That's why tsa has boxes and boxes full of swiss army knives. lol Which is a good way to pick up some cheap knives btw, search "tsa knife lots" on ebay.
@It’s ya boy Hmm, maybe try "tsa confiscated knife lot", i wouldn't buy any of the grab bag deals tho, it seems like a good deal at first glance, but if you read the description it'll say "You'll receive atleast 1 victorinox sak in good condition, 1 chinese no brand knife, 1 corkscrew wine bottle opener tool, 1 multitool, etc.. So you'll probably only end up with 1 or 2 decent knives out of the lot, however.. the lots that show you exactly what you're getting can be good deals.
Victorinox is like the Nokia 3310 of the knife/multitool world. Nothing compared to yours but i have had my huntsman for over 4 years now and not a scratch yet
I have quite a collection now. Got my first (a Spartan) when I was 12 and my second (a Huntsman) when I was 19. Both are still going, Huntsman is the widest I go for.
I am thinking about buying this champ ,because this model has scissors,pliers,saw,file,a couple of good blades.,in the past I bought cheaper knifes and never been happy,it's true you get what you pay for.its better to save ip,I just bought a Buck 112,amazing knife.now I will save up for a Swiss army knife.one knife at a time.I am 71 and I am just now I just got my Buck 112.I glad your knife has served you for so long.
Hi Ron - Sorry you comment got trapped in SPAM. The Swiss champ is an amazing tool and you won't be disappointed. I know when I have it with me I have options to solve many problems that might arise in that day 😄 The Buck 112 is a classic and will serve you well! Best wishes Michael
I have same but in black colour it is 18 yrs old knife ...in childhood when my bro gave i was like i need gerber knife as am fan of bear Grylls...i thrown in the Box because i dint like after 7 years when I saw i got to know it's victorionox better than gerber😂❤ i always carry with me and it's super memorable and durable and ever lasting knife🎉
I have a couple of SAK’s and love all of them. For years I have looked at the Swiss champ and thought it would be too big but after seeing your additions to the pouch I may look at that champ a little more closure. A great part of a larger EDC kit.
@@name5949 it's great! Just cut myself accidentally with the bigger blade as I was trying to close it. Very clean cut I must say... Hurts like a b**ch though!
I have had mine for a very long time. 17 years plus. I don't carry it around but it is in use often. It is a good companion to have in a suitcase when staying in hotels. It is a well made bunch of tools. Have never found a use for the parcel hook!
Hi Paul - LOL - ya the parcel hook is an odd one for sure - I don't think I've ever used it either :D They do last a long time that for sure - great tools.
I may be a little late on the comment reply after 2 years but I've seen a 23 minute RU-vid video on different uses for the parcel (multipurpose) hook. Check it out. They do the same thing for things like the fish dealer and hook disgorger and probably other videos.
I've just bought my swisschamp today will be delivered tomorrow. It is on the expensive side but I knew it would last me decades as victorinox make quality products,Really enjoyed the review. thankyou!
I find that the 111mm OHT....One Handed Trekker is a great knife that the blade locks and there ya go.You can get it in a serated blade or regular.One thing you didn't pull out was the reamer.I always look at the reamer first to see if its pre 1985.That's the year they added the sewing eye.I have about 43 SAKs and so far about 4 Swisschamps I just love them.
It’s nice seeing a tool well used. I still always have my victorinox cybertool M close by. It’s served me well for 10 years and it’s got many more years to go
I started using the SAK because it didn't have a locking blade. I stopped carrying my lockable Leatherman because I started looking into UK knife laws a bit more. The SAK slip joint back spring is very strong
It is a great shame. I've always used knives as tools and would never dream of using them as weapons. I did once have someone freak out on me when I opened a computer box with my leatherman.
It's a culture thing. In Canada and the US everyone carried a locking pocket knife. I can walk into a shop with a 5" fixed blade knife on my hip and no-one bats an eyelid.
Here, you can have a larger or lockable knife if you have a reason to carry it. I have an allotment, so regularly take a horihori and Opinel with me. I don't carry anything on my hip though.
