Knives are of course extremely useful for many different circumstances, but with that being said, a normal knife can only do so much. If you want something extremely advanced that can serve many purposes, yet also features an extremely classic design with a high level of durability, then there is simply nothing better than a good old Swiss army knife. With that being said, there are many different kinds of Swiss army knives out there, so we going to look at the best Swiss army knife for EDC.
Comparison Chart
Best Swiss Army Knives for EDC: Reviews
1. Victorinox Swiss Army Farmer Pocket Knife
If you are looking for a very basic yet beautiful Swiss army knife that comes complete with all of the functions that you would expect it to come with, then here we have a great option for you to consider.
Product Highlights
Right off the bat, something that stands out about this particular Swiss Army knife is the fact that it is designed to be extremely small and slim.
When it comes to everyday carry, it’s definitely one of the better options to go with because it comes in at just 3.7 inches long and weighs just three ounces. It has a very slim profile that can easily fit into your pocket, and it even comes with a key ring to attach to your existing keys.
Now, it is of course a very small and compact Swiss army knife, which therefore means that it doesn’t have all that many tools included. But with that being said, it comes with all of the basics that you will need on a daily basis. It comes complete with a large blade, a reamer, a can opener, a 3 millimeter screwdriver, a 7.5 millimeter screwdriver, a bottle opener, a wire stripper and a wood saw.
Something else that you might appreciate about this particular Swiss Army knife is the fact that it is made with very high quality stainless steel, complete in a solid casing. This stainless steel is extremely durable and won’t chip or scratch on you anytime soon, not to mention the fact that it’s also extremely resistant to rusting and corrosion. Keep in mind that this brand does provide you with a lifetime guarantee for defects in materials and workmanship.
Now, this might look like a very basic Swiss army knife, and in all reality, it is fairly basic. It’s one of the simpler models that doesn’t include all that many tools, but with that being said, this is the sacrifice you made for something that is small, lightweight, and easy to carry around on your person.
What We Like
Of course, what we really like about this particular Swiss Army knife is the fact that it’s so small and compact, yet still comes with all of the tools that you need for daily use. It might not be the biggest Swiss army knife out there, but the biggest advantage here is of course that it’s extremely portable. There’s also the fact that the silver color of it actually looks very nice, something that you can definitely appreciate.
What We Don’t Like
OK, so the simple reality here is that this Swiss army knife of course doesn’t come with all that many tools, which can be a drawback for some people. When compared to some of the other much larger Swiss army knives out there, this one definitely has somewhat limited functionality.
Pros
- Looks nice
- Good price
- Very durable
- Lifetime guarantee
- Small and portable
- Lightweight
- Great for basic needs
Cons
- Very limited number of tools
2. Victorinox Swiss Army Hunter XT Knife
If you are somebody who likes to be out in the woods a lot, especially if you are either a rifle or a bow hunter, then this particular Swiss Army knife is definitely something for you to look into.
Product Highlights
Now, starting off with the meat and potatoes of it all, what you need to know is that this is one of the most compact and lightweight Swiss army knives out there, especially when it comes to knives that come in handy for hunting.
This particular model of Swiss army knife comes in at 5.3 ounces and is just 4.4 inches long, therefore making it quite compact. It’s easy to fit into your pocket or any hunting pack that you might bring along. This is of course a big bonus when you are out in the woods because you don’t want to be lugging along any unnecessary equipment.
Now, in terms of its overall functionality and usefulness, particularly when it comes to hunting and being outdoors, what you need to know is that the Swiss Army knife features a large blade, a seat belt cutter, a wood saw, a corkscrew, and a screwdriver. The screwdriver comes in particularly handy when it comes to making modifications or repairs to your hunting gear.
In one way or another, all of the tools included in this model come in quite handy for hunting. We do like the fact that the blade and the wood saw are both fairly long, therefore allowing you to use them for a variety of tasks. This is the kind of knife that you could technically use to break down small game or even gut and clean fish.
You may also like this Swiss army knife due to the fact that all of the main components are made out of very durable stainless steel, that’s not going to rust or corrode anytime soon. The knife itself is covered in a very durable scale that is not only resistance to various types of damage, but also provides you with a good surface to grip onto.
What We Like
What we like about this specific Swiss army knife is the fact that it’s large enough to take care of most outdoor and hunting tasks, yet also small enough to remain fairly portable. It’s a really convenient knife to have if you are a hunter or just like being outdoors a lot.
What We Don’t Like
What we don’t like about this Swiss army knife is the fact that if the logo was not right on it, you wouldn’t really know that it’s a Swiss army knife because it just doesn’t have that classic look. It doesn’t look like a Swiss army knife, and it also doesn’t come with all of that many tools.
