Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool, Tinker Pocket Knife

One week review of my Tinker as a new EDC. Foremost, VICTORINOX makes so many wonderful tools that analysis can become paralysis. My typical daily activities consist of, small projects around the house, opening way too many AMAZON boxes (😀) shooting range, saltwater surf fishing, bicycle riding and the fitness trail at the local park. So my goal was to find a knife that suited those situations and after way too much research I settled on the Tinker. Aesthetically the Sapphire Scales (while non traditional) are opaque and pleasing to the eye. The carry weight is surprisingly light, the Tinker’s size is ergonomically practical, the stainless blades and tools are of high quality, edges are sharp, the ‘Walk and Talk’ of the implements is what I would expect from VICTORINOX. The tools are easy to use and functional. Overall, the Tinker is an excellent choice for my lifestyle. Value for the money is so subjective but considering the quality and utility of the Tinker how can you go wrong? Note in the photograph that the smaller SD was a gift, inspiration for my Tinker and attached to my SUV FOB key chain. While the Tinker is on my ‘outdoor’ key chain. The Orange device is a whistle and the safety pin keeps my keys secure inside my pocket while active. Regrets or second guesses: do I miss the Scissors and the file? Well, I shouldn’t be picking my nails in public and both Tinker blades can do most tasks that a Scissor can handle. But… Lastly, there is a spot for a straight pin inside the Scale behind the Phillips Screwdriver so I ordered a few pins. As well as, the pen shaped sharpener, color coded tweezers and color coded toothpicks for both the Tinker and SD in the photos. Great product and highly recommended. But be careful not to fall into the 🐇 🕳️ that is VICTORINOX- just one more knife! Update: Just completed my first bushcraft project (Slingshot) with the Tinker using the small blade and awl. Full disclosure, used a LEATHERMAN saw to cut the large branches, so maybe a different knife choice would have been better? Working on the larger Slingshot later on. ☮️

