Swiss Card vs. SD Classic. Which is the best small EDC multitool?

[@RobertMaguire67]

That magnifying glass to read ingredients list to avoid buying food with wheat or gluten for a spouse allergic to wheat is…..priceless for a 55+ yr old who fails to bring readers to the grocery store!!!!!!

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thanks a lot for clarifying. I know it's definitely useful to a lot of people I was just sharing my experience. I'll know its value if I ever decide to go gluten free 🙂

[@knightowl3577]

I can't have a card to carry in the UK, but I have an SD on my keychain always. I could just remove the blade, of course, but what's the point?

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

You're right. There's the Nail Care version with the nail file instead of a blade. But I'm with you, I wouldn't carry it without a blade honestly. Still can't get over that something as small as the card's blade would cause a problem in the UK. So a policeman finding that on you would actually write you up for it?

[@eonwabbelmann7709]

I carry my SD Classic every day and i find it easyer accessible on my Keychain then something in my wallet. You seam verry happy with your Swiss card and as long as it brings you joy there is no need to debate about what is better.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

You're right of course. I love the classic and carried it for years it's just a way to frame how I look at the Swiss Card and how I think people should give it a chance. But it's an implicit admission that the Classic is the default, kinda like how any great basketball player has to be compared to Jordan 🙂

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

And thanks for the comment!

[@davidjacobs828]

​@AboutThings_byTarif The Swiss card is illegal to carry in the UK... ( all fixed blades are illegal to carry )...

[@cynthiabreault6891]

I wholeheartedly agree that the tool you carry is the best one. I carry the SwissCard nailcare card. In the past, I’ve carried both the SAK Compact with a small screw driver in the cork screw, and more recently the SAK Manager (the one they discontinued without a light). The nailcare card became my EDC because it does not have a blade so it is flight/TSA friendly. It replaces the blade with a nail file and has both the tweezers and toothpick versus the light. I’ve found the magnifying lens useful for reading fine print and have opened boxes with the scissors. It’s a great little tool for frequent flyers.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thanks a lot for sharing your setup. I really like the Nail Care version especially that as you said you could sort of turn the scissors into a blade for packages in a pinch. I've been recommending it to all the UK viewers who can't carry the "fixed blade" of the regular. I love the Manager and I like that they added a light to it. I wish they made a Compact with a philips head.

[@calebrunne]

I love my manager, which has a pen and tweezers. I like to carry a rovyvon a8 attached to it which gives it the ability to hang vertically from the corner of my pocket by the clip. I am always tempted by the swiss card lite and you have a compelling case, but I just love the form factor of the manager with its ergonomics. I would definitely consider carrying the swisscard for flying. Thanks for the video, a great start!

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

I really like the Manager and as you said the card can be a great companion for travel. It's not cheap but it makes a nice gift in my experience I've given a couple away when people I love are wowed by it. For travel consider the nail care version which has a file instead of a blade.

[@cynthiabreault6891]

I have the rovyvon A8 as well. It’s a great little flash light. I’ve given it as a gift. Great minds think alike as my SAK was a Manager and is now nailcare card. I’ve lost too many SAKs to TSA etcetera and so far so good with the knifeless nailcare card.

[@ParkerBinion]

SwissCards are great. I prefer the ones with magnifying glasses, scissors and Quattro screwdrivers. So I have two. The NailCare version lives in my carry on bag. The Lite version lives in my wallet, with one modification. I took the blade out, and put in an original SwissCard metal file in the blade slot. I bought the file for $2 at Optics Planet. While shorter than the blade, it fits the blade slot perfectly and does not fall out.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Hey Parker! Again we seem to like similar things 🙂 I love the nail care card. I use the blade in mine a lot actually but I always love a good mod. I keep forgetting to get a pair of card scissors. This reminded me.

[@stephencooper315]

The Swiss Card is great and I had one for EDC for years. Unfortunately in the UK it is now illegal for EDC as it contains a fixed blade. Of course you can leave the knife part at home but that kind of makes it far less useful. You can carry it if you have a legitimate need for it, but that would be for you to prove. Absolutely cray legislation, I cannot remember someone running amok with one of these as an offensive weapon.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

I've been getting a lot of comments about the UK ban. It's crazy that it applies to something this small and innocuous. There's the Nail Care variant that has the file instead but yeah I'd skip that for something like the Midnite Manager in that case.

[@SolitaryWolf]

The light is really great when reading a menu in a darkened restaurant.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Yes. Great use case. I found that I use it more than I thought I would.

