The best Everyday Carry Victorinox knife of them all - the Compact
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2024
- This video explains why the Victorinox Compact folding knife is the best knife for everyday carry or EDC from the entire current Victorinox range of folding pocket knives. It also shows the addition of a fire steel or ferrocerium rod to replace the toothpick and add functionality.
My name is Jonathan, I have a passion for all things 'gadget, travel and EDC' which has filled both my personal and work life for many years. This includes sourcing, reviewing and product development and the creation of two UK national retail chains. Find out more here: • About Jon Gadget - Who...
This channel is here to help you find great travel and carry gear on the back of solid and detailed reviews along with years of experience. I also hope to give you ideas and inspiration when it comes to everyday carry gear, travel gear and gadgets, which make life a little bit easier and perhaps more fun.
I welcome any feedback on my videos or the channel in general. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
🐦 You can find me on twitter at:
/ jongadget
Contents of this video to help you navigate:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Victorinox Compact main tools
06:40 Scale tools and features
07:32 Ferrocerium rod option
09:22 Summary
10:30 Pocket hanger carry option
10:57 Ferrocerium demonstration to start a fire
Product Links:
Firefly ferro rod for Victorinox tortoisegear.com
Amazon Links:
Victorinox Compact geni.us/oJZU2b0
Product Sourcing:
When it comes to sourcing a product for review, I will usually either purchase an item personally or reach out to a supplier requesting a sample for review. Most suppliers, after seeing the channel, are supportive if they are confident in their product, appreciating the value of greater exposure.
I am sometimes asked to review a product by a supplier which I will only agree to if the product fits the channel and I believe will be of interest to you, my audience. Also the product needs to be worthy of a review. It is not in my interest to review inferior or poor quality products and therefore as you might expect many requests are politely declined.
Any sponsored videos (paid for reviews) are clearly stated as such so there can be no misunderstanding. Even with sponsored reviews I will only agree to a sponsorship on products and services which I believe will be of genuine interest to viewers.
I will always make reference in the video to products which have been provided for review by a supplier and I always make it clear to the supplier that they cannot influence or be involved in the review in any way if they choose to supply a product.
Sometimes a supplier will provide a link to the product or the supplier which I am happy to include in the description. Sometimes I will be provided with an affiliate link so I can earn a commission on sales and this helps to support channel costs but never at the expense of an honest review.
If a product I have reviewed is available from Amazon I will often include an Amazon link in the description. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you.
Comments:
I really appreciate the feedback in the comments - I find it a source of knowledge and inspiration - so thank you to all of you who take the time to contribute. I have recently found that if I continue to respond to all the comments as the number of videos builds, it takes time away from being able to produce new content which would be very counter productive! - so my aim is to read everything I can and reply when I can, after each video goes live, until the next video goes live a week later. I'll see how that works out 😊
Thank you for supporting the channel so I can continue to provide you with regular reviews, thoughts and ideas and (hopefully) inspiration! Please consider subscribing to keep up to date with new video releases, and if you want to be notified when a new video is released, don’t forget to hit the notification bell. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
![[สปอย] มหาเวทย์ผนึกมาร 261 "ร่างโกโจโดนขโมย" ชายที่อยู่ตรงหน้านี้เขาไม่ใช่อาจารย์โกโจตัวจริง!!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/u5GTa2Mpp_E/mqdefault.jpg)
Hello Jonathan. Thank you very much for this great video and for mentioning my channel! Greetings from Switzerland
Hello Felix, thank you for the kind message. I am a big fan of your channel and all you do - nobody knows their way around a Victorinox better than you. Keep up the great work.
@@JonGadget Haa ha haa, what an honor. My face start to getting red a little bit. Thank you so much! 😅😅
@@FelixImmler Swiss Army red?
@@ericsteel173 a little older ,darker, wenger-style red🤣🤣
Felix thank you for all your content about Swiss Army knives and it got me into it aswell and I haven’t had a day go by without having my huntsmen lite in my pocket for 3 years now!
Fantastic presentation! I'm now 70 and have been carrying Swiss Army knives since I was 13.
