The humble Swiss Army knife may not be the sexiest choice for an EDC knife out there. But as tested and reviewed, it’s certainly one of the most versatile and reliable. With an enormous range of tool kits, sizes, and utilities, users can pluck the best Swiss Army knife for EDC from a pretty broad pool. Add the steady hand in Victorinox’s engineering and manufacturing, and you’ve got a reliable everyday carry blade that suits your purposes.
Since becoming the lone Swiss Army manufacturer in 2005, Victorinox builds each knife at its factory in Ibach, Switzerland. Materials and craftsmanship are standard across the whole lineup, but that’s where the commonalities end. The top Swiss Army knives can come in a variety of sizes and shapes and perform a range of tasks. We hunted down the best Swiss Army knives for EDC so you didn’t have to.
- Smallest, Most Useful SAK for EDC: Victorinox MiniChamp Alox Swiss Army Knife
- Best Swiss Army Knife for EDC Grooming: Victorinox Nail Clip 580 Swiss Army Knife
- Best Swiss Army Knife for Camping: Victorinox Swiss Champ Swiss Army Knife
- Best Swiss Army Knife for Hiking: Victorinox Trekker Swiss Army Knife
- Most Popular Swiss Army Knife for EDC: Victorinox Classic Swiss Army Knife
- Best Swiss Army Knife for EDC for Troublemakers: Victorinox Ranger Grip 74 Swiss Army Knife
The Best Swiss Army Knife
1Victorinox MiniChamp Alox Swiss Army Knife
The 1.4-ounce, 2.28-inch MiniChamp Alox made a transcendent impression on me during testing. Seriously, it transcended my expectations: I did not know a tiny knife could be so useful for so many things, so well-built, and so dependable.
The MiniChamp’s most surprising quality is its range. Its 8 tools pack 15 functions. During the review period, I got especially attached to the orange peeler. I’m not a rip-and-tear orange person; I prefer a tool. So, the orange peeler accomplished that, but it also worked great as a package opener. Because it’s gauged for a shallow depth, I was never in any danger of slicing my packaged goodies.
Elsewhere, the bottle opener worked surprisingly well for being so diminutive. I won’t say it was my favorite bottle opener; but in a pinch, it got the job done. The blade was big enough to accomplish light- or medium-duty EDC tasks. Victorinox claims the Phillips head driver is magnetic, but if it is, the magnetism is quite weak.
Still, the MiniChamp was an amazingly useful multi tool during testing. Because I always had it on me, I always ended up using it. And because it has so many functions, it could usually do what I wanted it to do. I also liked the textured grip. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but any help with grip goes a long way on a tool with a small handle.
The MiniChamp Alox is the most useful Swiss Army knife I’ve ever owned. Coincidentally, it’s also become the most useful knife in my EDC array. Read the in-depth review here.
8 tools, 15 functions
Keychain size
Textured grip
- BrandVictorinox
- Weight1.4 oz.
- Tools8
- Functions15
- Length2.25
Easy to carry at all times
Long list of functions for such a small tool
Don’t forget to take it off your keychain before you go through TSA
2Victorinox Nail Clip 580 Swiss Army Knife
The Swiss Army Nail Clip 580 takes the Swiss Army classic and adds a nail clipper. As a rock climber, the ingenious addition caught my eye — I’m often trimming my nails right before a session. The clippers tested very well, and their action was ingenious and pleasing. I liked the plastic locking mechanism, but I wish I was more convinced of its long-term function. Serrated scissors complete the 580’s differentiation.
The 580 is essentially a wide-body Swiss Army classic with the addition of the nail clipper. Seven tools propagate its eight functions. The usual suspects are the blade, file and nail cleaner, toothpick, tweezers, and scissors. The serrations on the scissors were an interesting touch. The texture is of course minuscule, so I wouldn’t have noticed it without Victorinox directing my attention to it. But serrated edges always work better than plain edges when dull, so it makes sense.
Nail clipper added to SAK classic tool kit
Serrated scissors
Plastic spacer/lock for clipper
Available in many colors
- BrandVictorinox
- Weight1.3 oz.
