Victorinox Corkscrew Question and Praise

[Morgoth412]

The Victorinox Camper has been my out of house EDC now for the past couple of weeks. It does an excellent job, and it is now my favorite knife! (My trusty Buck Cadet does all my in house cutting)

It is probably the greatest combination of tools for the outdoors I can think of. Everything on it is something I could use in a survival situation, except the little corkscrew screwdriver I added. I don't drink wine, but the corkscrew works really well as a hook to tighten my workboots.

The fit and finish is all you would expect from a swiss army knife, flawless, and the blade steel is one of my favorites. I will be ordering a custom handled one in a week or two.

Does anybody else have a Camper model? What do you think of yours?

My question is about the corkscrew. I was comparing my Camper to my dads the other day and there is a big difference in the corkscrew. Mine is smooth the whole way around, his has a groove that goes all the way around it. Hard to explain, but if you know enough about Victorinox's it shouldn't be too hard to figure out. I want to know what the difference is besides appearance, and when did they stop using this design.
-Kevin

 

[APS]

A friend of mine had a Camper. I have a Ranger, but have never had a Camper. The older corkscrews had that groove, but I can't remember why.
I'm sure the UnknownVT will be able to tell you that - and probably the lot number and shipping vessel that your Dad's SAK was imported on.

 

[UnknownVT]

The older corkscrews had that groove, but I can't remember why.
I'm sure the UnknownVT will be able to tell you that - and probably the lot number and shipping vessel that your Dad's SAK was imported on.

Mooring #9 off the Eastcoast Dock.......

Fluted or grooved corkscrews were available on Victorinoxes somewhere between 1983/4 and 1991 - there was a bit of discussion on this on page 2 of the SAK - Victorinox Tinker thread

The "fluted worm" - honest I did not just make that up - or grooved corkscrew was to relieve the pressure of the worm-screw so it would not crack the cork.

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/

 

[Richard]

I have a couple of Campers. One of them has the clear red handles. Looks nice that way. Great set of tools and makes for a good edc.

 

[PWork]

I have the Hiker and would rather have the corkscrew just for that little screwdriver. I find it's more useful that the phillips.

Paul

 

[collecter]

I like the Alox Soldier. The only improvement I'd make to it would be to add the corkscrew and that little flat screw driver that twists into it.

Kinda' like a Sparton with alox scales and thicker blades, but I like the awl on the Soldier better and I don't need the Sparton's tiny knife blade.

To the Soldier with a corkscrew!

Cheers,
Collecter

The only thing I don't use on the Soldier is the bottle opener but I'm sure I'll find a use for it one day. Who really needs a bottle opener to remove a bottle cap?

I need someone to suggest a good use for the bottle opener!

 

[Morgoth412]

The only thing I don't use on the Soldier is the bottle opener but I'm sure I'll find a use for it one day. Who really needs a bottle opener to remove a bottle cap?

I need someone to suggest a good use for the bottle opener!

Buy a six pack of Sam Adams and a six pack of Guinness Draught and you will have a great workout for your bottle opener.

Beer seems to be the only bottles that require a bottle opener, all soft drinks use screw caps now.



UnknownVT,
Thanks for the answer, but why did they stop using it if it keeps the cork from cracking? Seems like something that should be kept... Does the little jewelers screwdriver not fit into the fluted worm ones?


Pwork,
I found the same to be true. I was going to buy a Hiker when I realized that the Camper is a better outdoor knife, and I wanted to keep the useless screwdriver stuff to a minimum. I figure the corkscrew can be used for a couple things besides just wine, so I'd get the Camper instead. Glad I did.
-Kevin

 

[PWork]

Most of us wear prescription, safety, or sun glasses at one time or another. How often do you find a suitable screwdriver to tighten a stem screw when you need one? The corkscrew/screw driver combo just makes more sense to me, especially since the tip of the can opener works quite well on phillips head screws. And really, how often do you really use the can opener with most everything going to pull tabs?

The screwdriver fits fine in the fluted corkscrews.

Paul

 

[Morgoth412]

Most of us wear prescription, safety, or sun glasses at one time or another. How often do you find a suitable screwdriver to tighten a stem screw when you need one? The corkscrew/screw driver combo just makes more sense to me, especially since the tip of the can opener works quite well on phillips head screws. And really, how often do you really use the can opener with most everything going to pull tabs?

The screwdriver fits fine in the fluted corkscrews.

Paul

I agree about the jewelers driver, great stuff. As I mentioned before the corkscrew works well as a hook too, and you can screw the corkscrew into wood to make a big handle for your camp latern.

I do find the can opener and bottle opener handy now... In 10 years though, maybe not so much. I think Victorinox should change things around and replace some of the outdated stuff in a decade or so.

Wouldn't it be great if in 15 years, when there is not need for can openers, they had a magnifying glass where the can opener is w/ a phillips tip that extended out a little? Or better yet a metal saw/file w/ a phillips tip!
-Kevin

 

[KeithAM]

I have a Huntsman from about 1991 that has a fluted corkscrew, and a recent vintage Climber with a smooth corkscrew.

I really like my SAKs. I find myself using the screwdrivers a lot, and really all of the tools come into play eventually. I even used the hook on the Climber recently to dig the cotton out of a small bottle of aspirin.

The thin blades are ridiculously easy to get hair-popping sharp.