Pros
- Ideal for being outdoors
- Can be used for hunting and fishing
- Lightweight and compact
- Rust resistant
- Very durable
- Keychain included
- Multiple functions
Cons
- Very limited amount of tools
3. Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Small Pocket Knife
If you are looking for what could very well be the absolute smallest and lightest Swiss army knife out there, then here we have a great option for you to look into. Just be aware that this is one of the most basic models that comes with a limited amount of tools, but it does come in handy for certain situations.
Product Highlights
Alright, so right off the bat what you need to know about this Swiss army knife is the fact that it comes complete with a very small blade, a small pair of scissors, a nail file, a 2.5 millimeter screwdriver, and a key ring. Now, as you can probably tell in terms of overall functionality, this specific Swiss Army knife is fairly limited. It doesn’t come with a variety of punches, saws, and larger knives or other tools such as the much larger models do.
However, with that being said, if you need something for personal grooming needs, so you can file and cut your fingernails, as well as a small knife to take care of a variety of tasks, then this is a good option to go with. It even comes with a little screwdriver for small repairs.
This is an ideal Swiss army knife for everyday carry because it can of course come in handy in certain situations, but with that being said, it doesn’t have a wide variety of tools for you to choose from, so it’s probably not something that you would use for hunting, fishing, or for being outdoors in general. If we had to designate the Swiss Army knife, we would say that it is designed for everyday living and for city people.
Of course, the biggest advantage that you get with this Swiss army knife is the fact that it comes in at just 2.3 inches long, and weighs just 0.6 ounces, thus effectively making it the smallest and lightest knife on the list today, it’s definitely something that comes in handy in terms of portability. It’s something that you can put in your pocket and might just forget that it’s there.
Of course, just like all of the other models that we have looked at today, this particular one is made out of solid stainless steel, so you know that it’s quite durable, and it’s definitely rustproof too. That classic scale that the outside is adorned with not only looks nice, but also provides you with great grip and added durability.
What We Like
Of course, by far the most beneficial feature that you get with this specific Swiss army knife is the fact that it’s so small, lightweight, and compact. It’s something that you can easily fit into even the smallest of pockets.
What We Don’t Like
What we don’t really like about this Swiss army knife is the fact that it’s just not designed for heavy use or for very many purposes. It has an extremely limited amount of tools, and is not exactly the ideal choice to go with for an outdoorsy person.
Pros
- Super compact
- Very lightweight
- Looks nice
- Ideal for some basic tasks
- Good personal grooming tool
- Reasonable price
- Durable design
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy use
- No large knife
- Extremely limited amount of tools
4. Victorinox Swiss Army Rambler Pocket Knife
If what you want is that classic looking Swiss army knife, complete with the red exterior, as well as something that comes complete with a good number of tools that are fairly useful, yet also doesn’t weigh a whole lot, then here you have another good option to consider.
Product Highlights
What is very surprising about this particular Swiss Army knife is the fact that it comes complete with ten functions, yet is still very lightweight and compact. In terms of the functions, what you get here are a key ring, a toothpick, a pair of tweezers, a small blade, a bottle opener, and magnetic Phillips screwdriver, a wire stripper, a nail file, a 2.5 millimeter screwdriver, and a pair of scissors.
As you can tell, this Swiss army knife actually comes with a good number of functions and can help you take care of a variety of pasts. Although it’s not the largest Swiss army knife on the list today, it’s actually the one that so far has the most functions.
Speaking of the size of it, this particular model comes in at just 2.3 inches long and weighs just 1.1 ounces, therefore, also making it extremely compact and lightweight. It’s definitely something that you can easily fit in your pocket and carry around with you all day long. It’s not going to weigh you down or get in the way.
All of the main components of this particular Swiss Army knife are made with that same high quality stainless steel, that’s not going to chip, crack, or rust on you anytime soon. Swiss Army knives are well known for their high level of durability, and this definitely goes for this model. Keep in mind that the exterior shell is made out of high quality ABS plastic that has been painted with that classic red Swiss army color.
What We Like
What we really like about this Swiss army knife is the fact that it’s just really that awesome classic model that everybody is used to. It looks really nice, and it comes complete with all of the features that you need for basic use.
What We Don’t Like
One thing that we don’t really like about this particular Swiss Army knife is the fact that it doesn’t come with a large blade. A large blade can definitely come in handy at sometimes, although with that being said, it’s definitely not a deal breaker.
