I’m a Leatherman guy, but I purchased a Swisstool Spirit X on Facebook marketplace. Never used. Like new. Always wanted one. It’s a beautiful tool. Elegant, smooth as butter. Each tool deploys separately. Very high quality. But, it’s my weekend tool. Monday to Friday it’s Leatherman.

Another SAK that tends to fly under the radar, but is great for urban living EDC is the PioneerX. Slim profile, good knife, great awl opening packages, and scissors. For a few years I tried so many different multi-tools, and eventually landed on this one as being the one with the tools I would use the most with the smallest profile for my pocket.

For urban EDC I swear by the "Pioneer X + 58 mm keychain SAK of your own choosing" combo. That way you have the robustness and the inline reamer of the alox line and the scale tools + small blade + no 1 Phillips screwdriver (+ the nailfile if you need) on your keychain. All you lose is the corkscrew. For outdoors I'd say the Outrider (= Forester with scissors).

I'm a sold out swisschamp man myself. But great list man. Can't go wrong with victorinox, simple as that

So many good options. There really is a Victorinox to meet almost anyone’s needs. For most days, a Cadet is plenty for me. I will swap it with others depending on my mood and what I’ll be doing that day - Bantam, Climber, Huntsman. I have others stashed in vehicles or in a box waiting their turn. Never had a quality problem with any of them, so I always feel confident relying on whichever one I choose.

I recently discovered this channel and I think it is kind of cool. Over the years I have reduced my EDC profile looking for tools and other items that cover most of my daily needs in the smallest package. I have other tools that I can carry for specific situations. I found that a blade, scissors, Philip's and flat head screwdrivers cover about 95% of my daily needs. The Leatherman Free T4 is what I carry at the moment.

I would put the Rambler as a contender with the Mini Champ. It's much cheaper and a better bang for the buck. I also really like the Alox Cadet. It's so slim and useful. And I agree. If they hadn't discontinued the Yeoman it might be the perfect SAK.

If you can't come at the ridiculous price of the compact, the Climber/Super Tinker 3 layer option is excellent. I just can't get over the ~$100AU the Compact RRPs for here in Aus. I don't miss the Compact combo tool because I have no idea what it's like, but I'd rather compromise thickness for capability. I only have the Huntsman/ Fieldmaster, Ranger, Explorer and Minichamp from your list. Unfortunately the jetsetter would still be seized by Australian airport security

I love my Ranger, the perfect SAK in my opinion. In addition to the normal tools, I wanted and I use, scissors, saw, file and small chisel. Ranger has them all, a super useful tool, unless I specifically need to use pliers, I use my Ranger more than my Wave+.

I'm probably 20 years older than you. That magnifying glass looks pretty handy to me. It's not an ECD item, but I *highly* recommend putting a magnifying glass lamp on your desk. I've given them out as gifts as my friends age with me, and they come in surprisingly helpful. I prefer the swing arm type, but any of them are fine. Thanks for the vids!

I love the Alox Pioneer X. Any SAK with scissors is a great choice.

The Rambler is my favorite 58mm for everyday use. The minichamp has too much I don’t need.

The Victorinox Companion and its package opener + nail file are awesome options too!

Should be cool. This is a category where I definitely know my favorites.

The straight pin on the compact is surprisingly useful. My favorite larger sak is the locksmith. it’s basically a soldier with an all straight blade and it adds a full length file. I replaced a Leatherman with the locksmith and a set of knipex pliers, and the combined two way less than the Leatherman and the tools are better

Can’t believe you downed the SAK light. The Signature Lite: Rocks writing in the dark!! Keychain-mounted will light a key hole. And is always handy to locate what you just dropped in the dark and only have the last “ting” and your current position to triangulate the most likely final resting spot.

The fact that the nail clipper one doesn't have a non blade version is a travesty. I would through that in my travel bag in a heart beat as i then wouldn't have to worry about airplanes

Excellent list and wonderful recommendations! I've EDC'd a Handyman (Ranger toolset plus pliers) for a hot minute now and I can never go without it. I also regularly carry a Rambler or Minichamp in my watch pocket for a keychain tool.

