Swiss Army Camper Knife
This classic pocket knife, with tools for just about any camping situation, measures just over 3.5 inches, allowing it to slide easily into a pocket.
- Features two blades, a can opener with screwdriver, bottle opener with screwdriver and wire stripper, reamer with sewing eye
- Corkscrew, wood saw, toothpick and tweezers
- Rugged Swiss stainless-steel components, sturdy nylon handles and aluminum interior housings ensure this knife will last for years
- Knife can be hung around your neck or attached to your key chain as well as carried in a pocket
- Crafted by Victorinox of Switzerland
Imported.
| Best Use | Camping |
|---|---|
| Knife Blade Type | Straight Edge |
| Number of Blades | 2 Blades |
| Max Blade Length (in.) | 2.5 inches |
| Closed Length | 3.58 inches |
| Handle Material | Nylon |
| Blade Construction | Stainless steel |
| Standard Screwdriver(s) | 2 |
| Bottle Opener | Yes |
| Can Opener | Yes |
| Corkscrew | Yes |
| Tweezers | Yes |
| Toothpick | Yes |
| Wire Stripper | Yes |
| Reamer | Yes |
| Wood Saw | Yes |
| Weight | 3.2 ounces |
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A favorite that is always on me.
When I turned 13, I received what is the equivalent of the current SWAK Recruit--only mine had cool metal scales, perhaps a version of Alox--as a birthday gift. I'm 46 now, in 2020. Unfortunately, last year, I broke the tip off of the larger blade trying to pry spline out of an old window screen, which left a sharp edge exposed in my pocket. It broke my heart, too, and I'm still holding on to the broken thing like an old sap. In need of a replacement, I bought the Wood Ranger 55, but found that beast much too big to carry comfortably in my pocket. I'm not foolish enough to return such a great tool, so I tucked it into an emergency bag. After spending some time distilling my wants and needs, I decided on the Camper. It has the same tools as my old knife--small and large blades, can opener, screwdriver--with the addition of a wood saw, corkscrew, a sewing awl, tweezers, and toothpick. I use the knife mostly to open packages or boxes or to occasionally, you know, cut stuff. The screwdrivers have come in handy quite often over the years. New to me is that the Camper's large flathead tool has a positive stop at 90 degrees. This means you can more easily use it to get into hard-to-reach spots that you couldn't manage if it were fully extended. Either with the Camper or my old knife (which had identical screwdrivers/can openers), I cannot remember ever wishing for or requiring an actual Phillips head, which is the reason I chose this model over Victorinox's Hiker. However, if you anticipate a frequent need for a Phillips head, it would be worth buying the Hiker. I rarely use the can opener other than for small or Phillips screws, though it's one of those things I've been happy to have in my pocket if I do happen to forget to bring one if I happen to be car camping with canned goods. Come to think of it, I have used the blade of the can opener to lightly scrape paint off of a surface once. I used it both so that I didn't dull either of my blades, and also because the angle was better for scraping than the blades on the knives. Of course, the corkscrew is good for corks. Although depending on your strength and grip, it might be difficult to remove a stubborn cork from a bottle. However, I have also used Zack Fowler's (of History Channel's show, Alone) suggestion of using the corkscrew for untying knots. Further, you can buy tiny screwdrivers from Victorinox with tiny handles that will screw into the corkscrew, both ways. So, you can screw the tiny screwdriver inside the corkscrew with the tip pointed out so that you can use the knife as a handle, and you can store the tiny screwdriver away inside the corkscrew while the corkscrew is folded down. The awl is, obviously, for making holes. I believe I may have used it once since I've had the Camper, but expect that it would work well in leather and wood. I have outfitted my Camper with a tiny, aftermarket, ferrocerium rod that fits snugly into the space usually reserved for the ubiquitous, nearly useless, toothpick. I am about to order a pen from Victorinox (REI doesn't offer them), in hopes that it will fit where the tweezers go. Uses for the saw are pretty obvious, and it is, in fact, a very sharp saw. Another great thing about it is that the spine of the saw has a sharp 90-degree angle, which is useful (and rather necessary, if you don't want to dull a knife blade) for striking the above mentioned ferro rod. TL;DR: This knife is a versatile and customizable tool for a great price that is a great size to carry with you without overwhelming your pocket. I wish the blade would lock properly, and that there was an option for a Camper with metal scales. Also, it would be nice to have only one, large, blade, and for the smaller blade to be replaced with some other tool. One more thing: If you haven't yet discovered Felix Immler, you haven't fully appreciated your SWAK. Check out his videos on the Tube of You, where he demonstrates the many uses for your knife.
