Full length tools
Large blade: Most Victorinox knives in 91mm have the large drop point blade. The large blade is almost as long as the knife itself. It has a standard v-ground edge and is 58mm in length.
Large serrated blade: The serrated blade is hard to find nowadays. The large serrated blade is identical in size to the regular large blade. It is 58mm in length and is fully serrated.
Scissors: The legendary scissors incorporate a user replaceable spring between their handles to automatically open the blades when pressure is released from the handles. This automatic opening by the spring makes them easier to operate and enables very quick cutting. The springs for the scissors are quite durable and can last a lifetime with only a little care.
Pliers: The pliers in the 91mm frame are opened by picking up the end of the tool, which protrudes slightly beyond the end of the frame, an equivalent technique to the deployment of the saw.
Cybertool: The Victorinox Cybertool was first introduced in the year 2000. This Cybertool layer is unique, cause of the bit-driver which comes with four interchangeable bits, each with two heads. Many of the bits are designed for screw types and sizes commonly found in electronic and computer equipment, making these models especially useful for people who regularly work with this type of equipment. When closed, one bit is stored in the driver itself while the other three are housed in a special rack or bitholder that fits below the driver. The rack has a small protrusion on the end that prevents the bit in the driver from falling out. The following bits are available:
- Bit: flathead 3x1mm + flathead 4x1mm
- Bit: torx T6 + torx T8
- Bit: hex 1.2mm + hex 1.5mm
- Bit: hex 2.0mm + hex 2.5mm
- Bit: phillips #2 + flathead 4mm
- Bit: pozidrive #0 + pozidrive #1
- Bit: torx T10 + torx T15
- Bit: torx T8 + hex 4mm
Metalfile: The metal saw is manufactured with a special hardening process, and an additional hard chromium plating to produce a hardness capable of cutting iron. On each side of the saw blade is a metal file, one side is coarser than the other. The fine side is smooth enough to be used as a nail file in a pinch. The opposite end wil be toolless (no small blade or otherwise).
Woodsaw: This excellent wood saw is a very popular tool that has proven very effective not only with wood, but with other softer materials as well. The saw is reported to have a hardness rating of RC 53. The 91mm size woodsaw does not have nail nicks since the tool tip extends slightly allowing easy opening.
Pharmaceutical Spatula: The pharmaceutical spatula is a knife like utensil with a rounded, smoothly ground blade. The spatula is used to work or mix powders, ointments, and creams. It is also used to transfer quantities of drugs from their containers to the prescription balance. They have also been used in counting pills and moving them for transfer to a pill bottle. This tool is a Victorinox exclusive tool is pretty rare and only found on the largest knives in the regular lineup, currently only the XLT- and XAVT-models.
Fork: The fork one of the few layers offered which is not an original Victorinox Part. The source part is made by the Czech company Mikov. The tool and backspring is modded, reground and repolished to match the orginal Victorinox walk-n-talk as closely as possible. It’s impossible however to get the exactly the same, strong snap as Victorinox OEM parts.
Fork with caplifter: The fork one of the few layers offered which is not an original Victorinox Part. The source part is made by the Czech company Mikov. The tool and backspring is modded, reground and repolished to match the orginal Victorinox walk-n-talk as closely as possible. It’s impossible however to get the exactly the same, strong snap as Victorinox OEM parts
The Fish Scaler tool is a multi-purpose fishing tool only available on some 91mm knife models. The ridged bottom edge of the tool is the fish scale remover. The tip is a “U”-shaped fish hook disgorger used to safely remove a hook from a fish’s mouth. On the back side of most of these tools is a ruler with metric gradations (accuracy 5mm) on the one side and a imperial scale on the other. A novel usage for the Fish Scaler appears to be Halloween Pumpkin Carving; the wide serrations are apparently ideal and because the tool is safe for younger carvers it might even be the best suited tool for the job ever.
Half length tools
Small blade: The small blade is found on most 91mm Victorinox patterns. It shape is very similar to the large blade. It’s thinner and more precise and it has a cutting edge of roughly 36mm.
Combotool: This tool replaces the cap-lifter and can-opener layer in just one tool. It is noticeably thinner than its cousins, measuring only 1.44mm in width at the tang. The tool incorporates a flat head screwdriver, can-opener, cap-lifter (bottle opener) and wire stripper. It uses a half-stop that allows the tool to catch for use in the 90º position.
Technicians screwdriver: The Technician’s Screwdriver is a flat headed screwdriver that fits in a knife layer. It has a slender and narrow blade head that is good for working with adjustment screws.It is officially known as the Fine Screwdriver, although this name is also used for the more contemporary 91mm back-side screwdriver. Its name is taken from the knife for which it is the differentiating feature, the 93mm Alox Technician. As these knives are rare, a Victorinox can-opener is reground to fit the same purpose.
The Watch Case Opener, or Case-Back knife, is designed for the horology industry. The special blade is used for opening watches with a pressure fit (snap-back) case. Most knives made with them are advertising premiums made for various watch makers and jewelers. This relatively blunt tool can fit many other purposes.
Inline awl: The 93mm frame knives don’t have backside-tools. the Reamer is on the front-side and shares the layer with the main blade. This variation has a distinctly different shape/design with a more pronounced taper, and right angle bend at the top edge forming the spine of the blade. This bend aids in reaming of some materials and also serves as a catch to open the tool, rather than the typical nail-nick on the side of the blade. This version is inline with the frame of the knife. It does not include a sewing eye and has a sharpened edge of 29.9mm, which is longer than the 91mm version. On many materials this version is actually the most effective, or efficient, reamer.
Electricians Blade: A small ‘sheepsfoot’ blade with a special concave insulation cutting/wire scraper edge near the tang. It’s pretty rare in the 91mm frame. It can be found on the largest knives in the regular lineup, currently only the XLT- and XAVT-models.