I've collected Victorinox knives for many years. I always travel with one. I just put it in my check luggage. Back in 2001, I went to Europe and traveled all over the place. My swiss tool was a big hit in may places. I really enjoyed talking with the law enforcement in Italy, France, and Brittan. I sold a number of them while there. There's a British Bobby out there carrying a Swiss tool that I convinced he really needed.
I’ve been carrying one for a couple of months now and love it. I even use that same pocket clip that you have. What a great combo.
I was looking for a new Victorinox. Now I know which one.
Thank you for your EDC presentations they are always terrific!
The mini firestarter is really impressive! Great video, thanks.
Sold. Just ordered one. Thanks brother! 👌🏻😎👍🏻
Huntsman for me for most days, and Handyman for other times. Thanks for the video.
Damn Jonathan, another video where I learn of products I need that I didn’t know existed, let alone knew I needed. Thanks for you research and great presentation. I find myself rewatching your videos and learning more every time.
Thanks Doug
Compact with plus scales are very handy indeed. My favorite two later SAK,
Thanks for these reviews, they're informative and fun. Sometimes after a long day I like to watch them to chill out a little.
Good to hear - thanks Mike 👍
Good review, I never considered the Compact before but I am now.
Glad to see I'm not the only one who uses a pocket hanger clip on the keychain!
yet another informative video. using this piece soon. thanks
Excellent demonstration. Thank you
wow loving the firestick and the firestarting...not seen that before EVER...and i have seen them all.
Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
Another great review with a tremendous amount of useful information. Well done Jonathan...again.
Thanks John 🙏😃
Love the fire stick and kindling upgrade😎👍🏻
Excellent review Sir👍🏻
I was looking at either this or a super tinker. You’ve swayed me over to get this one. Thank you!!
You’re very welcome. The size and weight of the Compact makes all the difference to me and functionality is almost the same. Hope you love it.
I use compact as a keychain knife. Bought it as a replacement for the waiter after watching this video. Thank you very much for the review! Perfect combination of weight and functionality. Absolutely awesome for edc.
Outstanding review, thanks!
You sold me on this one. Easily one of my new favorite channels. Subscribed. 😎
🙏
I'm sold. Thank you!
The Victorinox Compact is my everyday carry, too. I love how, well, compact it is, for most everyday tasks. The blade is used multiple times a day, to either cut fruit or to open packaging. I use the nail file quite a bit, and I love that it has a pen, too. Great video.
Great video, thanks for sharing your experience with that precious piece
Thanks for the feedback David 👍
Thanks for another great video Jon. I love the Compact. It's my everyday carry as well. I carry it even if I'm carrying a larger locking or "tactical" knife. I have modified mine though. I removed the corkscrew and added a Phillips screwdriver. I get way more use out of the screwdriver.
I thought of getting a Compact but decided on a Huntsman. I work construction and needed a few more features. I’ve modified my Huntsman a bit after watching some of Felix Immler’s videos. Some of his mods are great. Like switching out for the plus scales, adding a pen, fixing the wire stripping notch and a few others. I usually carry a bigger knife for large tasks. But I’m constantly grabbing for my SAK.
Great tool combination for work 👍
I grab for my sak to😏
@@bluffkirschman599 As you should.
I personally have compact for my travels and in backpack when I'm just going about day to day. My other multitool is Trailmaster for backup knife and some handy tools when out in woods.
Trailmaster especially is pretty perfect backup blade and multitool for wild (maybe even main blade if your camping/hiking isn't going to involve actually using blade). It has regular toothpick and tweezers, which are super good for getting splinter and maybe ticks. But it's also large model with nice blade, saw, bottle and can opener, reamer and various screw drivers. But nothing extra.
U
I know what you mean about the four-track SAK knives being an every-day carry issue. I’d carry the Compact as an every-day, but that Explorer magnifier has become indispensable for me. Along with the scissors, I won’t leave home without the Explorer now. I even bought the plus scales just for the pen. Victorinox is such a great brand.
Excellent job on the video!
