Best Swiss Army Knife: 15 Top Picks for Every Need

The humble and iconic Swiss Army Knife has stood the test of time thanks to its quality construction, affordability, and sheer usefulness while navigating daily life. Nothing else on the market can offer the adaptability and value for money that Victorinox brings to the table with these enduring pocket knife multi-tools. Thanks to the sheer number of models they offer, there is an option for you, whether you are a seasoned camper, an urban fashionista, or a hardworking tradesman. If you need some help narrowing things down, this list is for you.

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Urban EDC: Explorer

For city dwellers seeking a pocket-sized problem-solver, the Victorinox Explorer is our model of choice with 12 implements perfect for the urban jungle. A magnifying glass allows you to zoom in on fine print and the inline Phillips screwdriver is great for everyday fixes. Scissors can handle loose threads or stray whiskers while the pair of stainless blades can handle more demanding cuts. Whether you need to tighten a loose screw or need to open some stubborn packaging, the Explorer is a versatile and dependable ally for everyday urban adventures.

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Camping: Huntsman

When it comes to camping pocket knives, the Victorinox Huntsman is easy to recommend. This Swiss Army Knife boasts outdoor essentials such as a capable wood saw, a pair of blades for whittling or food prep,a sharp awl to help with repairs, and more! We especially appreciate the corkscrew, but not for what you might think. This implement is remarkably useful for untying stubborn knots and you can even carry a firestarter and tinder inside of it thanks to Victorinox’s Fire Ant accessories. Thanks to its crafty range of tools and affordability relative to other Swiss Army Knives, the Huntsman is a steadfast companion on any camping trip.

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Your Keychain: Rambler

For ultimate convenience, the Victorinox Rambler can’t be beat as the best Swiss Army Knife for your keychain. It boasts the same essentials as the also popular Classic SD (blade, scissors, screwdriver/nail file, toothpick and tweezers) but adds one more implement that takes this keychain knife to the next level – a combo tool that works as a Phillips screwdriver, wire stripper and bottle opener! Plus, unlike with the Classic SD, the small blade opens away from your keychain, making it far easier to actually use. Thanks to its lightweight construction and superior functionality, this is the keychain knife to beat!

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Tactical & Military: One-Hand Soldier

For soldiers and tactical professionals, the Victorinox Soldier Swiss Army Knife is standard issue to the modern Swiss Army for good reason. It starts with the blade which is larger than most Swiss Army Knives, locks open for safety, and features one-handed opening for quick access. The partial serrations excel at cutting rope and other demanding tasks while the included saw is on hand for more aggressive cuts. The reamer, wire stripper, and screwdrivers are invaluable for expedient repairs in the field, making this knife an indispensable addition to any combat kit.

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Survival Kits: Farmer

If you are building a survival kit, the Victorinox Farmer is a great choice; the robust Alox handles and thicker blade ensure this knife can handle more abuse than your typical Swiss Army Knife. Beyond that, it has just the right tools without going overboard, including a wood saw that works great for building a makeshift shelter and a reamer that can bore holes and scrape a firesteel to get the fire roaring. While other Swiss Army Knives boast more features, the Farmer prioritizes strength and practicality while keeping the size manageable, making it easy to carry alongside other vital survival supplies.

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Ultralight Hiking: EvoGrip S18

Although there are lighter options in the Victorinox lineup, the EvoGrip S18 covers both camping necessities as well as personal grooming essentials, allowing you to pack less in other areas. It also comes standard with extra safety features we appreciate if you are relying on this as your only knife, including a locking blade and high-visibility handles with rubber inserts for extra traction in wet or cold conditions. Thanks to what this Swiss Army Knife is capable of, you’ll be glad you didn’t leave the EvoGrip S18 behind.

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Minimalist EDC: Compact

If you like to keep your carry minimal without giving up capability, the 2-layer Victorinox Compact packs a ton of function in a frame that disappears in your pocket. Its 10 implements are carefully chosen, with the innovative Combo Tool combining the jobs of several implements in one. It can turn flathead or Phillips screws, open bottles or cans, act as a pry tool, and even strip wires. The red handles include a ballpoint pen and sharp pin in addition to the standard toothpick and tweezers, and an eyeglass screwdriver even hides away inside the corkscrew, ensuring there is no wasted space on this model. There are Swiss Army Knives with more functions, but with the versatility of the Compact, you may never need to reach for them.

