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Best Swiss Army Knives For EDC in 2021

Andy Lewis
Your guide to this article today is by outdoor expert Andy Lewis
Published January 26, 2018
Support us! GearHungry may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more

The Swiss Army Knife has achieved something close to iconic stature in modern Western Culture. By that we mean that virtually everyone will know what you’re talking about when you say the words “Swiss Army Knife”. Like all true iconic items the Swiss Army Knife has also generated a slew of imitators. Not only that but it’s almost single-handedly inspired the entire multi-tool industry.

Today the true Swiss Army Knife is manufactured by a company called Victorinox which is committed to retaining the standard of excellence laid down by the first SAKs nearly 130 years ago. Below we’re going to take a look at what our product experts have determined to be the 12 best Swiss Army Knives. These are knives that emphasize practicality and versatility over brute force considerations. Let’s get started.

The Best Swiss Army Knife

1
Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife

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The Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Pocket Knife is the perfect everyday carry, just 2.25″ long so ideal for comfortably fitting inside a pocket. Featuring seven highly functional and desirable multi-tools, its ideal for accompanying you on ‘life’s adventures. The usual suspects are on board, including a screwdriver, scissors, tweezers and of course, a blade which in this instance, is 1.25″.” ‘It’s cost-effective, impressively designed and comes in a wide choice of colors from the classic red to a couple of camp design options. Durably constructed with Swiss-made stainless steel and a polished ABS casing, it’s guaranteed to last a lifetime. Wherever you go, this pint-sized pocket tool will open up a world of possibilities.

For more handy and versatile options like this, check out our guide to the best card tools.

Key Features:

High-quality stainless steel and ABS construction

Features 7 essential tools

Compact to fit in your pocket or hook to a key fob

Made in Switzerland with a lifetime guarantee

Total length of 2.25″ with weight of 0.74oz

Specification:
  • BrandVictorinox
  • Model046928560110
  • Weight0.64 ounces
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

2
Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman Knife

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The Huntsman boasts the classic Swiss Army Knife profile and offers a slew of features any tradesman or do-it-yourselfer will appreciate. As the name states it’s also an outstanding choice to bring with you into the wild and, in our opinion, there should be one permanently stashed in your bug out bag as well. Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman Knife boasts 15 useful tools including a large and a small blade, standard and Phillips head screwdrivers, scissors, can opener, tweezers, wood saw and more. Whether you’re an electrician, handyman, fisherman or hunter you’ll want the Huntsman in your pocket at all times.

Key Features:

High-quality stainless steel and sleek polished ABS housing

Features 15 compact tools any tradesmen or ‘DIY’er will appreciate

Compact every day carry comfortably fits in a pocket or bag

Made in Switzerland with a lifetime guarantee

Total length of 3.6″ with weight of 3.4oz

Specification:
  • BrandVictorinox
  • Model53203
  • Weight3.52 oz
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

3
Victorinox EvoGrip 18

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Another entry into the Victorinox Delemont Collection the EvoGrip 18 provides both the boundless versatility you expect from a Swiss Army Knife and leading-edge design and ergonomics that let you get more from your SAK experience. This is a beautiful piece of everyday carry with the trademark forward thrust to the handle that’s oh-so-subtle but oh-so-effective in letting you bring more force to bear without greater effort. Available tools include 2.5” blade, smaller secondary blade, full-length saw blade, scissors with serrated edges, Phillips head screwdriver, reamer, openers and more.

Key Features:

High-quality stainless steel with rubber inlay handle for extra grip and support

Features 15 compact tools to complete wide range of tasks

Compact every day carry comfortably fits in a pocket or bag

Made in Switzerland with a lifetime guarantee

Total length of 3.3″ with weight of 3.3oz

Specification:
  • BrandVictorinox
  • Model2.4913.C8US2
  • Weight2.1 oz
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

4
Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD Multi-Tool Folding Pocket Knife

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The compact and convenient Classic SD from Victorinox is your perfect everyday companion. Designed to be unobtrusive and to comfortably slip inside a pocket, it may be small in stature, but ‘it’s reliable in its performance and features 7 popular implements to support a range of versatile jobs around your home or camp. The high-quality Swiss-made stainless steel blade is easy to use, and with a screwdriver and scissors also included in this popular and inexpensive knife, you can be assured of uncompromising precision, durability, and quality.