NailClip 580 and the Compact are mainstays in my EDC. Absolutely love both. The Ranger lives in my “extended EDC” bumbag. The Compact fits (with some effort originally) very well in a Leatherman Small nylon pouch

Have tried so many other things but keep coming back to my swiss champ. Yes its a brick, but it's a nicely rounded brick that fits perfectly in the 5th pocket that exists in almost all my shorts and pants. Multitools dont fit in this pocket very well. I dont even feel it in that spot. Every time I slip my champ in that little pocket I think of all those years that this pocket went completey unused whereas now its a gateway to easy EDC glory.

I do have an Explorer I keep mostly home and its an amazing tool..for EDC I use a Classic + Compact..

I have over 30 SAKs and the starter has to be the Swiss Champ. A bit too big to carry but put in you car or in a drawer at home and you have so many tools at your disposal at an instant. You'll also learn which of it's tools you need/use as opposed to what you don't to select lesser equipped models. You can travel on any airline with it in checked baggage and mine is never without me. The Deluxe Tinker is perhaps the ideal compromise but the Phillips screwdriver is pretty much useless across the world which uses Pozidrive so I rebuilt one of mine with a corkscrew as no equivalent is available. I've lost count of how many cheap corkscrews I've had to buy travelling around Europe and the corkscrew has so many other benefits. The Explorer is great when you travel as magnifying glass is great dealing with the fine and poor food printing on food products even English is included. The modular design of the SAKs means that unfortunately it has that same, limited use Phillips driver. The Alox Mini Champ may seem expensive for it's size but is very definitely a must have, it took me a while to decide to pay the price but have never regretted it. It even includes a cocaine spoon and the tracheotomy knife carried over from a long obsolete offering. It's a work of art just as a bonus. The final large format is a waste or time as all options in this size use some tools like scissors and pliers from the smaller version. If they added full size items, it would be awesome. The Work Champ is the biggest waste of money ever. None of these are really one handed opening like a Leatherman but intended to be openable with gloves. The Waiter is a fantastic item to carry and the unusual mini format is small enough for a key ring. It has a blade for bread, butter and cheese, a bottle opener for beer and a corkscrew for wine so all bases are covered. The Spartan is also a good option, larger and thicker, better equipped and often cheaper. I've built my collection through buying when bargains are available so you need to keep checking and judge accordingly. There are massive bargains out there including through the official Heidi Shop. Spartans are sometimes near giveaway prices as are some of the Swiss Tools so you can buy, wait and sell on or give them as perceived high value gifts. They also work great as bribes in a number of countries where that is customary and have got me out of a few scrapes.

Explorer was my final choice I decided on for my Urban EDC from the current offerings. When I found out about the Yeoman I was so bummed until I found someone to make one for me. So now my current EDC is a custom Ti scaled Yeoman that rides in the EDC pouch that functions as my wallet.

I've had a number of SAK over the years, many have been discontinued. Favorite among them is the Master Craftsman. Of the ones still available, I favor the Fieldmaster thou I have recently discovered the Ranger grip 78 just wish it had scissors

I’m not a collector, but HUGE SAK enthusiast. I grew up with a 1980’s model Explorer and I still think it’s still vipers hard to beat….AND mine doesn’t even have the parcel hook!…if I had a newer Explorer, I’d add the plus scale and man, that’s a winner…an Explorer Plus!

I need to share that the Victorinox JETSETTER and the small Cabela's $6 dollar multi-tool that has pliers are my favorite (EDC) every day carry tools. ✅ Both can function with the Leatherman removable bit-driver. The knife can be easily removed from the Cabela's multi-tool to make it TSA airplane approved! ✈

I use the Rambler for everyday and it's on my keychain. The Victorinox Walker (which complements my Rambler) for hiking and camping.

The Victorinox Ranger is $48 right now on Amazon. Just thought I would share that.