Pros
- Very durable
- Classic design and colors
- Small and compact
- Many functions
- High level of durability
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- No large blade
- Might be too small for some tasks
5. Victorinox Swiss Army Manager Pocket Knife
As you can probably tell by the name of it here, we have a very classic looking Swiss army knife that can come in handy for a number of roles. Whether you are an outdoorsman, a worker, or a manager, this is a Swiss army knife that can come in handy for a variety of situations.
Product Highlights
What we have here is another Swiss army knife that comes with that classic red design. It definitely looks like a classic Swiss army knife, and this is one of the defining features of it. One thing that we do want to point out is that this Swiss army knife is of course made with all stainless steel implements and tools, which means that it is a fairly durable knife, and moreover it also won’t rust or corrode on you. The exterior shell is made out of extremely durable ABS plastic and is painted with that classic red Swiss army knife color.
In terms of the size of it, this particular model comes in at just 2.25 inches in length and weighs just 1.1 ounces, therefore making it extremely small, lightweight and compact. It’s the perfect thing to have in your pocket. It’s so small that you’ll barely notice it being there, but it’s always on hand when you need it.
In terms of tools and functionalities, what is important to note is that this particular model comes complete with ten different functions and tools. It comes complete with a blade, a small screwdriver, a ball point pen, scissors, a bottle opener, a nail file, a Phillips screwdriver, tweezers, and a wire stripper. As you can tell, this model of Swiss army knife comes in handy for people working in offices as well As for people who are outdoors a lot.
What We Like
What we really like about this specific model of Swiss army knife is the fact that it comes with a good mix of portability and functionality. It’s not so large that it’s hard to carry around, but it’s also not so small that it can’t take care of basic tasks.
What We Don’t Like
Personally, we think that this model is a great size, but there are some who feel that it is a bit small to take care of some tasks. Yes, it is a small and lightweight Swiss army knife, but then again that is kind of the whole point.
Pros
- Small, compact, and lightweight
- Durable materials
- Lifetime guarantee
- Many functions
- Ideal for many types of people
Cons
- Might be too small for some
Buyers Guide
Before we call it a day, let’s provide you with some of the most important information. When it comes to choosing the right Swiss army knife for you.
1. Style
Quite honestly, there is just way too much for us to cover here because there are over 400 different models of Swiss army knives. Some are very similar to one another. While there are some very unique ones too.
You really do need to pay attention to the name of the Swiss army knife in question because it will tell you exactly what it is designed for.
As you can tell from our reviews today, some models are designed with a style that is ideal for hunting and fishing, while others are best used for those that work in an office, and others for general outdoor purposes. In terms of the style, also pay attention to the exterior color.
2. Size
In terms of the size of the Swiss Army knife in question, what you really want to pay attention to here is how large it is when it is closed. As you can tell, some of the knives that we reviewed today are as short as two inches, with other being well over 5 inches long.
The larger the knife, the more functions it will have and the more useful it will be for taking care of larger tasks. With that being said, when it comes to everyday carry, you do probably want something that is fairly small and lightweight.
3. Essential Tools
The reality here is that we can spend about four days listing all of the possible tools that all Swiss army knives come with. So, what you need to do is to consider what tools are the most important for you. Generally speaking, you will want at least a blade, a screwdriver, a Corkscrew and nail file, and other such things. Keep in mind that some Swiss army knives come with multiple blades, various wood saws, flashlights, pens, leather awls, scissors and much more.
4. Blade
Perhaps the most important function that you want out of any Swiss army knife is of course the blade, so make sure that you get a large blade that is made out of solid stainless steel.
FAQ
#1. What are the laws on carrying a Swiss Army knife?
This is a nearly impossible to answer question because the laws differ from one country to another, and if you live in the USA from one state to another. With that being said, in the majority of the United States, people who are over 21 years of age can carry Swiss army knives as long as the blades are no longer than 2.5 inches.
#2. What is the hook for on a Swiss Army Knife?
Depending on the model of Swiss army knife, there could be a variety of hooklike features included, although the most common one is called a hook disgorger, which is used for removing fish hooks from fish
#3. How should you care for and maintain your Swiss Army knife?
The most important thing to remember here is that although Swiss army knives are very useful, they generally aren’t designed for very heavy-duty tasks. Don’t try to hammer things with your Swiss army knife and don’t try to cut through extremely hard materials. Moreover, make sure to keep it dry at all times and try to ensure that no dirt gets into the interior.
#4. Can you carry a Swiss knife on the plane?
You can’t even bring your own bottle of water onto an airplane, so anything with a blade is a definite no.
Final Verdict
When it comes down to it, we think that the number one best option on the list today is the Victorinox Swiss Army Rambler Pocket Knife. It comes with a plethora of tools, is durable, yet also small and compact, not to mention that it features that classic red Swiss army coloration too.