 years now and this is the one constant throughout all my ventures into the wild - be it the dense hot jungles of India, the Nordic woodlands and mountains or the unforgiving Himalayan hikes.The most useful tools for me personally have been the knife, saw, scissors, can opener and awl. Recently i have upgraded the fireant kit to this tool and augmented its functionality.The testament of my recommendation for this product is that i have gifted it to most of my hiking buddies and everyone loves it.Suggestions - bring back the blue colour version - though most of us have custom scales, blue would be a good colour for wilderness explorations as it is easier to find.Please never retire it!

The ideal every day carry knife

In my view at least, this is really the perfect EDC knife.It's slim, being a two layer knife, and also surprisingly lightweight. You don't really feel it in your pocket, especially if you add a pocket clip to it (Key Smart is my recommendation). It also has the classic SAK look that makes people comfortable when they see you about to use it for something cool.So,The knife is classic drop point. Holds an edge well and is easily sharpened.The combo flathead driver/philips/bottle opener/can opener/wire stripper is a revelation. Highly useful in all but the can opening IMO. The can opener aspect does work, but it's definitely more for emergencies. This complete tool also makes a good littke pry bar.The scissors are top tier. They are sharp, reasonably big, ... MoreIn my view at least, this is really the perfect EDC knife.It's slim, being a two layer knife, and also surprisingly lightweight. You don't really feel it in your pocket, especially if you add a pocket clip to it (Key Smart is my recommendation). It also has the classic SAK look that makes people comfortable when they see you about to use it for something cool.So,The knife is classic drop point. Holds an edge well and is easily sharpened.The combo flathead driver/philips/bottle opener/can opener/wire stripper is a revelation. Highly useful in all but the can opening IMO. The can opener aspect does work, but it's definitely more for emergencies. This complete tool also makes a good littke pry bar.The scissors are top tier. They are sharp, reasonably big, open up wider than most similar scissors. The also cut the same whether by the tip or fulcrum, and readily cut through slack materials as well. The tension bar probably won't last forever, so having a back up isn't a bad idea.I've actually used the parcel hook more or less for its intended purpose (firewood instead of newspaper though). I also find the little nail file on the back of the bar to be a daily use item, and the bar itself can actually lock the pen in place, making it easier to write.I mostly use the corkscrew to loosen knots and to hold the included eyeglass driver along with a tinder twist from Tortoise Gear, which I've also actually used. It's handy. The pin included in the slot under the corkscrew has been useful for removing sim cards and such.The toothpick I replaced with a ferro rod.The tweezers work well.The pen is maybe a little difficult to manipulate if you don't use the abovementioned trick, but it's quite useful regardless, and a really nice addition overall.Yeah, I feel confident that I can tackle a lot of day to day things with this one. Lot of utility in a small package. It's my daily carry.

great for a city slicker

I am NOT an outdoorsman. I rarely leave my city. I work in an office. I do go on hikes from time to time.I have never needed a saw , but I often need scissors and Victorinox makes GREAT scissors. I thought I would not use the corkscrew but once I ordered a Victorinox eyeglass screwdriver that goes in the corkscrew it made the corkscrew very important. I like the hook for getting leverage when pulling on a string or wire, or carrying paint cans. I use the small blade for opening packages and everyday cutting but save the large blade for heavier work. The small screwdriver works as a Phillip's in a pinch and the large flat head is always great for prying things open or to scrape at things. I use the Reamer/awl for scraping, or pocking holes in many things, and the ... MoreI am NOT an outdoorsman. I rarely leave my city. I work in an office. I do go on hikes from time to time.I have never needed a saw , but I often need scissors and Victorinox makes GREAT scissors. I thought I would not use the corkscrew but once I ordered a Victorinox eyeglass screwdriver that goes in the corkscrew it made the corkscrew very important. I like the hook for getting leverage when pulling on a string or wire, or carrying paint cans. I use the small blade for opening packages and everyday cutting but save the large blade for heavier work. The small screwdriver works as a Phillip's in a pinch and the large flat head is always great for prying things open or to scrape at things. I use the Reamer/awl for scraping, or pocking holes in many things, and the tweezers are a MUST. I dont use the toothpick for teeth, I use it for getting at little things I may have dropped into a crack or to maneuver a tiny object . I am a city guy, Dad and Grandpa so I use my Victorinox for cutting hockey tape, fixing glasses, opening packages, getting out slivers, snipping threads, turning screws and cutting rope. So for me its all about the scissors , screwdrivers , and tweezers. The Climber is all of that and it small enough to sit comfortably in my pant pocket. I also love that people dont get scared when I bust out a Swiss army knife. Its a great tool and an essential every day carry .