I have bought and used several versions of the Swiss Army knives. There are plenty of reviews that cover the pros and cons of specific versions of the Swiss Army knives (SAK), so I thought what I would do in my review is cover some of the things I like (or don't like) about the different versions in case anyone is like me and trying decide WHICH SAK they want to by. I did a lot of research before I bought any of the versions and then, of course, personally tried out different versions. So, I thought I would share my experience and what I like and don't like. Naturally, when it comes to which SAK to buy, there are fundamental choices to be made about what size of SAK you want as well as what functionality. Obviously, that can be personal preference. So, while I'm not going to list the features of each type of SAK, I'll talk about why I like particular knives (or don't) comparing their feature based on my preferences. I think I'm probably fairly "typical", but if you have different preferences your opinions won't necessarily match mine, of course. I've divided my review up into "small", "medium", "medium plus", and large SAKs. Small SAK (Swiss Army Knife): Victorinox Swiss Army Rambler Pocket Knife Link: https://amzn.com/B000FNFXQS The Swiss Army Rambler is really amazing in that it gives me the items I by far use the most in a SAK so small it basically disappears in your pocket. There is fundamentally no difference in overall weight or feel to "how much stuff is my pocket" by adding this SAK. It gives me the scissors and blades, which are by far my two most commonly used items, as well as screwdriver, tweezers and toothpick, which I also use quite a bit. I don't use the bottle opener too much, but it's a nice core item to have as well. So, basically this knife gives me 90%+ of what I really use in a package so small I barely notice I'm carrying it. That's really hard to beat. If I wasn't greedy about wanting things on my every day carry (EDC) SAK (Swiss Army Knife), this would probably be the knife I use every day. As it stands, I mostly use this one when I have dress pants or otherwise less room than usual and one of the bigger ones when I'm jeans (for example). Victorinox Jetsetter 3 Pocket Knife Link: https://amzn.com/B00932EPYI I bought this for the obvious reason of it's a very small knife that can theoretically get you through TSA at the aiport. I thought having a pair of scissors and the screwdriver with me on trips would be nice. The problem is after reading reviews, I've never really had the motivation to try to get it through TSA security. While most people seem to be able to do it fine, it does seem to "draw attention" more than I'd really like according to other people's reviews. So, I've just never bothered to do it. Given that, I can't really give this version a fair review. If you want to get it scissors on a plane, it sounds like it works. I just haven't had the energy to test that theory when push came to shove. Medium SAKs: I'm also a big fan all of the knives in my "medium" category quite a bit. Which one works for you is really a matter of what features you want and if an additional feature is worth the, typically minor, increase in weight. These are 3 of my favorites. Victorinox Swiss Army Super Tinker Pocket Knife Link: https://amzn.com/B000MLU8PE This version is a great option for me. This has all the core items I use regularly as well as some I use less frequently in a size that fits in pocket without being distracted (although it doesn't "disappear" into my pocket like the smaller rambler does. It has large and small blades, scissors, multiple screwdrivers, tweezers, and toothpicks. So, all the core things that I really use the SAK for at a very reasonable size. I don't really notice it in my pocket, but it doesn't quite "disappear" in my pocket with my rambler. I think overall it's a great combination of functionality and size. Victorinox Swiss Army Fieldmaster Pocket Knife (Red) Link: https://amzn.com/B00006IS69 The main advantage to me of this one over the Super Tinker is it has the wood saw. While I don't use the wood saw often, I actually use it more than you would think and it works quite well. It is slightly larger than the Super Tinker (because of the saw), but I don't really notice the difference carrying it around. Whether or not you would like it over the tinker depends on how much you want a wood saw. Victorinox Swiss Army Explorer Plus Pocket Knife (Red) Link: https://amzn.com/B0007QCOYM This is another excellent option in the "medium" size SAKs. It has a lot of the elements I really like about the Champ Plus: the eyeglass screwdrivers, the pen, the pin, the magnifying glass, but is not as bulky. Two key things missing from Champion Plus are fish scaler / ruler (which I don't care much about) and the wood saw (which actually I do like as I said earlier). While I like this one A LOT whether or not I use it compared to the Army Fieldmaster depends on if I'm in a wood saw mood or a magnifying glass, eyeglass screwdriver, pen, pin mood. It's also slightly bulkier than the Fieldmaster. I use this one most of the time when I'm not using my champ plus because I typically use things like the magnifying glass and pen more than the wood saw. Also, the screwdriver isn't the "T" screwdriver, which is a bit easier. I also like having an eyeglass screwdriver with me. So, if I had to recommend one SAK to someone, it is probably this one. Medium Plus SAK: Victorinox Champion Plus Knife Link: https://amzn.com/B0009KF4GG This is one I probably carry more than I should. I like it more than the Champ version (not listed in my review) because it doesn't have the pliers which add significant size and I personally find not very useful. The pliers are too small to get good torque. If I want pliers I end up pulling out a "real" set. It is of a size that it it is small enough to be an EDC (every day carry) tool, but really just barely in my opinion. It's noticeably bigger than the SAKs I have listed in my medium section, which is why I call it "medium plus". I notice when it's in my pocket, but it's not a nuisance...especially when I'm in jeans. The reason I like it so much is because it has all the cool stuff I want on my SAK and so I can carry it without making the choice I just talked about of do I want the wood saw or do I want the the magnifying glass, glass screwdriver, pen, and pin. With the Champion plus, I get them all! Basically, there isn't any feature I really want on my SAK that isn't on this version. So, I'm willing to put up with something that's a little larger to have the "all in one" feel to it that this has. At least, when I'm wearing jeans or maybe dockers. When I'm in pure dress pants, it's time for one of the smaller SAKs. Large SAK: Victorinox Swiss Army CyberTool 41 Translucent Pocket Knife (Translucent Ruby) Link: https://amzn.com/B000LKBHJM I'm not going to give this one a very long review, but basically it has absolutely everything I can imagine wanting even if I'm not really going to use it. :) So, I own it on the theory that rather than carrying it on my person (it's too big to carry regularly), it can sit in a drawer or a glove box and I can pull it out when I need it. The problem is, for me anyway, in practice that never happens. By the time I'm going to a drawer to pull out a tool, I can just pull out one of my normal screwdrivers (or whatever) so I do that instead. So, basically this one never gets used. But, I like the IDEA of it a lot. It's cool to own. :) If you are in a situation where you needing a smallish one size fits all tool that doesn't have to go in your pocket, I think this could be awesome. Victorinox Swiss Army SwissChamp Pocket Knife by VictorinoxLink: https://amzn.com/B0001GS19U This SAK is basically the Champ Plus only with pliers. As I mentioned, I don't think terribly much of the pliers, but if I'm just throwing it in a drawer or a glove compartment and not trying to carry it around, why not have one with the pliers. :) I do own one I keep in my car for that reason. Too big to EDC for me. ---------------- Summary: Which SAK you use depends on what you want in terms of size and features. But, to someone not sure, I'd recommend the Victorinox Swiss Army Explorer Plus Pocket Knife (Red) (Link: https://amzn.com/B0007QCOYM). It is a great combination of some of cool features that I use the most often. If want something really small, go with the rambler. If you can tolerate something a bit bigger, go with the Champ Plus. If you aren't going to carry it and stick it in a glove compartment or drawer, the Champ has everything really. :)

