The climber is the best edc knife hands down. Been carrying one for 20 years everyday

As I said : The Swiss Champ gives you a taste of all the tools, and then you can choose the ones you like and get the model that has what you want. 👍

The best phillips driver Victorinox makes is surprisingly on the Rambler. If you really wanted to, you can carry both the Climber & the Rambler without any noticeable difference. As for a pair of pliers, the 4 inch xs cobra from Knipex comfortably fits inside a pair of jean’s small pocket (the pocket above the right-side pocket).

You're right about the combotool. I used to carry a Compact until I had to face a larger Phillips screw (essentially the kryptonite of the combotool). So I tried the Climber (the one which I never before understood the appeal of) and that's when I realized the other upsides of it as opposed to the Compact. 3-layer SAKs are more comfortable in the hand than 2-layer ones. Two blades are better than one. I also found uses for the awl that's missing from the Compact. And even though the Climber doesn't have the ballpoint pen and the nailfile my Manager has both (they're even more comfortable to use than the ones on the Compact).

The Climber is probably the best value for money EDC victorinox knife. The only thing is it doesn't come stock with the plus scales (pin, pen, mini-screwdriver). But finding one used and replacing the stock scales with plus scales, makes in perfect. Considering it is cheaper than the Compact even if it has one more layer is pretty good.

I bought a Swisschamp a month ago as my 10th Victorinox, for a pretty good price to be honest as well and I am impressed by it, none of my other SAKs have metal file, inline Phillips or the pliers so I wanted to find out how good and useful those are, also I like that it fits no problem in the 5th pocket of my jeans. It only cost £8/$10 more than I'd pay for a Leatherman Squirt and it's much much better than one of those. But like you say, hardly anyone needs that entire toolset on a daily basis. Also I stopped buying pliers based multitools after buying my Knipex Cobra XS which I do like to have on me and I do use, maybe not every day, but a few times each week. Apart from that the tools I use most on SAKs are the blades, especially the small blade for opening packaging, the scissors, the bottle opener for bottles of Heineken and as a general pry bar, and the can opener as an occasional Phillips screwdriver and also for limited prying applications, it fits particularly well under the screwtop lid of a jar of pickles for example to release the air with that nice pop sound. So my Climber fits the bill for that. Mine is with black plus scales including a pen, with a pocket clip on the scales (not that SwissQlip which costs more than the knife). Together with the Knipex that's pretty much all I need for general urban EDC.

I carried the climber for years & liked it but I always thought there was something better then I found the super tinker, it's the climber but with a Phillips screw driver, for me much more practical ❤

I discovered the Climber about 18 months ago. I was using the Huntsman in my EDC, I had three and lost one. I went to buy a replacement, and saw the Cilmber, which is basically a Huntsman without the wood saw, which I have never ever used. After a few weeks carrying the Climber I was that impressed I added a set of titanium-alloy scales to replace the red cellidor scales. Purely a vanity thing, but I like the added heft the t-a scales bring. I also have an older Champ, with the grey plastic magnifier, but I don't carry that outside as I like the grey glass so much I'd be gutted if I lost it.

The Hide & Drink (H&D) leather belt pouch is perfect for the SwissChamp and it's really cheap on Amzn. I like to carry that and a mini champ, for complimentary coverage, in a zippered leather pouch with two knife/flashlight holding bands H&D also makes in my front pocket. I usually don't need most of the tools on the two champs, but man, when I do need a rare tool it's so much better to have them than not.

The ranger is another under-appreciated model... it's much smaller and more compact than a champ, but has the saw and the file, as well as all of the back tools that the champ has... Good camping knife. (5 layer design)... (vs 8 on the champ, and 2 of those extra 3 layers are very thick (the pliers and 3d screwdriver layers)) looks like 7 because of the dividers, but I count the fish scaler layer as the 8th layer.

Climber is my wife's garden knife. Trimming stems, leaves, cutting weeds, ect. Sleek little thing.

