Victorinox Compact: perfect EDC or overpriced compromise? #edc #victorinox #keychain #tools #pocket

[pg]

The "only a few millimeters" difference in thickness between a two layer and three layer SAK is significant in how the knife feels carried in the pocket. The Compact is nice because it's the only two layer 91mm with scissors, and the plus scales are useful. When I bought mine at $29 in 2015, it was a decent deal. At $59 currently, I'd pass on it.

The Manager that lives on my keychain gets the most use of any of my SAKs. The magnetized Philips head is tremendously useful.

[steveb]

I’d love the combo tool made sturdier, and combined with the new package opener, replace the traditional opener layer.

[rcannonp]

The Compact is my dinner party carry. I rarely attend dinner parties, though, so it doesn’t find its way into my pocket that often.

[erikbrock]

Little tip: You can use the corkscrew to clamp the pen to the back for a much more comfortable writing experience.

Yeah, $60 is about what these are going for Stateside, unfortunately. Great little knife, but that price hurts a lot. It's almost cheaper to add Plus scales to a Climber, and the only reason it isn't cheaper is because you then also have to buy the accessories.

[josiaharaki]

I haven't had a chance to try it myself, but I've heard the hook can be used with t-shank saw blades in conjunction with the key ring

[pawesedrowski]

I bought a Compact as I wanted something versatile but lighter than the Leatherman Charge that I was finding to be to heavy. Right now the Compact is my tier 0 EDC - something that I always have in my pocket when I go somewhere - alongside a torch, a lighter, pepper spray, phone and tissues. Charge is tier 1 that is carried in a fanny pack very often. Compact has a great combination of tools. I even like the hook that is very useful for dealing with strings and shoelaces. For a European urban EDC Compact is like the best jack off all trades. Combine it with a Leatherman for more heavy duty tasks and you're unstoppable. :-)

[ParkerBinion]

Decisions! I'm glad Victorinox makes so many excellent options. I'm glad the Compact exists. But I never carry it. At that width, I prefer the Pioneer X to which I add a Swiss Card or Manager for scale tools. If we go one layer thicker, I prefer the Yeoman or the Companion.

[Stringandsealingwax]

Manager/Rambler with the Alox Bantam is a good compromise.

[juanf.maldonadomarin]

My main carry is the Classic SD, as I work in a no-weapons/knives/blades environments but, during vacations and days out of work, my carry is a Compact, Climber or, Yeoman. Although initial price is higher on the Compact, when you add up the price for Plus scales, the pen, and the mini driver to a Climber it evens out (I've made two Climber plus already!) so, I prefer the Compact for slimness. An easier way to use the pen with the Compact, is to place it in the hook's channel and pinch it there by closing the hook over it. Thanks for the comprehensive comparison!

[guycwilson]

I sometimes carry one, mostly just use it around the house, but use my Minichamp and my Swisscard more often.

[HorsepowerHeaven]

My number one for now seems to be the huntsman. It has everything I need when paired along with a pair of Knipex cobra XS. Totally ditched my Leatherman arc into my backpack and slimmed down my carry to a SAK and a tiny pair of pliers

[fredrikstadwhite]

I love the compact, but I find I carry a manager/waiter combo more often.

[Arpegius]

The Compact is a must have.
It's the smallest 91mm victorinox with scissors. The combo tool is an interesting tool but as you mentioned : the classic bottle openner looks stronger.
The Compact has the philosophy to have more with less with a maximum numbers of tools with 2 or more fonctions. It's the only victorinox (the xxl doesn't count) with the hook/file.

Before 2025, in France, there was a real price gap between the Climber and the Compact. So the Climber was REALLY interesting and if you and a plus scale you can have a Climber with a pen. You lost the file on the hook but I prefer the file on the 58mm knife, it's more useful.

If you don't want the scissors (damn... Victorinox 91mm scissors are so good... ) the Sportman is a cleaver choice.
I don't have it, but I have a Waiter with the pin and the glasses screwdriver, It's smaller than the Compact, only one layer with the maximum of tools.
And you can add a classic SD to have small scissors.
(The combo Alox Bantam + Classic Sd or Rambler is amazing)

Like I said on the beginning of my comment, in 2025, the price of the 3 and 4 layers knife has increased :( The explorer cost more than 50€, the Climber is almost as expressive as the Compact (but the Climber is delivered without the pin, it's a shame...)

In my opinion : if you want offer his first victorinox to someone with no specific need, the Climber is perfect (as the super tinker, a Climber variation with the Phillips screwdriver instead of the corkscrew).

Thanks for your video !

[The-Homecook-]

The best of the best in its class...I love it...Buy it..

[stephenwright]

Except for the pen, the Climber is very similar but half the cost. I'll carry the extra layer and $30 over the Compact. I would like the Compact to have the drill/punch instead of the hook, and then maybe it would be worth it.

[mikeeygq]

I love it. But if they ever put a nail file on the climber… I’d love that more

[paulstevens]

It is both excellent and overpriced IMO. I’ve heard the price is because it requires more manual assembly. It’s the kind of an EDC connoisseur’s knife, being so efficient.

But I agree that most people would be served just fine with the Manager.

[ironman]

I've been seeing new Compacts for about $40 lately.

[valtaquin]

I agree it's overpriced. It's good but pricey

[hgheadS]

Not a fan of this one. I'll gladly carry a climber over this but I prefer a 4+ layer SAK. 1/2 layers just doesn't give you enough versatility, which is the whole point of carrying a multi-tool. I have dedicated folders for 1 tool options.