Self Drive Camping - Swiss Tool by Victorinox


If there's one tool that you can rely on to last a lifetime, and get you out of more fixes than a twisted lawyer then the Swiss Tool from Victorinox is that tool.
	Made entirely from high-grade steel, this 'toolbox in the palm of your hand' can perform a multitude of tasks. Apart from the obvious needle-nosed pliers the tool also has another 22 features. Each blade or tool locks into position and cannot close until the release button is pressed. The screwdriver tool included is kept in a separate pocket of the case and includes a number of interchangeable bits. The bits can be used in either end of the bar enabling the screwdriver to reach the most inaccessible places. The Swiss Tool itself has two very good saws, one for metal and the other for wood. You will be very surprised at the sawing capabilities of these. Other tools include the more common can opener, bottle opener, chisels, awl, and straight blade screwdrivers. The main frame or handle of the tool is inscribed with both imperial and metric measurements.
The Pliers are extremely robust and they themselves incorporate wire cutters. The jaws are serrated and the grip is tremendous. This is definitely one tool that you won't want to leave in a toolbox, or lend to a friend. Steve McQueen would have given his right arm for one of these in The Great Escape.
Recommendation Why do I recommend this tool from Victorinox when there are others on the market? Well, for a long time I have owned a Swiss Champ knife, the flagship of the Victorinox range and to be quite honest I was extremely happy with it. At one point the spring broke in the scissors, which I put down to wear and tear. After finding the Victorinox website two or three years back, I decided to send them an email. I explained my delight with the product but that I was surprised with this small failure. Two days later I received an airmail letter from Switzerland with two springs for the scissors and two springs for the pliers. That, in my book is after sales service with a lifetime guarantee. The Swiss Champ though, could not cope with car related emergencies and when Victorinox introduced the Swiss Tool I decided to buy one while on holiday in Switzerland. It is an earlier model than the one pictured above. It has no scissors (a 3 inch serrated blade instead) and it has no corkscrew.
The Swiss Tool has served me well on many occasions, both at home and throughout most of Europe. The only flaw is with the leather pouch. The flap fastens with a Velcro strip and after two years use no longer sticks. I tried for three days to find a replacement in Interlaken to no avail; perhaps they ought to consider press-studs instead. Oh yes, I still have to take the Swiss Champ with me. How else can I open wine bottles? Victorinox can be found at: http://www.victorinox.com/newsite/en/index.htm
The UK website for Swiss Army Knives