Key Features:

High-quality stainless steel Swiss-made blades

Features 7 popular everyday functions for precise results

Super compact and convenient to comfortably carry in your pocket

Made in Switzerland with a lifetime guarantee

Total length of 2.25″ with the weight of 0.8oz

Specification:
  • BrandVictorinox
  • ModelFBA_53003
  • Weight0.8 ounces
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

5
Victorinox 54874 Trekker Swiss Army Knife

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The molded handle of the Victorinox 54874 Trekker allows you to get a nice tight grip so can lean into the task and achieve the best possible results. This is one of only a handful of Swiss Army Knives that feature a serrated locking blade as well so you can see they’ve designed this knife with outdoor activities in mind. The blade is longer than most EDC Swiss Army Knive blades but not more than the 4” length that will get the attention of officialdom. The thumb notch also allows for one-handed opening. Beyond the blades there are also screwdrivers, a can opener, bottle opener and toothpick.

Key Features:

High-quality stainless steel, liner locked and loaded

Features 12 everyday functions to support to equip your next adventure

Ergonomic grip handle provides a secure and confident grip

Made in Switzerland with a lifetime guarantee

Total length of 4.7″ with the weight of 4.59oz

Specification:
  • BrandVictorinox
  • Model54874
  • Weight4.8 oz
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

6
Victorinox Pioneer Alox Swiss Army Knife

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The Pioneer Alox Swiss Army Knife is a winner on a couple of scores. Not only does it perform like a dream and features 8 useful functions, but it also looks incredible too with its sleek and stylish ribbed silver housing. It looks contemporary and elegant and is compact enough to pop in your pocket and carry as part of your everyday essentials. With a good firm grip, it’s secure and easy to handle, and ‘it’s nicely lightweight and balanced too so while you can get plenty of jobs done at home or in camp, it ‘won’t weigh you down. ‘It’s fitted with a can opener and screwdriver, bottle opener and wire stripper so you really can take the Pioneer with you anywhere and be reassured that it ‘won’t let you down.

Key Features:

High-quality stainless steel, with attractive Alox ribbed housing

Features 8 useful everyday functions to support hiking and camping adventures

Inspired by a classic soldiers knife

Made in Switzerland with a lifetime guarantee

Total length of 3.5″ with the weight of 3.2oz

Specification:
  • BrandVictorinox
  • Model53960
  • Weight2.56 ounces
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

7
Victorinox Executive Swiss Army Knife

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The Executive from Victorinox is the Swiss Army Knife for the other half. Sleek, refined, sporting a well thought out minimal complement of high quality tools and matte black to go with your business suit the Executive is proof positive that practicality is a transcendent principle. While it’s a tad longer than you might expect from the classic SAK it is also slimmer which makes it easier to carry in your pants pocket without attracting attention. It also sports 10 well considered tools including a large and small blade, scissors, nail file and orange peeler.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

8
Victorinox Pioneer

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The Pioneer Swiss Army Knife from Victorinox is a sleek, stylish looking SAK that makes a great addition to your everyday carry and won’t cost you an arm and a leg. This is one of the more compact Swiss Army Knives intended to fit neatly into your pants pocket and the silver Alox shell is both attractive and aids in your ability to get a nice firm grip. It’s light so it’s not going to tear through the bottom of your pocket or tire you out if you need to hold it above your head for a time. You’ll find myriad uses for the Pioneer EDC Swiss Army Knive around the house, at the campsite or on the job.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

9
Victorinox Cadet Knife

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The Cadet Swiss Army Knife is another of Victorinox’s compact offerings. But what it lacks in size it makes up for in utility. The Cadet has a full complement of tools including 2” main blade, a smaller secondary blade, a screwdriver, bottle opener, wire stripper and more. All are forged from high quality 1.4110 Victorinox stainless steel that guarantees strength and durability. Scales on the Cadet Swiss Army Knife are ribbed black Alox which provides an attractive look and a firm grip in any conditions. A great looking small Swiss Army Knife with a classic look and plenty of EDC features.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

