We all like quality built stuff, right? But sometimes we know we’re sacrificing a bit of quality to get the functionality we want and other times we buy something just because it’s such high quality and will be a pleasure to own. Or is that just me?
I own a couple of multi-tools that I wouldn’t recommend to you because the quality just isn’t there. This multi-tool is the opposite. I have no problem giving the Quality crown to this multi-tool because not only is it so well made, it’s also one of the most useful multi-tools I own. Enter the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X and Spirit XBS. It’s an easy recommendation. MacGyver says “Buy It!”
The BS part of the Spirit XBS model name is for Burnished Steel. That’s the finish on it that gives it a black finish. It’s exactly the same multi-tool as the Spirit X that comes in stainless steel and is the same quality multi-tool.
If you already own a Gerber, Leatherman or SOG multi-tool, I guarantee you’re going to notice a difference when you get a Victorinox SwissTool in your hands for the first time. The Spirit X and XBS have a very compact feel and a pleasingly solid weight to them. But they aren’t particularly heavy. They weigh in at 7.3 0z (207 gms) which for a full-sized multi-tool would have them fighting in the middle-weight division.
The Spirit range of multi-tools has curved handles which I find makes them more comfortable just to hold in my hand and really come into their own when you’re putting pressure on the handles working with one of the tools.
The finish on the handles (scales) is extremely smooth and doesn’t have any cutouts or lumpy pivot screws. This adds to the high end feel in the hand as does the shiny finish. Victorinox is probably best known for being the maker of Swiss Army Knives. They have a huge range of these world famous pocket knives they still produce today in Switzerland. The reason I bring this up though is that looking at the SwissTool when it’s closed is like looking at 2 pocket knives sitting back to back. All the tools are out of sight, hidden in the handles, much like a pocket knife. Understandable given Victorinox’s heritage.
Because all the tools are hidden in the handles, none of them is one hand opening. You can’t get your thumb to a blade to open it for example. That’s the downside of the design. The upside is that all the tools are outside accessible – with the exception of the pliers. You can get a nail to every single separate tool in the handles. That’s a sign of a well thought out design and a feature many other manufacturers could put more effort in to with their designs.
27 Functions
And it’s a good range of tools too. Victorinox claims 27 functions including the plier functions. It’s not just that there are a lot of tools packed into the handles, it’s that they are all well designed, useful and clearly manufactured to tight tolerances. Of course, they’re all lockable and released by sliding tabs on each side of each handle.
The pliers are pretty standard issue for a multi-tool with nut grippers and wire stripper and electrical crimper functions. You can put some good pressure on the handles without any flex. Quality. They aren’t the biggest pliers which is good for working in smaller spaces but if you have a lot of big heavy duty plier jobs in mind, there are better multi-tool plier options out there. See my recommendation for the best heavy duty multi-tool.
The knife design follows Victorinox’s expertise with pocket knives and is the shape you would be used to seeing in your favorite pocket knife. It’s sturdy and sharp in use. The point isn’t as ‘pointy’ as other multi-tool knives so not the best at poking into small spaces. But you shouldn’t be using your knife tip for that sort of thing anyway, that’s what the excellent awl is best for.
The scissors are another one of the XBS’s excellent tools. Spring loaded and sharp these scissors work very well. Look for the article I wrote in the interest of other Multi-Tool MacGyvers where I put my own body on the line and used the scissors to trim my fingernails and toenails. Tackled the job with no problems.
My favorite tool here though is the chisel. It’s of course well made but more than that, a chisel is just really useful to have on a multi-tool. I don’t know why more manufacturers don’t include a chisel. Because of the sharp front edge and corners, it can be used as a box cutter or to shave off off rough ridges off plastic and wood or scrape gum off your shoe or pry a nail…… you get the idea.
The rest of the tools are also well made – the saw, the different sized flathead screwdrivers, metal files, can opener and bottle opener. I particularly like the Phillps screwdriver which is a full 3D head (like a dedicated Phillips screwdriver) rather than the flattened Phillips that Leatherman and others often include.
It’s easy for me to recommend the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit XBS as the best quality multi-tool on the market. It really is a cut above multi-tools from other brands. The downside of the X and XBS is the price. Quality usually costs and it does in this case. It’s not going to be worth the price for some MacGyvers but if you want quality that will last and give you pride of ownership then it’s worth the initial outlay.
Check out the current price of the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X on Amazon. Available in Stainless Steel and Burnished Steel (XBS)
Multi-Tools – Don’t Leave Home Without One!