Skip to main content

Victorinox Swiss Army Knife - One Hand Trekker - 111 mm

Amazon is pretty cool (or scary) in that it retains a history of everything I've ever purchased and I just realized I got my Victorinox Swiss Army Knife - One Hand Trekker from their site in 2011, making it a decade old.  It still looks and feels brand new as I barely used it.

Locking Blade

The Trekker is a substantial size knife in comparison with other Swiss Army Knives and one of the reasons I picked one up was I had sliced my hand pretty badly using a regular 91mm Swiss Army Knife and was seeking a locking blade and preferred sticking with the Victorinox brand, thus the 111mm Trekker.

Error was more on me, I was moving while on a hike and trying to multi-task and was cutting something and wham.  Blood dripping everywhere.  Fortunately, I was able to wrap my hand and apply first aid.  I was only a few hours into my journey and circled back before it got dark.  While it hurt like heck, I was still able to drive home and didn't need to go to a hospital.  I had just gotten my tetanus shot so I wasn't too worried about infection.

In hindsight, I should have gone with a Non-Serrated version, but I'm okay with the standard serrated version and kinda glad I picked it up back in 2011 as I only had to pay $31.  Nowadays, in 2021 the Trekker goes for about double that in standard black for about $65.

Substantial Heft & Profile

Unfortunately, due to the locking blade and its subtantial size measuring 111mm makes it look somewhat intimidating and I had to stop carrying it to the office as a few times when I whipped it out to cut boxes or do some small chores, a few coworkers made some comments like 'woh...' in the shock sense of it being such a large blade.

Was even more unfortunate, as I purposefully went with the serrated version as it had a rounded tip to make it seem less intimdating, but the sheer size and profile are the main drawbacks in EDC'ing a Trekker.

Outdoors

The Trekker shines in the outdoors and I loved it on longer day hikes and backpacking.  While I also carry larger fixed blade knives, I like the utility and convenience of a Swiss Army Knife for smaller chores.

It's just way more convenient to use a small pocket knife and reserve the fixed blade for more appropriate chores.  Granted, I'm more mindful now and avoid multi-tasking when handling a knife.

I still sometimes switch it up with a 91mm Camper, but that was the blade that I sliced my hand on and usually only take it if I want to travel ultralight or in areas where I cannot carry either the fixed blade nor the Trekker.  At the same time, I've found a way to multi-task with the Camper and in hindsight should have used the smaller second blade more often to minimize risk of injury.

Specifications

  1. Locking Blade
  2. Locking Bottle Opener/Flathead Screwdriver
  3. Can Opener
  4. Saw
  5. Awl/Reamer
  6. Phillips Screwdriver
  7. Tweezers
  8. Toothpick

The Trekker is similar in tool layout to a Hiker.  It’s also similar to an Alox Farmer X minus the scale and bottom tools as well as the awl/reamer being on the top side.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sony MDR-ZX100 vs ZX-110 vs ZX310 Series Headphones

By happenstance I own several Sony ZX Series Headphones: ZX-100 ZX-110 ZX-310 Build Quality (ZX-310 Wins) They use mostly a Plastic Build that is quite durable; the ZX-100 I've had for over 2 1/2 years and been thrown about in my Backpack & Car.  The ONLY issue with the lower model ZX-100 & ZX-110 Series are the crappy Earpads that disintegrate and create a flaky vinyl mess.  Those flakes then get stuck to your ears & hair.  The ZX-310 wins in that regard with much better quality Earpads. Cost (ZX-100/110 Wins) ZX-310's cost about twice that of the ZX-100/110 and I've been able to find several 310's for about $18 at Discount Retailers.  ZX-110's should go for about $10. Specs They are all 30mm Drivers.  The ZX-310 has a wider Frequency Range of 10 ~ 24,000 Hz and a Gold 1/8" Plug.  The ZX-100/110 are roughly identical going 12 ~ 22,000 Hz. Sound (ZX-100 Wins) Surprisingly, I prefer the ZX-100's Sound Signature vs. the 110 and 31
9 comments
Read more

Casio G-Shock 5600 vs 6900 vs 9000

Having now owned several G-Shocks I've come to appreciate certain features of various models.  For most part all I care about primarily is 'size'.  Features are secondary and so long as it has World Time, I'm happy. Size (5600 wins) In terms of size the 5600's are my favorite, but the convenience of the illumination button front and center on the 6900 is beautiful. The compromise?  It has to go to the 9000 series Mudman.  While the buttons are difficult to press it is the right size and button arrangement that just connects with me as one of my favorite G-Shocks thus far.  Now Module versions this is probably a bad selection to compare as I have a GLX, G and DW types.  But form factor wise they are roughly equivalent representatives of their model series.  There are certainly much larger G-Shocks, but for me the 6900 is where I will draw the line for now. Features (G9000 Wins, GLX5600 Good Second) Most G-Shocks have the standard basics down pat and all I car
Post a Comment
Read more

Eton Microlink FR160 Radio -- Sticky Residue

I bought an Eton Microlink FR160 Handcrank Radio for my Emergency Kit a few years ago and it's great, except for one thing....over time a sticky residue coats the radio's external surface.  It was driving me nuts and I thought something was wrong. Fortunately, rather than dump it I researched online and learned Eton Radios are coated with a substance to make them easier to grip, but over time it degrades and becomes a sticky mess.  Some isopropyl alcohol and cotton balls can clean most of the gunk.  Some paint maybe lost in the process, but the radio at least is not sticky anymore.
6 comments
Read more