Victorinox pliers: real life usefulness review

[@simonh6371]

Another much overlooked point is that although pliers on the Leatherman Squirt, Gerber Dime and other small multitools have the same sized head, the Vic pliers are completely different because the handles are not articulated where they connect to the head; instead it's more like a tiny pair of dedicated pliers, that are connected to a SAK by the end of one of the handles. Not only does this make them intrinsically stronger within their size limits, but also they are much easier to use as when folded out they fill the hand and provide a better hold, more reach, control and more leverage. I do carry a Leatherman Squirt with some SAKs e.g. Climber and it gives me a nice little toolset, but as far as pliers of equivalent size go, the SAK pliers are better.

[@accoutrements4469]

Yeah if I’m only carrying very small pliers I prefer the Vic ones because of their reach & precision vs the PS4/Gerber Dime/Nextool Mini, etc. For hard use jobs, then obviously bigger pliers are needed. 👍

[@simonh6371]

@@accoutrements4469 Honestly I'm racking my brains trying to think when I've been out and about away from dedicated tools, where I had a hard use job, or one that couldn't be tackled with smaller pliers. Even for taking a back wheel off a bike (split inner tube which couldn't be patched so had to replace) out on the trail, my little Knipex Cobra are way better than any full sized Leatherman. At home I have some made in West Germany combination pliers which I bought as new old stock last year so they are in perfect nick, they beat any multitool pliers hands down.

[@accoutrements4469]

Great to hear! I honestly haven’t seen the benefit of a Leatherman or similar since having the Knipex pliers: they blow Leatherman pliers out of the water! Knipex + SAK beats Leatherman Multitool every time for me 👍

[@simonh6371]

@@accoutrements4469 Yes the Knipex don't have wirecutters, but the Leatherman pliers or even just normal needlenose/combination pliers are pretty useless on nuts and bolts and suchlike. In my experience I'm more likely to need to deal with those than cut wire in daily life. I keep a Leatherman Rebar in my bugout bag (yes I'm one of those prepper nutjobs!) so if SHTF I can cut through wire fencing. But even the Rebar isn't a one and done multitool, firstly it lacks scissors, and secondly the saw on it is pretty flimsy, even compared to standard SAK saws.

[@accoutrements4469]

Ah yes, wire cutters- I wish there was a way to incorporate some into the Cobras!! Not something I need very often but as you say could be very useful in a SHTF situation 👍

[@nickita9505]

I have a Victorinox Mechanic, and after watching your video, especially the part about using it as a vise, I love my knife even more! Thank you so much for the video!

[@CSGraves]

I've got one as well, and I'm kinda bummed that it seems to be discontinued...? 😭

[@accoutrements4469]

Yeah, the clamp is a cool little hidden use for them I reckon 👍

[@achilleaschytas4475]

I totally agree with you. Since I started carrying my Swisschamp I cannot imagine my day without having him within grasp of the hand. Regarding the pliers...all those uses you mentioned and countless more that cannot be undertaken by Knipex (which I also carry often in a pouch)

[@accoutrements4469]

I reckon you could achieve almost anything with a Swiss Champ and some Knipex! 💪🤘

[@timsummers870]

Two life-changing examples of how those Victorinox pliers have made a difference include a couple of marine biologists who removed a plastic straw from a turtle's nose (both cases happened within a short period from each other but were unrelated). Each video has gotten so many views that plastic straws became illegal in many parts of the world.

[@accoutrements4469]

That’s amazing isn’t it - I think I did see that footage too. Very cool! 😎

[@TheGrenadier97]

These pliers are excellent for small work, which are probably more common than tasks requiring bigget pliers.

[@accoutrements4469]

Yeah, I think on a ‘pottering around’ basis I definitely use these tiny pliers more often than I need ‘proper’ pliers. Big pliers are essential for big jobs, but these little ones are so useful for small tasks 👍

[@LeathermanSurge-q6l]

I think you would like the leatherman bond it's UK L as well

[@accoutrements4469]

Yeah I’ve looked at that one but never pulled the trigger: I have a coupe of Leatherman Juice models and absolutely LOVE those (RIP, Juice) but i don’t like the Bond as much because the tools are all inside the handles rather than being accessible from the outside. Bring back the Juice, or something similar, I say!

[@toreforberg1980]

I love my Deluxe Tinker, it has everything I need. (I have a RangerGrip for the woods). The little pliers is very useful from time to time, but I never thought of the clamp/vise functionality. Thanks!

