How to Choose the Best Swiss Army Knife for You

My family has a tradition going back a couple generations that on your 10th birthday, you get the gift of a Swiss Army Knife. I still have the classic Huntsman knife I got all those many years ago and it’s still in great shape, besides the tweezers that have been missing since sometime in the 90s.

At the time of this writing, our oldest child is mere months away from his 10th birthday, and I already know which of the many knives in the Victorinox lineup he’ll be getting. (He reads Dad Gear articles, so that’s staying off the record, mind you.)

Choosing the right Swiss Army Knife for my son was easy — I’ve had it planned for years, in fact. But with so many different varieties of these multifunction, multipurpose tools out there, it can be surprisingly hard to choose the right Swiss Army Knife for oneself or to select the right pocket knife to give to a friend, colleague, or family member. 

For help with Swiss Army Knife selection — and to do a deeper dive into the venerable Victorinox company itself — we reached out to Ann MacDonald, Director of Product and Merchandising (blades division, so yeah, she’s the right one to talk to) with Victorinox.

What are the core features someone should look for in a Swiss Army knife that will be used outdoors, such as for campers or hikers?

“All of our Swiss Army Knives blades, springs, and tools are made from high quality stainless steel. The most important material properties used for production of the pocket knife are rust resistance, hardness, edge retention, and elasticity, which can be found in every model of the Swiss Army Knife that Victorinox offers. In terms of core features, one would be the multifunctionality of a Swiss Army Knife. For an outdoors person, having one tool that can do so many things makes for a must-have in anyone's pocket — and not just for an outdoor audience.”

What are some of the most underused or under appreciated tools featured in these knives?

“In my opinion, it’s less about the underused or under appreciated functions of a Swiss Army Knife and more about the realization that a Swiss Army Knife can be your go-to for anything from opening a package with the blade on a Classic SD to installing a new curtain rod using the screwdriver on a Huntsman. Top implements that consumers look for are the large blade, screwdriver, and scissors, but avid Swiss Army Knife users speak about using all of the implements.” 

Are there different categories of Swiss army knives? And if so, how are they generally grouped? By size or inclusion type or some other metric?

“The full range of Victorinox knives comprises over 400 models. We have Pocket Knives that range from compact and functional everyday companions, to pocket knives that are tool-packed pieces featuring screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches along with the essential implements. Lastly, we have Pocket Knives that are the adventurers of the pocket knife world, which feature sophisticated tools to tackle everyday adventures.”

What are the basics of Swiss Army knife maintenance and care? 

“If stainless steel products are left uncleaned, aggressive substances like fruit acids and salt water can start to corrode the steel. In order to avoid corrosion and difficulties opening individual tools, we recommend regular cleaning in warm water and oiling the friction points. We recommend using Victorinox knife oil.”

What are some of the considerations someone should make when selecting the right Swiss Army knife for them? Use occasion, tools, included, size, and more?

“Some considerations could be your area of interests, whether it be gardening, DIY, the outdoors and camping, or just standard everyday needs, from clipping a loose thread to opening packages to filing a nail.” 

What are a few of the iconic Swiss Army knife arrangements, such as that Huntsman?

“Since the invention of the Swiss Soldier’s Knife in 1891, the knife has been continuously developed and improved. Because the Soldier’s Knife was heavy, Karl Elsener developed a light, more elegant, and even more versatile knife for officers. He patented the design in 1897 and named it the Swiss Officer’s and Sports Knife. The modern iteration of this knife available today is the Spartan.”

“To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Swiss Army Knife last year, the brand launched a true replica knife based on the first original Officer’s and Sports Knife. The Replica 1897 looks exactly like the original on the outside, but on the inside, it represents the latest in technology. The red vulcanized fiber scale material offers a warm and comfortable grip. The iconic embossing of ‘Elsener Schwyz’ on the large blade, and the proof of the patent ‘Gesetzlich Geschützt’ (protected by law) on the screwdriver take us right back in time. The latter was in fact an important selling point in 1897.  Distinctive features of the Replica 1897 include the style of the pointy small blade, the original shape of the corkscrew, an awl perfectly integrated in the body of the pocket knife, and a can opener with a unique technique.”