The Victorinox Classic SD Swiss Army Knife is a tiny, multi-purpose, well-made piece of equipment. If you hardly have room in your pocket or purse for more than a car key and a house key, the Classic should slide in there virtually unnoticed. Unnoticed, that is until you need it. Despite the toy-like stature, this little tool packs in function and quality at a very affordable price.
Performance Comparison
In overall scoring, due mainly to its compact stature, the overall score of the Victorinox is nothing special. As a pocket knife, it is fairly simple. However, for those that don't think of themselves as "pocket knife people," the Classic deserves special consideration.
The Classic is an excellent and manly way to carry a manicure kit in your pocket.
Blade and Edge Integrity
Victorinox brings a long history of well-made blades to the table. The blade is slim and short, and therefore isn't suitable for extended cutting or rugged tasks. However, for most household and office tasks, it is more than adequate. Upon initial deployment, the blade seems flimsy. However, in years and years of usage, our testing team has yet to see any failures.
The Swiss Army is well known for two things: Swiss men between ages of 19 and 34 are required to be trained and equipped to defend their neutral country, and the government commissions the construction of official Swiss Army knives from two domestic manufacturers. Victorinox is one of those producers. Both manufacturers are required to mark near the base of the main blades of the official knives. The Classic SD model is labeled there with the simple designation "Victorinox Swiss Made Stainless." This understated description of the blade material belies its sophisticated and reliable construction. The steel is a proprietary blend but works very well. It holds an edge consistently and sharpens easily.
Ergonomics
The Classic SD knife is designed to optimize compactness and versatility. As such, it is not the most ergonomic knife in our test. You won't spend hours cutting with the Classic. You won't choose to saw through thick ropes or dress wild game. However, all tools are easily deployed and can be operated to their intended capacity. Each of the three main tools (blade, file/screwdriver, and scissors) is equipped with a simple fingernail cut out and pulls out smoothly with minimal pressure. Even after years and years of pocket-living, the tools fold out easily and smoothly. Encased in the sides of the Classic SD are a toothpick and pair of tweezers. Each of these pulls out completely, and stow away with just a "friction fit" holding them in. It is a testament to the quality of construction that this friction grip remains tight through the life and use of a tool like this. Careful and close manufacturing tolerances hold the tools when necessary, but give them up when the user wishes to use them.
The other tiny knives are similarly compromised in ergonomics. The Gerber STL 2.0 and Old Timer 180T Mighty Mite are equally small and similarly limited for heavy tasks. The CRKT Squid is a step up in size, but significantly more friendly in hand. The Best Buy Opinel No. 8 is only a little bit heavier than the Classic, but is quite a bit larger for better usability.
Construction Quality
Again, the toy-like specifications belie the durability and quality of this inexpensive knife. Victorinox produces the Classic on an economy of scale. Corners are not cut. Rather, they count on generations spreading the love with gifts of Classic knives. The high-quality stainless steel throughout, firmly affixed and colorful side plates, combined with smooth operating hinges, results in a tiny tool that inspires confidence. Aside from misplacing tweezers and toothpicks, our testers have had no trouble with the integrity of the Classic SD knife.
Again, the best comparison is to the smaller knives. The Gerber STL 2.0 suffers some stickiness in its hinges, while the Old Timer seems flimsier than the Classic. For the size, the Classic is worthwhile.
Portability
The Classic Swiss Army Knife shares overall dimensions that are somewhat similar to the Gerber STL 2.0 Fine Edge. However, the Classic packs in far more versatility and a blade that is just as useful into that package. The Classic comes right out of the box equipped with a tiny split ring. Threading the included split ring onto your existing key chain leaves the knife free to rotate and nest in amongst your keys while carrying. And then in usage, you have some freedom from the keys also. The scissors open to the end opposite the key chain. This leaves the keys completely out of the way of scissor usage. The blade and nail file open on end, adjacent to the key ring attachment. In application, provided you're carrying no more than five or six keys, you just grasp the whole bundle (keys, ring, knife handle) together while using the blade or file.
The Old Timer 180T Mighty Mite is slightly smaller but has no built-in key ring. The CRKT Squid is twice the size and much heavier, but has a modern pocket clip that enhances the portability. The Best Buy Kershaw Leek has a much larger blade, but is about the same thickness as the Classic. For ultimate portability, consider all these aforementioned smaller knives.
Eminently portable, the Classic knife virtually disappears on most key chains.
Other Features
In our review list, no knife is equipped with more features than the Classic. In day-to-day use, especially for those in more cosmopolitan or business settings, the small suite of tools on the Classic is all one needs. When carried primarily for personal grooming, the Classic is essentially a comprehensive tool in a micro package. The blade, file, and scissors together rival even the most complete manicuring kits. And you can slice an apple with it. And cut your fishing line. And tighten the squeaky screw under your office chair. And tweeze that paper clip from between the keys of your computer keyboard. And trim the corners from your tent repair tape. And the list goes on and on…
No other knife we looked at has the features of the Classic. In fact, none come close. The next most featured knife is our other Top Pick, the SOG Trident Elite. The SOG is optimized as a "tactical knife," with functions designed for escape, as well as breaking and entering.
The suite of features on the Classic is just right for daily use in most settings. Note the tiny tweezers and toothpick in the foreground.
Best Applications
The OutdoorGearLab testing team heartily recommends the Victorinox Classic SD knife for everyday carry for those who are otherwise reluctant to carry a knife. If you're the person who asserts that you'll never need a knife handy, we challenge you to stow this small device on your keys and keep tabs of the times your pride requires you to overlook its handiness. Eventually, you will relent and fully embrace the productivity and utility you gain as a pocket knife carrier.
Value
We find it remarkable that Victorinox can afford to distribute such a quality piece of equipment at this affordable price. It will last you as long as you can keep track of it, and you'll readily replace it when misplaced. You'll get one for your summer-camp bound niece and two for your new college student. Once someone in your circle or family starts the tradition of gifting little Classic Swiss Army knives, the primary challenge will be keeping track of who else has adopted the idea and who has which color on which set of keys.
Conclusion
Our testing team's long history with the Victorinox Classic SD knife inspires nostalgia for those first youthful feelings of independence and usefulness. Our lead test editor owned one as a kid and was asked to test one for OutdoorGearLab. In both sessions with the knife, his recommendation would be the same. This is an excellent knife for he or she who otherwise wouldn't bother to carry a blade or pocket tool.
Lead knife reviewer Jediah Porter as a kid with his Victorinox Classic. The tiny handle is just right for small hands. Larger hands will mainly use the knife for lighter duty tasks.
