VictorinoxSwiss Army Spartan Pocket Knife

I've gone through a pocket knife phase, if you will, searching for the best pocket knife and throwing money at it. Tiny lock blades, larger lock blades, and larger multi-function options. Closest to this one, there is an Evowood model I thought would be perfect, but I got it and it had at least one too many tools and was too thick for my pocket after an initial love affair. I also like the Alox Farmer, and this is the same size, longer than many Swiss Army knives, but it has more useful tools than the Farmer does at the expense of the saw. I doesn't have a window breaker or seatbelt cutter like the CRKT lock blade knife I carried for a time, but also fits in the pocket more easily and doesn't poke holes in it or frighten people when I whip it out. It doesn't have a locking blade, so I have to pay attention when using it.I find I use it to open packages and pop bottle caps more than anything else, and it does both beautifully. Like others, I spare the smaller blade and keep it reserve in case I really need a very sharp one. But the main blade sharpens very nicely and very sharp. Like all knives, a little isopropyl alcohol on a rag takes adhesive et al right off of the blade. I've used every tool on it, including toothpick and especially tweezers, though the can opener and awl only to confirm that they are serviceable (the can opener is clearly a last resort for me) and my one use of the corkscrew confirmed that I have no future as a waiter at a nice restaurant. But if I practiced with it a few times I could probably impress on a picnic date.As for the wood, that's the touch of class and MUCH nicer than the ones with plastic IMHO. It looks anything but out of place on my dresser beside my leather-swaddled smartphone, Seiko and my keys and that's a nice thing to behold just before heading out to work in the morning or turning in at night. It's the little things. Knicks and scratches from my keys just add character and are much less obvious against the wood grain than with the plastic ones. And when I pull it out of my pocket I look like a well-prepared gentleman. Or so I like to think.But...If I were going camping, this wouldn't be my only knife. It's obviously not a full tang knife, doesn't even lock into place, and if I were to take a Swiss Army knife, it would at least be a model with a saw.This is, for me, the very best compromise in an EDC pocket knife. Classy, reliable, easily pocketable (except on the rare occassions I wear skinny jeans) and feature rich. With a similarly rich heritage. The last few months I've spent carrying this have shown me that I'm done shopping.

I had one of these for 32 years.The plastic had some chunks missing and the toothpick and tweezers were long gone but I could still open a wine bottle and cut a box open.Then I forgot to put it in the checked bag and had to throw it away at TSA so I wouldn't try hijacking the plane with it.I spent well over a month looking to replace it and almost bought a bigger knife but then my brain started to work and said if you made it over 30 years it was probably all you needed.The price has went up quite a bit over 30 years, but that is to be expected :DPros:2 nice sized knife blades (AND SHARP! I have cut myself closing the knife single handed, I guess I was too used to the dullness of the old one)CORKSCREW, you get picked on for having a swiss army knife until you are at a party and nobody can open the wine bottle.Awl is great, most people might never use this, I use constantly to puncture container to drain or assist in crushing. When you need a new hole in your belt because of that exercise and diet, or face it thanksgiving dinner, you are all setScrew drivers. Very nice, fixed doors, bikes, pry off container tops, you name it.Bottle opener. I am not slick enough to do the use a second bottle or use my car key, instead i have my SAKCan opener. If you have outdoor skills you can use this effectively. If you don't it may take some practice but it is a lifesaver to open that caviar to enjoy with your wine.ConsThey still use the plastic covering. Hopefully this lasts as long as the last one, but you would think they would have started covering with something more durable.

I collect Victorinox Swiss Army knives, and I bought the Spartan for my collection. The Spartan is the direct descendant of the original "Swiss Officer's Knife" that Karl Elsener invented in 1897, derived from his earlier 1891 design for his Swiss Soldier's knife (which is represented today by the alox Soldier model).All of the tools on the Spartan are well thought out and very effective.1. Large and Small blades: Comes extremely sharp. Large blade is great for general cutting tasks, and is big enough to easily peel fruit. The small blade is great for smaller tasks like opening envelopes. I like to rely on the large blade and keep the small blade extremely sharp in case I ever need a really precise cut.2. Can opener/small screwdriver: Opens cans. Also works in most Philips head screws.3. Large screwdriver, bottle opener, wire stripper: The screwdriver and bottle opener work well. You can also use the screwdriver blade for some light prying, such as removing staples. The wire stripper does work, but isn't very effective and I would never use it over a dedicated wire stripper.4. Corkscrew: Removes corks. If you get creative, you can find other uses for it like using the tip as kind of a marlinspike for untying small knots and pulling cotton out of medicine bottles. You can also buy a small eyeglass screwdriver that fits inside the corkscrew.5. Awl: I find it awkward to use because of its placement on the back. But is is very sharp and will punch through leather well. Use a twisting motion so you're "drilling" and not just pushing through. It also has a pretty sharp edge so I use it to cut tape and open boxes when I don't want my blades to get encrusted with glue residue. I prefer the awl on the Soldier for punching holes.6. Tweezers: Good for removing splinters and picking up small objects.7. Toothpick: Works well in its intended job. I've also used it to point out small locations on a map.The Spartan is very useful, and I love it for its historical significance. However, for everyday use I would recommend either the Victorinox Swiss Army Super Tinker Pocket Tool or Victorinox Swiss Army Executive Pocket Knife. The Super Tinker adds large scissors (very handy for cutting paper, clipping coupons, etc.) and has a Philips screwdriver instead of the corkscrew. The executive offers a variety of useful tools in a smaller package than the Spartan. There are many Victorinox Swiss Army knives out there, so do some through research and find the one that is best for your needs!

Always come sharp and stay sharp, nice size, works great, nice features, top quality, thanks