Victorinox Tinker - Best Blade for Bushcraft & Survival?

Doug Shoe has carried the "Tinker" SAK for many years. He goes over the features, and demonstrates some of its abilities. Then he explains why this Swiss Army Knife is one of the best blades for bushcraft & survival.
00:34 The knife & its tools
01:31 What makes it so good?
03:01 2 blades
04:09 Can opener. Small flat screwdriver
04:49 Can opener as rough use knife blade
05:57 Large flat screwdriver. Prying
06:40 Philips screwdriver
07:06 Awl. (Drill)
07:19 Carving
07:57 Drilling
10:04 Toothpick & tweezers
11:21 Final analysis
13:04 2 Corinthians 5.17

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

Doing a livestream here Monday morning at 7am. See you then! There are lots of good things coming to the channel, so I'll be talking about those. Also, I'm writing a book (a survival manual). I'll be reading the first segment. Plus we can talk live.

[@Andy-M.1833]

Same here. Carry my Tinker since years. I also have a Hiker which is slightly thicker. I carry my knive in my backpocket. When i have the Hiker with me, i always feel it in my pocket. Not so with the Tinker, so the Tinker is my EDC.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

Greetings fellow EDC Tinkerman. I'm the same way. The SAKs with another layer feel bulky in the pocket to me, but not the Tinker. Thanks for the comment!

[@stuartlockwood9645]

Hi Doug ☺, someone once said when asked the question 'What's the best survival knife, he answered, it's the one you have whith you at the time '. Just as you said it's no good if you left it at home. And swiss army knives fill that criteria, the size of the Tinker is just right for any pocket, and they don't wear holes in your pockets unlike some knives. I'm a SAK fan , and carry a Bantam model , it's slightly smaller than the Tinker ,but it's handy to have as part of my edc,. Thanks for the video Doug, looking forward to the next one, stay safe my friend, best wishe's to you and your's, and may your God go whith you, Stuart UK.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

You hit the nail on the head- the knife with you is the best knife. That's the survival principle I was trying to teach. I can't remember ever hearing of the Bantam model. I will have to check it out. Thank you. & God bless you, too!

[@hotshot791]

Fine job! I prefer the Hiker or Camper models because of the saw, but these are great supplements to our Bushcraft kits.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

Thank you. Yes. Good point. The saw is a really good tool to have.

[@charlesmckinney]

I still have the Tinker that I bought 30 years ago. is well-worn now. Well used. Still carry tink every now and then but mainly carry ranger or huntsman now still love my tinker though.

[@canastasiou68]

I've carried a small swiss army knife on my keyring for over 20 years, and I still carry it. Early this year I bought a ranger model and i really like it. Cheers Doug, and God bless.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

Nice. God bless.

[@journeyofbear6423]

I have at least 6 Victorinox knives probably more. The Tinker is my favorite for daily carry. It is the smallest easiest to carry, with the most tools I use without have more that I don't use. When I'm hiking I'll swap out to one with a saw blade.

[@carlostovar8585]

Tinker + SD = 👍

[@WorshiptheFatherandStayclean]

Doug you should have Swiss Army sponsoring you you did a great review on the Swiss Army knife. God bless you and all your loved ones ❤ 🙏 ♥

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

That is so nice. God bless you, too

[@pussypostlethwaitsaeronaut8503]

You mean Victorinox, which is a brand. 'Swiss Army Knife' is the form. Otherwise it's like saying you should have 'Scotch Whisky' sponsoring you for a review on a bottle of Johnnie Walker. It make no sense. Incidentally, the plastic handles knives were called 'Officer and Sports Knives' and never issued to the Swiss Army. It was the Alox Soldier model from 1961, issued between 1962 and 2008. This was based on the 1957 Pioneer model. According to Victorinox: 'The Pioneer Range was introduced for the first time to the market in 1957. This range led to the development of the Soldier Knife (Model 1961) with red aluminium handles. It was delivered for the first time to the Swiss Army in June 1962. There was no shipment to the Swiss Army by Victorinox in 1960 and 1961, however Wenger produced the former model during these two years.' The Alox Pioneer range also includes the 'Farmer' (saw added) and 'Farmer X' (saw and scissors added). These Alox models use thicker steel for the knife blade and are much more robust than the plastic handled models. Hope this was of interest. ❤xx

[@NickJonespastor]

This is my go to knife! Thanks for showing me several new things to do with it.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. It's nice to hear that people get something of value from the videos. I put a lot of work into the channel. I'm trying to provide entertainment, information, and help. So this means a lot to me.

[@josephmartin1540]

Carried various Tinker models for decades. I grind the small blade down to more like a clip point. Finer point better for the splinters you have to carve out. This gives me a scalpel!