@@TheEmporiumOutdoors I understand the legality issue but no one would know if you're in the woods carving wood and you slip a piece of metal in there only temporarily. :P
they are truly the best pocket knife ever, i have two, one came with the same case you have, but the case itself had the usual survival gear in it, including a propelling pencil for some reason haha, a signal mirror, paper etc, i still have it in my kit, and a little later i found another on ebay for a few quid, very cheap, so i got that too, coz..why not , mine also has a reamer on it i think, but the best thing about them is the lifetime warrantee, if you break a blade or tool, or in my case the jaw on the pliers on excercise in cyprus, you just send it back, and rather than fix it, they will just send a brand new knife, all it will cost is postage, great deal, gerber do the same deal, so do zippo lighters, so if you see a broken one cheap at a yard sale or junk store, ore ebay etc, grab it send it back and boom, new for old,
Yup - they are great - the only feature I miss on the smaller knives are the locking blades. I have the Hunter XT I really like for camping and removing small branches etc. Cyprus you say......Akrotiri? I spent sometime out there during my military days :)
Yes i have had the Knife bite me on occasion and with a blade that sharp it wasn't fun, many bad words were uttered haha, a lock of some kind would be good, as for cyprus, we were on the delightfully rustic, bloodhound camp, hotter than the sun, and dusty as F, but when we were good little boys and girls they took us to happy valley took us through the tunnel and let us play on the engineers beach, i was officers driver for the time we were there, and managed to break my pliers tightening the aerial nut on the wing box of the worlds most beaten to death lightweight! but the boss did take me for a fly in a gazelle so that was nice,
Cyprus is nice - so much archeological history. Most people who are on exercise there forget most of it partly due to the brandy sours and cheap wine - lol. The Gazelle is fun to fly in - just like a Ford Fiesta with a rotor. I prefer the CH-47 Chinooks - the sound of the rotors was awesome (wocka wocka) ;) I might take a trip back one day just for fun :D
haha yeah, mostly i can remember the gut destroying after blast of the 24 course meze meal really bad wine, and the fact that everything is sharp and sticks in your arse when you want to have a 5 min break! even the grass was evil spiney crap, and after i saw a wolf spider run past me as i sat in the relative shade of an olive tree, that was it for me, i didnt sit on the ground in case i got evicted by the big hairy bloody things! (spiders not cypriots, haha)
The Emporium Outdoors Personaly, I would get either the original Swiss Tool or get the Swiss Tool BS. The reason for that’s because I would rather have a serrated knife(good for produce and rope) than scissors. If you want ones with scissors then get the Swiss Tool X.
Hi Areus - ahhh ok. Well I have a leatherman for that type of stuff and a Victorinox Hunter XT for cutting tasks with the larger blades. I hate serrated blades but you are right they do cut rope well but thats about it. They are also impossible to sharpen properly. I still think the Swiss Champ has more options but it is lighter weight for some tasks. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@TheEmporiumOutdoors i was looking around, but no luck im afraid... But no worries i bought a diffrent one but unfortunatly without the extra pockets. Thanks for the reply!
Fuck leatherman. Gerber multitool FTW. Though really unless you need the bigger pliers just man up stop being a little sissy bitch nancyboy and carry the fucking SAK. I'm girl and have no problem carrying the XAVT Swisschamp everywhere. Weak man.
Just got mine today. So neat, so interesting to discover the various parts, and it was more than worth it for those things alone. In this throwaway world it's a reminder of better times when people had to be inventive, and tools were made to last.
I am 57 now, and own my Champ since I was 20 or so. I think it was their newest model when I bought it. And I have loved it ever since. I call it my tool box. I got my name engraved in it too. I do love your pouch, I got one too, but without the side and sleeve pockets (really love that pouch). Still, after 37 years, I love it, and use it rather often. And everything is still like it was the day I bought it. Even the pen, it still writes.
You're the first person to say the parcel hook is useful, I use mine for pulling out tent pegs. I have the survival sos version of yours in a double pouch. I bought it in Lourdes France about 22 or 23 years ago. Mine has a little watch on the knife. Thanks for your video
If you own a tool long enough you will find a use eventually :) I would love the survival version!! I never saw those for sale much - sadly. That is a very cool package. I sent mine in for a service a few months ago and got the file replaced and the scales - Its like new now :). They are a good investment for the amount of time they last thats for sure. Regards from Canada! Michael
Scares me watching you demonstrate all those other tools with both knife blades open like that. I've had my SwissChamp 40 years and carried it every day. The only thing that ever failed was the compass on the ruler that came in the pouch.
I love mine, I do have giant hands so its size fits me well. No locking blades really come down to experience with knives. If you use it properly you wont have an issue. Love all my SAKs. Good review.
They are really useful knives. The none locking blade design was to allow sales of them in places like England and bypass the offensive weapons laws. Even in experienced hands using the blade to pierce something makes the non-locking blade unstable (by design). I have other locking blade SAK knifes and they are a great improvement. Best wishes Michael & Esme!