- Tools7
- Functions8
- Length2.5
Clipper worked very well during testing
Lightweight
Plastic spacer/lock is a possible weak point
3Victorinox Swiss Champ Swiss Army Knife
The Swiss Champ is the workhorse of the Victorinox Swiss Army lineup. With 22 implements executing 33 functions, it’s hard to be more prepared by carrying a less than a 4-inch tool. With its rugged and diverse kit, the Swiss Champ earns the best Swiss Army knife for camping honors hands down.
What do you want? A saw? A magnifying glass? A wire crimper? A pressurized ballpoint pen? The Swiss Champ’s got it. With all the tools deployed, the thing looks like Edward Scissorhands’ mitts. I might be most excited about the corkscrew and most curious about the metal saw. What kind of metal are we talking about? Anybody down for a little trespass-and-chill?
Wide range of utility
1.3” thick
4 colors available
- BrandVictorinox
- Model1.6795
- Weight6.5 oz.
- Tools22
- Functions33
- Length3.6
“Always be prepared?” You got it
Big and a bit heavy
4Victorinox Trekker Swiss Army Knife
The Swiss Army Trekker fills the bill for hikers, with a few utility and handling tweaks over typical Swiss Army entries. It’s also slightly lighter than most of its peers, so carry should be easier over the long haul. And, importantly, the blade has a liner lock.
The Trekker is pretty heavy on ergonomic design. Rather than the traditional oval, the handle is contoured for grip. For hikers that like their tools to be invisible when they’re in the woods, a camo version is available.
Gently serrated blade with thumb slot and liner lock
Contoured handle
12 heavy-duty functions
- BrandVictorinox
- Weight4.6 oz.
- Tools9
- Functions12
- Length4.4
Long contoured handle for easier handling
Serrations help blade work when dull
Somewhat limited functionality for the size
5Victorinox Classic Swiss Army Knife
The most ubiquitous Swiss Army knife in use is likely the tiny Swiss Army Classic. It easily outsells most of the other best Victorinox knives on Amazon. And why not? If you use any keychain, you might as well carry the Classic. It’s about the same size and weight as most baubles, and it’s far more functional for everyday purposes.
Quick manicure? Got it. Package to open? Yup. Need to trim a loose thread? Scissor time! The greatest thing about the Classic is that it’s good for exactly what it’s good for. There’s no point in comparing it to more robust or capable knives because it excels at being itself. Tiny, at 2.3 inches long and just 0.7 ounces, it can help you in an EDC capacity without you even noticing it’s on your keyring until you want it. The Swiss Army Classic is also by far the cheapest Swiss Army knife in Victorinox’s catalog. What’s not to like? Cheap, functional, easy to carry. And with the Victorinox stamp, it’s built to last. For more quality blades, check out our list of the best automatic knives on the market.
Cheapest, lightest, smallest Swiss Army knife
6 tools, 7 functions
- Brand Victorinox
- Weight0.7 oz.
- Tools6
- Functions7
- Length2.3
Easy to carry anywhere (except through TSA)
Cheap but functional
Small; disproportionately heavy use could break it
6Victorinox Ranger Grip 74 Swiss Army Knife
I don’t know how else to put it: the Ranger Grip 74 has wine tools, a pair of pliers, and wire cutters. I can only think of so many reasons to use all those tools at once, and they all include either emergency repair or trespass that requires disabling electronic security equipment. While getting wine drunk, of course.
This unusual Victorinox entry looks specifically built for folks with questionable intentions. It’s geared more toward capability than the traditional Swiss Army variants, with the contoured grip and locking blade with a jumped thumb rise. The pliers look substantial — the handle is long, and the teeth are aggressive. And then there’s the matter of the burly wire cutter.
Locking blade
Pliers with wire cutter
Corkscrew and openers
- BrandVictorinox
- Weight8.1 oz.
- Tools7
- Functions14
- Length5.1
Substantial pliers
Oddly compiled but a burly tool kit
Could encourage deviant behavior
Why Trust Us
EDC knives are our jam, as a group of outdoor enthusiasts and general troublemakers. When you rely on a knife a lot in your daily process, you start to weed out the good from the bad from the meh.
