Leatherman Signal VS Swiss Army Survival Knife Field Tests

Urban Knife Guy shares his field tests and comparisons between the Leatherman Signal and customised Victorinox Swiss Army Survival Knife.

He tested cutting, carving, sawing and fire-starting capabilities.

Urban Survival Tin for Disruption, Disaster & Attack

Check out Urban Knife Guy's take on a survival tin designed to increase chances of survival and rescue or escape specifically in an urban environment should things go bad.

Join Urban Knife Guy on social media at:

[SubUrbanNinja-EDC]

The signal can definitely do more. The pumal is useful for pounding in tent stakes and breaking open nuts and shell fish. After heavy use, you can sharpen the blade with the sharpener. The ferro rod can start fires. The whistle can be used for "signaling". The pliers can be used to yank sewing needles through leather and canvas. Not to mention the pliers can help bend metals to shape or repair in crafting other tools. I love Victorinox but in all honesty, the useful factor goes to the Signal out of the box.

[fossilimprint]

Great comparison! I like that you actually used the knives.

[josepaixao]

Nice video! I totally agree! Both are incredibly useful for a survival situation. A tinny edge to the Signal (my favourite all rounder with those pliers... need to do the scissors mod on it but, for now, I pair it with a midnight manager for the scissors, pen and light) but, a well kitted SAK (like yours) will also not fail you!

I have the Signal and then 3 additional SAKs: Evo S17 (with the locking blade), Huntsman and (since last week...) the Outrider... If I don't think I will need the pliers, the S17 is still my go-to due to the size/weight and locking blade...

[ike]

Still got a signal brand new in the box, haven't felt the need to use it with all the other gear but i can't bring myself to sell it because it does look pretty cool.

[mikeconti]

Great comparison, I really appreciate that it was not opinionated like some other video's and gave them both an unbiased shot. I prefer the signal with the extra features especially the pliers it has, but also I have modified it to hold an extra Leatherman bit, added the Leatherman precision screw driver with a hack I found and I am currently adding the wingman scissors to it. I am also working on a mod to hopefully hold the Victorinox tweezers and toothpick as well with the extra bit.

[MrFlyrod]

I think it is a tossup as well, and may depend on where you’re going, and what you’re doing. I have the Signal and a larger Victorinox as well and have a hard time picking, which one I want to carry that day. One large difference is you have pliers on a Leatherman. So that may be the difference when you want to pick which one you want to use

[bartekteee]

In my personal assessment, Victorinox stands out for its superior build quality, enhanced grip for knife handling, component scales that allow for comfortable use even in winter conditions without the need for gloves, and a lightweight design. On the other hand, Leatherman excels with its exceptional pliers, appealing overall aesthetics, inclusion of a ferro rod and whistle. I believe the primary decision comes down to a choice between superior knife capabilities vs excellent pliers. In that regard, my preference still leans towards Victorinox for its knife performance.

[gadgetgus]

Hey buddy 👊
The Signal is quite a good tool, but I would never get one, personally.
I prefer the SAK overall, especially for value 👌
Great comparison video my friend,
Atb Gus 👍

[spartan]

I would take the leatherman all day long, i have never been disappointed with their products.

[jnasty_og]

I have both and the long and short is if I could only pick 1 it would be the leatherman. If I’m strictly doing camp tasks, the victornox is just more way more efficient around camp. That said, when camping, I usually have a full set of tools (axe, saw, shovel, fixed blade, etc).

[simonh]

The bottom line is that in a bushcraft scenario both would be secondary blades and backup tools as one would at least carry a fixed blade and most likely an axe/Parang and/or possibly a folding saw.
I'd say like you that both are equally good as camping and/or survival kit tools. I don't need to buy a Signal as I already have a Rebar, Soldier 08 (Swiss military issue version of the One-handed Trekker), and I can pair up the Soldier 08 with a pair of Knipex Cobras which make superb pot grips.

[alanrice]

Good review, both good tools, SAN would be my preference for what I do in the outdoors

[ChromeArty]

However it is a Swiss Knife plus stuff vs a Signal. And even then the Signal comes out on top. Nothing against the knife, it just isn't a fair comparison.

[rabadabadoo]

I'd go with the Victorinox if i was carrying it with me and leave the leatherman in a pack or my vehicle.
Cheers 🍻

[BePrepared]

U can use a rock to pummel tent stakes or open nuts and shells like humans did in primitive ages

[BePrepared]

If it was 100% wildernes survival lost in the woods.
Victorinox all day long !

[konnorwerth]

Good comparison but your knife skills need some work

[terrytibbs]

Very inexperienced in the way you used a ferro rod