Have wanted a victorinox for while but between which one to choose and waiting for a great deal it’s been awhile. While just checking out prices I found the deluxe tinker brand new on sale at Amazon for $44 usd. That was on par or cheaper than most used ones on eBay. It arrived rather quickly and is exactly what I needed. I have quite few multi tools but I really wanted one to take along for travel that was light weight, small and functional. The main things I needed where the ability to fix anything broken on suitcase (so screwdrivers, pliers, scissors). Most SAK do not have pliers. I have used the hunter I bought on eBay and it has a saw and corkscrew wich this one replaces with the pliers and a Philips head screwdriver. The pliers are thin and I would not use on large bolts etc but for the smaller screws and bolts on carry on suitcase these are great. Then you have two excellent knives (non-locking but that makes them legal in places like England) the multi use can openers and bottle opener, the awl wich I find quite usefull but others don’t and the package hook that I use to open tabbed cans (like coke). This 4 layers small and light but highly useful. Finally many of these tools can be used for more than meets the eye. Check out Felix immler on YouTube for that.

Ottima qualità, super comodo e utile

I love victorinox saks and this one is my favourite. So many useful tools and a Phillips screwdriver instead of a corkscrew makes this ideal for those small tasks around the house. I changed up the scales to the plus ones to add the pen and pin, which is easy to do, to fuly kit it out. The knife is very sharp out of the box ,as always, pliers are useful for smaller tasks and, as with every victorinox saks, the scissors are sharp and very capable. Slips easily into your pocket. taking hardly any room and has every tool you need so it's very versatile for a pocket sized tool. I love it, easily worth the money and another win from victorinox

De muy buena calidad, claro es Victorinox garantía de calidad.

Daily driver for some weeks now. Use it everyday. Recommend it fully

Un super couteau, comme toujours chez Victorinox. Je crois que c'est officiel, avec ce Deluxe Tinker, je rentre dans la catégorie des passionnés de cette marque Suisse... puisque ça doit être pas loin de mon 10e Victorinox ^^ J'adore le Climber que je portai quotidiennement. Le Deluxe Tinker le remplace depuis quelque temps maintenant. Il possède en plus du climber la jolie et solide petite pince. Dès les 2 premiers jours après sa réception, j'ai déjà trouvé plusieurs utilisations à cette pince que je découvre pour la première fois sur un couteau suisse. Elle est vraiment utile, solide et fonctionnelle. Il ne s'agit pas d'un outil "superflu" comme on pourrait peut-être avoir tendance à le penser. J'avais une préférence pour le tire-bouchon habituel que l'on retrouve sur beaucoup d'autres modèles, dans lequel on peut insérer un mini tournevis à lunettes, alors que ce Tinker remplace le tire-bouchon par un tournevis cruciforme. Mais tous les amateurs des couteaux suisses le savent, il y a toujours de légers compromis à faire lorsqu'on choisi tel ou tel modèle. Cependant, le tournevis est bien pensé car il s'adapte a quasiment toutes les empreintes cruciformes classiques que l'on rencontre le plus souvent, ce qui fait de ce tinker une vraie petite boite à outils de poche, c'est très appréciable. Aujourd'hui, je ne regrette plus le tire bouchon car, comme pour la pince, le tournevis m'est souvent utile. En somme, c'est un joli couteau à avoir sur soi dans un atelier, au travail, en déplacement, ou même chez soi, pour avoir ce qu'il faut pour les petits dépannages, les échardes, les cartons à ouvrir ou bien-sûr manger un pique-nique. Un couteau très complet, certes un poil plus gros et plus lourd que le célèbre Huntsman, mais je ne le trouve pas dérangeant dans la poche. J'ajouterai que je préfère largement ce modèle à l'option tentante d'une pince Leatherman. L'avantage des leatherman, c'est bien évidement une pince plus grande et plus solide. Mais je trouve que c'est le seul avantage de ces pinces car les autres outils sont moins pratiques, je trouve, que ceux d'un simple Victorinox 91 mm. De plus, un leatherman, en poche, ce n'est pas pensable. L'avantage de ce tinker deluxe, c'est que ça reste encore un outil que l'on peut avoir dans sa poche pour les applications les plus courantes de la vie quotidienne. La pince est suffisamment solide pour resserrer la plupart des écrous (testé sur du M6 sans problème), très efficace pour couper du fil de fer de 1mm (et apparemment même du1.5mm) et j'apprécie sa finesse pour saisir avec précision des petites choses. Sa seule limite est sa faible puissance pour tirer fortement dessus si l'on souhaite retirer un gros clou ou un tourillon de bois coincé par exemple. Pour une petite pince, elle est très bien et polyvalente. Je dois admettre que ce tinker surpasse les autres victorinox que j'ai longtemps porté : le spartan, le compact et le climber. J'adore toujours ces 3 là mais le tinker est incroyablement bien pensé.