I bet it’s not just me who gets fascinated by the Swiss Army knife. This is actually a multifunctional tool and if you want one, you will surely want the best Swiss Army Knife available.
Depending on whichever model you choose, you can find it having tools like a pair of scissors, pliers, both bottle and can opener and magnifying lens among others. These are just a few other features apart from the knife itself. Having the Swiss Army Knife means having everything you need to carry out your daily activities.
This is something you wouldn’t want to leave home without because one can never know when you will need to use it. For instance when you have a bottle of soda and you want to open it or if you have a broken radio and you want to do some quick repair on it, the Swiss Army Knife will help you remove the screws with the screwdrivers it has.
The Swiss Army Knife was invented sometimes back in the 1800s and up to know, it still remains the most popular and used tool for the soldiers around the globe. If you find yourself stuck in the jungle and you are trying to survive then this tool would just be what you need.
For me, I can confidently say there isn’t any other knife that can be compared to the Swiss Army Knife when it comes to functionality and durability. This has been a trusted and a well-known name when we talk about tools and knives.
The Swiss Army Knife Design
The Swiss army knives that are available today always consists of parts made of stainless steel. The flanged bushings, brass rivets and the rivet holding all the scales, the aluminum separators, and the tools together within the knife.
Using the aluminum separators, usually contributes to making the knife a bit lighter. The martensitic stainless steel alloy is what is used to craft the blades of these knives. This helps in making the blades corrosion resistant. The alloy used mostly contains carbon, chromium, manganese, molybdenum and silicon.
The unique assembly of these knives always consists of the separators and flat spring made of steel that allows a tool having a brass rivet to be installed on it. Before installing another tool, another separator and a spring are again installed first followed by the tool.
This process of layering then continues until all the wanted tools are installed. Just at the end of the compiled tools, a final separator is placed making all the metal components to be connected using a fastened brass bushing to the rivets. If there is some rivet length remaining, it is then removed and made flush with the bushings of the knife.
Uses of A Survival Knife
When you find yourself in such a tough situation, a Swiss knife can just be what you need to get yourself out of it since it can be used to do many different things.
Some of the uses of this knife and the multi-tools are:
Tweezers: when you encounter parasites like ticks while out in the while, you can remove them out of your sink when bitten using the tweezers. You can also use it to remove things like the slivers.
Fishing excursions: when out there fishing for food, probably you will need a sharp knife to help you cut the fishing line and also for skinning the fish. You can find tools that can help you remove the fish hooks in a few types of Swiss Knives.
Food consumption: having the Swiss knife with you can always help you open canned foods using the can opener. The knife also has an opener which will help you open your beverages. The knife can also help you chop or peel edible fruits if you happen to find some while in the wild.
Special needs: the Swiss knife can help you carry out a quick first aid especially in situations where you will need to make an emergency tourniquet or a bandage.
Best 8 Swiss Army Knife Available to Buy
Victorinox Swiss Army Super Tinker Pocket Knife
Weight: 3 Oz
Type of blade: stainless steel blade
Cost: $29.23
Best Use: survival purposes
Description: It does not matter whether you are traveling around the globe or you are just going through your daily routines, Victorinox Swiss Army Super Tinker Pocket Knife will always be the ideal knife for those thinkers who are always on the move.
It is usually advisable that at least you have this pocket knife since you can never know what you will come across or encounter in your day to day activities or when traveling.
Having this pocket knife with you means being ready to fix, hack or build anything. The key features of this knife include the ability to perform 14 functions, it has scissors and a Philips screwdriver.
This is so far can be the perfect surviving tool for the boy scouts, hikers, and campers among others. The knife comes with more than 12 hardened tools made of stainless steel and plastic.
It measures around 3.5 inches when it comes to length and a weight of about 3 Oz. This knife usually comes with a lifetime warranty. The 14 features include:
Small blade
Large blade
Can opener
Bottle opener
Screwdriver 3mm in length
Wire stripper
Toothpick
Tweezers
Key ring
Scissors
Reamer
Screwdriver 5 mm in length
Multipurpose hook
Philips screwdriver 1/2
13 Function Stainless Steel Small Folding Pocket Knife Multitool
This folding pocket knife is 100 % made of stainless steel and it comes with a nylon sheath that has a belt and a press snap clasp thus making it easy for you to mount your tool on it. This knife is multifunctional and well-made hence can be considered a nice option to be used by the girl, boy, and the cub scouts.