My main out the door edc is a Super Tinker that was a gift for Father’s Day. Then I scored off of eBay for a steal a Pioneer X. Then I got a hiker for $14 put Micarta scales on it, ground the small blade to a carving wharncliff for wood carving. Then a forester for walking in the woods.

Wow, just when I thought I wouldnt learn anything...I didnt realize my leatherman bit adapter fits my 58mm driver! Ive been using that kit with my swiss champ! Nice!

The minichcamp "medicine measurer" is a cuticle pusher and the "cotton hook" is a orange opener sorta thing.

The difference in price between the Huntsman/Ranger and Compact/Climber should be noted. The Huntsman is so much cheaper that it throws the Ranger out of the water for most people, while the climber gives you more tools for less money and a few mm of bulk.

I've really been loving my 111mm Adventurer with the old lock. Super comfortable to use, beautiful blade shape that is just so versatile. That little bit of extra blade and handle length really helps when preparing food; especially if you've got more to do than just cut up an apple.

clipper is my EDC, should say EDDC= Every Day Dad Carry. Used it many times to my kids and my nails when we are out.

I 100% agree on the Jetsetter. I've had one on my keys for a year now, complimented by a small Spyderco for knife duties. Very useful little guy. Mostly the tiny scissors and the tweezers, but the screwdriver and even the toothpick has come in handy plenty of times. However, I think you're selling the Classic a little short as an alternative. My mom keeps one in her small pen case, and it's a great addition. The knife sharpens a pencil nicely, and can also do other small office-y jobs. So if you're not a knife person, but still see that a small blade can come in handy once in a while, it's a great option.

I’ve had 4 SAK’s so far. One of them was the large frame variety which I sadly lost. I remember it was insanely sharp out of the box. The others are a super tinker and an alox cadet. They come with me everywhere in addition to a folding knife. I like them because they don’t come off as threatening like my folding knives might and they have useful implements which fill roles my folders can’t.

If you carry the Jetsetter you have to get de cadet, this two are much better together, they are the victorinox that I carry always in my EDC. If I go to a party I add a model with a corkscrew (waiter). If I go to the forest I add the Ranger Grip 79. If I go on vacation or somewhere for a few days I add the Work Champ or the Handyman

I carry a climber in my viperade 15. Don't feel like I need a saw or a file most of the time. I got another for my oldest child as well as the nailclip for my wife and a classic sd for my daughter for Christmas. Great video!

My #10 would have been the Outrider. While it’s not one handed it is locking with scissors and a saw.

there's a feature that gets overlooked on videos about SAKs that I regularly make use of. The 2.5mm screwdriver on the back of Handyman,Ranger and Swiss champ models is a good fit for the Leatherman bit adapter. It makes a handy T-bar in a lot of situations especially when adding the ratchet although I wouldn't want to apply mass of torque cos it's not very thick. Great for most jobs though.

Thank you. Of all the models you reviewed, I’d have to pick the Deluxe Tinkerer as my daily. There is a compelling argument for the Alox Mini Champ as well, but I like pliers for EDC, however small.

Great list. The Explorer stays in my EDC bag. The magnifying glass is the reason. I bought the Compact from your November announcement and it is on a clip inn my pocket all the time. A Rambler is replacing my Classic on my Keychain. The Jetsetter is with me when I fly.

I've been carrying the Explorer for many years. Along with a lock-back knife I'm set.

As I'm getting older, I've been considering the explorer because of the magnifying glass

Great video. My Victorinox of choice is the Hiker. It has all the main tools I need without any gimmicks. I have it in my EDC pouch. I also bought my wife the Classic for her keychain as she was a little nervous about carrying a knife day to day.

Great video! Note the Ranger chisel accepts the Leatherman Rebar bit adapter which gives you access to 1/4" bits. Place it on the chisel and then close the chisel until the bit adapter stops the closing action. Note also the placement of the hook allows for T-shank jigsaws to be added if the current wood saw or metal saw is not enough. See Felix Immler's video. So with 1/4 bits, knife, saw, scissors, file, more saw blades, etc., it's just missing pliers. Enter the Sog Synch 1 in the 5th pocket or a Chums wallet with bits. Presto - pocket EDC with everything you need.