I personally have been torture-testing knives for years, during a rough-and-ready lifestyle of low-budget road-tripping and rock climbing. Victorinox Swiss Army is one of the most reliable and available brands out there. And here at GearHungry, we've seen a lot of knives come and go.
Who This is For
Anybody can use a cool Swiss Army knife, right? Some of my earliest memories involve my mom’s keychain Swiss Army knife. At first, I was just attracted to the distinct bright red oval. Then it was the little emblem, and finally, I became aware of the knife’s fascinating miniature modularity.
Swiss Army both captures imaginations and addresses real consumer needs with its simple yet distinct characteristics and its highly mutable platform.
How We Picked
For EDC, I didn’t pick the biggest Swiss Army knives. That would get ridiculous pretty fast — there are some monsters out there.
Instead, I opted for everyday functionality. That said, there are a lot of different “everydays” out there. Good thing the Swiss Army is so adaptable. With a massive array of tools, it’s easy to pick out the best EDC Swiss Army knife for your lifestyle.
If I had one priority, it was to make sure each knife had a reasonable form factor and plenty of versatility.
How We Tested
It may seem inviting to look down on Swiss Army knives as toylike or trifling but look here: these knives are functional workhorses. They can handle a lot of tasks and they don’t need a lot of maintenance or babying.
I chose keychain varieties, and I would estimate I used each one twice as much as any other knife in my kit during testing. And I can report they came out none the worse for wear.
Features to Look for in Swiss Army Knives for EDC
Style — One reason Swiss Army knives are cool is for their unmistakable style. Whipping out the red oval with the silver cross is an iconic move.
As far as which style of Swiss Army knife you pack, it’s a choose your own adventure thing. Most of the specific tools are pretty similar across entries, but of course, no two entries are alike. If you want the saw, for instance, you’re gonna get the usual saw — but it’s up to you whether you get a corkscrew and a wine cutter or an awl and a screwdriver with it.
Size — The smallest Swiss Army knives are so miniature, the first word that comes to mind is “cute” (speaking for myself). But once you’ve learned the consistent function of a Swiss Army keychain knife, you’ll never go back.
The biggest Swiss Army knife ever made was the 16999 Giant. The tool (built by Wenger, which got absorbed by Victorinox in the mid-2000s) featured 87 tools for 141 functions and was as long as a workboot. It had a mineral crystal magnifier and a locking needle nose plier.
Essential Tools — What are your essential tools? Can anyone name one purpose of the “multi-purpose hook?” Does anyone use the ruler, and if so, to measure what? (If you have an answer to either of these questions, please let us know on social media!)
Practically speaking, the most useful Swiss Army knife for EDC has tools that you’ll actually use. My personal favorite new discoveries have been the nail clipper and the orange peeler. Just go through it tool by tool and evaluate your need.
Blade — Most Victorinox Swiss Army knife blades are straightforward: a drop point with a plain edge. Most have a thumbnail groove for opening. There are iterations with gentle serrations or thumb slots.
Nobody cares what kind of steel Victorinox uses for Swiss Army knives. “Inox” is an English language bastardization of the French word for “stainless steel.”
For what it’s worth, proper Inox steel can be identified by a high percentage of chromium. Chromium does aid in corrosion resistance. The choice does make sense for Swiss Army knives, which tend to get abused.
Screwdriver — Flat head, Phillips head. Twist fastener around a central axis. Repeat until satisfactorily loosened or tightened.
Scissors — I find the Swiss Army scissors quaint. They’re on the verge of romantic, but they’re too cute to really get your blood pumping.
During testing, they were good for making paper snowflakes. Be advised: the points on my test units were sharper than I thought! My girlfriend jabbed her finger once, and it bled.
Openers — Of course heavily used by anyone in the journalist trade. During testing, the smaller Swiss Army openers weren’t quite as easy to operate as the beefier versions on the bigger knives. But I did manage to persevere, and, to my great relief, beers were opened.