[@logtownacres]

The Tinker is a good choice. I like my Hiker for it’s saw. I’m enjoying your channel. Keep it up.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

thank you so much

[@leelucero4381]

I just came across your site for the first time. Very informative and well presented. I have subscribed and looking forward for more information. Just more reinforcement to add to all the knowledge I have in my head. At 70 years old and former Marine I continue to learn. Great presentation. I will look at your others. Another factor with the knife is that it is non tactical. When I grew up you had knives in your pocket and sometimes guns in the rear window of the truck. Times have changed. Regards Lee

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

That's great. Nice to meet you, Lee.

[@tomritter493]

That can opener makes a great gouge too iv had two a mechanic 1998 rucksak 99 and still going they are an awsome knife

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

great info. thank you

[@frits1954X2]

If you want ? if you can replace the red scales with + scales, you can also put a ballpoint pen and a pin in the scales. Best regards Frits from NL

[@MichaelR58]

Good knife and review Doug , have a good evening , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

thank you. God bless!

[@allanpeterson539]

I carry one too and I've used all the tools at one time or another

[@tlmoscow]

It’s hard to beat the Tinker. The Spartan has the knot detangler (which also works as a corkscrew), but it’s kind of uncomfortable in the hand when you’re using the other tools. I also like the Mountaineer, which has a file/saw and some good scissors, but that may be getting too fancy for some. Nice review, Doug, God bless!

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

I love them all. God bless.

[@bushcraftbasics2036]

Great video on a great knife. I carry a similar model, can't recall the model though, that has the same blades tools but includes the addition of a saw and scissors. The Phillips screwdriver is replaced by a corkscrew which holds an aftermarket eyeglass screwdriver. The Tinker looks like an even more compact version.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

I forget, too. There are so many models

[@leroybabcock6652]

I carry a tinkerer during fire season it has helped fix everything from saws and pumps to pickin my teeth.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

nice

[@BJGlenn-cg3gs]

Great honest review of one handy knife. Go with God.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

Thank you, B. J. Glenn. God bless

[@frankmcmanus5142]

So I carry the tinker or a hiker or a farmer x daily The saw on the farmer x and hiker is pretty handy out in the woods .The awl on the farmer x is great for drilling and works well on a ferro rod too. Any of the victorinox/ Wenger knifes with the saw makes a great woods knife I think . I m not really in to fixed blades, I have a few but never use them . I tend to travel light on my hikes out n about . Thx for the video .

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

Nice. Thanks for the info

[@furyxan]

Great video! The shield is metal set into the scale these days so the painted version must be older.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

If I'm remembering right, I bought it at a Tractor Supply. I forget if it was 3 years ago or 5 years ago. But something like that.

[@MrGold-dv2jh]

Its the ecoline version with nylon scales instead of celidor

[@JoeXTheXJuggalo1]

I still have one of these. It's not in good condition though die to me having it over 30 years. I lost the toothpick an tweezers and I believe tip of one of the blades broke off. I don't recall seeing I haven't really kept it on me in years. I don't remember if my dad got it for me as a gift or my uncle in got it for me when my dad took a trip to Germany? I think it might of been the time I went with my dad to German to visit family. I remember do remember mine had a little piece on it that had a small plastic girl on it wearing a Dirndl dress (which that also went missing off of it years ago). I wish i could go back and tell younger me to be more careful with it. You know the craziest thing about all of that is how back then somehow my dad was allowed to have the Swiss Army Knife in his luggage but yet I wasn't able to take my playdough because it resembled "plastic explosives" or whatever.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

nice. thank you

[@CAVCOP]

I like the Huntsman best for size/utility.

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

nice

[@robduncan599]

I actually think the small tinker is better ? Or even better is the basic recruit or tourist 84mm ? If you mod the can opener (my mod see video ' victorinox explorer, huntsman, farmer climber screwdriver can opener mod ' ) , . The point of a small knife/ tool , as you say small enough that it's always with you ,is if you want a small compact knife might as well get the small version ? The recruit simplifies this even more . My mod makes the Phillips screwdriver redundant on the tinker . Hence the 84mm recruit or tourist(if you need the awl ) is my 'go to' SAK !

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

Yes. Find the one that's best for you. That's my attitude.

[@magicworldbyjorg]

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

thank you, Jorg

[@magicworldbyjorg]

@@DougShoeBushcraft Thank you very mutch... have a nice Weekend.... see you….

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

@@magicworldbyjorg I just discovered that you have a very nice channel with waterfalls and peaceful, nature scenes. What part of the world is that? Sorry, but I can't read the language on the About page.

[@John..18]

For "bushcraft" the Hiker is much better, because of the saw, it's perfect for cutting and notching wood,,

[@DougShoeBushcraft]

Thank you. Yes, I agree. The saw is much better to have. A consideration for me is that the saw on the knife gives it the extra "layer." I believe the Tinker is a 2 layer SAK and the saw would make it 3 layer. I've been carrying the Tinker EDC in my right, front pocket on a chain lanyard. The extra width and weight of the added saw makes it a little on the bulky side for me. At least that is my feeling right now. I have thought about changing to the Hiker, and talking to you now might push me over the edge. I do change up the EDC from time to time.

[@howardvarley8795]

Next to useless. No Saw, no Scissors both essential tools.