Victorinox Swiss Champ review and discussion vs slimmer models

[@shaundawson5639]

I carry a Swiss champ everyday for the last 10 years and sometimes I don’t know it’s there

[@accoutrements4469]

I must say I’ve started to wear jeans more JUST to carry this knife, and it’s just perfect in the jeans 5th pocket: close to the body and adds almost no extra bulk 👍

[@edgaraquino2324]

If the Handyman had an in-line Phillips like the Swisschamp, it would be perfect...I carry it in a beautiful V leather pouch...it is fairly subtle & looks like you are carrying a beeper, but classier....😊

[@accoutrements4469]

Yeah, Ive decided to get rid of the Handyman and stick with the Champ: if you’re going big anyway then just have all the tools I think, & the world is held together with Phillips screws so on a larger knife like these it’s just daft to not have the Phillips I think: too useful an item! So, yeah, Champ for me if I’m going to carry a larger model 👍 Cybertool is good too, with its multiple drivers 👍

[@alexishatjialexiou7509]

I remember beepers....lol

[@simonh6371]

Always pros and cons whatever you go for. I bought one of these 2 years ago as I had no SAKs with the inline Phillips, file or pliers; I'd been looking at bit drivers to carry along with a SAK with scissors and Knipex Cobra XS, but they were almost as big as the Champ and often more expensive. I looked at the Handyman but really like you thought in for a penny in for a pound in terms of bulk and price, I paid £57 for the Champ with black scales which I prefer. You did well to get this for under £60. Pros are if you wear jeans all the time like I do it sits snugly in the 5th/watch pocket and doesn't bang around, and it's pretty much the only UK legal one and done multitool with all the essentials. I mostly rotate between my Swisschamp, or Climber with the Leatherman Squirt. But the Swisschamp gives me a lot more utility.

[@accoutrements4469]

Thanks for these great comments! Yeah it always a compromise of some kind isn’t it. Am loving the completeness of the Champ so far though. I don’t wear jeans all that often so that 5th pocket isn’t always available unfortunately so think ill have to make my own low profile horizontal belt holder as I don’t really like it loose in my pocket. Quite right about our limited options for legal carry - so frustrating! And you did well getting a champ for £57!! Thanks again for commenting! 🙂

[@simonh6371]

@@accoutrements4469 There's an EDC channel from the US, a lady called Anne, but I can't remember the name of her channel off the top of my head, but she's done some collab or something like that with Gadget Gus. Anyway she made a leather horizontal carry sleeve type thingy for her Swisschamp, which she threads her belt through, and was really happy with it.

[@accoutrements4469]

@@simonh6371I’ll try n track her video down - thanks for the info 👍

[@simonh6371]

@@accoutrements4469 Vine Climber is the name of her channel

[@jooky5]

I think Anne’s channel is vine climber

[@DavePrince-r9p]

Ive just swapped out compact on key chain for champ and surge my 2 favs

[@accoutrements4469]

Interesting! What made you make the change? That’s a heavy pocket you’ll have now for sure! Lol I’m really liking having the Champ so far - haven’t felt it’s a bulky burden at all really, especially in a jeans 5th pocket 👍

[@mcrb1776]

I was in doubt on a Swiss Champ or a Cybertool L. Found a sweet deal on the L.

[@accoutrements4469]

I’ve had a Cybertool M for ages and like it a lot but so far the Champ is better option imho for general all-purpose edc cover! Glad u got a good deal on an L!

[@antasosam8486]

SwChamp def owerkill for EDC. But a must for real Vic collection.

[@accoutrements4469]

I’m actually enjoying carrying it, but for me definitely works best in jeans 5th pocket: hardly noticeable at all that way, and great to have so many tool options. Still like my slimmer/lighter SAKs but feels reassuring to have so many tools on hand 🤚 👍

[@Wisecrackwhiz]

Victorinox pouch with rotating clip.its pricy tho £23 but with shipping £26 ish. I had the same belt pouch you showed but the back leather bell snapped stretched over time and eventually snapped/broke.

[@accoutrements4469]

Thank you for that, I’ll definitely look at that one! 👍👍

[@lmbraga]

I think the Swiss Champ is a backpack item. The largest Vic I carry in my pocket is a 3 layer (Climber with plus scales). So I EDC my Champ in a Victorinox leather pouch in a quick-access pocket of my backpack and a Rambler on my person. Did that Deluxe Tinker come with Plus scales?

[@accoutrements4469]

I’d be quite happy to carry the champ on my belt but I need a really low profile horizontal option for this so it doesn’t stick out like a hernia or dig into me when I sit/bend. I reckon you have a good system combine with a Rambler! Thanks for commenting! 👍👍

[@lmbraga]

@accoutrements4469 I'm thinking maybe those organizer inserts with elastic loops and velcro on the back might be a way to go. With a single elastic loop.