You can consider using this knife if you have any task that needs to be carried out with a multifunctional tool. The nylon sheath that comes with this knife is very strong and will last for long. The sheath can be belt mounted.
This knife is made of 100 % stainless steel and often its components hold their edge thus can serve you for a long period of time. Many users of this knife often say that it gives a great feeling when you hold it in your hand and is always easy to use.
When it comes to the length, the knife measures around 3.53 inches when it is closed and about 6 inches when opened. It has a weight of 3.9 ounces. This knife is a must have for your survival gear when sailing or just walking. The 13 functions include:
Description: I am very certain that if you have this knife in your possession, you won’t be able to say that you only have a knife. This Leatherman Crater c33Tx Combo Straight/Serrated Blade Knife often comes with screwdrivers that are built in thus making this knife be the ideal tool for any prying or quick tightening job.
The package is then completed with a pocket clip and a sharp 420HC razor blade. The Leatherman Crater c33Tx Combo Straight/Serrated Blade Knife over the years has been designed again to make it more streamlined and even lighter hence it’s even difficult to notice when you have one in your pocket.
The “c” in the c33Tx indicates the crater series while the “33” shows a medium length of the blade. This knife is usually easy to use with a safe blade deployment and will always be a quick tool for your projects. A crater knife will always fit in your pocket, bag or a toolbox
For missions that are visually sensitive, you can consider trying out the black liner lock c33Tx. The crater c33Tx has a black combination of a straight/serrated blade. This knife has a general weight of about 3.19 Oz and a length of 3.94 inches when closed.
The length of its blade measures around 2.6 inches and it comes with a 25-year warranty. The features of this knife include:
Philips screwdriver
Thumb stud
Removable pocket clip
Bottle opener
¼ inch screwdriver
Blade launcher
Nylon handles filled with 60% glass
420 HC stainless steel drop point combo knife blade
Black DLC finish on the blade with black oxide finish on the remaining parts.
Locking liner
Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife
Weight: 3.42 Oz
Type of blade: stainless steel
Cost: $27.99
Best Use: survival purposes
Description: Most of us, when we hear about the Swiss army Knife, we usually think about the legendary officer’s knife. This legend continues with the Huntsman pocket knife. Additionally, the knife comes with a wood saw and a pair of scissors.
With this in your possession, you will always be ready to cut through anything. Whether you are carrying out your normal routines or you are out there in the wilderness, you will definitely need this tool in your pocket.
This knife has a net weight of 3.42 Oz and a length of 3.58 inches. It is usually made in Switzerland and often comes with a lifetime guarantee against any defect in the workmanship and material. The tools contained in this knife include:
Large blade
Small blade
Scissors
Key ring
Multipurpose hook
Corkscrew
Toothpick
Tweezers
Wood saw
Screwdriver 5 mm
Screwdriver 3 mm
Reamer
Bottle opener
Wire stripper
Can opener
This knife is mostly considered to be perfect for EDC and can be used for bush crafting too.
Wenger 16388 Swiss Army EvoWood 18 Pocket Knife, Wood
Weight: 3 Oz
Type of blade: stainless steel blade
Cost: N/A
Best Use: survival purposes
Description: This knife comes with some 9 implements that give it the ability to perform a total of 13 functions. The Wenger 16388 Swiss Army EvoWood 18 Pocket Knife is a pretty nice pocket knife that comes with a range of utilities.
It has an attractive walnut wood that sometimes is usually discarded as a scrap. This natural walnut makes this knife be durable when it get used for light outdoor activities. The tool is also stained with rich dark brown colors, giving each of the knives their own unique shade. This makes every Wenger EvoWood 18 knife a unique product.