10
Victorinox EvoGrip 11

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The EvoGrip is the product of a collaboration between Victorinox and Wenger that resulted in a line of SAKs Victorinox is calling the Delemont Collection. The grip has a gentle forward curve that allows you to bring a bit more force to bear on the task at hand. That handle also features rubber inlays that allow you to get a firm grip regardless of conditions. Go beyond the handle and you’ll find 9 features including large and small blades, reamer, openers, standard and Phillips screwdrivers and more. This is a forward looking Swiss Army Knife that should satisfy those in search of contemporary styling.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

11
Victorinox Explorer

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The Explorer is the Swiss Army Knife most people are probably expecting when they think they’re going to buy Swiss Army Knives. It features a slew of the typical, useful attachments you expect from a SAK like the large and small blades, screwdrivers, openers, tweezers, toothpick and more. And there are also some of the unexpected like the hook for carrying parcels and a magnifying glass. The magnifying glass has an array of possible applications from examining machinery for defects, to getting a good look at a splinter, to reading fine print and more.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

12
Victorinox Signature Lite

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A beautiful Swiss Army Knife with a translucent blue handle that takes another big step in bringing the SAK into the 21st century. The Signature Lite Swiss Army Knife is unlike any other you’re likely to see. On top of the impressive array of standard features like a blade, nail file and scissors you’ll also find a retractable ballpoint pen and a surprisingly effective LED flashlight. Victorinox makes a lot of attractive Swiss Army Knives these days but this may be the handsomest of their creations. It’s amazing this Swiss Army Knife doesn’t cost 2 or 3 times as much.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

13
Victorinox Compact

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The Victorinox Compact Small Swiss Army Knife is all of that and more with 15 functions all packed into a shell that’s only 3.5” long and just over half an inch thick. You have all the usual suspects here and more including a pressurized ballpoint pen that will write at just about any angle. It’s an impressive feat of engineering and an even more impressive feat of manufacturing considering the low cost. There’s nothing compact about the possibilities inherent in this Swiss Army Knife and whether you have it on your belt loop or carry it in your pocket you’ll be glad to have it.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

14
Victorinox Swiss 53481 Deluxe Tinker

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Here’s another classic Victorinox Swiss Army Knife design complete with red handle that will have traditionalists – as well as anyone else who values versatility in their everyday carry – smiling. Among the 16 hardened-steel tools are large and small blades, nail file, wire stripper, screwdriver, can opener, bottle opener, pliers (!), Phillips head screwdriver and much more. For all intents and purposes when you’re considering a Swiss Army Knife you should probably start by looking at 53481 Deluxe Tinker and then working down the versatility scale if it’s not to your liking.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

15
Victorinox Ranger

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The final Swiss Army Knife on our list is the RangerGrip 58 Hunter from Victorinox. This is yet another of the company’s Delemont Collection entries and tips its cap ever so slightly to multi-tool design without forfeiting what makes the SAK so distinctive and enduring. It’s longer than most SAKs but won’t get you in trouble with the 4” blade rule imposed by most municipalities. Beyond that it’s just a beautiful piece of everyday kit that includes a full length saw blade, rubber inlays on the handle for outstanding grip, openers and 2 screwdrivers.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Swiss Army Knives Buyers Guide

If 'you're thinking of purchasing a new Swiss Army Knife, we strongly recommend you consider the following features and benefits before making your final decision.

Style - The trusted tool of adventurers the world over, Victorinox do an impressive line of tools with limited-edition releases and various collections on offer. Ranging in size, you can pick up small, medium and large pocket knives featuring a host of useful accessories as well as Swisstools and Swisscards. From contoured to curved handles, camouflage designs to colorful options featuring Tacos and Chili Peppers, 'there's a Victorinox knife to suit all styles and personalities.

Size - We touched upon this point already, and 'there's a wide range of knife sizes available, so it will depend upon the main reason why 'you're purchasing a knife as to what additional functionality you require. Designed to practically fit into your pocket so that they can be a piece of everyday carry, the more bells and whistles, and extra features your knife has, the bulkier and thicker 'it's going to end up being. The smaller sized pocket knives have around 17 different functions while some of the Medium and Larger models can house anywhere from 36 to 56 individual tools as part of the overall design.

Essential Tools - Part of the fun of owning a Swiss Army Knife is that you have access to a wide range of multi-tools all conveniently packed into the one pocket-friendly device, and definitely so much more than just a blade. Which tools you think are essential as opposed to desirable to have will be down to you, but 'we've listed out what we believe to be several of the most practical ones to look out for.

