Customer Reviews
don't leave home without it. 
2007-05-29
I bought my first Spartan in 1979. I have been using it since then and love it. I also gave some as gifts to my brother and to friends. Not a single complaint. What I like most about it is that it has all the essentials - can opener, bottle opener, cork screw and screwdrivers. The tweezers and toothpick make it even more complete. It is not a multi-tool, but it is a compact, everyday handy tool, without frills.
I finally had to buy a replacement because my daughter wanted one to go camping - except for a few scratches it looks as good as new and works like new.
I Highly recommend it.
THIS IS THE ONE 2007-05-28
This is the knife MacGyver used. Victorinox has been making these for several generations. This is the only knife to own.
Excellent social & travel companion 2007-05-12
As always, Swiss Army knife is well known for quality. No further discuss on this.
This Spartan is similar to the Stinker, the different is instead of screw driver in Tinker, the Spartan has a Cork puller.
I bought this Spartan for travel social engagement with relatives & friends. I don't use screw driver at wine table, I use the cork puller. It well worth to add a touch of social sharing.
Just a note for a Tinker: If I happen need to do mechanic fixing something I need more than a #2 phillip screw driver. A Leatherman multi tool should me more appropriate.
Terrific all-around pocket knife 2007-01-11
I've been carrying and using these Swiss Army Spartans (or similar model) for about 35 years. Bought my first in Germany and couldn't get along without it now. Great quality and has just about everything you could want for daily use. It's small enough and light enough that it's comfortable to carry. Doesn't have all the useless "bell and whistles" that you'd probably only use if you were a 12 year-old Boy Scout. Only problem (mine, not the knife's) is that I tend to lose one about every 6-7 years... so I bought 2 this time so as to have a replacement for the next time it grows legs and walks away. Another great feature is the optional eyeglass screwdriver than can be purchased and fits neatly (via a threaded handle) into the corkscrew.
Stay simple 2006-12-05
Jack Leonard's story is mine too - I've carried this precise model knife since my parents brought me one from Europe in about 1964. I am probably on my 9th or 10th one. This knife is optimal - enough blades but not so many that you list as you walk. (And, yes, one blade sharp and the other abused.) I am re-ordering this model even though I'm carrying a backup model that is identical except for swapping out the corkscrew for a phillips screwdriver. That's not good enough - you can improvise the phillips but not a corkscrew!
Best All Purpose Knife Ever 2008-02-13
I was given a Spartan Swiss Army Knife in 1996 and carried the knife with me everywhere for 12 years. I worked extensively overseas and used this knife on a regular basis and because of it's size, it was easily carried and unobtrusive. One of the most handy features to me was the corkscrew. I couldn't tell you how many times this little item saved the day. It was only until I recently lost the knife that I resorted to buying a replacement or would be still carrying it today. I had found other knives similar to the Spartan but with a philips screwdriver instead of a corkscrew and it just wasn't the same. This is a high quality product that will last for years, if you don't lose it first! A perfect all purpose knife.
Travel sak 2008-01-18
I have 5 saks, which made my friend joke with me ("But the point of those things is not to use one device?") I carry a tinkerer with me all the time, but for trips where opening a wine bottle will be more useful than opening a computer case the spartan is the choice. It is small, will not make a bulge on your pants, and has the most useful functions. It is so useful that I left it in my pocket going through security in the airport. Well, I bought another one now, and also a compact, which might become my daily sak.
The best everyday model of Swiss Army knives 2007-12-07
There was an occasion that I needed to buy a bunch of small gifts and I saw this general purpose pocket knife on sale for $11. I compared it with many other similar models of Swiss Army knives (Waiter, Tourist, etc), and decided to go with this one. It has just the essential tools that one needs for everyday use, not bulky. People usually get to use the knife blade more often than other tools, so it is good that this model has two knife blades. It has separate bottle/can openers, which is more easier to use. I chose corkscrew over Philip screwdriver because I knew that this particular group of people would prefer it for their purposes. I only wish it came with scissors, but those models with scissors usually have other tools that one doesn't use everyday and they are bulky to carry around. Spartan, the best everyday knife from Swiss Army, couldn't be happier with this choice.
A long time favorite 2007-11-15
This wonderful knife has been around the world with me and on many miles of wilderness trails. But I recently had to take an unplanned plane trip and had to surrender it to airport security.
I was crushed, but was very happy to see it is still being made.
A classic.
Enough stuff to get you through many crises like no corkscrew for the wine or a lose screw on the camp stove, but not so much it wears a hole in your pocket after a few back pack trips. Right up there with duct tape and hot glue!
A Perennial Favorite 2007-06-21
I started carrying one of these nearly 25 years ago, when I read an article in American Photo about what professional photographers had in their camera bags. Two of the four bags they went through had one of these. At the time I was an aspiring pro, so I got one, too.
I must have half a dozen of them: Thinking I have lost my beloved pocket knife, I've replaced it many times only to find it under a couch cushion or car seat after I've bought a new one.
I carry one every day and I use it every day. To open mail, to trim drawings, to auger a hole in something, to pick my teeth, even a few times to open wine. I've tied them to nylon cord and tossed them over a tree limb to lift a food bag out of bear range on backpacking trips. A friend of mine borrowed my knife to gut and dress a rabbit.
All of them have been this model, save one. That one is a similar knife made by Wenger, the other official Swiss Army Knife maker, and sold with the Buck name on it. It has a stylish black handle, but because it's not bright red, it is more easily lost. The main blade wiggles, which has never happened to any of my Victorinoxes, though some have been abused.
Get the Victorinox and skip the Wengers.