[@accoutrements4469]

Yeah, cool little hidden use for them I reckon 👍

[@sputnikone6281]

I have on a few occasions found the Victorinox pliers useful although I prefer the Wenger pliers, fortunately for me I have a number of different Victorinox and Wenger models that have pliers in them to choose from for those fiddly diddly tasks around the house.

[@accoutrements4469]

Never had the Wenger ones but like that they’re adjustable 👍

[@sputnikone6281]

@@accoutrements4469 Happy Tuesday, IMO being adjustable gives them an edge over the Victorinox version. You being in the UK will be unable to buy a Wenger on eBay but you might find one 2nd hand one at a market or garage sale in the UK

[@accoutrements4469]

Yes very difficult to buy Wenger online nowadays - there’s a few private forums where folks can trade but not allowed on eBay or suchlike. Thank you for commenting 👍👍

[@lmbraga]

I carry a Swiss Champ in my backpack daily. On my bicycle I keep a Deluxe Tinker. All because of the pliers. If I could make a Victorinox knife, it would be a 3 layer knife. Blade+Cap Lifter (Alox Bantam), Scissors, Pliers.

[@accoutrements4469]

I’ve never pulled the trigger on the Swiss Champ - reckon I’d find it just a bit too big n heavy, although I have just ordered a Handyman on sale from Amazon n that’s not much slimmer at all so will see how I get on with that one. Your tool selection in a dream SAK is EXACTLY what I would choose as well! 👌 I don’t love the combo tool (as on the alox bantam/compact etc) but it saves so much space so I reckon I’d go for it with the other tools as you mentioned. Thank you for the comments 🙂👍

[@lmbraga]

@@accoutrements4469 the Handyman sits on my work desk. Coupled with a HOTO Precision Screwdriver Pen, covers most of my needs there.

[@chainerfree]

@@accoutrements4469the handyman is my main SAK. I hope you find it as useful as I

[@accoutrements4469]

Well, I like the handyman very much: so much so that I thought ’well, if you’re going big why not go biggest’ so have also just got a Swiss Champ and am loving it so far! Got it very cheap on sale in an outdoor store - feel like I could take on the world with that thing! lol 💪

[@stevenhodgson834]

Love the ones on my Workchamp! When I'm not carrying that (because of stupid UK laws) I supplement my Fieldmaster with some Knipex pliers or a Gerber Vise.

[@accoutrements4469]

The small pliers are so useful for small tasks! Totally with you on the unfair knife laws! 😤😤😤 And yeah the Knipex Cobras are just the BEST! Thank you for commenting!

[@FiveRustyNails]

I always carry my champ or my champion C when traveling, I was especially glad of it when I was able to cut and bend a paper clip to replace the Lost screw on my glasses. I've never found either to be too big or too heavy to EDC, even wearing board shorts all summer here in Australia. Either of those large knives fits perfectly in the watch pocket of jeans and you don't even know it's there.

[@accoutrements4469]

Fantastic fix with the paperclip, I love hearing people’s real-use stories! 👍 I’ve literally only just bought my first ever Swiss champ after thinking it’s too bulky for edc for years and years, but am really loving it so far. Feels like I could accomplish anything with it (& a pair of Knipex pliers for bigger tasks)! 🤘

[@rrrufruf]

I used to take these little pliers for granted when I was given my first victorinox when I was a kid. But now that I'm older, it's a gem of a tool. 😉

[@accoutrements4469]

So useful for small tasks! 👍

[@kharon616]

Victorinox

[@accoutrements4469]

Great tools 👍

[@TarmoLuumann]

Tweezers on steroids I have heard them called. They are useful for sure.

[@accoutrements4469]

Yeah, and absolutely brilliant for small and precise work! 👍👍👍

[@TarmoLuumann]

@accoutrements4469 I sometimes use the small pliers for holding something in place and bigger Swisstool pliers to bend it (small metal rings, etc).

[@accoutrements4469]

Yes can certainly be useful for such things. Thanks for the tip 🙂

[@drengskap]

I own a SAK with pliers, and sorry, but I'm in the 'they're too-small to be useful' camp. If I want a multitool with pliers, I'll go for one of my Leatherman tools.

[@accoutrements4469]

Horses for courses, I reckon: big pliers for bigger jobs, but these little one can do certain things the Leatherman pliers struggle with because they’re so fine and precise ✌️

[@space_cakes]

big tweezers

[@accoutrements4469]

Yeah, kinda - dead useful ✌️