I've been buying them up on eBay I have 10 of them now ones in my pocket once in my fishing kit once in my toolbox ones in my car in case I forget to to grab the one of my pocket I love the Swiss army knife champ
@@evolution8662 Tightening eye glasses screws, jotting notes, removing cleaning and reinstalling battery terminals, replacing light switches, opening cans/bottles, pulling corks, cutting/filing finger nails, removing bits of wood, glass or metal from my hands and feet and other people's hands and feet, cutting food, whittling/carving, making holes in leather, wood and plastic... and... and... . Admittedly I would have preferred proper tools to do many of these things, but when they weren't available, my ever present Swiss Champ has saved my bacon many many times.
I'm on my third, The first was a gift from my son but was stolen by a professional packing company when I moved back from overseas and the second was lost by Air China along with my luggage. I've also bought another two as gifts. My Swiss Champ generally stays in my car and gets used frequently while I always carry an Alox Mini Champ with me. To supplement that I have around 30 different SAK's I choose from including some I've customised to make out of production models or combinations that have never been available. For example the Deluxe Tinker is great but even better with a corkscrew. I built the collection buying once every few months when prices are at their lowest and bought a Camper yesterday for less than £19 instead of £33. I always get the bargains by studying the prices which can vary enormously. The Heidi Shop in Switzerland can also be a good source and occasionally the London shop.
I’ve had mine for almost 30 years and in that time I’ve found all the tools to be useful. About 5 years ago I dropped it while travelling for a year and cracked one of the scales. I was gutted but then, when I got home I found you can replace them so I did with transparent green ones. I love it even more and now it’s more individual.
Thats very cool!!! I sent mine back to have a service done. It was pretty cheap and if your has seen work like mine - it needed a few replacement tools too! I love all the history people have with these champs 😄
My first was the Swiss Champ in the "SOS" kit. Have had the thing for 30+ years but cracked one of the scales (and bent the corkscrew somewhat..."repetitive stress"?) . Victorinox refurbished the thing as good as new, including replacing all of the accessories that came in the SOS kit. I collect the things now that I actually have a "disposable income" and there are a number of models of a similar size (cybertool etc.) but the Champ remains my favorite,. The larger monsters are more for show and rather impractical...but I own several...just because!
I know this is a seven year old video, but have you ever thought about getting the Victorinox Cybertool as a replacement? I've been looking at both the Champ and the Cybertool, they're both basically the same with only like two differences, but the Cybertool is more geared towards electronic stuff and you mentioned you work in IT.
Good question. If I was a working on my own equipment I'd consider the Cybertool but not for payed work. If a client saw me using a Swiss army knife to repair or install components in an expensive server, it would not look great. I prefer to use dedicated professional tools for payed IT work for optics as well as speed. However, I have used my Swiss champ on servers in a pinch and a couple of times on a Tornado F3 fighter jet 😉
The none locking, sub 3inch blade is what keeps it UK legal to carry. I have 3 Swisschamps, an old one like yours with the grey magnifying glass, a new modern one that actually cost around what you paid for yours and I have a 2nd hand one with racing green plus scales that I use that cost £32. I also have a Champion which was the predecessor to the Swisschamp. Yes. I am a knife nut
@@TheEmporiumOutdoors the Victorinox are such a small part of my collection of approaching 500 knives. Today I added a Wenger and a NOS Frosts which is one of the older Mora makers and a part of what is known as Morakniv today
*'Rasping drywall w/a 'Champ? THE HORROR!*( *That's what 2-buck knives are for! That's like using a .30-06 'Winchester' butt-stock to 'drive some nails with' with a hammer 20-ft. away!* ) *You don't give 'Einstein' the task of 'painting a barn'...you ask him "What is the best- engineered folding pocket-knife ever made?' so he can show you his own 'SAK' from a pocket...somewhere...if he didn't forget it at home...!*
Just got mine and my only complaint is the location of the notch on the awl. I really wish it was on the outside and not inside. My thumb and finger knuckles hit the corkscrew and makes it tough to open without opening the corkscrew first. I don’t have any problems getting the chisel and little screwdriver out and the smaller knife on the other side deploys super easy, but getting the awl out sucks
I've had mine for 7 years, which means i bought is 1 year after you published this video 😄 The only issues I've had at this point is that the spring on the scissors broke, and the tiny screwdriver is not firmly attached to the handle any longer. I'm pretty satisfied with this purchase.
I used my Victorinox SwissChamp since 1985 every day. Look as new and have since 2 years the Mother of Pearls version. As collectors toy i have the XAVT version of the SwissChamp. The only thing that wearout is the Victorinox Leather Case.
