Victorinox Huntsman

On a suggestion from a number of different viewers, I decided to pick up a Victorinox Huntsman. I find it to have an almost ideal tool set for an outdoorsman's multi knife. If I had the option, I would change the tool set up just slightly. I also feel that being a four layer knife, it is just a tad bulky for pocket carry. Though that is subjective, and your opinion may differ.

Victorinox Huntsman

[ryanjamesloyd]

Its been my EDC for decades. A good pouch for those, is the middle finger of a large worn out leather glove- which you can make into a neck knife sheath, hang from a belt, or just keep it in a pocket so it doesn't wear your pocket out. For my dad I stitched a pocket clip onto one so it would hang inside his back pocket right. It's also good padding if you've got a lot of whittling to do, just open your blade and slip the pouch on the handle. much more comfortable.

(you can make a pouch lid, by cutting a connected flap from the palm or back of the glove.)

Anyway, somebody might find that useful.

[DylanLey]

IMO, you can never go wrong with scissors, no matter the environment. So instead of replacing the scissors with a file, I'd personally replace the corkscrew or hook with a file.

[mubbles]

I find that the corkscrew is a perfect addition to the Huntsman, i swapped out the toothpick for a Ferro rod and the corkscrew being the tinder storage is a fantastic option.

[quimblyjones]

Mate just wanted to say thanks for the video quality, the humour and how gosh darn clear you make everything.

It's rare to see and I really appreciate the effort you put in.

Hope you all have a great day

[nikgyver]

i have a story about huntsman.first it was my first SAK that i ever bought(1993), wasn't my first SAK, but it was the first i bought, also it was my edc knife from the 1993 until the 1996.at the 1999 i was to the army for 1.5 year.the first months i was carry the huntsman, after a military training in the woods i realized that my huntsman was missed from my pocket, i was in panic, i was ''naked'' without my sak.I was inside the engine of a battle tank for maintenance, a miracle!! my huntsman was in there, full of petroleum, but still like new!! all the tools are essential and believe me the scissors it was one of my military best ''friends''.the filedmaster has the same tools set, except the corkscrew, the filedmaster contains a phillips head, also have a look in the ranger model, it is like the huntsman, with extra functions, the metal file and chisel, so i think is one of the best outdoor tools.

[robertdufour]

So happy every time there is a new presentation! Thank you, Sir!

[Fender]

That is an interesting take on the scissors, I use the Victorinox scissors all the time when hunting and fishing. Fishing they are just invaluable for cutting line and opening up small packages. For hunting I mainly use them to open up small items, cutting leukotape for blister management, gear maintenance and repair and opening up certain food packaging that I want to keep for later so I only cut the corner of it. The main reason why I love Victorinox for outdoors is the flexibility with gear repair and first aid. Im always using the tweezers, scissors and saw. I use the saws 90 degree spine as a fire striker for ferro rods. The blades are really good for fine detail work when caping an animal (work around the eyes, face, toes) and really good for small precision cuts. Occasionally if I have bone breakage from my arrow I will use the saw to cut the broadhead out or cut a pelvic bone if I need to open it for cooling.

Yeah, I cant think of a time I would need a file while hunting or fishing. I bring a dedicated diamond medium and fine sharpener and I put compound on my leather belt because you need to sharpen your knives while skinning but you need fine edge performance that you just wont get on files on multi tools.

[scenicdriveways]

I have been carrying a Magnum by Boker Camp Pocket knife for over 3 years now, before that I carried a U.S. Camillus military pocket knife for over 23 years until I wore out the springs in it. My $20 Magnum by Boker has all the same tools as my U.S. Camillus had, and my Magnum camp knife has held up terrific and has done everything I needed it to do. It's been a terrific pocket knife, especially for a $20 knife.
But after seeing what Felix Immler can do with a Victorinox Hunstman, I believe I am ready to upgrade and buy the Huntsman. Plus, I think it will be the perfect companion to my Victorinox Swiss Tool X Plus Ratchet multitool.
Thanks for the review, I enjoyed it.

