Reviews > Knives > Multi-tools > Victorinox SwissTool Spirit > Becki Stacy > Initial Report

Preliminary Information The Swisstool Spirit is a 22 function multi-tool, and appears to me to be the first attempt by a major multi-tool manufacturer to produce an ergonomic tool (I have checked out competitor's websites and did not find any other multitools with a grip similar to normal pliers). My definition of `function' is an item or aspect of the tool that can be used on other objects for the purpose of repair, cutting, or other alteration of that object. The lanyard hole, springs, lock release, and pouch I consider `components' since they serve no function outside of the operation of the tool itself. The functions and components of the Spirit are: 1. Needle nose pliers 2. Screwdriver (2 mm/.08") 3. Screwdriver (3 mm/.12") 4. Wire cutter (for wire up to a hardness of 40 HRc) 5. Bottle opener 6. Screwdriver (6 mm/.24") 7. Crate opener 8. Combi-edge blade 9. Scissors 10. Metal file 11. Metal saw 12. Wood saw 13. Reamer 14. Phillips screwdriver 15. Chisel/scraper 16. Isolation length cutter 17. Wire bender 18. Wire stripper 19. Wire scraper/round cutter 21. Can opener 22. Multi-purpose hook 23. Nylon or leather pouch 24. Coupling for corkscrew 25. Hard wire cutter 26. Lanyard hole 27. Ten individual springs 28. Lock release In the United States the Spirit is also available as the `Spirit Plus', which includes a corkscrew, mini screwdriver, a rotating ratchet, 6 ratchet bits, and a bit holder with space for additional bits. In Europe, The Spirit Plus is available with either a bit wrench or ratchet.

