Amazon.com Customer Reviews
Nice, but doesn't really live up to the hype - Review written on June 17, 2008
Rating: 3 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.
I bought this tool because it was supposed to be so much more superior to its Leatherman counterparts, but I was kind of disappointed. A lot of the tools are very hard to get out, and you need to have really strong fingernails to open a lot of them. Then there are some which open very smoothly.
I thought it might just need to break in a little, but after numerous WD-40 treatments and opening and closing the blades a lot, nothing happened except the blades got tighter.
I sent mine back to Victorinox to see if they could do anything with it under warranty. I'm pretty sure they sent me a new/refurbished one (not my old repaired one). The replacement is easier to open, but still requires some effort, especially for the main blade.
I'm not saying that the tools themselves aren't good, but it's just when you pay so much for a tool, and read all the hype about how great this thing is supposed to be compared to other multitools, it was kind of disappointing to actually compare it to my far superior Leathermans.
Very Well Made, Not as many features as Leatherman, - Review written on December 06, 2007
Rating: 4 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.
The Swisstool RS is a very well made tool. It is also heavy. I have been using different multitools since 1993 when I got my first Gerber Multiplier and since then I have owned a leatherman PST, Supertool, Wave and 2nd generation Wave. The Swisstool is a very nice tool/knife, the blades are very sharp and it is all very well put together, as I would expect from Victorinox, I have owned several Victorinox and Wenger swiss army knives. I do prefer the Victorinox to the Wenger, I think they are better made and generally more useful, so I expected the Swisstool to be very well made and it is.
It is also heavier then my Wave and I think its not quite as useful, on my Wave I have scissors, file, wood saw, serrated and regular blades, 2 Phillips and 3 slotted screw drivers, and can opener. Whereas the Swisstool RS gives up the file and offers 4 different slotted screw drivers and only has 1 Phillips screw driver. With my Wave I can open the two knife blades with just one hand and have access to the 2 blades, file and wood saw without opening the Wave up. The Swisstool does add a scrapper/chisel and an awl, but I am not sure I have a lot of use for the scrapper/chisel.
Would a person go wrong buying the Swisstool RS, no! It is very well made and equally useful to the Wave, I just have been using Leatherman products for the last 10 years and I prefer their layout and I am used to the tools that I have with the Leatherman. I would advise to stay away from the Gerber Multiplier, it is not nearly as well made as either the Swisstool or the Leatherman, I had to send my Gerber Multiplier back to Gerber after several of the implements broke off. The Gerber is made from Cast Stainless steel and is more brittle and in my opinion less refined then either the Wave or the Swisstool.
The only reason I gave the Swisstool 4 stars instead of 5 is it seems to be more difficult to open the different implements.
An outstanding multitool - Review written on June 19, 2007
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.
I've had a couple of Gerber Multipliers that have served me well but kept reading how good the Swisstools are, so I ordered one from Amazon last week. My initial impression is, "WOW!" The Swisstool is really well made and finished. It feels considerably more solid than the Gerbers I have, or the Leatherman tools I've handled. I shouldn't be too surprised, since I have four other Victorinox Swiss Army Knives: a Cybertool 41, and three Pioneers, one of which I've gone back to my everyday carry knife, having bought it in the early 1980s. (I keep one Pioneer in my truck and my wife's car for emergencies.)
Except for the pliers, the individual tools can be accessed without opening the tool. Each tool locks in place, so you don't have to be concerned with them closing on your fingers. The handle is contoured so that it doesn't dig into your hand when you squeeze down on the pliers. The knife blade, belt cutter, and reamer are very sharp. The seat belt cutter is a serrated, curved blade with a round point. The cutting edge is on the inside of the curve. I could this being useful on boats when you need to cut something but don't want to risk using a pointy knife. The scissors are slightly larger than those on my Cybertool 41, with which I've cut a fair amount of CAT5. The scissors are nice and sharp.
A well-constructed black nylon belt sheath with a snap closure was included. The sheath is designed to stay open so that you can easily re-sheath the multitool with one hand.
So far, I've used the bottle opener, to open a bottle of Yuengling Lager. Works great. :-) I also tested the scissors on some heavy corrugated cardboard and they worked well. Both the knife blades are very sharp and cut well.
If you're in the market for a good multitool, the Swisstools from Victorinox are definitely worth looking at.
great multi-tool, one of the best. - Review written on January 09, 2007
Rating: 5 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.
If you want quality, a tank of a tool, and the best finish in the business, get a SwissTool. It is big and heavy, not for your pocket, but it does the job, and it'll last. It won't rust or break on you (so the people who have it for awhile say). Wonderful tool opening, without taking out all the rest and you can take them out without having to open up the pliers. The tools/blades lock very nice and it has great scissors, better than most. I would recommend this multi-tool to anybody.
One of the best multi-tools out there - Review written on July 29, 2006
Rating: 5 out of 5
38 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.