JT

[neilwhite]

The file is why I upgraded to the Ranger from the huntsman. EDC in my pocket. Hanging on a pocket clip.

[johnossendorf]

I'v pocket EDCed my second Swiss Champ for 36 years. I bought it after losing my first one on a High school geology hike in 1985. It is part of me and has saved my bacon many times. IMHO, there is no need to own activity specific SAK'S if you carry a Swiss Champ, it's one and done. Admittedly, I did buy a Huntsman Light several years ago. It is very nice, but it was an impulse buy and lives in my desk drawer. I'll probably give it to my daughter some day.

[scottmcintosh]

The Hintsman is their bestbseller at Victronox !! Great choice !!!

[singingtoad]

Perhaps a possible 3rd option for the corkscrew/philips driver could be some sort of bit exchanger or socket driver? Anyway, another great review Ben. Cheers!

[brutalbrital]

Had mine for 25 years loved it so much I bought a new one, going to recondition my old one. My addition of an small glasses screwdriver is excellent for my glasses. I can not fault any tool on mine.

[orenmontgomery]

I totally agree, especially since so many people also keep a Classic SD or other 58mm with scissors on them anyway (which usually does the job).

I'm always tempted to get a Ranger because it has the same stuff as a Huntsman but ALSO the metal file, a small wood chisel (very nice for bushcraft), and another small screwdriver (which invites grinding down the one on the can opener to make a good curved wood carving blade for spoons [might be tempted to flatten the small blade into a better whittling blade in that case]). I just don't think I can handle 5 layers. I use a camper now but I'm picking up a Huntsman because the scissors and the hook are pretty tempting even if it means stacking on the extra layer (I'd rather have a chisel and file though).

Ultimately I think what I'd most like is:
Layer 1
Big blade / Small blade (converted to whittle)
Layer 2
Saw
Layer 3
Metal file

Back
Corkscrew
Awl
Chisel

(Yes, NO openers, NO drivers, NO scissors)

Add Plus scales
Add Fire Ant Tinder, glasses screwdriver and replace toothpick with Firefly farro.

ALSO CARRY
58mm
Rambler lite/midnite rambler [non-existent] (midnight manager with the pen scale removed and changed to hold the toothpick)

Basically it would outsource a lot of stuff. The 58mm would be my bottle opener (no cans though) my scissors, my screwdrivers, and my little box opener blade, flashlight, and toothpick (all of my household needs) and the 91mm could just be a woodworking beast to carry if I go into the woods.

[timsummers]

The Ranger would be what you’re looking for if you wanna have a file too. Perhaps you could review your preference for 3-layer SAKs, exceptionally accepting one more layer to make room for the Huntsman. I have a Ranger and it’s perfectly pocketable. However, I know this is a personal choice. I’d never give up the scissors, but that’s personal too.

[andreasbuder]

I believe, the closest Victorinox knife to your wishes, is the 111mm model 'Locksmith'. It has a big knife, a file, a saw, a philips drive (instead of cork screw) and it's missing the small pen blade and the parcel hook.

[oxxnarrdflame]

I don’t know about other outdoorsman but the huntsmans has been my outdoors knife for decades, that’s decades. I did add the corkscrew screwdriver. Yes I’ve used the screwdriver in the field to fix my sunglasses. I’ve used the scissors in the field many times, ie to cut mole skin for blisters, first aid chores.
Four or five layer knives are fine if you wear outdoors pants with big pockets. They definitely will not work if you wear skinny disco jeans. 😊

[drewanderson]

Review the victorinox ranger it’s mostly the same tool set but it has a file and 2 other tools on the back

[MartinBrabi]

My favorite swiss knife ❤️ scissors and saw are fantastic 👍

[CanadianBeachcomber]

Thank you for the review. My preference is the Fieldmaster.