When one hears the term "new and improved" it can often cause one to cringe, as it sometimes means that the new improvements have been cosmetic and sometimes even result in a lower quality for the resulting product. Luckily for us, that's not the case with the Victorinox Swiss Army One-Hand Trekker, which comes with a free Victorinox Classic Knife. See my photo in the product page for a good size comparison.
Have had a bit over a year to experience using this new Victorinox Swiss Army One-Hand Trekker, and have found that it exceeded every one of my high expectations. Those expectations were based on prior ownership of many of this company's products, including the Victorinox Swiss Army Midnite Minichamp, the Swiss Army Champion Plus, the Swiss Army Ranger and more. Each of these products had served me well, and some of them have seen service for years.
First Impressions:
Didn't know what to expect when I first heard about Victorinox making changes to the basic design of the classic Swiss Army Knife that we've all known for years, but based on the quality that had been found in their earlier products, it was worth a shot to try out this model. There were two things that stood out immediately: the new locking serrated blade and the 4-3/8 inch long black handle. Immediately found out that the ergonomic handle, larger than most genuine Swiss Army knives, fit my hand perfectly... it was love at first grip. Further found that the new serrated blade was amazingly good, and that the locking feature was just what many of us had wondered about and requested for years. Just shows that this is a company that listens to the desires of its customers and then responds.
Features:
* Ergonomic handle, measures 4-3/8 inches (111 mm) long.
* Full-length serrated locking blade.
* Phillips screwdriver, a real one, at 90 degrees from the handle.
* Wood saw... and it really works.
* Reamer blade, also 90 degrees from the handle.
* Flat blade large locking screwdriver, which incorporates a wire stripper.
* Can opener with a small flat blade screwdriver on the end.
* Classic toothpick and tweezers. Useful when you least expect it.
* Key ring. Personally use this with a small lanyard, and not for keys.
Overall Impression:
Having spent over a year with this SAK, really a true multipurpose tool, has made me put my other Swiss Army knives away as far as day-to-day functionality goes. The engineers at Victorinox have come up with a winner with the One Hand Trekker, and it's proof that someone wasn't asleep at the wheel when it came to incorporating real functionality with contemporary ergonomic design.
Pros:
* Excellent ergonomic handle, practical locking blade.
* Good value for the money when considering a multipurpose tool.
* Excellent fit and finish, as one would expect from Victorinox.
* Useful assortment of practical tools in a small package.
* Lifetime warranty, as in all Victorinox knives.
Cons:
* No included belt sheath. It's an optional extra.
Note: As an added bonus, this package comes with a free Victorinox Swiss Army Classic Pocket Knife. This little gem is also a keeper or can be the perfect gift item for someone who appreciates good workmanship. There are other good reviews on the Classic, so I'll just stick with the One-Hand Trekker here.
In Summary:
When it comes to day by day functionality, the Victorinox One-Hand Trekker may be the most useful Swiss Army knife yet. The design is excellent, and the choice of tools (or blades) in this product may prove to be perfect for many. My only complaint is that it doesn't come with even a basic belt sheath for those of us with too much in their pockets already. If you wish to forgo the toothpick and tweezers, look at the Victorinox One-Hand Trekker German Army Multi-Tool with its distinctive Bundeswehr dark green handle. If you prefer Swiss neutrality, then there's the new standard-issue Victorinox Swiss Army Soldier Knife, which has a unique ergonomic dual-density handle, and even had the production year etched on blade shank. The latter is my next one, that's for sure.
The Victorinox One-Hand Trekker is a 5-star product, and one that looks like it will be one that this reviewer will be using for many years to come.
Get more detail about Victorinox Swiss Army One Hand Trekker with Free Classic Knife.
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