Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Camping & Outdoor Survival Guide. Bryan Lynch
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5 mm, lockable
5. wire stripper
6. wood saw
7. Phillips screwdriver 1/2
8. can opener
9. screwdriver, 3 mm
10. key ring
Swiss Soldier’s Knife 08
You will not find the tweezers or toothpick on this model, but that doesn’t slow the Soldier’s Knife down one bit.
Knife Tools and Functions
Accessories
All tools need a little love and care from time to time, and the Swiss Army Knife is no different. Using the multi-tool oil (see here) will ensure that your Swiss Army Knife continues to function as flawlessly as it did on the day you unboxed it.
The metal chain combines style and function for any Swiss Army Knife owner. The main clip, which is stamped with Victorinox’s logo, attaches to your belt. There are two chains that branch off to attach a key and your Swiss Army Knife.
This little bottle doesn’t take up much space so it can always fit in your pack.
You won’t lose your Swiss Army Knife when it’s attached to the chain and clip. Pieces can be removed from the clip and chains for other purposes if needed.
Tired of digging around in your pockets for your Swiss Army Knife? There are different styles of belt pouches available: small, large, leather, or nylon. These pouches help keep your Swiss Army Knife protected while remaining accessible at all times.
Victorinox offers a dual knife sharpener that is very compact. It is roughly the size of a fountain pen.
A bonus of having a leather pouch is that it can be used as a strop for sharpening a knife in the field.
The pocket clip ensures that you know where your sharpener is at all times.
After removing the cap, there is a removable two-sided sharpener. A V-shaped ceramic sharpener is on one end for fine-tuning an edge.
Flipping the sharpener around allows you to use the stone sharpener, which will aid in restoring a very dull edge. I like that the stone sharpener has a groove down the middle for sharpening fishhooks.
The smaller, unfixed tools of the Swiss Army Knife, such as the pin, pen, tweezers, and toothpick, can be easy to lose—mainly due to their size, not because they would ever fall out of the frame. Other parts, such as the springs and the key ring, may simply wear out after years of use. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry, because all these parts can be ordered individually from Victorinox. Of course, the true Swiss Army Knife fan who has several different models will have the replacement parts kit, which is filled with toothpicks, tweezers, pens, key rings, and springs. Everything is well organized inside a plastic container and is kept safe by an exterior slide lock.
The kit comes with an inventory list that specifies the different sizes of the small replacement tools, as well as their location within the box, just like a box of chocolates.
Adding Your Own Accessories
Packed with several tools, the Swiss Army Knife takes the place of several items in your pocket or pack. You won’t have to carry around the extra weight of several tools. As handy as the Swiss Army Knife already is, there is still more that can be done with it.
Pictured below is what I would call the most basic survival kit that one can make with the Swiss Army Knife. This is my personal SwissChamp, which I believe to be one of Victorinox’s best models. I’ve added a few items of my own. Making fire is critical in many situations, so I included a ferrocerium rod. Extra key rings help in attaching tools and have a multitude of other purposes. A signaling whistle can alert anyone to my presence. I have also added some small lengths of cordage. Paracord may seem bulky, but when wrapped up it fits comfortably in one’s pocket. The tools I included can easily be removed from the key ring, but they make it a nice, inclusive kit.
The SwissChamp with a ferrocerium rod, a whistle, paracord lanyards, and extra key rings.
A WORD OF ADVICE
Other than your mind, the knife is the single most important tool to have. The Swiss Army Knife is so useful that you don’t want to lose it. You should carry it on your person rather than stuffed away in your bag. Keep it in your pocket or clipped to a chain on your belt. If your bag is ever lost or stolen, you can still get by fairly well with the Swiss Army Knife, especially with the modifications I suggested.
As full as the Swiss Army Knife is, there is still some space that you can use, so why not use it? The corkscrew on the SwissChamp is located so that the space around it can be used to store different materials. A ferrocerium rod, for example, can be cut to size and placed there.
There are many different ways in which you can modify and add to your setup. Take time to figure out what you need from your Swiss Army Knife, then make it your own!
NEW LOOK
Want a new look for your trusty tool? It’s as easy as popping off the old scales and pressing on the new ones.
Winning designs from a recent Victorinox Classic Limited Edition Design Contest. What would your personal Swiss Army Knife look like?
PART 2:
PREPARATION
No matter where you take it, there is a Swiss Army Knife for any situation.
Cleaning, Sharpening, and Maintenance Tips
Cleaning the Swiss Army Knife
Over the years, dirt, sand, and other debris will find their way into the crevices and fine parts of the Swiss Army Knife. This will eventually wear on the parts and make it difficult to open the various tools. Since the Swiss Army Knife is made from high-grade stainless steel and other quality components, it will last for generations if properly maintained.