[@behindthespotlight7983]

The magnifying glass is powerful enough to focus sunlight onto well macerated tinder to create fire. Granted the situations where this is applicable are few and far between but when needed fire is a life saver and game changer. Problem with the card (I’ve owned three) they either get confiscated by TSA or sitting on a fat wallet ultimately gets old when your back starts hurting. Nonetheless my vote rests strongly with the card PS: we need to abandon TSA

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

I tried and failed at the fire but that's on me, I'm sure someone else could make it work especially with the proper tinder. I think the TSA and the UK police need to just chill with small blades for a bit. No one is hijacking a plane or mugging someone with a two inch blade guys.

[@sallyadly9826]

I agree on all points..I've also been using the Swiss Card for sometime now.

[@heyschwudup]

I've owned multiple and each has broken while in my wallet. Waste of money each time. Needs a better design.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Hasn't happened to me but could imagine it. I heard about a metal version somewhere.

[@pcdoodle1]

I like that all your coverage in this video is first hand use case taking the forefront. If you get a chance, have a peek at our videos, we love this niche.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thank you Doodle. I had a comment ask me to be more generic and rely less on person al use but I'm not sure I want that, feel there are plenty others doing that... I checked out your channel, love the mods. Great job overall.

[@AkiraHDR50]

You said Fixed blade which makes it illegal in the UK. Might as well get a sub 3inch folder with extras.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Lot of UK people have been pointing that out 🙂 In that case I recommend the Midnite Manager

[@RobertMaguire67]

Also…. I live in Saskatchewan and wearing the large Swiss Army knife on the belt would not get a second look EXCEPT before going in to airport security or the local Legislature!

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

I was thinking for people with small pockets, who wear suits to work, women with purses (although 98% of my viewers are men). I used to take it with me to weddings all the time where my pouch is just too big and I only take a slim wallet and a keychainless single key.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thanks a lot Bob for both comments!

[@slfandoz]

man i dont have a card but i have a signature and a rambler.....lil rambler is dope for me!

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Both are great choices. I appreciate the Rambler for the combo philips tool.

[@devonmask5192]

As far as either of these go, the SD is superior because of what it is. A very portable light grooming tool. Need to clean under your nails, file down a rough edge, trim a few annoying nose hairs or get the asparagus remnants out of your teeth? The SD does the job. The wallet thing is cute but once all the other stuff you need for daily life in your wallet is sharing space, there's no room for this thing, an either one of them in going in the TSA collection box anyway (which is ridiculous, I admit. My leather belt and good metal pen are twice as lethal if need be). I've had at least 3 SD's in my lifetime and every time I've used them for anything outside some light grooming, they've failed.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

If you don't have space in your wallet or pouch then definitely the card isn't the right choice. The SD is great and remains the default small multitool for many. I own several small SAKs but I just found that tool for tool the card performed better in my experience and the form factor happens to match my carry.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thanks a lot for your comment.

[@mitchcoleman1238]

I have a blue Swiss Tool Card and comes in handy for so many things!!

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

I really like the shade of blue they used. Which variant do you have? The one with the light as well?

[@foxtrot000]

Dude you’re already speaking so confidently! Keep it up man ❤

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Your comment just made my day man❤️ thanks for watching this one too 🙂

[@ppolleunus]

Yes, unbelievable! You're made for that! Keep doing it. I never do that but I immediately subscribed to your channel, without even knowing what you'll really talk about 🤷‍♂

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

That's so nice to hear man you have no idea. Thanks for subscribing and hope you like the content.

[@johnshepherd9676]

The ruler is useful for estimating distances on a paper map. Most people fely on their phones for navigation but if you are out camping having a paper map and a compass us a must.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Great insight. Didn't think of that. I love the ruler and use it a lot, not on maps :-), but many other applications.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Actually used it on a floor plan before for scale. That's a kind of map.

[@maxlutz3674]

A well made presentation. Your points are valid. I just prefer other SAKs that are in my pocket or in reach and I have a Fresnel lens in my wallet. When I carry a SD classic (alox) it goes on a dog tag chain attached with a small carabiner. The problem with starting a fire with the magnifying glass of the card is clear. It is too small for that and wont collect enough light. Not your fault. It could serve for better view when removing splinters. I contemplated buying a swiss card and eventually decided against it as it does not add enough value to my setup. I wish you much fun with yours though.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thanks a lot. I appreciate the clarification on the lens. I was just trying to find a use case for it for me. I can see of course the merits of carrying other small SAKs (that's why I have them) and in terms of weight I don't think there's anything lighter than a SD Classic Alox. So good choice there.

[@JAFKARNAT]

It's a pity that the case is not metallic

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

I think the weight would've been too much probably for the form factor. Maybe they've done a special edition at some point.

