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Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Victorinox, the company authorized to make so-called Swiss Army merchandise, has run into a bit of a problem: Is there anything else you could possibly think of putting on a pocketknife for an outdoorsman? And even if you did, there's no room for it. The pocketknife has already reached the point where it's too unwieldy to carry around in your pocket any more.

So they decided to think outside the box.

First, they let go of the "must fit in your pocket" concept. Welcome the Victorinox Swiss Champ XXLT. Check out the picture of the knife in its display box. The knife is as thick as it is long!

Second, they let go of the whole "things for the outdoorsman" concept. Now you can get the Swiss Army Knife USB Drive and the Swiss Army Knife CyberTool.

Swiss Army Knife. For the geek in your life. Embrace it.

Published Monday, July 12, 2004 7:00 AM by oldnewthing
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Comments

# Paul Hogan would be proud

Monday, July 12, 2004 7:49 AM by quanta
[crocodile dundee]

You call that a knife? *pulls out XXLT* Now THIS is a knife!

[/crocodile dundee]

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 12, 2004 8:10 AM by Michael Giagnocavo
Heh, my favourite is:

http://www.swissknifeshop.co.uk/swissmemory.html#airtravel

The USB "Air Travel" edition. Basically, it's the same as the USB Knife, except without anything sharp or pointy. IOW, it's just a USB storage thing, in a bulkier package.

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 12, 2004 9:28 AM by James B.
When I lost my previous Swiss Army knife a couple years ago, I bought a Cybertool. It's about as large a knife as I'd want, but it fits in my pocket OK, and you can work on most computers without any other tools. It's not quite as nice as a full toolkit, but it's a lot smaller, and more likely to be with you when you need it.

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 12, 2004 10:05 AM by ttrentham
I second James B.'s comment. My co-workers bought me the Cybertool for my birthday/Xmas in 1999 and it's been with me ever since. It's in my pocket right now. Admittedly, I use the pen knife the most, but I've had occasion to use the screwdrivers and the pen is somewhat useful in a pinch, it's thinness makes it difficult to write more than a short note.

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 12, 2004 10:27 AM by Tom Seddon
Regarding the air travel edition, I like how it claims the lack of sharp implements is to allow "safe carry" on an aeroplane. I'd assumed this was actually to get around restrictions on the carrying of sharp objects on aircraft you don't own yourself, but maybe it is because people become clumsy with the lower air pressure?

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 12, 2004 10:30 AM by jeffdav
I gave up on Swiss Army for tools; once you go Leatherman you never go back.

http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/wave/default.asp

It is a thing of beauty. They solved the fit-in-pocket issue by shipping it with a belt-holster thingie. You can open the blades with one hand without having to open the whole thing up (like other leatherman models). And you can ply things. The only complaint I have is it is a little difficult to get the phillips screw driver out. I have worn this every day since I bought it (except when I fly).

I have a Swiss Army watch that I really like though.

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 12, 2004 11:09 AM by Keith Moore [exmsft]
I've always preferred a more minimalist approach to pocket knives:

http://www.kershawknives.com/chive.htm

I've carried one of these for several years.

# "Pharmaceutical spatula"

Monday, July 12, 2004 11:43 AM by Michael Geary
I busted out laughing when I saw that the XXLT has a "pharmaceutical spatula".

Didn't that used to be called a "coke spoon"?

p.s. The Crocodile Dundee quote is:

"That's not a knife. THAT'S a knife!"

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 12, 2004 12:55 PM by Michael Maclean
I agree with the Leatherman comment- they're fantastic. They're very well made and the knives are better than anything I've seen on a Victorinox knife. And the pliers are probably the most useful addition- I use them far more than the blade.

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 12, 2004 1:55 PM by Larry Osterman
Valorie got me a Leatherman Juice XE6 a couple of years ago as a b'day present, I love that thing.

I don't carry it around with me because it's too bulky but...

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 12, 2004 7:22 PM by Anonymous Coward
Michael Geary,

Actually the quote is:

"That's not a knife. *This* a knife!"

Seeya

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 12, 2004 7:22 PM by Anonymous Coward
Of course, I made a mistake...

It should be:

"That's not a knife. *This* is a knife!"

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 12, 2004 11:26 PM by Michael Geary
Ah, thanks for getting the knife quote right. I enjoyed that scene in the movie so much I ought to be sure to not misquote it! :-)

# Swiss Army CyberTool

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 3:20 PM by Legion Vielenamen
I also must echo the support for the Swiss Army CyberTool. I've had one for a few years now and its utility is legendary within my group of friends. Between repairing a laptop LCD panel with it (which required the Torx bits that the Leatherman doesn't have) and it being the only corkscrew and bottle opener at my best friend's wedding (the caterer needed to be shot) ... it's got quite a history.

The tools that I get the most use out of on it are the screwdriver, the bottle opener, the corkscrew and the pen. I wouldn't have worn a Leatherman to the wedding ... the simple fact that I can carry the CyberTool in my pocket ensures that I have it with me. It's been a lifesaver over and over.

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 3:46 PM by Leslie
Not so keen on the website though. Those pages take the focus and keep popping up in front of other windows. I hope that doesn't catch on!

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 4:39 PM by Hal
It's worth rememering that Victorinox is not the only purveyor of Swiss Army merchandise. There's also Wenger, who I think make better knives. Details at:

http://www.wenger-knife.ch/

# re: Welcoming a new era in Swiss army knives

Monday, July 19, 2004 8:00 AM by Mike Weiss
My CyberTool is on the way! I lost my older swiss army knife recently when I accidently left it in my laptop bag. Airport security took it (EVENTUALLY - I got through a major city's airport w/ it no problem - they snagged it on the return trip).

Good timing on this blog entry! Thanks!!

# The ultimate tool that doesn't quite fit in your pocket

Tuesday, July 20, 2004 3:59 PM by Nothing Severed Yet
My former coworker Raymond blogs about the ultimate not-quite-pocket tool.
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