First Impressions: A visit to the web sites The link provided by Backpack Gear Test's notification directed me to the product page on Victorinox's international page. On this site, I clicked on a link that brought up a popup window with basic information on the Spirit. On the new window, it lists the 39 functions/components of the Spirit Plus. My initial thought was that the Spirit came with all the listed items. The page has a link to download a .pdf file with details on the Spirit. If I had a dial-up connection, I might not have bothered downloading the .pdf file, and missed out on some rather important information- that there's more than 1 version of the Spirit! The .pdf includes the `beauty shots' of the tool, and labels each part of the tool. It looks like the graphic designer left out labeling the mini screwdriver with "37" in all 4 languages. Some versions of the Spirit and Spirit Plus packages are currently only available in Europe, as I found out on my search for that sharp- looking leather pouch with a clip that's pictured in the .pdf file. Overall, the international webpage was easy to navigate and locate a specific type of knife/tool. I found the link to the United States website after a bit of playing around on the international site, when I finally got around to clicking on the `go global' button. The US website can also be accessed from their front page, but the writing is in red and is easy to miss. The United States webpage was harder to navigate, and all the Swiss Army knives, cards, and multi-tools are listed under `multi-tool'. I had to guess if what I was looking for falls under generic categories like `executive', `every day' and `do it yourself'. The Spirit is classified as `do it yourself'. Getting in the Spirit of things: The Spirit arrived at my place of employment safe and sound, and very snug in a red paperboard box with white print and pictures of the tool. The Spirit was nestled inside its leather pouch, and two small brochures were enclosed. One brochure is a full-color international version that gives some basic info in English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian. It has the pictures of the fully splayed Spirit and all available components (and the mini screwdriver *is* given its proper number here), along with the key to the numbered items. I'm wondering if they have had some problems with people getting the wire cutters mixed up in the past, since two panels of the brochure are dedicated to making sure I know exactly where to cut soft wire, and where to cut hard wire. The thin/soft wire cutter is to be used for only wire up to 40 HRc. I wasn't able to find a definition of HRc on the internet, only sites listing the HRc of their products. My guess is I'm supposed to use it for thin copper wire only. Just about everything else I'd cut would go under `hard'. Also included are instructions on locations to apply oil, what to do if the tool comes in contact with sea water, how to use the lock release, where to put the bits in the ratchet, and instructions for securing the corkscrew in the coupling (the last 2 items apply only to the Spirit Plus). Contact info is given for their European headquarters. The United States brochure is printed in black and red ink only, and identifies features of the original Swisstool, the Swisstool Plus, RS, X, and CS Plus, along with the Spirit and Spirit Plus. The oiling instructions leave out the oil point for the scissors (which is listed on the international page). The US brochure repeats the instructions for attaching the corkscrew and lock release. A word of caution about using sharp objects is given, along with a note that the implements should only be used when in the fully extended and locked position. The brochure gives me their guarantee, warranty (and where to send the tool if it has a warranty issue), and information for obtaining non-warranty repairs or replacement parts. Another interesting piece of information is that only genuine Victorinox products will have "VICTORINOX STAINLESS ROSTFREI" stamped on the blade. I'm glad that both brochures were included; though they repeated most of the information, each had what I consider vital information that the other one did not have. The Sheath The provided pouch is a pleasant shade of brown leather, with `Victorinox' and their shield on a decorative metal button riveted to the flap. A hook and loop fastener is used to keep the pouch closed, and a belt loop is formed by the piece used for the flap. On the back of the pouch, the flap piece is riveted to the body of the pouch in four locations. I gave the belt loop a few good tugs, I don't think it's going anywhere anytime soon. The dimensions of the sheath are approximately: 4-½" (11.4 cm) tall, 1-5/8" (4.1 cm) wide by 15/16" (2.4 cm) deep. The sheath is solid. It looks sharp. But it (or I?) has one shortcoming – it has a belt loop. I do not wear belts. Well, I do wear them on occasion, but let's just say that when I actually do don a belt that a multitool would not be considered a part of the ensemble. With the guidance of the Modirtor for this test (who was patience itself when dealing with me turning the simple issue of the sheath into a soap opera) I went through my options for what to do. At first I checked out the dealer websites provided by the United States Victorinox webpage to see if they had Victorinox-made pouches with a clip. I knew they existed; I saw a picture of one on the international site. I found out that the clip pouches for the swisstools are not available in the US. Then I went on to look for clip pouches from other manufacturers. I checked out several local retailers and online sites, but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. I was explaining my frustrations to my husband, and he had the gall to tell me to just get a belt. He went on to (lovingly) lecture me about how, if I got a clip pouch, it would drag down my pants (well, I *do* have one pair that I can't wear my cell phone with because of that same problem…) and that it might fall off and get lost, since he's had that happen to a few multitools (um.. yes, that has happened to my cell phone a few times too. Luckily I've always managed to find it). I understood where he was coming from and came to the realization that a simple clip pouch is not the best solution for my needs. What I need, I will have to make myself. I've decided to try to fabricate a device that can attach the supplied pouch to the belt of my backpack or my hiking pants without flopping around. And for the time being, I will wear a belt. I have a sneaky suspicion that my husband is right, and I'll eventually stick with the belt as opposed to my "do it yourself" project for everyday use. Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present: The Spirit Elegant. This is one of the buzzwords used by Victorinox to describe the Spirit. And I have to say, I agree. There's just something about that butterfly look the Spirit has when fully closed that pleases the eye. Unfortunately, its curved silhouette is interrupted by some of the tools. Ergonomic. Another buzzword. It definitely applies to the pliers and wire cutters, and possibly the other tools to a lesser extent. The first thing I did when I removed this gleaming tool from the ruggedly handsome sheath was to yank open the `butterfly wings' and check out the pliers. I met with some resistance, as I had expected from a never-before used tool. The emerging pliers revealed a snazzy little Victorinox shield on the right half of the pliers `head'(on one side – the other side is sans shield). The Victorinox name and shield are on the left side ("front" and "back") of the pliers' handle. I played around with opening and closing the pliers, noting their smooth operation, and looked around my office to see if a bolt presented itself for me to try out my new toy (er, em, `tool') on. Nothing immediately presented itself, and I decided it would probably be best not to go out in search of company property to dismantle. I folded the pliers back away, eager to see for my own eyes what this beauty had to offer. All the tools were a little reluctant at first to give way to my prying thumbnail, and as I had imagined when I was waiting to get the multi-tool, said thumbnail received several chips in it trying to reveal what lay within the Spirit. I'm not a typical female: my nails are usually as short as most men's. The one tool that gave me the most trouble trying to access was the Phillips head screwdriver. The Phillips screwdriver requires both thumb and forefinger nails to open up. After a couple of attempts, I finally got a good enough grip to swing it open. The lock release was intuitive to use, and I didn't have to look at the instructions to figure out that I had to slide it towards the opposite end of the handle to tuck away the selected tool. After popping up each tool one or two more times, I decided to put the Spirit away for more thorough examination at a later time. One thing I am a little concerned about is that the spring for the lock release looks like it may fall out if the tool falls and lands on the ground the wrong way. When looking around online stores I found that I could order replacement springs, so I'm guessing that the problem may have come up before. At least I can get a replacement if one of the springs does come off and get lost. I received the Spirit on a Friday, and only had a little time that night to answer the Spirit's siren call. I found that the tool fits considerably better in its pouch when you have the lock release end up, instead of trying to shove it in lock release side down. A few more rounds of opening and closing various tools, and most obtained the state of opening easily enough, without the feeling that it was too easy. The tools that still feel a bit stiff after a few days are the metal saw/file, wood saw, Phillips head screwdriver, and to some extent, the bottle opener. I think the bottle opener is still a little reluctant to open because it is one of the thickest tools, about the same gauge as the Phillips head screwdriver.