Compact’s always been my go-to EDC knife aside from my primary knife. I always liked how the Compact has all of the no-nonsense tools. The game changer that I never thought of using was that pocket clip attachment! I’ll have to go online and look around for one to try with mine since I have been using my coin pocket on my jeans as my SAK Compact pocket.
With the key smart clip attached to my pocket I hardly know the knife is there. I really like it!
I really enjoyed your video. It was very helpful & informative. Thanks! 🙂
Thanks Marc - good to hear 👍
Great Review ! Compact looks like a great EDC carry thanks !
The fero and tinder bits are so cool. Will definitely get that for my Hunstman I take with me hiking/camping. Thank you!
great plan - perfect for hiking/camping
UT Arlington heights to try to try to try run run hi to get to try to
No hi hi
Mesmo com 4 camadas ? Não incomada ?
Great video jonathan. This is the EDC i will get. Many Thanks Rich.
thanks for the feedback - still carrying mine
That fire strike is ingenious!
Thanks for the great video. As informative and to the point as ever, and you have proved yet again that less is more.
I have carried a Victorinox Compact for over 30 years now. I initially set out to buy a much bigger knife, Possibly the Swiss Champ (what was I thinking?) but changed my mind at the last minute. A decision that I have never regretted. It's interesting to note that back then this model was called the Golfer and the only difference between this and the current model is the omission of the pin.
My other regular carries are the Huntsman Plus, the Farmer (soon to be upgraded to the Farmer X) and the Cadet. It all depends on what I am doing that day.
I find the Cadet to be really useful for social/family occasions as it is a 'gentleman's' pocket knife and is completely non-threatening to all but the seriously paranoid. I once pulled this knife out at a family Christmas to carry out some kind of repair only to have my in-laws young son exclaim "Wow are you a secret agent?"
The Compact has been my go-to - on a pocket hanger - also, for years. I've tried others, but always come back to the Compact.
👍 great minds 😃
I must say, this is the best guide I managed to find. I was about to hold from bying this one, cz needed a philips in emergency case, but you explanation was awesome indeed.
Thank you 🙏
The Philip screw driver as seen in the Champ with locking in place at 90 and 180 degrees is very good and a frequent use tool. The one found on the Tinker has more limited use as the bulk of the knife gets in the way. The combination tool found on the 58mm Manager and Rambler is a good compromise.
Ive always wanted an Alox victorinox to EDC but had no option for a pocket clip... your solution is GENIUS. PURE GENIUS.
I would imagine the nail file on back of the parcel hook would be good for lighting strike anywhere matches.
Good point - definitely 👍
Im totally sold on this knife after watching MANY videos comparing different models as well as leatherman style tools. It tick all my boxes for most often uses. thanks for the additional tool info for fire starting as well, that will be helpful to add to mine at somepoint im sure!
I'm glad it was useful 👍
Very well done video. I just order mine.
Thanks for this, hadn't thought of using the wire stripper with the fire steel. It works so much better than the back of the knife
Yes, works much better 👍
I love victorinox, quality knife, have the since 1980th, anbd buy occasionally
Brilliant, what you said about "likely to carry" really is true. I never have my beloved Swiss Champ with me when I need it, it's too darn big to put in my jeans pocket. The Compact is perfect. The Climber offers more for similar price but is 3 layers to the Compact's 2 so the Compact it is :D
Great video!
Great review and demo!
Thanks for the feedback
you give the best reviews.
Great video such a pleasant speaking voice, I love the scissors I have never found a better pair on any other combo tool.
Thank you 🙏 - I agree scissors are very good 👍
Very Good the Compact! I have with me always my yellow victorinox compact!
😃👍
Thanks for great video. I do carry the same for my edc needs. I have just changed scales for black coloured.
A note: a combotool tip fits for philips screws, but is not designed for it.
Great video! I didn't even know or think to look for a replacement for the toothpick. I have a decent collection of knives and Victorinox but I always seem to come back to the Compact. One "feature" that I've overlooked at first was the red scales themselves. Sure, they're not as cool as titanium this or anodized aluminum that, but the red scales are so classic and unassuming that you can use this knife almost anywhere without fear of judgement.