The Best Swiss Army Knife To Give As A Gift: Classic SD

Stuck on a gift idea? Look no further than the Victorinox Classic SD! For one thing, this is among the best-selling Swiss Army Knives because of its size and utility, fitting a small blade, scissors, nail file, screwdriver, and toothpick and tweezers on your keychain. Secondly, its enduring popularity has ensured there are many color options, unique graphics and special editions to choose from. This will make it easy to show someone you care by giving them a version that perfectly fits their personality.

The Best “Gentleman’s” Swiss Army Knife: Cadet

The slim profile and refined Alox handle scales of the Victorinox Cadet exude sophistication. It is perfect for use as a gentleman’s knife in both formal and casual social situations with a pen blade that is elegant and sharp. This model has just enough tools to be useful without making your suit or slacks appear lumpy. We especially appreciate the nail file which can keep you looking your best, while the can and bottle openers with their screwdriver tips are waiting in the wings when needed.

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Travelling & Airport Security: Jetsetter

Small, functional, and perfect for traveling light, the Victorinox Jetsetter is compliant with TSA regulations by ditching the knife blade. It is far from helpless though! A sharp pair of scissors can help snip loose threads or open stubborn travel snacks. It also packs a combination tool that acts as a Phillips screwdriver, bottle opener, and wire stripper. Toothpick and tweezers are still standard equipment too. This makes it the perfect carry-on EDC tool for breezing through airport security!

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Your Wallet: SwissCard Lite

The Victorinox SwissCard Lite is a strong contender for the title of best wallet multitool. At just 4mm thick, it boasts eight useful implements without adding bulk to your billfold. We especially love the ballpoint pen and the 4-way screwdriver insert that allows the SwissCard Lite to outcompete full-size Swiss Army Knives for sheer utility. Because all of it can fit in the space of a credit card, it is supremely easy to carry every day.

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Grooming: NailClip

For personal grooming on the go, the Victorinox NailClip is perfect when stashed in a Dopp Kit or purse. The benefits of the included tweezers and fingernail file should be obvious, but it is the stainless steel nail clipper that makes it the king of this category. They are sharp and strong enough to tackle thick fingernails and the file is there to help smooth out any rough edges when you are done. The toothpick also helps keep you presentable, and while we aren’t saying you should replace the razor in your hygiene kit with the NailClip, it is remarkably easy to get the stainless steel blade razor sharp!

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Bushcraft: Forester

While our picks for camping (Huntsman), hiking (EvoGrip S18), or survival-style (Farmer) Swiss Army Knives would all be a good choice, bushcraft enthusiasts will likely appreciate the larger size and rustic appearance of the Forester model. The wood handle scales are comfortable even after using them for long periods of time and the extra length of the saw means it can tackle bigger cuts than smaller Swiss Army Knives. It has just the right set of carefully considered implements to make it a serious tool for thriving in the wilderness!

The Best Swiss Army Knife For Tinkering: Cybertool 34

Despite the name, the Victorinox Tinker is not our favorite Swiss Army Knife for tinkering with things. For that task, the Cybertool 34 with its micro bit driver takes the crown! It carries 4 double-sided bits that cover a wide range of sizes encountered on the electronics and other gadgets and household goods you might encounter on a daily basis. We also love the small pliers which are great for getting a grip in tight spaces. Whether you are fixing a laptop, changing batteries on a kid’s toy, or turning a loose screw on a pair of glasses, the Cybertool gets it done.

The Best Swiss Army Knife For the Handyman: SwissTool Spirit X

If you use your Swiss Army Knife for bigger projects or even on the job, you may want to upgrade to the SwissTool Spirit X which is based around a set of full-size pliers. These tools boast 24 different functions to cover the needs of professionals and serious craftsmen alike. It boasts ergonomically curved handles and durable construction that ensures it can handle tough tasks and unexpected repairs. Built to last, it is a reliable companion for any handyman’s tool belt.