I officially put you on my 'hate list!' You have the 'XAVT' and I DON'T! It's not fair at all! (I love my Vic. 'Champ' that I got for a birthday gift years ago...and it's still one of my 'prized possessions' and I rarely go anywhere w/o it)
I have the XAVT as well, I actually use it though. It's meant to be used. I carry it everywhere with me in jeans pocket. I love it, super useful for everything.
I don't think they have changed. I had some parts replaced in warranty as they had worn down like the file and had new scales put on and they are as good a quality as the ones they removed. 👍
I really liked this video a lot because it highlights something I really believe in. Meaning, the debate between Victorinox SAK an the Leatherman multitool rages about “which is better”. It’s my belief that the best tool is the one you’re most familiar with. Which firearm is best for self defense? Which martial art is most effective in a fight? Which is better, Victorinox or Leatherman? I’m confident the answer is, the tool you know the best and have the most experience with is going to be YOUR best choice. A guy with 20 years experience with the Swiss Champ will get more done (and faster), than a guy who just bought the latest model of multitool.
just received a new work champ, and have a used huntsman coming from ebay. any one know where you can get the tooth picks and tweezers for the off center knives?
thanks, I bought the small and large one but those are for the newer ones, the old style are thinner I think and are pretty much extinct. maybe I'll try filing them down to fit.
I love my SwissChamp too. You can straighten the corkscrew with a nail and pliers and you can let used tools replaced by the Victorinox Service. You should give it a try.
The Emporium glue or gaffer tape is better or electrical tape. Not being funny but plasters are useless once you get a bit of dirt or water on your hands
Hey man good review. I got a question for you. I bought one of these a year ago, i dropped it and there is a small dent in the metal it doesn't affect the functionality do you think they will repair it for me free of charge?
Hmmm - good question - I personally think they would. I had the scales replaced (as well as some other broken parts) as I had carved my initials on them years ago - I don't see that being any different!
I have my father's that he bought in 1968, 51 years old! He’d never used it either, it was kept in a drawer in his caravan. It’s the one with the long file and a Philip’s screwdriver instead of a corkscrew, the Champion B. The only thing is, I’m loathe to use it myself as it is so old and pristine, it looks as though it was bought a few months ago!
I’ve had my champ for 25+ years. I still love it. It’s truly the gentleman’s multi tool. I’ve carried SAK for over 40 years. I love how versatile and tough they are. Great video.
I brought mine in 1989 whilst in the army in Germany and it's seen a fair bit of use. It's been in the draw for a few years now but seeing this has made me remember how useful it is, I'm off to the shed to clean it up and give the hinges a drop of oil :-) Thanks for the video.
Very cool! I have so many memories about using my knife and all the tough spots it got me out of. I even used it for some quick work on a Panavia Tornado F3 fighter jet once - totally again the rules but it got the job done! I sent mine away to get serviced recently and had the file & scales replaced. Its like new now! I think it was $25 for shipping from Canada.
@@TheEmporiumOutdoors If it gets the job done that's all that matters :-) I'll have to look into sending mine away as the small blade has snapped in half.
Can you elaborate on how you actually use it? Because I dunno, I always lookes at swisschamp and it always seemed so impractical due to how thick it is.
You are not wrong about it being not very ergonomic and working with it for long periods might get uncomfortable compared to a dedicated tool such as a screw driver or hand file. However, the beauty of the Swiss champ is the number of tools and the versatility it provides. It's got almost something for almost every jobs you might need it for in the field. 👍
@@TheEmporiumOutdoors Well, I guess it's certainly better than nothing, that's for sure. I personally carry a Deluxe Tinker with plus scales - it has the perfect balance between the number of tools and thickness, in my opinion. But yeah, sometimes I wish I had a file or a saw on me. Also cheers for answering every single comment, must certainly take a while. :D
Good review. I am extremely military and have had a victrix throughout my service, always in my smock breast pocket, wrapped in my paranoid lanyard looped around my pocket flap secure. It never left me on ops and I still have that same knife and length of cord next to my bed. I also have the Swisschamp champ but I don't really use it. I think i might invest in the case and start to carry it as it is an extremely smart useful bit of kit. Thank you! What regiment?
Hi Matthew - Same with me - my knife holds some very sentimental moments during my service. I served in the Royal Air Force on several squardrens over my time. If you ever flew in a Chinook - I probably touched it at some point 😉
Cool! I have an SOS Swisschamp too, though in black. I can see you replaced some of the things that came in the pouch with others to suit your liking. I've left mine the way it came from the store. The Swisschamp is my favourite Swiss Army Knife. Great review.
Hi Tim - I bought the pouch and knife seperatly so its not the SOS package - sadly. I would have loved to have bought that back in the day. You are a lucky man!