Blade - A must-have of course and all Swiss Army knives come with at least one blade with many featuring two; a larger main blade and a smaller secondary one.

Screwdriver - Again, pretty much all models feature one if not two screwdrivers generally with a standard and a Philips head for all those on the spot DIY fixes.

Scissors - Another staple of your knife, the scissors are hugely practical, sharp, and effective for cutting a range of materials from paper and string to fishing line and wire. In some cases, the scissors are swapped out for pliers so check that detail if this is an important feature in your SAK.

Openers - Did you know that the can opener was one of the original and earliest additional tools to make it into the SAK designs? These days bottle openers also make a regular and welcome appearance, especially for thirsty campers!

Corkscrew - Talking of thirsty, no picnic is complete without a bottle of wine, and no decent SAK should be without a corkscrew.

Tweezers - You might not need to pluck your eyebrows while on a survival-style adventure, but if you get bitten by a blood thirsty tick or you splinter yourself doing your best impression of a Lumberjack, then a pair of tweezers will certainly come in handy.

Chisel - Get ready to channel your inner caveman with a chisel tool. Whether you need to hammer something in place to secure or wedge something out of place to free up, a chisel is going to come in handy for a multitude of situations.

best swiss army knife

Swiss Army Knife FAQ's

Q: What are the laws on carrying a Swiss Army Knife?

A: The laws on carrying knives generally differ from state to state and especially if 'you're crossing borders, so 'it's always a good idea to check the legislation first. Plenty of people carry a Swiss Army knife for ease of use as well as protection, especially if you enjoy camping, fishing, and hunting trips where they can be essential. The general rule of thumb, or rather three-fingered rule to be precise, is that in American at least, 'you're OK to carry a knife 'that's, you guessed it, three-fingers or below. Many territories, the UK included, stipulate a minimum age requirement of 18 to purchase a knife of any kind, kitchen cutlery included, so do your homework.

Q: How should you care and maintain your Swiss Army Knife?

A: If 'you've taken the trouble to invest in a SAK, you should do what you can to protect it and stay on top of a good, regular maintenance regime. After all, your SAK might see a lot of action, and with all those moving parts, 'it's going to need cleaning.

Here are our top tips on how best to care for your investment:

Disassembly - You will need to take your knife apart to clean the components so start by pulling the pin on your SAK but be sure to photograph or remember what goes where when 'it's time to put it back together again.

Cleaning - Over time parts may develop rust or get sticky if not cleaned correctly. 'It's not possible to always keep your knife in a clean, dry place but do your best to put it away somewhere safe after use. Jewelry cleaner does an excellent job cleaning those gunked up moving parts and will quickly restore your knife to its former shining glory.

Soak The Chamber - This is the central part that houses your tools, and 'it's an excellent idea to maintain that regularly too. A toothbrush will do a fab job of getting into those nooks and crannies with the chamber, removing fluff and debris that can get caked in over time.

Check Your Components - As well as cleaning, also check those pars to make sure 'they're still in good working order. You might need to sharpen the edge of your blade from time to time.

Lubricate Your SAK Ready To Re-Use - It may well attract more dirt and grime, but 'it's important to lube the pieces of your knife before you reassemble to ensure 'they're working smoothly and efficiently.

best swiss army knife

A Brief History Of The Swiss Army Knife

Victorinox 'wasn't always responsible for producing Swiss Army Knives. Originally two separate companies had contracts to supply all-purpose knives to the Swiss military. The Karl Elsener Company along with Wenger. The two companies merged in 2005 and Victorinox was established. Weathering 2 world wars and a society that has seen tremendous changes since 1891 when the first Swiss Army knife was commissioned, 'it's remained relevant and enjoys and enduring popularity. Even today, this iconic knife is very much a part of every day carry with many models having been adopted for today's modern world. 'We're talking built-in flashlights, laser pointer, and even USB flash drives. Immaculate quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail still underpin the brand.

Andy Lewis
Andy Lewis
Andy is a experienced Bushcraft instructor that has spent time in some of the most remote and hostile environments in the world. When not outdoors, Andy contributes his expert knowledge to our survival and outdoor department. With an NCFE Level 4 Survival Instructors Award firmly in hand, he has certainly earned the position of a trained survivalist, wilderness and first aid expert.
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