Victorinox Explorer: The City Warrior! (Extensive Review)

Shalom Everyone! Thanks For Tuning in!
This is a video review of the powerful Victorinox Explorer, a very capable 4 layer Swiss Army Knife aimed for precision and practicality.
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I hope you enjoyed the video!
Thanks for watching ❤️

[@timsummers870]

In many countries cans still don’t come with a pull tab and I can tell you that Victorinox’s can opener is amazing. Also, for models that don’t come with a corkscrew, you can use the can opener to open a wine bottle too (better watch a demo video before you do it). Victorinox is amazing.

[@iamsemjaza]

I know that there are still many brands in stores here in the USA that don't have pull tabs.

[@abelgerli]

Here in the south it Germany we do have ticks. To be sure it is a tick and remove it safely the lens is very useful. The tick-borne encephalitis as well as notorious is no joke.

[@donaldsegretti4721]

Thank you for your advice regarding saving the large blade just for food. That's a great idea and I'll be doing that from now on.

[@michaelcolloton6971]

Mine just came a couple hours ago.I didn't open all the tools because I already knew what's in there. I did want to see the magnifier and the Phillips. I was highly impressed with both. What really impressed me was that it's only an eighth inch thicker and half an ounce heavier than my Super Tinker. I predict a long and productive relationship.

[@Practical_EDC]

Great! I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine, buddy! It's truly a great Victorinox for a city environment ❤️

[@asmacr.8391]

The only flaw with all victorinox with cork screw is when you close it it will smash the frame and scale making a little dent

[@stevesinclair4159]

Raz, Chag Pessach Sameach to you & family. I have 3 Explorers, one is a very old 2nd hand one with the grey magnifying glass & I put blue plus scales on it a few years ago but I no longer carry it in my EDC, the other two I bought new when they were on sale locally with KWS in 2021 & 2022 and have the new style transparent magnifying glass & I use them in my EDC rotation, on one I put Silver Tech scales & on the 2nd I put navy blue/grey/black camouflage scales. As you wrote the in-line Philips is very useful unlike the back layer Philips on the various Tinker models I own. ATB Steve in Tel Aviv.

[@Practical_EDC]

I love the old nylon scales models! 😍 They have a much better grip in my opinion, and they look cool too 😉

[@bushwackedariz]

Hope you are safe in Israel. I have the Explorer and use the magnifying glass for reading small print on something I might buy. My scales get scuffed up from carring it in the leather holster. I lost my previous Explorer while walking my dog. It slipped out of the velcro holster.

[@iamsemjaza]

I have used the wire stripper notch but you have to use it to hold the wire, rest the large blade on the wire and push gently until it just cuts the insulation, the spin the wire. Then, with a circle cut around the wire just right, you can pull the insulation off the wire with the "stripper." Also helps with making some bends in solid wire.

[@userTTD]

Вітання з України! Дуже хороший ніж.Сам користуюся схожим(називається victorinox champion) Мирного вам неба!

[@daves6851]

Package hook is the only feature i do not use on my Explorers. The lens is the magic ingredient for this model, for fine print, splinters, micro inspections of metal in the garage. Anyone who uses reader glasses can find the Swiss monical handy🧐. I use the canopener regularly since cheaper vegetable cans generally do not have pull tabs. Saves me lunch money$$.

[@Practical_EDC]

Glad to hear you get such good use out of your Explorer, buddy! ❤️ Pro tip for the package hook: try bending and twisting a couple of wires with it next time you need to adjust a metal fence or something similar, trust me 😎

[@FuglyStick]

The magnifying glass is handy if you have to read the numbers on an IC/computer chip. I use my Explorer a lot. And I usually pair it with a Leatherman Sidekick for the pliers/wire cutters, saw, and serrated blade.

[@Rick-ve5lx]

The scissors are great - just look at his beard!

[@iamsemjaza]

The hook is also good for sewing with larger cordage after you've reamed out the holes with the reamer.

[@Egei]

I just got myself an Explorer a few months back and have been loving it! I've carried many different models over the years, but never one with a magnifying glass, so I was surprised to see how much I've used it in that short amount of time. I'm also really enjoying the inline phillips screwdriver. This has quickly become my new favorite model in the entire Victorinox catalog My only concern with the magnifying glass is how durable it will be, long term

[@Practical_EDC]

Congrats on getting one, buddy! I completely agree with you, it's one of my most favorites as well ❤️

[@bertushofstra8246]

Get the old model with the grey rim around the magnifier glass. Extremely durable, real glass. In fact, they may have gone back to glass due to complaints(?). Anyway, it’s the main reason the Explorer is my EDC, either in the coin pocket of my jeans or on my belt. As I’m aging it turns out reading glasses can be inadequate. Think of splinters, or ingredients labels.