Regarding the hygiene of the toothpick. 2 things. I have a titanium toothpick in a long capsule on a keyring I keep in my coat pocket with many other items on it. I use it quite a lot. I also carry a little spray bottle of 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol that I use for my hands, my glasses, general other things like cleaning glue off of blades and surfaces and I often use it to sanitise my toothpick. I just ordered a Climber and a Compact as I have a brother's birthday coming up and I can't decide which one to keep for myself.

SAK Climber with plus scales and you can use jigsaw blades with hack (carry the Leatherman t-shank file and saw) then pair it up with knipex 6” pliers (the ones with orange grips). Perfection

A while back, I had a victorianox that had no blade. I also believe they do some TSA safe products with no blade.

You are spot on about Victorinox quality... nothing else compares, even Leatherman. I carried a Leatherman Juice S2 for years, for the pliers. What I came to realize, is that I seriously don't need to have them. Nowadays, it's a Victorinox Explorer... great combination of all the tools you have plus an in line philips and a magnifying glass that I end up using more frequently than I ever thought.

if you like the 2d phillips on the climber, the classic sd screwdriver I believe also does 2d phillips. (don't get me wrong, I like the 91mm models myself cause I like the larger tools)

Great video man I agree the climber is also my favorite, if you get a little bit older one the scissors layer won't have the parcel hook on the backside and it will just be a beautiful solid chrome back bar instead 🤌 also I recently did my first custom sak and I replaced the blade layer on it with the metal file.

I think I might start keeping a "use journal" (or several) for keeping track of what I use on my SwissChamp. I might also extend the idea to other things like my clothes. The idea would be to go through it later and figure out what I need based on what I actually use.

I carry a Climber for about 2t years as my go to edc. Recently got the powerpint not as a replacement but an addition. The 1/4 driver and pliers mainly. But the Climber or Huntsman do 95% of anything i need

totally agree. If Victorinox made a model with, scissors and opener layer, maybe a corkscrew and hook and plus scales, I'd buy that for $20-$25 all day

I carry a Huntsman. I used the saw at work today to breakdown a 3 meter wooden crate.

I recommend you take a look at the Evolution 14, which is lighter than the Climber but carries more tools. The Compact used to be my EDC, but I've been carrying the Evo 14 or Evo 17 for many months, and find myself more often able to deal with little problems as they arise, which is what a multi-tool is all about.

I do like/prefer the corkscrew for urban/camping use. It’s part of my everyday.

Appreciated your video. I did not know about the fire ant accessory. I think I might have to get a pack of them. I picked this knife up for %50 off at my local hardware store. I was curious to learn more about it. Glad I decided to get it. Thank you for the video.

The Hiker is identical to the Climber, but it has a Phillips screwdriver instead of the corkscrew. Infinitely more useful. I always replace the toothpick with a Firefly ferro rod.

125+ years of making Swiss precision tools, and up until recently, was the world leader in sheer number of knives made by a single company in the course of a year. Hard to argue with.

The Fieldmaster is my goto. Being able to cut wood & pvc , coconuts etc is cool! :) or the Evogrip.

I love all victorinox models, but i went with the alox version farmer X, it feels sturdy, better grip doing outdoor stuff, blade is thicker also the big flathead/bottle opener, and in my honest opinion, i wouldnt buy a victorinox if it didnt have the scissor its really a must, they are incredible good!

I didn't like the Sog powerpoint as well. I think it has great pliers and is a great size. I also like the bit-end at the end. But the peripheral tools on the side aren't as good as Victorinox. Victorinox has better scissors, better knives, better files, better everything. The only thing the Sog had going for it was the pliers. But the tools of the SOG are brittle, sharp, dangerous and cheap looking. I think a dream tool is something like the Sog pliers with Victorinox peripherals.

