Personal Information:
Leesa Joiner
leesaj@gmail.com
Southwestern Maine
44 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 m)
150 lb. (68 kg)

Background:
    My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one-day hikes to two-week trips. My hiking experience began with my father when I was about six years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. While enjoying the outdoors with friends and family, I spend time hiking, geocaching, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and camping, primarily in northern New England.
    Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am continually trying to 'lighten up' and primarily use a hammock for sleeping.

Product Information:
Product: Swisstool Spirit
Manufacturer: Victorinox
Manufacturer's URL: http://www.victorinox.ch
Year of manufacture: 2005
MSRP: $75.00 (USD)
Listed weight: 7.23 oz (205 g)
Weight as delivered:
Multitool: 7.3 oz (208 g)
Leather pouch: 1.6 oz (45 g)

First Impressions:
    The tool, including a leather case and information sheets, arrived in good condition. After looking over the information sheets I was a little worried: I was looking for a set of bits that appeared to be missing.   After searching the international website (http://www.victorinox.ch) I found a download that provided more information, in multiple languages, along with a large diagram showing that the bits, bit wrench, mini-screwdriver, ratchet and corkscrew were only available with the L or N Plus models. I had received the base model.
    I found that the website was confusing, with the product not available on the American site (http://www.swissarmy.com) at all.   The product description is accurate as far as weight goes.   The pictures are very helpful in identifying the different features of the tool. Below is information from the website:

SWISS TOOL Spirit comes from the same manufacturer that produced the original «Swiss Army Knife» - the world's most famous multi-tool - over 100 years ago. The sturdy SwissTool has also been very well received among experts since 1999, since it is particularly functional, versatile and easy-to-use. Its successor, the
Spirit, is more ergonomic and more elegant, weighs just 205 g compared to 285 g.

1. needlenose pliers
2. screwdriver 2 mm
3. screwdriver 3 mm
4. wire cutter for thin and soft
wire up to 40 HRc
5. cap lifter
6. screwdriver 6 mm
7. crate opener
8. combi-edge blade
9. scissors
10. metal file
11. metal saw
12. wood saw
13. reamer and punch

14. Phillips screwdriver 1+2
15. chisel /scraper
16. cable cover cutter lengthwise
17. wire bender
18. wire stripper and scraper
19. cable cover cutter circular
20. can opener
21. multi purpose hook
22. leather or Nylon pouch
23. coupling for corkscrew
24. hard wire cutter
25. lanyard hole
26. ten individual springs
27. lock release

    The case is well constructed from a medium, brown leather. It fastens with a piece of hook and loop type fastener. It also has a silver colored metal emblem on the outside of the front flap.   The back of the case has a loop to slide a belt through. I don't often wear a belt, and find it just as convenient to slide the tool in my pocket or a small outside pocket of my pack.
    The tool itself is definitely multi-functional. I have used both the Phillips screwdriver which is item #14 on the above list and regular screwdriver #2, pliers #1, wire cutters #4 (for soft, copper wire). Most of the tools are simple to use, but I have not figured out how # 7, the crate opener is supposed to work. Maybe I am not picturing the right type of crate.
    All pieces open and close smoothly, with a snug feel. I will watch over time to see if they begin opening and closing to loosely, or if they 'wobble' while open.
    I am looking forward to this test series. I really like this tool so far and want to find out if it measures up to its name. Durability and usability will be the big questions.

Test Plan:
    My plan consists of carrying this 'way cool' tool (according to my 12 year old, although I agree) on all my outdoor adventures - sometimes these adventures involve hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice fishing. Other times these adventures involve fixing some piece of equipment that fails at the worse possible moment - a bike spoke, a loose binding or a piece of orthodontia that breaks on Christmas morning!
    The Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit is packed with very useful devices - part of my test will be to see if they are all useful. Along with checking out how well each individual items works, I will also assess how well the tool as a whole is designed. Is it well constructed? Is it easy to get to the different parts? How easy is it to open and shut? I have large hands for a woman, but am not particularly strong - does the tool fit my hand comfortably?
    At only 205 g, (7 oz) it doesn't add much weight to my pack, that's for sure! In my field report I will include information on how I use each part of the Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit and what information I gather from that use. Although I am not one to really push an item past its intended use, I would like to see how well this tool holds up to frequent, hard use. There is such a range of uses for a tool like this - from pulling fish hooks with the pliers to making kindling with the wood saw and a host of other uses, typical and not so typical.   I am carrying the tool with me everyday in order to hopefully use some of the parts of the tool I am less likely to use while backpacking.

Test Conditions:
     In Northern New England, there are at least 5 seasons, (not including Black Fly season, which overruns 3 other seasons). Winter is just about over - temperatures in the low 40s F (4 C) to well below freezing, with over 24 in (35 cm) of snow on the ground. Spring/Mud season is just starting and will continue into June, the temperatures will rise to the mid 40's to 60's (4 to 15 C) along with rain and mud. During the summer, the temperatures rise to the 90's (32 C) (at least a few times), with cooler nights. Most of my outdoor adventures include hiking, backpacking and camping at elevations below 4000 ft (1200 m). As my children get older and more able to carry their own gear, we are attempting higher climbs. The terrain runs the gamut from improved to rocky and root filled trails to bushwacking.

Read more reviews of Victorinox gear
Read more gear reviews by Leesa Joiner

Initial Report

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