knives

Knife chat: going minimal with a cheapo keychain blade

Sometimes all you need is a little blade. It will open packages, slice an apple, trim tape and cordage, even attack an onion. A little keychain blade can be all that is required. They don't come much cheaper than this.

Knife chat

Knife chat: buy now! Victorinox knives are getting harder to find

Reports from Spain suggest Victorinox has removed quite a few knives from their catalogue. There are a few surprises in the list of discontinued models and it may be wise to buy anything that interests you now, while you still can!

Knife chat

Knife chat: the NexTool Mini Sailor keychain multi-tool

The NexTool Mini Sailor combines ten functions into a single product to bring a surprising addition to the few 'keychain sized' multi-tool options available.

knife

Knife chat: 84mm of Victorinox excellence, a Cadet with a difference

Victorinox do like to release limited editions of their standard range of knives. Normally these will simply be a special colour for the handles. In 2022 Victorinox took the Cadet, one of their most popular knives and changed the handle material. This enabled them to add a couple of tools. Careful scale design has also made this an extremely attractive knife that pays homage to many of the iconic sights to be found in its country of origin.

knife

Knife chat: Victorinox’s Flagship Store in London

On their 125th anniversary, Victorinox opened a new Flagship Store in the UK. Three Points of the Compass ventured into London to see what was on offer.

Knife chat

Knife chat: 84mm Victorinox Recruit and derivatives- the Tinker Small, Tourist and Sportsman

The 84mm Victorinox Recruit, Tinker Small, Tourist and Sportsman are pretty similar to each other. They share a majority of their tools. However, there is the opportunity to choose a particular combination of functions that may be 'just right' for you. Not only that, but they are all well-priced, well-made and well-regarded products from a famed Swiss knife-maker.

knife

Knife chat: the SwissBuck Legend- obsolete, but still a good choice

The 65mm SwissBuck Legend is an interesting little tool that may suit those looking for something just a little different. It was the result of a collaboration between Swiss knife maker Wenger and one of the oldest knife makers in the US- Buck Knives.

knife

Knife chat: Victorinox Pioneer X and Pioneer Farmer

The Pioneer X and Farmer each provide one additional tool over their two-layer cousins. That extra tool, either scissors or saw, may be enough to tempt you

knife

Knife chat: Victorinox Pioneer and Pioneer Electrician

The Alox Pioneer knives from Victorinox are good looking with well made robust tools. These two-layer options from the 'medium-pocket knives' range differ from each other only slightly and either may provide exactly the tool set required.

Knife chat

Knife chat: Victorinox Swiss Army 1 and Swiss Army 2

Sometimes all that is wanted is a simple folding blade. The well priced and good looking Swiss Army 1 or Swiss Army 2 from Victorinox may be all that is required

knife

Knife chat: are you flying? a look at bladeless ‘knife’ options

Many of us like to pack along a little knife when backpacking or travelling. But what to take when flying. Rather than lose a favourite to zealous security, there are some little tools that don't include a blade. Three Points of the Compass looks at three options.

Gear

Favourite gear: the Leatherman Squirt S4 keychain multi-tool

None of us require much in the way of a knife or multi-tool when backpacking. A small blade will normally cope with most tasks. However greater functionality can be useful on multi-day excursions. The diminutive Leatherman Squirt S4 has been a favourite of Three Points of the Compass across thousands of miles of trail.

Knife chat

Knife chat: which to choose- scissors or pliers? Why not have both, with the NexTool Mini Flagship multi-tool

The NexTool Mini Flagship is a unique option amongst keychain multi-tools. It provides a large pair of scissors together with pliers, alongside a small yet handy set of additional tools

knife

Knife chat: The Wenger Esquire and derivatives

The Wenger Esquire was a 65mm knife with blade, scissors and nailfile. There have been subsequent rebrands and changes over the years, many of which deserve consideration

Gear

Knife chat: Woodn’t you believe it- three terrific little Swiss Army Knives

Three little knives from the Victorinox range that feature wood scales

Gear

Knife chat: Victorinox 84mm Alox Bantam and Cadet

Two Victorinox models provide good options in a modest 84mm frame. Unburdened by unnecessary function, the single-layer Bantam is the simplest while the two-layer Cadet offers just a few more tools. Both models come with attractive alox scales and weigh very little.

Gear

Three Points of the Compass

Lightweight backpacking, gear chat, knife chat, map measures and anything outdoorsy

knives

Knife chat: going minimal with a cheapo keychain blade

Knife chat: buy now! Victorinox knives are getting harder to find

Knife chat: the NexTool Mini Sailor keychain multi-tool

Knife chat: 84mm of Victorinox excellence, a Cadet with a difference

Knife chat: Victorinox’s Flagship Store in London

Knife chat: 84mm Victorinox Recruit and derivatives- the Tinker Small, Tourist and Sportsman

Knife chat: the SwissBuck Legend- obsolete, but still a good choice

Knife chat: Victorinox Pioneer X and Pioneer Farmer

Knife chat: Victorinox Pioneer and Pioneer Electrician

Knife chat: Victorinox Swiss Army 1 and Swiss Army 2

Knife chat: are you flying? a look at bladeless ‘knife’ options

Favourite gear: the Leatherman Squirt S4 keychain multi-tool

Knife chat: which to choose- scissors or pliers? Why not have both, with the NexTool Mini Flagship multi-tool

Knife chat: The Wenger Esquire and derivatives

Knife chat: Woodn’t you believe it- three terrific little Swiss Army Knives

Knife chat: Victorinox 84mm Alox Bantam and Cadet

Knife chat: Victorinox horticultural knives- do they have a place beyond the garden?

Knife chat: the Swiss Classic Foldable Paring Knives

Knife chat: The Spyderco Bug- is this the perfect EDC knife?

Knife chat: Gerber Armbar Slim Cut and Slim Drive