Totally agree - the Compact seems to do everything need day-to-day. The red scales are a classic feature I like too.
Thats actually a great point. It never fails to surprise me some of the reactions you receive when you pull out even the smallest of knives but a Swiss Army knife either doesn’t draw a reaction at all or sometimes it will even draw a positive comment. Their is a lot of affection for these little knives. A sense of nostalgia I suppose my Dad and family members had them while growing up as well.
This is a valid point. I once pulled out my tiny Classic SD to show my dentist it's effective toothpick. She was very startled, and uneasy about it. No more show and tell.
Knife-shaming is not okay! ...just cuz I carry large.
This is exactly why I rarely carry a dedicated folding pocket knife anymore. Pull out a "scary" pocket knife and you'll get looks/comments, yet nobody bats an eye if I pull out a SAK. This is also why I always get the red scales. Plus, it makes me feel like I'm MacGyver.
Hi Jonathan, recently subbed and thoroughly enjoy your channel, I just bought the Compact based on your review, and want to thank you, I think it's likely to become my favourite for EDC, I have a few other Victorinox knives and they are all great but fall short due to size, toolset etc, the Compact ticks all of my boxes, and after seeing your review I was confident that it would.
Thanks again and best wishes to you and yours Ralfy
That is great feedback Ralfy - thanks for letting me know - good to know it's been useful.
Fantastic knife! I prefer the Yeoman - same tool set with the added in line Phillips/magnifying glass layer. That magnifying glass makes me so happy!
Really fascinating video. Had never realised there was so much to the SAKs! That string carry tool looks like the perfect tool if you need to pull the manual release of a Land Rover electric park brake! I am a massive fan of Opinels for their simplicity/heritage but this seems like a great next step between that and a full blown Leatherman if needing some tools on the move.
If it’s under 200lb pull it should do it! Opinel are a classic knife but I would prefer a bit more functionality! This SAK is more compact and much lighter than a full size multi tool so better for EDC I would say.
Great vid, thank you. I recently settled on the Compact as my EDC also. Looked at the tools I most often use - or must have available - from my SwissChamp and Hiker. Essentially came down to a blade, scissors, pen (+ a bottle opener for obvious reasons!). Compact fits the bill - has everything I need for EDC and very little I don’t (even the hook I’ve grown to appreciate thanks to Felix’s pen holder idea). Everyone’s EDC needs are different but this works for me.
Exactly my thinking too 👍
@@JonGadget Quase convencido pelo compact !
@@sidneycavalcant 😀👍
Thank you. Very useful indeed.
Great to hear.
Thanks for the video.
you're welcome
Great video and I have just ordered one of these very useful looking knives.
Agreed that the scissors are really good and useful!
Great choice. It’s a great edc choice
Funny, I posted a comment few days ago on your video about the actual state of Victorinox cie. I mentionned that I carry my Compact every days. And now I see it's your favorite too...
I really use the toothpick very often in my SAK but I also love the firefly. Luckily there is the option to open the hidden slot on the plus scales to carry both. Only the toothpick would need some modification as Felix Immler demonstrated in his channel.
always love compact I already used it for a year now...
great 👍
I like the Picknicker/Nomad (the 111 mm version of the Spartan). I think it is perfect for someone who wants a knife for both urban and outdoor tasks. Also, it is still light with only two layers so easy to carry. I also added the mini screwdriver inside the corkscrew.
It looks like a great dual purpose knife. The problem in the UK is that it has a lockable blade which makes it illegal to carry in the UK! So I’ve never owned one of these.
I agree, and that is my edc as well, scales are the nylon textured grip, which i prefer. Keep up the good reviews.
sounds great 👍 - I will try 🙂
The file on the back of the parcel hook should be on most, if not all Victorinox models w/ hook ! Very neat knife.. Cool review!!
Yes, I'm not sure why it isn't on the others. Thanks for the feedback 👍
Always have one on me they are so cute and cuddly.