The compact and huntsman are my favorites. I use the compact as a daily edc because it compliments my Swisstool very well. I like the huntsman as a small but versatile and relatively inexpensive multitool that I can fit into most knife sheath pouches for outdoor activities. I also like the rangergrip models, but I can only fit those into something like an outdoor backpack, bug out bag etc. I wish there was a variation of the compact that also had a nail clipper. that would be perfect.

Deluxe Tinker, farmer X Alox, fieldmaster, classic SD and a Spirit X

Handyman and the Locksmith if you can find one. Locksmith is the only one to incorporate one hand opening blade, saw and metal saw into same tool. It is the perfect SAK.

For me, the Tinker for every day use. (Easy to slip into my pocket.) And the Swiss Champ when traveling. In my backpack.

The only one of these that I own, is the deluxe tinker, which I received accidentally. I was replacing a lost super tinker and Amazon sent the deluxe instead. That extra plier layer makes the tool uncomfortably wide. The super tinker is my choice for urban carry.

I love thé Explorer. My opinion, best Vic in thé line-up. 1st choice for a dad in holiday saison.

Tinker deluxe is my favorite Swiss Army knife. Literally has everything I’m looking for. Only downside really for me is they don’t lock, and some of the drivers are a bit too stubby. I think it is the ultimate SAK and I wish I could carry it in confidence but I just use my leatherman too much Great video as always!

Good vid thanks ... I bought the Explorer for my two Grandsons based on the magnifying glass ...I just bought the Huntsman for myself as well.

I love my small tinker. I got so many swiss army knives now since they have so many different scales. I don't know which one to carry anymore lol. Great vid for info and ideas for my next purchase haha.

excellent summary. Have them all except I have the cellidor version of minicamp. Personally my favorite edc ones are climber/super tinker/mountineer and the explorer (probably my favorite. For pocket carry I like a spartan, small tinker or a traveler II. Usually these are combined with a alox classic.

Very good! Bravo 👏

Great list. I have most of these and like to swap them out and pair them depending on the activities of the day. I also never use the ones I eat or prep food with for other tasks, these are my Picnicker, Waiter, or Sentinel and usually packed in my lunch cooler with my titanium spork. Nail Clip 580 also agree for best grooming tool and usually in my travel bag. What I end up carrying most though is my Manager and a modified Pioneer X with added magnifier and philips layer.

Love my Fieldmaster.

Cool video! Thanks! It looks like there is some cool background information about Swiss Bianco on his website - as an American, I really enjoyed it, and I bet you will, too!

After debating long and hard about a SAK vs a Leatherman I got the Explorer with the added pin and mini screwdriver. The magnifier is useful to me and I use the scissors more than I ever would use a saw. I use the Explorer everyday for something. I might get a Skeletool to add pliers and wire cutters, plus the combo knife that the Explorer doesn't have.

Great selection, I do like those swiss bianco scales. I'm defo an explorer fan, but yep the Yeoman would be a great reissue

I'd use the Farmer-X, I feel it's a good minimalist SAK for the outdoors, ok you don't get the back tools but it's more durable than other models and it comes with thicker blade stock than other SAKs

Well thought out

I only ever use the corkscrew for loosening bad knots in cords and laces.

Great video. Very informative and likely will be an expensive one for me:)

I have a Sentinel and a Ranger, the chisel and metal file have been more useful that I thought it would be.

I love the handyman. I think that it’s the ranger plus pliers. It was stolen from me, and I’ve since replaced it with the swisschamp. I think that I will still try to pick up another handyman someday.

I had a really nice combo, the Victorinox Rally on my keychain and the Victorinox Compact in my pocket. But I lost the compact unfortunately and miss the scissors, as well as the corkscrew (I do drink wine from time to time). So I am thinking about upgrading from the rally to the rambler for the scissors and I already bought a small keychain corkscrew (unfortunately there is no company that makes a decent one). I'm always carrying a bigger folding knife anyways (mostly either a Otter Mercator or a Opinel N°6), so apart from the scissors and the corkscrew on the compact there's nothing I'd really miss. Maybe the pen, but I wanted to add a small fountain pen to my edc anyways.