Pruner Blade: Sometimes also called the hawkbill or hook blade. It is fairly uncommon today, a small pruning hawkbill or hook blade was available on some legacy 91mm patterns. Its shape is useful in pruning of flowers and small shrubs or trees. Currently it’s only found on the XLT- and XAVT-models in the 91mm frame.
Inline phillips (long): The 91mm in-line Phillips screwdriver is suitable for both Phillips #1 and #2 screws. The inline-Phillips of legacy Victorinox knives is a bit longer for a deeper reach into tight spaces. This was possible cause of the smaller grey ‘oldschool’ magnifying glass on the opposing side in these old layers.
Inline phillips: The 91mm in-line Phillips screwdriver is suitable for both Phillips #1 and #2 screws. The inline-Phillips catches (friction lock) in the 90deg position as well as in the fully extended position which can be useful for getting into a tight spot or to allow for more torque to loosen or tighten a screw. The driver locks (friction lock) slightly harder in the fully extended position. Although this is not a true locking tool, the friction lock is hard enough to really help prevent the tool from closing during use.
Magnifying glass ‘oldschool’: The magnifying glass was first introduced in 1973 and featured a glass lens with an 8x magnification in a grey plastic housing. It was always in the same layer as the in-line Phillips screwdriver, except on the Cybertool Lite and Swisschamp XAVT, where it is opposite the LED light module.
Magnifying glass ‘newstyle’: This magnifier has a slightly wider area of view due to the slimmer housing and lower magnification. The in-line Phillips driver was replaced with the already shortened driver from models with the light module, to accommodate the new magnifying glass. Currently the latest magnifier usesa glass lens with a 6x magnification, whilst retaining the clear plastic housing.
LED light: The white in-line LED light module is a feature of some 91mm models, mostly called ‘lite’. The sliding switch can be locked in the on-position or, when in the off-position, pressed down for momentary-on operation. The latest and most bright version is used. The unit is powered by two replaceable button cell 3V CR1225 batteries.
The Universal Wrench is a gripper tool that has a multiple size hex head wrench opening at the end. It works for sizes M3, M4 and M5. It is very useful for emergency bike repairs while on the road. While it has a decent size opening it is mainly for smaller bolts or nuts.
Caplifter: Like many other Swiss Army Knife tools, the cap-lifter (sometimes known as the bottle-opener or the large screwdriver), is designed to do more than just one thing. This tool includes a robust flat-head screwdriver, a cap-lifter, and a wire-stripping notch. The caplifter stops, (friction lock/catch) when opened at both 90° and 180° (fully opened). The catch/lock is a little stronger when fully extended. The extra catch enables the screwdriver to be used in the fully extended position, but also in the 90° position, which can help torque or accessibility. It also helps keep the tool from unintentionally closing whilst being used.
Canopener: Dedicated to the task of opening cans. It has the addition of a small slotted screwdriver that is shaped and also intended for use with Phillips screws. The width of the screw driver end is roughly 3mm. The current tool has a hardness of RC 52. It can be used with wire shielding, snap-back watch cases, and other small blade short cut duties where the shorter tool length provides better control.
Backside tools
Corkscrew: The corkscrew is amongst the most common, distinctive and iconic features of a Swiss Army knife. Although not everybody drinks wine, Swiss Army Knife users have found a number of additional uses for the corkscrew tool, like extracting stuff and loosening knots. It also stores the mini-screwdriver.
Phillips: The back-side no.2 Phillips is the most common version of the Phillips screwdriver on a Swiss Army Knife. It’s is located on the back of the knife in the place that the Corkscrew occupies on many models. Some models of the Swiss Army Knife differ only by their inclusion of either the back-side Phillips or the corkscrew. The design of the knives/tools does not allow both to be included.
Reamer: The reamer is present on many Victorinox models. Historically the tool started out as an Awl, some people still refer to it as such, but Victorinox is currently referring to it as a Reamer, Punch. The current 91mm backside version extends 37.7mm, with a sharpened edge of 22.8mm. The Reamer is typically used for punching holes in lighter material such as leather or canvas, and drilling (or reaming) holes into materials like wood.
Hook: The hook is sometimes referred to as the parcel carrier, since this is a common and targeted use for the hook. It would be used for parcels that are tied up with string: The string is looped through the hook; the hand carries the SAK, with the hook pointing downwards, between two fingers – this prevents the string from cutting into the fingers/hand. It is rated for use up to 200lbs. Like many SAK tools, its uses can be many and varied. There are several videos on YouTube, and threads on MultiTool.org, discussing uses for this tool.
Nailfile hook: The hook is sometimes referred to as the parcel carrier, since this is a common and targeted use for the hook. It would be used for parcels that are tied up with string: The string is looped through the hook; the hand carries the SAK, with the hook pointing downwards, between two fingers – this prevents the string from cutting into the fingers/hand. It is rated for use up to 200lbs. Like many SAK tools, its uses can be many and varied. There are several videos on YouTube, and threads on MultiTool.org, discussing uses for this tool. This version adds a new feature to the hook: An engraved nail-file surface on the back along its spine. However, this ‘enhanced’ version is only supplied with a few models, such as the Compact and XAVT.
Mini combo tool: The mini combo tool is present on some 58mm Victorinox models like the Rambler and the Rally. It combines a bottle opener, magnetic phillips head screwdriver and wire stripper notch. It’s particularly good for very small phillips screws.
Chisel: A small narrow (wood) chisel of the backside, perpendicular to the handle.
Fine screwdriver: The fine screwdriver is a small ~2.5mm straight (slotted, flathead) screwdriver located on the backside.