Many thanks for your helpful video, Jonathan. Indeed I lost lost the Spartan which accompanied me for years lately and I'm hardly pondering whether to replace it with another Spartan or a Compact. Your video might have tipped the balance.
Cheers
Stefan
Wont leave the house without my compact it is the perfect EDC tool
totally agree 😃
@@JonGadget I wish the compact wasn’t so expensive. Also wish they had an option for replacing the corkscrew with a Phillips screwdriver. In America there aren’t many wine drinkers
hi Johnathan
my favourite Swiss army knife is Compact and i have a Huntsman too and you are right about them, they are exactly as you said, Compact is urban EDC and the Huntsman is more towards bushcrafting.
Good vid!
The compact is one of my favorite SAK.
Lately, I'm carry an 84mm Golfer. I added the pen to the Golfer scales. I prefer it over the compact because it is even smaller, and is missing only the hook.
One use of the corkscrew I found by accident was unplugging the cap nozzles of silicone bottles. The thing was clogged with old silicone, corkscrew saved the day.
good idea - thanks for sharing
Thank you John for this video. Because if this I am purchased the Compact about 3/4 year before now and honestly: for me it is the only knife I need for urban EDC. There is no tool more practical out there.
great to hear
I rarely comment on videos but just wanted to say thanks for this one. I've always had an Explorer, but it was just that little bit too bulky to be a comfortable EDC. The Compact is perfect, but the real star of the show is that Keysmart pocket hanger! It holds the knife vertical in the pocket, keeps it all neat and comfortable. Highly recommend finding one to make the Compact perfect EDC.
Hi Adam, thanks for the great feedback. I agree, the Keysmart hanger is a game changer for Vic carry - they are getting harder to find although there are a couple of other options.
For an urban / office EDC, this is a really good choice. The mini corkscrew screw driver is surprisingly handy for eye glasses and removing battery covers.
But the moment you add the ferro rod & kindling, I want the wood saw option. The wood saw is surprisingly good for processing small(er) wood into kindling. For anything "outdoors" I prefer either the Fieldmaster or the Huntsman (the difference is a dedicated philllips vs a dedicated corkscrew).
Completely agree - ferro and tinder more outdoor and Fieldmaster/Huntsman is perfect for that. However, I can have the tinder (cut in half) and the corkscrew screwdriver held in place in the corkscrew at the same time! So in my Compact even for urban use, I would rather have fire starting option than the toothpick option. Great feedback though.
Had the climbing 1 yesterday.
8:55 all these decades of having a bunch of Swiss Army knives and I've never heard of tortoise gear and being able to retrofit the toothpick for a fire starter 🙂. Thanks, you gave me something else to spend money on 👍🤘.
👍😊
This is definitely one of my favorites. Though I find my ideal SAK comes with the electrician and pruner blade.
Hi Ben, I get the electrician blade, but the pruner? For pruning presumably?
@@JonGadget The pruner is great for opening boxes and other utility work.
Qual o modelo com pruner blade ?
my favorite swiss army is the rambler....always on my keychain...
other than that i sometimes carry a prooper knife and that is the climber....love it to bits...
Both really good choices. I
particularly like the Climber, 3rd layer just makes it a bit big for every day. Rambler is a good pocket/keychain option though
I am also a big fan of the Climber. Carry it everyday with a pocket clip.
Same 2 SAK"s as myself - farmer & compact (edc) plus a spirit kept in work (uk) :)
I have Spirit X too. Great combination.
Great video, just subscribed! ✌️
🙏
Nice lead clip (fishing) on the split ring :)
In case you were unaware, you can pinch the pen under the multi-purpose hook giving you more to hold onto when writing.
thanks for that - yes, I have seen that and should have really included it in the video - you can also screw it into the corkscrew (believe it or not) and let the spring tension hold it in place for writing too!
@@JonGadget I'll try that out too, thanks for the tip.
Great video, I just ordered a Huntsman, and my next one will be the compact !