The act of reusing wood to make this tool shows how Wenger is committed to protecting the environment. This knife has 3 ounces when we talk about the weight and 3.25 inches in length. The features of this knife include:
5-inch blade
Ergonomic handles that is made using natural walnut
75 inches double-cut wood saw
Nail file
Awl
Nail cleaner
Key ring
Reamer
Wire stripper
Can opener
4 inches scissors with no spring but serrated and has a self-sharpening design
Cap lifter
Nail cleaner
Patented locking screwdriver
Victorinox Swiss Army One-Hand Trekker NS Pocket Knife
The Victorinox Swiss Army One-Hand Trekker NS Pocket knife is a product of Switzerland as this is where they are often made. This knife is just ideal for all around users and is perfect for hikers and campers.
The serrated locking blade can be opened just by using one hand, making it a simple tool to use. Additionally, the full package contains a Philips screwdriver, wire stripper, bottle opener among others.
This knife has a housing that is black and stylish, not to forget that it’s made according to the Victorinox standards. This knife is about 4.37 inches when it comes to length, 4.8 ounces for the weight and it comes with a lifetime warranty. The tools contained in this product includes:
Key ring
Tweezers
Wood saw
Reamer
Bottle opener with a large locking screwdriver
Wire stripper
Toothpick
Philips screwdriver
Can opener with small screwdriver
One-hand locking blade that is non-serrated
Victorinox Classic SD
Weight: 6.5 Oz
Type of blade: stainless steel
Cost: $14.93
Best Use: survival purposes
Description: Initially, it was the Swiss officer’s knife and later, after several years the Swiss Army knife still remains an icon with a sleek functionality.
This Victorinox Classic SD is often built in such a way that it can last a lifetime and using this knife means finding every functionality you will need when going through your everyday adventures. Having this knife with you always is often the easiest commitment one can ever make.
This knife is compact enough to fit in any bag, pocket or tool box and can be hooked on the keys too. It only has seven functionalities making it just enough to save your day.
It is made in Switzerland and has a legacy that dates back to 130 years ago. It measures 2.28 inches in length and has a weight of only 6.5 Oz. This knife has the following features:
Screwdriver 2.5 mm
Key ring
Tweezers
Toothpick
Scissors
Nail file
Small blade
Victorinox Swiss Champ
Weight: 3.5 ounces
Type of blade: stainless steel blade
Cost: $224.99
Best Use: survival purposes
Description: Just like the Victorinox Swiss Army One-Hand Trekker NS Pocket Knife, the Swiss Champ is compact and sturdy making it the ideal knife for any outdoor recreation activities and your everyday use.
The Swiss Champ also comes from the Switzerland and it’s the world most known brand when it comes to multi-tools and pocket knives. It measures around 3.5 inches long and has a lifetime warranty against any kind of damages including manufacturing defects.
The Victorinox Swiss Champ contains 32 tools made of stain steel. The features of this knife include:
Tweezers
Toothpick
Ruler (cm)
Metal file
Screwdriver 2 mm
Philips screwdriver ½
Nail cleaner
Wood saw
Screwdriver 5 mm
Scissors
Pliers
Wire bender
Hook disgorger
Wire stripper
Bottle opener
Ruler (inch)
Large blade
Small blade
Can opener
Nail file
Metal saw
Wire crimper, inside-outside
Fish scaler
Reamer, sewing awl and punch
Magnifying glass
Screwdriver 3 mm
Corkscrew
Chisel 4 mm
Key ring
Mini screwdriver 1.5 mm
Multipurpose hook
Conclusion
The best Swiss army knife will always be a tool that you should have with you at all times, for every outdoor activity you participate in, like hiking, camping or just traveling in the woods. It is advisable that you have this knife with you since you never know when you will enter a situation in which you will need to survive.
High production of these Swiss knives makes them be something that is dependable and durable. Once you choose just the right knife for your needs, it will serve you for an entire lifetime, if it is well maintained of course.
Dennis Owens is a graduate of National Camping School and REI Outdoor School. He knows everything about what gear to take with you, how to plan your trip to stay safe and what to do if you get lost in the mountains. We are lucky to have Dennis with us as he is a ‘walking encyclopedia’ when it comes to the wilderness.