[@johanbertilsson2213]

I have a SwissCard Quatro, it has been living in my wallets since 2001. It has always passed through airport security, because sometimes i forget that it is there. Now i bought a pair of spare SwissCard scissors to keep it company.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

The Quattro is great but the scissors is a shame. But in general the cards' scissors make for great EDC standalone scissors definitely. You can use heat shrink tubing to keep the scissor blades together.

[@roxannevan1503]

I like these SwissCards. In a pinch can use the magnifier if forgotten reading glasses. Only thing don’t care about the Lite is the missing nail file but there is usually one more thing we’d like. The NailCare version is good for travelers & the scissors can often fill in for the missing knife by opening wide. Nice review.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

I like the nail care version, it can be useful for many people who don't want or need to carry a blade. I don't think they could've fit a file in the Lite without sacrificing the screwdrivers like they did in the Swiss Card Classic.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

And thanks!

[@Uns_Maps_8]

I have the Swiss Champ and it is almost always with me but I bought a Swiss Card for my wife. The Swiss Cards are fantastic tools

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

I love the Champ. Was my very first Victorinox. The Swiss Card is perfect for people who aren't used to carrying a multitool. My wife loves it too. Thanks for the comment and taking the time to watch.

[@fancee54]

I have a swisscard,and it's a very useful everyday tool, thanks for the video!

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thank you! Curious, do you use the magnifying lens?

[@fancee54]

@@AboutThings_byTarifYes,I do.

[@elstevobevo]

I completely disagreed with your premise, and comparison. Great video. Subbed.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Love it 🙂Thanks for the comment and welcome on board.

[@glumbiglumson3268]

Eine der besten Erklärungen zu diesen Produkten Grüße aus Deutschland

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Vielen Dank und hallo Deutschland! 🙂

[@bevintx5440]

Thanks, I didn’t even know a Swiss Card existed. I think it would be useful in my purse 🙂.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Sounds great. Exactly what I'm hoping for 😃. It is perfect for a purse. Check out the different ones they have not just the Lite one.

[@jeffdaniels1257]

Nice video, I never took the swiss card very seriously in the past, but you got me thinking. I only carry a minimalist wallet only big enough for a couple credit cards and my ID. The swiss card would not fit. I personally carry the Rambler daily and have thought about upgrading to the midnight manager. I think the midnight manager is the real comparison not the SD classic. Price being almost the same between the MM and the SC. It comes down to form factor and a "regular" small SAK with a pocket clip would work much better.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thanks! You're right. Towards the end of the video I compare it to the Signature Lite. The Midnite Manager is a great upgrade from the Rambler. I have another video comparing a few knives as well so check that out. Thanks for the comment and for subscribing 👍🏼

[@edwardfletcher7790]

I love these little cards, BUT only at a discount price. I buy secondhand or clones. There's one difficulty though, if the phillips screw is even slightly recessed it sometimes can't reach. That's why I also carry a Swiss Tech Utili-Key 😉👍

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

@@edwardfletcher7790 they are expensive for sure. I haven't yet found a challenging screw but any regular driver would be better than this. This is meant for super light duty applications. Kind of it's better than having nothing situation. The blade and scissors get the most use for me with this.

[@ulyssesmelendres504]

Bad review. Flash Light is soo useful.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thanks.

[@tdmeskimomobile6618]

I just got my swiss card last month. It not the lite, it's the classic, and I goes in my wallet with the Rite in the Rain On the Go Wallet Notebook. For me sometimes I just want my wallet and not a bunch stuff filling my pockets. The swill card was the answer to that.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

That's a great setup. I'm currently with a Moleskine pocket because I need something more substantial / presentable for work but I love Rite in the Rain. And you know how I feel about the card 🙂

[@MichaelDeMarois]

in this day and age there are much better options in the micro edc world. I own no less than 30 of them and the one I use the most by far is the NexTool mini sailor. Easily the most useful pocket/keychain multitool.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

NexTool make some great tools. The issue here is weight, the Mini Sailor would be much much heavier than something like the card or the Classic. Also, the scissors on Victorinox remain unmatched in my opinion.

[@randomescu]

Ive got one, i use it's scissors every time i need precision, despite the fact i also own 2xSurge and a Gerber. Victorinox scissors are really good.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Yeah it's no contest with Gerber and Leatherman here. I often use it at home even with full size scissors in front of me 🙂

[@alanlee2751]

Nice video. I too think the Swiss card is underrated - especially when it’s so easy to carry

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thanks a lot! I obviously strongly agree 🙂

[@petermoore9504]

Illegal to carry in the UK as it has a concealed blade

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

That's a real bummer man. There's a variant called Swiss Card Nail Care which is the exact same but with a nail file instead of a blade. Not as useful but certainly not useless either. I should've mentioned the variants in the video. It was my first so I guess I'm learning 🙂. Thanks for letting everyone know about the legality.