Excellent choices! 👍
I finally got my Compact as a Christmas present yesterday. My wife got me the ceramic pen case style sharpener and a Nano Clip. Loving it.💓 It doesn't quite fit into my work pants comfortably with the Zippo I've been carrying for 2 months. I don't smoke. Amazing combo in a pair of jeans though. I would have never gotten one without your video Jonathan. Thank you. Next up -> Case Trapper with the bright green bone scales as an addition to my tiny collection. I've decided to sideline the purchase of the Huntsman. The Trapper is better suited for me as the compliment to The Compact for the time being.
Great feedback - thanks for sharing and enjoy your Compact 👍
@@JonGadget Thanks for making this video. Without it I would still be looking for the right pocket knife.
In my youth, I carried the Climber model. Unfortunately, I had to give it up at a security checkpoint shortly after 9/11 and pretty much stopped carrying a pocket knife. I'm interested in carrying one again and have the benefit of the internet to explore all the different models available. I've settled on the Compact because it does seem to strike a good balance between functionality and size (particularly thickness) - which means I'm more likely to carry it. Thanks for the video and also for pointing out the aftermarket components too (e.g. fire starter). Great content - Thanks!
It's still my EDC and I am sure it will be great for you too - thanks for the feedback 🙏
Crear review. Many thanks. 👏👏👏👏❤
Thank you Ricardo 🙏
Thanks for the review Jon, I had no idea the compact had this much stuff. I am indeed looking for a slimmer alternative to my huntsman (and I always feel a bit nervous taking that out in the uk anyway as the small blade and large when opened at the same time can potentially make it look a bit ominous). Thanks also for explaining the kindling and ferro rod attachments, I had seen them before but not understood them. For a new channel you have a really professional set up and presenting ability.
Thanks for the kind comments - really appreciated 🙏
By the way, I'm loving your background wall!
Thanks 🙏 it’s made up of stuff I’ve collected over the years! Only addition is LED coloured lights for TH-cam purposes.
The original guy, who started showcasing various uses of the Victorinox tools is Nikos Doulas NikGyver. You may want to check his video on the various uses for the hook too.
thanks - I'll check it out
I carry a Hiker. It has tools that can easily be used around the house as well as outdoors, hiking and camping.
I do bring a fixed blade in those latter cases as well.
Hiker is a great option for dual use and philips is a great addition - I would miss those scissors though.
@@JonGadget that hook actually interests me. I think it’s utility may be quite underrated.
Thank you!
I went for huntsman for the saw and also made a pin from a safety pin cutting off to leave the eye curl on it fits in pin hole and I keep a small magnet behind it.
Great choice with Huntsman and some great tips - thanks for sharing. I am looking at this for my outdoor kit as alternative to Alox Farmer but for EDC I prefer two layers.
I just purchased one as it gave me all the functions I needed in the smallest size possible... then I came across your vid.. spooky.
Hi. Johnathan, I actually love the hook.
Love your videos. I have been carrying an Opinel 6 or a Case two blade. I decided to go with a Victorinox for my new pocket knife. After much research (there are so many models lol) I am between the Climber and the Compact. I think I’m going with the Climber. I really want that small blade. The plus scales on the Compact are very tempting though. Your videos have helped a ton. Thanks.
Thanks for the feedback and kind comments. You can always add plus scales to the Climber if that helps?
@@JonGadget I went ahead and ordered a white Climber last night. I will look into swapping scales but I really like those white scales on it. To be fair I will probably end up with a Compact too at some point 😂. If I’m going to be honest I believe I just stepped into a rabbit hole, I will likely end up with many Victorinox knives.
I do not think that I can pick one or even two perfect knives. You are better at that than I. When I went to Austria, I had such a difficult time even deciding on the first one to buy. One thing that I do know, like you, is that the scissors are most important, after a blade.
Where I live I can carry a locking knife , so I have one as my edc . I still edc a camper sak for the extra tools and so I can have a friendlier cutting tool for public use
Great videos - many thanks.
I love Victorinox & have an extensive collection, but a proper philips head screwdriver is a must for me, & I wont buy anything without one.
I dont like the mid-mount philips either, so the Explorer & Huntsman lite are my 2 favourite SAK's for EDC.