[@accoutrements4469]

@@lmbragayeah that’s a good idea, & I reckon it’s be pretty easy to make one myself with a couple of bits of elastic webbing sewn together… will see what I can come up with! Thanks for the info 👍

[@accoutrements4469]

@@lmbragaforgot to say as well: I added the plus scales myself: I always do that to my SAKs 👍👍

[@freddyg6940]

Get a Comfortable belt pouch It will take a few before you find the perfect one But when you do you won’t notice it.

[@rhubarbrhino]

Midnight manager and Knipex XS with a Rovyvon A8 has to be one of the best load outs! Swiss champ more of a bag carry for me. Not pocketable! 😂 Love the videos!

[@accoutrements4469]

Must say as I’ve been thinking about this more and more: the Manager truthfully covers me for maaaaaany urban needs, & paired with the Knipex xs is a pretty fantastic combo. A few tools missing there from, say, a Swiss Champ, but Manager and Cobra is a very decent combo I reckon 👍👍

[@accoutrements4469]

Ooh, yeah, also love the Rovyvon - brilliant 👌

[@gninenine]

I love the Swisschamp, its been and off and on daily carry for me for years but if you like the Handyman and find the Phillips driver on the SC to be an important addition then might I suggest the Cybertool L (41). It has the same base tool set as the Handyman but adds the interchangeable bit driver with integrated bit storage as well as the plus scales. It is the same width as the SC (33mm) but drops the magnifying glass, fish scaler and the static Philips.

[@accoutrements4469]

I have a Cybertool M (had one for years, from when it used to be called the Cybertool 34!), but am much preferring the Champ for general edc: has coverage for more situations in general I think. I love the Cybertool bit driver but that one tend to stay at home in my drawer more often then many of my other SAKs. I’ve sent the Handyman back: decided if you’re going bigger anyway then the Champ packs more tools in a not much bigger package 👍

[@freddyg6940]

I have a Swiss champ and love it but I want the XLT but the cost just seems too much. Considering the WorkChamp but the Swiss champ seems to be a better tool Box

[@jooky5]

I had a modder make my deluxe tinker into a “deluxe slim” by removing the opening layer and swapping the small blade with a combo tool. I’m going to try a similar mod myself with a cybertool

[@accoutrements4469]

Oh that sounds like a Wonderful tool! I think that knife would be a great seller for Victorinox! I really wish they’d allow us to spec our own tool choice on their website: surely they have the power to do that at a premium price!? 🤷‍♂️

[@h0gheadS]

I pocket carry the Champ no problem. I just toss it in my front right pocket next to a slim (no pouch for cash) bifold wallet. There's just enough of a room to keep the Swisschamp upright and from looking unsightly. Doesn't even need the pocket dangler attachment. Although I do keep a paracord lanyard on it for faster deployment. If you think it's too big but carry your phone in the other pocket, you're a hypocrite because most phones weigh more than 6.5 ounces.

[@accoutrements4469]

Yeah it’s mostly absolutely fine for pocket carry for me: 5th jeans pocket is perfect. A bit bulky for my work clothes perhaps but yeah, like u say, we all carry our phones in our pocket don’t we!

[@GazH-bz8fu]

I got the handyman for £40 delivered last week from power tools direct

[@accoutrements4469]

Woah, now THAT was a bargain!! Cheers for the info!! 👍👍

[@Hatchetman2811]

There are options for horizontal carry like the viperade pj33. But it just won‘t fit the swiss champ. I managed to get my cybertool into it. Maybe you can craft something like it?

[@accoutrements4469]

Just had a look at that pouch - looks good, & I like that it has a pen loop too! Will keep my eyes out for something similar but big enough for the champ. Thank you for the info 👍👍👍

[@Dadoimp]

I have liked and subscribed! 😉 I got this good idea from a fantastic channel called "wine climber": Maybe you could try to modiry one pocket! Just a little vertial seam made in the back of your pocket (to make two compartments) for your swisschamp. That way it will stay vertical at the bottom. And then you have the other compartment for your phone..... Greta videos brother!