I believe the "density" difference you noticed when tapping is that non-plus scales have the cut out for the pen inside the scales still, but just don't have the opening. With the swisschamp that hole is filled with the pen. What you are hearing is the hollow pen slot inside the non-plus scales. As a side note, I now carry a climber with plus scales - in my opinion the best EDC victorinox

unless you live in a chateu in the french countryside the climber makes no sense when the super tinker replaces the cork screw for a philips

I boil EDC down to this: There is what you definitely need. There is what you will need a few times a week. There is what you will need in a pinch. There is what you might need once a week or so. Then there is what you will need in an emergency. ....Some stuff on you and some in your vehicle. EDC for everyone is going to be different. Some only need a small knife. Some need a big multitool. Some need more. Some don't need anything but carry all the expensive/fancy EDC items they can just to try to look cool. I fall into the category of "Need More". Because I do bigger and heavier tasks as well as small and light tasks, I have ended up having to carry more. I also like to be prepared for emergencies. I ended up having to carry a multitool (like the wave but not a letherman), a Gerber Dime, a folding knife and a Vic Swiss Champ. I use each one at least five times a week and have used almost every tool on each. Then there is the stuff that I run into at least two or three times a week that, if I don't have, I need to run to a store to buy again because I never have it with me. But I already have a dozen+ at home. Duct Tape and electrical tape are perfect examples. It sucks to not have it and have to buy another roll in a pinch. I ended up with a lot of rolls of tape at home that had a few feet taken off of each. So now I carry 12 feet of each. I do have to carry a few other things with me as well. My backpack is a little heavy but it has nearly everything I need at least three times a week. Everything else is in my vehicle.

I carry a Handyman I've modified with Plus scales. I don't find too much difficulty carrying it, but it is hooked to my belt, hanging in my pocket, so it's different from just dropping it in a pocket. When I've tried dropping it in my pocket it has been a bit noticeable.

@6:18 I disagree; the compact is not "very overpriced" it has plus scales and costs so much because it is hand-assembled, and it has the unique nail-file on the parcel hook (not found on any other SAK); installing the pin and pen is not automated, hence, these are more expensive to produce as is the Compact parcel hook. All plus-scale knives cost more. How much would you pay for a hand-assembled knife? @12:40 noted above Victorinox can't add the pin to knives that are machine produced that's why so few come with it. (Watch Jon Gadget's video of his Victorinox factory tour. Hand assembly is explained @4:40 through @5:48.) If you want to add a pin get a Dressmakers pin #22 size:20 1-1/4" long in Nickel-plated steel. For me, the Compact is the knife I carry just going around town. I have many SAKs to choose from... To each his own. For me, I love the compact, it was worth $59 to me and was not a rip-off owing to the unique features in a very compact-carry knife.

While I agree that the Compact is overpriced, you have to consider that they add the plus scales with pen, pin, and mini screwdriver into that price. Adding those 3 things to a $30 knife can end up being another $20-$30 with shipping. Still agree it should be cheaper though. Love my Climber, but using the can opener on phillips has proven to be annoying and tedious. So I started carrying the Explorer.

I have had a champ since 1997,unfortunatly it recently got lost 🤡,like you said on your champ video review i only used half of the tools and carry my EDC in my pocket so wrote out a list of what i used most and what 3 and 4 layered tools were on offer as i wanted to lighten and slim down the 'load',the 2 layered tools didnt quite do it for me and I narrowed it down to 2 knifes,the 3 layered climber and the 4 layered explorer both with the scale tools.i went for the explorer as it has the same tools as the climber but for the sake of another layer which i didnt feel much differnce in has the front end phillips which for me is useful,it also has the magnifying glass which like you i only look at my skin with 😂😂,at the end of the day you carry what works for you...great videos bud enjoyed watching them.......(p.s,as soon as my explorer landed i ordered the swiss champ too....need to have a champ in my life,it just wont live in my pocket😉😉😉)

I agree with you. I've been carrying the Climber for years and it's a great EDC knife/multitool. I'd like the try the Compact to see if I can notice the difference between 2 layers and 3.... but the prize of the Compact.... maaaan, maybe it is the pin, the pen and the mini screwdriver that make it so expensive.... u_u Great video anyways! Cheers!

I have glasses so wanted to keep the micro screwdriver, so use the corkscrew tinder and Firefly fire steel replacing the toothpick.