Breaking it Down- Brief Specs and Comments on Each Function, and Test Strategy: 1. Needle nose pliers: Functions similar to my normal pliers, and I like that the Spirit reflects the shape of regular pliers. 2. Screwdriver (2 mm/.08"): There is nothing about this tool that suggests it won't perform as expected. The only concern I have for this function (as well as all the other screwdriver options on the Spirit) is if the curvature of the tool body will affect the screwing motion. If I am working with a long screw, will it wobble and interfere with my natural hand motion? 3. Screwdriver (3 mm/.12"): Same comments as the 2mm/.08" screwdriver. 4. Wire cutter(for wire up to a hardness of 40 HRc): I have not tried this item out yet, but I plan to get some scrap copper wire to test it out for the Field Report. From the appearance of it, there is nothing that should keep this item from performing its specified task. 5. Bottle opener: Already tested, and had some (pardon the pun) spirits of my own. 6. Screwdriver (6 mm/.24"): Same comments as the 2mm/.08" screwdriver. 7. Crate opener: I've never had to open crates, but I think I should be able to locate some old pallets at work and will try disassembling them. 8. Combi-edge blade: The total length of the cutting edge is 2-5/8" (6.7 cm). The blade is serrated for just under 1-¾" (4.5 cm), with a straight edge for the remainder of the cutting surface. The total length of this `arm' of the tool is 2-3/4" (7 cm) from the point where the center of the tool emerges from the body, to its tip. The blade appears sharp and should do well cutting a variety of objects. 9. Scissors: The scissors are spring-loaded, to automatically open when the handles are released. The working length of the scissors is about ½" (1.3 cm). It appears sharp and I'll test it out on paper, various packaging related to backpacking foods, fingernails and toenails. 10. Metal file: The metal file surface is on both (flat) sides of the metal saw. I plan to test it on various metals to see how effectively it can file off a sharp edge. Also, I will see how well it takes care of manicuring my fingernails, as I don't carry an emery board on the trail. 11. Metal saw: The useful length of the saw blade is 2-3/8" (6 cm). For the Field Report I will obtain scraps of various metals and different gauges of the metals to determine if it has any practical shortcomings. 12. Wood saw: The only flaw I can see so far with the wood saw is that the combi-edge blade is on the same arm. The blade is easy enough to open, but when I attempt to access the wood saw, the backside of the blade sticks out from the edge of the tool *just* enough to spoil the leverage point. The spacing, combined with the current length of my thumb nail (which, I have to admit, is rather short as I have a nasty nervous habit of biting my thumb nails at times) places the pivot point precisely where my cuticle begins. Ouch. Even if my thumbnails were perfectly manicured, I still think this might be one of the more awkward tools to open. In order to test my theory I will have to take drastic measures and affix a band-aid or some other device on my thumb until I grow out the nail to a suitable and more normal length. The useful length of the saw blade is 2-3/8" (6 cm). It is very sharp, with alternating opposing teeth. I've used saws with similar teeth before and if this operates the same way, it should be able to eat through downed branches with no problem. Neighborhood spring cleaning time is around the corner, and I have plenty of good sized branches to cut up, bag, and leave out for pickup - thanks to a few good windstorms last fall. 13. Reamer: Works well for prying things off when there isn't much space, however the sharp edge already has a few nicks from an encounter with steel that's just a tad thicker than roof flashing. I will have to investigate its intended use for the Field Report. 14. Phillips screwdriver: This tool is still relatively hard to access, and I will have to see if working it a bit more will get it to the point where I can lift it without feeling like my nails will separate from my fingers. Like the other screwdrivers, my main concern is if the curvature of the body will affect my hand's twisting motion. Also, I will try to force a screw in farther than it can go, to see if the screwdriver shows any signs of stripping. 15. Chisel/scraper: I see this tool as becoming a replacement for an old key for the primary function of cardboard box opener. I wonder how well the sharp edge will handle that nasty thread-laced packing tape. I will have to see if this tool and the others on the same `arm' (isolation-length cutter, wire stripper, and wire scraper) have any real backcountry use at all, or (as I suspect) for all intents and purposes are dead weight. 16. Isolation length cutter: For the Field Report I will get some scrap wire to test how well this tool performs in its assigned job. 17. Wire bender: Another tool to play around with wire on! I'll have to do some more research and maybe have a field trip to the hardware store to investigate other wire benders, to see why this would work better for bending wire than simply using the pliers would. Maybe I'll bring some aluminum wire on an overnighter and make wire sculptures in camp. 18. Wire stripper: Yet another tool to use on wire. I will diligently report on how well this strips wire in the Field Report. 19. Wire scraper/round cutter: I am running out of witty comments to make about wire. This too, shall be tested and reported on. 21. Can opener: I have never used this type of can opener before. Instructions on how to use it are not included in the information provided with the Spirit, so I will attempt to see if I can figure out how to use it on my own, and if I can't safely determine how it should work, will consult the internet to see what I can find. This will be a handy tool for work, overnighters, and car camping; I can enjoy a can-o-soup without lugging around a uni-tasker can opener. 22. Multi-purpose hook: Right now, I can't think of a purpose that I would use this hook for. As I carry the tool with me, I will try to look for situations where this little feature can be of use.

In a Nutshell:

All kidding aside, overall this tool appears to be an asset for use while backpacking, as well as in everyday use. This one tool may very well suit both sets of my needs. Some of the tools are still difficult to open, but time will tell if there is really a problem tool or not.

I would like to thank Victorinox and Backpacker Gear Test for the opportunity to test the Spirit.

Reviews > Knives > Multi-tools > Victorinox SwissTool Spirit > Becki Stacy > Initial Report