[@accoutrements4469]

Ah, I was wondering about something like that too - I’ll definitely try and find that video for some tips! Thank you for sharing, and also thanks very much for the sub! 😃👍👍

[@bengullen27]

@@accoutrements4469 I thought of her video too👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKrToYKVopmEqMUsi=bci1AKmXepEDHgPi

[@scramblerkrush5088]

You could try taking the spring clip and split ring off the dangler and put the pocket clip directly onto the key ring split ring…. But IMO it’ll be better off in a sling bag. Just found your channel; great job by the way…subscribed👍

[@accoutrements4469]

Thank you, Sir! And that is exactly what I did with the dangler just yesterday: just put on the 2 smallest split rings I could find (so it rotates to sit flat in my pocket), & that’s reduced the ‘dangling length’ and it works much better like this now. 👍

[@accoutrements4469]

And thank you very much for the sub 😃🙏👍

[@Vinylguy67]

Been thinking about getting a swisschamp just out of curiosity. Funnily enough I've also carried the sportsman, cadet, compact and lately the waiter as my EDC because they are small. I've fallen in love with the waiter since getting it a couple months back. Still interested in a Swisschamp though. Although I still feel it might end up in the bottom of the drawer due to the size and weight... And btw what are those scales on the waiter? They look cool

[@accoutrements4469]

Ah so cool to hear you like some of the same models as me! I, too, was worried I would t carry the Swiss champ hence holding off buying one for years and years but got to say I’m loving it so far! It’s the first time a SAK has made me feel like an excited kid again since, well, getting my first as a kid! lol It is heavier, bulkier but not unpleasantly so - try it if you can find one at your local Millets (if you have one), I reckon 👍

[@accoutrements4469]

Oh forgot to say about the scales on the Waiter: they’re 3d printed from Shapeways, but unfortunately Shapeways has shut down now - they’re the best 3d printed scales I’ve ever seen: no nasty visible lines or anything, these are on another level to the type you can buy on Etsy/eBay. wish I could get some more 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@Vinylguy67]

@@accoutrements4469 Ah okay. That has been my problem with the 3d printed ebay/etsy scales. Even in the product pictures you can see some really nasty lines.. I want that textured look and feel but id still have to sand the scales if I wanted to get rid of the lines...

[@accoutrements4469]

@@Vinylguy67I totally feel the same about the Etsy scales!! The Shapeways ones are brilliant and have a nice matte grippy texture too. I can HIGHLY recommend seller Taschenmesser Mad on Etsy - he makes fantastic scales from G10 or Micarta - absolutely top quality and he’s a lovely bloke too 👌👌

[@Unown_B]

i edc the swiss champ, never cares about the weight or size or anyhting, also i carry it in the tiny jeans pocket it fits nice

[@corbenj]

I can never seem to get past any SAKs that don’t have back tools on every layer. I know, it’s weird but I can’t hack it!

[@accoutrements4469]

Those empty slots mess with your mojo!? lol, I suppose it could be frustrating they didn’t squeeze extra tools in there! 🤷‍♂️✌️

[@Marwarluigi]

Then the Ranger might be the knife for you

[@corbenj]

@ Got it already. I think I’ve got every SAK that has back tools on every layer. I’d love Victorinox to bring out some new back tools.

[@Marwarluigi]

@ Victorinox’s CEO did hint of more knife-less models being announced sometime this year

[@corbenj]

@ I’m already at the “Fine! I’ll do it myself!” stage with the bladeless models. Got a Rambler (orange peeler for blade) mod in mind. Not too sure about 84/91mm though. There’s nothing to really replace just the blade with removing the whole layer.

[@FiveRustyNails]

The watch pocket on your jeans is a good place and you'll never know it's there.

[@accoutrements4469]

A lot of folks do say that - I don’t wear jeans all that often so don’t always get the benefit of the 5th pocket 🤷‍♂️

[@freddyg6940]

My first one was a Huntsman and my second was a classic SD And it’s all down hill from there

[@LeathermanSurge-q6l]

Come on its not too big the leatherman surge is big and people edc it every day I've had a Swiss champ on my belt for years in a leather case 4.0521.3 you will love it after a while 😅

[@accoutrements4469]

No, you’re quite right, it’s NOT too big - I’ve held off buying one all this time but now I’ve got one I love it! And yes much lighter than some of the Leatherman tools! Great knife, just got to figure out how best to carry it. ✌️

[@owen1213]

@@accoutrements4469 I put the swissqlip on my swisschamp, it stays on top of a cargo pocket you don't even know it's there. It works for me.

[@redpillnibbler4423]

@@accoutrements4469 How about a suspension clip so the tool sits unobtrusively inside the front trouser pocket?

[@accoutrements4469]

@@redpillnibbler4423yeah I’ve removed some of the extra links from my Buddha clip (suspension clip) and that does work pretty well. I do like this method best as it adds no bulk like a belt case does 👍👍

[@FreemanWasuwat]

But the leather man is proportionate to the hand and isn’t too long or too wide like how the champ is really wide but short.

[@erikbrock5444]

Every time I see one of these it's smaller than I remembered. Every time. That said, it's definitely way too big for pocket carry, and if I have to put it on my belt anyway, I'd rather go the last mile and carry a Leatherman or Swisstool.