When I was in the market for Victorinox, I was looking for a tool that would fit an urban environment, and will disappear in a pocket or a fanny pack, especially in summer, when pocket space is very limited. At a time I have been carrying Wave+, but it was an overkill when I was not at work or not on my bike. I didn't want a corkscrew, so I had to choose among the Tinker family or a Fieldmaster. I went with Super Tinker and after almost 3 years of owning it I didn't have a single day when I regretted that choice. It is a perfect yet compact tool for urban scenarios. I never had the need for a Fieldmaster saw or those small pliers that Deluxe Tinker have, but all the other tools have been used regularly, even the parcel hook.

I'm surprised how useful the pliers are on the Swiss army knives. I was able to adjust nuts on my daughter's bike with one the other day.

Personally, i have only 2 Leatherman tools. But on the flip side, i have 38 Victorinox knives. I have yet to get a SAK with a pair of pliers, but its on the list. I carry a Leatherman when i feel i might need it for the day, but i always carry a 91mm Victorinox as my primary knife and multitool. I like my 111mm models(Rucksack, Picnicker, and Adventurer), but they are just a bit too big to carry on my suspension clip, which is my preferred method of carry.

Defiantly the Alox Farmer X, you have the tweezers and toothpick on the SD or the manager, while the pen is handy as a backup (I have plus scales on my huntsman) Overall though I don’t worry about having screwdrivers on my SAK’s, as the Victorinox bit wrench covers all my fastener needs, security torx, Allen keys, and all the variables on screwdrivers. Can’t see this being replaced in my edc until the sonic screwdriver is released 😜

Ive always got a swiss card in my wallet. The one i use most has scissors, small knife, magnifying glass, led light, pen tweezer, pin, pick and a driver square thingy. Ive used all of them. Theres tools on my other knives ive never used...whereas the card is always handy, which makes it useful.

Regarding the Ranger, I would invest in some plus scales so you have the pen to.

I like the soldier! Always good to have a decent, easy to open blade

I originally purchased the huntsman, then about 2 days later needed a file, had to use my leatherman whihc is always a bit of an issue when carrying in the UK. Next day the ranger was ordered, have been carrying it for 4 years everyday since on a pocket hanger.

I find the liner locks on the 111mm knives to be a bit odd. They operate in reverse compared to just about every other liner lock out there (push right to release instead of left), they require a good deal of force to release, and there isn’t much surface area on the lock bar to press, making it a bit uncomfortable. Those are my observations from the Outrider, anyway. I carried a Compact until recently to compliment my OG Supertool (mainly for the scissors and scale tools). I decided recently that I didn’t like my keys + AAA flashlight + pen + Compact in the same pocket (nor did I like what my keys were doing to the scales) so I swapped out the Compact in the left pocket for a Swisscard in the phone (right) pocket. The Swisscard fits nicely with the phone, and I’ve traded a blade that I didn’t need for a magnifying glass, nail file, and 4 small drivers (2 Phillips, 2 flat) while still retaining the scissors, pen, toothpick, tweezers and pin. If you already carry a multitool and a folding knife, the Swisscard makes an excellent companion to those tools.

The implamint that looks like a spatula is actually a cuticle pusher on the mini champ alox. Cheers 😊

Love all the swiss army knives I'm just starting to collect none has any flaws 😅

My favorite combo is Manager (keychain) + Explorer (daily/office) OR Workchamp (outdoor).

Something I've found I like about the Huntsman over the Ranger and Handyman is that the saw not having a back tool makes the spring more stout, keeping that saw in place just a bit more secure.