I used to carry a well known name brand multi-tool myself until I found a couple superior options ( based on 30 years as a fire fighter, police officer and bomb disposal ( EOD ) technician ). I have owned most every multi tool out there and abused them all ( that's why the good ones have a lifetime warranty . ) and the two best for the money are the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife SwissTool RS and the SOG Powerlock S60 - don't waste your money on anything else - " Leather Guy" can't come close to a SOG or Victorinox in performance and Warranty - in my opinion!!!
Victorinox SwissTool RS (Rescue and Survival). comes equipped with both scissors and belt cutter which replace the serrated blade and the metal file and can be life saving in a auto accident. Tools included are: Pliers, Screwdriver (2mm), Screwdriver (3mm), Wire Cutter, Screwdriver (5mm), Bottle Opener, Screwdriver (7.5 mm), Large Blade, Scissors, Seatbelt Cutter, Metal Saw, Wood Saw, Reamer/Punch, Phillips Screwdriver, Chisel/Scraper, Strong Crate Opener, Wire Bender, Wire Stripper, Wire Scraper, Can Opener, Ruler (9 inches), Ruler (230mm), Electrical Crimper, Lanyard Hole . The SwissTool RS has the same features as the original SwissTool with two additional features: seatbelt cutter and scissors - something every first responder needs. Made in Switzerland with a lifetime warranty.
The other multi-tool worth your money is a SOG Powerlock S60. This folding tool isn't new, a fact that speaks to its highly regarded Compound Leverage mechanism that generates twice the pressure and gripping power of lesser tools. To wit: this thing is the Jaws of multitools. Beyond strength, you'll love the pivoting handle covers that really do improve comfort and dexterity. All the essential tools are intricately positioned for deployment, including a quarter-inch drive socket, spring-loaded scissors, half-serrated knife blade, saw, several screwdrivers and Phillips-style model, wire cutters, file... and on and on. And for you showoffs out there, the PowerLock's ability to open with a quick flick of the wrist is undeniably cool. The PowerLock features removable, pivoting handle covers that improve the comfort profile for your hand. More pressure can now be exerted on those tough jobs! Like the rest of the family in the PowerPlierî series, the PowerLock can be opened and closed with a one-handed flip of the wrist. This is a basic requirement from SOG as so often one is holding wires or standing on a ladder and does not have both hands free. All tool components are easy to access and lock in the open position. The Phillips even locks in two open positions. With one of the simplest and safest locking devices ever engineered, just press the back of the lock and close the component into the handle. Included in the handles of this compact tool box is the first foldable 1/4" drive that will turn sockets or, with a standard adapter, any hex screwdriver tip. It will also turn heads! Scissors can be one of the most used tool components and we have answered that demand with foldable spring-loaded scissors that are extremely sharp. This patent pending marvel only has spring tension in the open position, an additional safety feature. Other components include: plier/gripper, wire cutter, crimper, double toothed wood saw, 1/2 serrated blade, 3-sided file, large screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, 1/4" drive, awl, can opener/small screwdriver, bottle opener/med. screwdriver, scissors, rulers and lanyard ring. PowerLock also comes with a heavy-duty, dark leather pouch A standard issue with any SOG multipurpose tool is the advantage of hex bolt construction. This essential design element gives you the greatest versatility to clean and change tool components. Features all stainless steel construction and comes with a leather pouch, a Lifetime Guarantee and they are MADE IN THE USA.
Victorinox does it again! - Review written on December 29, 2005
Rating: 5 out of 5
13 customers found this review helpful.
I own several multi-tools and pocket knives. Being a dad with 3 kids, and a home based business, their is always something to fix, update, or repair. Around the house whether in pajamas or jeans i carry my victorinox swiss champ pocket knife. (every man should own one of these by the way! it never fails me!)
If i go out of the house i take a beefier tool (might have to do some sort of automotive repair, fix a fence, cut wire, build a barbeque, or disarm a thermonuclear device). Its always been a toss up between my gerber 800 or my leatherman xti. However on many occassions i have noticed that while the leatherman or gerbers pliers are great, the rest of the individual tools in the unit are just not as well done or as reliable as my swiss champs tools. Plus to get to the individual tools (like a screwdriver) i have to unfold the multitool itself, which is a pain sometimes.
Well all that changed few months ago when i received the swisstool rs as a gift, and let me tell ya, i dont even think about what to take with me when i go out now. I just grab the swiss tool and head out! This is a very solid tool, equal to or in many ways better than my leatherman or gerber tools. It has all primary tools i have on my swiss champ (knives and screwdrivers), as well as very decent pair of pliers, a sheeps foot serated blade, and scissors. No file on this tool, but i never used a file on my other tools anyway, so no loss there. I have to say its a very nice big brother to my swiss champ.
Cons for this great tool would be, it could use a tighter locking mechanism for the tools, and a one handed opening blade would be nice. All the tools lock into place, but they wiggle ever so slightly once locked. Not wiggle like they will fold on you and slice off a finger, but wiggle none the less. I have had no problem with using the locks or the tools once they lock, its just a personal preference. Other than that this is an awesome tool.
if you are wondering what to get your man as a present, you simply cannot go wrong with this tool!