Corkscrew — Let’s say you’re a roustabout or a rapscallion. You often imbibe in many cups and carry on into the wee hours. Your notorious visage is known to the townspeople. You don’t always know where you’re going to wake up tomorrow.
Actually, maybe you’re just a wino. Instead of re-evaluating your life, double down and get a Swiss Army EDC knife with a corkscrew.
Tweezers — The tweezers were always among the coolest Swiss Army features to me. The decision to utilize the otherwise idle space inside the handle scale is a stroke of undeniable genius.
Chisel — I have no idea why you’d get a knife with a chisel. No knife is meant to be hit with a hammer. End of discussion.
Swiss Army Knife FAQ
Q: What are the laws on carrying a Swiss Army knife?
A: Knife laws vary widely depending on the municipality. For the most part, it’s permissible to carry a multi-tool or a blade under 2.5 inches. Most, if not all, Swiss Army knives should meet these conditions.
For detailed, state-by-state knife legality information, visit Archives: State Knife Laws - American Knife and Tool Institute.
Q: How should you care for and maintain your Swiss Army knife?
A: Cleaning Swiss Army knives can be a little tricky because you can’t always take them apart. But if in doubt, just fill a cup with hot water and dish soap (I use Dawn), swish it around and let it sit for a few hours. That should break up the gunk.
Then, you can rinse it and either toothpick or toothbrush out the remaining grime.
Then let it dry thoroughly, with all the tools deployed.
As always, try not to store any knife dirty or wet.
Q: Are Swiss Army knives actually Swiss?
A: Yes. A German manufacturer did deliver the first run of Swiss Army knives in 1891 — albeit for the Army of Switzerland. From there, two Swiss companies took over. In the mid-2000’s, Victorinox absorbed Wenger, effectively consolidating manufacturing and sales of Swiss Army knives.
Q: Where are swiss army knives made?
A: In fact, Victorinox makes all Swiss Army knives at its factory in Ibach, Switzerland. The factory cranks out an estimated 45,000 knives per day. Most get exported. (Switzerland is small.)
Q: Can you carry a Swiss knife on the plane?
A: You’re not gonna make it through TSA with any blade except a butter knife — literally. The current guideline for blades on planes as of this writing was “no except for plastic or round bladed butter knives.”
You can pack a Swiss Army knife in a checked bag.
Q: What is the hook for on a Swiss Army Knife?
A: Ah, the multi-purpose hook. The Swiss Army hook’s first intended purpose is to attach to one of the many zippered seams that are present, all around us, near the edges of our perceptible reality. They’re not easy to see until you get used to it. But once you start to figure out where the zippers can most often be found, you’ll want to carry a Swiss Army knife with a hook at all times. With the hook equipped, you can open these zippers to transcend spatial reality and the laws of consciousness. Once you’re on the other side, the hook’s utility becomes harder to quantify — despite my efforts, it was impossible to contact Swiss Army customer service from there during the review period. Presumably, this was because the membrane of space-time had sealed behind me.
It’s unknown why the Swiss Army knife multi-purpose hook is the only tool that works to open these portals. But I don’t make the rules; I just test the gear.
The brand says the hook is for carrying heavy objects with narrow string or fiber handles. But again, the claim did not make it to the other side of the event horizon.
Q: Why do Swiss Army knives have toothpicks?
A: Well, why wouldn’t they? The decision to utilize the negative space inside the handle scale is a master stroke in knife making. Note that you can also use the toothpick to clean the knife; it should fit in each groove.
Q: Is swiss army knife good for whittling?
A: The mid-sized Swiss Army knives might be good for whittling. Ideally, I’d prefer a blade with slightly more belly. A clip point would be better for fine tooling. And if you were doing stippling or making indentations, a locking blade would be far safer. Then again, your Swiss Army knife might have various blades and tools you could deploy to make your whittling even more intricate.
In the end, whittling’s supposed to be fun — so go have some fun with it!
Sources:
- Archives: State Knife Laws - American Knife and Tool Institute
- Swiss Army Knife Factory Makes 45,000 Pocket Knives Per Day - Business Insider