Excellent Tool
An excellent knife, like almost all of the Victorinox Swiss Army knives. This one is more suited to camping and outdoors. The climber model with the scissors is probably a more appropriate knife for urban use. Regarding the review below, the only people who think the saw blade is useless are those who've never used it. The swiss army saw is actually a very capable and useful saw. I've cut through 3 inch branches with ease. Also works great on crusty bread and ropes, cables and seat belt material. Definitely not a gimmick. Give it a try and you may be surprised.
Nice knife for the outdoorsman
Great pocket knife. With the addition of the fire fly ferro rod and the helix tinder from tortoise gear. you have a great EDC knife with the ability to start a fire in an emergency.
As advertised
This pocket knife is exactly what it looks like. It is a little stiff at first, but the more you use it, the less stiff it gets. We bought this as the first pocket knife for our 6 year old, and it has been great. Of course our child does not carry it around all the time and must use it only with supervision, but it is a good size for child hands, it does not have too many gadgets, and the blade is small which makes it more manageable for kids. Our kiddo enjoys sitting in her dad's lap as he helps her use this knife and learns knife safety.
This tool is a lifesaver!
Unfortunately my last Swiss Army knife was stolen/lost so I found this to be my replacement and I like it better than the other one because it satisfies my needs! I used this for everything from the house to a rustic campgrounds. Our house can opener didn't work so I pulled this out and used it -- it did the job and worked very well. On our last camping trip we had to open a bottle of win and the corkscrew helped open it up! All the tools you need are on this bad boy from opening boxes to opening bottles of wine, it will do the job!
Lightweight Leatherman alternative
The description says 3.2oz, however, its lighter. About 2.6 oz according to my scale and Victorinox website. I appreciate the Camper as a lightweight alternative to a Leatherman when pliers are not a concern. (Like when hiking/camping and you have a leatherman in the car). The camper still provides screwdrivers (can opener is phillips), knives, saw, awl, and of course the bonus tweezers. The only thing you really lose is pliers and a file, but you save so much weight. Leatherman around 6 to 9 oz, depending on model, and the Vic Camper 2.6 oz. I agree with another reviewer, Felix Immler on Youtube will make you appreciate how capable your Vic is. Add a pair of Knipex Cobra pliers (I like the 6") and you pretty much have a modular 2 piece leatherman for about the same cost and weight.
Bare minimum knife (for me, anyway)
I bought this knife because it had everything I needed in a camp knife, and nothing I don't. As it turns out, the size makes it perfect for keeping with my everyday, not just in my camp bag. I really like wine, so I need a corkscrew, and I figured I'd get this 'till i could save up for a Leatherman Xe6 or Victorinox Champ, but I might not even go that far now that I have this (although pliers would be nice!).
I always carry one of these knives
I use this knife for everything from fixing equipment to starting fires and opening the bottle of wine at camp. I wish it had a Phillips screwdriver bit. I've mended an 18 foot long slash in an inflatable boat bottom with it and some shoemakers thread.
Best all around
I bought this one to replace one I had just like it that I purchased in 1979. I gave the old one to my son and treated myself to a new one. Best all around Swiss Army Knife. May not have all the bells and whistles but is small enough to carry daily and it may not have all the tools, but has one that will do the job.
keep this handy all purpose with you
this has all the bases covered. multi tools come in handy at work and traveling. I've lost 2 Swiss army knives to TSA, so this is a replacement. just remember to check it thru and don't leave it in your carryon by mistake.