[@Egei]

@bertushofstra8246 I've seen the older version in person and was never all that impressed with it. I never cared for how blurry everything outside of the main focal point was, on the old grey version. The newer version has gone back to actual glass, is larger and has much more clarity to it, which was why I was so impressed with it. I've been using the Explorer for almost a year now and the magnifying glass has held up just fine. I'm gonna stick with the newer version and see how it does long term, so far no complaints.

[@bertushofstra8246]

@@Egei Good to hear they went back to real glass. You’re right about the area of focus being small in the old version. I think it’s the trade off for a bigger enlargement (which I like). Horses for courses, I guess.

[@Egei]

@@bertushofstra8246 Absolutely! It's always great to have different tool options for different tasks.

[@leehillman9143]

Hi great video keep up the good work. I have a yellow explorer I put on plus scales It is kept in my work bag this sak is perfect for dealing with splinters Pin, magnifying glass and tweezers Being a gardener I get my fair share of splinters 😢

[@Practical_EDC]

I completely agree! The magnifying glass should be perfect for such delicate tasks 🙏 Tell me, as a gardener, do you use any other Victorinox knives when you're on the job?

[@nmende00]

Until victorinox explorer gets pliers, I will stick with the champ. pliers are super tweezers and are hard to lose.

[@jakobganske]

Great to see you again. Looking forward to your review on the Evolution 16. I own the S557 and as we discussed, these have a few flaws. Recently I found myself taking way too long to find the nail file. I mean it's a victorinox, so you would think it would be where it always is, right? But it does have useful features like multiple long (!) Phillips an slotted drivers. I guess you just have to get used to it. I don't usually carry these on body, but I like the option for doing so without a belt case like with heavy leathermans. Right now I have the Compact on Body and the Evolution in an EDC Bag where the weight and bulk matters way less. Still far from perfect, and I am considering swapping it for a smaller SAK since I now carry Knipex Cobra Pliers.

[@Practical_EDC]

Thank you Jakob ❤️ So first - I can't believe how underrated the nail-file on these swiss army knives is! Honestly it's one of my most used tools, sometimes I carry my Cadet or Sportsman specifically for the nail file 😍 Those Cobra pliers are phenomenal 🔥 Which model did you get? And yeah, I agree, once you carry a separate set of pliers there really isn't a reason to keep carrying a Leatherman, just pair those pliers up with a good Swiss Army Knife and you're golden!

[@jakobganske]

@@Practical_EDC Oh I know, I carry the vic nail clippers in my wallet for that specifically, was considering using the nailcare card or one of the smaller knifes specifically for that :D I got the 87 01 125 as a gift but haven't had much experience with them yet, but they feel great and much lighter than I thought. That combined with a decent ratchet will make for a great EDC Toolkit, especially for motorcycle and bicycle rides. Hard to find EDC gear capable of 50nm+ though :D I still see a reason to carry the large SAK as well though. Sometimes you need to grip on two parts at the same time. And while the larger toolkit will stay close in my EDC, I might carry the SAK on body. I guess you have to be a handyman to actually on body carry a Knipex.

[@Practical_EDC]

I'm working on getting myself a pair of these Cobra XS for a review, not easy trying to get things here in Israel.. 😅 Hopefully I'll get one soon so I can share my thoughts and experience with it! I think it'll pair up wonderfully with my Victorinox Deluxe Tinker 🔥

[@fred89pj]

I think is the best city knife so far (I have the plus model). If I’ll be outdoors, riding my bike or moving stuff around then I’ll to with the Handyman which is 6 layers.

[@Practical_EDC]

The Handyman is fantastic, I'm a big fan myself, I use it around the house all the time! ❤️

[@Respawn2Much]

It might be too big for me. Dont think ill use parcel, cork screw, or the cam opener much. I want that screwdriver and magnifying glass.

[@steveb1972]

Here in the UK only about half of the food cans have ring pulls. I use the wire stripper for my Firefly fire steel

[@edgaraquino2324]

Hello! Good video! I hope you are having a peaceful Passover...😊 My first Vicky was an Explorer....a vintage model, grooves on the corkscrew, no hook, no eye, grey glass, no stop, no pin...added the eyeglass screwdriver...haven't felt the need to upgrade though I am careful with it as it has sentimental value, & I don't want to lose it....still useful & looks good! As you know, the Huntsman is the rural equivalent of the Explorer...Would you consider doing a video on the Deluxe Tinker? I am thinking of purchasing one & would appreciate your take on it...thanks! I had not realized you had married, my very best wishes to you both, may you have a long & happy life together! Shalom! 😊

[@Practical_EDC]

Thank you so much, Edgar! ❤️ I will absolutely upload a review of the Deluxe Tinker, I've been carrying it on&off for over a year now, those small pliers are much more capable than they appear to be when you first see them! I also have a review of the Huntsman coming up, comparing it to the Camper and the Walker - should be an interesting video 🌷

[@edgaraquino2324]

​@@Practical_EDC Yes, that sounds most interesting! You are most welcome!