I love and use my alox pioneer X

Midnight Manager Lite 32GB is definite a top 10 Inox for me

I find the waiter as the perfect companion for my Arc. I get tweezers, ferro rod in my toothpick slot, tinder in the corkscrew, another blade, and… Victorinox offers a mini tool 4 pack with the eyeglass flathead, a triple 0 Philips, a T4, and a SIM card punch… I carry the full Leatherman bit kit and my arc already has the eyeglass flathead and triple 0 Philips, so I keep the T4 in my corckscrew. Basically the Waiter is the smallest form to get the corkscrew. Being a single layer 84mm it literally disappears in the 5th pocket of my jeans.

i keep waiting for someone to review the Junior. it is a crazy gem, locking blade, saw and a few other basics. it fills a niche for people who carry a full size scissor

I have several Swiss Tools that should be on the top 10, my orignal 1993 one is still razor sharp and all bits accounted for

Proud owner of a handyman 😊

Great video except for one glaring error!! For urban EDC the Midnite Manager is an exceptionally useful pocket tool. I use mine 2-3x per day and residing in my 5th pocket there is not much chance of it getting wet. It gives me another light option in addition to the i3E EOS that I have in my keychain. And an emergency pen.

As usual, I am saddened by Victorinox's continued blindbspot around bladeless tools. They have one. That's it. Where's the bladeless nail kit? Where's the bladeless Explorer for the urbanite? Where's the screw centric tool with the opener layer and but driver and such, but no blade so you can carry it anywhere? 200 different models, and they still would rather give me 2 blades and a tent repair awl (mostly useless unless you're camping or foin wood work regularly) than something I can wear to an airport or a theater or a hospital. There's such a huge market there they keep ignoring. It makes me so sad.

my fav sak is def. the handyman, 2nd would be the workchamp, 3rd the cybertool large

I recommend the Rambler, Bantam, Cadet, Tinker, Farmer, Adventurer, Fieldmaster and Soldier.

Im 36 seconds onto the video and im looking for another SAK. I so hope you mention something I've nec considered ....

One of the best ones is Manager. A tiny knife capable of cutting giant ikea box, scissors, file and philips, along with a pen and tweezers.and all in a keychain format. Meets all my needs, if i need smth else i can take any complimentary knife - vix bantam alox (woth mentioning), spy uk pk, any fix, etc Jetsetter is quite often NOT allowed on a plane. My second favorite was Comact - i still carry it in edc pouch I almost always have with me in a backpack. But manager I carry on a keychain, and as everybody knows, the best knife is the knife you have with you at the moment. Ps I also have 130 mm one with a saw (ranger grip?). It is quite nice, but not for everybody, for me it was a perfect fit as I actually used knife, saw and can opener on the same trip.

I have a Rambler that is always on my keychain, as well as an Explorer that I typically use for EDC in my usual around town / urban environment. I also have an old Wenger with a saw, which might be more useful in an outdoors situation. I'm thinking about upgrading to plus scales on the Explorer. Do you have a link or recommendation on the best source to get them?

I love the Hercules partly because of its unique long philips driver 👍 Although, it is a real chunk....

Thank you,

I carry a cyber tool lite that I had the file and saw from the cyber tool l put in so it’s kinda a L lite now. I’m working on installing the blade from a Spyderco roadie in n690co and then adding 3D printed plus scales with the “secret slot” open. I just didn’t find a SAK with the toolset I wanted so I made my own. And for heavier work in my medical bag I carry a leatherman ST300M that I also modified the toolset. I carry the SAK in my pocket and the ST300M in my bag and they compliment each other’s toolset very well

I carry an SAK of some sort nearly all the time, and have done for decades. The Huntsman or Tinker are fine for my EDC needs. If I'm going more outdoorsy, I favour the Outrider, which is a Forester with an extra layer containing scissors and a small inline Phillips driver - I don't see that model getting a lot of attention, so I thought I'd mention it. I've never found the pliers on SAKs large enough or strong enough to be useful - if I want pliers, I'll go to a Leatherman tool.

Alox SAKS are far superior for everyday use. They are more robust and made from thicker stock, but to be fair, it is an excellent video for beginners. I carry a locking folder (Buck, Spiderco, etc.), a SAKS ALOX, various slip joint knives that suit my fancy, and a Leatherman tool daily because you never know. Be aware of knife Laws when you travel. The TAS will confiscate the Jettsetter.