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Perfect Victorinox Swiss Army Knife - For Urban EDC

Portability, Weight and a good pair of Scissors.  These are the three (3) factors in determining which Swiss Army Knife is ideal for Urban EDC and after trying and owning several models I've reached the conclusion the Climber is the ideal model for me.  Other contenders would be:

  1. Compact (no awl, no second blade)
  2. Super Tinker (Phillips head instead of corkscrew)
  3. Pioneer X (no bottom side tools and awl instead of second blade).
Specifications
  1. Large Blade
  2. Small Blade
  3. Can Opener
  4. Bottle Opener
  5. Scissors
  6. Awl/Reamer
  7. Corkscrew
  8. Tweezers
  9. Toothpick

Go Big? But the Saw...

You can easily get all the tools you want by upgrading to most 4+ layer models like the Huntsman, Explorer, etc, but then weight and portability become an issue and I've pocket carried on separate occasions the Huntsman or Climber and I could feel the difference of an extra half ounce of weight in the Huntsman.  Also, while I have used the wood saw, I don't think that is of value in a typical Urban setting (although it is a decent bread knife).

Another Consideration...EDC torches

My pockets are getting heavy or heavier as I need to budget weight considerations for carrying an EDC torch or flashlight and budgeting a half ounce extra to tolerate a Olight i1r or Fenix e02.  I'm still debating on which, but leaning towards the Olight i1r as a complement to the Climber. 

Climber it is

There are so many models and there are times when they leave something wanting and I've experienced that a few times when comparing between the Huntsman and Climber and of course anytime I need a pair of pliers, but I have to remind myself, its impractical to carry an entire toolbox without sacrificing on portability or function.

For example, I've had to work on my car a few times and there was no multi-tool from a Leatherman nor a Swiss Army Knife that could compare to the practicality of a cheap socket set.  A humble 10mm did quick work in replacing a dead battery.  So, I keep a socket set in the trunk and a climber in my pocket for other tasks.

Weight Analysis

  • Classic - 21 grams
  • Alox Cadet - 46 grams
  • Spartan - 59 grams
  • Pioneer - 71 grams
  • Climber - 82 grams
  • Alox Pioneer X - 94.5 grams
  • Huntsman - 97 grams
The Spartan weighs practically nothing and surprising a pair of scissors adds almost an ounce with the step up to a Climber.

Closing...Pioneer X.  But the Wine.

For the price, Climbers are cheaper than equally competent Compacts or the beautiful Alox Pioneer X.  And for purely functional Urban EDC the Climber is good and also probably better on weight (hence my argument against the Huntsman), but I'm liking the Alox scales, although it weighs about the same as a Huntsman.

The only drawback to the Alox.  I do drink wine on occasion and have been saved by the corkscrew enough times to appreciate the Spartan and now Climber models.

Update 4/21/21 - My 4th Climber

I felt a bit uncomfortable carrying around my oldest Climber for EDC and picked up a newer Climber with translucent red scales and I'm quite happy with the purchase.  While both function perfectly fine and you couldn't tell the difference in age, I'm much more comfortable sporting the new Climber for EDC.






 

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