Thumbs up for the chill voice and doing things your own way :)

I appreciate the podcast talk. Amazon sells stuff, you don't. 👍

When you closed the spine tools, it caught on your keyring : if you put a smaller ring in place of the stock one, you shouldn't have that happen anymore.

I suggest you to add the Leatherman Rebar to the Climber. It's the best match: Locking tools, pliers, saw, file and long phillips from the Leatherman. Knife, scissors, hook, corkscrew, needle etc from the Climber. Resume: Quality and personal use: Vic. Tools and hard use: Leatherman

I love the Camper,it has the wood saw 👍

Tinker small is my go too

I have a juice S2 by leatherman. Too bad they’re discontinued. Personally I’ve found it truly is everything you need. I can’t go victorionox because the pliers are too valuable to me.

When people compare prices between the Climber and the Compact they always seem to to the Climber at cut down price and the Compact at full retail. The Climber is £39, Compact £51 on Vic’s website. If you were to buy plus scales with the pen and pin then it would put the Climber at £55. I got the Compact for £34.95 inc. shipping. I’ve ran all the tools through the ringer and it’s still in perfect condition. I understand the hate that it got but the price point has always been skewed against the Compact.

Have you seen the Knipex XS pliers? They’re perfect minimalist edc.and would beautifully compliment a victorinox.

Why not trying the Super Tinker. It’s my EDC and is just perfect. But if you also need a hand saw you could try the Hiker.

No worries buddy! Do what u do best! Respect!👍

The compact cost so much because it’s a two layer making it lighter and is a very popular EDC knife.

I like long videos!

Have you seen my video on adding a pocket clip to your Vic's? Might help you get more pocket time with either the Champ or Climber. 🤓

I don't think the Climber is "one of the least appreciated SAK's" at all.... It's quite the opposite, the Climber was always a best seller, way more than the Compact. The Compact only grew in popularity in the last decade or so, due to the internet, forums and youtube

I always carry more than one. Always!🕵️‍♂️

Climder nice tull.

Actually Victorinox gives you a lifetime warranty as well and their service is awesome! 😉

Excellent video and you keep doing you. I personally prefer the down to earth videos instead of the “this is the best thing since sliced bread” ones. I also like that you actually use your stuff and report back on how it does. Keep it up! I’m with ya on carrying less stuff in my pockets if I don’t have too. I’ve seen some people carry way too much stuff, in my opinion, that they don’t need. Finally, I too “layer” what I carry. Other, maybe bigger things, go in my Fanny pack or small sling bag.

Try the mini champ

I don’t think there’s any multi tool manufacturer that consistently comes close to the quality and for the price as Victorinox. There’s no perfect SAK for me the Electrician comes pretty close and the Nail Clip 580 is the only SAK I EDC all the time. Here’s a weird thing I just discovered: the Electrician Plus (super rare apparently) it was a wood saw ! 🤨 what an odd tool to put on an Electrician?! Now Victorinox have a made an Electrician with the file but it’s only available to members of a collectors club I believe. A file makes more sense than a saw. Now an Electrician X with scissors would sell the hot cakes flying off a shit covered shovel.

Pair it with the Knipex cobra xs.

1 minute into the video and it's already a "I'm not saying anything, I'm not here to argue, I'm not here to be right"... Okay 🙂I'm not here to watch this video, I'm not here to comment, I'm not here to win, I'm here just to leave this comment and leave the video @00:50, bye.

Compact new in canada is about 75$ 🤬

Hi Friend! 👋

OMFG 9 minutes to get to the point of the video!

Hey buddy 👊 I enjoyed your video, very authentic 👌 The Climber is such a great EDC 💪 I use the Tortoise 🐢 tinder & firesteel in mine, which enables you to still carry the micro screwdriver 🪛 😉 I think there is an embedded firestarting video near the end, or it may have been the Camper... If you're interested, the link is below: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qLGhg9OAmpy4p2Q.html&si=-3s4ksEPVKRkwY1Q Atb Gus 👍