Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife, Black

For many years now, I have carried one of these small Swiss Army knives on each of my two key rings - one for work and one for home. Barely a day goes by when I do not take one of them out of my pocket to use once or twice - to quickly file down a broken nail, to tweeze out a small splinter, to cut open a small item with the scissor of something larger by cutting the wrapping tape with the knife blade - the toothpick is used daily! I cannot imagine being without one. Of course, I own larger and more multi-purpose knives, but when it comes to carrying something this handy on a key chain or ring, you just can't beat them!

There are two major (authorized) manufacturers of Swiss Army knives: Victorinox, the maker of this particular favorite of mine and Wenger, a reliable alternative brand that makes many similar and some even nearly identical models. I have used both over the years and have found there to be absolutely no appreciable differences in the quality, durability or pricing of the knives. With so many models to choose from, it probably makes sense to decide which features you need and then shop both brands for the best price you can find. But back to the knife at hand, the SA Classic SD Pocket Knife.

This is the one of the smallest knives in the Victorinox line. Measuring only about 2 1/4" long and about 1/4" wide, it adds little by way of heft to a key ring. It is a compact knife containing a total of 6 equally compact tools. This is not for the big things. This is a small knife with small tools to deal with small things. With expectations appropriately set, it is unsurpassed in it's usefulness as a basic daily tool.

The Tools

There are compartments on the outer casing of knife - each containing a small appliance. One is home to a small white toothpick that I have found to be entirely satisfactory - except that after a year or two of use, I seem to lose them. I think the molded shape wears a bit over time and repeated use and no longer holds itself snugly in the allotted compartment. They can be easily and inexpensively replaced though at any fully stocked retailer of the knives. On the opposite side of the knife is a compartment housing a micro-tweezer. Because it is so very small and light, it cannot be used as a regular tweezer, but only for light-duty needs. These include, I am pleased to report, removing small splinters and picking up objects too small for my increasingly clumsy fingers!

There are three tools that fold into the knife itself, one of which has two uses - actually providing a total of four useful mini-tools. These include 1) a flat spring loaded scissor, a regular blade and a nail file (which, as a guitar picker, I use almost daily) topped with the fourth tool, a screw driver head, small enough to be used for either flat screws or Phillips head screws - providing that they are small enough. Don't misunderstand - the smallness of the tools does not render them either token or useless, but their size is a factor in their usability in real day-to-day life.

Maintenance

This is nearly a non sequitor, but in the interests of completeness, I will briefly address it.

Years have gone by before anything beyond simple removal of dust and cleaning the instruments is required. One time, a blade seemed to be sticking just a tad and a quick and very short burst of WD40 took care of it - permanently. The knife is build to last until you decide you no longer want or need it.

Value

There are few things in life built for frequent use without planned obsolescence being figured into their design. This little pocket tool set is, happily, among them. For somewhere around $9., you can have something actually skillfully made that will serve you well and for a good long time. How many things can any of us really say that about?

I love mine and would feel not only unprepared, but somehow naked - or at least disabled - were I to leave home without one.

This particular pocketknife has become one of my personal favorites for many reasons. For it's small size it might appear to be a sissy, but it will out do any single blade or three-blade pocketknife of comparable dimension with it's extra utilitarian options.

When all tools are folded in, the unit measures about two and a forth inches long or a little more that five and a half centimeters. Weighing just a few grams, it's a pocketknife that is basically so light; you won't even notice you're carrying it. Comes with a single blade which is about one and a half inches long (3.5 cm), a nail file with a regular screwdriver head, toothpick, tweezers, scissors and a tiny key ring for attachment, not to mention the Swiss Army quality.

Often inside or out, I'm doing some kind of small project that involves typical constructive handy work, and have come to love the tweezers on this contraption. So nice to have that on hand the moment I get a splinter, especially when dealing with a painfully nasty one from fiberglass. I can just reach into my pocket; use the tweezers to pull out the sliver right on the spot, thus preventing infection and further aggravation. The least useful tool for me on this pocketknife has been the toothpick, I never seen it as anything grand, but it's there anyway and doesn't take up too much space.

All tools except the toothpick are made of stainless steel, and I was particularly impressed with the scissors, made in good quality construction that will enable it to last for a long while. The toothpick on the other hand is made of a plastic, durable enough for it's designated task. To use them, the toothpick and tweezers slide out of their slots and detach from the complete unit itself. This might create a potential for loss with these pieces, if they're not returned to their rightful slots after use. But the only other draw back that I can see with this pocketknife is the small size might make it hard to operate. If you're not very nimble with your fingers, catching the groves on the tool edges to open them might be a little difficult. But generally speaking, all features are easy to pull open and put into position when desired.

Although it's not exactly intended for heavy-duty work, it's still a fantastic all-purpose tool well adapted for everyday encounters, like simply opening a box or envelope, cutting a string with a tight knot, or whittling a stick for roasting marshmallows. This little gadget provides the tool necessities and will save the day many times over. Plus the smaller compact size makes it travel a lot easier in the pocket and the transparent blue color makes it stylish and unique from its Swiss kin. Simply made for resourceful people with a strong desire for things of ingenuity and practicality.

After 14 years of service my Victorinox mini-Swiss Army Knife (SAK) has finally begun to show its age: the toothpick went missing, the enamel casing cracked, the insignia fell off. So I've bought another (the original sits in a drawer, its knife blade as sharp as ever, the screwdriver still perfectly utile, the scissors are gummed up but could probably be cleaned out with some rubbing alcohol).

For versatility and simplicity it's hard to beat this item. Sure there are SAKs with more blades and tools, but the simple knife/screwdriver/scissors combination is going to meet the vast majority of your needs (ok, it doesn't have a bottle opener: use a door strike plate, MacGyver). The toothpick is so-so, but I can't count the number of times I've needed to tweeze something and used the SAK tweezers when I couldn't find the bathroom set. The key fob, while not the most exciting of features, does provide a convenient way to carry the SAK around with you.

This item is sure to please. I love mine. You'll love yours. Buy one for someone else - they'll love theirs.