| | |  | Pocket Knives | Home » » » Victorinox Swiss Army Recruit Pocket Knife (Black) | | | | | | | Product Promotions: | | | | | Description: | | In 1884, Master Cutler Karl Elsener started his cutlery factory in the small village of Ibach, Switzerland. In 1897, he crafted the Victorinox Original Swiss Army Knife. Since that time, the Elsener family has continued to craft tools in the Victorinox tradition of in genius design, durability, and quality. This is why all Victorinox multi-tools, made of first class stainless steel, are guaranteed a lifetime against defects in material and workmanship. Remember, if it doesn't say Victorinox, it's not the Original Swiss Army Knife. | | | Features: | |
• Victorinox swiss army recruit pocket knife
• Made of first class stainless steel
• Guaranteed a lifetime against defects in material and workmanship
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Weight:
| 0.0 pounds | | Package Length:
| 4.7 inches | | Package Width:
| 1.9 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.9 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.1 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 12 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 12 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Handy medium size, excellent blade steelMay 07, 2009
By Robert Lindsey
My first Swiss Army knife, a red "Tinker" model Victorinox Switzerland Tinker-red Victorinox Knives, has worked for me long and well, and this "Recruit" appears to be every bits its equal for quality. To some extent, this review reflects that past experience with a similar Swiss Army knife (which is still fully usable), but I have use the Recruit enough to be confident that the carryover of quality and utility is there.
Having taken up wood carving about a year ago, I have become at least a moderately good blade sharpener and judge of blades for working wood (because that's the first skill you've got to develop if you're going to carve). These knives come to you sharp enough to give your finger a good cut if you're careless. However, the steel will take a much keener edge than it comes with, and will hold it through a substantial amount of (non-abusive) use as long as you strop the blade now and then. It does take a while to get them to an extremely keen, smooth/polished edge the first time, but you can't begrudge the manufacturer that; people who are seriously into knives develop their own edge shape (cross-section) preferences, and the knife has to come sharpened only to the point where these folks can take off and do their own thing in further sharpening. So these knives do come "sharp," but you can make them super-sharp if you want to put in the effort -- which, as I've discovered with some OTHER knives (not a Swiss Army knife), you just can't do with a lesser quality steel, regardless how much effort you give it.
As for durability.... Assuming you respect the knife's limits, the only thing you're likely to break loose on one of these is the plastic side piece (the "scale"), and you can easily glue it back on with a modern adhesive and probably never see it loose again. By respecting its limits, I mean don't pry with the blade; that's not what they're made to endure. However, if my Tinker is a good example, you can apply a fair amount of prying pressure with the screwdriver blade.
This "Recruit" knife is a bit smaller than the Tinker -- both shorter and not so thick, and actually a better fit for my medium-ish hand. (The reduction in thickness is possible because it has fewer gadgets, the only one of which I MIGHT miss is the awl that the Tinker and some others have.) If you get one and sharpen it well, and then treat it decently -- respect its limits, like I said -- it will more than repay the care.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Swiss Army KnifeJan 14, 2008
By Tommy G. Perkins
This model of the Swiss Army Knife is just right for my application and for the people to whom I gave it for Christmas. It is big enough to handle any wood whittling project, yet not so big that it feels like a huge lump in my pocket. The small screwdriver is perfect for large Philips-Head screws and the regular screw driver is perfect for everything else. One of the ppeople to whome I gave this had not had a pocket knife in over 40 years, but he told me that he has really enjoyed carrying this knife.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
So handyJan 10, 2011
By naturalmomma
Husband loved this gift. He has a regular size swiss but wanted a keychain one. Turns out this one is slightly larger than your regular keychain ones and he likes it much better. Does so much with it.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
very handyJan 08, 2009
By Barbara E. Mccullough
"Barb in California"
Perfect size to carry in your pocket without bulk. Once you start carrying a pocket knife, you can't live without one. This one is a great size with features you need.
A great little pocket knifeApr 26, 2012
By Smaug
"Jeremy"
My grandpa got me (and the rest of the grandkids) an economy version one of these on his last trip to Switzerland in the 80s. I still have it.
The one here is different in that the shield is embedded instead of stamped, and it also has a key/lanyard ring. The distinguishing features of this model are as such:
- There are no tools on the back of the knife. While this may be viewed as a negative by some, it gives the advantage that the backsprings are smooth and flush with the back of the knife, and it is therefore more comfortable in the hand, especially during extended use.
- It is the 3-1/4" size. (closed) This fits better in the hip pocket than the much more numerous 3-1/2" models. One can barely feel that it is there. If you like the smaller size, but want back tools, the Sportsman adds a corkscrew and reamer to the back, and drops the small blade in favor of a nail file. The Small Tinker (not available here at this time, despite the specs published here) adds a phillips and reamer to the back.
I bought this knife as a whittler. I figured the smooth back would make it more comfortable in the hand, and I was right. One does need to remove the keyring and grind off the nub, though, for true comfort. I also got a little too creative trying to turn the can opener into a specialized carving tool. When I ground off the hook at the base of the tool, that messed up the stop, and now it closed all the way into the handle. It takes an act of God to get it out now, so I kind of ruined the knife. Oh well, it is still good for whittling!
In stock form, the flat screwdriver tip on the bottle opener works well, and the small tip on the can opener works in a #2 phillips most times. Just take care that it doesn't close on your hand.
See all 12 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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