[@mohanr1842]

I love Switzerland items

[@exploringplacespeopleandthings]

I use the magnifying glass since I do not want to carry my reading glasses. Reading glasses are fragile.

[@asmacr.8391]

This is the best sak atleast for me i use it and abuse to the point that i cut a internet wire (not advisable) but still in good shape

[@HammerLex77]

Great vid! 👍🏼 I love my Explorer and use the toothpick to actually scratch itches in my ears! 😂 The scissors are great for trimming nose hairs too! The two things I’d love to have on it though are a nail file and a ballpoint pen. I gather the Explorer Plus (which I understand is now discontinued) had a housing for the ball point pen. I’m wondering if you can buy a different scale to add the pen to the normal Explorer?

[@Practical_EDC]

You absolutely can, buddy 🌷 Just go on Etsy or Aliexpress and search for "91mm plus scales" and you're good to go! You also get a hole for a straight-pin with the Plus scales, adds even more functionality to the knife 🤘

[@HammerLex77]

@@Practical_EDC Brilliant! Thanks for the reply! 👍🏼

[@HammerLex77]

@@Practical_EDC Visited a Victorinox store on Saturday and my Explorer is now equipped with a pen, a pin and a small screwdriver! Thanks for the info. 👍🏼

[@Practical_EDC]

That's wonderful, buddy! Congrats 🤘🔥

[@garymorton9426]

Also the slot for the parcel hook makes a great place to put the pen.

[@bahjinelson3986]

I'm in the U.S. and half the cans in the pantry don't have pull tabs, so a can opener here in a necessity. But I've heard other reviewers, such as ones in England and Australia, say that they haven't used can openers in years either.

[@Practical_EDC]

I guess it really comes down to where you live. I can tell you that I remember having a big full-size can opener in the kitchen drawer of my parents house when I was a kid, last time I saw that thing I was probably 10 y/o, never saw one since 😅

[@MrPlownds26]

The reason they don't put a file on the hook is to make you buy a Compact.

[@MrPsiman]

I just got a 2017 limited edition with with the snow flakes on it. I only got it because of the scales. Too thick to practically carry it

[@jasonswitzer1748]

Which do you use and carry more? Deluxe Tinker or Explorer? Why? Thanks!

[@Practical_EDC]

Honestly - the Deluxe Tinker gets more pocket time, and I've had it for much longer too. I really don't need the magnifier glass on the Explorer and there's a great Philips screwdriver on the back of the Deluxe Tinker, and the pliers are way more useful than I first thought they'd be ❤️

[@cesartapia610]

Do you have a link for the pocket clip, sir?

[@Practical_EDC]

Absolutely! link to the Pocket suspension clip: amzn.to/3QE6wgT

[@conan5885]

The Explorer is just an extra thick Climber to me. The inline phillips and mag glass is a highly overrated layer IMO. For magnification i'll just take a picture with my phone and enlarge it, better than looking through an inch sized glass circle. The inline phillips, while handy, i can do 90% of what it can do with the can opener's SD, and i can also use my bit adapter and SD bits with the bottle opener. So no need for that dedicated layer. For 4 layers, i'll take the Deluxe Tinker any time

[@KungFuTweety1]

Moadim lesimcha!

[@Practical_EDC]

Thank you very much, Ronnie! You too ❤️

[@paulsmith380]

פֵּסַח שַׂמֵחַ

[@Practical_EDC]

Thank you! 🌷

[@reg428]

A lot of vegetables come in cans with no pull tab

[@ssechres]

For cap lifters, don’t you all have a rifle for that?

[@nmende00]

It just needs pliers. The pliers make the tweezers obsolete.

[@Practical_EDC]

That's not a bad idea, I hope Victorinox will add pliers to the Explorer in the future 😃

[@jas20per]

You are far to young to appreciate the magnifying glass, But when you pass sixty it will be invaluable for reading that small print that gets increasingly smaller as you grow older. I can guarantee that older eyes need help.

[@tm2bow653]

Fine but no file... So no... :)