[@Tarantio1983]

The other issue is that once the knife is "deployed" it isn't immediately foldable, thus classes as a "fixed blade" which can't be carried without "good legal reason" (i.e. for work, because it is a religious artifact [the Sikh dagger called a kirpan], or as part of a national dress [the Scottish skian dubh, black dagger])! As such, under anti-roadman laws you could catch an automatic 10 year stint in the clink for having a fixed blade without good cause (with a bully cop, a hotheaded prosecutor and an arsy judge)!

[@Tarantio1983]

​@@AboutThings_byTarifthe blade doesn't fold, but because the SD Classic does that's legal!

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

I don't understand these laws. Couldn't I be coming home "from the store" with a paring knife that could also slaughter a person? Isn't that a fixed blade?

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Would a cop actually get you in trouble for something like the Swiss Card blade?

[@FiveRustyNails]

It's a toy.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Not compared to the Calssic it isn't. If you use one you wouldn't say that, it's all about the form factor that turns people off.

[@mcguiganmike]

Good job on your first video! Keep going!

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thanks a lot. Happy to hear that.

[@ppolleunus]

Thanks for this video. I'll take a better look at these cards thanks to you. I had a Classic… but it was confiscated at the airport in Egypt… because it's a very dangerous weapon! 😱 So another benefit of the card is that you can remove the blade. I took it mainly for the scissors. Now, brutally honest feedback about your video 😉 First, what you say (topics, order, arguments), the way you say it and the general quality of the video are great. So these are just minor details for small improvements… and it's only my thoughts, I'm not pretending to know better. OK, you're sharing your point of view, based on your experience. When doing such videos, I think it's better to try to be generic. Share/start with your experience but then generalizing. For example: “it's more practical because you don't have your keys on the card” or “you've your wallet always with you”. It's actually the complete opposite for me. I don't have anything attached to the knife and I've never my minimalist wallet on me (never, always in my backpack or jacket). The knife can remain in your jeans pocket all the time (to be honest, I keep it in my backpack too 😂). And about the magnifying glass. I don't care whether you use it or not, I only care about is it a good one and practical to use? Great that you said you didn't manage to make fire with it, pointing out that you don't really know how to do it properly.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Definitely appreciate the honest feedback here and will take into consideration for future videos. Sharing my honest first person experience though is a conscious choice that I'm aware of and that not everything I say or do would resonate with everyone but it shines a light on how an item is useful for me. I think there are plenty of people out there doing a great job at generic reviews but I might suck at those. All that being said, I've only been doing this for a few weeks and that was my very first video so I'd love to get your (still brutally) honest feedback on the recent ones as well. Thanks a lot for taking the time to write the comment and I'm very happy you liked the video.

[@ppolleunus]

@@AboutThings_byTarif To be clear. Sharing your personal experience is a great choice, and it definitely communicates credibility. AFAIU it seems there are quite a few/lot of people who are not able to see beyond what's being said. So thinking out loud… Isn't better to start with general/non subjective arguments, and then enliven it with your personal experience? Rather than starting with your personal experience.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

It's definitely a valid point and I'll bear that in mind with future videos. I just had strong feelings when it came to the Swiss Card 🙂

[@ppolleunus]

@@AboutThings_byTarif 😂

[@SlowmovingGiant]

i've had a Swiss card Classic in my wallet for about 15 years. only needed it a few times. Scissors, pin and flathead/nail cleaner/file the most used

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Curious about what you use the pin for?

[@SlowmovingGiant]

@@AboutThings_byTarif splinters, sim card tray, stuck disk drive on my pc.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

Thanks. Same here. Splinters, sims, and stuck things 🙂

[@emtiv334]

The SD classic is a piece of junk. It's too little to be useful for anything you'd actually need a knife for. It's good for keeping your fingernails filed down, but that's about it. I've never needed scissors, the toothpick and tweezers and useless. The Swiss Card is an even bigger waste of money. These are more like cheap promotional items that companies give away with their name on them, to try and get your business.

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

I guess it's a lifestyle thing. Over the past 25 years I've used the SD/Card/Small SAKs that I owned hundreds of times. I'm surprised that you've never needed scissors since this is the tool that most people seem to use most often. You obviously have strong feelings about these tools but it's useful to remember that they're essential to countless people as well. So I'd say it's my favorite "piece of junk." So I disagree, but thanks for sharing for sure.

[@simonh6371]

They are well made and durable , and surprisingly capable for their size. You are just going on outward appearances and have obviously never handled one.