5 Responses to “Victorinox Swiss Army Tinker Pocket Tool”

1. Dana E. Tracy on February 7th, 2010 10:35 am

   This product was not the product described on Amazon. It came as the next size larger than advertised. I am having a lot of trougle trying to return it. My computer will not print the return label and I have been waiting for two weeks for Amazon to send me a label as they promised. If it had been the right size knive [3.25 inches instead of 3.50 inches] it is one of the most useful and best pocket knives I have ever owned. Just be sure it is the small tinker[3.25 inches or 84mm] and it is perfect.
   Rating: 1 / 5

2. F. Iacobelli on February 7th, 2010 11:55 am

   If you can avoid buying this knife, do so. It has no scissors. For less (money) you can get one with scissors. Dish out the extra bucks for a better knife!
   Rating: 3 / 5

3. Aaron Contorer on February 7th, 2010 2:26 pm

   Victorinox makes fine products, and this model is lovely, classic, and durable. However, it is missing tools that you will probably want, such as scissors, while including things you rarely use. (Also, a blade that locks open is preferable for safety.) Pick another model and you (or your gift recipient) will be happier.
   Rating: 3 / 5

4. Mark Henderson on February 7th, 2010 4:10 pm

   I love Swiss Army Knives but this one is hardly anything to get excited about. I read that it was 3.something odd inches, longer than the original. But what it didn’t tell you that it was as bulky as ever. I expected the same size as the traditional army knife, just longer. If you want something to put on your keyring don’t count on this.
   Rating: 1 / 5

5. Smaug on February 7th, 2010 5:43 pm

   First off, let me start by saying that Victorinox Swiss Army Knives are in a higher league than Wenger. Everything is just a bit more beefy.

   This is a good, basic swiss army knife. It is only two layers thick, so it doesn’t feel too chunky in the pocket. Once you go to something with three layers, it gets clunky, and you won’t find yourself carrying it as much. The Phillips screwdriver makes this knife more handy than the Spartan model, which has a corkscrew instead. The bottle opener/screwdriver is ultra useful too. I’d trade the small blade for a scissors. The can opener works really well. Some models give this up for a combination can/bottle opener, which doesn’t work as well at either task, but usually means that there is then room for scissors. That’s a trade I’d make, which is one reason I gave this knife only 4 stars. Scissors are more useful than most of us guys want to admit. Much more useful than another knife blade. However, the small blade does have its place at times. I use the large blade all the time, and as a result, it is sometimes dull when I need it to be sharp. Then, I bring out the seldom-used small blade, which is always razor sharp. When I get around to sharpening the large blade, I also touch up the small blade.

   If you are confident that you will be OK carrying a four layer knife in your pocket to get the scissors without losing the small blade, get the Explorer. The Explorer puts the Phillips screwdriver as a main tool, which more easily fits in small places, adds a magnifying glass (which is top-class), and the scissors. It is about the perfect SAK, in my opinion. But it is just that tiny bit too thick to truly be handy. Either plan on keeping it in a belth sheath, or in a coat pocket or something.

   If four layers is a bit much and you can do without the magnifier & corkscrew, look for the Super Tinker, which is identical to the Tinker, except that it is three layers thick and adds the scissors.

   A couple of general things about Swiss Army Knifes.

   1) on most models, the blades don’t lock. This means if you start using it too fast, and bump the blade on something when you’re bringing the knife back for another stroke, there’s a good chance you’ll close it on your fingers. (OUCH!) Victornox does make some lock-back models, but they are much bigger and not pocket sized.

   2) The blade steel is relatively soft. They did this so that there would be no chance of rust or stains. That’s what happens if you want it to be 100% corrosion proof. There is less carbon in the steel, and it is softer, which means it will need sharpening more often than a heavy duty, single blade locking knife like the ones Spyderco & Gerber make. Sharpening it is a breeze, just a couple strokes on each size with a ceramic rod sharpener, just be aware that it will need more frequent sharpening than a more heavy duty lock-blade knife.

   One last thing: these are not macho knives. You don’t feel cool for carrying a Swiss Army Knife. But you may feel like a real hero, when you have a screwdriver or bottle opener handy when it is needed, and the macho man just has his one locking blade.
   Rating: 4 / 5

Leave a Reply