I'm in my 47th year of carrying a Swiss Champ, having replaced my original with the updated -hook tool- version. I gave my original to a friend, a metal detectorist, and she absolutely loved it. In every aspect of life, for myself and others, this tool has helped in so many ways and on countless occasions, its use is limited by imagination only, and I simply wouldn't be without it.
Great video thanks. I replaced the tooth pick with the small ferrosiem rod, 'FireFly', and am happy with mine. I always carry a fast deployable locking knife and a Leatherman multi tool. With this 3 tool combo I have been able to get a lot done.
Thats a great idea to add the 'FireFly'. I keep a ferrocerium striker separately but your way is much cleaner! Better to have useful tool and not need them to need them and not have them! 😉
Just bought one with black scales, for just £57, with free next day delivery. So these have effectively come down in price compared to 22 years ago. It's more of a multitool to accompany a folder like a Spyderco Urban which although non-locking has a finger choil designed in such a way that it's virtually impossible to close it by accident on your fingers. Also I often carry a Knipex Cobra XS in addition to that for heavy plier work, also it deals with nuts and bolts far better than any pliers multitool or even dedicated needlenose pliers, which are not designed for that anyway.
I've been carrying an explorer since 2019, just got the Swiss Champ. I previously thought it was too big to carry every day, but I've decided to give it a go. I also can a Gerber Diesel that gives me a full-size set of pliers and a locking knife blade if I need them.
Gratz on the new purchase! Although the Swiss champ is large, I find it more comfortable to carry than my Leatherman, especially on a belt. Otherwise in a pack it doesn't matter. I love the way it feels in the hand, with all the possible options I have to solve problems 😊
Wonderful review. Nobody else ever shows the pin underneath the cork screw. I had no idea. That’s a good tool for that many years. I’m used to non-locking blades when I was in the Boy Scouts. but I have also used plenty of locking blades too.
Thanks so much!! I simply love this knife and all the little parts that have helped me over the years. That pin combined with the magnifier has taken out ten(s) of splinters from my hands 😆
I have a Hercules which has a longer locking blade that I like, but it's illegal to carry daily in the UK. The smallest one that has a shorter and non-locking blade and the tools I use is the Swiss Champ. As you mentioned it's a bit thick so I'm not sure whether I would like how it feels in my hand.
Got my Swiss Champ in 1999. Needs a new pen (ink ran out), and a new spring for the pliers, but otherwise is great. Biggest problem I have is that I wear it on my hip daily and i'm sick of the Velcro on the Holster failing (Victorinox only make the dome type in red now, I need black). Never lubricated or serviced, has been banged around a lot, but still in good nick minus a few little dings and such. Recently misplaced my holster, feel quite naked without it, but had a near-miss of the knife falling out one time too often. Where can I get a holster like the one you feature here? Or any suggestions on alternatives?
Yea - I replaced the pen and the spring on the pliers too - the pouch was bought along time ago but I think they sold it as part of the SOS survival version of the swiss champ. There are some good aftermarket pouches with a popper rather than velcro that might work for you. Thanks for commenting!
Many thanks. Watching this 7 years later. The math is that pretty soon you shall be owning this tool for three decades. What a rush! Way to go! Cheers! George from Greece. 👌🏻👋🏻🍀
Getting ready to buy my third one in about the same time. First one (full SOS kit and pouch) was a gift from my wife in April 1996, and it lasted until a car fire in December of 2006. I replaced it with the knife only in January 2007 and had it until Saturday (2007-2017) when I gave it to a nephew who had lost the one I gave him a couple years back for Christmas. Timeless Classic!
Hi David - too bad you lost SOS kit version - they are awesome - not many things are built to last anymore but if you take care of these knifes they will literally last a lifetime. Thanks for commenting!
Congratulations on the purchase! I just tried to keep it clean - and spray a little lube on it from time to time :) Nothing crazy - they are very durable.
True. I got my Swisschamp (the black version) more than 10 years ago. And so far, it only needed cleaning and lubrication once. My girlfriend used to laugh about me carry the knife in my backpack all the time. Always calling it the "MacGyver". But one year later (after she used it a few times) she bought a Victorinox of her own. A huntsman.
I just got mine in the mail a few days ago.I have been a fan of Victorinox since watching McGuyver in the 80'sand always thought the Swiss Champs are cool.One of my favorite SAK's is the Camper.Thanks for the video.
@@TheEmporiumOutdoors oh nice! I have been using a viking whetstone pendant to keep my edges up, though admittedly for a relatively short period of time in comparison to you. Sounds like a small whetstone is really all you need.