 

[UnknownVT]

Thanks for the answer, but why did they stop using it if it keeps the cork from cracking? Seems like something that should be kept...

The fluted worm is only very marginally better at not cracking old dried out corks - about the only people who still use the fluted worms are some of the Laguiole upmarket (read expensive) corkscrews -

Wouldn't it be great if in 15 years, when there is not need for can openers, they had a magnifying glass where the can opener is w/ a phillips tip that extended out a little?

Cans will be around for a long time - as a means of storing food - having a can-opener means one can always get access to the food in cans.......

Not all bottles have twist off caps - especially in many places around the world - so the bottle cap lifter is an extremely useful tool.

The SAK you described sounds like the Victorinox Scientist model -
which happens to be my EDC -

the Combo or Combination tool works well as a can-opener:

See this thread:
My EDC Story - Victorinox Combo Tool Story

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/

 

[Morgoth412]

Thanks for the corkscrew info Vincent.

Actually, I agree that the bottle opener and can opener are useful now and used more often still in other parts of the world. My idea is that in a decade or so this might no longer be the case. Even cans for the most part now are pull top and most bottles are screw off. In 10 years, maybe a bit more, I think there may no longer be a need for can openers or bottle openers.

Yeah, the Scientist I am familiar with, but the set up isn't exactly what I meant. My idea would be more like having the regular camper setup, except place the combo tool where the bottle opener/screwdriver is now, and put the magnifying glass with a phillips tip on it where the can opener/phillips is now.

That would be a great change in a few years probably. Doubt it will happen, but a Camper with a magnifying glass would be great.

Another kool idea for an outdoor type scientist, would be to put an awl where the phillips is and add a woodsaw. That would be a great outdoor knife as well.
-Kevin

 

[UnknownVT]

Another kool idea for an outdoor type scientist, would be to put an awl where the phillips is and add a woodsaw. That would be a great outdoor knife as well.

The magnifying glass seems to always be paired with the in-body Phillips.

A close SAK to what you're describing is the Explorer with woodsaw that some people seemed to have over at SOSAK at KnifeForums.com

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/

 

[Morgoth412]

The magnofying glass seems to always be paired with the in-body Phillips.

A close SAK to what you're describing is the Explorer with woodsaw that some people seemed to have over at SOSAK at KnifeForums.com

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/

Looks ok, if they took out the scissors and phillips head, which is redundant with the can-opener/screwdriver.

I guess it's time for Victorinox to make a new tool. The magnifying phillips driver! It would save space and make a great pair with the combo tool.
-Kevin

 

[PWork]

Gotta love that can/bottle/slotted/phillips combo. My Compact is my favorite cellidor handled model. It rides in my duffle bag on overnight/weekend trips.

Paul

 

[UnknownVT]

Looks ok, if they took out the scissors and phillips head, which is redundant with the can-opener/screwdriver.
I guess it's time for Victorinox to make a new tool. The magnifying phillips driver! It would save space and make a great pair with the combo tool.
-Kevin

I guess it's time - you described what combination of tools you'd like instead of me trying to (unsuccessfully) second-guess you.

The combination of magnifying glass and phillips would be (pardon the outburst, and not being rude) a real STUPID idea - since screwdrivers often have to have reach into confined spaces - a magnifying glass on what would normally be the shank - would get in the way more often than not.

This was one of my major criticisms of the combined magnifying glass with small flat screwdriver tip on the Wenger SAK models - please see this tool-by-tool comparison review between the "BIGgies" - Vic SwissChamp and the Wenger Tool Chest Plus:

SAKs - Victorinox or Wenger

Of course like I always say that is just my IMHO -
and YMMV

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/

 

[Morgoth412]

Vincent,
Ok but how about this... Replace the small blade on the camper with the combo tool, as it seems to go there anyway. THEN Victorinox makes a magnifying glass with a tip that extends across the whole handle. (So the magnifying glass would be the length it is now, with the screwdriver sticking out about twice as long for the reach you speak of.) How about then?
-Kevin

 

[Morgoth412]

Vincent,
Nevermind, I just realized that if it went the whole length it would defeat the purpose of saving space anyway... Seeing as nothing could be on the other side. Damn the swiss are smart bastids.

I love the Camper as is for now, but once the can opener phases out they should use the combo tool and magnifying glass together. There has got to be a way to pair them and make it work.
-Kevin

 

[UnknownVT]

I love the Camper as is for now, but once the can opener phases out they should use the combo tool and magnifying glass together. There has got to be a way to pair them and make it work.

A good possiblity is the Scientist with a woodsaw -
not quite your ideal - but close -

since the Phillips feature is lost when you go to only the Combo tool -
the regular in-body Phillips opposite the magnifying glass again makes sense....

but there would be no awl/reamer (as you have on the Camper)

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/

 

[Morgoth412]

A good possiblity is the Scientist with a woodsaw -
not quite your ideal - but close -

since the Phillips feature is lost when you go to only the Combo tool -
the regular in-body Phillips opposite the magnifying glass again makes sense....

but there would be no awl/reamer (as you have on the Camper)

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net/
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net/

Yeah and the awl/reamer is an essential outdoors tool for me.

Oh well, as of now the Camper is awesome!! It just may be getting less use of its can opener and bottle opener in 10 years.
-Kevin